cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anthropometric Renal Anatomic Alterations Between Supine and Prone Positions in Percutaneous Renal Ablation for Renal Cortical Neoplasms.

Abstract Objectives: To establish patterns of anatomic changes relevant to the kidney and colon during positional change between the supine and prone positions as noted on CT scans performed during percutaneous cryoablation for renal cortical neoplasms (RCN). Methods: Nineteen patients undergoing percutaneous cryoablation for RCN with abdominal CT scan in both the supine and prone positions were included in the study. We documented the anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, and cranial/caudal anatomic changes of the kidney, kidney rotation, and the proportion of the kidney whose access was limited by the liver, spleen, and lung. We also calculated the length of the percutaneous access tract and the distance between the colon and kidney in hilar position as well as the anterior/posterior location of the colon relative to the kidney. Results: In the prone position, the kidney lies significantly more anteriorly on both sides: 4.7 cm vs 4.3 cm (L) and 4.4 cm vs 4.1 cm (R) (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). O...
High prostatic fascia release or standard nerve sparing? A viewpoint from Columbia University Medical Center

The technique of lateral prostatic fascia nerve sparing has shown improved recovery of sexual function results after robotic prostatectomy. Using strict criteria to identify men with low-risk prostate cancer, this form of nerve preservation can be safely performed without compromising cancer control.
Hazards of New Drugs: The scientific approach is necessary for the safest and most effective use of new drugs.

Oliver Wendell Holmes (14) said 100 years ago, "I firmly believe that if the whole materia medica as now used could be sunk to the bottom of the sea, it would be all the better for mankind—and all the worse for the fishes." This is still true for the fishes; in fact, with our more potent drugs, it would be even worse for them. So far as mankind is concerned, however, I disagree; I need point only to our vastly improved mortality and morbidity rates. But mankind would be still better off if the physician treated the products of modern science with due regard for the principles of science; if there were no pressures distracting him from these principles; and if, in attacking disease, he viewed the large problem, with its long-range implications, as well as the immediate effects on a number of dissociated diseases. I think that the physician must transcend the businessman9s ethic, and also that the safe and effective clinical use of new drugs requires a new and acceptable image of the physician, one which combines the qualities of Dr. Christian and the discipline and special skill and logic of the scientist.
Cyclic Nucleotide Levels in Psoriatic and Normal Keratomed Epidermis

Changes in the cyclic nucleotide modulation of the epidermis could be involved in the altered state psoriatic lesional tissue. Since several conflicting values for cyclic AMP levels in the diseased state have been reported and cyclic GMP levels have been determined in only a small number of psoriatic patients, we have attempted to define the changes in epidermal cyclic nucleotide levels that can occur between psoriatic and normal epidermis. In this study, 34 normal volunteers and 28 persons with classical psoriasis vulgaris were biopsied using a Castroviejo keratome. The cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels of the snap frozen sample, which consists almost entirely of epidermal tissue, were determined by acetylated RIA of partially purified cyclic nucleotide fractions obtained by ion-exchange chromatography. The results indicate that cyclic GMP levels are increased 132% (NDA date base) in the lesional tissue when compared to the uninvolved areas. This is in agreement with our previously reported values obtained from a small number of biopsies. However, in contrast to our previous work, no decrease in lesional cyclic AMP in comparison with uninvolved epidermis was detected, although the content of cyclic AMP in all psoriatic tissue (both involved and uninvolved) was now observed to be decreased when compared to the normal values that have been obtained in our past and this present study. We conclude that cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP assays of biopsied epidermal tissue obtained form a large and varied human population can only suggest the involvement of cyclic nucleotides in the pathophysiology of the disease. Other systems and techniques are presently being used and developed to define the role of cyclic nucleotides in epidermal function and to formulate hypothesis on which to base further investigations of the misregulation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in psoriatic tissue.
Enabling strategic flight deck route re-planning within a modified ATC environment: The display of 4-D intent information on a CSD

The concept of free flight introduces many challenges for both air and ground aviation operations. Of considerable concern has been the issue of moving from centralized control and responsibility to decentralized control and distributed responsibility for aircraft separation. Data from capacity studies suggest that we will reach our capacity limits with ATC centralized control within the next 2 decades, if not sooner. Based on these predictions, research on distributed air-ground concepts was under taken by NASA Advanced Air Transportation Technologies Program to identify and develop air-ground concepts in support of free-flight operations. This paper will present the results of a full mission air-ground simulation conducted in the NASA Crew Vehicle Systems Research Facility. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of advanced displays with "intent" (4-D flight plans) information on flight crew and ATC performance during limited free-flight operations. To assess the value of 4/D intent information (flight plans) flight crews performed real time, strategic, flight path re-planning with and without flight plan information on surround traffic during en route free flight operations. To support the re-planning task flight crews used an enhanced cockpit situation display (CSD) and a route assessment tool to identify traffic conflicts and develop alternative de-conflicted flight plans. The modified deconflicted flight plan was then submitted to ATC for approval, and after approval loaded into the autopilot (FMS). Two levels of ATC authority were evaluated during the study: (1) limited authority ATC would only intervene if a loss of separation were imminent; (2) full authority ATC would run the sector as they would normally. After loading the new flight plan it was data linked to all surrounding traffic. The results of the study suggest that flight crews with advanced 4-D flight plan information can perform strategic self-separation during operations in densely populated traffic environments. And when ATC remains in the information and approval loop, flight deck strategic self-separation is not disruptive to normal ATC sector operations. The results also showed that when flight crews had access to 4-D flight plan information they were more efficient and their workload was reduced; they made smaller deviations for traffic, reduced their trip length for non-traffic related maneuvers, and had fewer ARAT (advanced route assessment tool) events. Crew responses to 3-D and 4D traffic information, display de-clutter features, and the advanced flight re-planning tools were positive overall, however they rated both dial and touch-pad input controls neutral.
Experimental model verification of the thermal response of optical reticles

To extend optical lithography technology to the sub-100 nm linewidth regime, all mask-related distortions must be eliminated or minimized. Thermal distortion during the exposure process can be a significant contribution to the total pattern placement error budget for advanced photomasks. Consequently, several finite element (FE) models were developed to predict the thermal and the mechanical response of the optical reticle during exposure. This paper presents the experimental verification of the FE thermal models. In particular, the results of the numerical simulation were compared with the experimental data and excellent agreement was found.
Acoustic/magnetic fusion system architecture variants and their classification performance

Research in FY-95 first addressed the problem of combining high-frequency (HF) side-scan sonar imagery, low-frequency (LF) side-scan Sonar imagery, and magnetic gradiometer data in order to detect/classify undersea mines. The first approach developed, termed the "Blob-Pair" based acoustic/magnetic (AM) Fusion system architecture, implicitly assumed that a target manifests itself in both HF,LF imagery, and was based on the fusion of single-sensor derived neural network classifier discriminants at a collection of three "decision" nodes, identified with magnetic (M), HF/LF, and HF/LF/M - data fusion cases, respectively. In order, to remove the restrictive assumption of a target manifesting in both }IF,LF data, the "Generalized" AM Fusion Architecture was developed, with a total of 7 "decision" nodes, identified with M, HF, HF/LF, LF, HF/M, HF/LFIM, and LF/M data fusion cases, respectively. However, the "Generalized" AM-Fusion architecture was found empirically to have significantly increased number of false alarms, relative to the "Blob-Pair" based system. Hence, through two-additional AM-Fusion architecture varaints, involving first the use of Classification Token "Post-Processing", and then both Token "Post-Processing" and decision node statistic modification, the performance "gap" between "Blob-Pair" and "Generalized" AM-Fusion Architecture performance was closed.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Novel Approach to High-Throughput Screening: A Solution for Structural Genomics?

Abstract A quasi in situ technique for screening of diffraction quality biomolecular crystals presents itself to revolutionize the crystallogenesis field.
The genesis of Typhoon Nuri as observed during the tropical cyclone Structure 2008 (TCS-08) field experiment - Part 1: The role of the easterly wave critical layer

Abstract. An observational and real-time model forecast study of the genesis of Typhoon Nuri during the Tropical Cyclone Structure 2008 (TCS-08) field campaign in the western North Pacific sector is presented. Analysis and observational data show that the surrounding base state is an easterly trade wind flow and the precursor disturbance to Typhoon Nuri is an easterly wave that originates in the ITCZ in the Central Pacific. This disturbance can be tracked more than 10 days prior to tropical storm formation. An overview of the field data is presented here using a newly proposed dynamical framework for tropical cyclone formation within the critical layer of an easterly wave. Despite propagating through a hostile environment ripe with strong vertical wind shear and relatively dry air, the easterly wave critical layer protects the proto-vortex and allows it to gestate until it reaches a more favorable environment. Within this protective "Kelvin cat's eye flow" located within the wave's critical layer existed a sweet spot, defined as the intersection between the wave trough and critical latitude, which is the preferred location for tropical cyclogenesis. Global Forecast System Final Analyses and IR satellite imagery, which shows convective bands wrapping around the sweet spot as genesis nears, confirm that this sweet spot is the location where Typhoon Nuri's dominant low-level circulation emerges. United States Air Force C130 and Naval Research Laboratory P3 research flights on 16 and 17 August collected flight-level, dropwindsonde, and Doppler radar data that allowed an evaluation of the dynamic and thermodynamic processes within the cat's eye circulation. The dropwindsonde analyses identifies the precursor easterly wave disturbance on 16 August and identifies an area of weak low-level cyclonic circulation on 17 August. Real-time forecasts were produced using operational global prediction model data to support scientific missions during TCS-08. These forecasts were found to be useful in flight planning discussions and predicted Typhoon Nuri's eventual genesis latitude within 1.5 degrees 72 h in advance.
A Monte Carlo procedure for Bethe-Heitler production of dileptons with high invariant mass

Abstract A Monte Carlo procedure for the Bethe-Heitler production process, when the invariant mass of the produced leptons are high ( > 1 GeV), has been developed. The procedure can be tuned to simulate events above a chosen invariant mass and have been used both for acceptance study and calculation of the cross section in J/ψ photoproduction where Bethe-Heitler dimuon production is the dominant background.
Variation in drought susceptibility among closely related wheat lines

Abstract Drought resistance is a complex trait for which systematic improvement has been difficult. One means of simplifying analysis of such a trait is through examination of variability among closely related genotypes. Sister lines of wheat exhibiting significant variation for rainfed yield, irrigated yield, and a drought susceptibility index, S, were identified among derivatives of a backcross breeding program. Of seven sister lines compared in a 2-y field study at Bushland, Texas, three were found significantly less susceptible than a related cultivar, TAM-107, two were significantly more susceptible than TAM-107 and two were not distinguishable from TAM-107. Relatively small, but significant, variability was observed among the lines for developmental variables, including anthesis date, date of physiological maturity and length of the grain-filling period. No meaningful correlations could be established, however, between developmental variables and yield or susceptibility index. While some differences may exist among these lines in mechanism underlying relative drought susceptibility, lack of correlation with developmental variables indicates that this set of lines may be valuable in identifying useful drought resistance mechanisms in wheat.
In situ x‐ray diffraction measurement of Pd2Si transformation kinetics using a linear position‐sensitive detector

The x‐ray diffraction technique described previously for measurement of growth kinetics of Pd2Si layers from their solid state reaction couples has been extended by the use of a one‐dimensional position‐sensitive detector (PSD). Additionally, the method has been extended to include measurement of the Pd layer. A detailed description of the experimental arrangement and analytical procedures is presented. The kinetics of epitaxial Pd2Si film growth were measured in situ over a range of 170–230 °C. The PSD results, using data obtained from both the Pd2Si and Pd layers, were able to confirm parabolic growth behavior for the Pd2Si film. The rate constants followed Arrhenius behavior and yielded an activation energy of E=1.32±0.07 eV with a prefactor k0=0.49 cm2/s for the Pd2Si layer analysis and E=1.34±0.17 eV with a prefactor of 0.72 cm2/s for the Pd layer analysis. The PSD technique significantly enhances data collection and provides extended analytical capabilities. The method has the potential for measurin...
Security enhanced integrative modeling language (SEIML): a conceptual modeling grammar for agile business information systems

In this paper, we present a grammar SEIML for semi-autonomous multi-agent system specifically catering to the area of integrative business information systems (IBIS) environments. SEIML is intended to provide the necessary constructs to model a dynamic business organization that is adaptive to fast-changing business needs.
Equipotent Activity in Both Enantiomers of a Series of Ketopiperazine-Based Renin Inhibitors

We have found that both enantiomeric configurations of the 6-alkoxymethyl-1-aryl-2-piperazinone scaffold display equipotent renin inhibition activity and similar SAR patterns. This enantiomeric flexibility is in contrast to a previously reported 3-alkoxymethyl-4-arylpiperidine scaffold.
Quantum Monte Carlo simulations of the degenerate single-impurity Anderson model

We present results of quantum Monte Carlo simulations of the degenerate, single-impurity, Anderson model. Using maximum-entropy methods, we performed the analytic continuation of the imaginary-time Green's functions produced by these simulations to obtain their real-frequency, single-particle, spectral densities for degeneracies of N=2, 4, and 6. Incorporating higher degeneracies into the model enables us, on the one hand, to compare Monte Carlo results with the self-consistent large-N approximation (NCA) and numerical-renormalization-group calculations (NGR) and, on the other hand, to bring the models closer to the physical systems. The low temperatures reached in our calculations are comparable to, or even lower than, the corresponding Kondo temperatures. The NCA and NRG calculations were found to show qualitatively good agreement with our results: the Kondo temperature increases with increasing degeneracy, and the amplitude of the side peaks in the spectral density decreases as degeneracy increases while the half-width of these peaks increases.
Highly efficient selection of epitope specific antibody through competitive yeast display library sorting

Combinatory antibody library display technologies have been invented and successfully implemented for the selection and engineering of therapeutic antibodies. Precise targeting of important epitopes on the protein of interest is essential for such isolated antibodies to serve as effective modulators of molecular interactions. We developed a strategy to efficiently isolate antibodies against a specific epitope on a target protein from a yeast display antibody library using dengue virus envelope protein domain III as a model target. A domain III mutant protein with a key mutation inside a cross-reactive neutralizing epitope was designed, expressed, and used in the competitive panning of a yeast display naive antibody library. All the yeast display antibodies that bound to the wild type domain III but not to the mutant were selectively sorted and characterized. Two unique clones were identified and showed cross-reactive binding to envelope protein domain IIIs from different serotypes. Epitope mapping of one of the antibodies confirmed that its epitope overlapped with the intended neutralizing epitope. This novel approach has implications for many areas of research where the isolation of epitope-specific antibodies is desired, such as selecting antibodies against conserved epitope(s) of viral envelope proteins from a library containing high titer, high affinity non-neutralizing antibodies, and targeting unique epitopes on cancer-related proteins.
Contemporary aspects of discrete peak-detection algorithms. II. The paradigm of the luteinizing hormone pulse signal in women

I. Introduction ALONG-STANDING axiom in endocrine physiology is that normal reproductive function requires a highly coordinated interplay of events both within and among the components of the gonadal axis. Central to this axis are the gonadotropes, pituitary cells that synthesize and release the gonadotropins, LH and FSH. Of pivotal importance is the recognition that these trophic hormones, which are responsible for stimulating both the production of gonadal hormones and gametogenesis, are themselves secreted in a pulsatile fashion. Such pulsatile gonadotropin release reflects the integration of signals of both neural and gonadal origin that impinge upon the gonadotropes (Fig. 1). Indeed, the frequency with which the gonadotropins are released is believed in general to reflect the frequency with which quanta of GnRH are discharged by the hypothalamus, transported through the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal circulation, and interact with appropriate receptors on responsive gonadotropes (1–6). The synthesis...
Fritz Haber: December 9, 1868–January 29, 1934

Fritz Haber (1868-1934) was a German physical chemist. Nobel laureate and foreign member of the US National Academy of Sciences. His greatest accomplishment in science was the development of a practical method to prepare nitrogen from air (nitrogen fixation or Haber-Bosch process). While working on the toxicity of war gases. he formulated 'Haber's rule', also known as C x T= constant in order to characterize the toxicity of an inhalant. Between 1919 and 1933. he was one of the leading figures in revitalizing science in Germany. At his institute in Berlin worked such luminaries as Albert Einstein, Lise Meitner and Otto Hahn. His last paper described what became known as the Haber-Weiss reaction. After his death he was for a long time forgotten by the Nazis because he was Jewish and after World War II by the Allies because of his work on war gases in World War I. And yet he was one of the truly great modern scientists. not only because of his science, but also because of the role he played in science politics and policies.
Increase in gap junction resistance with acidification in crayfish septate axons is closely related to changes in intracellular calcium but not hydrogen ion concentration.

Neutral-carrier pH-and Ca-sensitive microelectrodes were used to investigate the relationship between junctional electrical resistance and either pHi or [Ca2+]i in crayfish septate axons uncoupled by acidification. For measuring [Ca2+]i a new neutral carrier sensor sensitive to picomolar [Ca2+] and virtually insensitive to other ions was used. Uncoupling was induced by superfusing the axons with Na-acetate solutions (pH 6.3). With acetate, the time course of changes in junctional resistance differed markedly from that of pHi or [H+]i peaked 40–90 sec before junctional resistance. The difference in shape and peak time between pHi and junctional resistance curves caused significant hysteresis in the pHi versus junctional resistance relationship. In addition, junctional resistance maxima reached with slow acidification rates were 3–4 times greater than those with fast acidifications of similar magnitude. With acetate, [Ca2+]i, increased by approximately one order of magnitude from basal values of 0.1–0.3 μm. The curves describing the time course of changes in [Ca2+]i and junctional resistance matched well with each other in shape, peak time and magnitude. Both junctional resistance and [Ca2+]i recovered following a single exponential decay with a time constant of ∼2 min. Different rates of acidification caused increases in [Ca2+]i and junctional resistance comparable in magnitude. The data indicate that the increase in junctional resistance induced by acidification is more closely related to [Ca2+]i than to [H+]i.
Olfactory structures of the forebrain in the reeler mutant mouse.

Prior studies in the reeler mutant mouse have drawn attention to cytoarchitectonic anomalies in the neocortex and hippocampus of the forebrain and in the cerebellar cortex. In the present study cresyl violet and Loyez stained serial sections were used for light microscopic analysis of the olfactory structures in the forebrain of the mutant. The olfactory bulb and accessory bulb, both targets of afferents form the peripheral nervous system, are normal. By contrast, the laminate structures to which the olfactory bulbs project — the anterior olfactory nucleus, piriform cortex, olfactory tubercle, and cortical nucleus of the amygdaloid complex — are all abnormal in their cytoarchitecture. All of these structures share in common a segregation of cell populations according to size such that the larger cells lie in a deep position close to central fiber bundles. Small, polymorphic cells occupy a superficial zone, and there is no cellsparse external plexiform layer in the mutant. We adopt the view that the relationship of pyramidal cell to complex, external plexiform layer is the cardinal geometric principle defining a normal cortex, and suggest that derangement of this relationship may be the common denominator in the reeler cortical phenotype. The developmental mechanism influenced by the reeler locus and leading to the fundamental cortical geometry in normal or mutant animals may reside in the early interaction of afferent fibers and pyramidal cells.
Cancer Chemotherapy Update - Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, and High-dose Methotrexate for Osteosarcoma:

The increasing complexity of cancer chemotherapy increases the requirement that pharmacists be familiar with these highly toxic agents. This column will review various issues related to preparation...
Validity of three-station methods of determining ionospheric motions.

Ionospheric drift data for propagating atmospheric waves three station radio technique using ground receivers or ionosondes
Lane Geometry Perception and the Characterization of Its Associated Uncertainty

This paper addresses the reconstruction of down-range road geometry from imaging sensors for application to motor vehicle active safety systems. This study assumes measurements of lane marker locations in the previewed scene are available from an maging sensor. An algorithm is developed to extend the perception ra of a single-far-field sensor to alleviate the field of view problem Two steady-state Kalman filters and a least square curve fitting scheme are developed to compute estimates of the road geometry. Simulations are used to compare the performance of the different road modeling schemes for different roadway scenarios, providing insights useful for selecting model-based road geometry estimation techniques Finally an algorithm to characterize the uncertainty in road geometry perception is proposed and validated.
Apraxia After a Superior Parietal Lesion

Abstract We studied a patient who had unilateral (left) limb apraxia associated with a lesion of her right superior (Brodmann areas 5 and 7) and inferior parietal lobes. In monkeys areas 5 and 7 contain “hand-manipulation neurons” that are thought to be important in proprioceptive guidance. Therefore, we tested our patient with her eyes open and closed. Her left hand performance with pantonime, imitation, and use of actual Objects dramatically deteriorated in the absence of visual guidance. In addition, although the patient did not have optic ataxia and had normal proprioception, she had difficulty using her left forelimb in tasks that require transcoding from a visual to a somatesthetic spatial coordinate system. We propose that each superior parietal lobe is not only responsible for transcoding from a visual-spatial code into a somatesthetic-spatial code but is also critical for transcoding spatial-temporal representations of skilled movement into a somatesthetic-spatial code.
Reforming the U.S. Tax System

The suddenly enormous budget deficit has unleashed discussion of tax reform in the United States. The intricate web of deductions, credits, and various loopholes distorts incentives. But reforming the tax system could also enable the country to raise more tax revenue in economically efficient and socially just ways. The authors provide a primer about the available choices.
New watershed classification based on distance to the drainage divide

[1] Models of watershed behavior are beginning to incorporate lidar (light detection and ranging) topography measurements with resolutions of the order of 1 square meter, but this increase in the availability of high-quality data is outpacing the ability to make the best use of them. At issue is the conceptual lens through which the data are analyzed, particularly when investigating hydrologic behavior at different scales. Scaling parameters are used to break down the masses of data into groupings that fit within certain constraints that can then be analyzed for trends, and watershed research has traditionally used either stream order—a measure based around how many tributaries a body of water has—or the upstream catchment area to make these divisions. To best make use of the available high-resolution topography data,Gangodagamage et al. propose a new scaling parameter based on what the authors refer to as the “directed distance from the divide.” The technique involves calculating, for each point in a watershed, the longest distance from that point to a drainage divide, taking into account variations in topography and recognizing that water only flows downhill. When two of these paths converge, the shorter is treated as a tributary to the longer, with this process being repeated until the entire watershed culminates in one major river. From these calculations the watershed can be broken down and analyzed using ensemble statistics based on flow paths of different lengths. (Water Resources Research, doi:10.1029/2010WR009252, 2011)
Organization and expression of the genes encoding ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in higher plants.

The chloroplast gene encoding the large subunit (rbcL) and the nuclear multigene family encoding the small subunit (rbcS) of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase have been extensively studied in several higher plants. Comparisons among the characterized genes at the structural and organizational levels, as well as at the level of gene expression and regulation, show evolutionarily conserved and divergent features. Individual members of the rbcS gene families of tomato, petunia, and pea are differentially expressed, and show developmental, organ-specific, and light regulation depending upon the species examined. Upstream nucleotide sequences from rbcS genes of several dicotyledonous plants were aligned in order to identify those sequences which may be important in regulating rbcS expression.
Intracavity Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in Cold Atoms

We present experimental measurements of the transmission spectrum of an optical cavity coupled with cold Rb atoms and observation of cavity-linewidth narrowing manifested by electromagnetically induced transparency.
Chloral Hydrate Sedation As a Substitute for Examination Under Anesthesia in Pediatric Ophthalmology

We examined more than 300 children as outpatients with orally administered chloral hydrate sedation during the past three years; 175 of them have been examined in the last year. Without chloral hydrate sedation, examination under anesthesia would have been necessary or the results would have been less than satisfactory. Orally administered chloral hydrate has a wide margin of safety and is most appropriate for office or clinic use. It may also allow accurate measurement of the intraocular pressure in infantile glaucoma.
TARID-based adaptive nonuniformity correction

The performance of any scene-adaptive Nonuniformity Correction (NUC) algorithm is fundamentally limited by the quality of the scene-based predicted value of each pixel. TARID-based composite imagery can serve as a scene-based pixel predictor with improved robustness, and reduced noise than that of more common scene-based pixel predictors. These improved properties result in dramatically faster algorithm convergence, generating corrected imagery with reduced spatial noise due to intrinsic nonuniform or inoperative pixels in a Focal Plane Array.
A Review of “National History and the World of Nations: Capital, State, and the Rhetoric of History in Japan, France, and the United States”

In National History and the World of Nations, Christopher L. Hill, associate professor of Japanese literature at Yale University, explores nationalism across three late-nineteenth-century societies...
Synthetic Video Generation for Evaluation of Sprite Generation

Sprite generation is the process of aligning, warping, and blending of pixels that belong to an object in a video. The evaluation of the correctness of a sprite is usually accomplished by a combination of objective and subjective evaluations. Availability of ground-truth image would help mere objective evaluation. In this paper, the authors present video generation from an image based on various camera motion parameters to be used as ground-truth for the sprite evaluation. This paper introduces a framework for evaluation of sprite generation algorithms. Experiments under the proposed framework were performed on the synthetic videos of different camera motion patterns to reveal the components of the sprite generation algorithm to be improved.
Design and implementation of a multi-section continuum robot: Air-Octor

In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a novel multi-section, continuous-backbone ("continuum") robot. The design is based on an innovative "hose-in-hose" concept. Its implementation is novel with respect to previous continuum robot designs in that stiffness and extension, in addition to bending, are actively controlled in each section of the robot. This requires a non-trivial extension of previously proposed kinematic models, and poses challenges for real-time control of the robot. We introduce a tangling/untangling algorithm to map between overall cable lengths and per-section cable lengths. Details of the design and its implementation are presented, along with a summary of real-time control issues and experimental results.
Temperature dependent vibrational dynamics in crystalline para-terphenyl under high pressure

Abstract This study examines the effect of pressure-induced conformation changes on low-temperature vibrational dynamics in crystalline para-terphenyl (pTP). The temperature dependence of homogeneously broadened infrared bands under simultaneous high-pressure and low-temperature conditions is reported. High-pressure induces a conformation change in pTP from a twisted structure at ambient pressure to a planar structure at high pressure (1.35 GPa). The characteristic temperature dependent vibrational dynamics for in-plane versus out-of-plane hydrogen bending modes are correlated with the planarization of the pTP molecule at high-pressure.
X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy: Therapeutic approaches to distinct phenotypes

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) in males can present with eight distinct phenotypes, which vary greatly in respect to phenotypic expression, age of onset and rate of progression and therapy. The plasma very long chain fatty acid assay permits precise diagnosis and is already abnormal at birth. The clinical features, molecular biology, pathogenesis, and therapeutic approaches, including the indications for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants (HCT) and dietary therapy are discussed, with emphasis on the asymptomatic, childhood cerebral, and adrenomyeloneuropathy phenotypes. The rationale for neonatal screening and the profound effect that such screening would have on the therapy of X-ALD, including the role of HCT, are discussed.
The human semantic potential: Spatial language and constrained connectionism.

Part 1 Introduction: matter and method space and semantic potential negative evidence and language learning the modelling challenge constrained connectionism a brief exchange an overview of the book. Part 2 The linguistic categorization of space: perception and the human semantic potential the primacy of space crosslinguistic variation cognitive linguistics summary. Part 3 Connectionism and cognitive models: overview parallel distributed processing structured connectionism constrained connectionism learning sequences using back-propagation another brief exchange. Part 4 Learning without explicit negative evidence: the problem a solution - mutual exclusivity difficulties with mutual exclusivity salvaging mutual exclusivity implementation results. Part 5 Structures: structures and constrained connectionism orientation combination map comparison motion - source, path and destination. Part 6 A model of spatial semantics: overview the problem the model a run through the model results prototype effects discussion. Part 7 Extensions: polysemy deixis prelinguistic conceptual development key events distance convex hulls implicit paths. Part 8 Discussion: inquiry into linguistic universals falsifiability the nature of the model what have we learned about models? a final word.
The influence of sub‐optimal irrigation and drought on crop yield, N uptake and risk of N leaching from sugarbeet

. Variously timed sub-optimal irrigation strategies were applied to sugarbeet grown on a light soil (loamy sand or sandy loam) over four seasons (1991 to 1994) to investigate the effect on crop growth and nitrate leaching risk. Data from the two dry seasons, (1991 and 1994) are reported here. In the driest year (1991) soil mineral N levels after autumn harvest were negatively related to crop water use (P < 0.05). In this season, there was little drainage from the soil profile, and full irrigation reduced residual soil N by 31 kg N/ha (0-90 cm) compared with the unirrigated treatment (79 kg N/ha). The potential for N leaching during the ensuing winter was consequently more than halved. In 1991 and 1994 there was a strong positive linear relationship between dry matter yield, N uptake and water use, but a negative relationship between plant N concentration and water use. These relationships were a function of the severity and not the timing of drought. The additional N uptake associated with increased irrigation and crop water use was biased towards a large concentration in the aboveground crop (tops), which are normally returned to the soil. The C:N ratio of sugarbeet tops was affected by crop water supply with droughted crops having lower values. This would also influence N release and subsequent leaching risk. However, the effects of drought on N leaching risk were relatively small when compared with other root crops such as potatoes.
Synthesis of RE(OH)2Cl and REOCl (RE=Eu, Tb) nanostructures

Anisotropic structures, nanoneedles, and nanospindles of rare earth hydroxychloride (RE(OH)2Cl) and oxychloride (REOCl) (rare earth=Eu and Tb) were synthesized. The rare earth hydroxychloride nanostructures were formed via a thermally assisted hydrolysis of the rare-earth sesquioxide nanocrystals. The morphological evolution of the nanostructures was studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, while the structural evolution was investigated using X-ray diffraction techniques. The thermal stability of the rare earth hydroxychlorides was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The rare earth oxychloride nanospindles were synthesized via a simple heat-treatment of rare earth hydroxychloride nanospindles.
Neurochemical correlate of a spatial preference in rats.

Spatial (left or right) preferences were determined for rats given foot shock in a T-maze. The animals were killed, and left and right striata were assayed separately for dopamine and left and right teldiencephalic regions were assayed for norepinephrine. Dopamine content was significantly higher (by 12 percent) in the striata contralateral to rats9 side preferences than in the ipsilateral striata; there was no such difference for teldiencephalic norepinephrine. The small asymmetry in striatal dopamine content is not due to any learning- or stress-related change induced by the testing procedure but is probably inherent in normal rats. Some spatial behavior appears to be the manifestation of a normal and specific difference in the activity of left and right nigrostriatal systems.
Characterization of Patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers and Protein Arrays Generated by the Ink-Jet Method†

Commercial ink-jet printers were used with little modification to deposit alkanethiols onto gold substrata and several proteins onto silica supports. The resulting patterns of alkanethiols form self-assembled layers comparable to those obtained by microcontact printing or solution adsorption. The method has been used successfully to create binary chemical gradients and patterns of tertiary functionality. The proteins form dense patterns on the substrates and seem to maintain their configuration as measured by their ability to bind their specific ligands. Four different proteins were printed simultaneously, allowing for positive and negative controls. This “drop-on-demand” printing method is an inexpensive, flexible alternative to current binary technologies of chemically functionalizing surfaces.
Single institution experience with high‐dose cyclophosphamide, continuous infusion vincristine, escalating doses of VP‐16‐213, and total body irradiation with unpurged bone marrow rescue in children with neuroblastoma

Seven consecutive autologous bone marrow transplants were performed in children with neuroblastoma with very good partial remission (VGPR). A combination of cyclophosphamide, escalating doses of VP-16-213, continuous infusion vincristine, and total body irradiation followed by infusion with unpurged bone marrow was used. The dose-limiting toxicity in this regimen was mucositis which occurred when the total dose of VP-16-213 was 2,400 mg/m2. The response rate to this regimen was 4/7 (-CR 48+, 21+, 21+, 35+ mo) 3/7 had a CP/PR post transplant with progressive disease between 1 and 4 months later (mean 2.6 mo). We conclude that this regimen is well tolerated when the maximum dose of VP-16-213 does not exceed 1,800 mg/m2. Further evaluation will be necessary with this regimen to determine its therapeutic value in a larger number of patients with neuroblastoma.
The characterization of phospholipid functional group probe species on respirable silicon-containing dusts by solid-state 13C and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic studies are reported for the interactions of probe molecules with respirable silicon-containing dusts as experimental evidence complementing computational studies reported by Snyder and Madura recently in J. Phys. Chem. B 112, 7095 (2008). The selected probe molecules represent the individual functional groups of a model lung surfactant dipalmitoylphosphatidyl choline (DPPC) deposited on a respirable silica and kaolin from water solution. 13C and 31P solid-state NMR spectroscopies were employed to detect chemical shift, line width, and chemical shift anisotropy, providing experimental evidence of mobility and relaxation changes describing the site and orientation of surface-associated species. NMR results confirm that only the phosphate and adjacent carbons are immobilized by surface hydroxyls on kaolin, while these and the carbons of the cationic head group are likewise immobilized by surface silanols on Miu-U-Sil 5. The phosphates in phosphoryl- and phosphatidyl-cholines were the primary interaction sites, with additional weak coordination with the trimethylammonium cation species. Covalent Al–O–P formation is not likely a factor in in vivo or in vitro toxicity mechanisms of respirable silicon-containing materials, but is rather the result of dehydration or demethoxylation reactions occurring over time or during heating or reduced pressure used in preparing materials for NMR spectroscopic study. Hydration is a critical factor in the formation and preparation for spectroscopic observation of coated dusts. Care must be taken to ensure that products formed and studied correspond to species formed in vivo under suitable concentration and hydration conditions.
Structural Study on O-Glycopeptides: Glycosylation-Induced Conformational Changes of O-GlcNAc, O-LacNAc, O-Sialyl-LacNAc, and O-Sialyl-Lewis-X Peptides of the Mucin Domain of MAdCAM-1

A combined NMR and computer modeling approach is applied to study and compare the structures of O-sialyl-Lewis-X (SLex) and its synthetic intermediates attached to an octapeptide fragment of the mucin domain of MAdCAM-1. The conformation of the carbohydrate moiety of the O-SLex peptide is found to be the same as that of free SLex. The conformation of the polypeptide backbone and the orientation of the carbohydrate moiety relative to the peptide bond, however, depend on the extent of glycosylation. Glycosylation-induced conformational change of the octapeptide from a random structure to a turn-like structure was observed. The extent of glycosylation appears to have a subtle effect on the turn structure, including the dynamics of cis−trans-proline isomerization. On the basis of structural constraints obtained from the NMR study, computer modeling and molecular dynamics calculations were then used to obtain low-energy conformations of the glycopeptides. The conformational differences observed between the ind...
Human testicular cultures: I. Chromosome analyses.

SummaryVariable chromosome numbers with frequent hypodiploidy were observed in 6 human testicular cultures derived from testes of patients with diverse clinical conditions. The hypodiploidy can be due to the possibly abnormal properties of the testes.
Cultural issues in disease management for chinese americans with type 2 diabetes

The purpose of this study is to highlight culturally unique experiences and responses to type 2 diabetes among Chinese immigrant families. Patient and spouse narratives from 16 different families were elicited in a series of group interviews on this topic. Using interpretive phenomenology, 5 primary cultural considerations in diabetes management emerged from the narratives: (1) conceptualization of diabetes, illness and health, (2) significance and meaning of food, (3) perceptions of Chinese and Western medicines, (4) exercise and physical activity, and (5) effects of the disease on family dynamics. The relation of these cultural considerations to an interdependent view of the self, collectivistic social orientation, Chinese cultural beliefs and norms, and acculturation processes are discussed. Clinical recommendations for culturally appropriate disease management strategies are outlined.
Status of scrap (recyclable) dental amalgams as environmental health hazards or toxic substances

This article presents information garnered after an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1987 of dentists and others who had sold scrap dental amalgam to refiners who had “arranged for the disposal or treatment … of hazardous substances,” and were responsible for adverse consequences associated with their subsequent management and refining. Information about the health hazard status of scrap dental amalgams was obtained by: interviews with toxicologists, review of published lists of toxic and hazardous materials, and survey of biomedical publications (1977 through 1987) concerning toxicity or health hazards associated with dental amalgams. The conclusions were that scrap dental amalgam is not: a waste substance to be disposed of, but is a product of commercial value; identified or regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Transportation, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the US Public Health Service, or the Centers for Disease Control as an environmental health hazard or toxic substance; identified by toxicologists and persons responsible for solid waste regulation as a toxic substance or environmental health hazard; nor proved by scientific study to be toxic or hazardous in the manner and form in which it is collected and stored by dentists and subsequently sold to metal refiners.