cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bevacizumab for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a monoclonal antibody in a sea of small molecules

Several years ago, the oncologist was limited to a narrow scope of immunotherapeutic agents for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Within the past 5 years, however, a total of 6 targeted agents have been approved for the treatment of this disease. The abundance of novel therapies has introduced a new dilemma for the oncologist--namely, how can one make evidence-based choices amongst available agents? Recently, two Phase III studies (AVOREN and Cancer and Leukemia Group B [CALGB] 90206) assessed the activity of 1st-line therapy with bevacizumab in combination with interferon-alfa (IFN-alfa) as compared to IFN-alfa alone. Both trials demonstrated a significant benefit in progression-free survival (PFS) with bevacizumab, with no benefit in overall survival (OS). Herein, the implications of these data are assessed in the context of data reported from other recent pivotal trials in mRCC. Methods to resolve areas of clinical equipoise in the treatment of mRCC (i.e., comparative trial designs and biomarker analyses) are also proposed.
Synthesis and structure of Ln2Ta3Se2O8 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd)

Abstract A series of compounds Ln 2 Ta 3 Se 2 O 8 ( Ln = La, Ce, Pr, and Nd) has been prepared and characterized. Pr 2 Ta 3 Se 2 O 8 is orthorhombic, space group D 12 2h - Pnnm , with unit cell constants a = 9.882(3), b = 11.774(3), c = 7.601(2) A, T = 111 K, Z = 4. The structure has been solved and refined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The structure, including the oxygen content and positions, has been confirmed from neutron diffraction powder data. The asymmetric unit contains two independent Pr atoms, two independent Ta atoms, two independent Se atoms, and five independent O atoms. The Pr atoms are in tricapped-trigonal prismatic sites enclosed by seven O and two Se atoms. One Ta atom is in a distorted octahedral site surrounded by six O atoms, and the other Ta atom is also in a distorted octahedral environment but has two trans O and four Se atoms in its coordination sphere. The structure shows a three-dimensional arrangement and is built up from layers of the Pr tricapped-trigonal prisms alternating with layers of the Ta octahedra. The other members of the series, Ln = La, Ce, and Nd, have the same structure, as judged from the similarity of their X-ray powder patterns with that of Pr 2 Ta 3 Se 2 O 8 .
Negative-staining electron microscopy of the urine for the detection of polyomavirus infections.

Negative-staining electron microscopy (EM) has played a pivotal role in diagnostic virology. It is a rapid technique for viral detection in the urine and can provide an easy means for monitoring viral activity and productive infections. EM of urine for the detection of polyomaviruses has hitherto not been systematically evaluated as a screening tool for renal transplant patients at risk for BK polyomavirus nephropathy (BKN). Here, the authors discuss technical aspects of negative-staining EM of urine (n = 76 samples) and present a simple and rapid protocol for the semiquantitative evaluation of patient samples. In two patient populations (either with (n = 15 samples) or without (n = 15 samples) an established diagnosis of BKN), EM results were compared with two previously established techniques for monitoring polyomavirus activation: (1) cytology for the quantitation of decoy cells, and (2) quantitative PCR assays for the detection of BK virus DNA load levels. In both patient groups, the dynamics of decoy...
Undergraduate education in image and video processing

This paper describes our efforts in developing and updating a senior-level course in image and video processing at the University of Illinois. This course was introduced in the mid nineties.
Preparation and evaluation of radioiodinated phenylpiperazines as adrenomedullary imaging agents

Abstract A series of 1-alkyl-1-methyl-4-phenylpiperazines were radio-odinated and evaluated as potential adrenal imaging agents. The radioiodination proceeded rapidly (0.5 h) with good yields (60–90%) to provide the [ 125 I]iodophenyl-piperazine derivatives. The tissue distribution studies using normal rats indicated that the quarternary amine 1-hydroxyethylmethyl-4-[ 125 I]iodophenylpiperazinium demonstrated the best adrenal uptake and selectivity of the series. The concentration of activity in the adrenals following the administration of this agent remained elevated for 72 h and gave adrenal to nontarget tissue ratios of 6–11. Substantial myocardial uptake and selectivity were also observed for these radiochemicals suggesting their potential use as myocardial imaging agents.
Evaluation of the drop test of isotropic electrically conductive adhesives (ICAs) using an accelerometer

A simple and effective method of quantitative analysis of the impact energy of drop testing of isotropic conductive adhesives (ICAs) by using an on-board accelerometer is described to correlate ICA failure rate with the accumulated output signal. The integration of acceleration or voltage over time during impact can be used as another index of relative total impact energy level additional to the terminal velocity or drop height. The experimental results suggest that the friction and nonuniformity of drop interactions are not negligible when applied to the National Center for Manufacturing Science (NCMS) standard, raising accuracy concerns when there is a need to compare impact strengths of ICAs by judging survival rates from dropping from a single height. With the goal of establishing of a simple test apparatus which can eliminate all sources of variation, using the accelerometer on the substrate is more efficient and versatile. The disadvantage is that the inevitable tradeoff between dynamic range and sensitivity of commercially available accelerometers limit the accuracy when they are used in higher impact level ranges.
The discovery of potent glycine transporter type-2 inhibitors: Design and synthesis of phenoxymethylbenzamide derivatives

Abstract We describe the discovery of phenoxymethylbenzamide derivatives as a novel class of glycine transporter type-2 (GlyT-2) inhibitors. We found hit compound 1 (human GlyT-2, IC50 = 4040 nM) in our library and converted its 1-(1-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)pyrrolidin-3-yl group to an 1-(N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)piperidyl group and its tert-butyl group to a trifluoromethyl group to obtain N-(1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)piperidin-4-yl)-4-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)methyl)benzamide (20). Compound 20 showed good inhibitory activity against human GlyT-2 (IC50 = 15.3 nM) and exhibited anti-allodynia effects in a mouse neuropathic pain model.
Putting the “Tele-” in Telepractice

Telepractice is emerging as an effective service delivery model in speech-language pathology and audiology. Videoconferencing technology has continued to evolve and is now more widely available across a range of devices. These technologies support both synchronous and asynchronous service delivery models and may incorporate additional hardware and software. Practitioners who are establishing new telepractice programs, as well as those with more experience, must stay abreast of these technological changes. In this article, authors give an overview of ASHA's definition of telepractice and discuss synchronous versus asynchronous technology, hardware versus software, telepractice security concerns, and cloud-computing. Authors provide additional resources for these topics as well as for specific software programs used in support of telepractice.
New oxide pyrochlores: A2[B2−xAx]O7−y (A = Pb, Bi; B = Ru, Ir)

A new series of mixed metal oxides with the pyrochlore structure has been discovered and can be described by the general formula A2[B2−xAx]O7−y where A = Pb or Bi, B = Ru or Ir, 0 < x ≲ 1 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.5. Values of x appreciably greater than zero may only be obtained at relatively low temperatures. It has been observed that when A = Pb and B = Ru, y = 0.5 for all values of x. Linear correlations between lattice parameter and x are presented for both Pb2[Ru2−xPbx]O6.5 and Bi2[Ru2−xBix]O7−y.
Magnetic-field dependence of planar copper and oxygen spin-lattice relaxation rates in the superconducting state of YBa2Cu3O7.

The authors report nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rates, [ital W][sub 1], for planar copper and oxygen sites in the superconducting state of YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7]. These measurements were made with the static magnetic field along the [ital c] axis at a variety of static magnetic-field strengths. The data show that the relaxation rate of [sup 17]O depends on magnetic-field strength at low temperature and confirm a similar result for [sup 63]Cu. The importance of these measurements is that they give the zero-field limit necessary for comparison with theory. The weak-field data at low temperature for both copper and oxygen have a temperature dependence close to [ital T][sup 3], which is the result expected for spin-singlet, orbital [ital d]-wave pairing and does not seem compatible with orbital [ital s]-wave pairing.
Enhanced granulosa cell responsiveness to follicle-stimulating hormone during insulin infusion in women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with pioglitazone.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are known to exhibit insulin resistance with compensatory hyperinsulinemia. To determine the role of hyperinsulinemia on follicle function in PCOS, we examined 24-h estradiol (E(2)) responses to recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH), 75 IU, before and during insulin infusion both before and after administration of pioglitazone (30 mg/d) in seven PCOS women. Each subject underwent two 10-h hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps at rates of 30 (low dose) and 200 (high dose) mU/m(2).min, respectively. During both low- and high-dose insulin infusions, E(2) responses to r-hFSH were unaltered compared with that observed in the absence of insulin. Pioglitazone administration for 5 months improved insulin sensitivity as indicated by significantly (P < 0.05) increased glucose infusion rates during the clamp studies. At 3 months of treatment, r-hFSH-stimulated E(2) responses were not different from those observed before treatment. With pioglitazone treatment, E(2) responses to r-hFSH remained unchanged during low-dose insulin infusion, whereas a highly significant (P < 0.02) increased response was noted with the high-dose hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. In addition to a greater magnitude of response, peak levels of E(2) were sustained longer compared with that seen before treatment. The data indicate that granulosa cell responsiveness to FSH was enhanced by insulin after improved insulin sensitivity induced by pioglitazone. These findings are consistent with the possibility that PCOS granulosa cells are insulin resistant.
Boundary Perturbation Method for Free Boundary Problem in Convectively Cooled Continuous Casting

Novel mathematical techniques are here used to treat general boundary conditions in convectively cooled continuous ingot casting problems, applying a constant convective heat transfer coefficient at the ingot sides (so that the temperature distribution along the sides is unknown). The problem is first inverted to treat the physical coordinates as dependent variables of temperature and heat flow, mapping the ingot into a region that is nearly rectangular. A boundary perturbation method is then used to obtain an analytical solution in this near-rectangular region. Solidification interface shapes depend on two dimensionless parameters: one is a function of the casting velocity, while the other is dependent on the convective heat transfer coefficient at the cooled wall.
Investigation of leakage characteristics of PbSnTes̵bndPbTe inverted heterostructure diodes

Abstract The results of a study of the overall electrical characteristics of PbSnTe diodes are presented and interpreted on the basis of a simple p-n junction model. These diodes are made from a PbSnTe epilayer grown by a liquid-phase epitaxy technique on a PbTe wafer substrate. The diodes have a 50% spectral cutoff at 11.5 μm when operated at 85K, which shifts to 14.5 μm at T = 15K. Major contributions to the bulk current are diffusion current at T > 80K, and generation-recombination current for 80 >T ≳ 30K. Surface related leakage is predominant at T 1 × 10−3 cm2) at T ≲ 60K.
Defining Protein Complexes that Mediate Bacterial Chemotaxis by Pulsed Dipolar ESR Spectroscopy

Bacterial chemotaxis is the process whereby cells modulate their flagella-driven motility in response to environmental cues. This widespread behavior relies upon a complex sensory apparatus composed of transmembrane receptors, histidine kinases and coupling proteins to achieve great sensitivity, gain and dynamic range in signal processing. We have applied pulsed-dipolar ESR spectroscopy (PDS) combined with site-directed spin labeling to probe the structures and mechanisms of proteins that compose these regulatory circuits. Inherent symmetries within the protein complexes require interpretation of signals from systems that contain more than two spins. Tikhonov regularization and maximum entropy refinement when combined with model simulation reproduce accurate inter-spin distance distributions from such multiply labeled species. Disulfide crosslinking and disruptive mutagenesis verify component interfaces predicted by PDS. Weak but specific interactions that produce low population aggregates relevant to complex assembly are detected by an approach that relies on magnetic dilution and baseline analysis of dipolar spectra. The resulting PDS-based models capture key architectural features of the receptor kinase arrays and the flagellar motor. Moreover, distance distributions derived from the multi- spin sites reveal changes in conformation and dynamics that accompany kinase activation and motor switching. Application to the chemotaxis system demonstrates how PDS effectively reports on key structural features of transient protein complexes and in doing so fills the resolution gap between other well-established biophysical techniques such as electron microscopy and x-ray crystallography.
Processing of compressed imagery: basic theory with visual pattern image coding (VPIC) and block truncation coding (BTC) transformations

The cost of processing imagery that exhibits a large data burden can be ameliorated by compressive processing, which simulates an image-domain operation using an analogous operation over a given compressed image format. The output of the analogous operation, when decompressed, equals or approximates the output of the corresponding image operation. In previous research, we have shown that compressive processing can lead to sequential computational efficiencies that approach the compression ratio. This effect is due to the presence of fewer data in the compressed image, as well as to the occasional occurrence of an analogous operation whose cost per pixel is less than that of the corresponding image operation. We generally claim computational efficiencies that approach the compression ratio. A further advantage of compressive processing can occur in parallel computing paradigms, where a consequent reduction in the processor count may approach the compression ratio. This has important implications when the compressive operation requires less computing time than the corresponding image operation. That is, a reduction in the fundamental complexity may occur, which facilitates computation in nearly-constant time, given sufficient parallelism. Additionally, the degree of parallelism is reduced with respect to that required for image-domain computation by a factor that approaches the compression ratio. In this paper, we discuss fundamental theory that unifies compressive processing at a high level, as well as present and evaluate general formulations of the BTC and VPIC compression transforms, Analyses emphasize effects of information loss and computational error inherent in VPIC and BTC, as well as computational efficiency. Our algorithms are expressed in terms of image algebra, a rigorous, concise notation that unifies linear and nonlinear mathematics in the image domain. Since image algebra has been implemented on numerous sequential and parallel computers, our algorithms are feasible and widely portable.
A case of tuberous sclerosis complex that progressed to end-stage renal disease

Authors from the University of Colorado describe a 31-year-old white female with tuberous sclerosis complex who was diagnosed with very large bilateral angiomyolipoma of the kidneys after developing symptoms of urinary tract infection and septic shock. The lack of surveillance throughout the course of the patient's disease prevented early intervention before the development of end-stage renal disease and the need for bilateral nephrectomy. This case illustrates the importance of regular follow-up in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. Background A 31-year-old woman with tuberous sclerosis complex presented with a 1 week history of subjective fever, chills, rigors, poor appetite and dizziness. Investigations Physical examination, urine and blood analysis, CT of the abdomen, chest and brain, and chest X-ray. Diagnosis End-stage renal disease, septic shock and urinary tract infection secondary to huge bilateral angiomyolipomas of the kidney associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. Management Antibiotic therapy, vasopressor treatment and bilateral nephrectomy, followed by hemodialysis while awaiting renal transplantation.
Ion Exchange-Spectrographic Determination of Thorium in Uranium Ores

The determination of 0.01 ppm of thorium in 1 g of uranium ore by a combined ion exchange-spectrographic analysis is presented. Thorium is separated from the chemically complex ore solution by anion exchange in hydrochloric and nitric acid media and determined spectrographically using zirconium as the internal standard. The precision of the method expressed as a coefficient of variation is estimated to be ±6%.
Abstract 5506: Novel toxin library for the discovery of oncology therapeutics

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The A subunit of Shiga-like Toxin 1 (SLT1) is a ribosome-inactivating protein that works by catalyzing the depurination of the 28 S rRNA. The A subunit lacks the ability to bind and internalize into cells, and is normally dependent on the B subunit of SLT1 for this function. A toxin variant library has been created by inserting random amino acid stretches into an exposed loop structure of the A subunit. The inserts can confer binding and internalization properties to the SLT1 A variants but do not inhibit the A subunit's ability to intoxicate. This toxin library has been expressed in a phage display system that can be rapidly screened for variants with specific cell kill activity and predictable PK/PD properties. The library is being used to develop novel therapeutics for oncology. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5506.
Extending the bargaining power model: Explaining bargaining outcomes among nations, MNEs, and NGOs

Participants in international bargaining include different types (nation states, MNEs, NGOs, and multilateral organizations) and different numbers of these actors. Our theoretical contribution is to extend the bargaining power paradigm with a framework that models bargaining in this complex environment as a network. The configuration of supports and constraints among all participating actors in the bargaining environment is captured in the structure of the network. Antecedents of an actor's bargaining influence in the network include the actor's basis of power, network position, bargaining outcome preferences, and motivation to influence bargaining. The network bargaining power (NBP) model uses network theory to build upon and integrate insights from previous literature in a way that allows us to simultaneously apply these different insights to explain bargaining outcomes. These insights include effects of coalitions, strategies of less powerful actors leveraging more powerful allies, integration of international and domestic politics, and applicability to MNE-related issues beyond FDI. Finally, we illustrate NBP in a scenario of privatized utilities in the Dominican Republic, in which the bargaining power outcome predicted by NBP differs from that of the canonical bargaining power perspective.
B-cell epitopes of autoantigenic DNA-binding proteins.

Autoantibodies to chromatin-associated proteins are frequently present in sera from patients with SLE, and related disorders. Autoantibodies to conformational epitopes may constitute the majority of the immune response to chromatin-associated antigens, suggesting that intact chromatin may be the immunogen in SLE as well as in certain forms of drug-induced lupus (eg. in procainamide-induced lupus). The preferential reactivity of autoantibodies to histones, PCNA, and Ku with antigenic determinants that are exposed on the surface of the native antigens is consistent with this interpretation.
Relative Effects of Teacher-Directed and Taped Previewing on Oral Reading

An alternating-treatments design was used to investigate the relative effects of two previewing procedures on oral reading: (a) listening previewing, in which the teacher read the assigned passage aloud while the student followed along silently prior to reading the passage aloud; and (b) taped previewing, in which the student listened to prerecorded reading passages while following along silently prior to reading the passage aloud. Subjects were four elementary-aged learning disabled (LD) boys. Compared to a no-previewing approach, systematic previewing procedures were found to be related to higher performance levels. In addition, the listening procedure was differentially related to higher rates of words read correctly. Neither previewing procedure was related to changes in error rates. Implications of results are drawn for research and instruction.
Some Simple Procedures for Handling Missing Data in Multivariate Analysis.

For analyses with missing data, some popular procedures delete cases with missing values, perform analysis with “missing value” correlation or covariance matrices, or estimate missing values by sample means. There are objections to each of these procedures. Several procedures are outlined here for replacing missing values by regression values obtained in various ways, and for adjusting coefficients (such as factor score coefficients) when data are missing. None of the procedures are complex or expensive.
Dynamic light scattering measurements of polystyrene in semidilute theta solutions

Abstract Measurements of the co-operative diffusion coefficient, Dc, and a centre of mass translational diffusion coefficient, Ds, have been made by dynamic light scattering for the polystyrene-cyclohexane theta system as a function of molecular weight and concentration. For semidilute solutions it is established that Ds∝N−2c−3 which is in agreement with the predictions from scaling arguments for the self-diffusion coefficient. However, if the co-operative mode is interpreted by Dc∝Nxcy, the results of 0
Emergency Department Initiated Treatments for Tobacco (EDITT): A Pilot Study

Background Emergency departments (EDs) have strong potential to initiate tobacco interventions with economically disadvantaged populations.
Constructing an index of officially recorded crime: The use of confirmatory factor analysis

Researchers using officially reported crime statistics must frequently combine rates of individual crimes into a single composite. The most popular composite is the FBI Crime Index, which is the sum of the seven “Part I” crimes; alternatives include forming separate indices for personal and property crimes and weighting the crime categories by their seriousness before summing them. In this paper we construct crime composites through the use of confirmatory factor analysis methods. The results suggest that the measurement assumptions of conventional crime indices are problematic and demonstrate how more satisfactory alternatives can be developed with confirmatory factor analysis techniques.
The Graetz problem extended to slip-flow

Abstract The original problem for thermally developing heat transfer in laminar flow through a circular tube, as formulated by Graetz, did not consider the ‘slip-flow’ condition. This paper extends the original work of Graetz to include the effect of slip-flow, which occurs in gases at low pressures or in microtubes at ordinary pressures. A special technique was developed to evaluate the eigenvalues for the problem. Eigenvalues were evaluated for Knudsen numbers ranging between 0 and 0.12. Simplified relationships were developed to describe the effect of slip-flow on the convection heat transfer coefficient.
Effects of the Water Content in the Sample Preparation for MALDI on the Mass Spectra

Ion abundances in the MALDI TOF mass spectra of the model peptides (bradykinin, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, and melittin) change significantly as water is added to the solution used for dried droplet sample preparation. Changes in the surface tension of the solution can be invoked to explain some of the observed effects on the mass spectra. For example, at low surface tensions, the solution droplet spreads over a larger surface area, resulting in a dilution effect and thereby lowering the [M + H]+ ion yields. Analyte ion yields also have a dependence on matrix crystal morphology. The faster drying samples (low water percentage) promote better inclusion of the analyte into the matrix crystals as compared with the slower drying samples (high water percentage). More efficient inclusion of the analyte in the matrix crystal leads to a better matrix-analyte interaction and hence to higher [M + H]+ ion yields. We present new data that suggest that analyte conformation also influences the MALDI ion yields. The suggestion of conformation affecting MALDI ion yields is based on solvent composition dependence for MALDI H/D exchange data and circular dichroism spectra.
On the communication complexity of distributed algebraic computation

Abstract : we consider a situation where two processors P sub 1 and P sub 2 ar e to evaluate a collection of functions function 1,....,function 8 of two vector variables x, y, under the assumption that processor P sub 1 (respectively, P sub 2) has access only to the value of the variable x (respectively, y) and the functional form of function 1,....,function 8. We provide some new bounds on the communication complexity (the amount of information that has to be exchanged between the processors) for this problem. An almost optimal bound is derived for the case of one-way communication when the functions function 1,...., function 8 are polynomials. We also derive some new lower bounds for the case of two-way communication which improve on earlier bounds by Abelson A 80. As an application, we consider the case where x and y are n x n matrices and f(x,y) is a particular entry of the inverse of x + y. Under certain restriction on the class of allowed communication protocols, we obtain an omega(n squared) lower bound, in contrast to the omega(n) lower bound obtained by applying Abelson's results. Our results are based on certain tools from classical algebraic geometry and field extension theory.
CATHEPTIC ACTIVITY OF FISH MUSCLE

Catheptic activity was found to be localized in the lysosomal fraction of skeletal muscle of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus). The enzyme hydrolyzed hemoglobin, globin, bovine serum albumin and endogenous proteins. The hemoglobin splitting activity of the enzyme under different conditions was determined by gel electrophoresis. An optimum pH of 4.0 was found for both the hemoglobin breakdown and autolytic activity on the endogenous proteins. The enzyme was highly thermostable, dialysis had no effect on its activity, and the enzyme was inhibited by sodium chloride, cysteine, ATP, NAD and phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride. Its molecular weight was found to be about 32,000 using sucrose gradient centrifugation.
In one and two dimensions, every stationary measure for a stochastic Ising model is a Gibbs state

It is shown that one and two dimensional (generalized) stochastic Ising models with finite range potentials have only Gibbs states as their stationary measures. This is true even if the stationary measure or the potential is not translation invariant. This extends previously known results which are restricted to translation invariant stationary measures and potentials. In particular if the potential has only one Gibbs state the stochastic Ising Model must be ergodic.
DEPENDENCE OF OXYGEN CONSUMPTION ON OXYGEN DELIVERY IN CHILDREN WITH HYPERDYNAMIC SEPTIC SHOCK AND LOW OXYGEN EXTRACTION

We studied the effect of increasing systemic oxygen delivery (DO2) by packed RBC (PRBC) transfusion on oxygen consumption (VO2) in children with hyperdynamic septic shock. After routine resuscitation with volume loading and pharmacologic support, patients were studied if they had significant derangements of oxygen transport variables defined as: baseline VO2 less than 180 ml/min.m2 and oxygen extraction (O2 extr) less than 24%. Eight studies were performed. PRBC transfusion increased DO2 from 636 +/- 167 to 828 +/- 266 ml/min.m2 (p less than .01) without increasing cardiac index (5.2 +/- 1.3 vs. 5.0 +/- 1.4 L/min.m2). VO2 increased from 112 +/- 36 to 157 +/- 60 ml/min.m2 (p less than .01) while O2 extr was unchanged (18 +/- 3% vs. 19 +/- 6%). Despite initial low O2 extr, VO2 can be increased in pediatric septic shock by a further increase in DO2. Since VO2 correlates with survival, one should consider enhancing DO2 further despite initial low O2 extr and high DO2. Effects on morbidity and mortality require further study.
Corrosion Engineering in Device Packaging

Corrosion processes affecting electronic devices are chemical and electrochemical in nature. Ionic contaminants, applied voltages, and relative humidity accelerate failure of integrated circuits. Although packaging materials often reduce the corrosion rate of the underlying circuitry, a complete understanding of the mechanism for the basic processes taking place at the coating/metallic circuitry interface is missing. In this paper the role played by water and ionic contaminants on coated metallic substrates is considered. Transport properties of free standing polyimide membranes have been examined. The corrosion behavior of polyimide/Fe and polyimide/Al systems has been investigated using electrochemical polarization, and a.c. impedance measurements. For the AI/PI system underfilm degradation has been examined using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results indicate that the flux of ions is very small compared to that of oxygen and water and yet metallic failure can be ascribed mainly to the transport of ions across the packaging material. XPS showed that considerable degradation takes place at the metal/polyimide interface prior to visible corrosion or delamination.
An Excess Due to Small Grains around the Nearby K0 V Star HD 69830: Asteroid or Cometary Debris?

Spitzer photometry and spectroscopy of the star HD 69830 reveal an excess of emission relative to the stellar photosphere between 8 and 35 � m dominated by strong features attributable to crystalline silicates with an emitting surface area more than 1000 times that of our zodiacal cloud. The spectrum closely resembles that of the comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). Since no excess is detected at 70 � m, the emitting material must be quite warm, be confined within a few AU of the star, and originate in grains with low, long-wavelength emissivity, i.e., grains much smallerthan70 � m/2� � 10 � m.Thestrongmineralogicalfeaturesareevidenceforevensmaller,possiblysubmicronsized grains. This small grain size is in direct contrast to the 10‐100 � m grains that dominate the relatively featureless spectra of our zodiacal dust cloud and most other main-sequence stars with excesses. The upper limit at 70 � ma lso implies that any Kuiper Belt analog must be either very cold or less massive than � 5 times our own Kuiper Belt. WithcollisionalandPoynting-Robertsondragtimesoflessthan1000yrforsmallgrains,theemittingmaterialmust either (1) be created through continual grinding down of material in a dense asteroid belt, or (2) originate in cometary debris arising from either a single ‘‘supercomet’’ or a very large number of individual comets arriving from a distant reservoir. In the case of a cometary origin for the emission, the mass requirements for continuous generation by many individual comets are unreasonable, and we favor the capture of a single super comet into a 0.5‐1 AU orbit, where it can evolve a large number of small grains over a 2 Myr period.
A CMOS implementation of a variable step size digital adaptive filter

The authors consider the implementation of the combined variable-step-size (VS)-power-of-two quantizer-multiplier (PTQ) algorithm in a 2.5- mu m CMOS process. A 7-MHz chip with four taps, using dedicated hardware for each tap, and a 32-kHz chip with 63 taps, using multiplexed processing hardware, are presented. The area and speed performance figures for these chips are comparable with recently published results when lambda -rule scaling is used; however, the performance of the VS-PTQ algorithm is superior. >
Diagnostic significance of sperm-zona pellucida interaction

Spermatozoa binding to the zona pellucida is an early, critical event leading to fertilization and early pre-embryo development. Fertilization involves a complex and orderly sequence of events that is completed at syngamy, which is defined as the union of the two sets of haploid chromosomes to form a new diploid fertilized ovum (zygote). In order to be able to fertilize an oocyte, spermatozoa need to undergo a process called ‘capacitation’, which is usually defined as a series of changes that renders the sperm cells capable of undergoing the acrosome reaction. This process that naturally occurs within the female genital tract is possible under in vitro conditions. However, capacitation is not the only process spermatozoa must undergo to fertilize the oocytes successfully. To fertilize an oocyte, spermatozoa must also be at least highly motile, as well as being capable of undergoing the acrosome reaction timely, penetrating through the oocyte investments and fusing with the oocyte plasma membrane properly.
Phelps-Stokes in Congo: Transferring Educational Policy Discourse to Govern Metropole and Colony.

This article combines a historical with a social/political anthropological framework to examine the role played by the transfer of educational discourse between the United States‐based Phelps‐Stokes Fund and the Belgian Ministry of Colonies in the formulation of the colonial education policy of “adapted education” in the 1920s. The author argues that the transfer of racialized discourses of education and educational language was instrumental in the political governance of both metropole and colony as well as in improving the image of Belgian colonialism in the international political arena. In particular, the author emphasizes the political clout of the Catholic Party and the role played by two problems that ascended to the center stage of Belgian national politics after World War I (i.e. the cost of rebuilding the country and the so‐called “Flemish problem”) to show how colonial educational policy, and national and international politics are interconnected.
BPA's field test evaluation of 500-kV PCB's rated to limit line switching overvoltages to 1.5 per unit

Since 1968 Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has purchased 500-kV PCB's required to limit line switching overvoltages to 1.5 per unit or less. This paper presents characteristics of six different 500-kV PCB designs tested, system conditions during tests, test sequence, instrumentation used, test results, evaluation of results, and criteria used in establishing acceptable performance of the breakers tested.
Modelling the evolution of hydrocarbon systems in the inverted West Netherlands Basin, the Netherlands.

Abstract The hydrocarbon systems of the West Netherlands Basin are analysed using the two-dimensional forward modelling. Three source rock intervals are considered in the modelling. The history of heatflow is calculated from the forward modelling of tectonic subsidence. Modelling results show that the oil accumulations were filled just after the Sub-Hercynian inversion event (∼80 Ma), and that in the Westphalian gas system a potential exists for undiscovered reserves. Modelling of the Namurian gas system shows that mixing with Westphalian gas is likely. The existence of a Namurian hydrocarbon system may also imply that hydrocarbons are trapped at deeper, unexplored levels in the Westphalian and Namurian succession.
Shame and the temporality of social life

Shame is notoriously ambivalent. On one hand, it operates as a mechanism of normalization and social exclusion, installing or reinforcing patterns of silence and invisibility; on the other hand, the capacity for shame may be indispensible for ethical life insofar as it attests to the subject's constitutive relationality and its openness to the provocation of others. Sartre, Levinas and Beauvoir each offer phenomenological analyses of shame in which its basic structure emerges as a feeling of being exposed to others and bound to one's own identity. For Sartre, shame is an ontological provocation, constitutive of subjectivity as a being-for-Others. For Levinas, ontological shame takes the form of an inability to escape one's own relation to being; this predicament is altered by the ethical provocation of an Other who puts my freedom in question and commands me to justify myself. For Beauvoir, shame is an effect of oppression, both for the woman whose embodied existence is marked as shameful, and for the beneficiary of colonial domination who feels ashamed of her privilege. For each thinker, shame articulates the temporality of social life in both its promise and its danger.
Moving beyond anti-amyloid therapy for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Background: High-profile Phase 3 clinical trials of bapineuzumab and solanezumab, antibodies targeted at amyloid-beta (Aβ) removal, have failed to meet their primary endpoints. Neit her drug improves clinical outcomes in patients with late onset AD, joining a long list of unsuccessful attempts to treat AD with anti-amyloid therapies. Discussion: These therapies are based on the assumption that Aβ accumulation is the primary pathogenic trigger of AD. Current evidence suggests that Aβ may actually accumulate as part of an adaptive response to long-term chronic brain stress stimuli that would make more suitable candidates for therapeutic intervention. Summary: At this juncture it is no longer unreasonable to suggest that further iterations of anti-Aβ therapies should be halted. Clinicians and researchers should instead direct their attention toward greater understanding of the biological function of Aβ both in healthy and demented brains, as well as the involvement of long-term chronic exposure to stress in the etiology of AD.
The Scalable Coherent Interface, IEEE P 1596, status and possible applications to data acquisition and physics

IEEE P 1596, the Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI) (formerly known as SuperBus), is based on experience gained while developing Fastbus (ANSI/IEEE 960-1986, IEC 935), Futurebus (IEEE P896.x), and other modern 32-b buses. SCI goals include a minimum bandwidth of 1 GB/s per processor in multiprocessor systems with thousands of processors; efficient support of a coherent distributed-cache image of distributed shared memory; support for repeaters which interface to existing or future buses; and support for inexpensive small rings as well as for general switched interconnections like Banyan, Omega, or crossbar networks. Current directions are summarized, and the status of work in progress is reported. Some applications in data acquisition and physics are suggested. >
Genetic variation in productivity of foundation riparian species at the edge of their distribution: implications for restoration and assisted migration in a warming climate

We examined the hypothesis that genotypic variation among populations of commonly co-occurring phreatophytic trees (Populus fremontii, Salix gooddingii) and the shrub (Salix exigua) regulates aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) at a hot site at the edge of the species’ distribution. We used a provenance trial in which replicated genotypes from populations varying in mean annual temperature were transplanted to a common garden adjacent to the Lower Colorado River in southeastern California. The garden environment represented an extreme maximum temperature for the study species. Four major findings emerged: (1) Genotypic variation in ANPP was significant for all species with broad-sense heritability (H 2 ) across populations of 0.11, 0.13, and 0.10 for P. fremontii, S. gooddingii, and S. exigua, respectively, and within-population H 2 ranging from 0.00 to 0.25, 0.00 to 0.44, and 0.02 to 0.21, respectively. (2) Population ANPP decreased linearly as mean annual maximum temperature (MAMT) transfer distance increased for both P. fremontii (r 2 = 0.64) and S. gooddingii (r 2 = 0.37), whereas it did not change for S. exigua; (3) Populations with similar MAMT to that of the common garden were 1.5 and 1.2 times more productive than populations with 5.0 °C MAMT transfer distances for P. fremontii and S. gooddingii, respectively; and (4) Variation in regression slopes among species for the relationship between ANPP and MAMT indicate species-specific responses to temperature. As these plant species characterize a threatened habitat type and support a diverse community that includes endangered species, ecosystem restoration programs should consider using both local genotypes and productive genotypes from warmer environments to maximize productivity of riparian ecosystems in the face of global climate change.
Evaluation of three methods to estimate density and detectability from roadside point counts

ABSTRACT Roadside point counts are often used to estimate trends of bird populations. The use of aural counts of birds without adjustment for detection probability, however, can lead to incorrect population trend estimates. We compared precision of estimates of density and detectability of whistling northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) using distance sampling, independent double-observer, and removal methods from roadside surveys. Two observers independently recorded each whistling bird heard, distance from the observer, and time of first detection at 362 call-count stops in Ohio. We examined models that included covariates for year and observer effects for each method and distance from observer effects for the double-observer and removal methods using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). The best model of detectability from distance sampling included observer and year effects. The best models from the removal and double-observer techniques included observer and distance effects. All 3 methods provid...
Building a more sustainable sensor network via protocol innovation

Traditionally, network protocols are designed based on the assumptions that network is powered by small batteries with scarce energy supply. However, emerging energy replenishment technologies such as ambient energy harvesting, wireless energy transferring, etc., provide alternatives to address the energy constraint problem but also introduce new challenges (e.g., energy heterogeneity). Been the core to achieve network sustainability, novel network protocols shall be designed to better exploit energy availabilities and tackle new challenges or issues exposed by emerging energy replenishment technologies. In this dissertation, we study how to build a more sustainable sensor network via network protocol innovation. Specifically, the study is conducted in four directions. First of all, we study how to improve energy utilization efficiency on individual sensor nodes as a foundation to improve the network sustainability. Secondly, we study how to prolong the network lifetime as a whole through dynamically and collaboratively tuning MAC layer operational parameters between neighboring nodes. Thirdly, we study the cross-layer design technique and propose a holistic routing and MAC protocol to further prolong the network lifetime. Fourthly, with given sensing coverage constraints, we jointly optimize the routing and sensing behaviors to further improve the network sustainability.
Successful utilization of ECMO to treat an adult burn patient with ARDS

We present an interesting case of the first adult reported in the United States to suffer from thermal burns, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to be treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) who survived. Our patient is a 26 year old male who sustained thermal burns (12% TBSA) to his face and anterior trunk and broncoscopically demonstrable inhalation injury. He was transported to our regional burn center for burn wound care and ventilatory support. The patient was treated with silver sulfadiazine 1% to his wounds which healed per primam. Because of low oxygen saturation he required increasing FIO2. The following parameters: FIO2= 1, PEEP = 17, minute ventilation of 15.1 1, peak airway pressure of 45 and mean of 27, along with chest X-rays corroborated the severity of ARDS. The patient failed volume control ventilation. A trial of pressure ventilation was attempted but the patient only reached O2 saturation in the low 80s. At this point, the decision was made to transfer the patient to a hospital capable of ECMO treatment. The patient was subsequently treated with veno venous ECMO. Six weeks later the patient was discharged from the hospital off all ventilatory support.
Sources of Error in Substance Use Prevalence Surveys

Population-based estimates of substance use patterns have been regularly reported now for several decades. Concerns with the quality of the survey methodologies employed to produce those estimates date back almost as far. Those concerns have led to a considerable body of research specifically focused on understanding the nature and consequences of survey-based errors in substance use epidemiology. This paper reviews and summarizes that empirical research by organizing it within a total survey error model framework that considers multiple types of representation and measurement errors. Gaps in our knowledge of error sources in substance use surveys and areas needing future research are also identified.
PREFIGURING THE POSTHUMAN: DICKENS AND PROSTHESIS

With every tool man is perfecting his own organs…. by means of spectacles he corrects defects in the lens of his own eye; by means of the telescope he sees into the far distance. Man has become a kind of prosthetic god.—Freud, Civilization and its Discontents D OROTHY VAN GHENT'S “View from Todgers's” classic essay of 1950 (about perspective in Martin Chuzzlewit ) might be defined as the starting point for what we now accept as the veriest Dickens commonplace: the fact that an interchange between animate human subject and inanimate object characterizes his world view. The boundaries of person and material thing are permeable, are constantly criss-crossing, according to Van Ghent, in a “system that is presumed to be a nervous one…. its predications about persons or objects tend to be statements of metabolic conversion of one into the other” (221). But this persistent reading, expressed here in biological terms–“nervous” system, “metabolic conversion”–of Dickens's stylistic habit, itself depends upon attributing to Dickens the critic's sharp distinction between the “human” and the “inhuman” or “non-human.”