cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Existing Non-cardiac Comorbidities Negatively Impact Quality of Life Gains After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implant

Introduction The Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) collects quality of life data via Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) and Visual Analog Score (VAS). These data are collected pre- and post-LVAD implantation. Though previous studies have shown that overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL) improves at one year after implantation, specific factors that predict a higher quality of life have not been identified. Hypothesis Self-perceived quality of life after LVAD implant is influenced by demographics and preexisting comorbidities. Methods We identified 118 patients in the INTERMACS database who received a LVAD at our institution. Of these, 26 patients completed the KCCQ-12 questionnaire and 32 patients completed VAS at 1-year follow up. An exploratory data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and non-parametric comparison tests such as Wilcoxon rank-sum to identify important trends and predictors for changes in HRQoL. Multiple variables (patient characteristics, clinical data) were tested independently against the KCCQ-12 and VAS scores at one year and with the absolute change in these scores over a one-year period. Due to low sample size, we were not able to perform a multivariate model. Results New York Heart Association Class IV symptoms at baseline (p=0.01) were predictive of large gains in VAS scores at one year. Frailty, although not reaching significance, may be associated with smaller magnitudes of improvement in KCCQ at one year (p=0.067). The presence of peripheral vascular disease at pre-implant predicts a lower VAS score at one year (p=0.03). Demographic factors such as age, sex, and marital status at implant did not predict higher post implant quality of life by either VAS or KCCQ. Conclusion Existing non-cardiac comorbidities should be taken into consideration when assessing the health related quality of life benefit of LVAD implantation.
Emotional Processes in Cultural Contexts

“Emotional processes in cultural contexts” presents the structure of emotional life and functions of emotions in cultural contexts. It describes multiple studies and their findings about cultural patterns of emotional control and regulation, emotional differentiation, and complexity of emotions, which can be used as the building blocks for construction of models. The chapters also propose several examples of the cultural models of emotions based on compilation of findings from studies, which have already completed. In particular, the chapter reviews cultural models of emotions in the culture of self and culture of relating.
Postbiosynthetic modification of a precursor to the nitrogenase iron-molybdenum cofactor.

Nitrogenases utilize Fe–S clusters to reduce N2 to NH3. The large number of Fe sites in their catalytic cofactors has hampered spectroscopic investigations into their electronic structures, mechanisms, and biosyntheses. To facilitate their spectroscopic analysis, we are developing methods for incorporating 57Fe into specific sites of nitrogenase cofactors, and we report herein site-selective 57Fe labeling of the L-cluster—a carbide-containing, [Fe8S9C] precursor to the Mo nitrogenase catalytic cofactor. Treatment of the isolated L-cluster with the chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetate followed by reconstitution with 57Fe2+ results in 57Fe labeling of the terminal Fe sites in high yield and with high selectivity. This protocol enables the generation of L-cluster samples in which either the two terminal or the six belt Fe sites are selectively labeled with 57Fe. Mossbauer spectroscopic analysis of these samples bound to the nitrogenase maturase Azotobacter vinelandii NifX reveals differences in the primary coordination sphere of the terminal Fe sites and that one of the terminal sites of the L-cluster binds to H35 of Av NifX. This work provides molecular-level insights into the electronic structure and biosynthesis of the L-cluster and introduces postbiosynthetic modification as a promising strategy for studies of nitrogenase cofactors.
A distributional perspective on the gavagai problem in early word learning

Word learning entails the mapping of an auditory word-form to its appropriate grammatical category (e.g., noun, verb, adjective), but before that mapping can occur, the naive learner must infer which of the myriad of possible referents of that word was intended by the speaker. This creates a computational explosion of referential ambiguity referred to as the gavagai problem. In a set of corpus analyses of parent-directed speech to young infants, we describe the distributional information available to early word learners, with a focus on nouns and adjectives that refer to whole objects and object properties. And in two experiments on word-learning in adults spanning seven different distributional conditions, we document how variations in the ratio of novel labels for objects and properties affect the robustness of word learning. Our results suggest that the language input to 6- to 20-month-olds is robustly populated with high-frequency object words and high-frequency property words, but their co-occurrence is sparse. Although this distributional information slightly favors object words over property words, a more plausible account of the whole-object bias in early word learning is the inability to encode the details of an object/event during rapid naming. Our results from adults, presented with novel labels for multi-referent objects in a cross-situational statistical learning paradigm, also reveal this whole-object bias as well as the absence of property-label generalization to novel objects, even when the distribution of labels is shifted almost exclusively to property words. These results are discussed in terms of the relative ease of mapping auditory word-forms to whole objects vs. object properties, thereby limiting the combinatorics of the gavagai problem, especially in infants with immature encoding and memory representation abilities.
Percutaneous MR Imaging-Guided Laser Ablation and Cryoablation for the Treatment of Pediatric and Adult Symptomatic Peripheral Soft Tissue Vascular Anomalies.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided laser ablation and cryoablation for the treatment of symptomatic soft tissue vascular anomalies (VAs) of the trunk and extremities. Materials and Methods An institutional review board-approved retrospective review was undertaken of all pediatric and adult patients who underwent MR imaging-guided and monitored laser ablation and/or cryoablation for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral soft tissue VA. Preablation and postablation MR imaging was independently reviewed. Pain scores on the visual analog scale (0 to 10) and self-reported subjective symptomatic improvement were assessed. Change in VA size and pain scores were compared using a paired t test. Results Thirty patients (24 females; age, 10–75 years) with 34 VAs were treated for moderate to severe pain (n = 27) or swelling/mass effect (n = 3) with 60 total ablation sessions. The baseline maximum VA diameter was 9.5 cm ± 8.6. At baseline, all VAs (100%) demonstrated variable T2-weighted signal hyperintensity and enhancement. The baseline pain score was 6.4 ± 1.6. Clinical follow-up was available for 23 patients. At a mean follow-up time of 12.2 months ± 10.1, 19 of 20 (95%) patients treated for pain and 2 of 3 (67%) patients treated for swelling/mass effect reported partial or complete symptomatic relief. There was a significant decrease in the postablation pain scores (−5.7 ± 1.0, P 50% reduction in VA T2 signal (59%) and enhancement (73%). Nine of 30 (30%) patients experienced minor complications. Conclusions MR imaging-guided and monitored percutaneous laser ablation and cryoablation appear to be safe and effective for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral soft tissue VAs.
Wild juvenile salmonid abundance in Wisconsin tributaries indicates limited contributions to Lake Michigan fisheries

Abstract Natural reproduction of salmonids occurs in many Lake Michigan tributaries, yet little is known about abundance and the potential contribution of wild fish hatching in Wisconsin tributaries. The objectives of our study were to determine if: 1) abundance of wild juvenile salmonids (primarily adfluvial rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, referred to as steelhead) varied among selected Wisconsin streams based on available spawning and age-0 habitat; 2) stream temperature regimes could limit survival of juvenile salmonids, and 3) wild juvenile salmonids outmigrate from Wisconsin tributaries into Lake Michigan or larger tributaries. In 2016 and 2017, juvenile salmonid abundance was estimated in six Wisconsin tributaries to Lake Michigan by multiple-pass depletion sampling using backpack electrofishing. Habitat assessments included steelhead redd surveys, age-0 habitat surveys, and stream temperatures were monitored using in-stream loggers. Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging and PIT antennas were used to detect outmigration from three streams (Willow, Stony and Hibbard creeks). Population estimates for individual streams ranged from 75 to 2276 for juvenile steelhead and from 0 to 243 for juvenile coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. No correlation was detected between juvenile steelhead abundance and quality age-0 habitat. Stream temperatures rarely exceeded the thermal limit for steelhead (27 °C). Outmigration rates for three streams ranged from 0.6% to 3.1%, but these estimates were considered minimum values. Low abundance of wild juvenile steelhead and coho salmon alone suggest that the contributions of these tributaries to Lake Michigan fisheries are likely small. Furthermore, relying on returns of wild steelhead produced in these streams is probably insufficient to maintain stream fisheries.
Prostate cancer clinical trial completion: The role of geography.

Abstract Background/aims One in five cancer clinical trials fails with another third failing to meet enrollment goals. Prior efforts to improve enrollment focus on patient facing interventions, but geographic factors such as regional cancer incidence may doom trials before they even begin. For these reasons, we examined associations of regional prostate cancer incidence with trial termination, and identified scientifically-underserved areas where future trials might thrive. Methods We merged US phase 2–3 prostate cancer clinical trial data from ClinicalTrials.gov with prostate cancer incidence data from statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov . We matched trial information from 293 closed and 560 active trials with incidence data for 2947 counties. Using multivariable logistic regression, we identified associations with trial termination. We identified ‘scientifically-underserved’ counties with the highest cancer incidence quintile (>61 annual cases) but lowest active trials quintile (0 or 1 trial). Results Of 293 closed trials, one in three was terminated (n = 96, 32.8%). On multivariable analysis, only lower regional prostate cancer incidence was associated with higher likelihood of premature trial termination (OR 0.98, 95% CI [0.96–0.99] for every 100 cases, p = 0.03). We identified 188 counties with >61 annual prostate cancer cases but 0 or 1 active trials, indicating potential scientifically-underserved areas. Conclusions In this novel study, we found prostate cancer trials in areas with low prostate cancer incidence were more likely to fail. We also identified scientifically-underserved areas where trials might thrive. Our findings provide a more nuanced understanding of clinical trial feasibility and upstream opportunities for improvement.
The Informational Role of Asset Prices: The Case of Implied Volatility

An important function of the financial system is to serve as a key source of information that helps coordinate decentralized decision-making in various sectors of the economy. Households and investors use interest rates, futures prices and security prices in making their consumption-saving decisions and portfolio allocation decisions. Interest rates and prices provide important signals to managers of firms in their selection of investment projects and financings. This paper illustrates the role played by financial markets in providing information about the future volatility-that is, the degree of uncertainty-of economic variables such as interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices, and stock, bond and other security prices. It has two basic goals: (1) to show the importance of volatility for all sorts of policy decisions in the private and public sectors of the economy; and (2) to show how ex ante estimates of future volatility can be extracted from the prices of securities.
Modeling a resource-constrained test-and-fix cycle and test phase duration

Software process simulation has been proposed as a means of studying software development processes and answering specific questions about them, such as, "How feasible is a schedule?" This study looked at the question of schedule feasibility for a testing process constrained by availability of test facilities. Simulation models of the testing process were used to identify the significant factors affecting the test duration, estimate a likely completion time for the testing, and provide an empirical basis for re-planning the testing.
Acute mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat can be produced by coactivation of spinal ionotropic AMPA and metabotropic glutamate receptors, activation of phospholipase A2 and generation of cyclooxygenase products.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the characterization of the glutamate receptor subtypes and the signal transduction mechanisms that are involved in acute mechanical hyperalgesia. It discusses the results obtained from the experiment that acute mechanical hyperalgesia can be produced by coactivation of spinal ionotropic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) and metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, activation of PLA, and production of cyclooxygenase (COX) products. Given the previous reports on thermal hyperalgesia, the results presented in the chapter are consistent with a role for spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, nitric oxides (NO), and protein kinase C (PKC) in thermal hyperalgesia and for coactivation of spinal AMPA and metabotropic glutamate receptors, activation of PLA, and production of COX products in mechanical hyperalgesia. Further, these data suggest that acute thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia rely principally on the activation of different signal transduction mechanisms in the spinal cord. The chapter examines the role of phospholipase C (PLC), which has been linked to the activation of the metabotropic receptor. However, as with NO and PKC inhibitors, it is found that the PLC inhibitor neomycin does not affect the acute mechanical hyperalgesia produced by coactivation of AMPA and metabotropic glutamate receptors.
Speedsort: improving the quicksort algorithm

Speedsort is a new sorting algorithm that is based on Quicksort. Like Quicksort, Speedsort uses a pivot value to split an unsorted list into two semi-sorted lists, one of which contains only those elements that are greater than the pivot and one of which contains only those elements that are less than the pivot; because Quicksort and Speedsort utilize swapping instead of merging, they both minimize their space requirements. Unlike Quicksort, the best-case probability for Speedsort is significantly higher than its worst-case probability, causing Speedsort to run 30% faster than Quicksort on average; Quicksort AEs average-case is 1.4*N*log(N), while SpeedsortAEs experimentally determined average-case is 1.0*N*log(N). In addition to its improved runtime, Speedsort is also an improvement over Quicksort in that it is more easily run in parallel or as an external sort routine.
Kinematics and Workspace of a Rolling Disk between Planar Manipulators

The following properties are well known for systems with rolling constraints: (a) constraints of rolling are expressed in terms of rate variables that describe the system, (b) these constraints are nonintegrable for systems having spatial motion and integrable for systems restricted to a plane. The integrability of the rolling constraint equations for planar systems has the following consequences: (a) the position kinematics equations explicitly contain the initial conditions unlike the position kinematics equations for robots without rolling constraints, (b) the presence of initial conditions in the position kinematics equations makes the joint solutions, workspace, and motion plans dependent on the initial conditions. In other words, the start conditions determine whether the robot will reach a desired goal position. This behavior is quite different from the behavior of industrial robots which have fixed workspace and kinematic solutions independent of start configuration. This paper presents studies on a rolling disk between two planar manipulators. The objectives of this paper are to: (a) present position kinematics, list upper bounds on the number of solutions, and investigate the effects of initial conditions, and (b) compute workspace analytically and study the effects of initial conditions. These studies are worthy of presentation because the work described in this paper on the effects of initial conditions on kinematics and workspace of planar rolling systems is novel. The planar rolling systems also act as an important subset of spatial rolling systems for which a variety of algorithms for motion planning have been proposed.
Surgical pearl: double-trephine punch biopsy technique for sampling subcutaneous tissue.

M any dermatoses can affect the subcutaneous tissue. The clinical presentation is polymorphous as in cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, exhibiting the spectra of inflamed nodules, deep ulcers, digital infarcts, livedo reticularis, and stellate scars. Consequently, a reliable, clinically guided, histologic examination is crucial in achieving an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, clinicopathologic incongruity is not uncommonly encountered–the fault occasionally lies in sampling of inadequate tissue. To circumvent this problem, incisional wedge biopsies have been considered as the gold standard for the evaluation of these disorders.1 The potential disadvantage of incisional biopsies, however, is the time consumption of using this technique on multiple locations. Sampling of tissue with intense, perilesional fibrosis and necrosis such as an ulcer makes hemostasis and closure of an elliptic defect nearly impossible. Another limitation of the incisional biopsy is that the sample is taken along a single axis. For example, a biopsy of an ulcer aligned in the 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock axis would, therefore, not be able to include histologically relevant tissue at the 3 o’clock edge. To address these issues, we describe a technique called the “double-trephine punch.” Although the trephine punch tool used in hair transplants has been previously proposed for the diagnosis of panniculitis, the tool is not readily available in a dermatology clinic,2 and subcutaneous tissue would also be difficult to recover from such a small and deep defect (Fig 1). Our proposed technique can be regarded as a compound punch biopsy using common, disposable, cutaneous punch tools. Sampling may occur at various locations along the margins and within the center of the lesion. Such a procedure is quickly and easily performed and would not require a second office visit for more involved biopsies. The tools necessary to perform the double-trephine punch are simply that which are used in a standard punch-biopsy procedure. An additional 8-mm punch tool is necessary, and the optional availability of electrocautery and Gelfoam (Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich). The site for sampling is chosen to ensure the highest yield. Observing standard, clean, surgical procedure techniques, the lesion is prepared and locally anesthetized. Countertraction is applied with the nondominant hand, and the 8-mm punch tool is inserted to the hilt of the instrument to obtain the initial sample (Fig 2, left). Once the superficial core is removed, subcutaneous tissue should be readily
Addressing computational and networking constraints to enable video streaming from wireless appliances

Enabling real-time video streaming from a wireless appliance requires compute intensive video compression to be performed in real-time on the appliance before transmitting the data upstream. However, the tasks of real-time video encoding and streaming from the wireless appliances are challenging due to a) limited computational and battery resources, and b) limited and time-varying network bandwidth availability. In this paper, we present a technique for enabling real-time video compression and transmission from wireless appliances based on run-time video adaptation. We present an adaptation engine for dynamic selection of video compression parameters such that both the computational and the network bandwidth constraints are satisfied, while maximizing the end user's viewing quality. The algorithm is based on the analysis of the effect of different video compression parameters on computational and network resource usage, and the video quality. Since our approach is based on judicious selection of video compression parameters and does not require changes to the compression algorithm itself, it is applicable to a wide range of video compression standards. We have also developed an iPAQ-based end-to-end video streaming system to evaluate our approach. Experiments conducted on this test-bed indicate that our proposed technique achieves significant improvements in overall video quality under computation (up to 4/spl times/) and network bandwidth (/spl sim/3dB) constraints. We also show significant improvements in the energy efficiency as a result of adaptation.
Reaction of NO2 with a Pure, Thick BaO Film : The Effect of Temperature on the Nature of NOx Species Formed

The adsorption and reaction of NO2 on a thick (>30 ML), pure BaO film deposited onto an Al2O3/NiAl(110) substrate were investigated in the temperature range of 300 − 660 K using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The adsorption of NO2 on BaO at room temperature and the subsequent decomposition of the thus formed Ba(NOx)2 species follow the same mechanisms we have reported previously for NO2 adsorption at cryogenic temperatures. In cyclic experiments when the BaO film was exposed to NO2 at 300 K, followed by annealing to 575 K, a large amount of NOx was stored as nitrates, and no saturation was achieved even after the 10th adsorption/anneal cycle. This suggests the gradual conversion of the BaO film into barium nitrate clusters at elevated temperatures. The rate of nitrate formation increases as the sample temperature during NO2 exposure increases up to 610 K, while at even higher temperatures t...
Does 'errorless learning' compensate for neurocognitive impairments in the work rehabilitation of persons with schizophrenia?

Background Because neurocognitive impairments of schizophrenia appear to be 'rate limiting' in the acquisition of skills for community functioning, it is important to develop efficacious rehabilitative interventions that can compensate for these impairments. Procedures based on errorless learning may facilitate work rehabilitation because they effectively automate training of work and other skills, thereby reducing the cognitive burden on persons with schizophrenia. Method The present study examined the ability of a training method based on errorless learning to compensate for neurocognitive deficits in teaching two entry-level job tasks (index card filing and toilet-tank assembly) to a sample of 54 unemployed, clinically stable schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorder out-patients. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two training groups, errorless learning v. conventional trial-and-error type instruction. Prior to randomization, all subjects were administered a neurocognitive battery. Job task performance was assessed by percentage accuracy scores immediately after training. Results For three of the six inter-relationships among neurocognitive functioning and training condition, the pattern was the same: the errorless learning group scored high in job task performance regardless of neurocognitive impairment, whereas the conventional instruction group showed a close correspondence between job task performance and degree of neurocognitive impairment. Conclusions These findings support errorless learning as a technique that can compensate for neurocognitive deficits as they relate to the acquisition of new skills and abilities in the work rehabilitation of persons with schizophrenia.
Volume of the human septal forebrain region is a predictor of source memory accuracy.

Septal nuclei, components of basal forebrain, are strongly and reciprocally connected with hippocampus, and have been shown in animals to play a critical role in memory. In humans, the septal forebrain has received little attention. To examine the role of human septal forebrain in memory, we acquired high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans from 25 healthy subjects and calculated septal forebrain volume using recently developed probabilistic cytoarchitectonic maps. We indexed memory with the California Verbal Learning Test-II. Linear regression showed that bilateral septal forebrain volume was a significant positive predictor of recognition memory accuracy. More specifically, larger septal forebrain volume was associated with the ability to recall item source/context accuracy. Results indicate specific involvement of septal forebrain in human source memory, and recall the need for additional research into the role of septal nuclei in memory and other impairments associated with human diseases. (JINS, 2012, 18, 157–161)
1 CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS (C.t) IN ADOLESCENT FEMALES

C.t is an important cause of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in adults and has been implicated as a cause of salpingitis and perihepatitis. As limited data are available regarding C.t in adolescents, 75 sexually active female teenagers were studied to determine the prevalence of C.t and other STD's including trichomonas, gonorrhea, herpes simplex (HS), syphilis, as well as cytomegalovirus (CMV). Relevant data were obtained on study patients to determine clinical patterns of C.t infection in this age population and possible relationships with other STD's. Cervical and/or urethral cultures from 17 subjects (23%) were positive for C.t; other pathogens identified were trichomonas (13%), CMV (12%), N. gonorrheae (11%) and HS (3%). 16% were infected with 2 or more agents. Tabular analyses revealed no relationship between C.t infection and the following variables: age, contraceptive method, number of recent sexual partners, parity, catamenia, history of STD, another simultaneously diagnosed STD and presence of CMV or HS-2 antibodies. 7 C.t(+) subjects were asymptomatic and abnormal physical findings in 10 occurred in association with other common STD's. C.t antibody Was not detectable in all C.t(+) subjects. These data demonstrate C.t is a common STD in adolescence which cannot be diagnosed on the basis of symptoms or physical exam. As C.t is a STD with potentially serious sequelae, screening by appropriate culture should be considered in sexually active female teenagers.
Should We Treat Tuberculin Converters

SUMMARY 1.Primary tuberculosis is not a localized disease as is commonly thought, but has demonstrable hematogeneous dissemination in most cases. The seriousness of the disease varied with age, having a high mortality under two years of age from these hematogeneous complications. From two to five years there are still significant numbers that develop tuberculous meningitis. 2.We are finding as many new and as far advanced cases as we found five years ago. Serious tuberculosis still occurs in children. 3.Isoniazid alone will not prevent all hematogeneous complications since over ten per cent of new admissions to a tuberculosis hospital have isoniazid resistant tubercle bacilli. 4.There is no known safe drug combination that will sterilize experimentally produced tuberculosis in animals, therefore, it is not probable that we will sterilize primary lesions in people. 5.With as little as 220 days of streptomycin, PAS, and isoniazid given concurrently, it has been possible to prevent the immediate hematogeneous complications of primary tuberculosis. There is no assurance, however, that reinfection tuberculosis will not develop later. 6.A positive tuberculin test has less immunological value than previously thought because it is from original foci that reinfection type tuberculosis develops after puberty. The conversion of a skin test from positive back to negative was known to occur long before drug therapy was introduced and is no real indication that all of the tubercle bacilli are killed. 7.While our antituberculous drugs seems to be less toxic in children than in adults, serious toxic reactions occur so treatment without adequate observation is not safe.
Physics of high-spin states in the interacting boson model

Abstract The physics of high-spin states is discussed within the framework of the interacting boson model. Three topics are specifically addressed: (i) high-spin states; (ii) superdeformation; (iii) the role of dynamic symmetries in superdeformed bands.
RENAL MECHANISMS IN COINCIDENT ADDISON's DISEASE AND DIABETES INSIPIDUS: EFFECTS OF VASOPRESSIN AND HYDROCORTISONE*

Concurrent primary failures of adrenocortical and posterior hypophyseal functions, with coincident syndromes of diabetes insipidus and Addison's disease, to our knowledge, have not been described heretofore. The case reported here has clinical interest, therefore, in that the concurrence is uncommon. It also has physiologic interest, in that the defects of water excretion characteristic of the two syndromes are, in some respects, disparate. These renal dysfunctions were demonstrated in our patient and the effects thereon of adrenocortical (hydrocortisone) and posterior hypophyseal (vasopressin (Pitressin)) hormones were determined. The data make it seem unlikely that the adrenal hormone has a specific action on renal tubular reabsorption of water.
The σ-model and the binding energy of nuclear matter

Abstract Using a version of the chiral invariant σ-model, it is shown that many-body forces can eliminate the discrepancy between calculated and empirical values of the binding energy and equilibrium density of nuclear matter. Simple techniques for including such many-body forces in conventional nuclear matter calculations are suggested.
Photoluminscenece of InAs quantum dots coupled to a two-dimensional electron gas

Self-assembled InAs quantum dots have been extensively studied by a variety of experimental techniques. Works have been done on the transport properties of the InAs dots located near a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). However, there have been few reports on the optical properties of the InAs dots located closely to 2DEG. In this work, InAs dots samples with 2DEG and without 2DEG growth by solid source molecular beam epitaxy were studied using photoluminescence measurements. Different photoluminescence behaviors between the InAs dots and the InAs dots near the 2DEG were observed. It was found that the emission efficiency of the InAs dots was significantly enhanced by the existence of the nearby 2DEG and the thermal activation energy of the InAs dots was decreased by the 2DEG. It was speculated that the 2DEG at the AlGaAs/GaAs interface worked as an electron reservoir to the InAs dots. As a result, the conduction band between the dots and 2DEG is lowered, and thus the thermal activation energy of PL is lowered. It was concluded that in this way the optical properties of the InAs quantum dots could be tailored for optical applications.
Multiple Adsorption from Solutions

The general theory of the adsorption of solutes from solutions which are treated by a process similar to that employed in chromatography is presented. By assuming a chemical equilibrium between adsorbed material and the solution, the adsorption equations can be solved explicitly. A detailed discussion of the two‐component problem is given; the many‐component problem and the extension of the theory to more general adsorption isotherms are considered briefly.
The tyramine content of cheese.

Summary A method for separating tyramine from tyrosine and for estimating the concentration of the former substance was applied to cheese. This method involved the use of a continuous ether extractor and the employment of the Millon reagent using a colorimeter. Twenty-five samples of commercial American Cheddar cheese of different age and history were tested for tyramine. All were found to contain tyramine in varying degrees of concentration. The average for these samples was 384 γ per g. or 0.0384 per cent; the highest concentration was 1,199 γ per g. or 0.1199 per cent, and the lowest was 25 γ per g., or 0.0025 per cent. A large number of miscellaneous varieties of ripened types of commercial cheese were tested for tyramine. Again, all samples were found to contain tyramine in varying concentrations. The largest amount was found in a Liederkrantz cheese which had a concentration of 1,683 γ per g., or 0.1683 per cent, while the smallest amount was found in a Roquefort cheese with a concentration of 48 γ per g. or 0.0048 per cent. The analyses were not sufficiently extensive to establish differences due to cheese variety. Tyramine was isolated from a sample of Cheddar cheese by this method, purified, and identified as the dibenzoyl derivative.
A Comparison of Oceanic Precipitation Estimates in the Tropics and Subtropics

A number of Earth remote sensing satellites are currently carrying passive microwave radiometers. A variety of different retrieval algorithms are used to estimate surface rain rates over the ocean from the microwave radiances observed by the radiometers. This study compares several different satellite algorithms with each other and with independent data from rain gauges on ocean buoys. The rain gauge data are from buoys operated by the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. Potential errors and biases in the gauge data are evaluated. Satellite data are from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager and from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager instruments on the operational Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F13, F14, and F15 satellites. These data have been processed into rain-rate estimates by the NASA Precipitation Measurement Mission and by Remote Sensing Systems, Inc. Biases between the different datasets are estimated by computing differences between long-term time averages. Most of the satellite datasets agree with each other, and with the gauge data, to within 10% or less. The biases tend to be proportional to the mean rain rate, but the geographical patterns of bias vary depending on the choice of data source and algorithm. Some datasets, however, show biases as large as about 25%, so care should be taken when using these data for climatological studies.
RFID Personal Asset Finder (PAF): Design and Characterization

RFID system can identify objects wirelessly by utilizing UHF radio frequency. The strength of RFID application in industry warehouse, monitoring system and personal life brings researchers and engineers to focus on it. In this paper, we implement a RFID application referred to as PAF for personal asset tracking. We also address two important issues in an RFID system: its radio link budget for different material attachments on tag and reader-reader collision probability of Frequency Hopping Schemes given by the RFID reader manufacturer.
Ifosfamide related encephalopathy: The need for a timely EEG evaluation

Abstract Background Ifosfamide is an alkylating agent useful in the treatment of a wide range of cancers including sarcomas, lymphoma, gynecologic and testicular cancers. Encephalopathy has been reported in 10–40% of patients receiving high-dose IV ifosfamide. Objective To highlight the role of electroencephalogram (EEG) in the early detection and management of ifosfamide related encephalopathy. Methods Retrospective chart review including clinical data and EEG recordings was done on five patients, admitted to MD Anderson Cancer Center between years 2009 and 2012, who developed ifosfamide related acute encephalopathy. Results All five patients experienced symptoms of encephalopathy soon after (within 12 h–2 days) receiving ifosfamide. Two patients developed generalized convulsions while one patient developed continuous non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) that required ICU admission and intubation. Initial EEG showed epileptiform discharges in three patients; run of triphasic waves in one patient and moderate degree diffuse generalized slowing. Mixed pattern with the presence of both sharps and triphasic waves were also noted. Repeat EEGs within 24_h of symptom onset showed marked improvement that was correlated with clinical improvement. Conclusions Severity of ifosfamide related encephalopathy correlates with EEG changes. We suggest a timely EEG evaluation for patients receiving ifosfamide who develop features of encephalopathy.
Sonographic finding of undescended testes in fetuses at 35-40 weeks: significance and outcome.

Purpose We evaluated the outcome of fetuses with prenatally diagnosed undescended testes at 35 weeks or more of gestation. Methods We identified the fetuses in our database in whom undescended testes were identified sonographically in the last month of pregnancy and for whom outcome information could be obtained. Associated sonographic abnormalities were tabulated from the original reports. Outcomes were obtained through reviews of the pediatric medical records and pathology reports. Results Six fetuses in 5 patients (1 had twins) were identified as having an empty scrotum at 35 weeks or later. In 3 fetuses, this finding was the only prenatal sonographic abnormality. One of these fetuses had isolated undescended testes at birth; the twins were found at birth to be females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and severe masculinization of the genitals. The other 3 fetuses had other malformations seen prenatally, including omphalocele and macroglossia (Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome), a left diaphragmatic hernia, and multiple congenital abnormalities. Conclusions Although the finding of undescended testes in late gestation may be noted in an otherwise normal fetus, it may also be associated with a potential risk for perinatal problems ranging from severe multiple congenital abnormalities to incorrect sex assignment due to masculinization of female genitalia. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound26: 69–71, 1998.
SPMD execution of programs with pointer-based data structures on distributed-memory machines

Abstract This paper discusses an approach to supporting SPMD (single-program, multiple-data) execution of programs with pointer-based data structures on distributed-memory machines. Through a combination of language design and new compilation techniques, static and dynamic implicit parallelism present in sequential programs based upon pointer-based data structures is exploited. Language support is provided for constructing and manipulating local as well as distributed data structures. The compiler translates the program for execution in SPMD mode in which each processor executes that part of the program which operates on the elements of distributed data structures local to the processor. Therefore the parallelism implicit in a sequential program is exploited. A novel approach for implementing pointers which is based upon the generation of names for the nodes in a data structure is presented in this paper. The name based strategy enables the dynamic distribution of data structures among the processors as well as the traversal of distributed data structures without interprocessor communication.
Oscillating wings and bodies with flexure in supersonic flow

The development of the Harmonic Gradient Method (HGM) and the Harmonic Potential Panel (HPP) method for nonplanar wings and bodies in unsteady supersonic flow is presented. They are proved to be accurate and versatile tools for computations of unsteady aerodynamics. According to a consistent formulation, the bases of both methods are now unified. Owing to the Harmonic Potential model, the optimal number of panels can be achieved without loss of computational accuracy, and, yet, it is least affected by the given Mach number and reduced frequency. Moreover, these methods are completely general in terms of input oscillatory frequencies, mode shapes, and body or planform geometries. To validate the HGM/HPP computer codes, various computed results are compared with several known cases. These results demonstrate that the computer codes are attractive in their efficiency and cost-effectiveness for aeroelastic analyses, which suggests immediate industrial applications.
1,2-Carbon shifts in [C4H8O]+˙ and [C5H10O]+˙ ions

Present results demonstrate that α,β-shifts of the functional group carbon strongly dominate β,α-methyl shifts in [C4H8O]+˙ and [C5H10O]+˙ ions, paralleling observations of others on methyl isobutyrate ions.
Product Reliability and Random Fatigue

The fatigue life of a mechanical component in a conventional ional test situation depends upon the stress amplitude. A change in the stress amplitude during a laboratory test-program involves a consideration of the damage produced by each stress cycle imposed upon the test specimen. A direct extension of this elementary concept to irregular stress waveforms provides a logical basis for a statistical analysis of product reliability due to random fatigue. The statistical behavior of the fatigue life is related to the probability distribution of the maxima and minima in a random stress waveform. The fundamental relation between the probability of survival and the maxima-minima is derived in this presentation, which contains a theoretical application to a simple random stress oscillation. The same expression may be used in the development of a computer program to evaluate product reliability from a numerical analysis of experimental data.
Impaired Function is a Common Feature of Neuropathy‐Associated Glycyl‐tRNA Synthetase Mutations

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2D (CMT2D) is an autosomal-dominant axonal peripheral neuropathy characterized by impaired motor and sensory function in the distal extremities. Mutations in the glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS) gene cause CMT2D. GARS is a member of the ubiquitously expressed aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) family and is responsible for charging tRNA with glycine. To date, 13 GARS mutations have been identified in patients with CMT disease. While functional studies have revealed loss-of-function characteristics, only four GARS mutations have been rigorously studied. Here, we report the functional evaluation of nine CMT-associated GARS mutations in tRNA charging, yeast complementation, and subcellular localization assays. Our results demonstrate that impaired function is a common characteristic of CMT-associated GARS mutations. Additionally, one mutation previously associated with CMT disease (p.Ser581Leu) does not demonstrate impaired function, was identified in the general population, and failed to segregate with disease in two newly identified families with CMT disease. Thus, we propose that this variant is not a disease-causing mutation. Together, our data indicate that impaired function is a key component of GARS-mediated CMT disease and emphasize the need for careful genetic and functional evaluation before implicating a variant in disease onset.
Cluster Beam Chemistry: Hydration of Nucleic Acid Bases; Ionization Potentials of Hydrated Adenine and Thymine

Gas phase hydration of adenine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil in supersonic molecular beams is examined by mass spectra and ionization potential measurements. In the beam source, designed for substances of low volatility that readily decompose on heating, a carrier gas (moist argon or pure water vapor) flows through a porous filter packed with the solid sample before exiting via a supersonic nozzle. With the electron impact energy below the ionization potential of water, progressions of cluster ions of the form Bm+(H2O)n with m = 1−3 and n as high as 15 are obtained. Cytosine, even with modest heating, loses two hydrogens and also undergoes tautomeric conversion to uracil. From appearance potential measurements and calibrations, the ionization potentials for B = adenine or thymine clusters (with m = 1, n = 0−3; m = 1 or 2, n = 0−1 or 2) were determined; relative to the neutral base monomer, hydration by three water molecules decreases the ionization potential by about 8%, or 0.7 eV.
Core-level photoemission studies of MBE-grown semiconductor surfaces

Abstract The photoemission spectra of Ga3d, As3d and Sb4d core levels reveal a rich surface-derived substructure which is due to changes in the surface bonding environment and indicates one or more surface bonding sites per surface atom. Bulk and surface contributions have been separated and used to determine the stoichiometry of several GaAs(100) surfaces.
Percutaneous entry of the brachial artery for transluminal coronary angioplasty

Angioplasty is most commonly performed with catheters introduced percutaneously into the femoral artery. A brachial approach has previously been described that employs arteriotomy and cutdown. We describe here the technique and initial results of an alternative method of brachial entry, wherein the catheter is introduced percutaneously. Angioplasty has been performed in 26 patients in this manner, without complications.
Factors influencing pregnancy-induced aggression in mice.

Some topographical and experiential factors governing the aggressive behavior of pregnant female Rockland—Swiss (R—S) Albino mice toward adult male intruders were examined in a series of 5 experiments. The incidence and intensity of the behavior increase with advancing gestation. Pregnant animals rarely exhibit agonistic behavior during early and midgestation (Days 2, 6, and 10), but levels of the behavior significantly increase toward the end of pregnancy (Days 14 and 18) (Experiment 1). In contrast to the intense biting attacks usually exhibited by postpartum mice, the agonistic behavior of pregnant animals is characterized by threats (rapid lunges toward the intruder). Levels of pregnancy-induced aggressive behavior serve as reliable predictors of postpartum aggressive behavior: non-aggressive pregnant animals exhibit low postpartum agonistic behavior and highly aggressive gravid females display intense fighting behavior following parturition (Experiment 2). Also, unlike postpartum animals, suckling stimulation from young does not advance the onset or elevate the intensity of aggression in pregnant mice (Experiment 3). Exposure to a stud male during postpartum estrous results in pregnancy and attenuated levels of postpartum fighting behavior (Experiment 4). However, animals made pregnant by artificial insemination fail to show deficits in postpartum aggression, suggesting that cohabitation with a male and not pregnancy suppresses aggression in lactating animals (Experiment 5). The mechanisms responsible for pregnancy-induced aggression in mice are discussed in light of our knowledge of the factors governing postpartum defense.
Balanced detection technique to measure small changes in transmission

A novel technique to measure changes in optical transmission of better than 10−3 with time resolution of better than 10 ns is discussed. The photocurrent from two photodiodes is subtracted with a balanced detection circuit to eliminate the common signal; carrier-induced change in absorption for a semiconductor single quantum well produces a large differential signal.