cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hyperintense cirrhotic nodules on MRI

Descriptions of regenerating nodules of cirrhosis indicate that they are often isointense to liver parenchyma on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Regenerating nodules of cirrhosis can occasionally appear hypointense on all MRI sequences due to iron deposition within the nodules. We reviewed 21 cases of pathologically proven mixed or macronodular cirrhosis using MRI. In five patients, nodules appeared as hyperintense to liver parenchyma on short TR/TE images and were isointense on long TR/TE or GRASS images. In another five cases, nodules appeared hypointense on either long TR/TE or GRASS images, and corresponding hypointense nodules were observed on short TR/TE images in one of these patients. Our findings suggest that regenerating nodules of cirrhosis may have a more variable appearance on short TR/TE images.
MEASUREMENT OF VISIBLE LIGHT ABSORPTION BY PARTICULATE MATTER IN THE OCEAN1

For the measurement of visible light absorption by particles in sea water, optical arrangements have been devised where scattered light is integrated and the photodetector “sees” mostly diffused light. High spectral resolution has been obtained by removing particulate matter from sea water using a membrane filter and scanning the filter against an unused filter as the reference blank in the Cary spectrophotometer. In this fashion spectral curves for particulate matter in the oceans have been obtained. These curves show pigment banding in the upper 100 m of water characteristic of absorption by chloroplastic pigments. Below this depth the absorption of particulate matter is characterized by a gradual increasing attenuation from long to short wavelengths. Optical density ratios of chloroplastic pigment bands seen in the particulate matter of the upper 100 m suggest the presence of absorbing components not generally seen in algal cultures. Differential filtration through graded filter sizes (5.0 µ-0.3 µ) followed by the spectral scanning of filters, shows that practically all of the chloroplastic pigments are retained by the 5.0 µ filter. Particles passing this filter show little selective attenuation of visible wavelengths. The nature of sea water particulate matter is discussed in terms of its absorbing characteristics as well as the significance to phytoplankton ecology.
STUDIES IN AGGLUTINATION : III. ON THE MECHANISM OF THE AGGLUTINATION OF BACTERIA BY SPECIFIC AGGLUTINATING SERUM.

From the foregoing evidence, specific bacterial agglutination may be conceived of as follows: When bacteria are mixed with their homologous agglutinative sera, specific union between organism and agglutinin occurs. This interaction consists of specific coating of the bacteria by globulin. By virtue of the fact, noted by Loeb and illustrated in Fig. 6, that protein film formation gives the coated particle the characteristics of denatured protein, the bacteria now take on the character of particles of denatured globulin. Particles of denatured protein flocculate whenever their charge is reduced by electrolyte to a critical level lying somewhere between 12 and 14 millivolts. This is true even when the salt is strong, as, unlike bacterial particles, their cohesive force is not readily depressed by salt. The sensitized bacteria, now being essentially particles of denatured protein, likewise agglutinate as soon as their charge is reduced by electrolyte to this potential level.
Entry into community-based nursing practice: perceptions of prospective employers

To better prepare new graduates for entry-level positions in community settings, faculty of one college of nursing gathered information using focus groups of prospective employers. The groups were to identify the skills and qualities nurses need to practice in the community and ways to redesign nursing curricula to better prepare undergraduates for community-based practice. Data for this qualitative study were collected in five separate focus groups conducted with prospective employers ( N = 18) from four major areas of Kentucky. By collaborating with prospective employers in the community, a partnership was established between nurse educators and community health leaders to improve the marketability of baccalaureate graduates. Assessment was the most frequently named skill essential to nursing practice in the community. Independence, critical thinking, collaboration, and confidence consistently emerged as important skills and qualities. Prospective employers were positive about developing partnerships to improve undergraduate nursing curricula. Recommendations for curricula to better prepare undergraduates for community-based practice are suggested.
A Capacitance Type Chemical Sensor Based on AlPO4-5 Molecular Sieves

Thin films of AlPO4-5 molecular sieves have been employed as the dielectric phase in a capacitance type chemical sensor. AlPO4-5 was deposited onto titanium nitride (bottom electrode) coated silicon wafers by laser ablation. A subsequent hydrothermal treatment of the ablated AlPO4-5 films was found to enhance the crystallinity. The capacitance sensor configuration was completed by the deposition of Pd/Au pads (upper electrode) through a mask. AlPO4-5 based sensors exhibited significant changes in capacitance upon exposure to small molecules such as CO2, CO, N2, and H2O.
RFID-enabled shared resource management for aerospace maintenance operations: a dynamic resource allocation model

In this article, dynamic resource allocation (DRA) policies for aerospace maintenance operations, enabled by deployment of radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, are studied via simulation. Similar to a typical aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) type of flow line (i.e. pulse line), each station in the simulated model consists of operation sequence alternatives, as well as resource alternatives for each operation. The simulation study investigates station selection rules for real-time resource sharing, resource selection rules among alternative resources at station level, and number of resource duplicates available in a manufacturing flow line in terms of their effect on system throughput, manufacturing lead time, resource utilisation levels and process wait time for resources. With input provided by an aerospace company, a hypothetical maintenance line with 10 stations is modelled using the Arena™ Simulation package and experimental results are statistically analysed.
On the semantics of noun compounds

This paper provides new insights on the semantic characteristics of two and three noun compounds. An analysis is performed using two sets of semantic classification categories: a list of 8 prepositional paraphrases previously proposed by Lauer [Designing statistical language learners: experiments on noun compounds, Ph.D. Thesis, Macquarie University, Australia] and a new set of 35 semantic relations introduced by us. We show the distribution of these semantic categories on a corpus of noun compounds and present several models for the bracketing and the semantic classification of noun compounds. The results are compared against state-of-the-art models reported in the literature.
Oxygen consumption as related to body size in juvenile steelhead, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

The routine metabolism and metabolic rate of young steelhead ranging in weight from 1.5 to 75 g were determined by the sealed jar method. The water temperature was 9.5 to 10 °C. A regression line was fitted by statistical analysis to the logarithmic values of the data of fishes ranging in weight from 10 to 75 g. The equation was determined to be M = 0.6175 W 0.795 with b = 0.795 ± 0.15. This observed b-value agrees with the slope value found in the literature for salmonids. The dependence of oxygen consumption and body size is once more demonstrated.
Cortical activation mapping of epileptiform activity derived from interictal ECoG spikes.

Summary: Purpose: To develop and evaluate a new cortical activation mapping (CAM) method to obtain the neuronal activation sequences from the cortical potential distributions. Methods: Interictal electrocorticogram (ECoG) recordings were analyzed for eight pediatric epilepsy patients to find the cortical activation maps, which were compared with the patients' seizure-onset zones identified from ictal ECoG recordings. Various relations between the local activation time and cortical potential were assumed. The most effective relation was determined by accessing their capability to predict the seizure-onset zone. Computer simulations using a moving dipole source model were also conducted to test the present approach in imaging the propagated cortical activity. Results: In both clinical data analysis and computer simulations, the maximal amplitude proved to be the most effective criterion with which to determine the local cortical activation time. The present method successfully predicted the seizure-onset zone in seven of eight patients by the CAM analysis of ECoG-recorded interictal spikes (IISs). For patients with multiple seizure foci, each focus can be revealed by analyzing IISs with different spatial patterns. Conclusions: The time difference between spike peaks of the interictal events in the leading channel and other channels can be effectively defined as the local cortical activation time. The cortical activation mapping method based on this time latency can be used to predict the seizure-onset zones, suggesting that the present CAM method is useful to assist the presurgical evaluation for the epilepsy patients.
Additive schooling in subtractive times: bilingual education and Dominican immigrant youth in the Heights

The rise in the population of immigrants in the USA requires a look at how schools accommodate their increasingly diverse student bodies, especially their linguistic needs. One obvious issue is the...
Peyronie's disease.

Peyronie's disease, a penile deformity of the mature male, is distressing but not necessarily permanent. The initial inflammatory infiltrate does not always progress to irreversible fibrosis. Although spontaneous resolution sometimes occurs, resolution can be hastened and rendered more likely by anti-inflammatory measures such as cortisone and small-dose irradiation. Pain may have some significance. The deformity on erection tends to persist when treatment is delayed until pain has developed. The pain itself will often disappear. Fifty-six patients were given small-dose irradiation. Forty-six determinate cases were available for definitive evaluation. Deformity persisted in only 4 of 10 (40 per cent) who were treated before pain had developed. Of the 36 who were treated after the development of pain, the deformity persisted in 24 (67 per cent). The pain failed to respond in only 7 of the 36 (19 per cent). Objective evaluation is difficult. Aggressive intervention may do more harm than good. Properly administered, small-dose irradiation is an innocuous form of treatment which may prove helpful.
The adsorption of benzene on Ni(111)

Abstract Using a many-electron embedding theory, the present work treats the adsorption of benzene on Ni(111) by modelling the lattice as a 28-atom, three-layer cluster. Ab initio valence orbital CI calculations carried out on a local surface region permit an accurate description of bonding at the surface. Benzene is found to be adsorbed molecularly, parallel to the surface, at a threefold site, bonding primarily through its π electron system. The equilibrium distance is 2.2 A from the surface. The calculations show no distortion of the benzene ring, other than a 2% expansion. CH bonds tilt away from the surface 8.5°. The adsorption energy is calculated to be 1.2 eV. Adsorption at the threefold hollow site gives a slightly higher energy than the hep site, but the difference may be within the uncertainty of the calculation. The energy of the bridge adsorption site is higher than that of the hcp site, by 0.8 eV. Atop atom sites were not investigated. Due to the limited number of geometries investigated, particularly those involving Kekule and buckling distortions, some aspects of the benzene geometry and energetics of different sites remain uncertain.
Black Specks in Dialysis Fluid: An Unusual Case of Peritonitis in a Pediatric Patient on Peritoneal Dialysis

A 13-year-old boy resumed peritoneal dialysis after the loss of a deceased donor renal transplant but was main-tained on mycophenolate mofetil and monthly infusions of intravenous immunoglobulin to reduce his panel reactive antibody level. He developed low-grade fever, cloudy fluid, and abdominal pain without peritoneal signs. His mother reported seeing some black “flakes” in his effluent. He was admitted and treated for presumed bacterial peritonitis twice with neither bacterial nor fungal growth on cultures. He received empiric antibiotics and appeared to respond partially. The patient remained asymptomatic with little abdominal pain, but had progressive difficulties with drain-age. A black “speck” was obtained and identified as Curvularia. The peritoneal dialysis catheter was removed, and he was treated with both intravenous and intraperitoneal amphotericin B. This is the second case of peritonitis caused by Curvularia in a pediatric peritoneal dialysis patient reported in the literature. peritonitis is a serious complication of peritoneal dialy-Fungal sis. Filamentous species such as Curvularia are uncommon, with a total of 10 reported cases. Although it has been reported as a disseminated infection, it is rarely pathogenic in humans. Of the 10 reported cases, 7 reported the pres-ence of black proteinaceous material in the lumen of the Tenckhoff catheter. The most important measure in the treatment of peritonitis caused by Curvularia is removal of the peritoneal dialysis catheter. Curvularia species have been found to be susceptible in vitro to many antifungals, but there is no standard for therapy. Black “specks” in dialysate effluent should raise the level of concern for fungal peritonitis. Dial. Transplant. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of celiac plexus block and neurolysis outcomes and technique in the management of refractory visceral cancer pain.

Objective. To assess demographic and clinical factors associated with celiac plexus neurolysis outcomes. Design. Retrospective clinical data analysis. Setting. A tertiary care, academic medical center. Patients. Forty-four patients with terminal visceral (mostly pancreatic) cancer who failed conservative measures. Interventions. Fifty celiac plexus alcohol neurolytic procedures done for pain control after a positive diagnostic block. Outcome Measures. A successful treatment was predefined as >50% pain relief sustained for ≥1 month. The following variables were analyzed for their association with treatment outcome: age, gender, duration of pain, origin of tumor, opioid dose, type of radiological guidance used, single- vs double-needle approach, type of block (e.g., antero- vs retrocrural), immediate vs delayed neurolysis, volume of local anesthetic employed for both diagnostic and neurolytic blocks, and use of sedation. Results. Those variables correlated with a positive outcome included lower opioid dose and the absence of sedation. Strong trends for a positive association with outcome were found for the use of computed tomography (vs fluoroscopy), and using <20 mL of local anesthetic for the diagnostic block. Conclusions. Celiac plexus neurolysis may provide intermediate pain relief to a significant percentage of cancer sufferers. Both careful selection of candidates based on clinical variables, and technical factors aimed at enhancing the specificity of blocks may lead to improved outcomes.
Organizational effectiveness indicators to support service quality

To survive in increasingly competitive markets, customer focused organizations are challenged to create and sustain long term loyal and supportive customers. To ensure long term service quality, organizations need to have quality focused internal structures and processes in place to support those on the front line who make or break the organization’s reputation with their customers. This paper introduces nine scientifically developed measures of internal structures and processes that are associated with service quality. These measures are applicable to organizations in a variety of industries in both the public and private sectors and can serve to benchmark “best in class” practices. They were developed from ratings obtained from 8,924 employees from over 100 organizations. When organizations provide supportive structures and processes for their front line employees, these employees are better able to provide top quality products and services to their external customers.
Habituation and dishabituation to repeated mild cold exposures in C57BL/6J mice

Abstract Every two weeks for 12 weeks four groups of C57BL/6J male mice, initially 12 months old, were subjected to three-hour cold stress tests, which consisted of a partial physical restraint at an ambient temperature of 10°C. The control group experienced six consecutive tests; one experimental group skipped the cold exposure during test No. 4 but was physically restrained at room temperature; the other two experimental groups omitted test No. 4. One of these groups spent the four weeks between test No. 3 and test No. 5 in their home cages, while the other was subjected to daily, 30-minute sessions of electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus through electrodes implanted in the “rewarding” area of the medial forebrain bundle. All animals in this group showed self-stimulating behavior in the test session which preceded cold stress test No. 1. During test No. 3, all four groups showed an improvement of cold tolerance relative to their first tests; body mass and colonic temperature prior to cold exposure remained unchanged. The two experimental groups that were not exposed to cold during test No. 4 and did not receive brain stimulation, demonstrated a significant worsening of cold tolerance during the subsequent test. Their body mass and baseline colonic temperatures did not change. The control group and the group which was subjected to brain stimulation during the interval between tests No. 3 and No. 5 did not demonstrate any changes in cold tolerance. These data demonstrated habituation to repeated mild cold exposures and dishabituation after interruption of cold exposures. Electrical stimulation of “rewarding” areas of the hypothalamus, which we have reported previously to improve cold tolerance in senescent mice, also prevented the dishabituation.
Vagus nerve stimulation reduces infarct size in rat focal cerebral ischemia.

Abstract Background and purpose: We sought to determine the effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on infarct size after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods: Ischemia was produced by transient filament occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. Stimulating electrodes were implanted on the cervical part of the right vagus nerve. Electrical stimulation was initiated 30 min after the induction of ischemia, and delivered for 30 s at every 30 min for 3 h in experimental group 1 and at every 5 min for 1 h in experimental group 2. All the procedures were duplicated but no stimulus was delivered in the control group. Functional deficit was evaluated and animals were killed to determine the infarct size 24 h after ischemia. Results: Ischemic lesion volume was smaller in VNS-treated animals as compared with control animals; the relative percentage of contralateral hemispheric volume that underwent infarction was 16.2 ± 3.2% in the VNS and 33.0 ± 5.0% in the control arms in experimental group 1 (p
Expert systems for agriculture

Abstract Recent advances in computer technology have been made possible the development of Expert Systems. Expert Systems are special computer software applications that are capable of carrying out reasoning and analysis functions in narrowly defined subject areas at proficiency levels approaching that of a human expert. The prime targets for the development of expert systems applications in agriculture are the narrowly defined subject areas which have experts available for solving problems. All commercial crop production systems in existance today are potential candidates for Expert Systems. These Expert Systems would take the form of integrated crop management decision aids which would encompass irrigation, nutritional problems and fertilization, weed control-cultivation and herbicide application, and insect control and insecticide and/or nematicide application. Additional subject areas of potential are plant pathology, salinity management, crop breeding, animal pathology, and animal herd management. The advantage of Expert Systems is that once developed they can raise the performance of the average worker to the level of an expert.
Small nuclear RNA molecules that regulate nuclease accessibility in specific chromatin regions of meiotic cells.

Abstract One of the factors regulating the accessibility of specific DNA sequences to endonuclease nicking during meiosis is a group of small nuclear RNA molecules, 125 nucleotides in length and transcribed by RNA polymerase III. These molecules (referred to as PsnRNA) are synthesized during meiotic prophase, when chromosomes are undergoing homologous pairing or are already paired. Accessibility to the meiotically active DNA sequences (P DNA) depends on an as-yet-undefined alteration in chromatin structure. PsnRNA is a critical factor in the alteration; it cannot be replaced by other forms of RNA. The specificity of the chromatin sites altered by PsnRNA appears to be a function of sequence complementarity between it and P DNA. Under in vivo conditions the effective action of PsnRNA depends on homologous chromosome pairing. Chromatin sites housing P-DNA sequences in nuclei isolated from cells lacking homologous pairing are not affected by meiotic endonuclease or DNAase II. Accessibility to these sites can be effected by incubation of the nuclei with PsnRNA, but only if the nuclei are from zygotene-pachytene cells. Analyses of pachytene nuclei preincubated with PsnRNA indicate that PsnRNA renders chromatin accessible to at least two endonucleases, meiotic endonuclease and DNAase II, and that it also limits such accessibility to regions housing the complementary P-DNA sequences.
Structural geology of the Earth's interior

Abstract Seismology is providing a more sharply focused picture of the Earth's internal structure that should lead to improved models of mantle dynamics. Lateral variations in seismic wave speeds have been documented in all major layers of the Earth external to its core, with horizontal scale lengths ranging from 10 to 104 km. These variations can be described in terms of three types of heterogeneity: compositional, aeolotropic, and thermobaric. All three types are represented in the lithosphere, but the properties of the deeper inhomogeneities remain hypothetical. It is argued that sublithospheric continental root structures are likely to involve compositional as well as thermobaric heterogeneities. The high-velocity anomalies characteristic of subduction zones—seismic evidence for detached and sinking thermal boundary layers—in some areas appear to extend below the seismicity cutoff and into the lower mantle or mesosphere. Mass exchange between the upper and lower mantles is implied, but the magnitude of the flux relative to the total mass flux involved in plate circulations is as yet unknown. Other observations, such as the vertical travel time anomalies seen in the western Pacific, may yield additional constraints on the flow geometries, but further documentation is necessary. Thermobaric heterogeneities associated with a thermal boundary layer at the base of the mantle could provide the explanation for some of the observations of heterogeneities in the deep mantle. The evidence for very small scale inhomogeneities (<50 km) in region D″ and for topography on the core-mantle interface motivate the speculation that there is a chemical boundary layer at this interface, as well as a thermal one.
Incorporation and dispersal of sperm surface antigens in plasma membranes of inseminated sea urchin (Arbacia punctulata) eggs and oocytes

Monoclonal antibodies have been generated to determine the fate of sperm-specific surface components of the sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata, subsequent to gamete fusion. Monoclonal antibody-7 (MAB-7) reacted with two polypeptide bands having apparent molecular masses of 33 and 35 kDa derived from the sperm plasma membrane; similar reactivity was not detected in egg preparations. Eggs and oocytes were prepared for electron microscopy at periodic intervals following insemination and reacted with MAB-7 followed by antimouse antibodies conjugated to colloidal gold. In samples prepared 30 to 60 sec postinsemination (PI) colloidal gold was confined to the surface of fused sperm with only a few gold particles associated with the egg plasma membrane. In later samples (2–10 min PI) label was present on increasingly greater areas of the egg/oocyte surface away from the site of gamete fusion so that by 20 min PI particles were located along one hemisphere of inseminated eggs and oocytes. These results demonstrate the incorporation of sperm plasma membrane polypeptides and their intermixing with egg plasmalemmal components subsequent to gamete membrane fusion. From measurements of labeled oocytes at different times PI, the diffusion coefficient for sperm surface polypeptides detected by MAB-7 was estimated to be 0.7 to 2.4 × 10−9 cm2/sec.
Oxygen Consumption Studies with Intravenous Infusions of the Combined Fat Emulsion.

Summary(1) Sixteen serial oxygen consumption studies were conducted in a group of 7 adult humans who received one or more of 6 types of intravenous preparations.(2) Maximal increases in oxygen consumption above the initial pre-infusion levels attained their greatest values in recipients of the 10% combined fat emulsion when compared with a variety of intravenous preparations of a lesser caloric or energy value.(3) With fat as the prime contributing factor to the increased energy value of the 10% combined fat emulsion, it is justifiable to conclude that the intravenously infused fat is utilized for energy production when in part it undergoes oxidative combustions which are ultimately measured in terms of oxygen consumed.
Adaptive drool in the gene pool

A new study finds that copy number variation in the salivary amylase gene in humans is associated with amylase concentration in saliva and average starch consumption in populations. This provides a striking example of the role of copy number variants (CNVs) in adaptive evolution, and of diet in producing selective pressures.
Patient-controlled analgesia for sickle-cell-related pain

Abstract To delineate dose ranges, utilization patterns, and the frequency and types of problems encountered, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 46 patients with sickle hemoglobinopathies who used patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) a total of 92 times for the management of vasoocclusive pain. Patients varied widely in the drug administered, use of basal infusion, individual dose, and total amount of drug received. On the day of heaviest use, the average maximum hourly dose was equivalent to 0.09 mg/kg of morphine. In this study, 11 patients and two families disliked PCA, one patient had respiratory compromise, and one patient tampered with the machine. Patient satisfaction with PCA probably reflects interactions among the psychosocial impact of chronic illness and chronic pain, individual psychological and temperamental factors, environmental contingencies, and the expectations and beliefs of the family and the health-care professionals. Based on this experience, recommendations can be proposed for the use of PCA in this condition.
Histone H4 genes in some stichotrichous ciliates

Two or more macronuclear molecules encode histone H4 among eight stichotrichs ( Sterkiella nova , Sterkiella histriomuscorum , Stylonychia mytilus , Stylonychia lemnae , Pleurotricha lanceolata , Oxytricha granulifera , Sterkiella sp. (Aspen), and Paraurostyla viridis ). Only one macronuclear molecule encodes histone H4 in Uroleptus sp. Histone H4 molecules have been sequenced in five of the stichotrichs. Codon bias is extreme. The encoded amino acid sequences (104 amino acids) are identical. They differ significantly from the histone H4 sequences encoded by the hypotrichs, Euplotes aediculatus and Moneuplotes crassus (both 107 amino acids). Three major and five minor blocks of conserved nucleotide sequences are present throughout the ∼1150 bp 5′ noncoding leaders in the five stichotrichs. These conserved sequences may serve in regulation of gene function. However, all five 5′ leaders also contain different ORFs encoding amino acid sequence with similarity to sequences in GenBank. Except possibly for the ORF in Stylonychia mytilus and an ORF in Pleurotricha lanceolata , the ORFs appear not to be significant. The 50 bp in the ends of the macronuclear molecules contain an anomalous base composition that may be important in genome processing. The micronuclear histone H4 gene in Sterkiella nova contains an IES in the 5 leader, and the ORF in Sterkiella histriomuscorum contains a single IES.
D-penicillamine prevents collagen accumulation in lungs of rats given bleomycin.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an end-stage response to various injuries. The clinical picture is one of diminished lung volumes, decreased lung compliance, and abnormal gas exchange, resulting ultimately in severe disability. There are many difficulties inherent in studying pulmonary fibrosis in humans. The initiating events may be unknown (as in some of the interstitial fibroses of unknown etiology), Even if a specific etiologic agent has been identified, it may be difficult to obtain accurate exposure data. The use of oxygen therapy and drugs early in the course of the disease, smoking, intercurrent disease, and genetic variability all serve to complicate evaluation of fibrogenesis. Study of the effects of pharmacologic intervention is equally difficult for the same reasons. In addition, it may not be possible to attempt intervention at the earliest stages of the disease.
Input-Shaping and Model-Following Control of a Helicopter Carrying a Suspended Load

When a heavy load is suspended from a helicopter, excessive load swing degrades helicopter control and can result in obstacle collisions. This work examines the benefits of combining input-shaping and model-following control to improve performance when carrying a suspended load. Model-following control architectures are used in modern helicopter flight control systems to make the helicopter respond like a prescribed model. On its own, model-following control is ineffective when carrying a suspended load because excessive load swing degrades tracking of the prescribed model dynamics and thus control of the helicopter. Therefore, reducing load swing improves tracking of the prescribed model and increases safety and productivity. Input shaping is a control technique that has been used to control vibration of flexible machines, such as robots, satellites, and cranes. By combining input shaping with model-following control, helicopter payload swing is reduced and tracking of the prescribed model is improved. T...
The molecular bridge to gene therapy

Abstract Objectives To review the molecular biology background underlying gene therapy. Methods A narrative review of the evolving technology and cell biology is presented ina user friendly format. Results It is hoped that a bridge of understanding is created between the clinician reader and basic science literature. Conclusion The astonishing rapidity with which molecular biologists are understanding the regulation of cell proliferation has created an ever-increasing challenge for clinicians. The. purpose of this- article is to broadly review molecular biology techniques, then describe how they are being used in the initial efforts to treat neoplasms, including prostate cancer.
Will Tolerance Become a Clinical Reality

The goal of transplant physicians is to create a state of antigen-specific tolerance in the recipient, whereby the graft is not rejected and the patient will not need a lifetime of medical therapy. Although the immunosuppressive medications used are effective in lowering the incidence of rejection, they produce significant side effects and do not induce a state of transplantation tolerance. Progress toward inducing transplantation tolerance has been made in animal models, primarily by the exploitation of the natural mechanisms that vertebrates have to maintain self-tolerance. These same strategies are being employed in clinical trials and consequently are promising and challenging for the future.
Abstract B151: Src inhibitor dasatinib reduces the metastatic phenotype of breast cancer cells.

Subsequent to escaping the primary tumor, a successful metastatic tumor cell has to survive in the bloodstream, invade normal tissue at a secondary site, proliferate, and induce angiogenesis. Src is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that is frequently over-expressed in malignances, and increased Src activity may be associated with poor patient prognosis. Src is well known to contribute to the metastatic phenotype of tumor cells through conferral of increased motility, migration, and invasion. Since these cellular functions are key components of the metastatic cascade, Src may be a novel target for breast cancer therapy. The present studies were undertaken to investigate whether molecular intervention in Src associated signaling could impact the metastatic phenotype of tumor cells. Specifically, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the potent, selective and orally available Src inhibitor Dasatinib (BMS 354825) in the highly metastatic 4T1 murine mammary adenocarcinoma cell line. Dasatinib was evaluated in vitro for the ability to inhibit migration and invasion in the 4T1 cell line. The results showed that Dasatinib treatment (50–100 nM) significantly inhibited both migration and invasion in a dose dependent manner (6- to 10-fold for the doses studied). To examine the effect of Dasatinib on tumor cell-induced angiogenesis in vivo, an intradermal angiogenesis assay was used. Briefly, 4T1 tumor cells were inoculated intradermally on the ventral surface of athymic nude (Ncr nu/nu) mice and 3 days later the mice were euthanized and skin flaps were removed for visual quantification of the number of blood vessels intersecting each inoculate. Mice received daily doses of either Dasatinib (5 to 15 mg/kg) or vehicle by oral gavage. The results showed that Dasatinib treatment inhibited 4T1 tumor cell-induced angiogenesis by up to 60%. In summary, Dasatinib was found to significantly inhibit multiple cell functions critical to the successful dissemination of 4T1 breast cancer cells. The results suggest that Dasatinib may be useful in the reduction of breast cancer metastasis, and studies examining its impact on 4T1 metastases formation are currently ongoing. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B151.
Tapeta Lucida in the Eyes of the Seatrout (Sciaenidae)

Eyes of the seatrout (Sciaenidae) contain a tapetum lucidum, located in processes of the pigment epithelial cells. The tapetum is a white diffuse reflector, occluded by black retinal pigment by day, and exposed by retreat of pigment at night; threshold for pigment migration is around 10 lx. Reflexion is caused by backscattering of light from a multitude of small spheres, each about 0.4 $\mu $m in diameter, packing the cell processes. Material has been examined by electron microscopy, employing epoxide sections and freeze-etch techniques. The spheres have homogeneous, densely staining contents and are surrounded by thin boundary membranes. The reflecting material is a lipid, it has been extracted, purified by column and thinlayer chromatography, and characterized by TLC and GLC. On TLC it runs at the same rate as triglycerides, and is demarcated according to class from wax esters, sterols and diacyl glyceryl ethers. It contains predominantly one fatty acid, n-C22:6 ($\geq $ 95%), and appears to be largely tridocosahexaenoin. The tapetum contains 1.5 mg of triglyceride per square cm. The relationship of the tapetum to the photoreceptors and some characteristics of the latter are described, and reference is made to the occurrence of similar lipid tapeta in other families of fishes.
Optimized Estimated Ground Truth for Object-Based Urban Damage Estimation Using Satellite Images from the 2003 Bam, Iran, Earthquake

Abstract Modern high-resolution satellite systems now provide users with optical or synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data with sub-meter accuracy, making it feasible to perform real-time damage estimation of individual infrastructure in a region devastated by an earthquake or other natural hazard. This paper presents a hierarchical framework for object-based segmentation using satellite images. Satellite images, pre-earthquake event, were obtained, and using a fine-level segmentation, an estimated ground truth (EGT) depicting the number and geometric boundaries of individual houses in an urban region was determined. To address the issue of optimal parameter settings in obtaining the EGT, a statistical approach based on receiver characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was implemented. Examples are illustrated for satellite images from the Bam, Iran, region. Damage maps based on different damage indices were generated with individual houses rendered with colors representing the severity of damage.
Rate adaptation transcoding for video streaming over wireless channels

In this work, we investigate the problem of bit rate adaptation transcoding for transmitting video over burst-error wireless channels. In particular, we consider a scenario consisting of packet-based transmission with an automatic repeat request (ARQ) error control scheme. We first analyze the buffering implications of inserting a video transcoder at the wireless access point with the variable bit rate channel as the target. We derive the conditions that both the source encoder and transcoder buffers have to satisfy for preventing the decoder buffer from underflowing. Furthermore, we propose a bit rate adaptation algorithm for VBR transcoders used in the wireless access point. Our experimental results demonstrate that visual quality can be improved by the proposed algorithm without violating the end-to-end delay requirements.
Homology modeling of the human microsomal glucose 6-phosphate transporter explains the mutations that cause the glycogen storage disease type Ib.

Homology Modeling of the Human Microsomal Glucose 6-Phosphate Transporter Explains the Mutations That Cause the Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ib
Lifetime Improvement of Wireless Sensor Networks by Collaborative Beamforming and Cooperative Transmission

Extending network lifetime of battery-operated devices is a key design issue that allows uninterrupted information exchange among distributive nodes in wireless sensor networks. Collaborative beamforming (CB) and cooperative transmission (CT) have recently emerged as new communication techniques that enable and leverage effective resource sharing among collaborative/cooperative nodes. In this paper, we seek to maximize the lifetime of sensor networks by using the new idea that closely located nodes can use CB/CT to reduce the load or even avoid packet forwarding requests to nodes that have critical battery life. First, we study the effectiveness of CB/CT to improve the signal strength at a faraway destination using energy in nearby nodes. Then, a 2D disk case is analyzed to assess the resulting performance improvement. For general networks, if information-generation rates are fixed, the new routing problem is formulated as a linear programming problem; otherwise, the cost for routing is dynamically adjusted according to the amount of energy remaining and the effectiveness of CB/CT. From the analysis and simulation results, it is seen that the proposed schemes can improve the lifetime by about 90% in the 2D disk network and by about 10% in the general networks, compared to existing schemes.
The effects of therapeutic touch on pain.

Purpose: To better understand how Therapeutic Touch can be used in today's health care arena, this integrative literature review will examine current research that will help answer the question, Do...
e-Portfolios: A Collaboration Between Student Affairs and Faculty

This chapter describes how a commitment to instructional design principles has prompted the evolution of collaborative interaction between student affairs professionals and academic faculty. Central to this collaboration are the opportunities that e-portfolios have made available.
An Army Atmospheric Sounding System

Atmospheric sounding systems have become one of the most important meteorological tools to both the civilian and military population. The Meteorological Data Sounding System (MDSS), described in the manuscript, is the newest type and provides accuracies, capabilities, and features not available in any of the atmospheric sounding systems currently in use. The MDSS is being designed for the Army in support of artillery fire. The purpose of the MDSS system is to provide the capability to artillery sections for obtaining a first round hit, even in areas obscured from observers, by the use of the most reliable, fresh, and comprehensive meteorological data. These data are obtained through the unique technique of using an S-band frequency for meteorological and angular data acquisition and an X-band frequency for ranging on an airborne target. The target is part of the radiosonde-flight train. All the meteorological and geometric data are fed to a radiosonde data processor which converts all the parameters into a common, machine language form for computer processing. In addition to the system's excellent mobility and quick reaction capabilities, it is capable of obtaining sounding data and processing it at an extremely high rate. The final output data is produced in the form of seven types of meteorological messages which are used for decision making by field commanders and missile test ranges.
Maternal transfer of photoperiodic information in Siberian hamsters. II. The nature of the maternal signal, time of signal transfer, and the effect of the maternal signal on peripubertal reproductive development in the absence of photoperiodic input.

Peripubertal reproductive development of Siberian hamsters is controlled by maternally derived photoperiodic information and the ambient photoperiod present after weaning. Previous experiments suggested that the maternally derived information is transferred during gestation, not during lactation. Development was examined in several photo periods following manipulation of gestational and lactational photoperiods; development was influenced by the gestational, but not lactational, photoperiod. Second, effects of the gestational photoperiod were observed in young reared in constant light (LL) from Day 15. Depriving the young of ambient photoperiodic information after Day 15 allows a mire direct assessnient of the sighal riceivi’d from their dams, Finally, melatonin injections to long-day dams, at certain times of day, caused transmission of a short .day signal to young, as evidenced by their development in LL and light-dark cycles. Thus, a maternally derived signal that is dr’pends’nt on melatonin influences reproductive development of the young during gestatio#; the maternally directed pattern of development can subsequently be modified by the you gigs’
Association of mutations in the zona pellucida binding protein 1 (ZPBP1) gene with abnormal sperm head morphology in infertile men

Nearly 7% of men are afflicted by male infertility worldwide, and genetic factors are suspected to play a significant role in the majority of these patients. Although sperm morphology is an important parameter measured in the semen analysis, only a few genetic causes of teratozoospermia are currently known. The objective of this study was to define the association between alterations in the genes encoding the Golgi-associated PDZ- and coiled-coil motif containing protein (GOPC), the protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) and the acrosomal protein zona pellucida binding protein 1 (ZPBP1/sp38) with abnormal sperm head morphology in infertile men. Previous reports demonstrated that mice lacking Gopc, Pick1 and Zpbp1 are infertile due to abnormal head morphology. Herein, using our validated RNA-based method, we studied spermatozoal cDNA encoding the human GOPC, PICK1 and ZPBP1 genes in 381 teratozoospermic and 240 controls patients via direct sequencing. Among these genes, we identified missense and splicing mutations in the sperm cDNA encoding ZPBP1 in 3.9% (15/381) of men with abnormal sperm head morphology. These mutations were not observed in 240 matched controls and the dbSNP database (χ2 = 9.3, P = 0.002). In contrast, statistically significant and functionally relevant mutations were not discovered in the GOPC and PICK1 genes. In our study ZPBP1 mutations are associated with abnormal sperm head morphology, defined according to strict criteria, resembling the mouse Zpbp1 null phenotype. We hypothesize that missense mutations exert a dominant-negative effect due to altered ZPBP1 protein folding and protein:protein interactions in the acrosome.
A practical method for incorporating scatter in a projector-backprojector for accurate scatter compensation in SPECT

A projector-backprojector pair has been developed that models attenuation and the spatially variant collimator and scatter response functions in a uniformly attenuating object for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The scatter response function (SRF) is modeled using a scheme based on the scatter responses of point sources in a large slab phantom. This scheme, slab derived scatter estimation, allows efficient and accurate modeling of the asymmetric and spatially variant properties of the scatter response during the projection and backprojection operations. The scatter model is verified by comparison of scatter line source response functions, scatter/primary ratios, and projection data from extended source distributions obtained using this method and direct Monte Carlo simulations. Combined with iterative reconstruction techniques, this projector-backprojector provides a practical and accurate means for scatter compensation in SPECT. Preliminary results of combining this projector-backprojector with the maximum-likelihood-expectation-maximization algorithm show a significant increase in quantitative accuracy as compared to compensation for only attenuation and the spatially variant collimator response function. >
Busy Tone Multi Channel (BTMC): A New Multi Channel MAC protocol for Ad Hoc Networks

One of the main challenges in wireless networks is improving the network throughput and capacity. As commodity wireless network cards support the usage of orthogonal channels, allowing multiple simultaneous communications on these channels will improve the performance of wireless networks. Previous MAC protocols either were expensive to implement as they needed more than one packet radio per node or required synchronization or caused network partitioning. We propose a new MAC protocol that uses hash functions to distribute the control overhead over all the channels. In addition, it uses busy tones to reserve the channels and solve the hidden terminal and the channel rendezvous problems in multi channels. We compared our protocol with another multi-channel MAC protocol that uses more than one packet radio per node (DCA) and with 802.11. Our protocol produces comparable results with DCA and performs much better than 802.11. The results show that our protocol utilizes the multiple channels available to increase the capacity of the network. The proposed protocol is expected to improve the usage of ad hoc networks as it does not need synchronization like previous protocols.