cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of pulsed dual-wavelength 595 and 1064 nm laser in treatment of superficial infantile hemangioma

Objective To observe the efficacy of pulsed dual-wavelength 595 and 1064 nm laser in treating ulcerated infantile hemangioma.Methods Lesions from 40 patients were treated with the laser.The distribution of lesion sites was in buttuck and perianal area (13 patients),vulvar lips (7),groin and inside thigh (5),scrotum (4),neck (3),scalp (2),lip (2),trunk and limbs (4).All lesions including ulcer and non-ulcer were conducted with 595 nm plused dye leaser at the first therapy.Later,595 nm pulsed dye leaser was continued or performed with Group 1 or Group 2 parameter of 595 and 1064 nm multiplex mode until the treatment was finished according to the thickness of the lesion.The frequency of treatment was one to six times.The interval of the treatment was four weeks.Results The ulcer from 39 lesions healed gradually in 1 to 2 weeks (average 9.5 days) after the first treatment.These ulcer lesions were healed four weeks after the first time of therapy.The recovery rate of ulcerated lesion was 97.5 ％.For the whole lesion,after 1 to 6 treatments,13 lesions showed excellent result,19 lesions showed good result,and the effective rate was 80 ％.Pain relieved 2 to 7days (average 3.5 days) after the first laser therapy in 35 patients who accompanied with pain.Pain score decreased from 1.875 to 0.125 before and after treatment,with significant difference(P＜0.05).The tolerance of the treatment was good and no side effect was observed.Conclusions 595and 1064 nm dual-wavelength laser is a safe and effective tool for treating ulcerated infantile hemangioma. Key words: Laser; Hemangioma; Ulcer
Fifty years of bisphosphonates: What are their mechanical effects on bone?

Abstract After fifty years of experience with several generations of bisphosphonates (BPs), and 25 years after these drugs were approved for use in humans, their mechanical effects on bone are still not fully understood. Certainly, these drugs have transformed the treatment of osteoporosis in both men and women. There is no question that they do prevent fractures related to low bone mass, and there is widespread agreement that they increase strength and stiffness of the vertebrae. There is less consensus, however, about their effects on cortical bone, or on bone tissue properties in either trabecular or cortical bone, or their effects with longer periods of treatment. The consensus of most studies, both those based on ovariectomized and intact animal models and on testing of human bone, is that long-term treatment and/or high doses with certain BPs make the bone tissue more brittle and less tough. This translates into reduced energy to fracture and potentially a shorter bone fatigue life. Many studies have been done, but Interpretation of the results of these studies is complicated by variations in which BP is used, the animal model used, dose, duration, and methods of testing. Duration effects and effects on impact properties of bone are gaps that should be filled with additional testing.
Mechanochemistry of Metal-Organic Frameworks under Pressure and Shock

ConspectusMetal-organic framework solids (MOFs) are synthetic nanoporous materials that have drawn intense efforts in synthesis and characterization of chemical properties, most notably for their ability to adsorb liquids and gases. They are constructed as "node-spacer" nanostructured materials: metal centers (ions or clusters) connected by organic linkers (commonly containing carboxylate or imidazolate groups) to form crystalline, extended, often highly nanoporous structures. MOFs exhibit a variety of advantages over conventional porous materials: rationally designed synthesis of desired crystal structures and crystal engineering become feasible; great synthetic versatility and ease of incorporating different chemical functionalities are realized; and the use of lightweight organic linkers allows for ultrahigh surface area and porosity previously not accessible to conventional materials (i.e., zeolites and porous carbon). As a consequence, MOFs show great promise for a rapidly expanding collection of applications such as gas storage, separations, catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery.The mechanochemistry of MOFs and their response to shock waves, which we discuss in this Account, have been only partially explored. Mechanochemistry, the connection between the mechanical and the chemical worlds, has ancient origins. Rubbing sticks together to start a fire is mechanochemistry. Only in the past decade or so, however, has mechanochemistry gained a notable focus in the chemical community. In the following discussion, we present a general introduction to the complex mechanochemical behavior of MOFs both under quasi-static compression and under shock loading created by high-speed impact. During elastic deformation, MOFs undergo reversible structural or phase transitions. Plastic deformation of MOFs can result in mechanochemistry and can permanently modify the crystal structure, the pore dimensions and configuration, and the chemical bonding. The large energies required to induce bond rearrangement during plastic deformation suggest an interesting potential of MOFs for shock wave mitigation applications.MOFs are promising materials for shock energy dissipation because of the high density of nanopores which can absorb shock energy as they collapse. We have recently developed a platform to assess shock wave energy attenuation by MOFs and other powdered materials. It uses a tabletop laser-driven flyer plate to impact MOF samples at velocities of up to 2.0 km/s. The pressure of the shock waves that break out from the MOF sample can be measured by photon Doppler velocimetry. By measuring the shock profiles of MOF layers with different thicknesses, we can determine the shock pressure attenuation by the MOF layer. We have identified the two-wave structure of shocks in MOFs caused by nanopore collapse. Electron micrographs of recovered shocked MOFs show distinct zones in the shocked material corresponding to shock powder compaction, nanopore collapse, and chemical bond destruction.
HEINRICH WERNER, Vergleichendes Wörterbuch der Jenissej-Sprachen.

(2004). HEINRICH WERNER, Vergleichendes Worterbuch der Jenissej-Sprachen.. WORD: Vol. 55, No. 3, pp. 499-502.
Meconium androgens are correlated with ASD-related phenotypic traits in early childhood in a familial enriched risk cohort

Prenatal exposure to increased androgens has been suggested as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This hypothesis has been examined by measurement of steroids in amniotic fluid, cord blood, saliva, and blood with mixed results. To provide an orthogonal measure of fetal exposure, this study used meconium, the first stool of a newborn, to measure prenatal androgen exposure from infants in the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI). EARLI is a familial-enriched risk cohort that enrolled pregnant mothers who already had a child with an ASD diagnosis. In the younger child, we investigated the association between meconium unconjugated (u) and total (t) concentrations of major androgens testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione (A4), and ASD-related traits at 12 and 36 months of age. Traits were measured at 12 months with Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) and at 36 months with total score on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). One hundred and seventy children had meconium and AOSI, 140 had meconium and SRS, and 137 had meconium and both AOSI and SRS. Separate robust linear regressions between each of the log-transformed androgens and log-transformed SRS scores revealed three-way interaction between sex of the child, sex of the proband, and testosterone concentration. In the adjusted analyses, t-T, u-A4, and u-DHEA (P ≤ 0.01) were positively associated with AOSI scores, while u-T (P = 0.004) and u-DHEA (P = 0.007) were positively associated with SRS total score among females with female probands (n = 10). Additionally, higher concentrations of u-T (P = 0.01) and t-T (P = 0.01) predicted higher SRS total score in males with male probands (n = 63). Limitations Since we explored three-way interactions, this resulted in a limited sample size for some analyses. This study was from an enriched-risk cohort which may limit generalizability, and this study used ASD-assessment scales as outcomes instead of diagnostic categories. Additionally, the novel use of meconium in this study limits the ability to compare the results in this cohort to others due to the paucity of research on meconium. This study supports the utility of meconium for studies of endogenous fetal metabolism and suggests the sex of older siblings with autism should be considered as a biological variable in relevant studies.
Momentum and Insider Trading

Both short-term momentum and long-term reversal are attributable to investors underreacting to preceding insider trading information. Past winners (losers) continue to earn significant positive (negative) returns in the short term only if their insider trading activity indicates positive (negative) information. Thus, short-term momentum is attributable to investors underreacting to insider information that confirms past return. In the long term, past winners (losers) earn significant negative (positive) returns only if their insider trading activity indicates negative (positive) information. Thus, long-term reversal is attributable to investors underreacting to insider information that disconfirms past return. After controlling for insider trading information, there is no evidence of overreaction. Further, there is a clear "division of labor" between stocks that contribute to momentum and stocks that contribute to reversal.
Phenolic Compounds and Wine Color

Variations in wine types and styles are largely due to the concentration and composition of wine phenols. From the vineyard to production and aging, fine wines can be viewed in terms of management of phenolic compounds. Phenols are responsible for red wine color, astringency, and bitterness; they contribute to the olfactory profile; serve as important oxygen reservoirs and as substrates for browning reactions.
Biological Models of Associative Learning

Over the last 100 years or so, a great deal of progress has been made in delineating the behavioral properties of simple associative learning. In addition, much progress has been made in defining the neural circuitries involved in encoding learning and memory processes in the nervous system and also some of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the encoding processes. Advances in our understanding of the behavioral and neural bases of simple associative learning are presented in this chapter. Some basic definition important for associative learning and memory are first presented, and then current data from a variety of invertebrate preparations that have proven useful for advancing our understanding of cellular and molecular correlates of learning and memory are covered. The use of simple spinal cord preparations is presented next, and this is followed by a detailed examination of fear conditioning and the brain systems involved in encoding this simple form of emotional learning. We next review the relatively large literature on classical and instrumental conditioning of discrete response. Featured in this final section of the chapter are a variety of current data about the brain systems that are involved in encoding classical eyeblink conditioning, arguably the most studied associative learning paradigm. Keywords: associative learning; brain correlates of learning and memory; classical conditioning; instrumental conditioning; invertebrate learning; spinal cord plasticity
Performance Evaluation Methods for Assistive Robotic Technology

Robots have been developed for several assistive technology domains, including intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders, eldercare, and post-stroke rehabilitation. Assistive robots have also been used to promote independent living through the use of devices such as intelligent wheelchairs, assistive robotic arms, and external limb prostheses. Work in the broad field of assistive robotic technology can be divided into two major research phases: technology development, in which new devices, software, and interfaces are created; and clinical, in which assistive technology is applied to a given end-user population. Moving from technology development towards clinical applications is a significant challenge. Developing performance metrics for assistive robots poses a related set of challenges. In this paper, we survey several areas of assistive robotic technology in order to derive and demonstrate domain-specific means for evaluating the performance of such systems. We also present two case studies of applied performance measures and a discussion regarding the ubiquity of functional performance measures across the sampled domains. Finally, we present guidelines for incorporating human performance metrics into end-user evaluations of assistive robotic technologies.
Short-Term Memory in Binary Prediction by Children: Some Stochastic Information Processing Models1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the short-term memory in binary prediction by children. The binary prediction or two-choice guessing game situation has been regarded as a prototypical learning paradigm. Whether learning is viewed as changes in the probability distribution defined over a set of responses or response classes, or as changes in underlying response strengths or conditioning states that determine changes in the probability distribution, the empirical essentials for the study of learning have seemed to be present in a situation with just two responses or response classes and two events that result in modifications of the response relative frequencies. This chapter proposes a theory of child behavior in the binary prediction situation. The theory was first developed to explain the behavior of preschool children in a simplified prediction task in which the two events to be predicted simply alternated from trial.
The tobacco endgame: a qualitative review and synthesis

The tobacco endgame concept reorients discussion away from the persistent control of tobacco toward plans for ending the tobacco epidemic, and envisions a tobacco-free future. A variety of policy approaches have been proposed, with many offered prior to the introduction of the unifying term 'endgame'. We conducted a qualitative synthesis of the literature on tobacco control endgames, and drew on media accounts and discussion of analogous ideas for illustrative purposes. We identified proposals focused on the product, user, market/supply or larger institutional structures. Research on public support for these proposals was limited, but suggestive of some public appetite for endgame ideas. Advocates should be encouraged to explore new policy options and consider the goal of a tobacco-free future.
Release of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide from Individual Rat Cardiocytes

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is released from the atria and acts to regulate blood volume and pressure. The release of ANP appears to be stimulated by atrial distension, initiated by stretch on the cardiocytes. The purpose of the present study was to develop an assay that would allow for the detection of ANP release from single, isolated cells in the absence of distension. Using the reverse hemolytic plaque assay and antibody raised against human-alpha ANP, the release of ANP was detected from trypsin dissociated rat atrial cells. The specificity of the assay was demonstrated by a 67% reduction in ANP plaque forming cells detected following preabsorption of the anti-sera with rat-alpha ANP. The assay also proved efficient in monitoring changes in ANP secreting cell populations, where an acute treatment with dexamethasone resulted in a doubling of the percentage of atrial cardiocytes detected within a 4 hour antibody incubation. Finally, the assay established that about 52% of the dispersed atrial cardiocytes release ANP. The establishment of a plaque assay for ANP release should assist in addressing questions concerning what hormones may regulate ANP secretion directly and also allow for the determination of ANP secreting cell population dynamics.
Inhibition of neuronal maturation in primary hippocampal neurons from tau deficient mice.

Conflicting evidence supports a role for τ as an essential neuronal cytoskeletal protein or as a redundant protein whose function can be fulfilled by other microtubule-associated proteins. To investigate the function of τ in axonogenesis, we created τ deficient mice by disrupting the TAU gene. The engineered mice do not express the τ protein, appear physically normal and are able to reproduce. In contrast to a previously reported τ knockout mouse, embryonic hippocampal cultures from τ deficient mice show a significant delay in maturation as measured by axonal and neuritic extensions. The classic technique of selectively enhancing axonal growth by growth on laminin substrates failed to restore normal neuronal maturation of τ knockout neurons. By mating human TAU-gene transgenic and τ knockout mice, we reconstituted τ-deficient neurons with human τ proteins and restored a normal pattern of axonal growth and neuronal maturation. The ability of human τ proteins to rescue τ-deficient mouse neurons confirms that τ expression affects the rate of neurite extension.
Electrocardiographic diagnosis of malformations associated with tricuspid atresia: correlation with morphologic features.

Abstract The electrocardiographic findings in 31 cases of tricuspid atresia were reviewed. Electrocardiographic differentiation of the types of tricuspid atresia was possible to some extent, but vectorial analysis of the scalar ECG's suggests that the vectorcardiogram provides the best and easiest differentiation among the anatomic types of tricuspid atresia. Patients with transposition of the great vessels (type II) tended to have no left axis deviation (as previously reported) and a clockwise rotation of the vector loop in the frontal plane. In the precordial ECG's, left ventricular hypertrophy based on voltage criteria was absent when the great vessels were transposed. Vectorial analysis of precordial scalar ECG's showed that patients without pulmonary stenosis or atresia tended to have wide horizontal vector loops with display of anterior forces and those with pulmonary stenosis frequently had narrow horizontal loops which were oriented posteriorly. Repolarization abnormalities such as inverted or biphasic T waves in V 6 were present only in patients with increased pulmonary flow. The electrocardiographic features observed with various associated malformations of tricuspid atresia appeared to be related to the morphologic findings in these malformations.
Minority electron unipolar photodetectors based on type II InAs/GaSb/AlSb superlattices for very long wavelength infrared detection

We present a hybrid photodetector design that inherits the advantages of traditional photoconductive and photovoltaic devices. The structure consists of a barrier layer blocking the transport of majority holes in a p-type semiconductor, resulting in an electrical transport due to minority carriers with low current density. By using the M-structure superlattice as a barrier region, the band alignments can be experimentally controlled, allowing for the efficient extraction of the photosignal with less than 50 mV bias. At 77 K, a 14 μm cutoff detector exhibits a dark current 3.3 mA/cm2, a photoresponsivity of 1.4 A/W, and the associated shot noise detectivity of 4×1010 Jones.
Major histocompatibility complex recognition by immune receptors: Differences among T cell receptor versus antibody interactions with the VSV8/H-2Kb complex

The surface residues of the VSV8/Kb complex important for recognition by N15 and N26 alphabeta T cell receptors (TCR) were mapped by mutational analysis and compared to each other and with epitopes of well-characterized Kb specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Three features of immune receptor recognition emerge. First, the footprints of the two TCR on VSV8/Kb are similar with more than 80 % overlap between sites. Given that only 8 of 14 surface exposed VSV8/Kb residues identified as critical for TCR interaction are in common, the chemical basis of the N15 and N26 interactions is nevertheless distinct. Second, the cognate peptide is a major focus of TCR recognition: mutation at any of the three exposed side chains (at p1, p4 or p6) abrogates interaction of both TCR as measured by functional T cell activation. Third, in contrast to TCR, mAb bind to discrete segments on the periphery of the alpha1 and/or alpha2 helices without orientational restriction. These findings suggest that unlike soluble antibodies, surface membrane receptor-ligand interactions on opposing cells (i.e. TCR-peptide/ MHC, CD8-MHC) limit the orientational freedom of the TCR in the immune recognition process.
Short-ranged pair distribution function for concentrated suspensions of soft particles

Many rheological properties of concentrated suspensions of soft particles jammed together beyond the random close packing limit for hard-spheres are determined by the contacts between the particles and are computable from the short range value of the pair distribution function. It is a challenge to compute the structure of these amorphous suspensions because they are athermal, non-equilibrium materials. Here we develop a microscopic theory to predict the short ranged pair distribution function with a transport or conservation of mass equation for the stationary state that includes a concentration dependent mean force that captures the effect of the bulk suspension on the pair interaction. The resulting distribution function is singular as the concentration approaches random close packing as expected from the theory for hard spheres. The pair distribution function and elastic properties that can be calculated from it are validated by computer simulations and experiments with concentrated suspensions of particles with varying soft potentials.
Deposition of highly hydrogenated carbon films by a modified plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition technique

Abstract Highly hydrogenated carbon films, with hydrogen content approaching 60 at.%, were deposited with a modified, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) assisted, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. During deposition, flux of ionic species to the substrate surface was reduced by inserting a glass tube-grounded wire-mesh screen assembly between a CH4/Ar ICP and the substrate. Film characterization was accomplished by combining hydrogen elastic recoil detection, Raman spectroscopy, and instrumented nanoindentation. Film thermal stability was studied through high-temperature annealing in vacuum. We suggest that a decreased ratio of ionic to activated neutral species flux to the substrate during deposition is responsible for the increased hydrogen incorporation.
Improving Hospital Billing and Receivables Management: Principles for Profitability

For many hospitals, billing and receivables management are inefficient and costly. Economic recession, increasing costs for patient and provider alike, and cost-containment strategies will only compound difficulties. The author describes the foundations of an automated billing system that would save hospitals time, error, and, most importantly, money.
Phase formation and stability in sputter deposited Be–Nb compounds

The phase relations and thermal stabilities of phases in sputter deposited Be–Nb alloys (3–14% Nb) have been studied. An amorphous phase forms during deposition at ambient temperatures (30 °C) for compositions >5% Nb. Metastable crystalline phases form during deposition at 350–450 °C as well as during annealing of the amorphous phase. One metastable bcc phase designated as Be 12 Nb′ can be explained by an extremely high fault density in the Be 12 Nb structure and is a precursor phase to the formation of both Be 12 Nb and Be 17 Nb 2 . Another metastable bcc phase also forms during high temperature deposition. Transformation to the equilibrium phases occurs at temperatures >800 °C. A stoichiometric range of about 5.5–7.8% is indicated for the Be 12 Nb phase and is probably due to vacancies on the Nb sublattice. No evidence of a Be 5 Nb phase was found and the Be 17 Nb 2 phase is stable to room temperature.
Iron and diabetes risk.

Iron overload is a risk factor for diabetes. The link between iron and diabetes was first recognized in pathologic conditions—hereditary hemochromatosis and thalassemia—but high levels of dietary iron also impart diabetes risk. Iron plays a direct and causal role in diabetes pathogenesis mediated both by β cell failure and insulin resistance. Iron also regulates metabolism in most tissues involved in fuel homeostasis, with the adipocyte in particular serving an iron-sensing role. The underlying molecular mechanisms mediating these effects are numerous and incompletely understood but include oxidant stress and modulation of adipokines and intracellular signal transduction pathways.
Chronic inflammation and aging: DNA damage tips the balance

The aged immune system, typically hyporesponsive to infection and vaccination, can be hyperresponsive in the context of inflammatory pathology. Here we review current work examining the mechanisms behind the amplified inflammatory profile of aged adaptive immunity, and the reciprocal relationship between chronic inflammation and immune aging. Aged hematopoietic stem cells are driven to differentiate following accumulated DNA damage, thus depleting the stem cell pool and increasing the number of damaged effector cells in the circulation. Chronic DNA damage responses in lymphocytes as well as senescent cells of other lineages initiate the production of inflammatory mediators. In addition, aged lymphocytes become less reliant on specific antigen for stimulation and more prone to activation through innate receptors. When these lymphocytes are exposed to inflammatory signals produced by senescent tissues, the bias toward inflammation exacerbates destruction without necessarily improving immunity.
Carbon deposition over Fe, Ni, and Co foils from CO-H2-CH4-CO2-H2O, CO-CO2, CH4-H2, and CO-H2-H2O gas mixtures: II. Kinetics

Nonequilibrium C-H-O phase diagrams have been used to systematically investigate the effect of the gas composition on the type(s) and relative amounts of carbon formed over Fe, Ni, and Co foils. Filamentous and “amorphous” carbon, and graphite platelets were observed to form from the catalytic decomposition of five-component gas mixtures of CO, H2, CH4, CO2, and H2O, binary gas mixtures of CO-CO2 and CH4-H2, and ternary gas mixtures of CO-H2-H2O over Fe, Ni, and Co foils at 900 K and 1 atm. A gas-phase carbon activity of 10 was used for all carbon deposition experiments. The carbon formed over Ni foils was found to be primarily filamentous in nature, and these filaments were generally well formed. The type of carbon deposited on Fe and Co foils was found to have a greater dependency on the gas composition; well-formed filaments with little co-existing platelet and “amorphous” carbons were deposited over Fe and Co foils if the PH2PCO ratio of the gas mixture was greater than 1.9. Poorly formed filaments with larger amounts of co-existing platelet and “amorphous” carbon were observed when the PH2PCO ratio was less than 1.9.
Preoperative radiation therapy for locally advanced carcinoma of the rectum. Clinicopathologic correlative review.

During a three-year period, 27 patients with the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the rectum were referred to the Department of Radiation Oncology and accepted for preoperative radiation therapy. The referral was based solely on endoluminal ultrasound staging (ELUS) of an unfavorable lesion (n=12) or ultrasound staging with the clinical impression of a fixed (n=9) or tethered (n=6) lesion. High-dose (4,500–5,600 cGy) preoperative radiation was followed by definitive surgery in four to seven weeks. The gross and microscopic pathology observed in 23 specimens of this group of patients formed the basis of this report. The microscopic findings that persist after radiation allow an accurate determination of the tumor stage existing prior to radiation. Correlations are made between the original evaluation of the tumor, including ELUS, and the microscopic findings. ELUS accurately predicted the depth of tumor penetration in 20 to 23 of 23 specimens and the lymph node status in 16 of 23 specimens. In the context of the pathologic findings as described, downstaging was not demonstrated. Following this radiation protocol, a marked reduction in tumor mass was demonstrated, as well as evidence of tumor destruction in the remaining mass, varying from minimal to total elimination of viable tumor. The concept that radiation fibrosis exists only as it approximates or replaces neoplasm is offered. In the context of this pathologic finding, improved resectability occurred for certain tumors. It is recommended that ELUS be added to the clinical evaluation of rectal adenocarcinoma. It is also recommended that the pathologic findings described be used when reporting the stage of rectal tumors that have received high-dose preoperative radiation therapy.
The effects of vitamin C supplementation on serum concentrations of uric acid: Results of a randomized controlled trial

Objective Reductions in serum uric acid levels are clinically relevant. Previous studies have suggested a uricosuric effect of vitamin C. Whether vitamin C reduces serum uric acid is unknown. We undertook this study to determine the effects of vitamin C supplementation on serum uric acid concentrations. Methods The study was a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial conducted in research units affiliated with an academic institution. Study participants were 184 nonsmokers, randomized to take either placebo or vitamin C supplements (500 mg/day) for 2 months. Results At the end of the study period, serum uric acid levels were significantly reduced in the vitamin C group (mean change −0.5 mg/dl [95% confidence interval −0.6, −0.3]), but not in the placebo group (mean change 0.09 mg/dl [95% confidence interval −0.05, 0.2]) (P < 0.0001). The same pattern of results was evident in subgroups defined by age, sex, race, body mass index, chronic illness, diuretic use, and quartiles of baseline serum ascorbic acid levels. In the subgroups, from the lowest to the highest quartile of baseline serum uric acid, net mean changes (95% confidence intervals) in serum uric acid with vitamin C supplementation were −0.4 (−0.8, 0.01), −0.5 (−0.9, −0.2), −0.5 (−0.8, −0.2), and −1.0 (−1.6, −0.4) mg/dl (P = 0.06, 0.005, 0.003, and 0.002, respectively). Compared with placebo, vitamin C increased the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Conclusion Supplementation with 500 mg/day of vitamin C for 2 months reduces serum uric acid, suggesting that vitamin C might be beneficial in the prevention and management of gout and other urate-related diseases.
Development and application of global databases: considerable progress, but more collaboration needed

Abstract This paper reviews the development of international collaboration in the availability of global data and processing abilities in the environmental field, beginning in 1957 with tie pioneering activities of the World Data Centres. Considerable progress has been made, particularly through the availability of satellite data, but there are considerable shortcomings in these achievements, arising from the isolated nature of many developments, the difficulties of integrating different sources and weaknesses in the top-down approach. There are now attempts to develop a complementary bottom-up approach, notably through the Global Change Diskette Project Developments in hardware, such as the widespread availability of compatible personal computers operating on MS-DOS and UNIX systems; and easier storage on compact disks, and in software, through access to low-cost and public-domain software such as GRASS and IDRISI, are helping but improved collaboration is needed, in which existing institutions such as t...
Choosing the sizes of longitudinal gaps between product settings in tunnel kilns

A method is proposed for selecting the heat-engineering rational longitudinal geometric characteristics of the setting of products for tunnel kilns.
Sensitivity Analysis to Aid Shelter Management Decisions: How Does Altering Expenditure Affect Operational Viability?

Streamlining purchasing in nonhuman animal shelters can provide multiple financial benefits. Streamlining shelter inputs and thus reducing shelter costs can include trading paid labor and management for fewer, more involved volunteers or purchasing large quantities of medical supplies from fewer vendors to take advantage of bulk-purchasing discounts. Beyond direct savings, time and energy spent on purchasing and inventory control can be reduced through careful management. Although cost-cutting measures may seem attractive, shelter managers are cautioned to consider the potential unintended consequences of short-term cost reduction measures that could limit revenues or increase costs in the future. This analysis illustrates an example of the impact of cost reductions in specific expense categories and the impact on shelter net revenue, as well as the share of expenses across categories. An in-depth discussion of labor and purchasing cost-reducing strategies in the real world of animal shelter management is...
ODK tables: case studies in deployment

Open Data Kit (ODK) Tables is an Android application that allows users to enter and curate tabular data. Users can view the data through built-in or custom views using HTML/JavaScript. In this paper we discuss our lessons learned from real-world deployments of Tables. Specifically, our initial aim of providing a customized view of a table did not have a sufficient level of customizability. Rather than simply the views of the data tables, the entire application needed to be navigable using web-based tools that do not require recompilation to make presentation changes. We also discuss issues encountered with making the application scalable when faced with real-world datasets.
METALLIZED FOOD IN THE REGENERATION OF HEMOGLOBIN IN RAT AND MAN

(1) Metals dissolve enough in milk to supply the requirements for rapid regeneration of hemoglobin in rat and man. (2) Copper alone is effective but less so than when accompanied by other metals, especially iron. (2) Much less mortality occurs among rats fed on metallized milk than when salts of the metals are used in anemia tests. (4) These metals produce no odor, color, taste or other observed change in milk with the quantities used unless they are exposed to air and milk.
The thalamic projection of hypoglossal afferents in the rhesus monkey

Abstract The present experiments were designed to determine the location within the thalamus of the hypoglossal nerve afferent projection. Electrolytic lesions were placed within the ventral posterior nuclear complex of ten rhesus monkeys, all under barbiturate anesthesia, and the effects of the lesions on the cortical potentials evoked by stimulation of the contralateral lingual and hypoglossal nerves were observed. In addition, activity in response to hypoglossal and lingual nerve volleys was recorded from the ventral posterior nuclear complex. Both sets of data were consistent in indicating that hypoglossal afferents project to a restricted region of the nucleus ventralis posteromedialis which is confined to the anterodorsal portion of the nucleus. In contrast, the lingual nerve representation, as has been shown in other studies, occupies a much greater volume of VPM. The relationship between the lingual and hypoglossal nerve projections in VPM was discussed with respect to the relation shown to exist between superficial and deep modality projections in the nucleus ventralis posterolateralis.
Co-distribution of Fos- and mu opioid receptor immunoreactivity within the rat septopreoptic area and hypothalamus during acute glucose deprivation: effects of the mu receptor antagonist CTOP.

Mu opioid receptors occur throughout the brain, but central sites where ligand neuromodulatory effects occur during glucopenia have not been identified. The present studies investigated whether septal, preoptic, and hypothalamic neurons that express immunoreactivity for this receptor are transcriptionally activated in response to the glucose antimetabolite, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), and if intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of the selective mu receptor antagonist, CTOP, modifies this functional response to glucose substrate imbalance. Neurons labeled for mu receptor-immunoreactivity (-ir) were observed in the lateral septal nucleus (LS), medial septum (MS), anterior division of the stria terminalis (BSTa), median preoptic nucleus (MEPO), medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), parastrial nucleus (PS), anterior hypothalamic periventricular nucleus (PVa), and lateral hypothalamic area (LPO). 2DG injection (400 mg/kg i.p.) resulted in co-labeling of mu receptor-positive neurons in the LS, MS, BSTa, MEPO, PVa, and LPO for nuclear Fos-ir. Icv delivery of CTOP decreased mean numbers of co-labeled neurons in the LS, MS, BSTa, and MEPO. These results provide evidence for transactivational effects of glucopenia on mu opioid receptor-expressing neurons within the septum, preoptic area, and hypothalamus, and suggest that the functional status of these receptors within discrete septopreoptic sites may be critical for maximal glucoprivic induction of the Fos stimulus-transcription cascade within local cells. These results thus support the view that the neural loci described above may serve as substrates for regulatory effects of mu opioid receptor ligands on central compensatory activities during acute glucose deprivation.
UTE-T2∗ mapping of human articular cartilage in vivo: a repeatability assessment

Summary Introduction Ultrashort echo-time enhanced T2∗ (UTE-T2∗) mapping of articular cartilage is a novel quantitative MRI technique with the potential to visualize deep cartilage characteristics better than standard T2 mapping. The feasibility and intersession repeatability of UTE-T2∗ mapping of cartilage in vivo has not previously been evaluated. Methods Eleven asymptomatic subjects underwent repeat UTE-T2∗ imaging on a whole-body 3T MRI scanner on three consecutive days. Full-thickness, superficial and deep regions of interest (ROIs) were evaluated in the central weight-bearing zones of the medial femoral condyle (cMFC) and tibial plateau (cMTP). Intersession precision error across subjects was evaluated by the root-mean-square average coefficients of variation (RMSA-CV) and by the median of intra-subject standard deviations (SDs) of UTE-T2∗ values in each ROI. Results UTE-T2∗ values in vivo were found to be repeatable with relative (RMSA-CV) intersession precision errors of 8%, 6%, 16% for full-thickness, superficial and deep cMFC ROIs, corresponding to absolute errors (SD) of 1.2, 1.5, 1.5ms, respectively. In cMTP tissue, UTE-T2∗ relative repeatability was 8%, 8%, 13%, corresponding to absolute repeatability of 1.0, 1.5, 2.1ms (full-thickness, superficial, deep). UTE-T2∗ values were higher in superficial cartilage compared to deep in both cMFC ( P ≪0.001) and cMTP ( P =0.0004) regions. Conclusion In vivo 3D UTE-T2∗ mapping at 3T is feasible and can be implemented using a standard clinical MRI scanner and knee coil. Intersession precision error of UTE-T2∗ values in full-thickness ROIs in the weight-bearing regions of asymptomatic subjects is under 1.2ms or 8% (RMSA-CV). Significant zonal and regional variations of UTE-T2∗ were seen.
Marketing through sport: a case of a religious organization

The existence of competition is inevitable in our society, and even nonprofit organizations including religious organizations, are not immune from competition. Given the fact that religious organizations are facing more heated competition in the market than before, they have been adapting various marketing techniques. The purpose of this study is, first, to provide an introduction of the Peace Cup soccer tournament, operated by the Unification Church, commonly known as Moonies. Secondly, the overriding goal of this study is to show how a religious organization can strategically utilize and even capitalize on sport sponsorship for its marketing purposes. It is believed that the proper use of sport marketing by the religious organizations will create nothing but positive effects for the church and society.
Folliculogenesis in the Primate Ovarian Cycle

MUCH MORE is known about ovarian function in small mammals, especially laboratory rodents, than about the factors regulating cyclic ovarian function in primates. However, recent results, including our own, have enhanced the understanding of ovarian function in primates, bringing new and significant findings that now justify an assembly of knowledge on the regulation of the primate ovarian cycle. In this review, the major consideration is given to aspects of folliculogenesis in primate species. Where important similarities or differences in fundamental issues have been described in other mammals, limited discussion has been given to comparative aspects of follicular maturation. Consequently, we encourage readers of this subject to rely upon several scholarly reviews (1–7) that have recently developed comparative topics more fully than is either appropriate or intended here. Accordingly, we have restricted our attention to the dynamics of follicle growth during the primate ovarian cycle to focus on recent f...
A Thermo-Magneto-Mechanical Model for Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Thin Film Actuators

The last decade has witnessed the discovery of materials combining shape memory behavior with ferromagnetic properties (FSMAs), see, e.g., James & Wuttig1 , James et al.2 . These materials feature the so-called giant magnetostrain effect, which, in contrast to conventional magnetostriction, is due to the motion of martensite twins. It was first observed in NiMn2 Ga single crystals, Ullakko et al.3 , but later discovered in polycrystals as well, see Ullakko4 . This effect has motivated the development of a new class of active materials transducers, which combine intrinsic sensing capabilities with superior actuation speed and improved efficiency when compared to conventional shape memory alloys. The effect has also been found in thin films, Rumpf et al.5 , and this technology is currently being developed intensively in order to pave the way for applications in micro- and nanotechnology. As an example, Kohl et al.6,7 , recently proposed a novel actuation mechanism based on NiMnGa thin film technology, which makes use of both the ferromagnetic transition and the martensitic transformation allowing the realization of an almost perfect antagonism in a single component part. The implementation of the mechanism led to the award-winning development of an optical microscanner8 . Possible applications in nanotechnology arise, e.g., by combination of smart NiMnGa actuators with scanning probe technologies. The key aspect of Kohl’s device is the fact that it employs electric heating for actuation, which requires a thermo-magneto-mechanical model for analysis. The research presented in this paper aims at the development of a model that simulates this particular material behavior. It is based on ideas originally developed for conventional shape memory alloy behavior, (Mueller & Achenbach9 , Achenbach10 , Seelecke11 , Seelecke & Mueller12 ) and couples it with a simple expression for the nonlinear temperature-and position-dependent effective magnetic force. This early and strongly simplified version does not account for a full coupling between SMA behavior and ferromagnetism yet, and does not incorporate the hysteretic character of the magnetization phenomena either. It can however be used to explain the basic actuation mechanism and highlight the role of coupled magnetic and martensitic transformation with respect to the actuator performance. In particular will we be able to develop guidelines for desirable alloy compositions, such that the resulting transition temperatures guarantee optimized actuator performance.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Maximum cost trajectories in optimally controlled stochastic systems

An optimal control in a stochastic system is often one which minimizes the mean value of a specified performance index. Exclusive concern with this single parameter of dynamic response may mask anomalous behavior which occurs with small probability. Before utilizing an optimal controller further study of its properties is warranted. This paper provides an algorithm for finding an approximation to the least favorable trajectory for the system.
Iterative image reconstruction algorithms based on cross-entropy minimization

The multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique (MART) is an iterative procedure used in reconstruction of images from projections. The problem can be viewed as one of finding a nonnegative approximate solution of a certain linear system of equations y equals Px. In the consistent case, in which there are nonnegative solutions of y equals Px, the MART sequence converges to the unique nonnegative solution for which the Kullback-Leibler distance KL(x,x0) equals (summation) xjlog(xj/x0j + x0j-xj is minimized, where x0 > 0 is the starting vector for the iteration. When x0 is constant the sequence converges to the maximum Shannon entropy solution, at Lent has shown. The behavior of MART in the inconsistent case is an open problem. When y equals Px has no nonnegative solution the full MART sequence [zk, k equals 0,1,...] does not converge, while the 'simultaneously updated' version, SMART, converges to the nonnegative minimizer of KL(Px,y). In every example we have considered, the subsequences [znI+i, i fixed, n equals 0,1,...,] consisting of those iterates associated with completed cycles (I is the number of entries in y) do converge, but to distinct limits, which we denote z(infinity ,i.). Unlike most other reconstruction algorithms, if the new limiting projection data [Pz(infinity ,i)i] is used in place of the original data y and the algorithm repeated, we do not recapture [Pz(infinity i.)i]; this suggests that the MART algorithm as usually presented may be but part of a complete algorithm involving feeding back the new projection values until convergence. In all our simulations this expanded version of MART has converged, and the limit is the same as SMART; that is, the nonnegative minimizer of KL(Px,y). Both the MART and relaxed MART algorithms can be obtained through the alternating minimization of certain weighted Kullback- Leibler distances between convex sets. Orthogonality conditions in the form of Pythagorean- like identities play a useful role in the proofs concerning convergence of these algorithms.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Improving the Sensitivity of Electron Beam Microanalytical Techniques by Enhanced X-ray Spectrometry: X-ray Microcalorimetry, Silicon Drift Detector Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry, and Polycapillary X-ray Optics

The microcalorimeter energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer, the silicon drift detector (SDD), and polycapillary x-ray optics are recent developments that have significantly advanced analytical x-ray spectrometry for electron beam instruments. The microcalorimeter EDS is capable of high resolution operation (∼ 5 eV wide peaks) over a wide range of photon energies (250 eV ∼ 10 keV). The microcalorimeter EDS can be successfully applied to peak interference problems that are not accessible with the conventional semiconductor EDS such as TiN and BaTiO3. Polycapillary x-ray optics can augment the collection angle of the microcalorimeter EDS to increase its sensitivity. The SDD is capable of extremely high count rates, up to 1 MHz, and is especially useful for high speed x-ray mapping. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2003.130]