cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The hybrid set theory

Abstract We shall develop, in this paper, the hybrid set theory extending some notions of the hybrid real number system considered in [V. Lakshmikantham, D. Kovach, Hybrid real number system, Nonlinear Analysis: Hybrid Systems (2006), doi:10.1016/nahs.2006.07.001 ], so as to shed some light on the existing set theory and strengthen it. We shall also list some ideas of set theory that existed long before Cantor’s discovery [G. Cantor, Contributions to the Founding of the Theory of Transfinite Numbers (P.E.B., Trans.), The Open Court Publishing Co., la Salle, Illinois, 1952].
The Generality of Working Memory Capacity: A Latent-Variable Approach to Verbal and Visuospatial Memory Span and Reasoning

A latent-variable study examined whether verbal and visuospatial working memory (WM) capacity measures reflect a primarily domain-general construct by testing 236 participants in 3 span tests each of verbal WM, visuospatial WM, verbal short-term memory (STM), and visuospatial STM, as well as in tests of verbal and spatial reasoning and general fluid intelligence (Gf). Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation models indicated that the WM tasks largely reflected a domain-general factor, whereas STM tasks, based on the same stimuli as the WM tasks, were much more domain specific. The WM construct was a strong predictor of Gf and a weaker predictor of domain-specific reasoning, and the reverse was true for the STM construct. The findings support a domain-general view of WM capacity, in which executive-attention processes drive the broad predictive utility of WM span measures, and domain-specific storage and rehearsal processes relate more strongly to domain-specific aspects of complex cognition.
An ab initio study of the hydrogen abstraction reaction of methane by bromine atoms and bromine monoxide radicals

Abstract The structures, vibrational spectra, and relative energetics for the transition states of the hydrogen abstraction reactions of methane by bromine (Br) atoms and bromine monoxide (BrO) radicals have been examined by using the quadratic configuration interaction method in conjunction with different basis sets. From the calculated energetics of the CH4+Br→CH3+HBr and CH4+BrO→CH3+HOBr reactions, we find that the energy barrier for the formation of HOBr is higher than that for the formation of HBr. The endothermicity of the CH4+Br→CH3+HBr reaction is 7.9 kcal mol−1 higher than that for the CH4+BrO→CH3+HOBr reaction.
Preparation of pseudopure states in a cluster of dipolar-coupled spins using multiple-quantum dynamics

A method of creating pseudopure spin states in large clusters of coupled spins is described. It is based on filtering multiple-quantum coherence of the highest order, followed by a time-reversal period and partial saturation. Experimental demonstration is presented for a cluster of six dipolar-coupled proton spins of a benzene molecule in a liquid crystalline matrix, and the details of spin dynamics are studied numerically.
Central blockade of melanocortin receptors attenuates the metabolic and locomotor responses to peripheral interleukin-1β administration

Loss of appetite and cachexia is an obstacle in the treatment of chronic infection and cancer. Proinflammatory cytokines released from activated immune cells and acting in the central nervous system (CNS) are prime candidates for mediating these metabolic changes, potentially affecting both energy intake as well as energy expenditure. The effect of intravenous administration of two proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1beta (15 microg/kg) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (10 microg/kg), on food and water intake, locomotor activity, oxygen consumption (VO2), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was evaluated. The two cytokines elicited a comparable decrease in food intake and activated similar numbers of cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH), a region that plays a critical role in the regulation of appetite and metabolism (determined via expression of the immediate early gene, c-fos). However, only IL-1beta reduced locomotion and RER, and increased VO2, while TNF-alpha was without effect. To examine the role of the melanocortins in mediating IL-1beta- induced metabolic changes, animals were pretreated centrally with a melanocortin receptor antagonist, HS014. Pretreatment with HS014 blocked the effect of IL-1beta on food intake and RER at later time points (beyond 8 h post injection), as well as the hypoactivity and increased metabolic rate. Further, HS014 blocked the induction of Fos-ir in the PVH. These data highlight the importance of the melanocortin system, particularly within the PVH, in mediating a broad range of metabolic responses to IL-1beta.
Metabolism of juvenile hormone I in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract 1. 1. [3H]-C18 juvenile hormone (JH) was topically applied to larvae and adult Drosophilamelanogaster and was later recovered as conjugated hormone and acid-diol. diol, and acid metabolites. 2. 2. Haemolymph was relatively inactive toward JH metabolism. 3. 3. The lack of striking differences in rates of JH metabolism among late third instar larvae and male and female adults suggests that metabolism may not be a principle mode of JH titer regulation in Drosophila.
Environmental qualification of the protoflight MODIS instrument

A key milestone in NASA's Mission to Planet Earth project was achieved with the completion of Environmental Qualification testing of the Protoflight Model (PFM) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument. Completing this task paved the way for MODIS to be integrated onto the Earth Observing System (EOS) AM spacecraft which is to be launched as the keystone of the EOS system. Qualification of the PFM MODIS instrument required conducting an extensive test program in four different test facilities. Accomplishing environmental qualification testing, while meeting the stringent contamination and operational requirements for the MODIS instrument, required us to address a variety of issues and tasks. The main tasks included: developing special ground support test equipment, developing special tenting and handling equipment to protect the instrument from being contaminated during off-site environmental vibration and electromagnetic compatibility testing, designing and developing a state-of-the-art thermal-vacuum test chamber, and defining detailed test operations to fully characterize the instrument's electrical, optical and mechanical performance before, during and after each environmental test sequence. Selected penalty tests were streamlined for characterizing the instrument whenever design changes or improved test techniques were incorporated to ensure all requirements had been met while maintaining a fully qualified instrument.
Effect of rotation on the structure of a convecting mushy layer

Nonlinear natural convection in a mushy layer during solidification of a binary alloy is investigated under a high gravity environment where the rotation axis is inclined to the high gravity vector. Asymptotic and scaling analyses are applied to convective flow within the mushy layer and in vertical chimneys. The main result is that, for some particular moderate rotation range, vertical velocity in the chimneys decreases rapidly with increasing rotation rate and appears to have opposite signs across some rotation dependent vertical level.
Interpretation of Verb Phrase Telicity: Sensitivity to Verb Type and Determiner Type

Purpose The authors examine how adults use linguistic information from verbs, direct objects, and particles to interpret an event description as encoding a logical endpoint to the event described (in which case, it is telic) or not (in which case, it is atelic). Current models of aspectual composition predict that quantity-sensitive verbs combined with quantized objects produce telic predicates. Behavioral results from previous experiments have not unequivocally confirmed this prediction. The study presents a more fine-grained analysis that examines the influence of partitive verbs, resultative particles, and different determiner types on listeners' evaluations of verb phrases as telic or atelic. Method Forty-eight English-speaking adults participated in a truth-value judgment task to determine whether they interpreted verb phrases with different types of verbs and direct objects as telic or atelic. Participants viewed short videos and responded to a yes/no question after each one. Results The presence of...
Nonlinear decrease of background fluorescence in polymer thin-films – a survey of materials and how they can complicate fluorescence detection in μTAS

Polymers and plastics are receiving increased attention as materials for microfluidics and μTAS applications. Given the ubiquity of fluorescence detection techniques in micro-analytical systems, the fluorescence properties of polymers and plastics should not be overlooked. We survey some commonly available polymer thin-films for their fluorescence behaviour under standardized conditions to determine which materials are most suitable for high-sensitivity fluorescence detection lab chips. The initial fluorescence intensities of some of the materials surveyed were significantly higher than glass and fused silica controls, and decreased over the three hour period with complex kinetics. We then discuss how this has confounded fluorescence detection in our analytical context, and possible mechanisms for the decrease.
Poly(lactic acid)–poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles provide sustained delivery of a Chlamydia trachomatis recombinant MOMP peptide and potentiate systemic adaptive immune responses in mice

Abstract PLA–PEG [poly(lactic acid)–poly (ethylene glycol)], a biodegradable copolymer, is underexploited for vaccine delivery although it exhibits enhanced biocompatibility and slow release immune-potentiating properties. We document here successful encapsulation of M278, a Chlamydia trachomatis MOMP (major outer-membrane protein) peptide, within PLA–PEG nanoparticles by size (~ 73-100 nm), zeta potential (− 16 mV), smooth morphology, encapsulation efficiency (~ 60%), slow release pattern, and non-toxicity to macrophages. Immunization of mice with encapsulated M278 elicited higher M278-specific T-cell cytokines [Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2), Th17 (IL-17)] and antibodies [Th1 (IgG2a), Th2 (IgG1, IgG2b)] compared to bare M278. Encapsulated-M278 mouse serum inhibited Chlamydia infectivity of macrophages, with a concomitant transcriptional down-regulation of MOMP, its cognate TLR2 and CD80 co-stimulatory molecule. Collectively, encapsulated M278 potentiated crucial adaptive immune responses, which are required by a vaccine candidate for protective immunity against Chlamydia. Our data highlight PLA–PEG's potential for vaccines, which resides in its slow release and potentiating effects to bolster immune responses. From the Clinical Editor This study highlights the potential of a PLA-PEG-based nanoparticle formulation containing a major outer membrane protein of chlamydia trachomatis in inducing a sustained enhanced immune response, paving the way to the development of a vaccination strategy against this infection.
A senior project course in digital signal processing with the TMS320

A senior project course on applications in digital signal processing (DSP) with the TMS320 digital signal processor is described. All experiments and projects are performed using Texas Instruments' TMS320 digital signal processor. The laboratory emphasis in the senior project course reinforces the concepts of DSP covered in the lecture course. Applications in DSP are in areas such as communications, controls, speech, graphics, etc. The DSP projects presented and demonstrated by the students in the spring of 1987 are discussed. These projects can provide a guide to individuals who may incorporate a hands-on approach to DSP in courses such as senior project, senior lab, or DSP lab using the versatile TMS 320 digital signal processor. >
Agile numerical modelling of real electric power plants

Abstract Novel research results subject to the generation of agile numerical models for a real electric power plant are presented in this paper. Using only instrument measurements of various variables located in different parts of the power station, filtering algorithms are programmed for the computation of numerical models that describe system operation and are agile to adapt between different operational regimes. The contents of the paper constitute original industrial research conducted to a real electric power generation facility. The presented results were validated on site by the power plant’s chief engineers.
Increasing attention to daydreaming by self-monitoring†

Attempted to determine whether daydreaming is reactive to self-monitoring, whether one method of self-monitoring was superior to another, and whether there was any relationship between initial attitude toward daydreaming and change in daydreaming frequency over time. Twenty-nine male and 30 female infrequent daydreamers participated. One experimental group tallied their daydreams for 3 weeks; the second tallied and logged the content of their daydreams, and the third group was a control. An orthogonal planned comparison showed that there was a significant difference between the control group and the average of the treatment groups, but neither method of self-monitoring was superior to the other.
Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) expression driven by a macrophage-specific promoter results in reduced viability in transgenic mice

Macrophage expression of matrix degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human atheroma has been found to occur in rupture-prone areas of plaques. To investigate the effect of metalloproteinase activity on plaque stability, we attempted to generate mice that expressed a stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) transgene specifically in macrophages. Promoter sequences taken from a macrophage-tropic lentivirus (visna) were used to drive transgene expression. The transgene construct was expressed in macrophages in vitro and its autoactivation was established by casein zymography. Transgenic mice generated with this construct died at or before birth. No gross anatomical changes were observed in these mice. Embryos arising from a second round of oocyte injections with the transgene were examined at day 16 of gestation. Of the products of conception, approximately 40% resulted in vacant conceptuses. Only one animal of 38 examined carried the transgene and its expression of MMP-3 mRNA at E16 was faintly detected by RT-PCR. When a non-toxic reporter gene, luciferase, was substituted for the MMP-3 cDNA, healthy transgenic mice were produced that expressed the reporter gene in a wide variety of tissue macrophages, including those located in the brain, testis, lung, and thymus. These studies suggest that constitutive expression of MMP-3 in diverse populations of tissue macrophages leads to prenatal or neonatal death in the mouse. It appears likely that more sophisticated transcriptional control of MMP-3 expression will be required in order to generate stromelysin-1 transgenic mice that could be useful models for studying overexpression of this metalloproteinase's activity in the lesional macrophages of atherosclerotic plaques.
Clinical pharmacologic concepts for the rational selection and use of drugs for the management of dyslipidemia

The long-term clinical benefits of lowering serum lipid levels have been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials in recent years. These include coronary artery disease regression and decreases in the incidence of adverse clinical events, such as myocardial infarction or refractory ischemia. Reductions in overall mortality have also been demonstrated. The health risk of dyslipidemia led the National Cholesterol Education Program expert panel to recommend intervention to bring low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values to within certain goal levels through a variety of interventions. This article reviews the available pharmacologic agents and compares their efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
Potentiation of chemically induced lung fibrosis by thorax irradiation

Abstract Intraperitoneal injection of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) causes epithelial cell death, followed 2–4 days later by extensive proliferation of type II alveolar cells in mouse lung. Five to 8 days after BHT, most dividing cells are capillary endothelial cells or interstitial cells. In animals that were exposed to 200 rad thorax irradiation immediately or 1 day after BHT, lung hydroxyproline was increased 2 weeks later. The response was dose dependent, and the interaction between BHT and thorax irradiation was synergistic. Light microscopy showed abnormal accumulation of collagen in the alveolar septa. Lung hydroxyproline was not increased in animals that were irradiated 6 days after BHT, compared to animals treated with BHT alone. We concluded that fibrosis develops if lung is damaged by a blood-borne agent and radiation to the thorax occurs at a time when it may compromise alveolar reepithelialization. Exposure to X-rays during proliferation of capillary endothelial cells or interstitial cells does not enhance development of fibrosis.
Polarization of membrane glycoproteins during monocyte chemotaxis

Distribution of membrane glycoproteins was studied in chemotactic monocytes using ferritin-conjugated lectins. The cells became polarized forming a pseudopodia at a leading head. Membrane glycoproteins were redistributed at the head. This phenomenon was not observed in chemokinetic or non-chemotactic cells suggesting that membrane glycoproteins may have a role in recognition of the chemoattractant.
A Probability-One Homotopy Algorithm for Nonsmooth Equations and Mixed Complementarity Problems

Convergence theory for a new probability-one homotopy algorithm for solving non-smooth equations is given. This algorithm is able to solve problems involving highly nonlinear equations, where the norm of the residual has nonglobal local minima. The algorithm is based on constructing homotopy mappings that are smooth in the interior of their domains. The algorithm is specialized to solve mixed complementarity problems (MCP) through the use of MCP functions and associated smoothers. This specialized algorithm includes an option to ensure that all iterates remain feasible. Easily satisfiable sufficient conditions are given to ensure that the homotopy zero curve remains feasible, and global convergence properties for the MCP algorithm are proved. Computational results on the MCPLIB test library demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
The Speech Community in Technical Communication.

One approach to exploring context in technical communication is through the speech community. In considering the communication that occurs in a speech community, this article asks two general questions. First, what is the relationship among language, culture, and thought ? Second, what knowledge is needed for effective communication ? Answering the first question requires an exploration of the Whorfian hypothesis as it may apply to technical communication, while answering the second requires an expansion of Chomsky's grammatical competence to include language function and use and a broadening of Flower and Hayes's investigations of cognitive structures beyond the isolated experimental situation into the community
An archaeology of the senses: perception and cultural expression in ancient mesoamerica

The ancient Maya and other Mesoamerican peoples showed an intense interest in invoking the senses, especially hearing, sight, and smell. The senses were flagged by graphic devices of synaesthetic or cross-sensory intent; writing and speech scrolls triggered sound, sightlines the acts and consequences of seeing, and flowery ornament indicated both scent and soul essence. As conceived anciently, the senses were projective and procreative, involving the notion of unity and shared essence in material and incorporeal realms. Among the Maya, spaces could be injected with moral and hierarchical valuation through visual fields known as y-ichnal. The inner mind extended to encompass outer worlds, in strong parallel to concepts of monism. From such evidence arises the possibility of reconstructing the phenomenology of ancient Mesoamericans.
Search for local parity violation with STAR ZDC-SMD

Parity-odd domains are predicted to lead to charge separation of quarks along the orbital momentum of the system created in non-central relativistic heavy ion collisions. A signal consistent with several of the theoretical expectations has been detected by STAR, with a three particle azimuthal correlator which is a -even observable, but still sensitive to the charge separation effect. In this correlator, the first two particles are used to reveal the physics of interest, and the third particle serves as a reference for the reaction plane. In this work, to minimize the non-parity correlation between the third particle and the first two, we utilize the spectator neutrons detected by STAR ZDC-SMDs to define the event plane. The 1st-order event plane thus obtained can also be used to study the global strong parity violation effect, and to provide further systematic checks for this analysis. We report measurements of both -even and -odd observables using the STAR ZDC-SMDs in Au+Au at 200 GeV. The results are presented as a function of collision centrality, particle separation in rapidity and transverse momentum (pT). Systematic checks on the impact from the directed flow will also be discussed.
Visual interactive production language systems

In earlier work on anticipation and prompting systems for programming languages it was recognized that a more formal approach to development of such interactions with programmers at display terminals was needed. It was observed that the bulk of the data involved in these interactions was in the displays themselves and that certain display drivers operated on action strings similar to those in production language systems. The development of special Floyd-Evans production languages oriented toward a visual interactive environment was therefore undertaken. Based on two experimental interpreters which have been implemented, the language itself has now been substantially refined and compilers for a common language have been designed with one being implemented. In the first implementation which was accomplished on a Datapoint 2200, a substantial portion of the effort was devoted to a pedagogic display of the parsing process. In the second implementation on an Interdata 85, all of the programming was made reentrant so that multiple users can be served using the same or different target languages. Furthermore, some of the basic functions were reduced to microcode, although it was not possible to carry this as far as had been hoped. It was also learned during development of the second system that left-part matching and right-part replacement could be treated as generalized actions—thus simplifying the internal structure of the interpreter. Development of these systems is part of ongoing research with programming languages and automated programmer assistance.
Quantitative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Determination of ICI 125,211 in Plasma

for the.determination of ICl 125, 211, (I); a guanldinothiazole H2-receptor antagonist, in small samples of animalplasma.Ao.2mL allquotof plasma is extracted at pH9 with ethyl acetate. After reconstltution in mobile phase, the sampleis run on a silica column
Seamlessly expanding a randomized phase II trial to phase III.

SUMMARY. A sequential Bayesian phase II/III design is proposed for comparative clinical trials. The design is based on both survival time and discrete early events that may be related to survival and assumes a parametric mixture model. Phase II involves a small number of centers. Patients are randomized between treatments throughout, and sequential decisions are based on predictive probabilities of concluding superiority of the experimental treatment. Whether to stop early, continue, or shift into phase III is assessed repeatedly in phase II. Phase III begins when additional institutions are incorporated into the ongoing phase II trial. Simulation studies in the context of a non-small-cell lung cancer trial indicate that the proposed method maintains overall size and power while usually requiring substantially smaller sample size and shorter trial duration when compared with conventional group-sequential phase III designs.
Digital optical arithmetic processor based on symbolic substitution

The authors propose a digital optical arithmetic processor based on symbolic substitution using holographic matched and space-invariant filters. The proposed system performs Boolean logic, binary addition, and subtraction in a highly parallel manner, depending on the substitution rules for each operation. The processing time depends on the word size but not on the array size. Substitution rules for binary subtraction with conventional binary number representation are presented, and some advantages over other parallel arithmetic processing methods are discussed. Crosstalk in symbolic substitution and the operating principles of the proposed system are also described. >
Optical properties of the europium chalcogenides

The measured optical properties of the Eu chalcogenides are surveyed in an attempt to determine those aspects of the electronic structure of these materials that have been established. Optical absorption as well as optical and magneto-optical reflectivity data are discussed, along with the results of photoconductivity, photoluminescence and photoemission measurements and of magnetooptical measurements in the vicinity of the absorption edge. It is concluded that the fundamental absorption edge is due to the onset of Eu++ 4f to 5d transitions of the type 4f7(8S7/2)→ 4f6(7FJ)5d(T2g) and that a higher energy reflectivity peak is primarily dtuoe 4f7(8S7/2) →4f6(7FJ)5d(Eg) transitions, although anion p-valence band to Eu conduction band transitions may also be involved. The principal unanswered questions involve the relative positions of the Eu 6s and 5d(T2g) states, the breadth of the 5d levels and the role played by exciton effects in the 4f to 5d optical transitions.
Modifying migraine headache through rational stage directed hypnotherapy: a cognitive-experiential perspective.

Abstract Recent techniqites designed to modify migraine headache have emphasized physiological modification via hypnosis only or biofeedback. Psychological factors, however, have been identified as causal in many psychophysiological disorders such as migraine. The present casc study describes the results of utilizing Rational Stage Directed Hypnotherapy (RSDH) of Tosi (1974, Tosi and Marzella (1975), and Tosi (1980a) in the treatment of an individual suffering from severe migraine headaches. RSDH, designed to attend to both physiological and psychological factors, is a cognitive-experientially based, stage directed, systematic psychotherapeutic regimen which utilizes hypnosis and hypnotic imagery to enhance the rational restructuring of negative cognitive/emotional/ physiological/behavioral states. In the present case study, RSDH demonstrated superior effects over the hypnosis only treatment and baseline in reducing migraine head aches. The client demonstrated improvement on both self-report measurement (...
Adaptive model-based motion estimation

A general discrete-time, adaptive, multidimensional framework is introduced for estimating the motion of one or several object features from their successive nonlinear projections on an image plane. The motion model consists of a set of linear difference equations with parameters estimated recursively from a nonlinear observation equation. The model dimensionality corresponds to that of the original, nonprojected motion space, thus allowing to compensate for variable projection characteristics such as paning and zooming of the camera. Extended recursive least-squares and linear-quadratic tracking algorithms are used to adaptively adjust the model parameters and minimize the errors of either smoothing, filtering or prediction of the object trajectories in the projection plane. Both algorithms are derived using a second order approximation of the projection nonlinearities. All the results presented here use a generalized vectorial notation suitable for motion estimation of any finite number of object features and various approximations of the nonlinear projection. The application of the model-based motion estimator for temporal decimation/interpolation in digital video sequence compression systems is presented. >
Differential Roles of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors 1 and 2 in Dendritic Cell Differentiation

Impaired Ag-presenting function in dendritic cells (DCs) due to abnormal differentiation is an important mechanism of tumor escape from immune control. A major role for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, VEGFR1/Flt-1 and VEGFR2/KDR/Flk-1, has been documented in hemopoietic development. To study the roles of each of these receptors in DC differentiation, we used an in vitro system of myeloid DC differentiation from murine embryonic stem cells. Exposure of wild-type, VEGFR1−/−, or VEGFR2−/− embryonic stem cells to exogenous VEGF or the VEGFR1-specific ligand, placental growth factor, revealed distinct roles of VEGF receptors. VEGFR1 is the primary mediator of the VEGF inhibition of DC maturation, whereas VEGFR2 tyrosine kinase signaling is essential for early hemopoietic differentiation, but only marginally affects final DC maturation. SU5416, a VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, only partially rescued the mature DC phenotype in the presence of VEGF, suggesting the involvement of both tyrosine kinase-dependent and independent inhibitory mechanisms. VEGFR1 signaling was sufficient for blocking NF-κB activation in bone marrow hemopoietic progenitor cells. VEGF and placental growth factor affect the early stages of myeloid/DC differentiation. The data suggest that therapeutic strategies attempting to reverse the immunosuppressive effects of VEGF in cancer patients might be more effective if they specifically targeted VEGFR1.
Applications of a human tumour clonogenic cell culture system in gynaecological oncology: review and personal experience

Abstract Current and future clinical applications of the Human Tumour Clonogenic Cell Culture (HTC 3 ) system are presented. Advanced gynaecological cancers, especially ovarian, endometrial and cervical carcinomas, require extensive systemic chemotherapy. The HTC 3 system seems to be an adequate instrument for individualized chemosensitivity testing in order to choose proper cytostatic treatments; that is, maximum tumour cell kill with minimal side-effects. Furthermore, this system helps in assessing the response after treatment by detection of remaining clonogenic, and thus viable, tumour cells. Other clinical applications of the system include grading of the tumour and recognition of the histologie type. Thus the HTC 3 provides a potential tool in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of gynaecologic malignancies.
Normal Polysomnographic Respiratory Values in Children and Adolescents

Study objectives: Polysomnography is important in the evaluation of children and adolescents with sleep-disordered breathing. Adult criteria for obstructive sleep apnea have been shown to be inapplicable to children. Nevertheless, very little data are available regarding normal respiratory parameters during sleep in healthy children and adolescents. The purpose of the study was to characterize normal polysomnography values in healthy children and adolescents and to establish respiratory reference values for pediatric polysomnography. Design, setting and participants: Seventy healthy, normal children and adolescents were studied. Age ranged from 1 to 15 years (mean SD, 8.02 4.57 years). All children underwent overnight polysomnography including EEG, electromyography, electrooculography, ECG, pulse oximetry arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), chest wall and abdomen motion, oral and nasal airflow, and end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2). Results: Three children (4%) had a mean of 0.37 obstructive apneas (OAs) per hour of sleep (1 to 5 OAs per child per study), with mean apnea duration of 10.3 2.1 s. This was not accompanied with oxygen desaturation. Twenty-six children had one to seven central apneas (CAs) per child, resulting in a mean of 0.4 CAs per hour of sleep (median, 0.33; 97.5 percentile, 0.9). Eleven of the 58 events of CA in six children coincided with oxygen desaturation to a minimum of 88% (nadir apnea desaturation range, 88 to 93%). The mean SpO2 was 97.2 0.8% with SpO2 nadir of 94.6 2.2%. PETCO2 > 45 mm Hg occurred for 1.6 3.8% of total sleep time (TST) in 21 of 70 children (30%), with a distribution of 1.3 3.03% in the range of 46 to 47 mm Hg; 50 mm Hg. Conclusions: Based on these data, the recommended limits for normal values are as follows: OA index, 1; CA index, 0.9; oxygen desaturation, 89%; baseline saturation, 92%; and PETCO2 > 45 mm Hg for < 10% of TST. (CHEST 2004; 125:872– 878)
Branched covers of surfaces in 4-manifolds

We give an algorithm for describing, as a framed link, the p-fold branched cover of (i) B 4 branched along the Seifert surface F of a link with int F pushed into int/34 (see Sect. 2); (ii) /34 union handles branched along F C B 4 (see Sect. 3); (iii) S 4 branched along a surface which, except for a trivial 2-ball, lies in S 3 (see Sect. 4); (iv) C P 2 branched along a nice surface such as a non-singular complex curve (see Sect. 5). Along the way we show how to describe the p-fold branched cover of B 4 along the ribbon disk of a ribbon link (Sect. 3), prove that the p-fold branched cover of B 4 along a Seifert surface for the unknot is trivial (Theorem 4.1, Sect. 4), show that the Mitnor fiber and various other complex surfaces can be built without 1 and 3-handles (Theorem 5.1 and corollaries), and draw the framed links for the complex surfaces, the cubic, quintic and Kummer (see Sect. 5). In Sect. I we fix conventions and notations.
Delayed Positive Gastrointestinal Bleeding Studies with Technetium-99m-Red Blood Cells: Utility of a Second Injection

Two patients studied with technetium-99m-labeled red blood cells (RBCs) for gastrointestinal bleeding had positive findings only on 24-hr delayed images, at which time the site of bleeding could not be ascertained. In each instance, when additional delayed images suggested that active bleeding was occurring, a second aliquot of RBCs was labeled and injected. Sites of active hemorrhage were identified following further imaging in both patients. When delayed GI bleeding images are positive, further views should be obtained to ascertain if the pattern of intraluminal activity changes. If renewed active hemorrhage is suspected, reinjection with a second dose of labeled RBCs may identify the bleeding site.
Current Issues and Future Directions of Oncolytic Adenoviruses

Oncolytic adenoviruses (Ads) constitute a promising new class of anticancer agent. They are based on the well-studied adenoviral vector system, which lends itself to concept-driven design to generate oncolytic variants. The first oncolytic Ad was approved as a drug in China in 2005, although clinical efficacy observed in human trials has failed to reach the high expectations that were based on studies in animal models. Current obstacles to the full realization of efficacy of this class of anticancer agent include (i) limited efficiency of infection and specific replication in tumor cells, (ii) limited vector spread within the tumor, (iii) imperfect animal models and methods of in vivo imaging, and (iv) an incomplete understanding of the interaction of these agents with the host. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the field of oncolytic Ads and potential ways to overcome current obstacles to their clinical application and efficacy.
13C NMR measurements of human gluconeogenic fluxes after ingestion of [U-13C]propionate, phenylacetate, and acetaminophen.

Anaplerotic, pyruvate recycling, and gluconeogenic fluxes were measured by13C isotopomer analysis of plasma glucose, urinary phenylacetylglutamine, and urinary glucuronide in normal, 24-h-fasted in...
Variation in the evolutionary integration of melanism with behavioral and physiological traits in Xiphophorus variatus

Vertebrate pigmentation is emerging as a powerful system for studying the evolution of adaptive traits and the maintenance of genetic and phenotypic variation in natural populations. Though melanism has been linked to physiological and behavioral traits in a variety of taxa, the generality of these associations for many taxa such as fishes remains unclear. Here I tested whether variation in melanism in a livebearing fish was correlated with a variety of traits often tested in other taxa: locomotor stress coping style during confinement, boldness in a novel environment, and metabolic rate. There were significant negative associations between an individual’s amount of melanistic pigmentation and both activity in confinement and boldness in a novel environment. In contrast with evidence from many prior studies, there was no relationship between melanism and metabolic rate. Overall, the data provide some support for documented relationships between melanism and behavioral traits, but did not support the generally reported relationship between melanism and metabolic rate. Links between melanism and behavioral coping strategies related to environmental stressors may have important implications for the evolution and maintenance of behavioral and morphological variation in natural populations. Nonetheless, these results also suggest variation among taxa in the extent to which pleiotropy has evolved between melanism and diverse organismal traits.
Incretins, Diabetes, Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer: What the GI specialist needs to know

Abstract Background/Purpose There has been recent concern over the pancreatic safety of incretin-based therapies for diabetes. While drug-induced pancreatitis is a rare event, the large number of patients with diabetes make the potential impact of diabetic drugs significant. This review examines the relationship between diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer and the data assessing the potential impact of incretin-based therapies on these diseases. Methods This narrative review assesses the current data assessing the potential role of incretin-based therapies causing pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. Accompanying articles examine the role of incretin-based therapies in managing Type 2 diabetes, and the basic science studies examining the interaction of these drugs with the pancreas. Results There is a strong relationship between diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer. Diabetes is a risk factor for acute pancreatitis, and for pancreatic cancer. Chronic pancreatitis can cause diabetes, and is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Finally, pancreatic cancer can cause diabetes. These complex interactions make it difficult to sort out the potential impact of incretin-based therapies in these conditions. While early anecdotal reports identified a serious safety signal in the pancreatic risk of these agents, subsequent careful studies and meta-analyses did not identify a measurable risk of pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer from these drugs. However, the risk estimates are wide and events are rare, meaning that a slight increase in risk could have been missed. Conclusion Diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer have complex relationships, with each serving as both a cause and a consequence of the others. Current analyses do not support an additional risk of pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer from the use of incretin-based therapies for diabetes.
Caregiving: A Developmental, Life-Long Perspective

This volume focuses on care as a life-long, developmental construct. The organization of the book allows the reader to explore infant and child issues or adult caregiving issues, or to read the entire text. The process of caregiving is viewed from nine junctures across the life span. Each of the chapters provides an overview of a critical developmental period and makes recommendations for future work in the areas of practice, education, research, and policy and advocacy, making this book useful for a variety of readers. It is the hope of the editors that Caregiving Across the Life Span: Birth Through End-of-life Care provides a critical review and offers thought-provoking recommendations for the advancement of caregiving across the life span.
Adaptive-Weather-Surveillance and Multifunction Capabilities of the National Weather Radar Testbed Phased Array Radar

The National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) is maintained and operated by NOAA's National Severe Storm Laboratory in Norman, OK, USA. It is a phased array radar (PAR) that was established to evaluate the potential to perform aircraft and weather surveillance with a single, multifunction radar. The NWRT PAR is also being used to demonstrate advanced weather-surveillance concepts that are well suited to the unique capabilities offered by phased arrays. This paper provides an overview of the adaptive-weather-surveillance and multifunction capabilities of this system.
Bayesian quickest short-term voltage instability detection in power systems

The quickest detection of short-term voltage instability in power systems is considered. The problem is formulated as a Bayesian quickest change-point detection where the pre-change and post-change measurements are non-stationary processes with exponentially decaying and exponentially increasing expectations, respectively. Quickest change detection schemes are proposed and analyzed under both known and unknown post-change models. It is shown that the proposed tests are asymptotically optimal. The results also find applications in instability detection of a general linear system with distinct real eigenvalues.
BREAKWATER STABILITY - BREAKING WAVE DATA

The objective of the research presented is to furnish design information for stone and dolos armor on non-overtopping breakwater trunks that are subjected to severe depth-limited breaking waves. Since it would be a mammoth task to comprehensively investigate all the different types of existing armor, this particular research effort concentrated on stone, which is a natural and economical protection when it is of sufficient size and quality to meet design constraints, and on the dolos, which according to nonbreaking wave data is the best hydraulically stable concrete armor unit.
Investigating the Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Dihydronicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide at Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotube Electrodes: Implications to Electrochemically Measuring Dehydrogenase Enzyme Kinetics

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) have been shown to be electrocatalytic toward the oxidation of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), the reduced form of the coenzyme necessary for enzymatic turnover in NAD+-dependent dehydrogenases. The observed oxidation potential of the electrocatalyst, however, still shows a significant overpotential, suggesting that even for effective electrocatalysts, electrooxidation may be kinetically controlled. We demonstrate using the Koutecky–Levich rotating disk electrode technique that the observed electron transfer rate constant (kobs) is a function of potential over a wide potential window; however, kobs could only be accurately measured for a portion of that window for the electrocatalytic N-CNTs. More importantly, electrochemically measured enzyme kinetics, acquired after adsorption of glucose dehydrogenase onto the N-CNTs, are never independent of potential, even when the electron transfer rate constant is too fast to measure by the rotating disk tech...
Survey Report on Policy Agro-insurance

The objective of the report is to share knowledge and experience in principles,practical issue and problems related to agricultural insurance in Heilongjiang province,to learn from Sunshine Agricultural Mutual Insurance Company,particularly emphasis on technical,institutional,legal,financial and environmental requirement for a sustainable agriculture.Then some suggestions about agricultural insurance development for police were proposed.
Oxidation and base-catalyzed elimination of the saccharide portion of GSLs having very different polarities

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs), present in cell mem- branes, participate in a variety of biological functions. Al- though their exact role(s) may not be understood, it has been shown that 1) embryos lacking glucosylceramide syn- thase activity do not develop normally, 2) GSLs can affect neuritogenesis, and 3) they can function as receptors for some pathogens. To study the role of the saccharide por- tion of a GSL in any of these functions, it is necessary to either isolate it from the intact GSL or synthesize it. Be- cause syntheses are more complex, modifications were made to the oxidation/elimination procedure previously described for the isolation of the saccharide portion of GM1 and GD1a to enable it to be used with GSLs of varying polarity. The key is to use a mixture of GSLs that differ in polarity. This appears to eliminate problems encountered when purified GSLs such as sulfatide or GT1b are used. — Yowler, B. C., S. A. Stoehr, and C-L. Schengrund. Oxidation and base-catalyzed elimination of the saccharide portion of GSLs having very different polarities. J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 659-662.
Epigenetic marks as the link between environment and development: examination of the associations between attachment, socioeconomic status, and methylation of the SLC6A4 gene

Background Epigenetic processes act as a link between environment and individual development. This pilot study examined the association between socioeconomic status (SES), attachment, and methylation of the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4). Methods Attachment classification and SLC6A4 methylation was determined in 100 late adolescents. We hypothesized that (1) SES would interact with methylation to predict higher unresolved loss (UL) or trauma scores on the Adult Attachment Interview; (2) across SES, participants with unresolved attachment would have lower levels of methylation than organized or secure participants; and (3) within the unresolved classification, SES would predict methylation. Results Results showed that lower methylation and low-SES were associated with higher UL, and higher methylation and low-SES were associated with higher unresolved trauma. Across SES, unresolved participants had lower levels of methylation than organized participants. Within the unresolved category, low-SES unresolved participants had higher levels of methylation than mid/upper-SES participants. SES was unrelated to methylation within the secure and organized categories. Conclusions These results suggest that the quality of attachment relationships may impact epigenetic processes.
In vivo determination of left ventricular wall stress-shortening relationship in normal mice

Although targeted alterations of the mouse genome are used increasingly to identify the mechanisms underlying cardiac function, the methods used to study the phenotypic expression of these alterati...