cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer simulation and experimental benchmarking of ultrashort pulse laser ablation of metallic targets

Integrated simulation results of femtosecond laser ablation of copper were compared with new experimental data. The numerical analysis was performed using our newly developed FEMTO-2D computer package based on the solution of the two-temperature model. Thermal dependence of target optical and thermodynamic processes was carefully considered. The experimental work was conducted with our 40 fs 800 nm Ti:sapphire laser in the energy range from 0.14 mJ to 0.77 mJ. Comparison of measured ablation profiles with simulation predictions based on phase explosion criterion has demonstrated that more than one ablation mechanisms contribute to the total material removal even in the laser intensity range where explosive boiling is dominating. Good correlation between experimental and simulation results was observed for skin depth and hot electron diffusion depth – two parameters commonly considered to identify two ablation regimes in metal. Analysis of the development dynamics for electron–lattice coupling and electron thermal conduction allowed explaining different ablation regimes because of the interplay of the two parameters.
Gesture-based interaction with a pet robot

Pet robots are autonomous robots capable of exhibiting animal-like behaviors, including emotional ones, as they interact with people and objects surrounding them. As pet robots become more integrated into our lives, a more natural way of communicating with them will become necessary. Similarly, they will need to understand human gestures in order to perceive our intentions and communicate with us more effectively. In this paper, we present an extensible, real-time, visionbased communication system that interprets 2D dynamic hand gestures in complex environments. Our strategy for interpreting hand gestures consists of: hand segmentation, feature extraction, and gesture recognition. To segment the hand from the cluttered background, this system uses both motion and color information. The location of the hand is subsequently tracked as the user makes the gesture and its trajectory information is stored in a feature vector. Finally, the gesture is interpreted using this vector and translated into a command that the robot understands. We implemented our system on Yuppy, a pet robot prototype. Currently, via an external microcamera, we can navigate Yuppy in unstructured environments using hand gestures.
Sézary syndrome with rapidly progressing pulmonary lymphoma in a child

A 7 year old boy with a prior history of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed Sezary syndrome or cutaneous lymphoma of T-lymphocytes (CLTL). His course was rapidly progressive and fatal with the primary manifestation being pulmonary lymphoma. This patient is one of the youngest with CLTL to manifest extracutaneous involvement.
The Semiotic Processes of the Formation and Expression of Ideas

Several peculiarities of a semiotic nature add themselves to the numerous contradictory characteristics of our epoch. Although language continues to exercise a dominant role in sociocultural processes, a variety of other sign systems (such as those of art, of social and political forms of ceremonial, of new rites imposed by the media of communication or the artificial media connected to computer technology) tends to occupy a role comparable to that of the language called natural. These other sign systems even limit language’s sphere of action. The credibility crisis language is going through and the imposition of these new sign systems (some strictly normative) in sociocultural practice are two phenomena which are evidently connected. The resurrection of interest in semiotics is in turn explainable in this context. Although belief in language as a means of communication has declined, the objective process of social development is characterized by an accentuated semiotization. The relationship of the human subject, as an individual and as a social being, to the object in its varied forms of existence (including the subject as object) is more and more mediated through signs. Instead of direct action on the labor object (raw material, processed material, nature), mediated action is imposed, at the beginning through tools and machines and at present through action algorithms. Education, culture, and political practice are coming through less directly; mediation takes place through signs, and practice becomes a matter of interpretation. The consequences of this process of semiotization—as a form of (wo)man’s alienation corresponding to a new stage of his/her evolution—are difficult to anticipate.
The mechanical behavior of bone

Abstract Bone functions as the main load-bearing component of the musculoskeletal system, making it a classic subject for the study of biomechanics. Bone has a hierarchical structure and all levels play a role in its overall behavior and function. There are multiple factors that affect bone’s mechanical behavior, such as tissue material properties and bone geometry and structure. These factors, which undergo numerous changes with age, contribute to whole bone’s structural behavior. This chapter provides a review of classic bone biomechanics, the role of bone’s structure and composition on its mechanical properties, the mechanical behavior of whole bone, and age-related changes in bone that contribute to fracture.
Endothelium and "silver lines". An electron microscopic study.

The significance of endothelial “silver lines” was studied by TEM in rat aortas after perfusion with glutaraldehyde followed by silver nitrate. Standard TEM technique proved unsatisfactory (coarse silver granules, imprecise localization, artefacts). Exposure of the silver-treated aortas to photographic fixer markedly improved the image of the deposits leaving fine, stable, uniform “residual granules” about 100 A in diameter. Most of these granules were localized along the intercellular junctions; they also tended to pool in the basement membrane beneath each junction. This image suggests that the Ag+ ions pass through the junction, and react with its contents as well as with the basement membrane beyond it. A scheme is proposed to explain the reaction of Ag+ ions with anions and negatively charged radicals within the junction. It is concluded that the “silver lines” represent not only a histochemical effect, but also the visualization of a transendothelial electrolyte pathway.
Posttraumatic stress disorder in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Relationship to patient phenotype and clinical practice implications

PURPOSE The relationship between exposure to abuse and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is well-documented. However, studies have yet to examine posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which develops following exposure to trauma and worsens health outcomes in chronic pain. We aimed to assess the prevalence and impact of PTSD in patients with IC/BPS, including their relation to genitourinary symptom presentation and widespread pain phenotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited 202 participants with chronic pain from an academic medical center and classified 64 individuals as IC/BPS based on validated epidemiological criteria. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires assessing trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, emotional distress, pain, and urinary symptoms. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests assessed study aims comparing IC/BPS to other chronic pain. RESULTS Although elevated, IC/BPS trauma exposure rates were equivalent to that of other chronic pain conditions in the sample. Despite this equivalence, in comparison, IC/BPS patients had significantly higher rates of PTSD symptoms, with 42% meeting provisional diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Among IC/BPS, those meeting provisional criteria for PTSD had significantly higher incidence of lifetime sexual abuse, childhood trauma, and presentations consistent with the widespread pain phenotype. In IC/BPS, there was no association between PTSD and genitourinary symptoms, but provisional PTSD was associated with more pain, emotional distress, and poorer quality of life. CONCLUSIONS We recommend that patients with IC/BPS and widespread pain have ongoing screening and monitoring of PTSD. We recommend using trauma-informed care practices with these patients to increase trust and safety, which could improve treatment compliance and follow-up.
Restoration of Cone Photoreceptor Function in Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP): Retinal Cell-Based Therapy

The major cause of hereditary blindness in North America is retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which is a group of inherited retinal diseases characterized by the onset of night blindness, early loss of peripheral vision, and late loss of central vision. Most cases of RP are caused by mutations in rod-specific genes resulting in the demise of rod photoreceptors. However, the subsequent loss of cone photoreceptor function remained a mystery until the recent observation that glucose starvation of cones occurs because of the entrapment of glucose in RPE following the onset of rod outer segment (ROS) degeneration. Reversal of glucose starvation of cones represents a potential therapeutic intervention that would be of great benefit to patients regardless of the genetic mutation in rods responsible for RP.
Preemergence control of black cottonwood in nursery containers

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate preemergence herbicides for control of black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) in nursery containers. In 2006, granular preemergence herbicides were applied to recently filled, weed-free containers in May just prior to seed release from mature cottonwood trees. Flumioxazin provided the most effective cottonwood control, although control with isoxaben + trifluralin, oxyfluorfen + oryzalin, and pendimethalin was also effective. In 2007, containers were filled February 15, and herbicides were applied to separate groups of containers on February 22, March 14, April 16, and May 15. Containers were over-seeded with cottonwood for a 2-week period starting on May 16. Control with most herbicides improved as the date of application neared the date of seeding. Flumioxazin provided the most effective control throughout the experiment, but control from it also improved as the date of application neared the time of seeding.
Children’s and Adults’ Affectionate Generosity Toward Members of Different Religious Groups:

This article examines children’s and adults’ willingness to give a nonmonetary resource—affection—to in-group versus out-group members. In a study of attitudes toward Christian, Jewish, and non-rel...
Examining how the subject position of marketing professionals and customers are constructed through Twitter communication by B2B organisations

The purpose of this research is to examine the management of organisational Twitter sites from the perspective of UK marketing professionals, within five B2B case-study organisations. Specifically this study examines how these marketing professionals as ‘organisational storytellers’ engage in a process to communicate the official organisational story to customers, while maintaining an element of their personal identities, due to the less formal and brief (140 character) nature of tweets. Adopting an abductive, interpretivist research design, this study initially analysed the content of tweets from five B2B Twitter sites over a three-month period, utilising a corporate web identity framework (Elliott & Robinson, 2013). The tweet examination informed the qualitative interviews with 15 marketing communications professionals across the five case-study organisations. The emerging results suggest a purposeful unification of personal/organisational identities as more marketing professionals are tweeting from personal Twitter feeds into the organisational site, to achieve greater interaction with customers.
Spatial and velocity offsets of Galactic masers from the centres of spiral arms

Some galactic theories of spiral arms predict an offset between different tracers of star formation. Our goal here is to find such an offset between the observed location of radio masers and the location of the arms, using a recent 4-arm model fitted to the CO 1-0 gas. Our method here is to compare a recent global 4-arm spiral model (as fitted to the arm tangents in the observed broad CO 1-0 gas) with the recent results for the trigonometric distances of radio masers, for the main arms (Cygnus-Norma, Perseus, Sagittarius-Carina, Scutum, and Norma). Our results indicate that most radio masers are near the inner arm edge (toward the Galactic Center) of spiral arms. These masers are offsets from the model arm (where the broad CO 1-0 molecular region resides) by 0.34 (plus or minus 0.06) kpc inward. In radial velocity space, the median offset between masers and the CO-fitted model is around 10 (plus or minus 1) km/s. Based on the masers being observed here to be radially inward of the broad CO gas in the Cygnus arm at 15 kpc along the Galactic Meridian, the corotation radius of the Milky Way disk is more than 15 kpc distant from the Galactic Centre and the density-wave angular pattern speed is less than 15 km/s/kpc. Arm pitch angle should be measured using many arm tracers, and located on both side of the Galactic Meridian, to ensure better precision and avoid a bias pertinent to a single tracer.
Bimonthly Medical Visits Reduce Sickle Cell Admissions

Abstract Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic medical disease that in some patients is characterized by frequent vasoocculsive crisis (VOC). A minority of sickle cell patients comprises a majority of hospital VOC admissions, and the transition to adult care is a particularly high risk time period. We sought to identify if increased frequency of outpatient medical care led to a reduction of hospital days following intervention and if there were improvements in daily function, and reduction of premature requests for opiate refills. Methods: Retrospective review of 11 patients, average age of 25 (range 19-37 years old), 63% were female. Genotype of SCD included 8/11 with SS, 2/11 with SC and 1/11 with SBeta Thal. Sickle cell standard of care medical visits were monthly at our institution. Two nurse practitioners and 2 hematologists at the medical center implemented the intervention of increased frequency of medical visits to bimonthly follow up for between 5 and 48 weeks, with a mean length of 12 weeks of increased frequency of medical visits. Results: In the 6 months preceding intervention there were a total of 300 hospital days of admission for VOC (2 patients Conclusions: Increased frequency of outpatient medical visits leads to reduced hospital admission time for some patients and subjective improvement in daily function as measured by the ability to work or go to school. Future research is needed address the small subset of young adults who had an increase in hospital admission. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Weighted composition operators between weighted-type spaces and the Bloch space and BMOA

Let $${\mathbb {D}}$$ denote the open unit disk in $${\mathbb {C}}$$. For an integer $$n\ge 0$$, let $$V_n$$ be the space defined recursively by $$\begin{aligned} V_0=\big \{f:{\mathbb {D}}\rightarrow {\mathbb {C}}: f \text { analytic}, |f(z)|=O\big ((1-|z|)^{-1}\big )\big \}, \end{aligned}$$and for $$n\ge 1$$, $$f\in V_n$$ if and only if $$f'\in V_{n-1}$$. In this work, we characterize the bounded and the compact weighted composition operators between $$V_n$$ and the Bloch space and the space BMOA of analytic functions of bounded mean oscillation, respectively. We also show that the bounded (respectively, compact) weighted composition operators mapping the space BMOA into $$V_n$$ are precisely the same as the bounded (respectively, compact) weighted composition operators mapping the Bloch space into $$V_n$$.
Russian Education Thirty Years Later: Back to the USSR?

How and why did Russian education go from the enthusiastic liberalization in the early 1990s to the restoration of a Soviet-style system in the new century? Attempting to answer this question, we r...
Do Law Enforcement Busts of Darknet Markets Deter Criminal Activity in Other Darknet Markets

A prominent way in which the sale of illegal goods such as drugs, weapons and counterfeit occurs online is through Darknet markets, which are platforms where buyers and vendors transact on the Dark Web. The Dark Web offers a high degree of anonymity and security to its users through its encryption technology and the use of cryptocurrency. Law enforcement agencies have responded to Darknet markets by conducting secret bust operations where they shut down the operation of these markets. In this research, we investigate if bust operations deter the activity of buyers and vendors in other Darknet markets that are not subject to the bust. We leverage a joint bust operation by the FBI and Interpol conducted in November 2014 where Silk Road 2.0, a large Darknet market was shut down. Our results indicate that following the bust, prices dropped and the number of transactions per month per vendor increased in two other large Darknet markets that were not bust. Consequently, the bust did not deter criminal activity in these markets and it was cheaper to buy illegal products. We explore the mechanism for the price drop and find that vendors decreased prices to attract buyers wary of shopping in Darknet markets due to increased risk of getting caught after the bust. We offer recommendations for law enforcement agencies on the sequencing of conducting busts as well as the characteristics of markets that could be bust so that the unintended consequences in other markets could be minimal.
Analysis of Section Scaling for Multiple-Size DLD Microfluidic Particle Separation

Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) devices have demonstrated great promise in separation of micro and nano-sized particles, with important applications in biomedical research and healthcare monitoring. This paper introduces a new cascaded multi-section DLD approach toward expanding the dynamic range of particle sizes separated. A robust model has been developed to analyze the design tradeoffs and practical fabrication limits of this new approach. Results show that by cascading multiple sections of increasingly smaller gap size and critical separation dimension, a wide spectrum of size fractionation dynamic ranges and minimum separation resolutions can be achieved. Moreover, the presented model allows designers to visualize the cost of achieving various performance goals in terms of overall device size. Model results based on DLD theoretical equations are first presented, followed by model results for both circle and I-shaped pillar options that apply scaling restrictions associated with their practical fabrication limits.
Developmental toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to uranium: A comparison with lead, cadmium, and iron.

Populations of plants and animals, including humans, living in close proximity to abandoned uranium mine sites are vulnerable to uranium exposure through drainage into nearby waterways, soil accumulation, and blowing dust from surface soils. Little is known about how the environmental impact of uranium exposure alters the health of human populations in proximity to mine sites, so we used developmental zebrafish (Danio rerio) to investigate uranium toxicity. Fish are a sensitive target for modeling uranium toxicity, and previous studies report altered reproductive capacity, enhanced DNA damage, and gene expression changes in fish exposed to uranium. In our study, dechorionated zebrafish embryos were exposed to a concentration range of uranyl acetate (UA) from 0 to 3000 μg/L for body burden measurements and developmental toxicity assessments. Uranium was taken up in a concentration-dependent manner by 48 and 120 h post fertilization (hpf)-zebrafish without evidence of bioaccumulation. Exposure to UA was not associated with teratogenic outcomes or 24 hpf behavioral effects, but larvae at 120 hpf exhibited a significant hypoactive photomotor response associated with exposure to 3 μg/L UA which suggested potential neurotoxicity. To our knowledge, this is the first time that uranium has been associated with behavioral effects in an aquatic organism. These results were compared to potential metal co-contaminants using the same exposure paradigm. Similar to uranium exposure, lead, cadmium, and iron significantly altered neurobehavioral outcomes in 120-hpf zebrafish without inducing significant teratogenicity. Our study informs concerns about the potential impacts of developmental exposure to uranium on childhood neurobehavioral outcomes. This work also sets the stage for future, environmentally relevant metal mixture studies. Summary Uranium exposure to developing zebrafish causes hypoactive larval swimming behavior similar to the effect of other commonly occurring metals in uranium mine sites. This is the first time that uranium exposure has been associated with altered neurobehavioral effects in any aquatic organism.
Optical Path Redirection Device for Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography of Recumbent Patients Under General Anesthesia.

Purpose Optical coherence tomography angiography is useful for the noninvasive imaging of retinal and choroidal vasculature, but some patients are unable to cooperate for imaging in clinic. We created a device that allows for imaging in the recumbent position under anesthesia. Methods A three-dimensional printed prototype was designed to attach to the Optovue AngioVue. Within the device, a right-angled mirror was positioned to redirect the optical path of the optical coherence tomography angiography machine downward into the eye of a recumbent, intubated patient. Results Three image sequences were successfully performed using the first test device. The image clarity was adequate, but the field of view was limited, potentially owing to an increased distance between the subject's pupil and the lens of the machine or obstruction of the optical path from the attachment device. Conclusions A right-angled mirror system is a viable solution for imaging patients who require sedation to obtain readable images. Translational Relevance This system will allow for broader study of optical coherence tomography angiography imaging features, especially in children, by adapting the Optovue AngioVue for use in recumbent patients under anesthesia.
Programmable, direct space-to-time picosecond resolution pulse shaper with nanosecond record

We demonstrate a novel, to the best of our knowledge, extension of optical arbitrary waveform generation capable of picosecond resolution over nanosecond duration. The method, called space–time induced linearly encoded transcription for temporal optimization, is based on direct space-to-time pulse shaping and is extended here to single-mode output with a programmable temporal profile. We develop the theory of operation and discuss ultimate limits on resolution, record length, and efficiency. We report on the results of an experimental demonstration showing ∼1ps resolution over 600 ps.
Association of Black Women's Perceptions of the Sex Ratio to Their Attitudes Toward and Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence.

This study explores how perceptions of the availability of male dating partners (sex ratio) affect heterosexual Black women’s tolerance and experiences with intimate partner violence (IPV). Evoluti...
Duration of Diabetes and Incident Heart Failure: The ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) Study

Abstract Objectives This study assessed the association of diabetes duration with incident heart failure (HF). Background Diabetes increases HF risk. However, the independent effect of diabetes duration on incident HF is unknown. Methods We included 9,734 participants (mean age 63 years, 58% women, 22% Black) at ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) Visit 4 (1996-1998) without HF or coronary heart disease. We calculated diabetes duration at Visit 4 (baseline), utilizing diabetes status at the first 4 ARIC visits spaced 3 years apart, and self-reported diagnosis date for those with diabetes diagnosed before Visit 1. We used Cox regression to estimate associations of diabetes duration with incident HF, accounting for intercurrent coronary heart disease and other risk factors. We performed analyses stratified by age ( Results Over 22.5 years of follow-up, there were 1,968 HF events. Compared to those without diabetes, HF risk rose with longer diabetes duration, with the highest risk among those with ≥15 y diabetes duration (HR: 2.82; 95% CI: 2.25-3.63). Each 5-year increase in diabetes duration was associated with a 17% (95% CI: 11-22) relative increase in HF risk. Similar results were observed across HF subtypes. The HF and diabetes duration associations were stronger among those aged Conclusions Delaying diabetes onset may augment HF prevention efforts, and therapies to improve HF outcomes might target those with long diabetes duration.
Impingement Identification in a High Speed Diesel Engine Using Piston Surface Temperature Measurements

The objective of this investigation was to identify the impingement event on a diesel piston surface. Eight fast-response, surface thermocouples were installed in one of the pistons of a 2.0 liter, four-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel engine (97 kW @ 3800 rpm). Piston temperatures were transmitted from the engine using wireless microwave telemetry. An impingement signal was identified on the piston bowl lip. A simple parameter for characterizing the impingement event is proposed. The results show an impingement signature at one of the bowl lip thermocouples, under specific operating conditions.
Asteroid Spins: From the Very Fast to the Very Slow

The application of CCD photometry to monitoring the light variations of very small asteroids has led to an explosion of data available, and perhaps as importantly, has made it possible to probe fainter, and hence smaller asteroids. In this paper, we review several new results from the analysis of such lightcurve data, much of it taken by the late W. Z. Wisniewski, a native of Poland who studied at Poznan University (Wisniewski et al., 1997).
A Review of “La imaginación novelesca: Bernal Díaz entre géneros y épocas”

En La imaginacion novelesca: Bernal Diaz entre generos y epocas, Oswaldo Estrada escribe: “hemos dejado a un lado el cuestionamiento de los logros literarios de Bernal y sus pactos involuntarios co...
Anatomy and physiology of the canine ear

The canine ear consists of the pinna, external ear canal, middle ear and inner ear. The external ear is composed of auricular and annular cartilage. The auricular cartilage of the pinna becomes funnel shaped at the opening of the external ear canal. The vertical ear canal runs for about 1 inch, then forms the horizontal ear canal, which is composed of auricular and annular cartilage. The middle ear consists of an air-filled tympanic cavity, three auditory ossicles, and tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane is a semitransparent membrane divided into the pars flaccida and pars tensa. The tympanic cavity consists of a small epitympanic recess, a large ventral bulla and the tympanic bulla proper. On the medial wall of the tympanic cavity is the promontory, which houses the cochlea. The cochlear (round) window is located in the caudolateral portion of the promontory, covered by a thin membrane. The vestibular (oval) window is located on the dorsolateral surface of the promontory, covered by a thin diaphragm over which the footplate of the stapes is attached. The auditory tube is a short canal that extends from the nasopharynx to the rostral portion of the tympanic cavity proper. The auditory ossicles are the bones that transmit and amplify air vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear. The inner ear is housed in a bony labyrinth in the petrous portion of the temporal bone. The bony labyrinth contains the membranous labyrinth with its sensory organs responsible for hearing and balance.
SYNTHESIS OF SOME MANGANESE AND RHENIUM TRIFLUOROACETOXYMETHYL AND IODOMETHYL COMPLEXES. X-RAY STRUCTURES OF CIS-RE(CO)4(PPH3)CH2OC(O)CF3, FAC-RE(CO)3 (DPPP)CH2OC(O)CF3 AND CIS-RE(CO)4(PPH3)CH2I

Abstract The manganese and rhenium trifluoroacetoxymethyl complexes, cis-Re(CO)4(PPh3)CH2OC(O)CF3 (1), fac-Mn(CO)3(dppe)CH2OC(O)CF3 (2), fac-Mn(CO)3(dppp)CH2OC(O)CF3 (3), fac-Re(CO)3(dppe)CH2OC(O)CF3 (4), fac-Re(CO)3(dppp)CH2OC(O)CF3 (5) and the manganese iodomethyl complex fac-Mn(CO)3(dppp)CH2I (6), have been prepared by treating the corresponding methoxymethyl complexes with CF3COOH and (CH3)3SiI, respectively. Structural characterizations of 1, 5 and cis-Re(CO)4(PPh3)CH2I (7) show rhenium–carbon (ReCH2) bond lengths of 2.267(8), 2.242(3) and 2.38(8) A, respectively. The ReCCH2I bond angle of 118.8(3)° in 7 indicates that the methylene carbon is severely distorted from tetrahedral geometry.
Learning Mobile Robot Motion Control from Demonstrated Primitives and Human Feedback

Task demonstration is one effective technique for developing robot motion control policies. As tasks become more complex, however, demonstration can become more difficult. In this work we introduce a technique that uses corrective human feedback to build a policy able to perform an undemonstrated task from simpler policies learned from demonstration. Our algorithm first evaluates and corrects the execution of motion primitive policies learned from demonstration. The algorithm next corrects and enables the execution of a larger task built from these primitives.Within a simulated robot motion control domain, we validate that a policy for an undemonstrated task is successfully built from motion primitives learned from demonstration under our approach.We show feedback to both aid and enable policy development, improving policy performance in success, speed and efficiency.
Nature of Gigantic Resistance Fluctuations in Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Wires

We summarize the experimental observations and the current theoretical understanding of resistance fluctuations in one-dimensional metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors.
Acute leukemia in the elderly

More elderly persons than children will develop acute leukemia this year in the United States. Several recent studies have been conducted on acute myeloid leukemia in the elderly, and some therapeutic clues have emerged. Far fewer data are available on acute lymphocytic leukemia. Quality of life studies are producing their first results.
Synaptic activity in chronically injured, epileptogenic sensory-motor neocortex.

We recorded spontaneous and evoked synaptic currents in pyramidal neurons of layer V in chronically injured, epileptogenic neocortex to assess changes in the efficacy of excitatory and inhibitory n...
The Time Reversal Experiment with Kaons (TREK) at J‐PARC

The Time Reversal Experiment with Kaons (TREK) at J‐PARC aims to find CP violation beyond the Standard Model in the semi‐leptonic Kμ3+ decay mode by measuring the T‐violating transverse polarization PT of outgoing muons. TREK makes use of the intense kaon beam at J‐PARC stopped in a target and employs an optimized setup with excellent control of systematic uncertainties. The sensitivity at J‐PARC is improved by a factor of 20 compared to the current uncertainty for PT, well in the predicted range of various New Physics models. An overview of the planned experiment and current status will be presented.
Sensitivity to Criticism: A New Measure of Responses to Everyday Criticisms:

The construct “sensitivity to criticism” has been utilized in discussions of psychopathology, psychotherapy, education, and industry. Sensitivity to criticism can be conceptualized as involving both a threshold for perception of criticism and an emotional response in the presence of criticism. A new measure of sensitivity to criticism is presented, which is both internally consistent and temporally reliable. High scores on the Sensitivity to Criticism Scale were found to be related to high levels of neuroticism, depression, fear of negative evaluation, pessimistic explanatory style, and low scores on self-esteem and repression. Two subsequent studies are described in which sensitivity to criticism is found to be related to (1) decreases in self-reported motivation and performance levels in college courses and (2) avoidance of opportunities to receive critical feedback. These results suggest that the Sensitivity to Criticism Scale is a reliable and valid instrument for further studies that investigate the ...
Sulfur and selenium ylide bond enthalpies.

The bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs) of sulfur and selenium ylides have been estimated by applying MP2/6-311++G(3df,2p)//MP2/6-31G(d,p), G3, and other computational methods. Computed sulfoxide b...
Radiative-Emission Spectrum of 50-MeV Nuclear Excitations Populated by Proton Capture

Qualitative features of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-emission spectrum from nuclear states in the 50-MeV excitation energy range to states in the giant-dipole-resonance region are described. Properties of the initial- and final-state structures are deduced.
A photoelastic coating technique for rock fracture analysis

Abstract A photoelastic coating technique was used to analyze the strain field in an inhomogenous specimen of Rockville granite. The determination of the biaxial state of stress at a point requires approximately one minute. Preliminary results indicate that mineral textures control the distribution of the strain field and subsequently the fracture pattern of the specimen.
Natural gas: Should fracking stop?

Extracting gas from shale increases the availability of this resource, but the health and environmental risks may be too high.
N0147: a randomized phase III trial of oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin with or without cetuximab after curative resection of stage III colon cancer

Rationale For many years, adjuvant therapy for resected stage III colon cancer consisted of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) administered on one of several different schedules. More recently, oxaliplatin was introduced into the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer, and a trial or adjuvant therapy demonstrated a significant benefit with the use of this drug when added to 5-FU/LV. In the pivotal MOSAIC trial, patients received the LV5FU2 regimen (bolus 5-FU/LV followed by infusional 5-FU on days 1 and 2) or the FOLFOX4 regimen, which is the LV5FU2 regimen with the addition of oxaliplatin on day 1.1 As recently reported, the 3year disease-free survival (DFS) rate improved from 73% to 78%, for a 23% reduction in the risk of recurrence. Recognizing that further significant gains in DFS with chemotherapy alone are unlikely, the focus of current national and international trials is to access the potential added benefit of biologic agents to chemotherapy. Recently, 2 monoclonal antibodies targeting specific molecular characteristics of malignant tumors, bevacizumab and cetuximab, have been approved for use in metastatic colorectal cancer. Of these antibodies, cetuximab exerts a direct tumor-targeted effect by binding to the transmembranous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of tumor cells with documented single-agent activity in the salvage setting.2,3 This activity is enhanced in combination with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. In the pivotal randomized trial that led to the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of cetuximab, cetuximab/irinotecan produced higher response rates and longer times to tumor progression than cetuximab alone.2 Although the experience with cetuximab as a component of first-line therapy is limited, recent results of phase II studies demonstrate high activity when cetuximab is added to FOLFOX regimens (oxaliplatin/5-FU/LV).4,5 Cetuximab’s potential use in the adjuvant setting appears promising with the ability of monoclonal antibodies to directly target tumor cells and thereby target micrometastatic disease in which angiogenesis has not yet occurred. The North Central Cancer Treatment Group N0147 study is a phase III US Intergroup trial to assess the potential benefit of adding cetuximab to a modified FOLFOX6 regimen as adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected stage III colon cancer.
Iterative reconstruction algorithms.

Abstract In this paper a survey of recent results on iterative reconstruction algorithms is given. These results, many of which have not yet appeared elsewhere, are applicable to a very general formulation of the reconstruction problem based on the series expansion approach. A set of optimization criteria and a number of iterative reconstruction algorithms are stated, together with theorems on the convergence of the algorithms to optimum images. The efficacy of the algorithms is compared to that of the convolution method. In particular, the falseness of the claim that ART and the backprojection method are the same is demonstrated.
Bow Echoes: A Tribute to T. T. Fujita

Abstract Bow echoes represent one of the unique and more well–known forms of severe convective organization, often being responsible for the production of long swaths of damaging surface winds and small tornadoes. They are identified by their characteristic bow shape as seen on radar reflectivity displays. Much of what is known about bow echoes originated with T. T. Fujita, whose observational insights and careful analyses two decades ago still guide research and forecasting of bow–echo phenomena today. This paper reviews Fujita's contributions to our understanding of bow echoes, and also summarizes more recent observational and numerical studies that have built on the foundation that he provided. Perhaps not surprisingly, the life cycle of bow echoes as first described by Fujita, consisting of an evolution from a symmetric line of convective cells to a comma–shaped echo with a dominant cyclonic vortex, is now recognized as one of the fundamental modes of mesoconvective evolution, for both severe and nons...
Analysis of thermally induced stress and strain in continuous fiber-reinforced composites

An axisymmetric model for the thermally induced stresses and strains in a deformable matrix continuous fiber-reinforced composite is developed. The model allows for a temperature- and strain-dependent matrix flow stress and is numerically implemented using a von Mises flow law. The model implementation permits the study of an arbitrary number of temperature cycles. This model is compared to a simple one-dimensional model that has been used in several pre-vious analyses. The models show good qualitative agreement, but there are important differ-ences, and the magnitude of the discrepancy depends sensitively on the properties of the composite. These models can be applied in analyzing experimentally measured strainvs tem-perature hysteresis loops to reveal thein situ mechanical properties of the deformable matrix. The models can also be applied to the design of continuous fiber-reinforced composites that will not suffer thermally induced cyclic-plastic deformation.
Phosphoregulation of the Ceramide Transport Protein CERT at Serine 315 in the Interaction with VAMP-associated Protein (VAP) for Inter-organelle Trafficking of Ceramide in Mammalian Cells

The ceramide transport protein CERT mediates the inter-organelle transport of ceramide for the synthesis of sphingomyelin, presumably through endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi membrane contact sites. CERT has a short peptide motif named FFAT, which associates with the ER-resident membrane protein VAP. We show that the phosphorylation of CERT at serine 315, which is adjacent to the FFAT motif, markedly enhanced the interaction of CERT with VAP. The phosphomimetic CERT S315E mutant exhibited higher activity to support the ER-to-Golgi transport of ceramide than the wild-type control in a semi-intact cell system, and this enhanced activity was abrogated when its FFAT motif was deleted. The level of phosphorylation of CERT at Ser-315 increased in HeLa cells treated with a sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitor or exogenous sphingomyelinase. Expression of CERT S315E induced intracellular punctate structures, to which CERT and VAP were co-localized, and the occurrence of the structure was dependent on both phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate binding and VAP binding activities of CERT. Phosphorylation of another region (named a serine-rich motif) in CERT is known to down-regulate the activity of CERT. Analysis of various CERT mutant constructs showed that the de-phosphorylation of the serine-rich motif and the phosphorylation of Ser-315 likely have the additive contribution to enhance the activity of CERT. These results demonstrate that the phosphorylation of CERT at the FFAT motif-adjacent serine affected its affinity for VAP, which may regulate the inter-organelle trafficking of ceramide in response to the perturbation of cellular sphingomyelin and/or other sphingolipids.
The effect of tourism on Amish quilting design

Abstract Traditional Amish quilts which predate 1940 are highly valued by collectors for both their design and workmanship. Amish women, with a limited range of materials and limited exposure to the outside world, created a unique art form which has changed substantially in the past forty-five years. The unique patterns in Amish quilts originated and were maintained due to this subculture's ethnic isolation. Tourism, originated into Amish communities in the 1950s, has dramatically increased the interaction between the Amish and outsiders. Tourist demand for Amish quilts has significantly influenced Amish quilting patterns, resulting in a marked difference between quilts made for sale and those made for home use. The use of new patterns has not been internalized by the the Amish. Traditional designs are exclusively used in Amish homes, thus cultural isolation is maintained.
Wild-type adenovirus decreases tumor xenograft growth, but despite viral persistence complete tumor responses are rarely achieved--deletion of the viral E1b-19-kD gene increases the viral oncolytic effect.

Strategies to target viral replication to tumor cells hold great promise for the treatment of cancer, but even with replicating adenoviruses complete tumor responses are rarely achieved. To evaluate replicating adenoviral vectors, we have used A549 human lung cancer nude mouse xenografts as a model system. Intratumoral injection of wild-type adenovirus (Ad309) significantly reduced tumor growth from day 14 (p = 0.04) onward; however, tumor volumes reached a plateau at day 50. At 100 days, high levels of titratable virus were present within persistent viable tumors. In contrast to viral injection into established tumors, when tumor cells were infected in vitro with wild-type virus and then mixed with uninfected tumor cells, 1% of infected cells was sufficient to prevent tumor establishment. An E1b-19kD-deleted viral mutant (Ad337) was more efficient than Ad309 in this cell-mixing model. Just 1 cell in 1000 infected with Ad337 prevented tumor growth. However, although better than wild-type virus, Ad337 was ...
CD4+ T-cell responses to self-peptide--MHC.

Abstract Interactions between the T-cell receptor (TCR) and self-peptide–MHC (spMHC) have been hypothesized to modulate T-cell reactivity in the periphery. Recent studies examining CD4 + T-cell responses to spMHC class II describe apparently contradictory findings and arrive at opposite conclusions. One explanation for these seemingly disparate results could be the use of mice that were assumed to be MHC class II null but might express some uncommon MHC class II heterodimers.
Salinamide F, new depsipeptide antibiotic and inhibitor of bacterial RNA polymerase from a marine-derived Streptomyces sp.

Salinamide F, new depsipeptide antibiotic and inhibitor of bacterial RNA polymerase from a marine-derived Streptomyces sp.
Diapause termination in Anopheles freeborni with juvenile hormone mimics.

Diapausing Anopheles freeborni females receiving either topical applications or ingesting the juvenile hormone mimic ZR—515 terminated diapause. This was reflected by increased blood feeding, followed by the maturation of eggs. ZR—515 also significantly increased adult mortality and decreased egg hatching. Another juvenile hormone mimic R—20458 did not increase blood feeding, but did stimulate vitellogenesis in those mosquitoes ingesting a blood meal. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Anopheles freeborni ist eine der wichtigsten Stechmucken im nordlichen Central Valley von Kalifornien; man nimmt an, das sie ein Malaria-Vektor in diesem Gebiet gewesen ist. Begattete Weibchen uberwintern, und es erfolgt, selbst wenn sie in der Herbst-Winter-Periode Blut saugen, keine Ovarienentwicklung (d.h. also gonotrophische Dissoziation). Wir sammelten diapausierende Tiere aus dem Freiland im fruhen Oktober und behandelten sie mit ZR-515 (Zoecon Co.), einem Juvenilhormon-Mimetikum, entweder durch topikale Applikation (1 und 10 μg) oder durch Aufnahme von Losungen (20 ppm und 200 ppm in 10% Rohrzucker). In beiden Fallen wurde die Diapause bei den behandelten Tieren beendet. Dies zeigte sich durch verstarktes Blutsaugen mit nachfolgender Reifung der Eier im Vergleich mit Kontrolltieren, die mit Azeton behandelt worden waren oder 10%ige Zuckerlosung aufgenommen hatten (Tab. I). Dieser Versuch wurde Ende November wiederholt. Wie zuvor vergroserte ZR-515 signifikant das Verhaltnis blutsaugender Stechmucken und den Anteil von Stechmucken, die zur Eiablage kamen (Tab. II). Jetzt saugte allerdings auch eine erhebliche Zahl von unbehandelten Kontrolltieren Blut. Dies zeigt vermutlich den nahe bevorstehenden Zeitpunkt der naturlichen Diapause-Beendigung an, die um das Ende des Dezembers eintritt. ZR-515 erhohte auch die Mortalitat der Adulten und die Autogenic-Raten, und minderte das Schlupfen der Eier. Es wurde bei diapausierenden November-Adulten auch noch ein anderes Juvenilhormon-Mimetikum, R-20458 (Stauffer Co.) in Dosen von 1 und 10 μg topikal angewandt; die Ergebnisse waren einigermasen anders. Das Blutsaugen erhohte sich zwar bei keiner der beiden Dosen, aber die Eireifung nahm bei den behandelten Stechmucken signifikant zu. Da unsere Ergebnisse anzeigen, das eine gonotrophische Dissoziation unabhangig von Blutsaugetrieb zu Ende kommen kann, so vermuten wir eine verschiedene hormonale Steuerung dieser beiden Funktionen.
Marchenko inversion for perturbations. II: Inclusion of bound states

For pt.I see ibid., vol.3, p.523 (1987). The Marchenko inversion method of the one-dimensional nonrelativistic quantum mechanics is generalised to perturbations when the bound states are present. The change in the potential that corresponds to a finite change in the scattering matrix is given as a sum of two terms. The first term, not related to the bound states, is obtained from the solution to a Marchenko equation for perturbations and the second term is related to the bound states.
Use of titanium expandable vertebral cages in cervical corpectomy.

We aimed to investigate the usefulness of titanium expandable cages for vertebral body reconstruction after anterior cervical corpectomy. The records of 29 patients treated with expandable titanium cages for a variety of indications were analysed retrospectively. There was evidence of fusion in all patients. There was no radiographic evidence of more than 4 mm subsidence throughout the series. There were no hardware failures. Our results show that expandable titanium cages are safe and useful in anterior cervical corpectomies for providing adequate anterior column support and solid constructs without significant hardware complications or the risk and morbidity associated with the use of strut allograft or autograft.