cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term prognosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in multiple endocrine neoplasia

Background. The long-term prognosis of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES) is not well defined. The findings of other endocrinopathies, the need for long-term surveillance, and the role of surgical treatment are controversial. Methods. To help provide more information about these topics the records of 76 patients with ZES were reviewed. Results. Nineteen patients with gastrinoma had multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)
Comparative Ability of the Pain Disability Questionnaire in Predicting Health Outcomes

As chronic pain contributes to tremendous personal and societal costs, efforts at identifying and understanding pain-related disability via the biopsychosocial model have become increasingly important in addressing pain-related health outcomes. This study attempted to compare the predictive ability of the Pain Disability Questionnaire against other established measures in terms of health and pain-related outcomes. The sample consisted of 254 adult chronic pain patients seeking treatment through an interdisciplinary chronic pain management clinic. Participants were administered a battery of assessments including the Pain Disability Questionnaire and other established measures of health and pain-related outcomes (e.g., NIH PROMIS measures) at baseline and post-treatment time points. Results demonstrated convergent validity between the Pain Disability Questionnaire and the other study measures. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed significant associations between pain-related disability as measured by the Pain Disability Questionnaire and a range of biopsychosocial outcomes. Pain Disability Questionnaire scores, as placed in categorical severity levels, demonstrated good discriminative abilities in terms of predicting health-related factors. These findings support the clinical use of the Pain Disability Questionnaire as an empirically supported predictor of health-related outcomes as compared with other established measures of pain and health outcomes.
Innovation and Predation

In 1942 Joseph Schumpeter published Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, a long book now mostly forgotten but with one short and immortal chapter dealing with technical change. In the phrase ‘gales of creative destruction’ Schumpeter called attention to the Janus face of innovation: its capacity to enrich and to destroy. On one side, innovation brings down costs: the supreme achievement of capitalism lay not in making more silk stockings for kings but bringing them within the reach of shop girls in return for steadily decreasing increments of effort. On the other side — facing producers instead of consumers, if you will — innovation is the battering ram that brings all the Chinese walls crashing down. Moreover, since technical change required the power and the resources of larger organizations, it justified the existence and even the conduct of large business firms. What appeared to be monopolistic abuse of power in a static view was transformed into the engine of productivity itself, once viewed in temporal and dynamic perspective.
The rhetoric of dissent in Justice O'Connor's Akron opinion

This essay offers a framework for analysis of judicial dissent and examines Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's dissenting opinion in the 1983 abortion decision against that backdrop. In addition to highlighting O'Connor's distinctive defense of personal credibility, emphasis on legal logic, and appeal for reversal of roe V. wade, the study reveals how effectively the value appeals characteristic of judicial rhetoric—democracy, justice, and logic—serve the motives for judicial dissent.
Tolerance Analysis of Electronic Circuits Using MATHCAD

From the Publisher: Written for the practicing electronics professional, Tolerance Analysis of Electronic Circuits Using Mathcad offers a comprehensive, step-by-step treatment of methods used to perform analyses essential to the design process of circuit cards and systems of cards, including: worst-case analysts, limits for production testing, component stress analysis, determining if a design meets specification limits, and manufacturing yield analysis.
Fear of crime and the police: Exploring lifestyle and individual determinants among university students

Using lifestyle exposure theory as a guide, this study examines the complex relationship between fear of crime and select lifestyle and individual-level constructs. Participants included undergradu...
Laser cooling investigation of a single-mode Yb-doped ZBLAN optical fiber

A theoretical study on laser cooling of a single-mode Yb3+:ZBLAN fiber is presented. Strategies to maximize the cooling efficiency are highlighted. The cooling scales quadratically with the core and inversely with the cladding radius
Spark plasma sintering of silicon carbide (SiC)-nanostructured ferritic alloy (NFA) composites with carbon barrier layer

Abstract Silicon carbide and nanostructured ferritic alloy (SiC-NFA) composites have the potential to maintain the outstanding irradiation resistance and enhance the mechanical integrity for nuclear cladding. By introducing a carbon reaction barrier on NFA (C@NFA), SiC-C@NFA composites are investigated in order to reduce the reaction between SiC and NFA in this work. The densities of the spark plasma sintered (SPS) SiC-C@NFA composites show an increasing trend with the SiC content to almost 100% dense. Although the SiC phase is absent, the Vickers hardness of the composites reaches 436-638 kgf/mm2. The reaction leads to two types of regions in the composites, the NFA matrix and the micro-sized carbon enrich region, both of which contain extra Si element. The SiC-C@NFA composites show much improved microstructures and phases compared to the SiC-NFA composites without any coating, and the effectiveness of the carbon barrier is further verified based on the phase diagram and Gibbs free energy analysis. The SPS sintered SiC-C@NFA composites offer a new promising system for nuclear cladding.
An efficient wideband numerical simulation technique for nanostructures comprised of DCP media

This work presents an efficient time domain numerical approach to simulate the wideband response of Drude-critical point (DCP) media. Based on previous research and development of the Discontinuous Galerkin Time Domain (DGTD) method, this approach applies the collocated E-J scheme to discretize the electric fields and polarization currents. A hybridization of the Runge-Kutta and Newmark methods is also proposed to solve the associated first-order and second-order temporal auxiliary differential equations. The effectiveness and efficiency of this new approach is validated through comparison with commercial software.
Crisis? What Crisis?

Columnist Charles Day examines the 1970s and some of the popular findings related to computational physics.
Implementation and Evaluation of OpenSHMEM Contexts Using OFI Libfabric

HPC system and processor architectures are trending toward increasing numbers of cores and tall, narrow memory hierarchies. As a result, programmers have embraced hybrid parallel programming as a means of tuning for such architectures. While popular HPC communication middlewares, such as MPI, allow the use of threads, most fall short of fully-integrating threads with the communication model. The OpenSHMEM contexts proposal promises thread isolation and direct mapping of threads to network resources; however, fully realizing these potentials will be dependent upon support for efficient threaded communication through the underlying layers of the networking stack. In this paper, we explore the mapping of OpenSHMEM contexts to the new OpenFabrics Interfaces (OFI) libfabric communication layer and use the libfabric GNI provider to access the Aries interconnect. We describe the design of our multithreaded OpenSHMEM middleware and evaluate both the programmability and performance impacts of contexts on single- and multi-threaded OpenSHMEM programs. Results indicate that the mapping of contexts to the Aries interconnect through libfabric incurs low overhead and that contexts can provide significant performance improvements to multithreaded OpenSHMEM programs.
Kinetic and kinematic follow-up gait analysis in Doberman Pinschers with cervical spondylomyelopathy treated medically and surgically.

BACKGROUND The efficacy of treatment of dogs with cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) is commonly based on the owner's and clinician's perception of the gait, which is highly subjective and suffers from observer bias. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To compare selected kinetic and kinematic parameters before and after treatments and to correlate the findings of gait analysis to clinical outcome. ANIMALS Eight Doberman Pinschers with CSM confirmed by magnetic resonsance imaging. METHODS Patients were prospectively studied and treated with either medical management (n = 5) or surgery (n = 3). Force plate analysis and 3-D kinematic motion capture were performed at initial presentation and approximately 8 weeks later. Force plate parameters evaluated included peak vertical force (PVF). Kinematic parameters measured included number of pelvic limb strides, stifle flexion and extension, maximum and minimum thoracic limb distance, truncal sway, and thoracic limb stride duration. RESULTS Kinematic analysis showed that deviation of the spine to the right (truncal sway) was significantly smaller (P < .001) and the degree of right stifle flexion was significantly larger (P = .029) after treatment. Force plate analysis indicated that PVF was significantly different after treatment (P = .049) and the difference of the PVF also was significantly larger (P = .027). However, no correlation was found with either method of gait analysis and clinical recovery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Kinetic and kinematic gait analysis were able to detect differences in dogs with CSM before and after treatment. A correlation of gait analysis to clinical improvement could not be determined.
Modeling a drip irrigation system powered by a renewable energy source

A model was developed to design, simulate and predict the performance of a micro- irrigation system powered by a renewable energy source. PV solar systems and a wind turbine were considered for the modeling. The model predicts the energy demand based on the water demand needed for the irrigation system using the hydrological methods of designing irrigation system laterals and drip lines. The water demand is predicted using metrological data, and a statistical distribution is used to predict the expected upper limits of water demand. The lower limits of available energy are predicted also using the metrological data and stochastic methods. The amount of energy is calculated based on the minimum irrigation interval available, and then the renewable energy system is designed to assure the desired reliability.
On the beauty of lips.

Images of lips are drawn and sculpted by artists. They are praised in poetry and serve as subjects of songs. Lips are decorated, embellished, and painted with variations in style from culture to culture. The author presents anthropologic examples and discusses lips in relation to body image and artistic imagery.
Cor Triatriatum: A Tale of Two Membranes.

We report on a case of a neonate with bilateral cor triatriatum with persistent hypoxemia who presented a diagnostic dilemma. Despite extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, multiple echocardiograms, and a cardiac catheterization, the diagnosis was not made until cardiac surgery.
Scaling Trends in NAND Flash

As the 2D NAND Flash scaling plateaued due to physical and electrical scaling limitations, 3D NAND emerged as a strong successor to continue the scaling trend. 3D NAND has rapidly achieved maturity and is already in the 3rd and 4th generation of technology with the total number of layers reaching 96 active layers. The improved cell characteristics of 3D NAND have enabled 4bits/cell capability, allowing for further bit density scaling. This paper describes some of the recent innovations in the 3D NAND technology and the key challenges ahead for continued scaling.
Compatibility of Trichoderma asperellum isolates to selected soil fungicides

Abstract Fungicides are used frequently to manage plant diseases effectively, but human health and environmental concerns often put pressure on growers to reduce the number of applications. One approach is to integrate biological control agents (BCA) with fungicide use. In order to be effective, it is important that the BCA is compatible with the desired fungicide. Trichoderma asperellum has been studied extensively as a BCA with results dependent upon the specificity of the isolate. In this study, 12 different T. asperellum isolates along with one T. koningiopsis isolate were studied for their response to soil fungicides. In a poison plate assay, there was a significant interaction between the isolate and fungicide at the recommended rate. No fungicides completely inhibited growth, but some did significantly suppress it. In addition, three isolates were selected to investigate survival of conidia in soil after application of selected fungicides. After 1 week exposure in soil, no fungicide completely killed conidia although some fungicides had a limited effect on survival. There did not appear to be a correlation between the poison plate assay results and conidia survival, emphasizing the importance of doing both tests.
Structural Basis of CD160:HVEM Recognition

Summary CD160 is a signaling molecule that interacts with herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) and contributes to a wide range of immune responses, including T cell inhibition, natural killer cell activation, and mucosal immunity. GPI-anchored and transmembrane isoforms of CD160 share the same ectodomain responsible for HVEM engagement, which leads to bidirectional signaling. Despite the importance of the CD160:HVEM signaling axis and its therapeutic relevance, the structural and mechanistic basis underlying CD160-HVEM engagement has not been described. We report the crystal structures of the human CD160 extracellular domain and its complex with human HVEM. CD160 adopts a unique variation of the immunoglobulin fold and exists as a monomer in solution. The CD160:HVEM assembly exhibits a 1:1 stoichiometry and a binding interface similar to that observed in the BTLA:HVEM complex. Our work reveals the chemical and physical determinants underlying CD160:HVEM recognition and initiation of associated signaling processes.
Elizabeth Harney. Ethiopian Passages: Contemporary Art from the Diaspora . London: Philip Wilson Publishers, 2003. Distributed by Palgrave Macmillan. 128 pp. Photographs. Plates. Chronology. Biographies. Notes. Suggested Reading. $30.00. Paper.

Elizabeth Harney. Ethiopian Passages: Contemporary Art from the Diaspora. London: Philip Wilson Publishers, 2003. Distributed by Palgrave Macmillan. 128 pp. Photographs. Plates. Chronology. Biographies. Notes. Suggested Reading. $30.00. Paper. Ethiopian Passages: Contemporary Art from the Diaspora accompanied an exhibition of the same name at the National Museum of African Art and features striking works of well-known and lesser-known artists from the Ethiopian diaspora. The text was written by the museum's first curator of modern and contemporary art, Elizabeth Harney, with shorter entries by Jeff Donaldson of Howard University and the Ethiopian artist and scholar Achamyeleh Debela, who is also a featured artist. Harney has chosen works from ten Ethiopian artists; they include painting, sculpture, photography, digital images, and mixed media. Despite the longstanding tradition within the Ethiopian Orthodox Church that allows only men to paint, six of the featured artists are women: Julie Mehretu, Kebedech Tekleab, Elizabeth Habte Wold, Elisabeth Atnafu, Etiye Dimma Poulsen, and Aida Muluneh. The other artists represented are Alexander "Skunder" Boghossian, Wosene Kosrof, Michael Bethe-Selassie, and Achamyeleh Debela. While most of the familiar names in contemporary art belong to this first generation of male artists who migrated over two decades ago from the School of Fine Arts in Addis Ababa to Howard University in the U.S., the women, generally younger, are part of the second generation artists to relocate from and create art outside of the Horn of Africa. The fact that Harney has brought these artists together is truly commendable. Harney's goal is to "demonstrate the complexities, diversity, and vibrancy of artistic practice among artists of Ethiopian descent at work today" (9). The large color reproductions, in particular, convey the diverse repertoire of styles, media, and subject matter; the range of experiences of displacement is evident through the richness of the materials, the exquisite use of color, line, and shapes, and the overall aesthetic sophistication. Harney's introduction to each artist leads the reader to a deeper understanding of their work, particularly how each artist directly or indirectly addresses issues of migration, dislocation, and memory. She writes: "Ideas of belonging and efforts to make place out of space center around memory as a tool for imagining and capturing the features of home left behind" (18). The transcribed discussion with Floyd Coleman, Jeff Donaldson, and Abiyi Ford is by far the most compelling part of the catalog. …
Pediatric Age Groups and Approach to Studies

Pediatric clinical trials are often requested according to specific age ranges. In the past and still today, these ages may correspond to developmental stages, such as newborn, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Selection of ages for pediatric participation in medication studies should correspond to ages of rapid changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Age-related changes in several enzymes involved in drug metabolism and glomerular filtration are described as examples of optimal ages for study of specific drugs according to their pathways of disposition.
1401 Is Asymptomatic Bacterial Vaginosis a Risk Factor for Surgical Site Infection (SSI) in Women Undergoing Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy

Study Objective To determine the association between asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV) and surgical site infection (SSI) in women undergoing robotic or laparoscopic total hysterectomy for benign disease Design Prospective cohort Setting Academic hospital Patients or Participants Women ages 18-75 years old undergoing total robotic or laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disease Interventions BD Affirm vaginal swab was used to test for the presence of BV. The sample was collected in the operating room after induction of anesthesia and prior to standard Betadine vaginal prep. Measurements and Main Results Patients were followed over the course of a 12 week post-operative period to observe for SSI. SSI was defined as vaginal cuff cellulitis, pelvic abscess, pelvic hematoma and vaginal cuff dehiscence. Among the 20 women enrolled in the cohort, there is a 40% prevalence of asymptomatic BV. There has been 1 case of vaginal cuff dehiscence in a woman who tested negative for BV. At present, the enrollment numbers are too small to calculate a statistical difference between post-operative outcomes in women with asymptomatic BV versus women who tested negative. Conclusion 8/20 (40%) of asymptomatic women in our study tested positive for BV prior to surgery. Our numbers are too small to state any conclusions, but the BV rate in this cohort appears high. Overall adverse outcomes after minimally invasive hysterectomy are rare. We hope to gather more data as enrollment continues as a means to confirm pre-operative guidelines regarding the management of BV prior to minimally invasive hysterectomy.
Bis(2,2,2-Trichloroethyl) Azodicarboxylate

Bis(2,2,2-trichloroethyl) azodicarboxylate intermediate: bis(2,2,2-trichloroethyl) hydrazodicarboxylate product: bis(2,2,2-trichloroethyl) azodicarboxylate Keywords: acylation; oxidation, NHNH NN; nitrogen oxides
Imaging evaluation of diaphragmatic injuries: Improving interpretation accuracy

Diaphragmatic Injuries (DIs) remain a challenging diagnosis with potential catastrophic delayed complications. A high degree of suspicion in every case of severe blunt thoracoabdominal trauma or penetrating thoracoabdominal injury is essential. This review will present the evidence and controversies on this topic providing a practical tutorial for radiologists hoping to improve their interpretive accuracy for both blunt and penetrating DIs. The imaging signs of diaphragmatic injuries will be explained with emphasis on multidetector CT. Diagnostic pitfalls, available protocols and other issues will be presented.
Synthetic Elaboration of Native DNA by RASS (SENDR)

Controlled site-specific bioconjugation through chemical methods to native DNA remains an unanswered challenge. Herein, we report a simple solution to achieve this conjugation through the tactical combination of two recently developed technologies: one for the manipulation of DNA in organic media and another for the chemoselective labeling of alcohols. Reversible adsorption of solid support (RASS) is employed to immobilize DNA and facilitate its transfer into dry acetonitrile. Subsequent reaction with P(V)-based Ψ reagents takes place in high yield with exquisite selectivity for the exposed 3' or 5' alcohols on DNA. This two-stage process, dubbed SENDR for Synthetic Elaboration of Native DNA by RASS, can be applied to a multitude of DNA conformations and sequences with a variety of functionalized Ψ reagents to generate useful constructs.
Collaborative Fault Tolerant Control of Non-Signalized Intersections for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

With the potential of increased penetration of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), intersectional signal control faces new challenges in terms of its operation and implementation. One possibility is to fully make use of the communication capabilities of CAVs so that intersectional signal control can be realized by CAVs alone – this leads to non-signalized intersectional operation for traffic networks in urban areas. In this paper, the state-of-the-art on collaborative fault tolerant control schemes for complex systems will be briefly described. This is then followed by the formulation of operational fault tolerant control that realizes the collaborative fault tolerance functionality at CAVs operational level in response to possible individual vehicle faults, where detailed modelling using vehicle movement dynamics will be described together with the construction of fast fault diagnosis and a collaborative fault tolerant control algorithm. A simple example will be given as well to demonstrate the proposed algorithm together with the discussions on other issues such as randomness of the system, communication errors and full energy consideration. These leads to several future directions of the research for the traffic flow control of non-signalized intersections with 100% penetration of CAVs.
Waking up to p: Comment on “The Role of p-Values in Judging the Strength of Evidence and Realistic Replication Expectations”

I thank and commend Dr. Gibson on his thoughtful and thorough discussion regarding the role of p-values in evaluating evidence (Gibson 2020). Much like p-values themselves, the ASA’s statement on p...
Hidden Markov Modeling for Maximum Likelihood Neuron Reconstruction.

Recent advances in brain clearing and imaging have made it possible to image entire mammalian brains at sub-micron resolution. These images offer the potential to assemble brain-wide atlases of projection neuron morphology, but manual neuron reconstruction remains a bottleneck. Here we present a method inspired by hidden Markov modeling and appearance modeling of fluorescent neuron images that can automatically trace neuronal processes. Our method leverages dynamic programming to scale to terabyte sized image data and can be applied to images with one or more neurons. We applied our algorithm to the output of image segmentation models where false negatives severed neuronal processes, and showed that it can follow axons in the presence of noise or nearby neurons. Our method has the potential to be integrated into a semi or fully automated reconstruction pipeline. Additionally, it creates a framework through which users can intervene with hard constraints to, for example, rule out certain reconstructions, or assign axons to particular cell bodies.
Coordination variability during running in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Autistic persons exhibit variable movement, loading, and coordination patterns during walking. While much research has examined walking, little to no research exists regarding running for autistic ...
Analytic Solutions of Delay-Differential Equations

In 1973 Nussbaum proved that certain bounded solutions of autonomous delay-differential equations with analytic nonlinearities are themselves analytic. On the other hand, the two authors of this paper more recently showed that bounded solutions of certain delay-differential equations, again with analytic nonlinearities, can be $$C^\infty $$ smooth, yet not be analytic for certain ranges of the independent variable t. In this paper we extend the 1973 results to obtain analytic solutions of a broader class of delay-differential equations, including a wide variety of nonautonomous equations. Nevertheless, there are still equations with analytic nonlinearities possessing global bounded $$C^\infty $$ solutions for which analyticity is unknown. This is the case, for example, for the equation $$\begin{aligned} y'(t)=g(y(t-1))+\varepsilon \sin (t^2) \end{aligned}$$ where g is analytic and where $$y=0$$ is a hyperbolic equilibrium when $$\varepsilon =0$$ .
Using Machine Learning to Estimate Pedestrian and Bicyclist Count of Intersection by Bluetooth Low Energy

AbstractQuantifying pedestrian and bicycle traffic is important for planning, investment, and safety improvements. Traffic agencies have implemented various pedestrian/bicyclist detection systems, ...
DD23: Das Panopticon (August 2006)

„Big Brother is watching you!” Orwell 1984. Es geht um den Schrecken der Uberwachung. Orwell hatte keinen richtigen Sinn fur Effizienz. Wer hat denn so viel Zeit zum Zuschauen?
Growth of human bone marrow in liquid culture.

A system for the cultivation of normal and malignant human bone marrow cells in liquid medium is described. The apparatus used is an in vitro diffusion chamber in which cells grow in suspension and upon a dialysis membrane. Proliferation and maturation of normal granulocytes and macrophages were sustained in culture for several weeks in the absence of exogenous stimulating substances. Cell replication was documented by a rise in viable counts, 3H-thymidine incorporation, and labeled mitoses. The entire maturational sequence of the granulocyte and macrophage series was identified in culture, and the cells were characterized by light and electron microscopy, cytochemical properties, phagocytic ability, and the presence of surface receptors for IgG. Nucleated red cell precursors were observed in some cultures for up to 11 days. Malignant cells from patients with various hematologic neoplasms were also successfully cultured. With this system human myeloma cells were maintained in culture for up to 3 wk on primary explant, and continued to synthesize immunoglobulin. The in vitro diffusion chamber technique permits the cultivation of normal human bone marrow cells in liquid medium and provides a convenient means for studying normal and neoplastic hematopoietic cell differentiation and function in short-term culture.
Introduction to the minitrack on hybrid dynamical systems

Hybrid systems are natural models of complex interactive networks such as manufacturing, communication, power, and transportation systems. Hybrid systems can be viewed as systems that allow interactions between discrete events and continuous dynamics. For example,in the context of power systems, the large disturbance behavior of such systems is characterized by complex interactions between continuous dynamics and discrete events. Components such as generators and loads drive the continuous behavior, while other components such as tap-changing transformers, switched shunts, and protective devices exhibit eventdriven behavior. A satisfactory theory for such systems ,which draws from several fields including control theory, computer science, and applied mathematics, will have an enormous potential for impact on a variety of application domains. The hybrid nature of the problem may also show up in the design and implementation of controls for such systems. As such, computational and algorithmic approaches to such problems encounter considerable difficulties. In addition to modeling and analysis of such systems, this session will explore novel computational implementations that can accommodate uncertainties in the system at various levels.
A Neo-Kohlbergian Approach: The DIT and Schema Theory

“Macromorality” concerns the formal structure of society, as defined by institutions, rules, and roles. “Micromorality” concerns the particular face-to-face relations that people have in everyday life. Kohlbergian theories are most useful for issues of macromorality. The Defining Issues Test (DIT) derives from Kohlberg's approach but makes several departures, including defining cognitive structures in terms of schemas instead of stages, reformulating the definition of postconventional moral thinking, and using different research strategies. The validity of the DIT is based on seven criteria (briefly discussed), and hundreds of studies have produced significant trends. Recent research derived from schema theory produces novel phenomena that link our theory of moral schemas more closely with information processing and decision making.
Calibration of stable oxygen isotopes in Siderastrea radians (Cnidaria:Scleractinia): Implications for slow-growing corals

Geochemical proxies in the skeletons of corals used for the purpose of reconstructing environmental records have typically been obtained from relatively fast-growing corals (usually >8 mm yr−1) and from only a few key genera (most commonly Porites and Montastraea). In many areas, however, there are no suitable fast-growing corals available for such reconstructions. Here, we investigate the potential of Siderastrea radians, a slow-growing Atlantic and Caribbean zooxanthellate coral, as an archive of sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity over the period from 1891 to 2002. Sampling the skeleton of three corals from the Cape Verde Islands, we were able to reproduce a clear seasonal signal, but with limited correlation to monthly SST, arising from inadequate chronologic constraint of the individual samples. The SST-δ18O calibration slopes for different sampling scales on several cores can range from about −9°C ‰−1 to +2°C ‰−1 (compared to other published values of around −5 to −4°C ‰−1). Careful treatment produced a δ18O–SST calibration equation where SST(°C) = 12.56(±1.20) − 3.86(±0.39)*(δc–δw). The recognition of the limitations of calibration at such small growth rates due to skeletal complexity and suspicion of environmental interferences suggests the need for careful consideration in the interpretation of climate proxy results from S. radians and other slow-growing corals.
Maximum likelihood channel estimation and signal detection for OFDM systems

We apply joint maximum likelihood (ML) estimation to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems and develop a simple receiver structure that gives joint ML estimates of a multipath channel and the transmitted data sequence. Simulation results have confirmed good performance of our algorithm. For a two-path or three-path slow fading channel, our algorithm converges to the case with known channel parameters.
Break-Even Point Between Short-Termand Long-Term Capital Gain (Loss) Strategies

A loss sale of stock allows investors to take a capital loss deduction. However, it has always been unclear whether it is advisable for individual investors to engage in loss sales of stock to take advantage of the tax benefit. Indeed, determining at what point the investment becomes indifferent as it relates to short-term and long-term capital gains (losses) is the focus of this article. The authors use three important variables to develop a model to help investors reach a conclusion regarding the loss sale quandary: tax rate, life of investment, and capital-gain (loss) growth rate. The break-even equation used in this research identifies the relationship among these variables, and the resulting model enables investors to make an optimum choice between short-term and long-term investment strategies. Ultimately, the model shows that a short-term investment strategy is more preferable for a longer-life investment, with a lower short-term capital gain tax rate, and a higher capital-gain growth rate. In contrast, a long-term investment would favor a shorter-life investment, with a higher short-term capital-gain tax rate, and lower capital-gain growth rate. The article also applies the model to the current stock market downturn and sudden climb.
The protective effect of soybean phytochemicals on androgen responsive human prostate cancer cells LNCaP is likely mediated through modulation of hormone/cytokine-dependent pathways

Background : Population studies suggested that consumption of a soy rich diet provides protective effects against several chronic diseases, including prostate cancer. However, the active components in soy as well as the mechanisms of action of soy’s protective effects remain unclear. It would be important to elucidate these questions to support the use of soy in the prevention of chronic disease. Methods : A cell culture model and molecular techniques were used as tools to identify a molecular signature induced by soy-derived phytochemicals. Results : Soy phytochemicals inhibit growth of androgen responsive prostate cancer cells. Global gene expression analysis using DNA microarray and real time PCR analysis identified multiple pathways affected by the soy-derived phytochemicals genistein, daidzein, equol, and glyceollins in the androgen responsive human prostate cancer cell LNCaP. These pathways included androgen receptor-dependent pathways, insulin-like growth factors pathways, and cell cycle-related pathways. Soy-derived phytochemicals modulated these pathways in a concentration-dependent fashion. Conclusion : Taking into consideration the physiological achievable concentration of diet-derived soy phytochemicals, we propose the concentration-dependent cancer protective effect is likely mediated through modulation of hormone/cytokine-dependent pathways.
Using biological markers to inform a clinically meaningful treatment response

Combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) demonstrate less robust improvement following treatments than do civilians with PTSD. This paper discusses a theoretical model for evaluating treatment response based on the extent of change in biological markers of symptom severity or resilience between treatment initiation and termination. Such analysis permits a determination of biological change associated with the liberal criteria commonly used to determine treatment response in combat PTSD, and a comparison of this to the biological change associated with clinical response determined according to the conservative definition more appropriate to civilian PTSD. Interim data supporting the utility of this approach is presented based on preliminary analyses from our work in progress. We propose that future studies consider the unique consequences of combat trauma and develop treatments that incorporate the complex nature of the exposure and response characteristic of a veteran population.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle Modeling and Analysis in Generic Modeling Environment

This paper introduces a new modeling methodology based on Generic Modeling Environment (GME), a software suitable for modeling and analysis of physical systems. Once a metamodel is configured in GME using Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Object Constraint Language (OCL) for a specific engineering domain, application level system model can be constructed and analyzed. UML and OCL can facilitate domain experts' knowledge to be represented and enforced during design process. These concepts are illustrated through a domain-specific modeling environment for electric and hybrid electric vehicles. In particular, this environment is used to evaluate the dynamic performance of a battery electric vehicle design, as shown by some preliminary simulation results.
Peritoneal oxygenation. A feasibility analysis.

Peritoneal oxygenation is a proposed method of augmenting a patient's oxygen supply via a non-pulmonary pathway. Thirteen experiments were performed in which an oxygenation fluid was infused into the peritoneal cavity of a dog and allowed to remain for 18 minutes to almost one hour. The two oxygen transporting fluids tested were: 1) a slightly hypertonic aqueous solution of NaCl and dextrose, and 2) perfluorodecalin.A one-compartment open model was developed to describe the decrease of the PO2 in the infusion solution with time. A second mathematical model was developed to determine the limitation blood flow placed on oxygen transport.Even though no physiologic signs of oxygen uptake were observed in dogs with normal lung function, physiologically significant oxygen delivery was evidenced in acutely hypoxic animals.
Second-derivative spectrophotometric determination of mixtures of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride and dextromethorphan hydrobromide in some pharmaceutical preparations

Abstract A second-derivative spectrophotometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride and dextromethorphan hydrobromide in the presence of one another without prior separation. Second-derivative spectra of sample solutions in methanol were scanned between 220 and 320 nm. Because of differences in molar absorptivities of the two compounds, different d 2 A /dλ 2 ordinate scales were used for each compound. For phenylpropanolamine, the largest amplitude in the derivative spectrum was measured between the maximum at 260 nm and its minimum at 257 nm ( 2 D 260,257 ). For dextromethorphan, the peak amplitude in the derivative spectrum was measured between the maximum at 291.5 nm and its minimum at 287.5 nm ( 2 D 291.5,287.5 ). The 2 D λ1,λ2 values for each compound were not affected by the presence of the other compound, and were linear in the ranges 20–350 μg ml −1 phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride ( r = 0.9996) and 16–200 μg ml −1 dextromethorphan hydrobromide ( r = 0.9992). Average recoveries (±SD; n = 5) were: from simulated capsules, 99.6 ± 1.3% phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride and 98.7 ± 2.4% dextromethorphan hydrobromide; and from simulated lozenges, 98.0 ± 2.4% phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride 99.9 ± 2.0% dextromethorphan hydrobromide. The method was designed to allow single-unit assay for the normal dosages used. Application of the method to solid commercial formulations was made.
Sustaining relationships between communities and local health systems: Two Iranian villages

The ability of health systems to positively affect the health and well-being of communities will be limited if the systems fail to address the crucial role and dynamic nature of communities and ignore key community members and existing institutions. Without a custom for input or an infrastructure for collaboration between individual and institutional community assets and their local health systems, health interventions can lead to failure, duplication or interference with existing health-related activities. This paper examines the roles of community leaders and institutions in two remote Iranian villages and makes recommendations for improving and sustaining participatory relationships between local communities and their health systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and magnetic twisting cytometry to quantify mechanochemical signaling activities in a living cell.

Mechanotransduction is the process by which living cells sense mechanical forces and then convert them into biochemical signaling. Recently, we showed that mechanical stress is transduced from the cell surface to remote cytoplasmic sites within 0.3 seconds, which is at least 40 to 50 times faster than soluble factor–induced signal transduction, and the sites of mechanotransduction colocalize with mechanical stress–induced microtubule displacements. These results suggest that mechanotransduction employs mechanisms different from those of soluble factor–induced signal transduction. Here, we describe a protocol that utilizes fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and a magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC) device to capture rapid mechanochemical signaling activities in living cells.
Planners' Perspectives on Using Technology in Participatory Processes

This study examined potential opportunities and constraints related to the development and deployment of technology in participation processes, including resources available, benefits and outcomes of technology, and technology implementation. On the basis of a survey of planners relative to eleven technology scenarios, varied access to staff, hardware, and software resources was reported. Potential perceived benefits of technology use included providing information and, to a lesser extent, fostering discussion and attracting additional participants. The findings suggest the greatest potential is for more basic technologies including websites that provide information, as opposed to more advanced technologies that would have greater potential to enhance collaborative and interactive participation approaches. Concerns about equitable access to technology for both planners and participants are also noted by survey respondents. The findings emphasize the importance of using technology as an enhancement to, rat...
ANISOTROPIC NONLINEAR BEAM PROPAGATION IN RUBY

Abstract The extraordinary component of a cw argon-ion laser beam propagating through a ruby crystal is observed to exhibit a power dependent deflection. A divergence angle of nearly 6 mrad between the ordinary and extraordinary beam is measured when 500 mW of 514.5 nm radiation is injected into the ruby rod. A simple theory for the anisotropic nonlinear index of refraction and a numerical simulation of the coupled nonlinear wave equations in (2 + 1) dimensions given good agreement with the experimental results.
Roles and patterns of Hurricane sedimentation in an estuarine marsh landscape

Abstract The passage of hurricane Andrew across the Louisiana coastal zone in 1992 was used to study the effects of hurricane sedimentation on estuarine marshes. (1) The thickness and nutrient content of hurricane sediments, (2) the composition of hurricane sediments relative to pre-existing sediments, and (3) the relationship between hurricane sedimentation and small-scale heterogeneity in the emergent plant community were investigated. Vertical accretion resulting from the hurricane was 4-11 times greater than the long-term (30 year) annual rate. The hurricane sediments will be within the root zone of emergent vegetation for 35-50 years, depending on the local marsh vertical accretion rate. Element concentration, organic matter content, and texture of hurricane sediments varied over a wide area, which suggested that hurricane sediments did not originate from a common sediment pool. The concentration of most elements analysed did not differ between hurricane sediments and pre-existing sediments, which suggested that hurricane sediments originated primarily from the same local bays and lakes that provide material for other sedimentation events. Hurricane sediments were thicker in Juncus roemerianus stands than in surrounding Spartina alterniflora stands. Greater hurricane sedimentation in J. roemerianus stands was attributed to greater stem density there and may help maintain plant community heterogeneity if J. roemerianus is less flood-tolerant than S. alterniflora , as previous work suggests. Previous studies have noted the effect of environmental gradients on plant species distribution, but our data indicate that plant species can also generate different environmental conditions associated with their distribution.
Transport regulation of recombinant gene expression in E. coli and B. subtilis.

Abstract Expression kinetics of the lactose ( lac ) operon in Escherichia coli are reviewed for both wild-type and recombinant cell cultures under chemostatic conditions. A unified model which involves regulation of active inducer (lactose) transport, promoter-operator regulated expression of the lac operon, glucose-mediated inducer exclusion, and catabolite repression is summarized and supporting data is shown to verify its accuracy. The synthesis of α-amylase with a recombinant form of Bacillus subtilis is also reviewed to point out generic features in transport regulation, the lac operon model providing a point of departure. While there are many similarities in the influence of transport on both regulating models, there are also important differences. In a chemostat system, the synthesis of α-amylase is nongrowth associated, while β-galactosidase is a growth-associated enzyme. Nevertheless, transport regulation is an important feature in both instances.
Experimental study of continuous wave hydrogen-fluoride chemical laser overtone performance

The overtone lasing performance of the supersonic continuous wave hydrogen-fluoride chemical laser at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was optimized by the same set of flow rates that optimized the fundamental performance. When the absorption/scattering losses of the mirrors were taken into account, an overtone efficiency (the ratio of overtone power to maximum fundamental power for the same flow conditions) of 70-90% was achieved. The overtone efficiency was a strong function of medium saturation. There was no significant change in overtone power and efficiency as the mode volume increased. However, there was an increase in the number of lasing lines and a shift to higher rotational (J) lines. Overtone performance was as sensitive to cavitypressure as fundamental performance was
Randomized double-blind crossover ondansetron-dexamethasone versus ondansetron-placebo study for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients with malignancies.

PurposeTo determine whether the addition of dexamethasone to ondansetron (OND + DEX) is a more effective antiemetic regimen than ondansetron (OND) alone in children receiving chemotherapy.Patients and MethodsChildren who had solid tumors and who were receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy, includi
INTELLIGENT GEOMETRIC MODELING OF STANDARD BRIDGES

This paper presents a framework for developing intelligent CAD systems that support deductive reasoning. More specifically, the paper (1) discusses the integration of predicate logic as a mechanism for deductive reasoning with conventional CAD systems and (2) illustrates the use of the framework for geometric modeling of standard bridges. This illustration involves (1) representing the geometry of standard bridges using the language of predicate logic and (2) generating, modifying, and verifying the geometry of standard bridges via logical inference.
Contact Angle Manipulation for Liquid Bridge Based Microgripper

Manipulation of micron sized components is essential for microassembly. Understanding the dominant adhesive forces in the micro-scale as well as devising techniques to control them is needed in order to design a proper micro manipulation apparatus. A liquid bridge based micromanipulation scheme is presented in this paper. The adhesive forces like capillary and surface tension force are prominent in micro scale due to scaling law and provides sufficient force for pickup of an object. The main problem resides in the systematic release of the object from the gripper surface. The focus of this paper is on the feasibility study of contact angle manipulation by electrowetting method for prompt release of an object. Preliminary results from numerical solution of Laplace-Young equation and CFD analysis shows that by increasing the contact angle a critical contact angle is reached after which Laplace-Young equation does not produce a feasible solution and the CFD analysis results in an unstable solution. This result demonstrates that the contact angle manipulation is capable of breaking a liquid bridge and provides a feasible solution for the release mechanism in microgripping.Copyright © 2007 by ASME