cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hyperactivity and the food additive free diet.

Hyperactivity, and frequently associated learning disabilities, is the most common behavorial-developmental problem in childhood, affecting, by the most conservative estimates, at least 5% of the childhood population. This psychiatric syndrome, most frequently referred to as hyperkinesis or minimal brain dysfunction, has been the subject of much controversy in both the medical and lay Uterature. Some of the more important issues concern the true incidence of the disorder, diagnostic criteria, and appropriate treatment, particularly treatment with stimulant medication. Negative feelings about the use of medication has stimulated interest in other forms of treatment, some of them nutritional. Probably the most widely publicized nutritional treatment for hyperkinesis involves the elimination of certain food additives from the diet. In this article the food-additive-free diet is described and the rationale for its use explained. Possible mechanisms of action for this and other nutritional therapies are discussed. Finally, the article reviews recent research on the food-additive-free diet and its effect on hyperkinesis. Conclusions are discussed regarding the efficacy and potential hazards of this nutritional treatment and, lastly, recommendations are presented for discussing these issues with patients and their families.
Selective oxidative dehydrogenation of butane over VMgO catalysts

Abstract Vanadium-magnesium oxides were found to be active and selective catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propene. A selectivity of up to 65% was obtained at 10% conversion, but decreased with increasing conversion. No oxygenates were detected. The reaction rate was 0.6 ± 0.15 order in propane and zeroth order in oxygen. For comparison, the rate for butane oxidative dehydrogenation was 0.85 ± 0.15 in butane and zeroth order in oxygen. Both reactions were believed to proceed primarily with the breaking of a methylene CH bond to form an adsorbed alkyl radical species.
Real-time tracking of single-molecule collagenase on native collagen and partially structured collagen-mimic substrates

The dynamic interactions of an individual matrix metalloproteinase-1 were imaged and monitored in the presence of either triple-helical or non-triple-helical, partially structured collagen-mimic substrates. The enzyme exhibited ten-fold increased catalytic turnover rates with the structurally modified substrate by skipping the triple-helix unwinding step during the catalytic pathway.
Physiologic assessment of moderate coronary lesions: a step towards complete revascularization in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: An accurate diagnostic assessment of coronary artery disease is crucial for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) to guide complete revascularization have not been adequately studied in patients prior to CABG. We compared an anatomic to a physiologic assessment of moderate coronary lesions (40–70% stenosis) in patients referred for CABG. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 109 medical records of patients who underwent CABG at Tulane Medical Center from 2014 to 2016. Patients were divided into an FFR/iFR-guided and an angiography-guided group. Clinical characteristics, procedural outcomes, and clinical outcomes for the two groups were compared over an 18-month follow-up period. Results: There were significantly higher rates of three-vessel anastomoses (85.7% vs . 74.7%, P vs . 76.8%, P vs . 29.5%, P vs . 9.5%, P vs . 11.6%, P=0.369) and angina (0.0% vs . 6.3%, P=0.429) in the FFR/iFR group compared to the angiography group over 18 months. Conclusions: Physiologic assessment of coronary lesions can effectively guide complete revascularization in patients undergoing CABG. Moreover, FFR/iFR-guided CABG was associated with significantly higher rates of three-vessel anastomoses, venous grafting, and graft distribution to the circumflex system.
GxE effects of FKBP5 and traumatic life events on PTSD: A meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Twin studies have demonstrated that both genetic and environmental factors influence risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and there is some evidence supporting the interplay of genes and environment (GxE). Many GxE studies within the PTSD literature have focused on genes implicated in the stress response system, such as FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5). Given inconsistencies across GxE literature as a whole, a meta-analysis to synthesize results is warranted. Methods Studies were identified through PubMed and PsycINFO. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model in the MAc package in R. Heterogeneity of the effect size distribution was examined with Cochran's Q statistic. A Simes procedure was used to test the gene-level GxE effect for FKBP5 interacting with trauma. Results A significant gene-level GxE gene effect was demonstrated for FKBP5 when pooled across all four examined variants (rs1360780, rs3800373, rs9296158, rs9470080) when interacting with trauma exposure on PTSD. Significant large GxE effect sizes were also found for each independent variant. There was no evidence for heterogeneity of variance. Limitations Limitations include reduced power for detecting variability across moderators, potential bias due to failure of meta-analyzed studies to account for two-way covariate x gene and covariate x environment influences, and a high false discovery rate that is characteristic of GxE analyses. Conclusions This is the first study to quantify an overall gene-level effect of FKBP5 in a GxE analysis of PTSD, evidence which may be used to address current issues in the FKBP5 GxE literature (e.g., disparate variants, low sample sizes and power), as well as inform follow-up functional research.
Towards Automated Post-Disaster Damage Assessment of Critical Infrastructure with Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Maintaining secure and resilient critical infrastructure including assets, systems, and networks such as roads, pipelines, bridges and railroads is a matter of homeland security. This paper proposes an efficient and fast infrastructure inspection method by using autonomous small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) to document damage after extreme events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes. Our research team has been selected to participate in the 2017 National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) Security and Resilience Challenge organized by the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Infrastructure Protection and the National Institute for Hometown Security. We propose to use a sUAS equipped with visual sensors, such as Lidar and cameras, as a post-disaster data collection, detection and assessment system. Point cloud data collected is used for 3D structure modeling, forming the basis of the automated damage assessment. Existing damage in structures are then detected and quantified using proposed damage detection methods, including surface normal based method for detecting damage with small deformation and graph-based method for detecting damage that occur with large deformation. This method provides new capabilities for automated damage analysis with sUAS as a key enabling technology for documenting damage in critical infrastructure to facilitate the post-disaster inspection and recovery of critical infrastructures.
GROWTH OF ADRENERGIC NEURONS IN THE ADULT MAMMALIAN NERVOUS SYSTEM

Central adrenergic neurons are capable of vigorous growth in response to injury. These regenerative reactions may occur either in response to direct insult to the adrenergic neuron, such as in the case of regenerative sprouting following axonal transection, or in response to the loss of other neuronal elements, as collateral sprouting from intact axons. Few examples of collateral sprouting have been shown in the central nervous system. The most clearly established of these is in the partially denervated septal nuclei. The functional significance of collateral sprouting is unknown at present, but it is suggested that it may be a basic biological phenomenon participating not only in responses to injury but also in functional neuronal reorganization in the intact central nervous system.
What Are the Benefits of Hip Resurfacing in Appropriate Patients? A Retrospective, Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

BackgroundHip arthritis is one of the major causes of disability worldwide. Hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) has emerged in recent years as an alternative to total hip arthroplasty (THA), but com...
Facile Improvement of Negative Ion Mode Electrospray Ionization Using Capillary Vibrating Sharp-Edge Spray Ionization

Electrospray ionization (ESI) is often affected by corona discharge when spraying 100% aqueous solutions as the voltage that induces discharge can be well below the onset voltage of ESI. As a result, it is especially challenging to perform native mass spectrometry in negative ion mode where 100% aqueous solution is preferred. Here we report a simple instrumentation method to improve the performance of ESI in negative ion mode based on capillary vibrating sharp-edge spray ionization. By attaching a fused silica capillary emitter to a vibrating glass slide, improved signal quality is achieved for various analytes in aqueous solutions over applying ESI alone. Compared to commercial ESI sources using nebulization gas to reduce discharge, 10-100-fold enhancement in signal intensity and 3-10-fold improvement in S/N are achieved for various kinds of molecules including DNA, peptides, proteins, and oligosaccharides. Finally, the new method demonstrates utility for native mass spectrometry analysis of proteins and G-quadruplex DNA. The present method is expected to have great potential to be adopted by the scientific community because of its improved analytical performance, simplicity, and low cost.
Magneto-electric antiferromagnetic spin–orbit logic devices

As electronic integrated circuits are scaled to ever smaller sizes, they run into the obstacle of excessive power dissipation. Spintronic devices hold the promise of alleviating this problem via improved energy efficiency. Research effort around a promising class of such devices based on antiferromagnetic materials and magnetoelectric switching is reviewed.
Cutaneous Myiasis: An Unusual Cause of Posterior Auricular and Occipital Lymphadenopathy in a Toddler.

Cutaneous myiasis is a condition that involves an infestation of fly larvae into human tissue, most commonly caused by Dermatobia (D.) hominis or the bot fly. While this is a condition most commonly seen in tropical regions of the globe due to increased travel to endemic regions, physicians must increasingly be aware of this as a potential diagnosis. In addition, there is minimal literature on cutaneous myiasis in the pediatric patient and its potential associated symptoms. This case report thus highlights a toddler that presented to our facility with a raised, erythematous scalp lesion and associated preauricular and occipital lymphadenopathy. Of note, the patient had a recent travel history to Belize, an endemic area where she was likely infected. As there are multiple other differentials for not only scalp swellings in the pediatric population, in addition to regional adenopathy, a high index of suspicion was needed to make the diagnosis. Ultrasound was the imaging modality used to visualize the fly larva, and surgical excision was the mechanism of treatment. Thus, this case highlights a unique presentation of cutaneous myiasis in a toddler and aims to add to the growing body of literature on a condition likely to be encountered by physicians at a greater frequency.
Chapter 17 – An Introduction to Survival Analysis

Publisher Summary This chapter introduces some commonly used statistical methods for survival time data in medical research. The chapter describes features of survival time data, defines the survival function, and introduces the product-limit estimator for the survival function. Finally, a summary of stratified analysis and Cox's regression analysis are described. The problem of analyzing survival time data is complicated, because the follow-up length is often different for each participant and the event of interest. For survival analysis, main interest focuses on the time taken for some dichotomous event to occur. The stratified logrank test is a useful method for comparing the survival between two treatment groups while accounting for the effects of prognostic factors. The regression coefficients are usually unknown and need to be estimated from the data. It is complex to estimate these regression coefficients. When the sample size is large, the estimate of each regression coefficient follows a normal distribution approximately.
An Exploratory Study of the Effects of the European Union 8th Directive on Company Law on Audit Committees: Evidence from EU Companies Listed on the US Stock Exchanges

Member States in the European Union will be required to establish audit committees for all public-interest entities, according to the EU 8th Directive on Company Law. This EU 8th Directive creates a convergence of corporate oversight for both audit processes and financial reporting process and thus provides an opportunity to examine and contrast associations that exist among audit committee, board of directors characteristics with audit committee alignment, and the impact of such alignment on earnings management. Results of a logistic regression analysis suggest that firms with audit committees possessing greater financial expertise, with larger boards and more independent boards are less likely to engage in audit committee alignment while firms with audit committees possessing greater governance expertise are more likely to engage in alignment. In addition, we find that firms associated with audit committee alignment engage in less earnings management.
Necessity Exceptions to Takings

The doctrine of necessity has strong roots in the common law of tort and property going back hundreds of years. In the United States the doctrine has been applied in various situations to negate judicial review of constitutional challenges to government action, most recently in some of the wildfire and flood claims resulting from disasters. But now, the states’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have brought one of these necessity doctrines—the public health necessity relying on Jacobson v. Massachusetts—to the forefront as courts across the country review constitutional challenges to state public health measures. With such intense review of Jacobson’s public health necessity in a short timeframe, it appears that the courts, including the Supreme Court, are recognizing that common law emergency exceptions cannot be applied to prevent constitutional review. This development supports the goal of this Article, which is to discourage the use of the necessity doctrine to bypass constitutional scrutiny of asserted rights, particularly as to takings claims under the Fifth Amendment. This Article examines the historical development of the diverse categorical exceptions to takings claims under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments and addresses the continued viability of these exceptions following the decision in Pennsylvania Coal v. Mahon. After reviewing four categories of necessity exceptions that include: 1) the doctrine of destruction (general, military, and law enforcement); 2) the public health exception; 3) the nuisance and background principles of property law exception; and 4) the police power exception, this Article concludes that the only doctrinally acceptable categorical defenses to a regulatory taking are the nuisance and background principles of property law exceptions. Nuisance and background principles of state law will determine whether the property owner has a property interest subject to a government taking. If the property owner never had a right to use their property in a manner that constitutes a nuisance or interferes with a public resource, it cannot be taken and does not deserve compensation. Government actions that constitute a taking, but benefit the public as a whole whether by conferring a benefit or preventing a harm, should not burden individual property owners when, under the Armstrong principle, in all fairness and justice, we the public should share in paying for the benefits received.
A Digital Twin Framework for Real-Time Analysis and Feedback of Repetitive Work in the Manual Material Handling Industry

This research presents a digital twin concept and prototype to represent human operators in the material handling industry. To construct the digital twin, we use a simulation-based framework for data collection and analysis. The framework consists of three modules: Data Collection Module, Operator Analysis and Feedback Module and Digital Twin Module. A motion capture system assists in the development of the digital twin, which captures simulated material handling activities, similar to those which take place in an actual environment. This paper outlines the processes involved in the development of the digital twin and summarizes the results of pilot experiments to analyze the operator’s fatigue as the operator completes repetitive motions associated with lifting tasks. Fatigue, in this study, is a function of change in joint angles. The digital-twin based tool provides feedback to the operator in real-time to enable correction of those factors which potentially cause injuries to the operator.
Battleground of Humanisms: How Väinö Linna’s Under the North Star United What Liberalism, Socialism, and Fascism Tore Apart

In the contest between the three major modern political ideologies—liberalism, socialism, and fascism—the Nordic countries found a middle way with social democracy. For over four decades, Finland r...
Acute-Hypoxemia-Induced Right-To-Left Shunting in the Presence of Patent Foramen Ovale.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common congenital abnormality of the heart. It results from incomplete closure of foramen ovale that persists in adulthood. Most individuals with PFO are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally. The left atrial pressure is generally higher than the right atrial pressure, which prevents blood flow against the gradient; however, any medical condition that increases the pulmonary artery pressure can lead to reversal of blood flow from right to left by elevating right atrial pressure. We present a case of a 59-year-old female who presented with complaints of shortness of breath associated with bilateral lower-extremity edema and was found to have acute decompensated heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) with cardioversion was performed. Propofol was given for conscious sedation; however, the procedure was terminated as patient became hypoxemic and was noted to have moderately dilated right ventricle (RV) with hypokinesia and PFO with right-to-left shunting. It also demonstrated mild mitral regurgitation, mild left ventricular hypertrophy, and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 55-60%. In contrast to TEE findings, while the patient was having normal oxygen saturation, transthoracic echocardiogram showed left-to-right shunting instead of right-to-left and no RV hypokinesia was noted. In conclusion, this case draws attention to the relationship between acute hypoxemia and right-to-left shunting in a patient with PFO. This case illustrates and highlights the need for more prospective studies to establish a relationship between acute hypoxemia and right-to-left shunting in the presence of PFO.
Fundamental Photovoltaic Efficiency Limits Due to Semiconductor Band Tails

The theoretical maximum efficiency of a solar cell is given by the Shockley-Queisser limit, which assumes an abrupt onset of absorption near the band-edge. However, real materials always have an imperfect band-edge, which is usually characterized by an Urbach tail. By using optoelectronic reciprocity relations and explicitly accounting for band filling, we develop a modified detailed balance model that explicitly accounts for non-abrupt band-edges. We find that large band tails can result in an effective Stokes shift between the absorption onset and luminescence peak, which results in a penalty on the maximum efficiency of a solar cell.
The disappearing trial: how social scientists can help save the jury from extinction

America’s founding fathers believed jury trials to be a critical component of an orderly democracy. Yet, fewer than 5% of America’s cases are decided by juries. We present an interdisciplinary revi...
Transverse-mode dynamics in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers excited by fast electrical pulses

Summary form only given. With modulation bandwidth of 10-15 GHz, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have become a suitable choice for optical interconnects. However, the presence of higher order modes in the cavity can cause rapid variations of the spectral, spatial and noise characteristics of the laser beam that can affect the gigahertz performance of these devices. Herein we present measurements of the response of VCSELs excited by 0.8-1-ns pulses that show the importance of mode competition and spatial hole burning in the dynamics in VCSELs.
In vitro sensitization to transplantation antigens. VI. Inhibition of sensitization.

Abstract We have previously reported that C57BL/6 lymph node cells cultured with C3H/He macrophage monolayers are subsequently able to transfer specific allograft immunity to recipient C57 mice. The present communication is an investigation of the requirement for the functional integrity of cells to mediate allosensitization in vitro and to transfer allograft immunity. Our results indicate that C3H macrophage monolayers subjected to X-irradiation, actinomycin D, or antimacrophage serum pretreatment can no longer sensitize C57 lymph node cells in vitro; supernatants of C3H macrophage cultures do not substitute for monolayered cells and cannot sensitize C57 lymph node cells. The present data also indicate that the integrity of the lymph node cells is required after sensitization in vitro: X-irradiated or sonicated allosensitized lymph node cells do not enable recipient mice to accelerate C3H allograft rejection. The results of this report, therefore, suggest that intact, functionally normal cells are required to sensitize, and to transfer allosensitization.
Multimodel seasonal forecasting of global drought onset

[1] The capability of seasonal forecasting of global drought onset at local scales (1°) has been investigated using multiple climate models with 110 realizations. Climate models increase the global mean probability of drought onset detection from the climatology forecast by 31%–81%, but only increase equitable threat score by 21%–50% due to a high false alarm ratio. The multimodel ensemble increases the drought detectability over some tropical areas where individual models have better performance, but cannot help more over most extratropical regions. On average, less than 30% of the global drought onsets can be detected by climate models. The missed drought events are associated with low potential predictability and weak antecedent El Nino–Southern Oscillation signal. Given the high false alarms, the reliability is very important for a skillful probabilistic drought onset forecast. This raises the question of whether seasonal forecasting of global drought onset is essentially a stochastic forecasting problem.
A Mathematical Model for the Interaction of the Proteins MMP-1, TIMP-1, and ECM in a Wound

In this talk, we will discuss a mathematical model describing interactions among matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1), their inhibitors (TIMP-1), and extracellular matrix (ECM) in the healing of a diabetic foot ulcer. De-identified data for modeling were taken from Muller et al . 2008, a research outcome that collected average physiological data for two patient subgroups: “good healers” and “poor healers,” where classification was based on rate of ulcer healing. MATLAB’s GlobalSearch and fmincon routines were used to estimate parameter values by minimizing the least-squares residual between collected data and model output. A steady-state analysis identified which end-states the proteins tended to as time approached infinity. Sensitivity analyses numerically measured to what degree the model was affected by slight changes in one or several parameter values. A Latin-Hypercube Method sensitivity analysis identified insensitive parameters, or parameters whose changes had negligible effects on the model. The developed model has the potential for application in clinical studies, such as identifying treatment regimens for an individual patient not included in the modeling process.
"Cannonballs" and psammoma bodies: unusual cytologic features of metastatic pulmonary small-cell carcinoma in a pleural effusion.

Large three-dimensional cell aggregates and psammoma bodies are usually encountered in benign serous effusions (mesothelial hyperplasia and endosalpingiosis), mesotheliomas, and metastatic papillary carcinomas. We report a case of pulmonary small-cell carcinoma occurring in an 88-year-old woman that initially presented with a malignant pleural effusion characterized cytologically by a predominance of large three-dimensional neoplastic cell aggregates (“cannonballs”), associated with rare psammoma bodies. Although the crowded three-dimensional tumor-cell aggregates did not allow detailed cytologic examination, the diagnosis of metastatic small-cell carcinoma could be established noting the characteristic chromatin features of the occasional single neoplastic cells and the characteristic “cell-in-cell” and “stack-of-coins” arrangements of rare small clusters of neoplastic cells. Immunoperoxidase stains showing positivity of the tumor cells for CD56, synaptophysin, and TTF1 further supported this diagnosis. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of a mediastinal lymph node subsequently confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary small-cell carcinoma. Metastatic pulmonary small-cell carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of serous effusions showing large three-dimensional neoplastic cell aggregates and psammoma bodies to prevent a potential diagnostic pitfall. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Family and Religion in Two Noble Families: French Catholic and English Puritan

This paper is a case study of two seventeenth-century noble families—the French Catholic Chantal-Rabutin-Sevigne and the English Puritan Verneys—in which the effect of doctrinal differences on marriage and family life is observed. Marriage doctrines of the Catholic church and the Calvinist church are summarized. Each family is then studied in terms of its major functions, the relationship between husbands and wives, the relationships between parents and children, attitudes towards education, and the religious observances of the fam ily. Although the functions of both families were similar, the relationship be tween the Protestant husbands and wives seems to have been more reciprocal in contrast to the more patriarchal relationship within the Catholic family. In terms of parent-child relations, a higher degree of independence seems to have been present in the Protestant family. In both cases, religion was an important factor in creating family identity.
Everyday Nightmares: The Rhetoric of Social Horror in the Nightmare on Elm Street Series

(1995). Everyday Nightmares: The Rhetoric of Social Horror in the Nightmare on Elm Street Series. Journal of Popular Film and Television: Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 106-115.
Effects of Societal Integration, Period, Region, and Culture of Suicide on Male Age-Specific Suicide Rates: 20 Developed Countries, 1955–1989

Multiple indicators of societal integration and proxies for the culture of suicide form the model used to explain variation in male age-specific suicide rates from 1955 to 1989 in 20 developed countries. The hypothesis that certain determinants of suicide rates have changed over the period between 1955 and 1989 was rejected, as was the hypothesis that there are effects of period, net of measured predictors. The determinants of suicide rates do vary by age, with the culture of suicide playing an especially important role in the 35-64 age group.
Affinity labeling of vertebrate oxidosqualene cyclases with a tritiated suicide substrate.

Summary Pig and rat liver oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) enzymes were purified to homogeneity and showed single bands on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with molecular masses of 75 kDa (pig) and 78 kDa (rat). Pig liver OSC was purified for the first time (441-fold with a yield of 39%). Chemical affinity labeling of pure or crude preparations of the liver cyclases using the mechanism-based irreversible inhibitor of OSC, [ 3 H]29-methylidene-2,3-oxidosqualene ([ 3 H]29-MOS), showed a single radioactive band at 75 kDa (pig) and 78 kDa (rat). Affinity labeling experiments were also performed with dog and human microsomal preparations and with yeast and plant cyclases. All of the vertebrate OSC enzymes were specifically labeled with [ 3 H]29-MOS and gave a single band with molecular masses ranging from 70 to 80 kDa (rat, 78 kDa; dog, 73 kDa; pig, 75 kDa; and human, 73 kDa). In contrast, yeast lanosterol cyclase and plant cycloartenol cyclase were not labeled, demonstrating subtle differences in the active sites of animal, plant, and fungal enzymes.
B cell epitope spreading: Mechanisms and contribution to autoimmune diseases

While a variety of factors act to trigger or initiate autoimmune diseases, the process of epitope spreading is an important contributor in their development. Epitope spreading is a diversification of the epitopes recognized by the immune system. This process happens to both T and B cells, with this review focusing on B cells. Such spreading can progress among multiple epitopes on a single antigen, or from one antigenic molecule to another. Systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid and other autoimmune diseases, are all influenced by intermolecular and intramolecular B cell epitope spreading. Endocytic processing, antigen presentation, and somatic hypermutation act as molecular mechanisms that assist in driving epitope spreading and broadening the immune response in autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current understanding of B cell epitope spreading with regard to autoimmunity, how it contributes during the progression of various autoimmune diseases, and treatment options available.
The Role of Amniotic Fluid Assessment in Evaluating Fetal Well-Being

Owing to the frequent use of bedside ultrasound, much is known about the regulation of and normative values for amniotic fluid volume and the mechanisms by which this fluid is regulated. The management protocols for conditions with extremes of amniotic fluid volume have become more exact, resulting in interventions more likely to improve outcome. Much is still unclear; there are no tools to measure amniotic fluid volume with precision, and measurement of fetal urinary output is cumbersome and error-prone.
Advances in target design and fabrication for experiments on NIF

The ability to build target platforms for National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a key feature in LANL's (Los Alamos National Laboratory) Target Fabrication Program. We recently built and manufactured the first LANL targets to be fielded on NIF in March 2011. Experiments on NIF require precision component manufacturing and accurate knowledge of the materials used in the targets. The characterization of foams and aerogels, the Be ignition capsule, and machining unique components are of main material focus. One important characterization metric the physics' have determined is that the knowledge of density gradients in foams is important. We are making strides in not only locating these density gradients in aerogels and foams as a result of how they are manufactured and machined but also quantifying the density within the foam using 3D confocal micro x-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging and 3D x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging. In addition, collaborative efforts between General Atomics (GA) and LANL in the characterization of the NIF Ignition beryllium capsule have shown that the copper in the capsule migrates radially from the capsule center. 1. ELEMENTAL DIFFUSION THROUGH IGNITION CAPSULES Recent collaborations with LANL and General Atomics (GA) have focused on analysis of ignition capsules, specifically elemental migration throughout the ignition capsules. Currently, the leading choice in the point design for the ignition capsules are graded doped Cu-Be capsules with the secondary design being Ge doped CH capsules. Both of these capsule types were analyzed using 3D confocal XRF imaging and 3D x-ray CT imaging for possible elemental migration. 1.1 Analysis of copper migration in graded doped Cu-Be ignition capsules Previous studies at GA using contact radiography indicated migration of the Cu dopant in the capsule shell. In addition, SEM (scanning electron microscopy) images of pre- and post-pyrolysis indicates formation of domes on the surface of the capsules post-pyrolysis. We believe this is due to thermal migration of copper during the pyrolysis step. It is well known and documented in materials science literature that copper readily migrates when subjected to higher thermal conditions. (1) Since the "dome" features are seen on the capsule surface after pyrolysis, we believe these domes are that of copper migrating to the surface. To determine if the Cu migration occurred radially throughout the capsule, a few ignition capsules were given to LANL to study. Using a combination of 3D x-ray CT imaging and
HYPERGLYCEMIA INDUCES APOPTOSIS IN PRE-IMPLANTATION EMBRYOS THROUGH CELL DEATH EFFECTOR PATHWAYS

Although perinatal mortality rates have improved for pregnant diabetic women because of insulin therapy and tight metabolic control, infants of diabetics still experience significantly higher rates of congenital malformations and spontaneous miscarriages compared with those of non-diabetic women. Our results here indicate that hyperglycemic conditions, either in vivo or in vitro, modulate the expression of an apoptosis regulatory gene as early as the pre-implantation blastocyst stage in the mouse. Apoptosis in the mammalian pre-implantation blastocyst is a normal process, thought to protect the early embryo by eliminating abnormal cells. Here we demonstrate that expression of Bax, a Bcl-2-like protein, is increased at the blastocyst stage in the presence of high concentrations of glucose, and that these changes correlate morphologically with increased DNA fragmentation. Expression of Bax and caspase are necessary for this in vitro glucose-induced apoptotic event, and ceramide is involved in mediating this embryotoxic effect of glucose. We also show that these apoptotic cellular changes can be prevented in vivo by treating hyperglycemic mice with insulin before and immediately after conception. These findings emphasize the importance of tight glycemic control in diabetic women at the earliest stages after conception.
Gene regulation in an MCF-7 cell line that naturally expresses an estrogen receptor unable to directly bind DNA

In the described studies, we have developed a variant of the MCF-7 cell line, M-ERd3/g8, for analysis of 17-beta-estradiol (E2)-action without direct DNA interaction by E2-receptors. M-ERd3/g8 cells principally express the estrogen receptor alpha (ER) form ERDelta3 which, due to skipping of exon 3, lacks the second zinc finger of ER that is required for direct DNA interaction. This was achieved by introduction of siRNA targeting exon 3 to a Tamoxifen-selected MCF-7 variant, TMX 2-11, expressing approximately equal amount of full-length ER and ERDelta3 proteins. M-ERd3/g8 cells exhibited a normal nuclear ER localization, and ERDelta3 expression levels were similar to those for full-length ER protein in MCF-7 cells. Ser 118 phosphorylation of the ERDelta3 was triggered by E2 treatment. The expression of several well characterized E2-responsive markers was strongly modified in the M-ERd3/g8 cells. The E2-induction of progesterone receptor (PR) and HEM45 mRNAs was abolished. The effect on pS2 mRNA expression was complex: the pS2 mRNA levels fell approximately 50-fold in control M-ERd3/g8 cells. There was E2-induction of pS2-expression but with an altered temporal pattern. This was blocked by inhibitors of the p42/44 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase and inositol triphosphate (PI3) kinase pathways suggesting a role for cytoplasmic signaling pathways. Gene array analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies identified several genes whose expressions were induced in E2-treated M-ERd3/g8 cells. These included A-Myb, a homolog to the avian myoblastosis virus oncogene, carbonic anhydrase XII (CAXII), chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL-12), early growth response 3 (EGR 3), fibrinogen B beta (FibBbeta), along with serine protease 23 (SPUVE). The responses fell into several temporal patterns. A-Myb, CAXII, CXCL-12 and EGR 3 were E2-induced within 2 h. The expression of CXCL-12 and EGR 3 was persistent to 24 h, while that of A-Myb and CAXII was not persistent in M-ERd3/g8 cells. FibBbeta and SPUVE expression was not induced until times later than 6 h. Expression of none of the genes was elevated prior to 2 h, but the utilization of a 24 h time point for the gene array analysis may have eliminated the most transiently responsive genes. Immediate early 3 (IE3) was down-regulated by E2 in the M-ERd3/g8 cells but was transiently up-regulated during the 2-6 h period in MCF-7 cells. Basal levels of several of the genes were strongly reduced in M-ERd3/g8, compared to MCF-7. The studies suggest that M-ERd3/g8 cells provide a new model for studies of E2-action without direct ER binding to DNA and where E2-action must be via alternate pathways.
Students aiding students

The results of the use of student proctors for debugging aid in programming courses is reported. Effectiveness of the program is discussed with respect to: (1) supervision, (2) faculty response, (3) student participation, (4) student use, and (5) mistakes I made.
Rapid analysis of dimer acid by HPLC/FID

A method was developed for the rapid analysis of polymerized fatty acids (dimer acid) using normal phase HPLC with a flame ionization detector (FID). The use of analytical scale HPLC with the FID is a significant limprovement over existing methodology for dimer analysis. The HPLC analysis takes only 25 min per sample, with no derivatization required. The FID response is linear for dimer samples from 10% to 90% monomer content. Absolute measurement precision is typically less than 0.5 area percent. Recovery of synthetic dimer blends averaged 102%. Results for the analysis of commercial dimer acid are comparable to those obtained using an HPLC/gravimetric method. The HPLC/FID method is applicable to the analysis of crude dimer as well as the finished dimer product.
Crustal growth and mantle evolution: inferences from models of element transport and Nd and Sr isotopes

Abstract Transport equations describing relative radiogenic isotope evolution for long-lived radioactive elements ( λ −1 ⪢ age of the earth) are derived for a model of continental crust extraction from a uniform depleting mantle with crustal recycling. The equations are integrated for arbitrary crustal growth histories with easily evaluated solutions obtained for cases involving 1. (i) no return of crust to the mantle, 2. (ii) small amounts of crust continuously returned to the mantle, 3. (iii) a steady-state crust. Application of the model to Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic evolution shows that the deviations—ϵ Nd and ϵ Sr —from an unfractionated reference reservoir are primarily dependent upon the relative masses of crust and mantle, and the mean age of the crust 〈 T 〉 c . For plausible values of 〈 T 〉 c , the isotopic compositions of modern oceanic basalts indicate that only about 25–50% of the mantle is needed to balance the crust. The calculations quantify the non-uniform depletion of the mantle previously inferred from trace-element studies and suggest that mantle of the type represented isotopically by mid-ocean ridge basalts must comprise only a small fraction of the whole mantle. Published data on initial 143 Nd 144 Nd in ancient and modern crustal rocks are compatible with models of secular growth of the continental crust with zero or small amounts of recycling of crust over the past 3.6 AE. The data do not support a steady-state model for the crust. Data on Archaean rocks suggest either the total absence of crust older than about 3.6 AE or very rapid crustal cycling from 4.55 to 3.6 AE ago. The transport parameters for Rb and Sr are deducible from those of Sm and Nd, which can be estimated more accurately, by consideration of the Nd-Sr isotopic correlation in oceanic basalts and indicate that the upper mantle may be depleted of up to 90% of its Rb, suggesting similar depletion factors for K, U, Th. Recycling of crustal Sr via transfer of 87 Sr from ocean water to oceanic crust during hydrothermal alteration may be significant but is insufficient to seriously affect interpretation of the Nd-Sr isotopic correlation.
Tabu search for the Steiner problem in graphs

Given an undirected graph with weights associated with its edges, the Steiner tree problem consists of finding a minimum-weighted subgraph spanning a given subset of nodes (terminals) of the original graph. In this paper, we describe a tabu search algorithm for the Steiner problem in graphs, based on a neighborhood defined by insertions and eliminations of Steiner nodes. Move estimations, elimination tests, and neighborhood-reduction techniques are used to speed up the local search, leading to a very fast algorithm with very good results in terms of solution quality. Computational experiments on benchmark problems are reported, comparing the behavior of the proposed tabu search algorithm with that of other heuristics from the literature. Tabu search clearly outperforms other heuristics in terms of computation times, obtaining better or comparable solutions.
Generalization and acceleration of an algorithm of Sebastião e Silva and its duals

In this paper, we extend Householder's [4] generalization of an algorithm of Sebastiao e Silva [11] by adding a new elimination rule for defining the sequences which converge to the factors of the given polynomial. We then present the dual algorithm and show that the dual algorithm becomes equivalent to the direct algorithm in the generalized form. Next, we give accelerated forms of these algorithms which are quadratically convergent. We also study the relation of these methods to other methods.
Composition of sugar cane, energy cane, and sweet sorghum suitable for ethanol production at Louisiana sugar mills

A challenge facing the biofuel industry is to develop an economically viable and sustainable biorefinery. The existing potential biorefineries in Louisiana, raw sugar mills, operate only 3 months of the year. For year-round operation, they must adopt other feedstocks, besides sugar cane, as supplemental feedstocks. Energy cane and sweet sorghum have different harvest times, but can be processed for bio-ethanol using the same equipment. Juice of energy cane contains 9.8% fermentable sugars and that of sweet sorghum, 11.8%. Chemical composition of sugar cane bagasse was determined to be 42% cellulose, 25% hemicellulose, and 20% lignin, and that of energy cane was 43% cellulose, 24% hemicellulose, and 22% lignin. Sweet sorghum was 45% cellulose, 27% hemicellulose, and 21% lignin. Theoretical ethanol yields would be 3,609 kg per ha from sugar cane, 12,938 kg per ha from energy cane, and 5,804 kg per ha from sweet sorghum.
Multiple ink nanolithography: toward a multiple-Pen nano-plotter

The formation of intricate nanostructures will require the ability to maintain surface registry during several patterning steps. A scanning probe method, dip-pen nanolithography (DPN), can be used to pattern monolayers of different organic molecules down to a 5-nanometer separation. An "overwriting" capability of DPN allows one nanostructure to be generated and the areas surrounding that nanostructure to be filled in with a second type of "ink."
Filling regions using a crack code boundary description

A space- and time-efficient algorithm for extracting the interior of a region defined by its boundary is presented. The algorithm uses crack codes rather than Freeman's codes to represent the border. The crack-code representation is topologically well-behaved, whereas the Freeman code treats the foreground and background asymmetrically. We describe the implementation advantages of several appealing properties of the crack-code representation, including uniqueness of path and invariance under complementation. The resulting algorithm is intuitively appealing, efficient, and simple to implement. It has been routinely used as a part of a semi-automatic image segmentation program for MRI image processing.
Reinforcing the absence of fixed-ratio performance

Pigeons received food for key pecking according to a fixed-ratio schedule, while, at the same time, food also was available for not pecking for a specified time. With a fixed ratio of 60, responding was not affected by not-pecking times of 80 or 40 seconds, and was eliminated completely at 10 seconds. With ratios of 180, pecking stopped with not-pecking times of 80 seconds or less; with ratios of 300, it stopped at 120 seconds or less. Not-responding schedules produced steady-state performance immediately following contact with the schedule. With return to the fixed-ratio schedule alone, response rate sometimes was elevated temporarily. When response-independent food presentations replaced the not-pecking schedule, response rate often was enhanced, and the ratio pattern was lost. Only the highest densities of food delivery eliminated responding, even with a fixed ratio of 300. In general, the effects corresponded to those of punishment, except that contrast had appeared both during and after punishment, and now appeared only after the response elimination procedure was suspended.
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia of brainstem lesions.

In this pilot study we investigated the hypothesis that intrinsic and extrinsic brainstem lesions situated within the pontomedullary region would effect the integrity of respiratory sinus arrhythmia. The study sample consisted of three patients with anatomic brainstem abnormalities associated with isolated Chiari I malformation, Chiari II malformation with syringobulbia, and achondroplasia with cervicomedullary compression. They were compared to an age- and sex-matched control group of nine patients. Each subject's electrocardiogram was recorded in a quiet room and digitized by a personal computer during five 1-minute periods. R-R intervals within each 1-minute period were converted to heart rate in 120 successive 0.5-second intervals. The resultant heartrate time series was converted to its underlying frequency composition by a fast Fourier transform and averaged across minutes. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia was defined as the variability in the time series over a frequency range (0.096 to 0.48 Hz) corres...
Nondualists as deviants: Female bisexuals compared to female heterosexuals‐homosexuals

Bisexuality as a category of sexuality is usually neglected by sexual researchers, and even the existence of bisexuality as a category is often denied by sexual researchers as well as by the general society and individuals who approve of or engage in a mixture of heterosexual and homosexual behavior. Following the suggestion of Duberman (1977), this article examines the extent to which the acceptance or nonacceptance of bisexuality is related to the acceptance or nonacceptance of the Eastern concept of nondualism. Utilizing interview data from 23 heterosexual females, 22 bisexual females, and 25 homosexual females, this article indicates that bisexuals are more Eastern and less dualistic than heterosexuals or homosexuals. This article concludes that a less culture‐bound research perspective that recognizes the dualism‐nondualism continuum can be helpful in developing a more correct perspective of sexual orientation.