cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3476 Endoscopic magnetic-coupling for transient luminal fixation.

PEG placement is routine because endoscopic transillumination assisted direct percutaneous access (ETADPA) to the anatomically fixed stomach can be accomplished routinely. ETADPA to mobile lumina (e.g. jejunum) often fails because the endoscopic transillumination cannot be maintained. We describe a technique to facilitate ETADPA by magnetic-coupling to achieve transient luminal fixation to the anterior abdominal wall. Methods: In a swine model, NdFeBr internal disc magnets (IM) of three sizes and gauss were advanced, tethered to a wire extending through the endoscope accessory channel. Larger external magnets (EM) were applied to the abdominal wall at sites of transillumination. This was attempted at two locations of varying tissue thickness (measured at necropsy) in combination with each of the three IM and each of the two EM. Two investigators using visual analog scales assessed magnetic coupling forces. Results: The smallest IM (0.5" d, 5.5 lbs. lift) and medium IM (0.75"d, 11 lbs. lift) could be advanced through the UES, LES, and pylorus dragged along tethered to the side of the scope. The largest IntM (1.0" d, 15-lbs. lift) could not be passed. Upon transillumination the EM was applied and magnetic-coupling could be appreciated as a palpable click by the handler of the EM and witnessed endoscopically. On withdrawal of the EM, the IM behaved the laws of gravity. Following magnetic-coupling, trochar placement under endoscopic inspection was easily accomplished just proximal to the EM. At necrosection, abdominal wall thickness at the two locations measured 4 and 2.5 cm respectively. Discarding the largest IM, investigators assessments of magnetic-coupling confirmed strongest attraction between the block EM (2" × 1.5" × 0.5", 12,200 gauss) and the medium IM. There were comparable levels of attraction between the block EM with the smaller IM and the disc EM (2" × 2.5", 12,200 gauss) with the medium IM. Coupling between the disc EM and the smallest IM were weakest. There was no perceived difference in coupling forces at the two locations despite their varying depths of tissue thickness. Assessment of distinction between coupling forces reached statistical significance when the strongest was compared to the weakest attraction. Conclusions: Endoscopic magnetic-coupling can be used to transiently fix otherwise mobile segments of bowel to the anterior abdominal wall. This concept holds promise for minimally invasive therapies, in particular, direct endoscopic enteral feeding tube placement. Supported by an ASGE Research Grant
A structural econometric model of Czechoslovakia: 1954–1975

This paper describes an econometric model of the Czechoslovak economy. The model is based on a macroeconomic theory of the planned economy and the hypothesis that planners' behavior is relatively stable over time and reflects the policy options implied by the macroeconomic theory.
Imaging issues for interferometry with CGH null correctors

Aspheric surfaces, such as telescope mirrors, are commonly measured using interferometry with computer generated hologram (CGH) null correctors. The interferometers can be made with high precision and low noise, and CGHs can control wavefront errors to accuracy approaching 1 nm for difficult aspheric surfaces. However, such optical systems are typically poorly suited for high performance imaging. The aspheric surface must be viewed through a CGH that was intentionally designed to introduce many hundreds of waves of aberration. The imaging aberrations create difficulties for the measurements by coupling both geometric and diffraction effects into the measurement. These issues are explored here, and we show how the use of larger holograms can mitigate these effects.
Sleep fragmentation attenuates the hypercapnic (but not hypoxic) ventilatory responses via adenosine A1 receptors in awake rats.

Abstract Sleep fragmentation (SF) and intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia are the primary events associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We previously found that SF eliminates ventilatory long-term facilitation and attenuates poikilocapnic hypoxic ventilatory responses (HVR). This study examined the effect of SF on isocapnic HVR and hypercapnic ventilatory responses (HCVR), and investigated the time course of and the role of adenosine A1 receptors in these SF effects in conscious adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. SF was achieved by periodic, forced locomotion in a rotating drum (30 s rotation/90 s stop for 24 h). Ventilation during baseline, isocapnic hypoxia (11% O 2 plus 4% CO 2 ) and hypercapnia (6% CO 2 ) was measured using plethysmography. About 1 h after 24 h SF, resting ventilation, arterial blood gases and isocapnic HVR (control: 169.3 ± 11.5% vs. SF: 170.0 ± 10.3% above baseline) were not significantly changed, but HCVR was attenuated (control: 172.8 ± 17.5% vs. SF: 129.5 ± 9.6%; P = 0.003). This attenuated HCVR then returned spontaneously to the control level ∼4 h after SF (168.9 ± 12.1%). This HCVR attenuation was also reversed (184.0 ± 17.5%) by systemic injection of the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-CPT (2.5 mg/kg) shortly after SF, while 8-CPT at this dose had little effect on HCVR in control rats (169.9 ± 11.8%). Collectively, these results suggest that: (1) 24 h SF does not change isocapnic HVR but causes an attenuation of HCVR; and (2) this attenuation lasts for only a few hours and requires activation of adenosine A1 receptors.
Apical Plasma Membrane Mispolarization of NaK-ATPase in Polycystic Kidney Disease Epithelia Is Associated with Aberrant Expression of the β2 Isoform

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic disease of the kidney, characterized by cystic enlargement of renal tubules, aberrant epithelial proliferation, and ion and fluid secretion into the lumen. Previous studies have shown abnormalities in polarization of membrane proteins, including mislocalization of the NaK-ATPase to the apical plasma membranes of cystic epithelia. Apically located NaK-ATPase has previously been shown to be fully functional in vivo and in membrane-grown ADPKD epithelial cells in vitro, where basal-to-apical (22)Na transport was inhibited by application of ouabain to the apical membrane compartment. Studies were conducted with polymerase chain reaction-generated specific riboprobes and polyclonal peptide antibodies against human sequences of alpha1, alpha3, beta1, and beta2 subunits of NaK-ATPase. High levels of expression of alpha1 and beta1 messenger RNA were detected in ADPKD and age-matched normal adult kidneys in vivo, whereas beta2 messenger RNA was detected only in ADPKD kidneys. Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical studies showed that, in normal adult kidneys, peptide subunit-specific antibodies against alpha1 and beta1 localized to the basolateral membranes of normal renal tubules, predominantly thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop. In ADPKD kidneys, alpha1 and beta2 subunits were localized to the apical epithelial cell membranes, whereas beta1 was distributed throughout the cytoplasm and predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum, but was not seen associated with cystic epithelial cell membranes or in cell membrane fractions. Polarizing, renal-derived epithelial Madin Darby canine kidney cells, stably expressing normal or N-terminally truncated chicken beta1 subunits, showed selective accumulation in the basolateral Madin Darby canine kidney cell surface, whereas c-myc epitope-tagged chicken beta2 or human beta2 subunits accumulated selectively in the apical cell surface. Similarly, human ADPKD epithelial cell lines, which endogenously expressed alpha1 and beta2 NaK-ATPase subunits, showed colocalization at the apical cell surface and coassociation by immunoprecipitation analysis. These results are consistent with a model in which the additional transcription and translation of the beta2 subunit of NaK-ATPase may result in the apical mislocalization of NaK-ATPase in ADPKD cystic epithelia.
The bottom boundary layer structure in the vicinity of the Middle Atlantic Bight shelfbreak front

Abstract The velocity structure in the bottom boundary layer (BBL) in the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) is investigated using data derived from the Shelf Edge Exchange Processes (SEEP-II) experiment to test theoretical predictions of the effects of cross-shelf buoyancy flux on the BBL which are thought to contribute to frontogenesis at the shelfbreak. The cross-shelf flow is bottom intensified with a direction veering consistent with that of a frictional boundary layer with rotation. The BBL thickness based on veering angle ranges from 8 to 40 m with a velocity dependence complicated by stratification that is dependent on frontal position. There is evidence of the asymmetry in the BBL thickness expected for the cross-shelf buoyancy flux during up- and downwelling events. However, the velocity structure does not define a sharp upper boundary to the BBL as given by simple one-dimensional model calculations and suggests that there must be other sources of turbulence in addition to bottom friction.
Sediment Phosphorus Release at Beaver Reservoir, Northwest Arkansas, USA, 2002–2003: A Preliminary Investigation

Phosphorus (P) release from bottom sediments can be a significant source to the overlying water column, potentially maintaining and enhancing algal growth and eutrophic conditions in lakes and reservoirs. Thus, the objectives of this study were to: (1) measure P flux under aerobic and anaerobic conditions from intact sediment cores collected at Beaver Reservoir, northwest Arkansas, (2) evaluate the spatial variability in measured sediment P flux under aerobic and anaerobic conditions along the reservoir, and (3) compare external and internal P loads to Beaver Reservoir. Six intact sediment cores were collected at three sites representing the lacustrine, transitional, and riverine zones during June 2003, September 2003 and February 2004 and incubated for 21 days in the dark at ∼22°C. Three cores from each site were incubated under aerobic conditions and anaerobic conditions. Water samples were collected from the overlying water column in each core daily for the first five days and every other day thereafter and analyzed for soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). Water removed from the core was replaced with filtered lake water, maintaining a constant overlying water volume of 1 l. Sediment P flux under anaerobic conditions (<0.01–1.77 mg m−2 day−1) was generally greater than that measured under aerobic conditions (<0.01–0.89 mg m−2 day−1). Some spatial variability existed in sediment P flux where P flux was generally greatest at the sites in the riverine and transitional zones. Maximum sediment P flux was observed under anaerobic conditions in cores collected from the transitional zone during September 2003. Average sediment P flux under aerobic conditions (0.09 mg m−2 day−1) and anaerobic conditions (0.31 mg m−2 day−1) was greater than the external P flux (0.05 mg m−2 day−1) estimated from the Beaver Reservoir tributaries. Results showed that the annual internal P load (7 Mg year−1) from bottom sediments in Beaver Reservoir was less than 10% of the annual external P load (∼81 Mg P year−1). The internal P load was significant, but it would not currently be cost effective to manage this P source given the large surface area of Beaver Reservoir.
Thermoelectric properties of pressed bismuth nanoparticles

Abstract Theory predicts a substantial increase in the dimensionless figure of merit as the dimensionality and characteristic size of a material are decreased. We explore the use of bismuth nanoparticles pressed into pellets as potential increased efficiency thermoelectric materials. The figure of merit of these pellets is determined by independently measuring the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. The results from the nanoparticle sample are compared to microparticle-based samples. Both sample types show a slight reduction in thermal conductivity relative to bulk bismuth and a Seebeck coefficient near or slightly larger in magnitude than bulk bismuth. These changes are dwarfed by a hundred-fold decrease in the electrical conductivity due to porosity and an oxide layer on the particles. The low conductivity leads to figures of merit at least two orders of magnitude smaller than bulk bismuth. Oxide layer removal and reduced pellet porosity will be required to increase the figure of merit.
Formation, Structures, and Reactivities of Niobium Oxide Cluster Ions

Niobium oxide cluster ions are produced by a laser-induced plasma source. The cluster distribution, collision-induced dissociation (CID), and cluster reactivities are studied using a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. CID experiments on the cluster ions Nb3O7-9+, Nb4O9-11+, and Nb5O12+ reveal that their building blocks are Nb2O5, NbO2+, NbO3, Nb3O7+, O, and O2, whereby the cluster stoichiometry is assigned to have the general form (NbO3)m(NbO2)n(O)0-4+. The trends in the ionization potentials of these species are estimated in terms of the CID fragments produced. Nb3O8-9+ and Nb4O11+ cluster ions evidently form via the adsorption of one oxygen atom or molecule onto the cluster surface. Nb3O7+, Nb4O9+, and Nb5O12+ have strong reactivities to abstract an oxygen atom from oxygen-containing molecules and adsorb small hydrocarbons at near thermal energies. In particular, the reactivity of the oxygen atom or molecule in the oxide clusters Nb3O8-9+ and Nb4O11+ is consistent with our suggestions that it has a ra...
Comparative Effects of Estrogen and Antiestrogen on Plasma Renin Substrate Levels and Hepatic Estrogen Receptors in the Rat

Studies were undertaken to compare the effects of the estrogen ethinyl estradiol [llα-ethinylestradiol-17β (EE2)] and the antiestrogen U11.100A [l-(2-[p-(3,4-dihydro-6-methoxy- 2 - phenyl -1 - naphthyl) phenoxy] ethyl) pyrrolidine hydrochloride (UA)] on rat liver. These compounds were assessed for their abilities to bind to estrogen-specific binding sites in liver cytosol, to translocate these sites to the nucleus, and to induce elevations of hepatic production of plasma renin substrate. Both compounds were shown to cause significant 2- to 4-fold increases in plasma renin substrate levels after sc injections at dosages of 25, 100, and 250 μg daily for 2 days to mature female rats, and two related triarylethylene antiestrogens, tamoxifen [trans-l-(4β-dimethylaminoethoxyphenyl) l,2-diphenylbut-l-ene] and CI628 [α-(p-(2-(l-pyrrolidino)ethoxy)phenyl)4-methoxy-α′-nitrostilbene], were equally potent stimulators of elevated plasma renin substrate leve s. Similar approximately 3-fold increases in plasma renin sub...
A short discussion of the OR crisis

Abstract The OR crisis is discussed with special reference to the analysis of Russell Ackoff. It is argued that the classical paradigm of OR based on mathematical programming remains a valid one.
In situ aerosol profiles over the Southern Great Plains cloud and radiation test bed site: 1. Aerosol optical properties

[1] Aerosol optical properties were measured over the Southern Great Plains (SGP) cloud and radiation test bed site using a light aircraft (Cessna C-172N). The aircraft flew level legs at altitudes between 500 m and 3500 m several times per week over the course of 2 years in order to obtain a statistically representative data set of in situ aerosol vertical profiles. Instrumentation on the aircraft was similar to that at the surface SGP site so that measurements at the surface and aloft could easily be compared. Measured parameters included total light scattering, backscattering, and absorption, while calculated parameters included single-scattering albedo, backscatter fraction, and Angstrom exponent. Statistical plots of aerosol optical properties and their variation in the lower column (0–4000 m) showed that over the course of the 2 years studied, albedo, backscatter fraction, and Angstrom exponent were fairly invariant with altitude (at least up to 1800 m). Despite the vertical consistency the correlation between column average and surface values for single-scattering albedo, backscatter fraction, and Angstrom exponent tended to be quite low, with R2 ranging from 0.3 to 0.6 and linear regression slopes ranging from 0.2 to 0.6. These results suggest that long-term surface aerosol measurements capture the column aerosol properties but may not be as representative of day-to-day variations in the column. Comparison of aerosol optical depth (AOD) calculated from the vertical profiles with other measurements of AOD made at SGP (i.e., by the Cimel Sun photometer and the multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR)) showed fair correlation (R2 ∼ 0.7 Cimel, R2 ∼ 0.8 MFRSR), although the aircraft AODs tend to have a consistent offset of −0.04, even after incorporating a correction for supermicrometer aerosol and stratospheric aerosol.
Breaking with tradition in mathematical metal reliability modeling

One of the limiting factors in designing advanced microelectronics is the size and complexity of the wiring used to connect electronic components on a chip. Although transistors can be scaled to smaller sizes with well-understood rules, metallization cannot. Typically, scaling raises the current density as the lines themselves are made thinner. This increases the chance of circuit failure due to electromigration. Another kind of failure that occurs is stress voiding, in which the stresses due to thermal-expansion mismatches of nearby materials and the electromigration of atoms actually break a line. The Motorola Predictive Engineering Laboratory has been developing a computer model for stress and electromigration that includes considerably more physics than the routinely-used statistical models. If we can project metal lifetimes more accurately, we could generate better design rules and thus produce less expensive products that are less limited in area or performance by metallization. We are working directly with engineers who formulate and qualify our metallization processes and extract rules for product designers company-wide. The goal is to affect PowerPC and SmartPower designs.
Quantum effects in a superconducting-glass model.

We study disordered Josephson-junction arrays with long-range interaction and charging effects. The model consists of two orthogonal sets of positionally disordered {ital N} parallel filaments (or wires) Josephson coupled at each crossing and in the presence of a homogeneous and transverse magnetic field. The large charging energy (resulting from small self-capacitance of the ultrathin wires) introduces important quantum fluctuations of the superconducting phase within each filament. Positional disorder and magnetic-field frustration induce spin-glass-like ground states, characterized by not having long-range order of the phases. The stability of this phase is destroyed for sufficiently large charging energy. We have evaluated the temperature vs charging energy phase diagram by extending the methods developed in the theory of infinite-range spin glasses, in the limit of large magnetic field. The phase diagram in the different temperature regimes is evaluated by using a variety of methods, to wit: semiclassical WKB and variational methods, Rayleigh-Schroedinger perturbation theory, and pseudospin effective Hamiltonians. Possible experimental consequences of these results are briefly discussed.
Branched-chain amino-acid granules: can they improve survival in patients with liver cirrhosis?

Branched-chain amino-acid granules: can they improve survival in patients with liver cirrhosis?
SU-E-T-526: Modeling of a Compact Proton Therapy System Using TOPAS Monte Carlo Code

Purpose: To demonstrate the potential of using a newly innovated Monte Carlo platform TOPAS based on GEANT4 toolkits for proton therapy simulation is the primary purpose of this study. Methods: Based on preliminary geometry and material information provided by Mevion Medical system for a compact 250 MeV proton therapy machine planned to be delivered at our institution, a scattering foil, a secondary scatter filter, a range modulator wheel and a treatment nozzle were created using TOPAS. Beams of 250 MeV incident protons with energy spread of 0.75 MeV, shaped as point sources were used to interact in the phantom for the simulation. The beam angular spread in the X and Y directions were 0.0032 radians. Six hundred scoring detectors each with 1 mm thickness were placed in a water phantom (15 cm × 15 cm × 60 cm) created in the beam path. A default modular physics list was used in the simulation that included standard electromagnetic, nuclear elastic (G4Elastic) and inelastic (binary cascade) processes for protons and all secondary particles. Range modulator wheel in the simulation was rotating with a constant speed (using time feature function) to produce spread out Bragg peak (SOBP). Total 1 million incident particles were used in the simulation. Results: A complete model of beam components from a compact proton therapy system planned to be used in our facility has been achieved. A normalized single Bragg peak and a modulated spread out Bragg peak of 10 cm width for 250 MeV incident proton beam generated in this study will be presented. Conclusion: A compact double scattered proton therapy system was effectively modeled with TOPAS where the build‐in features dedicated for particle therapy were used. Further validation on beam parameters and physics settings are needed before utilizing this to patient specific applications.
Use of near-infrared spectroscopy to monitor cerebral oxygenation during coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion.

R EGIONAL CEREBRAL OXYGEN SATURATION (RSO2) depends on the balance between regional oxygen delivery and consumption. The factors that alter this relationship include global and regional cerebral blood flow, hemoglobin concentration, arterial oxygen saturation, and regional cerebral oxygen consumption. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a novel method used to determine RSO2 .1 This technique has been used predominantly in infants and children to determine cerebral oxygenation during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. 2 Its application has been expanded for use during carotid endarterectomy and in operations involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). 3,4 By providing continuous RSO2 monitoring, this technique may allow detection of changes that signal early cerebral hypoxia and thus allow for prompt therapeutic intervention to minimize risk of neurologic injury. This case report describes the use of continuous cerebral oximetry during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in a patient with bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion.
Current clinical challenges in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States. Close to $12 billion are spent annually on the treatment of prostate cancer in the US alone. Yet still there remain tremendous controversies and challenges that exist in all facets of the disease. This review and discussion will focus on issues and challenges for clinicians and patients diagnosed with the disease. Appropriate risk stratification for men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer is an appropriate first step for all patients. Once risk-stratified, for those with low-risk of death, it is increasingly recognized that overtreatment creates an unnecessary burden for many patients. This is particularly evident when put in the context of competing comorbidities in an elderly population. For those with advanced or high-risk localized disease, under-treatment remains too common. For those with a high-risk of recurrence or failure following primary treatment, adjuvant or salvage therapies are an option, but how and when to best deploy these treatments are controversial. Recently, tremendous progress has been made for those with advanced disease, in particular those with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Within the last 4 years, five novel FDA approved agents, acting through distinct mechanisms have been FDA approved for mCRPC. With the introduction of these new agents a host of new challenges have arisen. Timing, sequencing and combinations of these novel agents are welcomed challenges when compared with the lack of available therapies just a few years ago. In this summary of current clinical challenges in prostate cancer we review critical recent studies that have created or shifted the current paradigms of treatment for prostate cancer. We will also highlight ongoing issues that continue to challenge our field.
Polyoxometalate Delignification of Birch Kraft Pulp and Effect on Residual Lignin

Abstract To advance the understanding of delignification with polyoxometalates (POMs) that have been explored for use in bleaching of chemical pulps, the transformation of lignin during anaerobic treatment of birch kraft pulp with an equilibrated POM mixture composed of Na5(+2)[SiV1(-0.1)MoW10(+0.1)O40] was investigated. The conversion factor between the Klason lignin and the kappa number corrected for the hexenuronic acid (HexA) contribution gradually increased, indicating loss of lignin oxidizability. Comparative analysis of residual lignins isolated from pulps of decreasing kappa number showed that lignin undergoes changes that include a sharp reduction in the content of PhOH groups, a gradual demethylation, and a high increase in carbonyl groups. The results indicated that the POM treatment of kraft pulps leads to the loss of aromaticity, most likely caused by the conversion of aromatic rings to quinone moieties. The 2D NMR studies revealed the disappearance of the correlations assigned to stilbene st...
Careful Experiments Advance the Science of Informatics

If biomedical informatics is a science , we believe it best prospers by the careful application of the scientific method to testable hypotheses. From time to time this may require the use of simplified models to prove cause and effect or the lack thereof. Our experiment applied a controlled model of a clinical encounter and focused on the question of whether the use of an electronic health records system (EHR) on a computer is the cause of decrements in communications. As appropriate for a controlled experiment, cognitive load, except …
The evolution of phototransduction from an ancestral cyclic nucleotide gated pathway

The evolutionary histories of complex traits are complicated because such traits are comprised of multiple integrated and interacting components, which may have different individual histories. Phylogenetic studies of complex trait evolution often do not take this into account, instead focusing only on the history of whole, integrated traits; for example, mapping eyes as simply present or absent through history. Using the biochemistry of animal vision as a model, we demonstrate how investigating the individual components of complex systems can aid in elucidating both the origins and diversification of such systems. Opsin-based phototransduction underlies all visual phenotypes in animals, using complex protein cascades that translate light information into changes in cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) or canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) ion-channel activity. Here we show that CNG ion channels play a role in cnidarian phototransduction. Transcripts of a CNG ion channel co-localize with opsin in specific cell types of the eyeless cnidarian Hydra magnipapillata. Further, the CNG inhibitor cis-diltiazem ablates a stereotypical photoresponse in the hydra. Our findings in the Cnidaria, the only non-bilaterian lineage to possess functional opsins, allow us to trace the history of CNG-based photosensitivity to the very origin of animal phototransduction. Our general analytical approach, based on explicit phylogenetic analysis of individual components, contrasts the deep evolutionary history of CNG-based phototransduction, today used in vertebrate vision, with the more recent assembly of TRPC-based systems that are common to protostome (e.g. fly and mollusc) vision.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Porcine Chronic Myocardial Ischemia

Background This study was designed to test the effects of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) in the treatment of chronic myocardial ischemia. Methods The reprogramming of passage 3 myocardial fibroblasts was performed by using the lentiviral vector containing 4 human factors: OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC. The iPSC colonies at P12-17 were allogeneically transplanted into ischemic myocardium of 10 swine by direct injection. Cohorts of 2 animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks after injection. Results No signs of graft versus host disease were evident at any time points. At 2 weeks, clusters of SSEA-4-positive iPSCs were detected in the injected area. At 4 to 8 weeks, these cells started to proliferate into small spheres surrounded by thin capsules. At 12 weeks the cell clusters still existed, but decreased in size and numbers. The cells inside these masses were homogeneous with no sign of differentiation into any specific lineage. Increased smooth muscle actin or vWF positive cells were found inside and around the iPSC clusters, compared with non-injected areas. By real-time polymerase chain reaction, the levels of VEGF, basic FGF, and ANRT expression were significantly higher in the iPSC-treated myocardium compared with untreated areas. These results suggest that iPSCs contributed to angiogenesis. Conclusions Allogeneically transplanted pig iPSCs proliferated despite an ischemic environment in the first 2 months and survived for at least 3 months in immunocompetent hosts. Transplanted iPSCs were also proangiogenic and thus might have beneficial effects on the ischemic heart diseases.
An interpretation of some biological results obtained in range-modulated negative pion beams

Abstract Recent biological data show little change in relative biological effectiveness (RBE) across the peak region of range-modulated pion beams in contrast to previous works which showed increasing RBE with depth. These biological results are shown to be consistent with each other and with previously measured microdosimetric data. The differences are attributed to differences in the lateral spread of the beams. Large lateral distributions result in an increased dose as a result of neutrons emitted in pion “stars,” an effect that is quantified using a high-energy neutron transport code. For a large beam which is of the type used in therapy, the neutron dose is as much as 50% of the total “star” dose and of the high linear energy transfer (LET) dose, this percentage increasing with increasing peak volume. Preliminary measurements are in agreement with the calculated results. The rapid increase in neutron dose with field size should be an important factor in pion treatment planning.
Image Processing on Multicore x86 Architectures

As multicore architectures overtake single-core architectures in today's and future compute systems, traditional applications with sequential algorithms can no longer rely on technology scaling to improve performance. Instead, applications must switch to parallel algorithms to take advantage of multicore system performance. Image processing applications exhibit a high degree of parallelism and are excellent candidates for multicore systems. However, simply exploiting parallelism is not enough to achieve the best performance. Optimization must take into account underlying architecture characteristics such as wide vector and limited bandwidth. This article illustrates techniques that can be used to optimize performance for multicore x86 systems on three key image processing kernels: fast Fourier transform, convolution, and histogram.
Boater Safety: Communicating Weather Forecast Information to High-Stakes End Users

AbstractRecreational boaters in the Pacific Northwest understand that there is uncertainty inherent in deterministic forecasts as well as some of the factors that increase uncertainty. This was determined in an online survey of 166 boaters in the Puget Sound area. Understanding was probed using questions that asked respondents what they expected to observe when given a deterministic forecast with a specified lead time, for a particular weather parameter, during a particular time of year. It was also probed by asking respondents to estimate the number of observations, out of 100 or out of 10, that they expected to fall within specified ranges around the deterministic forecast. Almost all respondents anticipated some uncertainty in the deterministic forecast as well as specific biases, most of which were born out by an analysis of local National Weather Service verification data. Interestingly, uncertainty and biases were anticipated for categorical forecasts indicating a range of values as well, suggesting...
THE BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR: CASTING LIGHT INTO THE "BLACK-BOX"'

~ummdry.-~istoricall~ psychology could be criticized for taking a "blackbox approach" in that environmental inputs and organism outputs (or observable behavior) were sufficient for some early practitioners to speculate about internal states, motivations, or the formal operation and structure of the box (brain) itself. Recent experiments in neuroanatomy, psychophysiology, and neural-behavioral science are providing a much needed link between the brain and behavior. Current research suggescs that synaptic pathways in the brain which are developmentally determ~ned are also predisposed to learning and . can be altered by experience. This observation is discussed in relation to learning-disabled children and the opinion advanced that contemporary brain research offers new paradigms for psychology. Psychology as a young science has experienced tremendous growth during the present century. An essential ingredient in this growth is the refinement of precise descriptive techniques which allow a rigorous study of the behavior of an organism and the specific environmental conditions eliciting the behavior. The popularity of the behaviorist's and social learning theory approach is attributable to the straightforward way environmental inputs and organism outputs (or observable behavior) can be described, quantified and analyzed. In some ways psychology has always relied on observable behavior since we can only learn what an organism actually does by observing it. Yet the behaviorist's approach remains focused on the inputs and outputs, believing that when psychodynarnic practitioners speak of behavior they lapse into unscientific speculation in hypothesizing about internal states and motivations of an organism. Turn-of-the-century psychology can be criticized as a "black-box approach" in this sense. Inputs and outputs are studied by an experimenter and from the resulting information the structure and operation of the box (brain) is deduced (Crick, 1979). Behaviorists skirt this difficulty and keep description restricted to the observable; although they avoid being "black-box theorists," nothing is added to our knowledge of its operation. In this manner, biology and behavior are artificially separated and the black-box exists as a phantom in absence of an analytical method to shed light on its machinery and operation. Both the behaviorist and the psychodynamic practitioner could be faulted: one
Parallelization of the dynamic programming algorithm for the matrix chain product on a hypercube

An examination is made of the dynamic programming technique implemented on a distributed-memory multiprocessor system. The matrix chain product algorithm is investigated as an example problem. A method for parallelizing the dynamic programming technique for solving the matrix chain product problem is presented and load-balancing considerations are examined. The sequential dynamic programming technique is a fine grain algorithm and considered by many researchers to be too fine grain to execute effectively on a hypercube. The parallel algorithm yielded modest speedups for fixed-size problems. Scaled problems promise even better speedups. Results show that respectable performance for the dynamic programming algorithmic technique can be achieved on a hypercube. >
Evolution of T1 black holes in patients with multiple sclerosis imaged monthly for 4 years.

T1 black holes (BHs) on MRIs may represent either areas of oedema or axonal loss in patients with multiple sclerosis. BHs begin as contrast enhancing lesions (CELs) and evolve differently from patient to patient, and within the same patient over time. We analysed BHs formation over a 4-year period. Forty-eight monthly MRIs of nine non-treated multiple sclerosis patients were evaluated for numbers of CELs and BHs. A BH was defined as a hypointense lesion on a T1 pre-contrast image that coincided with a region of high signal intensity on the T2-weighted images. A BH was considered as acute (ABH) when it occurred coincidently with the presence of enhancement and as persisting (PBH) when present after the cessation of enhancement. The present study aimed to analyse: (i) the incidence of CELs and new PBHs, and the accumulation of PBHs; (ii) the relationship between the quantity of the CELs in a given month and the likelihood of accumulating PBHs in the subsequent month; and (iii) the relationship between the duration of CELs and PBHs. Pitman's correlation test evaluated the effect of time on either the increase of CELs and new PBHs or the accumulation of PBHs, while a multiple logistic regression analysis evaluated the relationship between progression of time and CELs, and the increase of PBHs in a multivariate model. The relationship between the enhancing lesions duration and the PBHs duration, or the time to revert back to an isointense lesion was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival models. PBHs accumulated (P or =2 monthly MRIs. The formation of a new PBH was found to be related to CELs activity; however, duration of PBHs is most likely a consequence of the duration of the enhancement.
A Framework of CBR-Based Bidding Knowledge Management System for Building Construction Enterprise

First of all, the paper bases on the analysis of the characteristic during the construction bidding phase in building construction enterprise and the technology of case-based reasoning (CBR), and presents a framework of CBR-based bidding knowledge management system for building construction enterprise. Then, this paper analyzes the component of the framework. At last, the authors study the process of case reasoning, as well as research the key technologies for realizing the system, such as knowledge representation, case representation and retrieval. Bases on the framework and the key technologies which is presented in this paper, these building construction enterprise are easy to realize their bidding knowledge management system, thus the knowledge can be shared and reused availably, the tacit knowledge can be captured and saved during the construction bidding phase, the time and cost of solving problem can be also reduced by using the CBR- based bidding knowledge management system (KMS) for construction enterprise.
Deficits in Surface Force Production During Seated Reaching in People After Stroke

Background and Purpose In order to design effective treatment strategies for the rehabilitation of reaching after stroke, it is necessary to understand the underlying deficits. Although the kinematic aspects of reaching after stroke have been studied frequently, little attention has been paid to the surface force production underlying this behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate surface force production and its coordination with arm movement during seated reaching in a group of people with hemiparesis. Subjects Seven people with mild right hemiparesis after stroke and 7 people who were neurologically healthy participated. Methods Subjects performed seated reaching at 160% their normal speed toward ipsilateral and contralateral targets placed 160% beyond arm reach. Surface forces beneath the seat and feet and 3-dimensional hand movement and joint motions of the upper extremity and trunk were recorded. Results A weight shift from seat to feet occurred earlier whereas the onset of medial-lateral seat force was delayed and smaller in magnitude in people with hemiparesis. Discussion and Conclusion The results suggest that the normal magnitude and timing of surface force production during reaching beyond arm’s length are altered in people with even mild hemiparesis after stroke, particularly during reaching toward the hemiparetic side.
On weak harmonic maass-modular grids of even integral weights

A number of examples of families of weak Maass forms and modular forms which satisfy a striking equality between their $q$-expansion coefficients appeared recently. One can formulate this equality by saying that these coefficients constitute a grid. In this paper we consider the simplest setting of even integral weight and full modular group. We prove that for every positive even integral weight a grid exists and is unique.
Adherence with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines Associated with improved survival in ovarian cancer patients, a study of 144,449 patients from the National Cancer Data Base: A project from the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) Quality and Outcomes Committee

Late-Breaking abstracts presented at the 42nd annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Late-Breaking Abstract Session Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 10:15 AM 11:30 AM Floridan Ballrooms, A-I Welcome and Opening Remarks Moderator: Nicoletta Colombo, MD, European Institute of Oncology,
Benefit-Cost Analysis of Variable Pricing Projects: SR-91 Express Lanes

Researchers identified a methodology for obtaining the incremental societal costs and benefits for a variable pricing project and applied that methodology to the State Route 91 (SR-91) Express Lanes in California. This is the longest running variable pricing project in the United States and, as such, it provided useful historical data and trends upon which to estimate benefits and costs. This analysis found that the incremental societal benefits of the SR-91 Express Lanes exceeded costs for the time period considered. A companion paper that examines the benefits and costs of the QuickRide high occupancy/toll lane program found similar results. However, the magnitudes of the differences in benefits and costs were dramatically different for the two projects, indicative of their relative sizes and the numbers of travelers impacted. On SR-91, tens of thousands of travelers were impacted on a daily basis where QuickRide's impact was limited to approximately 400 travelers per day. Interestingly, the benefit-cost ratios of the two projects were similar, both between 1.5 and 1.7.
The Importance of Tidal and Lateral Asymmetries in Stratification to Residual Circulation in Partially Mixed Estuaries

Measurements collected in the York River estuary, Virginia, demonstrate the important impact that tidal and lateral asymmetries in turbulent mixing have on the tidally averaged residual circulation. A reduction in turbulent mixing during the ebb phase of the tide caused by tidal straining of the axial density gradient results in increased vertical velocity shear throughout the water column during the ebb tide. In the absence of significant lateral differences in turbulent mixing, the enhanced ebb-directed transport caused by tidal straining is balanced by a reduction in the net seaward-directed barotropic pressure gradient, resulting in laterally uniform two-layer residual flow. However, the channel–shoal morphology of many drowned river valley estuaries often leads to lateral gradients in turbulent mixing. Tidal straining may then lead to tidal asymmetries in turbulent mixing near the deeper channel while the neighboring shoals remain relatively well mixed. As a result, the largest lateral asymmetries in turbulent mixing occur at the end of the ebb tide when the channel is significantly more stratified than the shoals. The reduced friction at the end of ebb delays the onset of the flood tide, increasing the duration of ebb in the channel. Conversely, over the shoal regions where stratification is more inhibited by tidal mixing, there is greater friction and the transition from ebb to flood occurs more rapidly. The resulting residual circulation is seaward over the channel and landward over the shoal. The shoal–channel segregation of this barotropically induced estuarine residual flow is opposite to that typically associated with baroclinic estuarine circulation over channel–shoal bathymetry.
Soft input soft output stack equalization for MIMO frequency selective fading channels

In this paper, we propose a soft-input soft-output stack equalizer for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) frequency selective fading channels. In the literature, the soft or hard input/output stack algorithms to equalize single or multiple antenna time-invariant intersymbol interference (ISI) channels exist. After some modifications of the original sequential decoding metric, we show that the soft-input soft-output stack algorithm can be used at the receiver of the coded systems over frequency selective fading channels. Our examples illustrate that the proposed metrics result in promising near-optimum equalizers while offering a complexity independent of the memory of the channel.
The importance of indirect cues for white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) risk assessment

Both direct cues that provide information about the actual presence of a predator and indirect environmental cues that provide information about the probability of encountering a predator may be used by animals assessing predation risk, but relatively few studies manipulate both simultaneously to study their relative importance. We conducted two experiments to study the foraging decisions of white-browed sparrow-weavers (Plocepasser mahali). The first experiment manipulated both direct and indirect cues in a feeding array by simultaneously placing feeding stations at different distances from humans (to manipulate direct risk) and from protective cover (to manipulate indirect risk). Weaver foraging was influenced more by indirect risk than by direct risk. The second experiment aimed to determine if weaver’s indirect risk assessment was sensitive to variation in benefits. We set two feeding stations at different distances from cover but the same distance from the human observers and systematically increased the amount of food at the station farther from cover. Weavers far from cover initially foraged at higher rates than those close to cover, but the addition of food reduced the foraging rate. Together, our results illustrate that weaver foraging decisions are sensitive to variation in risk and that indirect cues are relatively more important than direct cues.
Phone-Discriminating Minimum Classification Error (P-MCE) Training for Phonetic Recognition

In this paper, we report a study on performance comparisons of discriminative training methods for phone recognition using the TIMIT database. We propose a new method of phonediscriminating minimum classification error (P-MCE), which performs MCE training at the sub-string or phone level instead of at the traditional string level. Aiming at minimizing the phone recognition error rate, P-MCE nevertheless takes advantage of the well-known, efficient training routine derived from the conventional string-based MCE, using specially constructed one-best lists selected from phone lattices. Extensive investigations and comparisons are conducted between the PMCE and other discriminative training methods including maximum mutual information (MMI), minimum phone or word error (MPE/MWE), and the other two MCE methods. The P-MCE outperforms most of experimented approaches on the standard TIMIT database in terms of the continuous phonetic recognition accuracy. P-MCE achieves comparable results with the MPE method which also aims at reducing phone-level recognition errors.