cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability and uniqueness of a catalyst particle problem: Parameter optimization in Liapunov functions

In the analysis of stability and uniqueness of steady state through the Liapunov functional technique, the Liapunov functional is not unique and different forms can lead to significantly different results. A method is proposed in which the state vector and/or the parameters in the weighting matrix S(x) are optimized to obtain less conservative results than those reported previously. For the problem of stability and uniqueness of the steady state of a chemical reaction occurring in a catalyst particle with slab geometry, several sufficient conditions for stability have been developed for both cases of unity and nonunity Lewis numbers in terms of the system parameters and steady state profiles, the system parameters and the catalyst center temperature, and the system parameters alone. These conditions are shown to be stronger than the previously reported results (Murphy and Crandall, 1970). Sufficient conditions for uniqueness have also been developed. For unity Lewis number our uniqueness condition is stronger than the previously reported result (Luss and Amundson, 1967), and for non-unity Lewis number our uniqueness result is new.
Prediction of wall shear for horizontal annular air–water flow

Abstract In this study, non-intrusive pressure drop, liquid base film thickness distribution, and wave behavior measurements have been obtained for 206 horizontal annular two-phase (air–water) flow conditions in 8.8, 15.1, and 26.3 mm ID tubes. Wall shear was correlated to within 8% by a friction factor involving flow quality and gas Reynolds number. This correlation was found to perform better than those available in the literature, including film roughness correlations, two-phase multiplier methods, and pure data fits. Among published relations, the Muller-Steinhagen and Heck correlation was found to be the most accurate, while the Lockhart–Martinelli correlation can be modified to provide reasonable results. The gas friction velocity is found to be similar to the disturbance wave velocity, which suggests that waves are important sources of shear.
Spatial covariance of water isotope records in a global network of ice cores spanning twentieth-century climate change

[1] Estimating the spatial extent of past climate changes has been an ongoing challenge for paleoclimatology. For such estimates to be made with confidence, it is important to establish an understanding of the spatial coherence of proxy records during an interval of known climate change. We use water stable isotopes from high-resolution ice cores and twentieth-century observations of sea level pressures and sea surface temperatures to assess the covariance among isotopic records and its link to organized patterns of climate variability. Covarying signals in the cores are identified using empirical orthogonal function analysis. Results from regression analysis show that the leading signals are consistent with key climate patterns including the Northern Atlantic Oscillation and Southern Annular Mode and variability in tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures associated with the El Nino–Southern Oscillation. Patterns that have recently been identified in instrumental data, such as positive tropical Pacific SST anomalies associated with the negative phase of the SAM, are evident in the ice cores. These explanations for the variance of stable isotopes are consistent with recent studies using isotope-enabled general circulation models and provide a physical basis for interpreting the observed isotopic signals. While there is also a global change signal that is evident when analyzing the records collectively, there are some limitations in reconstructing global temperatures due to the geographic coverage of the available records and the current lack of modeling studies to explain the observed global-scale changes. Still, water stable isotope ratios preserved in ice cores provide a sufficiently rich sampling of large-scale climate variability that they can be more widely used in physically based paleoclimate reconstructions covering the last millennium and other periods.
New Globalism, New Urbanism: Gentrification as Global Urban Strategy

This paper uses several events in New York in the late 1990s to launch two central arguments about the changing relationship between neoliberal urbanism and so–called globalization. First, much as the neoliberal state becomes a consummate agent of—rather than a regulator of—the market, the new revanchist urbanism that replaces liberal urban policy in cities of the advanced capitalist world increasingly expresses the impulses of capitalist production rather than social reproduction. As globalization bespeaks a rescaling of the global, the scale of the urban is recast. The true global cities may be the rapidly growing metropolitan economies of Asia, Latin America, and (to a lesser extent) Africa, as much as the command centers of Europe, North America and Japan. Second, the process of gentrification, which initially emerged as a sporadic, quaint, and local anomaly in the housing markets of some command–center cities, is now thoroughly generalized as an urban strategy that takes over from liberal urban policy. No longer isolated or restricted to Europe, North America, or Oceania, the impulse behind gentrification is now generalized; its incidence is global, and it is densely connected into the circuits of global capital and cultural circulation. What connects these two arguments is the shift from an urban scale defined according to the conditions of social reproduction to one in which the investment of productive capital holds definitive precedence.
Applying an Experiential Learning Styles Framework to Management and Professional Development

Summarizes the findings and observations from managerial and professional development workshops with managers, physicians, educators, and social workers where a theory of experiential learning was applied in workshop design and content, along with the Learning Styles Inventory. In a follow‐up study of some of the workshops, participants reported an increase in self‐understanding and appreciation of their own and their colleagues′ learning styles and a valuing of the differences and integration of all four learning styles. Some reported an improvement in their working relationships between peers, supervisees, managers, and clients.
Energy dependent changes in the oxidation-reduction potential of cytochrome b☆

The oxidation-reduction midpoint potential measurement of mitochondrial cytochrome b indicate that there are two chemically different species of cytochrome b in the respiratory chain. The midpoint potential of one of these species is energy dependent.
Correlates of Victimization in a Juvenile Justice Population

The Practical Adolescent Dual Diagnostic Interview is a structured diagnostic interview designed to gather basic information about mental health conditions; past emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; suicide attempts; and substance use disorders. This instrument was administered to 435 males and 61 females in juvenile justice facilities and adolescent diversion courts to assess prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders relative to maltreatment (defined as physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse). Results showed that the majority of juveniles who experienced maltreatment were more likely to have diagnostic indications of behavioral health conditions. Additionally, for both males and females the odds of the individual having attempted suicide were more than twice as high for those acknowledging some form of maltreatment.
Reperfusion Seizures: A Manifestation of Cerebral Reperfusion Injury After Administration of Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Reperfusion injury has been well described in medical literature; cerebral reperfusion injury is commonly seen in association with vascular surgical procedures such as carotid endarterectomies and stent placement procedures. Cerebral reperfusion injury can manifest as blood-brain barrier breakdown, cortical irritability, and epileptic seizures. Seizures induced by cerebral reperfusion have not been documented or reported after thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke. We report a patient who received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset and developed the new-onset symptom of continuous, primary motor seizure activity within 20 minutes of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration. These epileptic seizures originated in the same area as the acute brain ischemia and occurred during the anticipated period of cerebral reperfusion. In this article we describe a case report and then discuss the pathophysiology and mechanisms that may underlie reperfusion epileptic seizures as a manifestation of cerebral reperfusion injury.
Criteria for stable Ni particle size under methanation reaction conditions: Nickel transport and particle size growth via nickel carbonyl

The loss of methanation activity of alumina-supported nickel catalysts was investigated at pressures up to ca. 600 kPa and temperatures from 400 to 740 K. Deactivation is attributed primarily to growth in nickel particle size. A mechanism involving Ni(CO)/sub 4/ formation, diffusion, and subsequent decomposition is proposed to explain the observed growth in nickel particle size. A region of safe operating conditions for achieving stable catalytic activity for methanation was identified. These safe operating conditions were sensitive to temperature and carbon monoxide partial pressure. A criterion based on the equilibrium partial pressure of Ni(CO)/sub 4/ is proposed for assessing the safety of a set of operating conditions. Specifically, conditions for which the equilibrium Ni(CO)/sub 4/ pressure is less than ca. 1 x 10/sup -6/ Pa result in stable methanation activity.
GnRH-induced desensitization of in vitro luteinizing hormone secretion in the turtle, Trachemys scripta.

Abstract Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced desensitization of pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in female turtles ( Trachemys scripta ) was investigated by in vitro superfusion of whole or hemipituitaries with the endogenous forms of the peptide. In sub-adults, LH secretion was rapidly attenuated desensitized) by both prolonged and pulsatile treatments of chicken II GnRH (cII-GnRH), but pulsatile GnRH administration was more effective than prolonged administration in stimulating LH release. Prolonged administration of chicken I GnRH (cI-GnRH) also desensitized LH secretion; cI-GnRH was slightly less potent than cII-GnRH. GnRH-induced attenuation of LH secretion was not the result of tissue deterioration or depletion of relesable LH: GnRH responsiveness of desensitized pituitaries was fully restored after 4 hr of in vitro recovery, and further LH secretion was induced by tetraethylammonium chloride, a membrane depolarizing agent, in the desensitized glands; TRH-stimulated TSH release did not show desensitization in the same glands. Pituitaries from most adult (vitellogenic) females failed to respond to GnRH challenges; however, when responsive, adult pituitaries also desensitized under prolonged GnRH stimulation and were more resistant to GnRH-induced desensitization under pulsatile GnRH treatments. Current results show that adult T. scripta typically display lower GnRH sensitivity than the subadults; the latter are like mammals, birds, and goldfish in their susceptibility to desensitization by both forms of endogenous GnRH.
Integrative genomic and functional profiling of the pancreatic cancer genome

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease with a five-year survival of less than 5%. A better understanding of the underlying biology may suggest novel therapeutic targets. Recent surveys of the pancreatic cancer genome have uncovered numerous new alterations; yet systematic functional characterization of candidate cancer genes has lagged behind. To address this challenge, here we have devised a highly-parallel RNA interference-based functional screen to evaluate many genomically-nominated candidate pancreatic cancer genes simultaneously. For 185 candidate pancreatic cancer genes, selected from recurrently altered genomic loci, we performed a pooled shRNA library screen of cell growth/viability across 10 different cell lines. Knockdown-associated effects on cell growth were assessed by enrichment or depletion of shRNA hairpins, by hybridization to barcode microarrays. A novel analytical approach (COrrelated Phenotypes for On-Target Effects; COPOTE) was used to discern probable on-target knockdown, based on identifying different shRNAs targeting the same gene and displaying concordant phenotypes across cell lines. Knockdown data were integrated with genomic architecture and gene-expression profiles, and selected findings validated using individual shRNAs and/or independent siRNAs. The pooled shRNA library design delivered reproducible data. In all, COPOTE analysis identified 52 probable on-target gene-knockdowns. Knockdown of known oncogenes (KRAS, MYC, SMURF1 and CCNE1) and a tumor suppressor (CDKN2A) showed the expected contrasting effects on cell growth. In addition, the screen corroborated purported roles of PLEKHG2 and MED29 as 19q13 amplicon drivers. Most notably, the analysis also revealed novel possible oncogenic functions of nucleoporin NUP153 (ostensibly by modulating TGFβ signaling) and Kruppel-like transcription factor KLF5 in pancreatic cancer. By integrating physical and functional genomic data, we were able to simultaneously evaluate many candidate pancreatic cancer genes. Our findings uncover new facets of pancreatic cancer biology, with possible therapeutic implications. More broadly, our study provides a general strategy for the efficient characterization of candidate genes emerging from cancer genome studies.
Papillary renal cell carcinoma: clinical implication of DNA content analysis.

Abstract Papillary renal cell carcinoma is considered a less-aggressive histomorphologic variant of renal cell carcinoma. We investigated the clinicopathologic features and the DNA ploidy pattern in 22 papillary renal cell carcinoma cases and correlated the findings to the patients' length of survival. In this study the demographic data were similar to those of previously published series. Histologically two neoplasms were Fuhrman's nuclear grade 1, eight were nuclear grade 2, 11 were nuclear grade 3, and one was nuclear grade 4. Six tumors were stage I, three were stage II, five were stage III, and eight were stage IV. With a mean follow-up period of 42 months, eight patients died of disease and 14 were alive and well. DNA aneuploidy was found in 50% of the neoplasms and was frequently associated with high tumor nuclear grade, high tumor stage, and poor prognosis. Conversely, DNA diploidy was preponderantly noted in neoplasms with low tumor nuclear grade and stage, and none of the patients died of their disease. A statistically significant difference between DNA ploidy/tumor stage and patient outcome was obtained. No significant correlation between DNA ploidy and nuclear grade was observed. Our results suggest that DNA content measurements may assist in evaluating the clinical outcome of this neoplasm. Moreover, they indicate that papillary renal cell carcinomas manifest clinicopathologic, DNA content, and biologic characteristics akin to those of nonpapillary variants.
Tuberculosis-resistant transgenic cattle

Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating disease that affects humans and many animal species. In humans, TB is mainly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, whereas most cases in cattle are caused by Mycobacterium bovis. However, M. bovis can also cause, albeit rarely, human TB. In PNAS, Wu et al. (1) report the use of novel genetic tools to demonstrate that insertion of one gene into a genomic “safe harbor” can dramatically decrease pathogen replication and disease pathology in M. bovis-infected cattle, and greatly diminish transmission of the disease within cow herds. Could this be a useful approach to diminish TB in cattle and potentially humans?
Stream Habitat Types: Their Fish Assemblages and Relationship to Flow

Abstract To simplify selection of target species for instream flow studies, 114 fish species–life stage combinations in six Minnesota streams were assigned membership in six habitat-preference guilds based on the habitat type supporting their highest densities. Shallow pools (<60 cm deep and velocities <30 cm/s) were preferred by most of the young-of-the-year fishes. Slow riffles (<60 cm deep and velocities 30–59 cm/s) were preferred by stonerollers Campostoma spp.; spawning sand shiners Notropis stramineus; adult river shiners N. blennius; juvenile, spawning, and age-0 suckers (Moxostonta spp., northern hog sucker Hypentelium nigricans, and white sucker Catostomus commersoni); and most age-0 darters (Etheostoma flabellare, E. nigrum, E. caeruleum, and Percina phoxocephala). Fast riffles (< 60 cm deep and velocities ≥60 cm/s) were preferred by adult longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae and most adult and spawning darters (Percina spp. and Etheostoma spp.). Raceways (60–149 cm deep and velocities ≥30 cm/s)...
Discovering an accountant's tax accrual workpapers: Should auditors join the priveleged few?

Abstract This article explores the legal controversy over the limits of the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) power to summons documents in an investigation of corporate income tax liability. The controversy focuses upon IRS access to an independent auditor's tax accrual workpapers. Required by federal securities laws, these workpapers record the accountant's predictions of the likelihood of successful IRS challenges to aggressive corporate tax positions. Routine IRS access to the tax accrual workpapers would stifle management's candid disclosure of questionable tax positions to the auditors. This article defines the limits of an auditor's work-product privilege premised on the social need for full disclosure of a company's contingent tax liabilities to assure the setting aside of adequate reserves to cover those contingencies. While the privilege should serve to protect those investing in American businesses, its primary purpose is to maintain a public trust in the integrity of certified financial statements.
Mortality and causes of death among workers exposed to phosgene in 1943-45.

Mortality and causes of death from death certificates were analyzed among workers exposed to phosgene while working at a uranium-processing plant in Tennessee in 1943-45. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated by using death rates for U. S. white males. As of 1979, SMRsfor all causes and for various selected causes were similar in 694 male chemical workers chronically exposed to low levels of phosgene in 1943-45 and in 9280 male controls who worked at the same plant. SMRs for diseases of the respiratory system were 107 (14 observed vs. 13.07 expected) in the chemical workers and 119 (292 observed vs. 245.75 expected) in the controls. In a group of 106 males who were acutely exposed to high levels of phosgene, there were 41 deaths observed vs. 33.87 expected (SMR = 121; 95% confidence limits = 86 and 165). One death, occurring within 24 hours of exposure, was from pulmonary edema due to phosgene poisoning (coded to "accidental causes''). Five deaths were coded to diseases of the respiratory s...
Relativistic BCS-BEC crossover of a two-species Fermi gas with number density asymmetry at zero temperature

Abstract We systematically study relativistic two-species fermions with tunable attractive interactions and number-density asymmetry at zero temperature. In general, a Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS)–Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC)–relativistic BEC (RBEC) crossover is observed. A generalized BCS ground state and its stability are analyzed. The homogeneous superfluid phase can become unstable and we consider phase separation in real space for neutral systems. In the nonrelativistic limit, our results are consistent with well-known results. In addition to a BCS–BEC crossover similar to that in the nonrelativistic case, in the strongly attractive regime gapless excitations of antifermions and a RBEC state are observed. We address how different phases respond to number density asymmetry and present predictive phase diagrams of BCS–BEC–RBEC crossover.
Disruption of prefrontal cortical-hippocampal balance in a developmental model of schizophrenia: reversal by sulpiride

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) receives converging inputs from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus which have competitive interactions in the NAc to influence motivational drive. We have previously shown altered synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal-NAc pathway in the methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) developmental model of schizophrenia in rodents that is dependent on cortical inputs. Thus, because mPFC-hippocampal balance is known to be partially altered in this model, we investigated potential pathological changes in the hippocampal influence over cortex-driven NAc spike activity. Here we show that the reciprocal interaction between the hippocampus and mPFC is absent in MAM animals but is able to be reinstated with administration of the antipsychotic drug, sulpiride. The lack of interaction between these structures in this model could explain the attentional deficits in schizophrenia patients and shed light onto their inability to focus on a single task.
Beyond Bed Nets

Despite the noble efforts of economist Jeffrey Sachs to address the malaria problems of Africa by supplying bed nets to 80% of the sleeping sites in the sub-Sahara (“Battling over bed nets,” News Focus, 26 October 2007, p. [556][1]), he might benefit from words written over 20 years ago by
Attention and Eye Movements in Reading: Inhibition of Return Predicts the Size of Regressive Saccades

A spatial cuing task was used to identify two types of readers, those with a relatively fast and those with a relatively slow buildup of inhibition of return (IOR). Backward-directed eye movements (regressions) during sentence reading were then examined as a function of the two IOR types. The results revealed that readers with fast IOR executed larger regressions than readers with slow IOR, as they directed the eyes away from the most recently attended area of text. Forward-directed eye movements (saccades), by contrast, were not a function of IOR type. Ease of sentence comprehension influenced the size of regressions, but this effect was also independent of IOR type. Multiple mechanisms of spatial attention, including IOR, bias eye movements toward upcoming words in the text during reading.
Sintering of yttrium oxide powders prepared by emulsion evaporation

Abstract The sintering behavior of yttrium oxide powders consisting of spherical particles prepared by emulsion evaporation was studied. The relative unfired density of the isopressed compacts was 49% of theoretical. The compacts were sintered in vacuum at temperatures of 1500–1800 C for up to 2.5 h. Sintered densities of 96.8% of theoretical were achieved. The sintering behavior of emulsion-derived powder was compared to that of the original unprocessed yttria powder. Microstructural evolution was followed by SEM observations and initial, intermediate and final stages of sintering were identified.
Medicinal chemistry: Forcing an enemy into the open

A series of highly active, simplified analogues of the natural product bryostatin have been prepared. They offer an improved approach for the activation of latent HIV that could, in combination with current state-of-the-art antiretroviral therapy, offer hope for eventual eradication of the infection.
An example of the persistent radical effect in cobaloxime-mediated radical alkyl-alkenyl cross coupling

Photolysis of alkylcobaloximes in the presence of activated alkenes results in both β-H elimination and alkyl-alkenyl cross coupling. A proposed mechanism predicts that buildup of the persistent radical . Co II (dmgH) 2 py as the reactions proceed enhances β-H elimination, lowering the yield of cross coupling. Scavengers of . Co II (dmgH) 2 py suppress β-H elimination and enhance cross coupling, presumably by lowering the concentration of . Co II (dmgH) 2 py. These data provide suport for the proposed reaction mechanism and illustrate how a persistent radical can control product distributions in an organometallic radical reaction
Loss of Virulence in an Isolate of an Entomopathogenic Fungus, Nomuraea rileyi, After Serial In Vitro Passage

Serial in vitro passage of Nomuraea rileyi (Farlow) Samson (UFL 78-6 pathotype) altered both its growth and development on in vitro and in vivo substrates. After only six conidial transfers on Sabouraud maltose and yeast extract agar (SMAY) plates, a reduction in the ability of these cultures to produce the yeastlike, hyphal body stage was observed. Conidia derived from transfers 6-10, although virulent to neonatal Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner larvae, failed to produce progeny conidia on larvae killed by N. rileyi . Continued serial conidial transfer (< 10) of this pathotype on SMAY resulted in conidia with reduced virulence against neonatal larvae. By the 16th conidial transfer, progeny conidia were avirulent to larvae. The attenuation of N. rileyi was associated with the sporulation process. After multiple vegetative transfers (<80) of the hyphal body stage on SMAY plates, no decrease in virulence to A. gemmatalis was observed.
Design and analysis of extruded quadrupolar dielectrophoretic traps

We present the design and experimental analysis of a dielectrophoretic trap composed of four microfabricated gold posts excited in a quadrupolar fashion. Using quantitative modeling tools, we have designed these extruded traps to attain strong holding against flow while being constrained by a set of system parameters. The extruded geometry consists of cylindrical electrodes in a trapezoidal arrangement and substrate-interconnect shunts. The traps can be individually electrically switched, are easily arrayable, and are amenable to batch fabrication. We have verified the predicted performance of the extruded traps by measuring holding of beads against flows and comparing to the model predictions. The results demonstrate that extruded quadrupolar traps exhibit strong particle confinement and that the modeling tools can be used for a priori design of dielectrophoresis-based single-particle traps.
Behavioral health contracting.

Managed care contracting reflects the fundamental tensions that arise when organizations whose operations depend in large part on standardization and control sell their services to purchasers with more or less specific and often nonstandardized expectations.
Characterization of the arachidonate-containing molecular species of phosphoglycerides in the human neutrophil

Abstract Neutrophils were labeled with high specific activity, [ 3 H]-arachidonate and separated into their arachidonate-containing phosphoglycerides using a slight modification of the normal phase and reverse phase HPLC described by Patton et al. The individual molecular species of PC, PE and PI containing arachidonate were characterized by fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry techniques. Eight major arachidonate-containing molecular species of PC, six major arachidonate-containing molecular species of PE and two major arachidonate-containing molecular species of PI could be found. With the structures of the phosphoglycerides eluting from the reverse phase HPLC column known, general trends in the HPLC elution behavior of 1-0-alkyl, 1-alk-l-enyl and 1-acyl-2-arachidonoyl phosphoglycerides could be observed.
Design and Synthesis of the First Generation of Dithiolane Thiazolidinedione- and Phenylacetic Acid-Based PPARγ Agonists

A series of novel derivatives of potent antioxidant vitamin, α-lipoic acid, and related analogues were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their PPARγ agonist activities. Compounds 9a and the water soluble analogue 11e were found to be potent PPARγ agonists. Compound 9a appeared to have a significant role in improving insulin sensitivity and reducing triglyceride levels in fa/fa rats as well as inhibited proliferation of a variety of normal and neoplastic cultured human cell types. These novel compounds may prove efficacious not only in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, but also atherosclerosis, prevention of vascular restenosis, and inflammatory skin diseases.
Regeneration of larval urodele limbs containing homoplastic transplants

Forelimbs of larval Ambystoma were amputated through the elbow. In many cases the humerus was partially or totally extripated. Homoplastic transplants, previously labeled with tritiated thymidine, were then inserted into the limb stump, which was re-amputated through the graft. Experiments involving the addition of appendicular or visceral skeletal parts revealed fusion of the implant with the humerus and suggested interactions between skeletal components. The morphology of such regenerates was usually normal. The various skeletal elements exhibited a differential susceptibility to regression, Meckel's cartilage being particularly resistant. As a consequence, the distal blastema was often spatially removed from the proximal shoulder region. Nevertheless, reconstitution of the head of the humerus was always observed. The cellular origin of this portion of the regenerate was probably local connective tissue. Unlike Meckel's cartilage, the humerus released many cells to the accumulation blastema. These labeled cells may have divided at a higher rate than other blastemal cells, suggesting the possibility of tissue-specific regeneration of cartilage. Transplanted muscle and connective tissue originating from either the jaw region or the limb behaved similarly to each other. Labeled connective tissue cells proximal to the amputation plane began dividing before the blastema was established, therefore the time of onset of cell division may vary according to the tissue involved and its location with respect to the blastema. A distinction between inductive phenomena and cell contributions was also made.
Control and `anticontrol' of chaos in an analog neural network with time delay

Abstract The results of study of an analog neural network model with time delay which produces chaos similar to the human and animal EEGs are presented. It is found that the time delay plays an important role in the control of chaos and production of different chaotic and non-chaotic outputs. An increase in neural network asymmetry (increase of the neuron excitability) leads to the phenomenon similar to the epilepsy. Two cases of the chaos control by the action of the external low-dimensional chaotic force are considered: (1) on the neural network with developed non-chaotic activity (anticontrol); (2) on the neural network with developed low-dimensional chaos. In the first case, we obtained suppression of pathological non-chaotic activity at the optimal amplitude of external low-dimensional chaotic force. In both cases, the chaotic neural network demonstrates the phenomenon similar to a stochastic resonance for internal spontaneous oscillations under the action of external low-dimensional chaotic force instead of random noise, as studied previously.
Percutaneous Cryoablation of Renal Masses: Impact of Patient Selection and Treatment Parameters on Outcomes

OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether the trend in patient selection or perioperative parameters were associated with treatment outcomes after percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) of renal masses. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed our urological oncology database and identified 52 patients treated for a total of 54 renal masses. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate whether the variables of age, gender, tumor size, number of probes used, total freezing time, preoperative creatinine, American Society of Anesthesia class, body mass index, or age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score had an impact on the outcomes of treatment failure or the complication rate. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 21 months, recurrence-free, overall, and disease-specific (based on radiographic follow-up and biopsy) survival were 96.2%, 98.1% and 100%, respectively. The mean age-adjusted CCI score for patients with postoperative complications was 6.5, compared with a mean score of 3.0 in patients without postoperative complications (P = .02). The complication rate was also significantly higher when a greater number of cryoprobes were used during PCA (P < .005). None of the variables analyzed were predictive of treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS Of the pre- and intraoperative variables studied, age-adjusted CCI score and number of cryoprobes used were the only variables with predictive value for outcomes in regard to treatment failure or complications. As investigators continue using cryoablation to treat renal masses, it is important to be able to completely and honestly counsel patients regarding the likelihood of complications and need for subsequent therapy in the setting of treatment failure.
On Properties of Predictive Priors in Linear Models

Abstract Utilizing the notion of matching predictives as in Berger and Pericchi, we show that for the conjugate family of prior distributions in the normal linear model, the symmetric Kullback-Leibler divergence between two particular predictive densities is minimized when the prior hyperparameters are taken to be those corresponding to the predictive priors proposed in Ibrahim and Laud and Laud and Ibrahim. The main application for this result is for Bayesian variable selection.
Prostaglandin E1 inhibits T-cell proliferation and renal disease in MRL1 mice☆

Abstract MRL 1 mice develop an autoimmune, lupus-like disorder characterized by massive proliferation of T cells and rapidly fatal immune complex nephritis. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), in pharmacologic quantities, retarded the development of this syndrome. The beneficial effects included: (1) increased lifespan, (2) prevention of peripheral T lymphoid hyperplasia, (3) preservation of T-cell mitogenic responses, (4) inhibition of immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, and (5) reduction in the amounts of circulating gp70-anti-gp70 immune complexes and of IgG1 and IgG2b. These studies suggest that the protective effects of PGE1 are related to the inhibition of lymphoid hyperplasia and the consequent prevention of renal disease.
Approximating the risk score for disease diagnosis using MARS

In disease screening and diagnosis, often multiple markers are measured and they are combined in order to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. McIntosh and Pepe (2002, Biometrics58, 657-644) showed that the risk score, defined as the probability of disease conditional on multiple markers, is the optimal function for classification based on the Neyman-Pearson Lemma. They proposed a two-step procedure to approximate the risk score. However, the resulted ROC curve is only defined in a subrange (L, h) of the false-positive rates in (0,1) and determination of the lower limit L needs extra prior information. In practice, most diagnostic tests are not perfect and it is usually rare that a single marker is uniformly better than the other tests. Using simulation, I show that multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) is a useful tool to approximate the risk score when combining multiple markers, especially when the ROC curves from multiple tests cross. The resulted ROC is defined in the whole range of (0,1) and it is easy to implement and has intuitive interpretation. The sample code of the application is shown in the appendix.
Transcerebellar stereotactic biopsy for lesions of the brainstem and peduncles under local anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: For certain brainstem lesions, a diagnostic biopsy is required for treatment planning. We reviewed the indications, safety, and diagnostic effectiveness of a transcerebellar stereotactic biopsy using local anesthesia and sedation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed hospital records for all adult patients with symptomatic lesions of the pons and/or cerebellar peduncle who underwent an awake transcerebellar stereotactic biopsy at our institution over a 7-year period. Our technique features several modifications from the standard method and was performed under local anesthesia with patients in the semi-sitting position. RESULTS: Our rate of diagnostic success (92%) was comparable to those in other published reports. However, only 5 (42%) of 12 biopsy-derived diagnoses were consistent with those predicted from preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. There were no deaths, and the only neurological complication was a cranial nerve palsy. Diagnoses in the 13 cases included infiltrative glioma (4), metastases (3), lymphoma (2), encephalitis (1), and reactive astrogliosis (1). CONCLUSION: Tissue diagnosis of lesions in the brainstem and cerebellar peduncles continues to be a significant challenge, with the potential for major morbidity. With appropriate patient selection, however, awake transcerebellar biopsy is a safe and effective procedure that can change clinical management and provide important prognostic information.
Theoretical equilibrium moduli and swelling extents for randomly cross-linked networks

Abstract The recen Flory-Erman theory of real networks with constraints on junction fluctuations and the Queslel-Mark approach to the topology of randomly cross-linked networks have been used to predict equilibrium moduli and swelling properties of randomly cross-linked networks. The networks are prepared from precursor polymers having various molecular weights and are cured with different amounts of cross-linking agent. Illustrative results are given for cis-polyisoprene cured with dicumyl peroxide.
Training, Search and Wage Dispersion

Abstract This paper combines on-the-job search and human capital theory to study the coexistence of firm-funded general training and frequent job turnovers. Although ex ante identical, firms differ in their training decisions. The model generates correlations between various firm characteristics that are consistent with the data. Wage dispersion exists among ex ante identical workers because workers of the same productivity are paid differently across firms, and because workers differ in their productivity ex post. Endogenous training breaks the perfect correlation between work experience and human capital, which yields new insights on wage dispersion and wage dynamics.
Structure, petrology, and metamorphic history of the Nome Group blueschist terrane, Salmon Lake area, Seward Peninsula, Alaska

An 80-mi 2 area adjacent to Salmon Lake, mapped at a scale of 1:36,680, includes a section of the Nome Group schist that is at least 2,000 m thick. It is relatively intact, with relict primary lithologic layering, and not melange-like or highly disrupted by faults. The Nome Group metasediments include pelitic schist, graphitic quartzite, pure and impure marble, calcareous schist, chlorite-albite schist, chloritic quartz-albite, and mafic schists. Metaigneous rocks include Fe-Ti-rich metabasite and granitic to tonalitic orthogneiss. The protoliths are Precambrian(?) to Paleozoic in age, and radiometric ages indicate that the high-pressure metamorphism of the Nome Group is Late Jurassic. Blueschist-facies assemblages occur in Nome Group metabasites and in most metasedimentary schists. The blueschists are synkinematic; they formed during an episode of widely distributed penetrative deformation and mesoscopic intrafolial isoclinal folding of consistent orientation. The Nome Group of the Salmon Lake area underwent a prograde monocyclic polyfacial high-P/T metamorphism. Initial metamorphism was in the lower-T regime of the lawsonite-glaucophane field (300 °C, 7 kb?) and prograded with increasing T and P into the epidote-almandine-glaucophane field through an apparent P/T maximum, as indicated by the assemblage glaucophane-omphacite-garnet (420 °C, 9–10 kb). The later stages of the metamorphism were characterized by increased T/P, likely during initial stages of decompression and the return of the “normal” geothermal gradient, to the transition between the blueschist facies and the high-P albite-epiclote-barroisite field (450 to 525 °C, 7–8 kb?). This high-P/T cycle was followed by an incipient static retrogressive metamorphism at low greenschist-facies conditions during the later uplift of the Nome Group in the Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary.
On the granularity and clustering of directed acyclic task graphs

The authors consider the impact of the granularity on scheduling task graphs. Scheduling consists of two parts, the processors assignment of tasks, also called clustering, and the ordering of tasks for execution in each processor. The authors introduce two types of clusterings: nonlinear and linear clusterings. A clustering is nonlinear if two parallel tasks are mapped in the same cluster otherwise it is linear. Linear clustering fully exploits the natural parallelism of a given directed acyclic task graph (DAG) while nonlinear clustering sequentializes independent tasks to reduce parallelism. The authors also introduce a new quantification of the granularity of a DAG and define a coarse grain DAG as the one whose granularity is greater than one. It is proved that every nonlinear clustering of a coarse grain DAG can be transformed into a linear clustering that has less or equal parallel time than the nonlinear one. This result is used to prove the optimality of some important linear clusterings used in parallel numerical computing. >
New screening guidelines for eating disorders.

Don't be fooled by the common perception that eating disorders only occur among affluent, White females, cautions a new report out by David S. Rosen, of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Adolescence (AAP).
Radiation as an immunological adjuvant: current evidence on dose and fractionation.

Ionizing radiation to a cancer site has the ability to convert the irradiated tumor in an immunogenic hub. However, radiation is a complex modifier of the tumor microenvironment and, by itself, is seldom sufficient to induce a therapeutically significant anti-tumor immune response, since it can also activate immune suppressive pathways. While several combinations of local radiation and immunotherapy have been shown in pre-clinical models to induce powerful anti-tumor immunity, the optimal strategy to achieve this effect remains to be defined. When used in vivo, radiation effects on tumors depend on the dose per fraction applied, the number of fractions used, and the total dose. Moreover, the interplay of these three variables is contingent upon the tumor setting studied, both in preclinical and clinical applications. To enable repair of the collateral damage to the normal tissue, radiation is usually given in multiple fractions, usually of 2 Gy. Generally, the use of larger fractions is limited to sterotactic applications, whereby optimal immobilization reduces inter and intra-fraction movement and permits a very conformal delivery of dose to the target, with optimal exclusion of normal tissue. Translation of the partnership of radiation and immunotherapy to the clinic requires a careful consideration of the radiation regimens used. To date, little is known on whether different dose/fractionation regimens have a specific impact on the anti-tumor immune response. Most experiments combining the two modalities were conducted with single fractions of radiotherapy. However, there is at least some evidence that when combined with some specific immunotherapy approaches, the ability of radiation to promote anti-tumor immunity is dependent on the dose and fractionation employed. We critically review the available in vitro and in vivo data on this subject and discuss the potential impact of fractionation on the ability of radiation to synergize with immunotherapy.
Potential for enhancing riparian habitats in the southwestern United States with watershed practices

Abstract Numerous watershed practices currently being implemented for erosion control and water augmentation purposes have improved hydrologic conditions in southwestern streams and enhanced establishment of riparian vegetation. This paper summarizes some potential opportunities for better managing existing riparian ecosystems, or for creating hydrologic regimes favoring re-establishment of new riparian communities in the southwestern United States. Generally, management opportunities exist where either the amount of water or duration of streamflow can be increased, or both. Various-sized channel structures, ranging from small gully check dams to large flood-control structures, have been used successfully for both stabilizing erodible channels and lengthening streamflow duration. These channel structures trap sediment in upstream deposits which store water and release it slowly over time, thereby producing perennial flow in previously ephemeral streams. In addition to providing a more favorable hydrologic regime, the deposited sediment also provides a nutrient-rich medium which further favors plant establishment and growth. The amount and duration of streamflow through a riparian zone can also be increased by manipulating upslope vegetation where deep-rooted plants are replaced with shallower-rooted species using less water. Case studies documenting these different watershed practices and the resulting riparian communities are discussed.
A monolithically integrated long-wavelength balanced photodiode using asymmetric twin-waveguide technology

We demonstrate a long-wavelength monolithically integrated photodiode pair balanced to within 0.4 dB. The (15/spl plusmn/1) GHz bandwidth balanced photodiode pair has minimum dark current of 5 nA, a responsivity of (0.32/spl plusmn/0.02) A/W at 1.55-/spl mu/m wavelength, linearity up to +3-dBm input optical power, and a common mode rejection ratio of (34/spl plusmn/2) dB. The asymmetric twin-waveguide architecture used makes it possible for integration of the detector pair with other optical components such as semiconductor optical amplifiers, lasers, modulators, and in-plane waveguide-filters.
Fears of medical events among school-age children with emotional disorders, parents, and health care providers.

The purpose of this comparative study was to describe the reports of fears of medical events among school-age children with emotional disorders and compare their reports with those of parents and health care providers. A secondary purpose was to determine the reliability of the Child Medical Fear Scale (CMFS) with this population. Thirty children, parents, and health care providers (N = 90) completed the CMFS; the parents and health care providers also completed demographic instruments. The internal consistency reliability was acceptable (a = .75) for the CMFS with this population. Overall, the children reported lower fear scores of medical events than in previous research studies. Boys reported lower fear scores (p = .03) than girls. There was a statistical difference (p = .006) between the mean scores of the children and those of the parents and health care providers, with the children reporting less fear: The CMFS is useful among children with emotional disorders both in the clinical setting and in res...
Measurement of Strain and Strain Rate in Embryonic Chick Heart In Vivo Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

The ability to measure in vivo strain and strain rate in embryonic chick heart is one of the key requirements for understanding the mechanisms of cardiac development. Due to its high temporal and spatial resolution as well as its fast imaging capability, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the potential to reveal the complex myocardial activity in the living chick heart. We describe a method to evaluate the in vivo strain and strain rate of the myocardium through analyzing the periodic variation of the myocardial wall thickness calculated from real-time serial OCT images. The results demonstrate that OCT can be a useful tool to describe the biomechanical characteristics of the embryonic heart.