cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deformation and Failure Mechanisms in Metallic Nanolayered Composites

Layered composites composed of two or more dissimilar metals can be easily created with precisely controlled layer thickness (to within one atomic layer) by various vapor deposition techniques. For equithickness composites with layer thicknesses greater than 100 nm, typically, flow strengths display a Hall-Petch type dependence on layer thickness, i.e., σY = kh−1/2 + σ0, where h is the layer thickness, k the Hall-Petch constant and 0, a background strength or friction stress. For composites with thinner layers this relation is no longer obeyed, but instead the strength becomes less dependent on h and reaches a maximum at an h of about 1 – 5 nm, as shown in Figure 1, Misra, et al [1]. Although, at maximum, the strength is lower than predicted by Hall-Petch, these materials are still very strong, with flow strengths exceeding 1 GPa and, in some cases, approaching the theoretical shear strengths of the constituents. Even at these high strength levels the materials are deformable, plastically. Cu/Nb, for example is easily rolled to large reduction in thickness except as noted below, Misra [2].
Erythrocytes as barriers for drug elimination in the isolated rat liver. I. Doxorubicin.

The effect of doxorubicin (Dx) equilibration between plasma and erythrocytes (RBC), prior to entering the liver, on hepatic elimination was evaluated under two conditions: (I) the drug being first equilibrated for 30 min in the perfusate (containing 27% human RBC) before infusion into the liver and (II) the drug being directly infused into the liver. Mean (N = 6) steady-state hepatic extraction ratios (E) under conditions I and II were 0.286 ± 0.131 (SD) and 0.592 ± 0.147, respectively. The marked difference in E was attributed mainly to the initial difference in plasma/RBC Dx distribution ratio of the inlet blood, the slow efflux of Dx from RBC into plasma under condition I, and the slow influx of Dx from plasma to RBC under condition II. The results indicate that most Dx molecules in RBC are not available for elimination. Drug equilibration between plasma and RBC may therefore represent an important factor in hepatic first-pass metabolism.
Exploiting the robustness on power-law networks

Many complex networks are discovered to follow the powerlaw distribution in degree sequence, ranging from the Internet, WWW to social networks. Unfortunately, there exist a great number of threats to these complex systems. In this context, it is crucial to understand the behaviors of power-law networks under various threats. Although power-law networks have been found robust under random failures but vulnerable to intentional attacks by experimental observations, it remains hard to theoretically assess their robustness so as to design a more stable complex network. In this paper, we assess the vulnerability of power-law networks with respect to their global pairwise connectivity, i.e. the number of connected node-pairs, where a pair of nodes are connected when there is a functional path between them. According to our in-depth probabilistic analysis under the theory of random power-law graph model, our results illustrate the best range of exponential factors in which the power-law networks are almost surely unaffected by any random failures and less likely to be destructed under adversarial attacks.
An All-Digital Unified Physically Unclonable Function and True Random Number Generator Featuring Self-Calibrating Hierarchical Von Neumann Extraction in 14-nm Tri-gate CMOS

This paper describes a unified static/dynamic entropy generator based on a 512-b common entropy source (ES) array fabricated in 14-nm tri-gate CMOS with reconfigurable and adaptive post-processing circuits implemented on Arria 10 FPGA, targeted for flexible and secure privacy preserving mutual authentication on compact trusted mote platforms at the edge of internet of things. Several conditioning techniques that include temporal majority voting (TMV)-assisted ES array segregation with integrated bias tracking, three-way in-line self-calibration for tolerance to process–voltage–temperature variation, tri-level hierarchical Von Neumann (VN) extraction to maximize entropy harvesting, soft-dark bit masking for improving physically unclonable function (PUF) stability, and selective stress hardening to co-optimize the ES array for static-dynamic entropy with bias aware device aging enable simultaneous PUF and true random number generator (TRNG) operation with 1.48 and 0.56 Gb/s throughput, respectively, measured at 650 mV, 70 °C. The all-digital design with a compact layout footprint of 2114 $\mu \text{m}^{2}$ facilitates seamless integration in area constrained system-on-chips while achieving: 1) 25% area savings over conventional separate PUF and TRNG implementations; 2) cryptographic quality TRNG stream that passes all NIST randomness tests with 0.38 average p-value; 3) $1.6\times $ higher extractor performance at $9\times $ lower area with 750-gate hierarchical VN circuit over conventional light-weight entropy extractors; 4) 0.9996/0.99997 static/dynamic Shannon entropy indicating unbiased PUF/TRNG streams; 5) ultra-low energy consumption of 2.5 and 0.46 pJ/bit measured at 650 mV, 70 °C in TRNG and PUF modes; 6) 40% higher TRNG throughput with three-way self-calibration featuring coarse-grain column swap, fine-grain incremental ES substitution, and residual entropy recycling; 7) resistance to power injection attacks as measured by 64% higher performance over un-calibrated design in the presence 200-mV supply noise; 8) 2.8% PUF bit-error measured at 0.55–0.75 V, 25 °C–110 °C with 15-way TMV and soft dark-bit masking over a window of 100 cycles; 9) $14.8\times $ inter and intra-PUF hamming distance separation; and 10) 56% reduction in discarded ES cells with selective stress hardening to opportunistically reinforce/nullify pre-existing bias in PUF/TRNG candidate cells. To our knowledge, this is the first reported unified PUF-TRNG implementation enabling simultaneous generation of high-entropy chip-ID and encryption keys in real time.
Prolonged High Fat Diet Worsens the Cellular Response to a Small, Covert-like Ischemic Stroke.

Abstract Obesity is associated with worse neurological outcomes following overt ischemic strokes. The majority of strokes however, are covert, small strokes that often evade detection. How obesity impacts the cellular response to covert strokes is unclear. Here, we used a diet-induced obesity model by feeding mice a high fat diet (HFD) and examining its impact on the behavioral and cellular responses to either an Endothelin-1-induced focal ischemic stroke or a saline injection (control). Specifically, we examined cells in regions with different levels of blood perfusion: the non-perfused core, the hypo-perfused surround and the perfused region around the infarct. We show that HFD selectively exacerbated the response to stroke but not to saline injections. Stroke affected the composition of microglia/macrophages, astrocytes and neurons within each region of perfusion. In the non-perfused core, the majority of cells were Iba-1 + microglia and macrophages. HFD resulted in a greater infiltration of CD68 + macrophages into the infarct core while CD68 + /TMEM119 + microglia were reduced. Furthermore, there was a trend towards an increased spread of the astrogliosis scar from the infarct border in the HFD condition. Within the hypo-perfused region, significantly fewer neurons survived in HFD-fed mice than Chow-fed mice, suggesting that neurons in the HFD condition have an increased vulnerability. In summary, diet-induced obesity exacerbates covert-like stroke injuries by worsening the cellular responses in the varying levels of perfusion across the infarct.
Primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty using contemporary implants is associated with very low reoperation rates.

Background The early results of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) were influenced to some extent by the use of first-generation implants and surgeons’ learning curves, resulting in relatively high reoperation rates. The purpose of this study was to quantify the burden of and identify the indications for reoperation after primary RSA using contemporary implants and techniques. Methods A retrospective review of 1649 primary RSAs implanted consecutively between 2009 and 2015 at a single institution was conducted. All arthroplasties were performed by 5 fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons at a tertiary referral center. Demographic characteristics, indications for primary RSA, and reoperations were analyzed and categorized for trends associated with each type of reoperation performed. Results A total of 39 reoperations (2.37%) were performed for a variety of indications. Overall, only a few patients with infection or instability required reoperation (0.55%). The most common indications for reoperation were related to the humeral component (1.03%); the majority of humeral component complications were related to a specific design flaw of 1 implant system. RSAs performed for proximal humeral fracture sequelae more commonly underwent reoperation owing to instability or humeral component–related issues; all 4 cases of aseptic humeral stem loosening occurred in the setting of proximal humeral fracture sequela treatment. Only 0.36% of all primary RSAs required reoperation because of glenoid complications. Conclusions Primary RSA performed with contemporary implants and surgical techniques seems to be associated with a very low rate of reoperation. The most common reasons for reoperation were humeral component fracture for 1 particular implant, humeral loosening, dislocation, infection, and glenoid failure, each occurring at a rate under 1%.
Stretchable elastomer composites with segregated filler networks: effect of carbon nanofiller dimensionality

Electrically conductive elastomer composites (CECs) have great potential in wearable and stretchable electronic applications. However, it is often challenging to trade off electrical conductivity and mechanical flexibility in melt-processed CECs for wearable electronic applications. Here, we develop CECs with high electrical conductivity and mechanical elasticity by controlling the segregated networks of carbon nanofillers formed at the elastomer interface. The carbon nanofiller dimensionality has a significant influence on the electrical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites. For instance, 3D branched carbon nanotubes (carbon nanostructures, CNSs) have a very low percolation threshold (ΦC = 0.01 wt%), which is about 8–10 times lower than that of 1D carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and 2D graphene nanosheets (GNSs). Besides, the TPU/CNS system has a higher electrical conductivity than other fillers at all filler contents (0.05–2 wt%). On the other hand, TPU/CNT systems can retain high elongation at break, whereas for the TPU/GNS systems elongation at break is severely deteriorated, especially at a high filler content. Different electrical and mechanical properties in the TPU-based CECs enable potential applications in flexible conductors/resistors and stretchable strain sensors, respectively.
Joint System and Algorithm Design for Computationally Efficient Fan Beam Coded Aperture X-Ray Coherent Scatter Imaging

In x-ray coherent scatter tomography, tomographic measurements of the forward scatter distribution are used to infer scatter densities within a volume. A radiopaque 2D pattern placed between the object and the detector array enables the disambiguation between different scatter events. The use of a fan beam source illumination to speed up data acquisition relative to a pencil beam presents computational challenges. To facilitate the use of iterative algorithms based on a penalized Poisson log-likelihood function, efficient computational implementation of the forward and backward models are needed. Our proposed implementation exploits physical symmetries and structural properties of the system and suggests a joint system-algorithm design, where the system design choices are influenced by computational considerations, and in turn lead to reduced reconstruction time. Computational-time speedups of approximately 146 and 32 are achieved in the computation of the forward and backward models, respectively. Results validating the forward model and reconstruction algorithm are presented on simulated analytic and Monte Carlo data.
H2 Activation and Direct Access to Terminal Nitride and cyclo-P3 Complexes by an Acceptor-Free Rhenium(II) β-Diketiminate.

The rhenium(II) complex Re(η5-Cp)(BDI) (B; BDI = N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-β-diketiminate; Cp = cyclopentadienyl) was subjected to a number of reactivity studies that highlight its unique combination of oxidation state and acceptor-free coordination environment. In the reactions under study we found that this low-valent paramagnetic species yields diamagnetic rhenium(III) or rhenium(V) products, indicating a combination of reducing power and radical character are the primary variables that control its reactivity. Namely, B has been found to promote the cleavage of dihydrogen to yield the rhenium(III) hydride Re(H)(η5-Cp)(BDI) (C), as well as the three-electron reduction of organic azides to yield a rhenium(V) terminal nitride complex NRe(η3-Cp)(BDI) (3), which features a low-hapticity Cp ligand. Additionally, we found that B readily activates white phosphorus (P4) to form the rhenium(V) cyclo-P3 complex (cyclo-P3)Re(η5-Cp)(BDI) (4). One-electron oxidation of 4 gave the paramagnetic rhen...
The Morphogenesis of Speech Gestures: From Local Computations to Global Patterns

A subtle property of speech gestures is the fact that they are spatially and temporally extended, meaning that phonological contrasts are expressed using spatially extended constrictions, and have a finite duration. This paper shows how this spatiotemporal particulation of the vocal tract, for the purpose of linguistic signaling, comes about. It is argued that local uniform computations among topographically organized microscopic units that either constrict or relax individual points of the vocal tract yield the global spatiotemporal macroscopic structures we call constrictions, the locus of phonological contrast. The dynamical process is a morphogenetic one, based on the Turing and Hopf patterns of mathematical physics and biology. It is shown that reaction-diffusion equations, which are introduced in a tutorial mathematical style, with simultaneous Turing and Hopf patterns predict the spatiotemporal particulation, as well as concrete properties of speech gestures, namely the pivoting of constrictions, as well as the intermediate value of proportional time to peak velocity, which is well-studied and observed. The goal of the paper is to contribute to Bernstein's program of understanding motor processes as the emergence of low degree of freedom descriptions from high degree of freedom systems by actually pointing to specific, predictive, dynamics that yield speech gestures from a reaction-diffusion morphogenetic process.
The complete chloroplast genome of Geodorum eulophioides (Orchidaceae).

Geodorum eulophioides Schltr., is a critically Endangered orchid (IUCN). In this study, we report the first complete chloroplast (cp) genome of G. eulophioides to provide the underlying information for genetic breeding and conservation studies of this species. The cp genome sequence of G. eulophioides is 149,466 bp in length, which contains one large single-copy region (LSC, 85,436 bp), one small single-copy region (SSC, 14,086 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 24,972 bp). The cp genome encoded 177 genes, of which 106 were unique genes (78 protein-coding genes, 24 tRNAs, and 4 rRNAs). Phylogenetic analysis showed that G. eulophioides is closely related to the genera Eulophia.
Measuring Absolute Velocity

We argue that Roberts’s argument for the thesis that absolute velocity is not measurable in a Newtonian world is unsound, because it depends on an analysis of measurement that is not extensionally ...
Corporate environmental performance, legal origin, and investor protection

Global environmental disasters caused by corporate malfeasance have raised the public's consciousness for improvements in corporate environmental performance (CEP). There are many unknowns in the d...
IMACS - an interactive cognitive assistant module for cardiac arrest cases in emergency medical service: demo abstract

IMACS is an intelligent, interactive cognitive assistant dedicated to cardiac arrest cases in Emergency Medical Service (EMS). EMS providers deal with many cardiac cases. IMACS interacts with EMS providers in real-time and collects vital information from the providers' conversation, including names of interventions, timestamps of interventions, and dosage amount. Throughout the process, IMACS provides necessary reminders and creates a summary report afterward. Using the dynamic behavioral model of two different cardiac arrest recovery protocols, we have developed a critical risk-index based approach to provide time-sensitive feedback and suggest alternatives to the providers in real-time. Our experiments reveal an F1-score of 83% with 300 test cases. A qualitative study also reflects that seven out of ten of the EMS providers rate the system as very helpful in correctly executing cardiac arrest EMS protocols.
High-efficiency catalytic reduction of residual oxygen for purification of carbon dioxide streams from high-pressure oxy-combustion systems

Pressurized oxy-combustion is a promising technology for carbon capture, utilization, and storage. For the captured CO2 to be used for enhanced oil recovery or stored in geological formations, flue gas impurities, including residual O2 in the CO2 stream, must be purified to meet the purity specifications. A catalytic approach to reducing residual O2 with CH4 was investigated in this study. Five CoMn- and Cu-based catalysts were synthesized or acquired, and a reverse-flow fixed-bed reactor was used to assess their performance for O2 removal from a simulated oxy-combustion flue gas at 15 bar. The impacts of the operating parameters on O2 removal, such as temperature, gas hourly space velocity, O2/CH4 ratio, and gas pressure, were investigated. Among the tested catalysts, the two CoMn catalysts were superior in both activity and selectivity, with the reaction lighting off at about 350 °C and achieving 99% O2 removal at about 500 °C. The kinetics of the catalytic reaction is discussed, and the Mars–van Krevelen redox mechanism is deemed valid for describing the reaction pathway for the top-performing CoMn catalysts. The catalytic reaction was determined to be first order in CH4 and zero order in O2 under the test conditions.
The influence of palladium on the hydrogenation of acetylene on Ag(111)

We have used reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and temperature programmed reaction (TPR) to study the selective hydrogenation of acetylene on both a clean Ag(111) surface and on a Pd/Ag(111) single-atom-alloy surface. The partial hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene is an important catalytic process that is often carried out using PdAg alloys. It is challenging to study the reaction with ultrahigh vacuum techniques because H2 does not dissociate on Ag(111), and while H2 will dissociate at Pd sites, H-atom spillover from Pd to Ag sites does not generally occur. We bypassed the H2 dissociation step by exposing the surfaces to atomic hydrogen generated by the hot filament of an ion gauge. We find that hydrogen atoms react with acetylene to produce adsorbed ethylene at 85 K, the lowest temperature studied. This is revealed by the appearance of a RAIRS peak at 950 cm−1 due to the out-of-plane wagging mode of adsorbed ethylene when acetylene is exposed to a surface on which H atoms are pre-adsorbed. The formation of both ethylene and ethane are detected with TPR, but no acetylene coupling products, such as benzene, were found. From quantitative analysis of the TPR results, the percent conversion and selectivities to ethylene and ethane were determined. Low coverages of Pd enhance the conversion but do so mainly by increasing ethane formation.
Relationship between insurance status and diagnosis of cutaneous immune-related adverse events.

e18535Background: Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) are among the most common side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. While insurance status has been shown to infl...
Perceptual strain in a compensable hot environment: Accuracy and clinical correlates.

Abstract Heat strain monitoring indexes are important to prevent exertional heat illness (EHI) and uncover risk factors. Two indexes are the Physiological Strain Index (PSI) and a subjective PSI analogue, the Perceptual Strain Index (PeSI). The PeSI is a feasible alternative to PSI in field conditions, although the validity has been variable in previous research. However, the PeSI has been rarely examined at a low heat strain with compensable heat stress, such as during a heat tolerance test (HTT). This study evaluated the discrepancy between the maximal PeSI and maximal PSI achieved during a HTT and determined their association with EHI risk factors, including history of EHI, percent body fat (%BF), relative VO2max, fatigue and sleep status (n = 121; 47 without prior EHI, 74 with prior EHI). The PSI was calculated using the change in rectal temperature (Tre) and heart rate (HR) and PeSI was calculated based on the formula containing thermal sensation (TS), a Tre analogue, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE), a HR analogue. Significant associations were identified between PSI and PeSI and between PSIHR and PeSIHR in the total sample and between PSI and PeSI in the EHI group. Bland-Altman analyses indicated PeSI underestimated PSI in the total sample, PSIHR was greater than PeSIHR, and that PSIcore and PeSIcore were not significantly different, but values varied widely at different heat strains. This indicates the use of RPE underestimates HR and that the accuracy of TS to predict Tre may be subpar. This study also demonstrated that participants with higher %BF have a decreased perception of heat strain and that post-fatigue, sleep status and a prior EHI may increase the perception of heat strain. Overall, these results suggest that PeSI is a poor surrogate for PSI in a compensable heat stress environment at low heat strain.
Obfuscation and Strict Online Anonymity

The collection, aggregation, analysis, and dissemination of personal information permit unnerving inferences about our characters, preferences, and future behavior that were inconceivable just a couple of decades ago. This paper looks primarily at online searching and the commercial harvesting of personal information there. I argue that our best hope for protecting privacy online is anonymity through obfuscation. Obfuscation attempts to throw data collectors off one’s digital trail by making personal data less useful. However, anonymous web searching has costs. I examine two of the most serious and urge that they are worth paying in the light of the heavy toll the commercial gathering and analysis of our information takes on privacy and autonomy. I close with some thoughts on (1) how individual, rational decisions have led to a surveillance regime that few would have chosen beforehand and (2) the alleged autonomy of information technology.
Comparison of disjunctive kriging to generalized probability kriging in application to the estimation of simulated and real data

Disjunctive kriging has been compared previously to multigaussian kriging and indicator cokriging for estimation of cumulative distribution functions; it has yet to be compared extensively to probability kriging. Herein, disjunctive kriging and generalized probability kriging are applied to one real and one simulated data set and compared for estimation of the cumulative distribution functions. Generalized probability kriging is an extension, based on generalized cokriging theory, of simple probability kriging for the modeling of conditional distributions. The disjunctive kriging and the generalized probability kriging give similar results for simulated data of normal distribution, but differ considerably for real data with non-normal distribution.
Cyber Security Education, Training, and Awareness

Cyber security education, training, and awareness (ETA) program is a critical component of a cyber security program. It is the vehicle for disseminating cyber security information that the workforce, including managers, need to do their jobs. In terms of the total security solution, the importance of the workforce in achieving cyber security goals and the importance of learning as a countermeasure cannot be overstated. Establishing and maintaining a robust and relevant ETA program as part of the overall cyber security program is the primary conduit for providing the workforce with the information and tools needed to protect an organization's vital information resources. These programs will ensure that personnel at all levels of the organization understand their cyber security responsibilities to properly use and protect the information and resources entrusted to them. Keywords: education; training; awareness; certification; program; metrics; professionalization
La etiología de la esquizofrenia

The etiology of schizophrenia. Research conducted in recent years represents a new dawn of knowledge for the risk factors of schizophrenia, and genome-wide approaches have revolutionized the field of genetic mapping of schizophrenia. The aggregate genetic data increasingly support a combination of rare and common genetic variation in schizophrenia, a major role for polygenic inheritance, and a genetic overlap (pleiotropy) of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder and autism. A main challenge for the field is the translation of established genetic associations into a better pathophysiological understanding of schizophrenia. The current and upcoming resequencing programs - both exomes (all exons) and full genomes - and genome-wide transcriptional analyses will allow a more thorough dissection of the molecular genetics of the disorder.
Kinetic Roughening During Ag Homoepitaxy

Kinetic roughening during homoepitaxial growth was studied for Ag(111) and Ag(001) where the two orientations represent opposite limits of step-ledge barrier effects. We summarize recent x-ray specular reflectivity studies of the rms surface roughness which was investigated as a function of thickness and temperature. In addition to exponents, the roughness magnitude, its relationship to step-ledge barrier effects, and the absence of noise in the deposition flux are discussed. Preliminary results are also reported for the lateral coarsening of Ag(111) at 200K.
Smooth heuristic optimization on a complex chemical subspace

Several algorithms for optimizing a combinatorial subspace of chemical compound space with constraints are compared. The test system is a library of organic chromophores for electro-optic applications. The constraints on the optimization include the maximization of the candidate structure hyperpolarizability while keeping the absorption within acceptable limits in the range of 400–700 nm. The best pay-off in terms of primary objective, feasibility and computational cost is achieved using a heuristic reordering of orthogonal search directions.
Integrating body self and psychological self : creating a new story in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy

Preface Introduction Part One: Body Self and Psychological Self Development Chapter 1. Body Self in Psychological Self Development Chapter 2. Body Self Developmental Disruptions Chapter 3. The Gendered Body Self Chapter 4. Mindbrain Chapter 5. Body Mind Memory in Development and in the Clinical Exchange Part Two: Developmental and Clinical Integration Chapter 6. Somatic Symptoms: Conversion, Psychosomatic, Somatic Action, and Somatic Memories Chapter 7. Action Symptoms Chapter 8. True Body Self/False Body Self Chapter 9. Dissociation, Trauma and Development Part Three: Clinical Applications Chapter 10. Clinical Considerations in Dissociation Chapter 11. Embodiment in Psychoanalysis: The Body Self in Development, in Action Symptoms, and Transference/Countertransferece Chapter 12. Psychoanalysis: The Verbal Exchange Chapter 13. Psychoanalysis: The Nonverbal Exchange Chapter 14. Creating a New Story: Retranscripting the Mindbrain References Index
Stereotactic third ventriculostomy: assessment of patency with MR imaging

Ventricular CSF signal-intensity characteristics indicative of flowing CSF on MR images (CSF flow void) were analyzed in 20 patients who underwent a CT-based stereotactic third ventriculostomy for presumed internal obstructive hydrocephalus between October 1985 and June 1988. The status of all ventriculostomies was assessed postoperatively by radionuclide ventriculography. Postoperative MR and ventriculographic findings were correlated with the patients' subsequent clinical course. A CSF flow void in the anterior and inferior third ventricle, which seems to indicate vigorous pulsatile CSF flow through a functioning ventriculostomy, was present in all 19 patients who were clinically improved after ventriculostomy. In all 19 of these patients the radionuclide ventriculogram demonstrated normal CSF dynamics. One of the 20 patients did not improve postoperatively. The ventriculogram in this patient revealed delayed ventricular clearing and impaired CSF resorption, and the postoperative MR image did not demonstrate an anterior/inferior third ventricular CSF flow void. Eight of these patients were evaluated preoperatively by MR; one of these eight was the single nonimproved individual. None of the eight preoperative MR studies demonstrated a CSF flow void in the anterior/inferior third ventricle; however, this finding was present in seven of seven postoperative MR studies in clinically improved patients. We conclude that the presence of a CSF flow void in the anterior/inferior third ventricle on a postoperative MR examination is sufficient to document patency of a third ventriculostomy. The absence of this finding may be due to a nonpatent ventriculostomy or perhaps an extraventricular CSF obstruction. The more invasive ventriculogram may be reserved for this situation to distinguish between these latter two possibilities.
Ethylene and the respiration climacteric.

MANY theories have been proposed to explain the nature of the climacteric rise in respiration seen in most ripening fruits. They include changes in tissue organization which lead to increased metabolism1, or effects of mitochondria which cause a loss of respiratory control2. The role of ethylene in the induction of ripening has now been confirmed but, in spite of much attention, the physiological nature and significance of the climacteric have remained elusive3. Although fruit tissues undergo many changes during ripening4, much biochemical organization is retained; mitochondria do not lose their respiratory control2 and protein synthesis continues up to the climacteric maximum5–7. Ripening has therefore been interpreted as a process requiring considerable cellular work, so that the climacteric is merely the respiratory summation of cellular energy requirements3. In many fruits, however, the energy requirements for the largely catabolic events of ripening must be very small. In the banana, for example, which shows a classical respiration climacteric, starch makes up as much as 20 per cent of the fresh weight before ripening8. During ripening, the starch is almost completely hydrolysed by phosphorylase to sugars (an exergonic reaction). Moreover, it has been shown that the respiratory climacteric can occur in the absence of protein synthesis6.
A variable target value method for nondifferentiable optimization

This paper presents a new Variable target value method (VTVM) that can be used in conjunction with pure or deflected subgradient strategies. The proposed procedure assumes no a priori knowledge regarding bounds on the optimal value. The target values are updated iteratively whenever necessary, depending on the information obtained in the process of the algorithm. Moreover, convergence of the sequence of incumbent solution values to a near-optimum is proved using popular, practically desirable step-length rules. In addition, the method also allows a wide flexibility in designing subgradient deflection strategies by imposing only mild conditions on the deflection parameter. Some preliminary computational results are reported on a set of standard test problems in order to demonstrate the viability of this approach.
Identification of a novel mutation in patients with medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.

A novel mutation was identified in two unrelated patients with medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. First, a 19-year-old Caucasian female presented with a devastating illness, resulting in sudden death in adulthood which is unusual. The second patient, now a 3.5-year-old male, presented at 17 months of age with a hypoglycemic seizure and dehydration. Sequence analysis revealed a novel mutation G617T in exon 8 resulting in an arginine to leucine substitution at codon 206 (R206L). Both patients were compound heterozygous for this G617T and the common mutation A985G.
The treatment of recurrent chronic infected knee arthroplasty with a 2-stage procedure.

Abstract We report the case of a patient with recurrent periprosthetic infections after total knee arthroplasty associated with bone destruction and massive bone loss that was successfully treated with a 2-stage procedure—resection arthroplasty with insertion of an antibiotic-impregnated cement rod-spacer and systemic antibiotics and then a resection arthrodesis of the knee with the use of an intercalary allograft fixed with a long intramedullary nail. This technique is a viable option for the treatment of recurrent periprosthetic infections after total knee arthroplasty associated with bone destruction, massive bone loss, and severe instability.
Basis for Skeletal Plasticity among Reef-building Corals

Reef corals are remarkably variable in growth form and skeletal configuration. This high degree of phenetic diversity has contributed greatly to the success of the hermatypic scleractinians as widespread reef builders in tropical oceans. Although phenetic variability or “plasticity” is common, its cause remains obscure, because the species are genetically stable. The extent of phenetic variability is surprising in view of the morphologic simplicity of the animal itself. Carbon isotope ratios have been used to determine changes in the relative proportions of skeletal carbon in the form of carbonate derived from sea-water bicarbonate and metabolic carbon dioxide sources. Increasing amounts of respiratory CO 2 incorporated into skeletal aragonite are attributed to decreasing efficiency of metabolite excretion. Isotope data indicate that zooxanthellae are effectively removing metabolic waste products from the tissues of hermatypic scleractinians, and that, for these corals, diffusion is not an important excretion mechanism. Ahermatypic corals, however, depend on diffusion processes to eliminate metabolic waste products. 13 C/ 12 C ratios indicate that, among the ahermatypes, small changes in corallum geometry that result in greater coarctation of the polyps and (or) a decrease in the size of the polyp surface exposed to sea water have a large effect on the isotopic composition of the skeletal carbonate. These findings suggest that corals that do not build reefs are restricted to small and relatively simple forms because of serious difficulties in the metabolite excretion they would encounter in more complex corallum geometries. In the case of the hermatypes, however, the metabolite excretion problems that would limit the range of possible skeletal configurations have been resolved by zooxanthellae. The spectacular phenetic variability in reef corals is thus achieved through a symbiotic association of the hermatypic corals with zooxanthellae.
Multiple-electrode radiofrequency ablation: comparison with a conventional cluster electrode in an in vivo porcine kidney model.

Purpose To compare multiple-electrode radiofrequency (RF) ablation versus RF ablation with a cluster electrode in an in vivo porcine kidney model. Materials and Methods Thirteen female pigs (mean weight, 45 kg) were used for the study. In each animal, RF ablations were performed for 12 minutes with a conventional cluster electrode in one kidney (controls, n = 13) and a multiple-electrode configuration in the contralateral organ. Multiple-electrode ablations were performed with electrodes 1.5 cm apart (group 1, n = 7) or 2.0 cm apart (group 2, n = 6). The mean maximum temperature at the electrode tips was determined. After each animal was euthanized, the kidneys were removed and the ablation zones were sectioned into 5-mm transverse slices. A representative slice was stained with 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride. Standard ablation zone metrics were measured and differences between groups were analyzed for statistical significance. Results The mean maximum ablation zone diameter was 3.0 cm ± 0.6 (SD) for controls, compared with 5.0 cm ± 0.5 for group 1 ( P P = .002). Mean ablation zone minimum diameter was higher for group 1 ( P = .002) and group 2 ( P = .03) than for controls. Isoperimetric ratios were lowest for group 2 ( P = .04 vs controls) whereas the highest temperatures at the electrode tips were observed with group 1 ( P = .02 vs controls). Conclusion In normal porcine kidney, multiple-electrode RF ablation produced larger zones of ablation than a cluster electrode. Efficacy was greater when electrodes were spaced 1.5 cm apart than when they were spaced 2.0 cm apart.
OPTIMAL COSTS OF ISOTOPES.

Abstract Minimization of costs associated with the production of radioactive isotopes is performed through the utilization of Pontryagin's maximum principle. A development of a maximum principle algorithm using both a quadratic form and a more general form as the objective function is given. Costs for several non-optimal irradiation policies are compared to the costs for the optimal policy for the production of several different radioactive isotopes. Results of this work can be especially significant for nuclear facilities which produce isotopes for sale or those for which neutron flux level is available at a premium because of fuel burnup or other considerations.
Climate science: Canadian climate aberration

Large-scale ecological disturbances are expected to alter climate by disrupting ecosystem function, but the climatic perturbation can be hard to detect. An analysis of forests in British Columbia reveals a warmer, drier summer following pine-beetle tree kill.
Developmental changes in progenitor cell responsiveness to bone morphogenetic proteins differentially modulate progressive CNS lineage fate.

Although multipotent progenitor cells capable of generating neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are present within the germinal zones of the brain throughout embryonic, postnatal and adult life, the different neural cell types are generated within discrete temporospatial developmental windows. This might suggest that multipotent progenitor cells encounter different signals during each developmental stage, thus accounting for separate waves of lineage commitment and cellular differentiation. This study demonstrates, however, that progenitor cell responses to the same class of signals, the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), change during ontogeny, and that these same signals may thus initiate progenitor cell elaboration of several different lineages. BMPs promote cell death and inhibit the proliferation of early (embryonic day 13, E13) ventricular zone progenitor cells. At later embryonic (E16) stages of cerebral cortical development, BMPs exhibit a concentration-dependent dissociation of cellular actions, with either enhancement of neuronal and astroglial elaboration (at 1-10 ng/ml) or potentiation of cell death (at 100 ng/ml). Finally, during the period of perinatal cortical gliogenesis, BMPs enhance astroglial lineage elaboration. By contrast, oligodendroglial lineage elaboration is inhibited by the BMPs at all stages. Further, application of the BMP antagonist noggin to cultured progenitors promotes the generation of oligodendrocytes, indicating that endogenous BMP signaling can actively suppress oligodendrogliogenesis. These observations suggest that developmental changes in neural progenitor cell responsiveness to the BMPs may represent a novel mechanism for orchestrating context-specific cellular events such as lineage elaboration and cellular viability.
The environmental estrogenic compound bisphenol A exerts estrogenic effects on mouse hippocampal (HT-22) cells: neuroprotection against glutamate and amyloid beta protein toxicity

We have examined using immortalized clonal mouse hippocampal cell line (HT-22) whether the environmental estrogenic compound bisphenol A (BPA), like estrogen, has any neuroprotective effect against glutamate and amyloid beta protein-induced neurotoxicity. BPA protects HT-cells against both 5 mM glutamate and 2 μM amyloid beta protein-induced cell death in a dose dependent manner. Optimum protection was attained at 1 μM and 500 nM BPA against 5 mM glutamate and 2 μM amyloid beta protein-induced HT-22 cell death, respectively. Using confocal immunoflourescence microscopy technique, we observed that 20 h of treatment with 5 mM glutamate resulted in intense nuclear localization of the glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in HT-22 cells as compared to control untreated cells. Interestingly, 1 μM BPA treatment for 24 h, followed by 20-h treatment with 5 mM glutamate, resulted in dramatic reduction in GR nuclear localization. We conclude that: (i) BPA mimics estrogen and exerts neuroprotective effects against both neurotoxins used; (ii) BPA inhibits enhanced nuclear localization of GR induced by glutamate; and (iii) HT-22 cells provide a good in vitro model system for screening the potencies of various environmental compounds for their estrogenic activity.
Combined preoperative onyx embolization and protective internal carotid artery covered stent placement for treatment of glomus vagale tumor: review of literature and illustrative case.

AbstractObjective: Surgical resection of complex glomus vagale tumors can be complicated by extensive blood loss and might require surgical sacrifice of an encased internal carotid artery.Methods: A young patient presented with mass effect from glomus valage tumor. Computerized tomography angiography showed an encased internal carotid artery. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a highly vascular tumor. A literature review was performed for endovascular treatment options for neck tumors.Results: Staged preoperative embolization of feeder arteries via internal maxillary artery, and thyrocervical trunk with onyx was performed. A covered stent was implanted in the cervical internal carotid artery to the common carotid artery; this resulted in complete devascularization of the tumor with exclusion of external carotid artery from the circulation. This is followed by surgical resection of the tumor.Conclusion: Preoperative embolization with onyx decreased the amount of blood loss intra-operatively. The implantatio...
The gem-dimethyl effect: amphiphilic bilirubins

Abstract New bilirubin congeners ( 1a–1d ) with the central C(10) CH2 replaced by C(CH3)2 were smoothly synthesized by coupling two identical dipyrrinones with 2,2-dimethoxypropane under acid catalysis. The new yellow pigments, with acid chains varying from acetic (n=1) to propionic (n=2) to butyric (n=3) to hexanoic (n=5), exhibit unusual amphiphilicity relative to the parent mesobilirubins without the gem-dimethyls and have highly favorable solubility in organic solvents ranging from nonpolar (benzene) to polar (CH3OH). Like the parent rubins, 1a–1d can easily bend about the middle but unlike the parents they cannot form mesobiliverdin analogs. NMR spectroscopic analysis and molecular dynamics calculations indicate that, like the parents, 1a–1d adopt ridge-tile shapes that are stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Confirmation of the conformation in 1b comes from its X-ray crystallographic structure.
Angiotensin II and atrial natriuretic factor receptor interactions at the blood-brain barrier

Data from several laboratories indicate that cerebral endothelial cells possess cell surface receptors for numerous vasoactive agents including angiotensin II (AII) and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). The intracellular messengers of these receptors as well as possible receptor interactions were explored. ANF increased cGMP 10-fold over basal levels while incubation of the microvessels with AII did not significantly affect the level of this nucleotide. In contrast, AII significantly potentiated the increase in cGMP by ANF. Incubation of cerebral microvessels with AII resulted in a significant increase in the intracellular mediator of PI hydrolysis, 1,2-diacylglycerol (DG). ANF had no affect on DG or on the AII mediated increase of DG. Finally, data at the level of receptor binding indicated that while ANF decreased [3H]angiotensin binding to cerebral microvessels, AII had no effect on the binding of ANF to its receptor. The results of the present study demonstrate that AII can potentiate the regulation of cGMP by ANF and suggest the possibility of receptor interactions in control of blood-brain barrier function.
Responses of gibbons (Hylobates lar) to their mirror images.

Nine gibbons (Hylobates lar) and one gibbon–siamang crossbreed were observed during exposure to their mirror images over two 30 min baseline condition periods (mirror off) and four 30 min treatment condition periods (mirror on). Greater frequencies and durations of gazing at the mirror and mirror-contingent behaviors were noted during reflective conditions than for nonreflective conditions. Despite two subjects' apparent use of the mirror to view body parts otherwise not visible to them, no subjects passed a modified mark test. One subject exhibited limited aggressive displays toward the mirror, but no subjects exhibited abnormal behaviors in the presence of the mirror. The results expand on and confirm similar findings by Lethmate and Ducker [Zeitschrift fur Tierpsychologie 33:248–269, 1973. Am. J. Primatol. 45:307–311, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of gastric ischemia.

Background & Aims Gastric ischemia is infrequently reported in the medical literature and under-recognized clinically and histopathologically. Various medical terms are used to describe gastric ischemia. We define and review the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of gastric ischemia. Methods We describe 6 cases of gastric ischemia. We discuss features of the gastric vascular supply and review literature on this disorder. Results Gastric ischemia results from diffuse or localized vascular insufficiency caused by etiologies such as systemic hypotension, vasculitis, or disseminated thromboembolism. The disorder is managed by fluid resuscitation, nasogastric tube placement (for intermittent air and fluid aspiration, to prevent or reduce gastric distention), aggressive acid reduction (via intravenous administration of proton pump inhibitors), and selective use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for patients with sepsis or gastric pneumatosis. Conclusions Gastric ischemia has a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is required for appropriate patient management.
Security mechanisms utilized in a secured cloud infrastructure

Cloud computing is an emerging technology having its foundation on the concept coined by computer pioneer John McCarthy as a time-sharing technology. Cloud computing is a novel technology which looks to offer the small business group to the larger corporations a scalable, cost-effective solution which would serve as a centralized repository solution for highly guarded, sensitive information, services and/or hardware. Although, Cloud computing still remains at its infancy stages, it's yet to prove how well it can protect its assets against a security breach. This paper will explore the analysis of current security mechanisms utilized with the objective of protecting user's sensitive data. The following approaches prove to be a significant step in asserting Cloud Computing as a secure services alternative.