cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hands-on operating systems made easy

This paper presents the experience that the authors have had in an Operating Systems course with a semester long project. This project allows students to implement major concepts taught in an O/S course with the help of a simple hypothetical machine. The machine has been implemented in Java, and in C++. Object-oriented programming has been used to capture the underlying machine architecture, which reinforces knowledge from a previous Computer Architecture course, and can be used in a Distributed Computing course.
New treatment options for metastatic renal cell carcinoma with prior anti-angiogenesis therapy

Angiogenesis is a critical process in the progression of advanced renal cell carcinoma. Agents targeting angiogenesis have played a primary role in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. However, resistance to anti-angiogenesis therapy almost always occurs, and major progress has been made in understanding its underlying molecular mechanism. Axitinib and everolimus have been used extensively in patients whom have had disease progression after prior anti-angiogenesis therapy. Recently, several new agents have been shown to improve overall survival in comparison with everolimus. This review provides an in-depth summary of drugs employable in the clinical setting, the rationale to their use, and the studies conducted leading to their approval for use and provides perspective on the paradigm shift in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Highlighted are the newly approved agents cabozantinib, nivolumab, and lenvatinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma patients treated with prior anti-angiogenesis therapy.
The Bent Bonds of Cubane

The carbon–carbon bonding in cubane is shown not to be along the C–C vectors between carbon atoms at the corners of a cube. Instead, the bonding is “bent” as seen in a new single-crystal X-ray structure of cubane at 93 K. The bent bond angles and lengths are compared with the geometric angles and with predictions. The distortions from the tetrahedral angle of the sp3-hybridized carbon atoms are shown to be relatively small in cubane, unlike those in cyclopropane, which are large. Despite this and other differences, cubane and cyclopropane have similar reactivity, a fact that has not been widely recognized. It is suggested that cubane might mimic the chemistry of the cyclopropane ring in the pharmacology of some cyclopropane-containing drugs.
A snapshot of person and thing orientations: How individual differences in interest manifest in everyday life

Abstract Individuals selectively orient toward their social environment (people) and toward their physical environment (things/objects). These orientations are key predictors of important life outcomes, including career decisions. However, research has not yet examined whether orientations toward people and things manifest in naturalistic environments. The present two-part study addressed this gap. In part one, participants rated their interest in person- and thing-related books (e.g., on relationships; robots). Participants then took a camera home for several days to photograph anything or anyone they considered an important part of their life. In part two, the photographs were submitted and coded for content. Results support the construct validity of person and thing orientations. Greater interest was expressed in orientation-related than unrelated books and photograph content was consistent with individuals' orientations. The findings suggest that person and thing orientations leave traces in everyday environments and behaviors. This research highlights implications for the development of interests and academic and occupational decision-making.
Ramanujan: The Second Century

Srinivasa Ramanujan’s spectacular discoveries revealed surprising connections between apparently unrelated topics and provided food for thought for mathematicians of subsequent generations. This article describes how Ramanujan’s results and ideas will continue to influence research in the century following his centenary in areas such as mock theta functions, congruences for partition functions and coefficients of modular forms, q-hypergeometric identities, special functions, mathematical physics, and computer algebra.
Needle biopsy associated tumor tracking of adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

AbstractWe reviewed 350 previously biopsied completely submitted clinical stage B radical prostatectomy specimens resected between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 1988 in an attempt to identify the incidence of needle biopsy associated tumor tracking into periprostatic soft tissue. We identified 7 cases (2.0%) of needle biopsy associated tumor tracking, 3 in which the only tumor penetration in the gland was limited to the needle track. The maximal soft tissue extension from the biopsy site ranged from 0.1 to 1.2cm. and approached the nearest soft tissue margin to within 0.5mm. in 4 cases. In contrast to prior reports showing clinically evident tracking only with transperineal biopsies from high grade tumors, 6 of our 7 cases were of intermediate grade (in the glandular and tracking components) and 6 had transrectal biopsies. Needle biopsy associated tumor tracking occurred with core (14 gauge) and biopsy gun needles (18 gauge). An additional 13 cases (3.7%) showed some features of needle biopsy associate...
The Chemistry of Antigen-Antibody Union

A complete understanding of the cellular immune response requires a detailed knowledge of the structural basis for protein antigenicity at a molecular level that approaches atomic resolution. Both site-specific anti-peptide antibodies1.2 and monoclonal anti-protein antibodies against proteins of known three-dimensional structure3 allow examination of the molecular and chemical basis for antigen-antibody interaction. Our experiments suggest that antigenic recognition can be divided into at least three stages: l) precollision orientation by electrostatic forces, 2) local antibody-antigen recognition involving the interaction of specific residues, and 3) induced fit accomplished by local rearrangments of epitope and paratope structure. Here we report on experiments concerning precollision orientation and induced fit, as the influence of specific residues on antigenic recognition is well documented elsewhere3.
Numerical Simulation of Gravitoelectrodynamics in Dusty Plasmas

Fractal agglomeration appears to lead to enhanced coagulation over coagulation methods which only allow the participants and products of collisions to be spherical. It also has the added benefit of being a more realistic approach. The consequences of more realistic charging and charge distribution algorithms for the fractal are the topic of ongoing research.
Regional price deflators in Poland: evidence from NUTS-2 and NUTS-3 regions

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes regional price differentials in Poland at the NUTS-2 and NUTS-3 levels. It applies unique raw-price data and calculates regional purchasing power parity (PPP) deflators ...
Improving collaborative school-agency transition planning: a statewide DBMS approach

This article describes the development and components of a referral database management system (DBMS) developed by the Arkansas Transition Project. The system enables IEP team members to refer students with disabilities directly to adult agencies and to receive a monitoring report describing the agency response made to their referrals. Hence, the DBMS addresses the need to improve collaborative planning between the schools and adult community agencies, an essential element of successful transition for students with disabilities. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Neurogenesis in the sea urchin embryo is initiated uniquely in three domains

ABSTRACT Many marine larvae begin feeding within a day of fertilization, thus requiring rapid development of a nervous system to coordinate feeding activities. Here, we examine the patterning and specification of early neurogenesis in sea urchin embryos. Lineage analysis indicates that neurons arise locally in three regions of the embryo. Perturbation analyses showed that when patterning is disrupted, neurogenesis in the three regions is differentially affected, indicating distinct patterning requirements for each neural domain. Six transcription factors that function during proneural specification were identified and studied in detail. Perturbations of these proneural transcription factors showed that specification occurs differently in each neural domain prior to the Delta-Notch restriction signal. Though gene regulatory network state changes beyond the proneural restriction are largely unresolved, the data here show that the three neural regions already differ from each other significantly early in specification. Future studies that define the larval nervous system in the sea urchin must therefore separately characterize the three populations of neurons that enable the larva to feed, to navigate, and to move food particles through the gut.
Congenital Mitral Stenosis

Congenital mitral stenosis can occur at the valvular, supravalvular, or subvalvular levels and is associated with developmental abnormalities in the mitral valve leaflets, mitral valve annulus, and/or the subvalvular apparatus. Congenital mitral stenosis is rare and occurs in 0.4–0.6% of autopsied patients with congenital heart disease [1, 2]. For historical background, see Table 13.1.
Microbial cross-feeding promotes multiple stable states and species coexistence, but also susceptibility to cheaters.

Abstract Mutualism, interspecific cooperation that yields reciprocal benefits, can promote species coexistence, enhancing biodiversity. As a specific form of mutualism, cross-feeding, where each of two mutualists produces a resource the other one needs, has been broadly studied. However, few theoretical studies have examined competition between cross-feeding mutualists and cheaters, who do not synthesize resources themselves. In this paper we study a model with two mutualists, a cheater, two micronutrients that are synthesized and exchanged by the mutualists, and one macronutrient that is only from external supply. We investigate the coexistence of the species in the framework of resource competition theory. In particular, we examine the effect of the mutualists’ synthesis rates on their coexistence. In the absence of cheaters, multiple stable states occur if the synthesis rates are high, and higher synthesis rates increase the possibility that mutualists coexist. However, when the cheater is present, higher synthesis rates promote invasion by the cheater: If the cheater is superior on all three resources, it will either persist with at most one mutualist or even trigger extinction of all three species; if the cheater is only superior on the macronutrient, both mutualists may still coexist with the cheater. Our results provide a framework for further study on more complex mutualistic networks and real microbial communities.
Static accuracy analysis of Vicon T40s motion capture cameras arranged externally for motion capture in constrained aquatic environments.

Abstract While the capabilities of land-based motion capture systems in biomechanical applications have been previously reported, the possibility of using motion tracking systems externally to reconstruct markers submerged inside an aquatic environment has been under explored. This study assesses the ability of a motion capture system (Vicon T40s) arranged externally to track a retro-reflective marker inside a glass tank filled with water and without water. The reflective tape used for marker creation in this study was of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) grade as the conventional marker loses its reflective properties when submerged. The overall trueness calculated based on the mean marker distance errors, varied between 0.257 mm and 0.290 mm in different mediums (air, glass and water). The overall precision calculated based on mean standard deviation of mean marker distances at different locations varied between 0.046 mm and 0.360 mm in different mediums. Our results suggest, that there is no significant influence of the presence of water on the overall static accuracy of the marker center distances when markers were made of SOLAS grade reflective tape. Using optical motion tracking systems for evaluating locomotion in aquatic environment can help to better understand the effects of aquatic therapy in clinical rehabilitation, especially in scenarios that involve equipment, such as an underwater treadmill which generally have constrained capture volumes for motion capture.
Ganglionic Transmission as a Model for CNS Function

It should be obvious from perusal of the preceding chapters that a number of ganglionic and central nervous system (CNS) phenomena are similar and even identical. It is well known that shortly after chemical, cholinergic transmission was demonstrated at the periphery, i.e., at the parasympathetic, motor, and ganglionic synapses (cf. Chapter 1), Dale (cf. Dale, 1938) and others proposed that cholinergic transmission obtains in the CNS, a proposal that was supported by much indirect evidence at the time and that was finally demonstrated in 1954 for the synapse between the motor nerve collateral and the Renshaw cell by Eccles et al. (1954). Since 1954, the presence of cholinergic synapses at other central sites has been amply demonstrated (see Krnjevic, 1974; Karczmar, 1976; McGeer et al., 1978, 1984). While the central cholinergic system is ubiquitous, however, anatomical identification and localization of some of the pathways is not yet certain (McGeer et al., 1978, 1984; Kimura et al., 1981; Karczmar, 1986). Thus, the cholinergic ganglion with its proven cholinergic axosomatic synapses (see Chapters 1, 2, and 3) is both homologous and analogous with respect to identified central cholinergic synapses and to those that will be identified in the future.
Synchronization in a network of coupled MEMS-Colpitts oscillators

The experimental characterization of a network of three resistively coupled microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based Colpitts oscillators is presented. The oscillators were fabricated on a printed circuit board and comprised of a 16 MHz quartz resonator in a positive feedback loop, which generated a sustained limit cycle oscillation when powered by a DC voltage supply. It was demonstrated that by varying the coupling strength and uncoupled frequency distribution between the oscillators, frequency synchronization and phase relationships could be controlled. This was examined in isolated pairs of oscillators and in cases where the entire network was interacting. Coupling was achieved with discrete resistors that could be autonomously interchanged with digitally controlled switches. These results build upon a small body of experimental studies by examining a coupling architecture wherein impedance interactions between the oscillators made amplitude dynamics relevant. This is a fundamental step toward fully understanding patterns and behavior in practical networks of coupled MEMS oscillators. The potential for the network to be used in neuromorphic computing and pattern recognition applications is also discussed.
kg_nchs: A command for Korn-Graubard confidence intervals and National Center for Health Statistics' Data Presentation Standards for Proportions.

In August 2017, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, published new standards for determining the reliability of proportions estimated using...
The Radio Hobby Comes in from the Cold, 1945–1955

The final chapter covers the surprising rebirth of a smaller yet still substantial radio hobby between 1946 and 1955, during Allied occupation and the early years of a divided Germany. The broad ecosystem of radio hobby clubs characteristic of the 1920s did not survive the Third Reich, but ham radio did. Even in the dark days of privation and occupation just after the Second World War, some hobbyists remained surprisingly dedicated to their hobby and to a personal engagement with technology. Even so, ham radio was not able to remain completely neutral during the Cold War, and its resurrection was helped by outside forces interested in its value for both rearmament and propaganda. Political context set limits within which hobbyists were able to act.
Global Strategies for Change

Under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce maternal and child mortality rates, significant resources were invested to save the lives of women and children, during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and in the immediate postpartum period. Families, communities, funders, governmental agencies, and civil society organizations made targeted efforts to ensure that women receive adequate antenatal care, delivered their babies with the help of skilled birth attendants, and in settings where her life and that of her baby could be saved. These investments paid off well. Overall maternal and child mortality rates dropped significantly between 1990 and 2015 (World Health Organization 2018). Presently, with the campaign for Universal Health Coverage across the life course as part of the UN’s 2016–2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda (United Nations 2019), there is an opportunity to accelerate and strengthen advocacy for preconception health interventions. This chapter proposes strategies for advancing the utilization of preconception care globally by discussing who to target, what interventions to promote, and how to advocate for needed services and resources.
Constructing a Testbed for Psychometric Natural Language Processing.

Psychometric measures of ability, attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs are crucial for understanding user behaviors in various contexts including health, security, e-commerce, and finance. Traditionally, psychometric dimensions have been measured and collected using survey-based methods. Inferring such constructs from user-generated text could afford opportunities for timely, unobtrusive, collection and analysis. In this paper, we describe our efforts to construct a corpus for psychometric natural language processing (NLP). We discuss our multi-step process to align user text with their survey-based response items and provide an overview of the resulting testbed which encompasses survey-based psychometric measures and accompanying user-generated text from over 8,500 respondents. We report preliminary results on the use of the text to categorize/predict users' survey response labels. We also discuss the important implications of our work and resulting testbed for future psychometric NLP research.
Telemedicine for neuro-ophthalmology: challenges and opportunities.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Telemedicine for neuro-ophthalmology (tele-neuro-ophthalmology) has the potential to increase access to neuro-ophthalmic care by improving efficiency and decreasing the need for long-distance travel for patients. Requirements for decreased person-to-person contacts during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated adoption of tele-neuro-ophthalmology. This review highlights the challenges and opportunities with tele-neuro-ophthalmology. RECENT FINDINGS: Tele-neuro-ophthalmology programs can be used for triage, diagnostic consultation, and long-term treatment monitoring. Formats include telephone appointments, interprofessional collaborations, remote data interpretation, online asynchronous patient communication, and video visits. Barriers to long-term implementation of tele-neuro-ophthalmology arise from data quality, patient engagement, workflow integration, state and federal regulations, and reimbursement. General neurologists may collaborate with local eye care providers for ophthalmic examination, imaging, and testing to facilitate efficient and effective tele-neuro-ophthalmology consultation. SUMMARY: Tele-neuro-ophthalmology has tremendous potential to improve patient access to high-quality cost-effective neuro-ophthalmic care. However, many factors may impact its long-term sustainability.
Impact of CAV Truck Platooning on HCM-6 Capacity and Passenger Car Equivalent Values

AbstractRecently, there has been a significant amount of research related to heavy trucks operating as connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). As argued in this paper, to understand the potential...
Supramolecular construction of a cyclobutane ring system with four different substituents in the solid state

Methods to form cyclobutane rings by an intermolecular [2 + 2] cross-photoreaction (CPR) with four different substituents are rare. These reactions are typically performed in the liquid phase, involve multiple steps, and generate product mixtures. Here, we report a CPR that generates a cyclobutane ring with four different aryl substituents. The CPR occurs quantitatively, without side products, and without a need for product purification. Generally, we demonstrate how face-to-face stacking interactions of aromatic rings can be exploited in the process of cocrystallization and the field of crystal engineering to stack and align unsymmetrical alkenes in CPRs to afford chiral cyclobutanes with up to four different aryl groups via binary cocrystals. Overall, we expect the process herein to be useful to generate chiral carbon scaffolds, which is important given the presence of four-membered carbocyclic rings as structural units in biological compounds and materials science. Preparation of cyclobutanes with four different substituents is rare and often arduous. Here a cocrystallisation strategy enables the intermolecular [2+2] cross-photoreaction of non-symmetrical stilbene derivatives to obtain chiral tetrasubstituted cyclobutanes with up to four different substituents in quantitative yield.
Technique and Procedural Aspects of Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules (TNs) are a frequently seen clinical problem which increased in incidence with the usage of high-resolution ultrasound (US). Most of these nodules are benign and do not need any further management unless they start to be symptomatic, cosmetically unacceptable, or proven to be malignant. Surgery has been the only treatment option. Since scientists and clinicians became more conservative and toward minimally invasive techniques, TNs’ management was not exceptional. Minimally invasive US-guided techniques were introduced in the last two decades as a management of TNs. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered relatively the newest of all and showed a significant reduction in the size and improvement of clinical symptoms.. The aim of this article is to review basic principles and technical details of RFA. RFA showed promising results in TNs size reduction as well as cure of hyperthyroidism due to toxic nodules. Data also reported improvement of compressive symptoms after the procedure. As RFA is a relatively new novel technique in management of thyroid disease, with further studies focusing more on indications, and outcomes, we predict that RFA will be widely applied in the management of thyroid disease. It plays a major role in reducing the number of patients undergoing surgeries and avoiding all the risk related to it.
Low mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected heart transplant recipients at a single center.

Immunosuppressed heart transplant (HT) recipients are thought to be at higher risk of infection and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), however evidence guiding management of HT patients are limited. Retrospective search of electronic health records from February 2020 - February 2021, identified 28 HT recipients out of 400 followed by UC San Diego who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Patient demographics, COVID-19 directed therapies, hospital course and outcomes were compared to control HT recipients who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 during the same period (n = 80). Among 28 HT recipients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 15 were admitted to the hospital and 13 were monitored closely as outpatients. Among inpatients, five developed severe illness and two died (7% mortality). Nine patients were treated with remdesivir, and four received dexamethasone and remdesivir. Two outpatients received neutralizing monoclonal antibody therapy and one outpatient received dexamethasone for persistent dyspnea. Immunosuppressed HT recipients, especially Hispanic patients and patients with higher body mass index, were at greater risk of infection and mortality from COVID-19 than the general population. Use of remdesivir and dexamethasone may have improved outcomes in our HT recipients compared to HT recipients at other centers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Education and Employment

Education and employment are fundamental social determinants of health (SDOH), and their impact on patients’ emergency department (ED) care can be seen in their underlying health status, acute stressors, and plans for ongoing management and disposition. Individual educational attainment is directly tied to health disparities, particularly the distinction between those with fewer than 12 years of schooling compared to high school graduates or any college education. Patients with low levels of educational attainment are also more likely to have co-occurring substance use and behavioral health diagnoses, which can lead to ED visits related to these conditions. Employment status can have an immediate impact on both chronic disease states and acute presentations. Emergency physicians can integrate the risk exposure of a patient’s employment into their medical decision making, partner with ED-based medical-legal partnerships, or advocate for policy changes to improve working conditions in their community. These foundational SDOH present emergency physicians with additional opportunities to assess risk, educate, and intervene for patients and communities that can have an impact on overall health outcomes.
Residential preferences and migration.

For some time now, public opinion polls have revealed Americans’ strong preference to live in comparatively small cities, towns, and rural areas rather than in large cities. However, as Fuguitt and Zuiches (1975) have reported, the majority of people also want these places to be within commuting distance of a large metropolitan city. This research tests the hypothesis that size-of-place and urban proximity preferences are factors in the dispersal of population through migration. A one-year panel survey of Pennsylvania households indicates that only about one household in ten that moved actually attained its preference for a smaller-sized place or a location more distant from a large city. Preferences for smaller-sized places and proximity to a city were not correlated with where people actually moved when the size and proximity of the previous residence were taken into consideration.
A Neglected Ricardian Aspect Of Labor Supply

Consider a labor market, or closely related set of such markets, in which a labor service is sold to buyers with differing characteristics, who combine it with other inputs to manufacture consumer's or producer's goods. We assume (and it is a crucial assumption) the service to be tied to, or embodied in, the buyers. We refer.to the service as an embodied labor service, to Indicate the Impossibility of resale. The question arises, how do suppliers distribute themselves among buyers? What factors determine trading with a larger number of demanders more extensively, as opposed to a smaller number more intensively? The problem bears a resemblance to Rlcardo's famous analysis of the cultivation of land, here, an individual buyer represents the Intensive margin, and the number of buyers a supplier deals with, the extensive margin, but the analogous issue remains, whether to trade more intensively or more extensively.
Do known cardiovascular risk factors mediate the effect of alcohol on cardiovascular disease

The association between alcohol intake and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) in epidemiological studies is consistent and shows some protection from CVD at consumption levels of one to two drinks per day, but a sharp increase in CVD associated with three or more drinks per day. Analyses of potential mediators of effects of alcohol on CVD show that it increases high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and favourably influences thrombotic factors, especially fibrinogen, and also fibrinolytic factors. Some evidence also suggests moderate alcohol consumption may reduce insulin resistance. However, studies also show an adverse effect of alcohol, particularly at higher doses, on blood pressure (leading to hypertension) and directly on the myocardium (leading to arrhythmias and myocardiopathy). Statistical modelling of the alcohol-CVD relationship is consistent in several studies, with a protective pathway via elevated HDL cholesterol and an adverse pathway through elevated blood pressure. Other possible mediators influenced by alcohol have not yet been examined in this type of analysis. The French Paradox has led to speculation that wine is the only protective alcoholic beverage for CVD, or at least that it has a stronger effect. Multiple non-ethanol components of wine have been studied in the laboratory and have been shown to have antioxidant or anticoagulant effects. Although wine does appear more protective in ecological studies, studies within cohorts show similar effects across alcoholic beverages, suggesting confounding in ecological studies by diet, lifestyle, or other variables. The key component of alcoholic beverages thus appears to be ethanol, consistent with the known potent effects of ethanol on HDL cholesterol and thrombotic factors. The upswing in CVD risk with three or more drinks per day is sharp and emphasizes that benefit from alcohol is limited to moderate consumption only. This upswing also cautions against any public health recommendation to drink alcohol, since many persons will not or cannot limit their intake to moderate levels.
KLF4 regulates adult lung tumor-initiating cells and represses K-Ras-mediated lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in both men and women worldwide. To identify novel factors that contribute to lung cancer pathogenesis, we analyzed a lung cancer database from The Cancer Genome Atlas and found that Kruppel-like Factor 4 (KLF4) expression is significantly lower in patients' lung cancer tissue than in normal lung tissue. In addition, we identified seven missense mutations in the KLF4 gene. KLF4 is a transcription factor that regulates cell proliferation and differentiation as well as the self-renewal of stem cells. To understand the role of KLF4 in the lung, we generated a tamoxifen-induced Klf4 knockout mouse model. We found that KLF4 inhibits lung cancer cell growth and that depletion of Klf4 altered the differentiation pattern in the developing lung. To understand how KLF4 functions during lung tumorigenesis, we generated the K-ras(LSL-G12D/+);Klf4(fl/fl) mouse model, and we used adenovirus-expressed Cre to induce K-ras activation and Klf4 depletion in the lung. Although Klf4 deletion alone or K-ras mutation alone can trigger lung tumor formation, Klf4 deletion combined with K-ras mutation significantly enhanced lung tumor formation. We also found that Klf4 deletion in conjunction with K-ras activation caused lung inflammation. To understand the mechanism whereby KLF4 is regulated during lung tumorigenesis, we analyzed KLF4 promoter methylation and the profiles of epigenetic factors. We found that Class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) are overexpressed in lung cancer and that HDAC inhibitors induced expression of KLF4 and inhibited proliferation of lung cancer cells, suggesting that KLF4 is probably repressed by histone acetylation and that HDACs are valuable drug targets for lung cancer treatment.
The Laser Teaching Center at Stony Brook University

The Laser Teaching Center is a unique university-based educational environment primarily devoted to highly personalized active learning through the development of individual hands-on student projects broadly related to optics and lasers. The participants include local high school students and young undergraduates who are new to optics and research, and graduate students in an optics rotation course. We describe the history and facilities of the Center, its educational philosophy and methods, and the experience obtained in nine years of operation.
Regression of uterine low-grade smooth-muscle tumors metastatic to the lung after oophorectomy

Background: Metastatic uterine low-grade smooth-muscle tumors may present with pulmonary symptoms and radiographic lung abnormalities consistent with metastatic neoplasms. Ovarian hormone stimulation of these smoothmuscle tumors has been suggested, but the role of surgical or medical oophorectomy has not been established in patients with metastatic disease. Cases: Two women with histologically confirmed uterine low-grade smooth-muscle tumors metastatic to the lung had progressive and complete tumor regression after oophorectomy and no further therapy. Conclusion: Some uterine low-grade smooth-muscle tumors metastatic to the lung regress after oophorectomy. Removing ovarian hormone stimulation may result in complete tumor regression without the need for further therapy.
Vibration of Rotationally Periodic Structures

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to determine eigensolutions of a rotationally periodic structure P of period N in terms of those of the i th substructure S(i) of P. Let y(i) be the generalized displacement vector and f(i) be the generalized force vector at interface I(i) , where substructures S(i) and S(i - 1) are connected. Transfer function formulation of S(i) implies that there exists a linear operator G mapping y(t) and f(i) at interface I(i) to y(i + 1) and f(i + 1) at interface I(i + 1). In addition, the operator G depends on transfer functions (and therefore eigensolutions) of S(i) . The periodicity of P then requires that GN be an identity map. This results in N self-adjoint Fredholm integral equations, the non-trivial solutions of which predict eigensolutions of P. As a consequence, a periodic structure P with period N will have exactly N eigenvalues lying between two consecutive eigenvalues of the substructure S(i), if the interface I(i) contains only one degree of freedom. Finally, three examples are illustrated. The first example considers anti-plane strain vibration of a linear elastic solid containing four slots of infinitesimal width. The second example derives exact eigensolutions of a string-mass periodic structure. The third example illustrates how eigensolutions of an axisymmetric structure can be recovered under the formulation of rotationally periodic structures.
Non-destructive grading of peaches by near-infrared spectrometry

This paper describes an experimental study on non-destructive methods for sorting peaches according to their degree of ripeness. The method is based on near-infrared (NIR) transmittance spectrometry in the region between 730 and 900 nm. It estimates the ripeness in terms of internal sugar content and firmness. A station for acquiring the NIR signal has been designed and realized, carefully choosing between several options for each component. Four different stations have been realized and compared during the experimental phase. The signals acquired by the station have been pre-processed using a noise-reducing method based on a packets-wavelet transform. In addition, an outlier detection technique has been applied for identifying irregular behaviors inside each of the considered classes. Finally, a minimum distance classifier estimates the grade of each experimental data. The results obtained in classification show that this early version of the station enables the correct discrimination of peaches with a percentage of 82.5%.
Monoclonal antibody analysis of mononuclear cells in myopathies. I : Quantitation of subsets according to diagnosis and sites of accumulation and demonstration and counts of muscle fibers invaded by T cells

In 76 muscle specimens (normal controls, 9; Duchenne dystrophy, 11; scleroderma, 11; dermatomyositis, 13; polymyositis, 15; inclusion body myositis, 17), mononuclear cells were analyzed at perivascular, perimysial, and endomysial sites of accumulation. Monoclonal antibodies reactive for B cells, T cells, T cell subsets, killer (K) or natural killer (NK) cells, and the Ia antigen were used for cell typing. Macrophages were identified by the acid phosphatase reaction. Few extravascular mononuclear cells occurred in normal muscle. In all inflammatory myopathies, a mixed exudate of T cells, B cells, and macrophages was present. Mature K/NK cells were rare in all diseases. In dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis, there was a positive gradient for T cells, T8+ cells, and activated T cells and a negative gradient for B cells and T4+ cells between perivascular and endomysial sites. In scleroderma the predominant perimysial exudate consisted mostly of T cells and macrophages. The percentage of B cells at all sites, and the T4+/T cell ratio in the endomysium, were significantly higher in dermatomyositis than in the other diseases. In polymyositis and inclusion body myositis, the endomysial exudate contained a large number of T cells, T8+ cells, and activated T cells but only sparse B cells. T cells accompanied by macrophages focally surrounded and invaded nonnecrotic fibers in polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. Rare fibers in Duchenne dystrophy and a very few fibers in dermatomyositis and scleroderma were similarly affected. We infer that (1) T-B, T-T, and T-macrophage cooperativities are likely to exist in muscle in different myopathies; (2) T cell-mediated fiber injury plays a role in polymyositis and inclusion body myositis; (3) T cell-mediated fiber injury can also occur in inherited diseases, such as Duchenne dystrophy; and (4) a local humoral response may occur in muscle in dermatomyositis and possibly in polymyositis and inclusion body myositis.
Superiority of “triple” drug therapy in heart failure: insights from the PROVED and RADIANCE trials

Abstract Objectives. We sought to study the efficacy of “triple” therapy with digoxin, diuretic and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) compared to other combinations of these drugs in patients with symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Background. Controversy continues concerning the role of combining digoxin with diuretic and ACEI in the initial management of patients with heart failure. Methods. The study utilized data from two studies of digoxin efficacy: Prospective Randomized Study of Ventricular Function and Efficacy of Digoxin (PROVED) and Randomized Assessment of Digoxin and Inhibitors of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (RADIANCE). Worsening heart failure defined as augmentation of heart failure therapy or an emergency room visit or hospitalization for increased heart failure was the main outcome measure. Results. A total of 266 patients comprising the four treatment groups of the combined PROVED (diuretic alone or digoxin and diuretic) and RADIANCE (ACEI and diuretic, or digoxin, diuretic and ACEI) trials were analyzed. Worsening heart failure occurred in only 4 of the 85 patients who continued digoxin, diuretic and ACEI therapy (4.7%) compared to 18 of the 42 patients (19%) on digoxin and diuretic therapy (p = 0.009), to 23 of the 93 patients (25%) on ACEI and diuretic therapy (p = 0.001) and to 18 of the 46 patients (39%) on diuretic alone (p Conclusion. Pending definitive, prospective clinical trials, our results argue for triple therapy as the initial management of patients with symptomatic heart failure due to systolic dysfunction.
Fostering social–emotional resilience among Latino youth

National statistics reveal that Latino youth face significant challenges and engage in many risky behaviors that can hinder positive development and well-being, such as attempted suicide, lifetime cocaine use, unprotected sex, and dropping out of school. However, these statistics obscure the fact that many Latino youth are developing well despite exposure to significant adversity. A critical question that lies before researchers, educators, and policy makers is how to improve the health, well-being, and achievement of more Latino youth. This article considers conceptual issues related to resilience and culture, risk, and protective factors relevant to Latinos and the role schools play in promoting resilience. Special attention is paid to the building of child-based resources, such as social–emotional competencies, and social system resources, such as a caring school climate. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bone: bone density screening leads to reduced fracture risk.

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem but is underdiagnosed and undertreated. A new randomized controlled trial indicates that population screening for osteoporosis by BMD assessment resulted in improved treatment and reduced risk of fractures in postmenopausal women.
Use of spin-labelling techniques to probe the dynamics of He(23 S) deexcitation at solid surfaces

Spin labelling techniques, specifically the use of electron-spin-polarized He(23S) metastable atoms coupled with energy-resolved spin analysis of the ejected electrons, are used to investigate the dynamics of He(23S) deexcitation at solid surfaces. Data for a clean Au(100) surface are presented that show that deexcitation occurs exclusively through resonance ionization followed by Auger neutralization. The electrons involved in Auger neutralization are observed to be correlated in spin and possible reasons for this are discussed. Results obtained at Xe and NO films adsorbed on cooled Au(100) and Cu(100) substrates, respectively, show that He(23S) metastable atom deexcitation is analogous to gas-phase Penning ionization. Detailed differences are apparent that can be attributed to effects associated with the underlying substrate and interactions involving neighboring atoms in the film.
An experimental study of high-pressure droplet combustion

The results are presented of an experimental study on suspended n-heptane droplet combustion in air for reduced pressures up to P(r) = 2.305. Transition to fully transient heat-up through the critical state is demonstrated above a threshold pressure corresponding to P(r) of roughly 1.4. A silhouette imaging technique resolves the droplet surface for reduced pressures up to about P(r) roughly 0.63, but soot formation conceals the surface at higher pressures. Images of the soot plumes do not show any sudden change in behavior indicative of critical transition. Mean burning rate constants are computed from the d-squared variation law using measured effective droplet diameters at ignition and measured burn times, and corrected burning times are computed for an effective initial droplet diameter. The results show that the burning rates increase as the fuel critical pressure is approached and decrease as the pressure exceeds the fuel critical pressure. Corrected burning times show inverse behavior.
Adaptation and Gain Normalization: A Comment on Ullman & Schechtman (1982)

A well-known process for adaptation and gain normalization is compared with the process described by S. Ullman and G. Schechtman (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 216, 299-313 (1982)). A neural interpretation of this process in terms of transmitter gating, slow accumulation, and release is described. Applications to a wide variety of problems in perception, cognition, and motivated behaviour can be made by embedding the gating process into opponent processes, notably shunting on-centre off-surround networks, to form a network module called a gated dipole field.
Influence of channel width on alignment of smooth muscle cells by high-aspect-ratio microfabricated elastomeric cell culture scaffolds.

Engineered smooth muscle tissue requires ordered configurations of cells to reproduce native function, and microtechnology offers possibilities for physically and chemically controlling cell organization with high spatial resolution. In this work, poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchannel scaffolds, modified by layer-by-layer self-assembly of polyelectrolytes to promote cell adhesion, were evaluated for use as substrates for the culture of aligned smooth muscle cells. The hypothesis that narrower channels would result in better alignment was tested using channel width dimensions of 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 μm, in addition to flat (control) surfaces. Alignment of cells was assessed by two different methods, each sensitive to a different aspect of cell alignment from fluorescence micrographs. Two-dimensional fast Fourier transform analysis was performed to analyze the orientation distribution of actin filaments in cells. This was complemented by connectivity analysis of stained nuclei to obtain nuclear orientation distributions. Both methods produced consistent data that support the hypothesis that narrow microchannels promote a highly aligned culture of smooth muscle cells, and the degree of alignment is dependent on the microchannel width. Precise replication of in vivo cell alignment in engineered tissue, with the ability to tailor specific surface chemistries of the scaffold to the desired application, will potentially allow the production of artificial tissue that more closely duplicates the structure and function of native tissue. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2005
Dynamic formulation and approximation methods to solve economic dispatch problems

Economic dispatch (ED) is an optimisation tool that is used to allocate active load demands to the generating units through optimising the fuel generation cost function subject to the different operational constraints. The high non-linearity of the power system imposes mathematical challenges in formulating the generation cost function models, which makes the ED problem hard to solve. This study introduces two ideas to solve issues related to the ED problem. First, a dynamic formulation technique is developed to optimally allocate the change in the total active load demand to the generating units. This technique is shown to be insensitive to the optimality of the initial active load distribution unlike the base point and participation factor method. Moreover, it guarantees an optimal distribution among the generating units due the change in the active load demand. Second, a novel approximation of the non-convex generation cost function is developed to solve non-convex ED problem with the transmission losses. This approximation enables the use of gradient and Newton techniques to solve the non-convex ED problem with valve point loading effect and transmission losses in an analytic approach. This approximation is compared with some heuristic optimisation techniques.
Spectral characteristics of steady-state amplifiers

Abstract The theory of steady-state optical amplification for homogeneously broadened media is extended to include broad spectral bandwidth input signals. The output power gain, amplifier efficiency and spectral narrowing of the amplified radiation is studied. In the small and large signal regimes, approximate analytic expressions are obtained and compared with numerical results.