cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Drug release mechanism from a microcrystalline cellulose pellet system

A common form of modified release is the encapsulation of specially formulated or coated pellets. An important first step in the development of a multiparticulate coated dosage form is to characterize the uncoated pellet. In earlier work, an uncoated pellet system developed in these laboratories and prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was investigated and found to exhibit both the physical characteristics of an inert matrix and varying degrees of in vitro modified release. The use and characterization of MCC as a spheronization matrix material forms the basis for this formulation study. The drug release mechanism has been verified by varying selected formulation factors and evaluating the resulting pellets according to the relationship developed by T. Higuchi for granular inert matrices. In all cases, this MCC pellet system adhered to the theoretical relationships and the drug release mechanism can, therefore, be classified as an inert matrix.
Lazy paired hyper-parameter tuning

In virtually all machine learning applications, hyper-parameter tuning is required to maximize predictive accuracy. Such tuning is computationally expensive, and the cost is further exacerbated by the need for multiple evaluations (via cross-validation or bootstrap) at each configuration setting to guarantee statistically significant results. This paper presents a simple, general technique for improving the efficiency of hyper-parameter tuning by minimizing the number of resampled evaluations at each configuration. We exploit the fact that train-test samples can easily be matched across candidate hyper-parameter configurations. This permits the use of paired hypothesis tests and power analysis that allow for statistically sound early elimination of suboptimal candidates to minimize the number of evaluations. Results on synthetic and real-world datasets demonstrate that our method improves over competitors for discrete parameter settings, and enhances state-of-the-art techniques for continuous parameter settings.
Optimizing Stiffness of a Novel Parallel-Actuated Robotic Shoulder Exoskeleton for a Desired Task or Workspace

The purpose of this work is to optimize the stiffness of a novel parallel-actuated robotic exoskeleton designed to offer a large workspace. This is done in an effort to help provide a solution to the issue wearable parallel actuated robots face regarding a tradeoff between stiffness and workspace. Presented in the form of a shoulder exoskeleton, the device demonstrates a new parallel architecture that can be used for wearable hip, ankle and wrist robots as well. The stiffness of the architecture is dependent on the placement of its actuated substructures. Therefore, it is desirable to place these substructures effectively so as to maximize dynamic performance for any application. In this work, an analytical stiffness model of the device is created and validated experimentally. The model is then used, along with a method of bounded nonlinear multi-objective optimization to configure the parallel actuators so as to maximize stiffness for the entire workspace. Furthermore, it is shown how to use the same technique to optimize the device for a particular task, such as lifting in the sagittal plane.
Application of an Equilibrium-Phase Spray Model to Multicomponent Gasoline Direct Injection

An equilibrium-phase (EP) spray model for simulating high-pressure diesel fuel injection has recently been proposed, which is based on a local phase equilibrium assumption and jet theory. In this model, spray vaporization is assumed to be a mixing-controlled equilibrium process, while the nonequilibrium processes of droplet breakup, collision, and surface vaporization are neglected. The model shows a good grid independency by introducing a liquid-jet model and a gas-jet model. In this study, the EP model is applied in simulations of multihole gasoline direct injection (GDI). The model validation is performed for two different GDI injectors, that is, the Engine Combustion Network Spray G injector and a GM injector, operated at ambient temperatures from 400 to 900 K and ambient densities from 3 to 9 kg/m3, with the fuel isooctane. Good agreement is found between simulation and available experimental data in terms of liquid/vapor penetrations, shape of the vapor envelope, and the axial velocity evolution alo...
Elevated fetal haemoglobin levels are associated with decreased incidence of retinopathy in adults with sickle cell disease

Among the many vascular complications of sickle cell disease (SCD), retinopathy is the most prevalent and represents a leading cause of blindness. Hydroxycarbamide therapy ameliorates many symptoms of SCD, and high fetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels have been shown to protect against the development of retinopathy in children with HbSS. Its effect on adults with SCD, who are at a much higher risk of developing retinopathy, has not been studied. We aimed to investigate the effect of hydroxycarbamide use and HbF level on sickle cell retinopathy development in adults. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study and collected demographics, comorbidities, and ocular and haematological data from 300 adult sickle cell subjects examined at the Henkind Eye Institute at Montefiore Medical Center during a 5-year period, from October 2012 to November 2017. The cohort was comprised mainly of Black and Hispanic subjects with all SCD genotypes, aged 18-71 years. Results show that in HbSS patients treated with hydroxycarbamide, those with retinopathy had significantly lower HbF levels compared to patients without retinopathy (P = 0·018). Our study identified the optimal HbF cut-off point for retinopathy protection to be 14·87%. Thus, a HbF level of 15% appears to be the threshold above which the odds for developing retinopathy in SS patients are reduced by 50%.
Management of Pancreatic Trauma

Traumatic abdominal injuries involving the pancreas account for ~3–5% of abdominal injuries but are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Contributing factors to poor outcomes are subtle presentations lacking egregious signs of injury and retroperitoneal location of the pancreas, resulting in difficulty in identification of pancreatic injury on physical exam and diagnostic imaging. Once the source of injury has been identified, with the junction of the pancreatic body and tail commonly deemed the culprit, it is of paramount importance to determine the integrity of the pancreatic duct as it can dictate treatment course. Pancreatic injuries can be graded from I to V (AAST-OIS), with Grades I–II indicating hematoma with no tissue loss and preservation of pancreatic duct. Grade III involves laceration and distal transection, while Grades IV–V involve major parenchymal injury and proximal ductal transection. Operative strategies revolve around bleeding control, selective debridement, and preservation vs. resection of pancreatic tissue.
Ergonomics in strabismus surgery.

Purpose of review Although much has been written regarding ergonomics in ophthalmology, little information is available regarding the specific ergonomic concerns of pediatric ophthalmology and in particular, of strabismus surgery. This article will summarize current findings pertaining to musculoskeletal disorders in ophthalmology and review their implications for strabismus surgeons. Recent findings Optical motion capture is a promising alternative to older qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating ergonomic posture. Recent studies support the need for training to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Ribonucleic acid synthesis in rabbit erythroid cells

Kinetic studies on the synthesis of RNA in mature bone-marrow erythroid cells from rabbits were made by measuring the incorporation of [2-3H]adenosine into the ATP pool and RNA over periods up to 8h. By use of equations to fit the pool specific radioactivity and an equation using the same type of pool to generate the rate of linear DNA synthesis, good agreement between the pool parameters is found, provided that the ATP pool is measured in whole cell extracts, and assuming that the dATP and ATP pools equilibrate rapidly. RNA-synthesis rates were measured by using curve fits to equations developed by using the pool specific-radioactivity curves. The rate of synthesis of poly(A)-containing RNA varied in three experiments from 90 to 220mol/min per cell, with half-life of nuclear processing of 12-22 min with a mean of 16 min. Ribosomal RNA is synthesized at a rate of 70-200 mol/min per cell with an average half-life of nuclear processing of 37 min for the 18S RNA and 214 min for the 28S RNA. When the stable rRNA components are subtracted from the nRNA synthesis, the rate of nRNA synthesis is between 2 and 6fg/min per cell with an average half-life of degradation of 27 min. The rate of synthesis of poly(A)-containing RNA is 1.5-3.5% of the RNA-synthesis rates. These rates are compared with the RNA-synthesis rates found in L cells and concentrations of globin mRNA found in various erythroid-cell preparations.
Evolution of epimorphosis in mammals

Mammalian epimorphic regeneration is rare and digit tip regeneration in mice is the best-studied model for a multi-tissue regenerative event that involves blastema formation. Digit tip regeneration parallels human fingertip regeneration, thus understanding the details of this response can provide insight into developing strategies to expand the potential of human regeneration. Following amputation, the digit stump undergoes a strong histolytic response involving osteoclast-mediated bone degradation that is spatially and temporally linked to the expansion of blastema osteoprogenitor cells. Blastemal differentiation occurs via direct intramembranous ossification. Although robust, digit regeneration is imperfect: The amputated cortical bone is replaced with woven bone and there is excessive bone regeneration restricted to the dorsal-ventral axis. Ontogenetic and phylogenetic analysis of digit regeneration in amphibians and mammals raise the possibility that mammalian blastema is a product of convergent evolution and we hypothesize that digit tip regeneration evolved from a nonregenerative precondition. A model is proposed in which the mammalian blastema evolved in part from an adaptation of two bone repair strategies (the bone remodeling cycle and fracture healing) both of which are conserved across tetrapod vertebrates. The view that epimorphic regeneration evolved in mammals from a nonregenerative precondition is supported by recent studies demonstrating that complex regenerative responses can be induced from a number of different nonregenerative amputation wounds by specific modification of the healing response.
Pay Attention to Inattention: Exploring ADHD Symptoms in a Sample of Underachieving Gifted Students:

Much has been written about the relationship of giftedness and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as the relationship between ADHD and underachievement. The present study exam...
Understanding biological plume tracking behavior using deep reinforcement-learning

The ability to track odor plumes in dynamic environments is critical for flying insects following attractive odors to localize food or mates. This remarkable tracking behavior requires multimodal i...
Emergency Department Visits for Serious Diagnoses During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected health care utilization in the United States. Although reductions in routine outpatient visits and elective procedures were intentional in preparation for increases in COVID-19-related volume,1 National Syndromic Surveillance Program data indicate that weekly emergency department (ED) visits decreased 42% during the early stages of the pandemic.2 This reduction may have been driven by a public fear of seeking care,3,4 ultimately delaying interventions for time-sensitive serious conditions.
Monthly river flows in Texas for natural and developed conditions

Abstract River flow characteristics and computational methods for converting sequences of monthly flows between natural and regulated conditions are explored based on experience in assessing water availability throughout the state of Texas in the United States. Diverse climate, hydrology, economic development, and water management practices across the state combined with continual population growth and implementation of a statewide water availability modeling system makes Texas an excellent case study of stream flow characteristics and modeling and analysis methods that are relevant worldwide. Stream flow is extremely variable, subject to severe multiple-year droughts, intense floods, seasonality, and continuous fluctuation. The effects of population and economic growth, water resources development and management, and climatic variability on river flows vary with different conditions found across the state. The modeling system provides capabilities for adjusting observed river flows to represent natural conditions, simulating regulated flows representing specified conditions of development, and performing statistical frequency and reliability analyses.
The Effect of Fatigue on the Adhesion and Subcritical Debonding of Benzocyclobutene/Silicon Dioxide Interfaces

The effect of fatigue loading on microelectronic thin film interfaces has until now been difficult to quantify. Most industrial fatigue testing uses HAST (Highly Accelerated Stress Testing) protocols, which inherently convolutes the effects of mechanical fatigue and the test environment. Our work focuses on isolating the deleterious effects of mechanical fatigue on interfaces, which we have found to be substantial. In this study, the integrity of a low-k polymer interface involving benzocyclobutene (BCB) and silica was examined under a variety of loading conditions. Critical (fast fracture) adhesion values were measured using standard interface fracture-mechanics geometries. Experiments were then conducted to measure the debond growth rate as a function of the applied strain energy release rate under both static and cyclic loading conditions. Our results show that even under room temperature conditions, debond growth rates measured under cyclic fatigue are considerably faster than those observed under static loading. Results are presented detailing the effects of interface chemistry (adhesion promoters), environmental moisture, and test temperature on the resistance of the interfaces to subcritical debonding. Strategies for increasing resistance of dielectric interfaces to fatigue debonding are outlined.
Integrative behavioral treatment for NREM parasomnias: a case series.

A variety of behavioral interventions have been shown to improve symptoms of non-rapid eye movement parasomnias. Prior reports have typically examined outcomes of a single behavioral intervention. ...
Effect of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program on Emergency Department Opioid Prescribing.

Author(s): Gupta, Rahul; Boehmer, Sue; Giampetro, David; Gupta, Anuj; DeFlitch, Christopher J. | Abstract: Introduction: Our goal was to determine whether implementation of a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) altered emergency department (ED) opioid prescription rates overall and in patients of different pain severities.Methods: We conducted this single-center, retrospective review at an academic ED. The study examined patients discharged from the ED who received opioid prescriptions, before and after the state’s implementation of a PDMP (August 25, 2016). The monthly rate was a ratio of the patients given ≥ 1 opioid prescription to the ED patients with a numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) g 0. We performed an interrupted time series analysis on each demographic.Results: The overall ED opioid prescription rate decreased from 51.3% (95% confidence interval [Cl], 50.4%-52.2%) to 47.9% (95% Cl, 47.0%- 48.7%). For males, this decreased from 51.1% to 46.7% (P l 0.0001), while in females it did not significantly change (51.6% to 49.7% [P = 0.0529]). For those with mild pain, the rate increased from 27.5% to 34.3% (P l 0.0001), while for those with moderate pain, it did not significantly change (42.8% to 43.5% [P = 0.5924]). For those with severe pain, the rate decreased from 66.1% to 59.6% (P l 0.0001).Conclusion: We found that PDMP implementation was associated with an overall decrease in opioid prescription rates, and that patients with mild pain were prescribed opioids more often while severe pain patients were prescribed opioids less often.
Effects of β−hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on biomarkers for cognitive function and electrophysiological processes in aging

Abstract β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) is a leucine metabolite known for increasing muscle mass; however, recent studies have also shown it to have cognitive benefits, particularly with aging. The current study set out to explore the potential mechanism by which ΗΜΒ supplementation mediates its beneficial cognitive effects. ΗΜΒ treatment was found to increase hippocampal mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity in both young and aged rats, while also increasing mTOR medial prefrontal cortical (mPFC) activity in aged rats. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) was found to exhibit an age-dependent decrease in both the hippocampus and mPFC, as previously established, with HMB treatment significantly increasing CREB activity in only the mPFC of aged rats. These observed changes in mTOR and CREB did not translate to significant effects on long-termpotentiation in either brain region, suggesting that HMB’s cognitive effects are associated with changes in other mechanisms. One leading candidate in light of the pattern of mTOR/CREB activation is an ΗΜΒ-induced decrease in oxidative stress during aging. This, along with the fact that decreased oxidative stress facilitates learning and has been reported to occur following ΗΜΒ treatment, further suggests an alternative mechanism for ΗΜΒ’s potential to reduce aging-related cognitive decline.
C4 phenyl aporphines with selective h5-HT2B receptor affinity

A group of aporphine alkaloids related to (±)-nantenine (1) and bearing a C4 phenyl and various C1 or N-substituents, was synthesized and evaluated for affinity to h5-HT receptors. In general, unlike nantenine, the analogs lack affinity for the h5-HT(2A) receptor and other 5-HT receptors but bind selectively to the h5-HT(2B) receptor. With regards to 5-HT(2B) affinity, there appears to be a low tolerance for bulky C1 or N-substituents when the C4 phenyl moiety is present. Compound 5a had the highest 5-HT(2B) affinity of the compounds tested, was found to be an antagonist and is selective vs other CNS receptors.
On the Determination of Airplane Model Structure From Flight Data

A procedure based on a modified stepwise regression and several selection criteria is presented for the determination of airplane model structure from flight data. The aerodynamic force and moment coefficients in an airplane model are expresed either as polynomials in output and input variables or as a combination of splines. The procedure is demonstrated in three examples by attempting to determine a local, extended and global model. Some of the resulting models are verified by using the maximum likelihood estimation or by examining model prediction capabilities.
Virtual environments: new media for spatial information.

Publisher Summary The design, conduct, reporting, and interpretation of a scientific experiment represent an extended act of communication. Meaningful information passes back and forth between nature and the experimenters, and ultimately between them and their research community. The truth and accuracy of these messages depend primarily upon the researchers' experimental skill, intellectual acumen, and articulate exposition. However, all of these components are significantly impacted by the media through which the scientific communications are transmitted. Because the information in these communications is much more densely packed and carefully framed than that contained in the daily print and broadcast media, Marshall McLuhan's claim that the “medium is the message” is clearly too extreme. Nevertheless, because in the experimental process the experimental apparatus itself may be viewed as one of the media through which the natural phenomena are transmitted, the characteristics of the media can clearly make the difference between discovery and bafflement. Because the biological sciences inherently concern complex, interactive patterns of causation, these research areas are especially likely to benefit from the new techniques of data display, for the purposes of description, analysis, and presentation. Not only do biological phenomena take place in physical space and time but the high level of nonlinear interaction associated with them challenges researchers to develop new analytic concepts and corresponding graphical displays. Biology has made major contributions to the discovery of the basic phenomena of chaos and has provided some of the first data to illustrate the classical bifurcation phenomenon of chaotic systems.
Abstract 19726: Statin Effect in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Who Are Prescribed Dabigatran

Introduction: Dabigatran is used for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and its use has been associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Concomitant statin use may ameliorate this effect. Hypothesis: Statin use may protect against MI and death in patients with AF taking dabigatran. Methods: Patients age 66 or older with new AF from Nov 2010-Dec 2011 who received oral anticoagulation within 90 days of the AF diagnosis were identified in Medicare claims (n=79,134). Outcomes included death, ischemic stroke, and acute MI as identified by CMS enrollment records or inpatient admission records. Probabilities from a multinomial model were used to match patients in four groups (warfarin + statin, warfarin - statin, dabigatran + statin, dabigatran - statin). We used proportional hazards regression on this propensity-matched cohort to examine relative outcomes associated with statin use. Results: Overall 37,459 patients received statins and 14,452 received dabigatran. Statin use was similar in patients taking dabigatran vs warfarin. A total of 27,572 patients were included in the propensity matched analysis. Unadjusted rates of MI per person-year among patients receiving dabigatran were: 1.57 and 0.65 for patients taking statins and not taking statins, respectively. Among patients taking warfarin, MI rates were 1.35 and 1.01 per person-year with and without statins, respectively. In risk-adjusted analyses of patients taking dabigatran, the hazard ratio [HR] for MI associated with statin use was 2.42 [95% CI 1.44-4.07, p<.001] while the hazard ratio of death was 0.58 [95% CI, 0.48-0.69, p<.001]. Statin use was not significantly associated with stroke risk in patients taking dabigatran, nor was statin use significantly associated with stroke, MI, or death in patients taking warfarin. Conclusions: In Medicare beneficiaries with new AF prescribed dabigatran, statin medications were associated with an increased risk of developing MI. Despite this, statin use among patients with AF taking dabigatran was strongly protective against mortality. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is that statins reduce the incidence of fatal out-of-hospital MI in this patient population.
Liquid Scintillation Radioassay in Disposable Microcentrifuge Tubes: Radioimmune Precipitates and Other Applications

A simple, economical radioassay system employing disposable polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes was developed. Plastic adapters permitted automatic operation in liquid scintillation spectrometers. Counting efficiencies of (3)H, (14)C, (32)P, and (125)I in liquid scintillation cocktails and of (32)P by Cerenkov radiation (at lower efficiency in absence of added scintillator) were comparable to those in standard vials. Multipurpose use of the microtubes made the system versatile and expedient, e.g., collection of precipitates and radioassay in the same container. Collection of radioimmune precipitates was aided by a carrier inorganic precipitate, Mg(2)P(2)O(7).
Validating and refining the GOMS model methodology for software user interface design and evaluation

While much is known about how to design usable interfaces for interactive computing applications, it remains a difficult problem to adapt this knowledge to the software development process. Many of the current methods for engineering usability require the involvement of representative users to thoroughly test the interfaces under development. Other methods require multiple specialists familiar with principles of cognitive psychology to properly apply the methods. Still other methods attempt to formally model the user's interaction with the software interface. These methods utilize the GOMS model concept, which hierarchically decomposes the procedural knowledge required to operate an interface into goals, methods, selection rules, and basic operators or actions. It is hypothesized that by using GOMS models, routine performance can be predicted, and the usability of a software interface can be assessed without the time and expense associated with other methods. However, to date, there are no systematically documented cases in which a GOMS model approach has been comprehensively applied in an actual software development situation, with the costs and payoffs determined. The purpose of this dissertation is to provide such a case. This dissertation describes the development of the user interface for a CAD application in the field of Industrial Ergonomics. For this particular case, an informal user-evaluation approach and a GOMS model approach were applied to the design and evaluation of the interface. While the user-evaluation approach identified usability concerns of unknown merit, the GOMS approach identified usability problems embedded in the interface methods. A redesign of the interface based on the GOMS approach resulted in a 46% reduction in observed learning time and a 39% reduction in observed execution time during an empirical evaluation. While these relative differences were accurately predicted by the GOMS models, corrections to the GOMS time estimation techniques were necessary to obtain useful (within 10%) predictions of absolute performance time. It is concluded from this particular case that the application of the GOMS model approach can significantly improve the usability of the interface, while requiring less time and expense to apply than currently practiced methods.
Learning to dance through interactive evolution

A relatively rare application of artificial intelligence at the nexus of art and music is dance. The impulse shared by all humans to express ourselves through dance represents a unique opportunity to artificially capture human creative expression. In particular, the spontaneity and relative ease of moving to the music without any overall plan suggests a natural connection between temporal patterns and motor control. To explore this potential, this paper presents a model called Dance Evolution, which allows the user to train virtual humans to dance to MIDI songs or raw audio, that is, the dancers can dance to any song heard on the radio, including the latest pop music. The dancers are controlled by artificial neural networks (ANNs) that “hear” MIDI sequences or raw audio processed through a discrete Fourier transform-based technique. ANNs learn to dance in new ways through an interactive evolutionary process driven by the user. The main result is that when motion is expressed as a function of sound the effect is a plausible approximation of the natural human tendency to move to music.
SVM Based Adaptive Biometric Image Enhancement Using Quality Assessment

The quality of input data has an important role in the performance of a biometric system. Images such as fingerprint and face captured under non-ideal conditions may require additional preprocessing. This chapter presents intelligent SVM techniques for quality assessment and enhancement. The proposed quality assessment algorithm associates the quantitative quality score of the image that has a specific type of irregularity such as noise, blur, and illumination. This enables the application of the most appropriate quality enhancement algorithm on the non-ideal image. We further propose a SVM quality enhancement algorithm which simultaneously applies selected enhancement algorithms to the original image and selects the best quality regions from the global enhanced image. These selected regions are used to generate single high quality image. The performance of the proposed algorithms is validated by considering face biometrics as the case study. Results show that the proposed algorithms improve the verification accuracy of face recognition by around 10–17%.
Understanding the Behaviour of the Eclipsing Polar DP Leo

Systematic variations are suspected in both the orbital period and accretion longitude in the DP Leo system. The variations in accretion position on the surface of the white dwarf, relative to the position of the secondary star, are not dependent upon the mass transfer rate. Combining our ROSAT data with all other available data, we find further evidence to support our hypothesis that the accretion longitude variations are produced through orbital period oscillations. The mechanism producing the orbital period changes is likely driven by the growth and decay of the magnetic field of the secondary star during solar-like magnetic activity cycles. This is the same mechanism suspected of producing orbital period oscillations in other close binaries with late-type stars. Evidence for similar variations in other polars exists, but the baseline of observations for the other eclipsing systems is limited. Further details are available in Robinson & Cordova (1994, ApJ, in press). An additional paper on this subject is in preparation.
Prediction of the clinical course of rhabdomyolysis in patients with initial creatine kinase < 1000 U/l

We routinely screen patients with severe muscular exertion for the presence of rhabdomyolysis. We evaluated the significance of a low initial creatine kinase (CK), and factors associated with a rising CK in this group.
Light scattered in the eye and its effect on the measurement of the colour constancy index

It is well established that at least some of the neural processes that mediate colour constancy effects are very rapid and practically instantaneous with the change of illuminant. This aspect of colour constancy has been labelled instantaneous or immediate in order to distinguish it from other factors, such as adaptation, which also contribute to colour constancy and have a longer time course. Instantaneous colour constancy has been studied using either simultaneous or dichoptic presentation of a test and a comparison field surrounded by a Mondrian pattern or a uniform background. In order to avoid local adaptation to each of the two illuminants, we developed a dynamic colour matching technique, based on sequential changes of illuminant which affects only the surrounding background and not the test target. This technique makes it easy to measure conveniently an index of constancy on a scale of zero to one, and is based on the change in the target chromaticity needed to keep the perceived colour of the test patch invariant under each of the two background illuminants. Using this dynamic technique, we were also able to investigate the spatial properties of immediate constancy effects using a dark annulus of variable width which separates the test target from the surrounding background. The results show that the effect of the immediate, adjacent surround is very important, although a significant Cindex value can also be elicited with distant surrounds when the light scattered in the dioptrics of the eye from the surrounding background onto the test target is very small. The computations involved in such measurements are normally carried out on changes of chromaticity as measured on the visual display. The forward scatter of light caused by the dioptrics of the eye can change significantly the chromaticity of the test target as imaged on the retina even when the test chromaticity measured on the screen remains unchanged. In this study we have investigated how scattered light in the eye affects the index of colour constancy. The scatter function which describes the amount and the angular distribution of light scattered in the eye has been measured for each subject. Cindex values have been computed with and without correction for the changes in test target chromaticity caused by scattered light. The results show that scattered light in the eye cannot explain immediate constancy, and that on average its effect is to reduce significantly the estimated colour constancy index.
Effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in children with infantile-onset Pompe disease and respiratory muscle weakness.

PURPOSE: Respiratory muscle weakness is a primary therapeutic challenge for patients with infantile Pompe disease. We previously described the clinical implementation of a respiratory muscle training (RMT) regimen in two adults with late-onset Pompe disease; both demonstrated marked increases in inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in response to RMT. However, the use of RMT in pediatric survivors of infantile Pompe disease has not been previously reported. METHOD: We report the effects of an intensive RMT program on maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) using A-B-A (baseline-treatment-posttest) single subject experimental design in two pediatric survivors of infantile Pompe disease. Both subjects had persistent respiratory muscle weakness despite long-term treatment with alglucosidase alfa. RESULTS: Subject 1 demonstrated negligible to modest increases in MIP/MEP (6% increase in MIP, d = 0.25; 19% increase in MEP, d = 0.87), while Subject 2 demonstrated very large increases in MIP/MEP (45% increase in MIP, d = 2.38; 81% increase in MEP,d = 4.31). Following three-month RMT withdrawal, both subjects maintained these strength increases and demonstrated maximal MIP and MEP values at follow-up. CONCLUSION:Intensive RMT may be a beneficial treatment for respiratory muscle weakness in pediatric survivors of infantile Pompe disease.
Measurement of Water Transport Properties Through Membrane Electrode Assemblies Part II. Cathode Diffusion Media

This paper presents an in situ method to characterize the effective water diffusivity De of cathode diffusion media in an operating fuel cell. The De values of self-made gas diffusion layers GDLs and a commercial GDL were experimentally determined to be about one order of magnitude lower than the theoretical value. The effects of several factors such as the inert gas component and cathode pressure as well as the presence of microporous layer MPL on De were studied, and the mechanism of water transport through cathode diffusion media was explored. It was found that the water transport is largely controlled by molecular and Knudsen diffusion through the catalyst layer. The MPL does not exhibit a dominant resistance to water transport. Interrelations of De with the net water transport coefficient through the membrane and membrane resistance were also examined, suggesting that good balance between suitable membrane hydration and cathode flooding avoidance can be achieved by optimizing cathode diffusion media. The capability to measure De reported in this work provides a diagnostic tool for screening cathode diffusion materials. © 2007 The Electrochemical Society. DOI: 10.1149/1.2737384 All rights reserved.
Inverse Functions of Complex Quantities

FORMULAS for inverse functions of complex quantities, such as sin (x+iy), are of use in several branches of electrical engineering. Calculations for transmission circuits require them, particularly in connection with communication circuits. Integration of expressions involving complex quantities can involve inverse functions. They are encountered also in conformal transformations.
High resolution NMR as a local probe of structure, conformation, and mobility in solid polymers

Abstract Because the NMR frequency of a dipolar nucleus is exquisitely sensitive to the structural and conformational natures of its immediate environment, high resolution NMR can be utilized to probe the structures, conformations, and motions (via resonance relaxation) of the constituent molecules belonging to solid samples. By means of a single polymer example (polypropylene) we attempt to illustrate how structural, conformational, and motional information about solid polymers can be obtained by employing high resolution, solid state NMR.
European guidelines on when to start dialysis: check the facts first before commenting

To the Editor: In his article commenting on the European Renal Best Practice (ERBP) position statement on when to start dialysis,1 Steven Rosansky disagrees with the European guidelines2 and proposes his own recommendation that dialysis should not be started until the patient is symptomatic.
The emerging role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis: preclinical and clinical findings.

Although the histological changes seen in psoriasis have long been well characterized, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms have only begun to be elucidated over the past 20 years. Proinflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α have a central role in psoriasis pathogenesis, and many T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokines and messenger RNAs are elevated in psoriatic lesions. IL-17A, IL-17F, and other Th17 cell–derived cytokines have been shown in murine models to induce features that mimic human psoriasis. This review focuses on the emerging biology of the IL-17 cytokine family in psoriasis, and on the molecular and genetic information gained from animal models and human clinical studies that confirm IL-17 as a crucial proinflammatory cytokine in psoriasis. Expression of IL-17A, IL-17C, and IL-17F is strikingly increased in psoriatic lesions, and successful therapy is associated with restoration of the expression of a wide range of genes (including effector molecules downstream of IL-17 such as cytokines, chemokines, and antimicrobial peptides) to near-normal levels. Therapeutic agents in development that target IL-17 are discussed, and an emerging model of the key role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is presented.
Dicrotendipes rajasthani n.sp. from India (Diptera, Chironomidae)1

The male and female of Dicrotendipes rajasthani a new chironomid species from India are described. The larva and pupa are unknown.
Tuning nano antenna with graphene

In this paper we analyze what graphene, though metallic by nature, does on top of optical nano antennas. There is a capacitive effect introduced by monolayer graphene placed on top of the antenna. The electric field intensity, absorption characteristics, and the change in the input impedance as a result of introducing the graphene layer are studied. Electric field, absorption characteristics and input impedance are all calculated using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) technique.
A new concept for a hubless rotary jet

The 'hubless rotary-jet' thrust augmentor primary-stream configuration is proposed as a way of overcoming problems encountered with hubbed rotary-jet ejectors while retaining sufficient geometrical simplicity to facilitate performance characterization and prediction via such commercially available CFD methods as FLOTRAN, as well as verification via LDV mapping. The present discussion is conducted with a view to the contributions of more realistic performance models incorporating turbulent mixing and compressibility. Attention is given to thrust augmentation ratio vs. spin angles for various area ratios with and without mixing.
Solving Schemes for Computational Magneto-Aerodynamics

The electromagnetic force introduces a new physics dimension for enhancing aerodynamic performance of aerospace vehicles. In order to simulate interdisciplinary phenomena, the Navier---Stokes and Maxwell equations in the time domain must be integrated on a common frame of reference. For a wide range of applications from subsonic unmanned vehicles to hypersonic flight control, the resultant nonlinear partial differential equations offer a formidable challenge for numerical analysis. The experience and physical insight using the approximate Riemann and compact-differencing formulation as well as several temporal discritizations will be shared. The most recent development and advancement in numerical procedures for solving this system of governing equations are delineated
Fluctuation Noise in Pulse-Height Multiplex Radio Links

The choice of a method of multiplex synthesis and analysis will depend on (1) the distortion and noise characteristics of the link connecting the synthesizer and analyzer, and (2) the type of intelligence and tolerable distortion and noise in each channel. Among the various methods of multiplexing adaptable to transmission over radio links is the pulse-height or commutation method. The question of interchannel cross talk has already been solved quantatatively for this multiplex method, and it is the purpose of this paper to solve the associated problem of channel fluctuation noise in a precise manner. Expressions are obtained for the channel fluctuation noise of pulse-height multiplex systems used over f.m. and a.m. radio links. A comparison shows the f.m. channel fluctuation-noise improvement to be 4.15 times the deviation ratio, in contrast to the familiar √3 the deviation ratio for single-channel radio links.
Perfusion sphincterometry for objective evaluation of postprostatectomy intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

Objectives. Male urinary incontinence secondary to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) is a possible complication of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or radical prostatectomy (RP). For objective assessment of urinary sphincteric competence, we used perfusion sphincterometry (PS) to measure the retrograde urethral perfusion pressure (RUPP). Methods. A retrospective and prospective analysis of 60 neurologically normal patients of varying continence status was performed. The subjects were divided into three groups: continent patients with no previous prostate surgery (group 1), continent patients after prostatectomy (group 2), and incontinent patients after prostatectomy (group 3). All patients underwent PS with the technique described. All incontinent patients (group 3) had a filling cystometrogram (CMG) to rule out detrusor instability. Results. Continent patients with no prior prostate surgery (group 1) had a mean RUPP of 101 ± 16 cm H2O; continent postprostatectomy patients (group 2) had a mean RUPP of 77 ± 14 cm H2O; and incontinent postprostatectomy patients (group 3) had a mean RUPP of 36 ± 11 cm H2O. The differences were statistically significant (P <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in RUPP when the patients in groups 2 and 3 were stratified into TURP and RP groups. Conclusions. PS is a simple and accurate technique for objective evaluation of lower sphincter competence. Patients with stress incontinence after prostatectomy have a statistically significant decrease in RUPP compared with continent controls. In combination with cystourethroscopy and filling CMG, PS can be useful in the evaluation of postprostatectomy incontinence.
Dopamine, Acetylcholine, and Glutamate Interactions in Aging Behavioral and Neurochemical Correlates

Aging, hypoxia, and thiamin deficiency diminish motor performance. Similar alterations of ACh, DA, and glutamate metabolism accompany hypoxia, thiamin deficiency, and aging. Both aging and hypoxia reduce ACh release and stimulate DA and glutamate release. Presynaptic enhancement of DA and glutamate release may be important in the production of cell damage that may contribute, in part, to age-related deficits in motor as well as cognitive function. The decline in ACh release may be important in the production of the cognitive deficits. An understanding of the interactions of neurotransmitters in hypoxia and thiamin deficiency aids our understanding of normal aging and increases the possibility of developing better treatments for the multiple neurotransmitter deficiencies that accompany many metabolic, age-related, and chronic degenerative disorders.
Memory for individual events in concept identification

Subjects attempted six concept problems, each of which was soluble on the basis of information contained in six instances (positive and negative). In any problem, S inspected the six instances, presented successively, and then stated a hypothesis about the solution. After some problems S was asked to recall freely each instance and its category. The later in the problem series the first recall test was administered, the poorer recall was; with experience Ss learn that retention of the stimulus pattern and its category is unnecessary. Recall was better on the second and subsequent tests indicating that Ss can, if necessary, retain some of the information presented.
Exploring Discount Usability Methods to Assess the Suitability of Online Course Delivery Products

Increasingly, universities are providing instruction supported by or entirely delivered through the World Wide Web. Numerous applications are available for the development and delivery of online course materials and learning environments. Typically, when choosing which of these products to use, the decisions have been based on the technical specifications and features that the products offer. The author makes the argument that usability, specifically the attribute of ease of learning, should be a criterion used in the evaluation of online course delivery systems. By using this criterion, universities can better determine which application meets the concern of faculty regarding the length of time and the amount of training and support needed to move their classes to the Web. A usability evaluation of two applications, WebCT and Web-Course-in-a-Box was conducted as a way of demonstrating that discount usability is an accessible methodology that can yield valuable information about the usability of a product.
Finite Element Analysis for Wave Propagation in Double Negative Metamaterials

In this paper, we develop both semi-discrete and fully-discrete mixed finite element methods for modeling wave propagation in three-dimensional double negative metamaterials. Here the model is formed as a time-dependent linear system involving four dependent vector variables: the electric and magnetic fields, and the induced electric and magnetic currents. Optimal error estimates for all four variables are proved for Nedelec tetrahedral elements. To our best knowledge, this is the first error analysis obtained for Maxwell's equations when metamaterials are involved.
Modified Grover's algorithm for an expectation-value quantum computer

The translation of Grover's search algorithm from its standard version, designed for implementation on a single quantum system amenable to projective measurements, into one suitable for an ensemble of quantum computers, whose outputs are expectation values of observables on individual qubits, is described in detail. A filtering scheme, which effectively determines expectation values on a limited portion of the quantum state is presented and used to locate a single item for searches involving more than one marked item. A truncated version of Grover's algorithm, requiring fewer steps than the translated standard version but locating marked items just as successfully, is proposed. For quantum computational devices that only return expectation values, the truncated version is superior to its standard counterpart. This indicates that it is possible to modify quantum algorithms so as to reduce the required temporal resources by using the ensemble's spatial resources.
General approach for the synthesis of polyquinenes via the weiss reaction. Preparation of the chiral tetracyclo [6.6.0.01,5.08,12]tetradecane-3,6,10,13,-tetraene

The aldol approach to construct the tetracyclic polyquinane skeleton of 12, followed by hydroboration and the HMPA mediated dehydration of four hydroxyl groups has resulted in the facile synthesis of the chiral polyquinene, tetracyclo[6.6.0.01,5.08,12]-tetradecane-3,6,10,13-tetraene 2. This method completely avoids the troublesome fragmentation reactions earlier encountered when the strained tetraone 9 was reacted with nucleophilic reagents.