cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic patient counseling: a novel concept in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background The characteristics of long-term survivors with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have never been fully elucidated. We sought to illustrate the attenuated mortality and describe the characteristics of patients with IPF who survived at least 5 years beyond their initial presentation. Methods Patients with IPF evaluated between 1997 and 2006 were identified through the clinic database. Patients who survived beyond 5 years from the time of their evaluation were compared with those who died or underwent lung transplantation within 5 years. Survival analyses were performed from the time of initial evaluation and contingent on annualized survival thereafter. Results Eighty-seven patients who survived at least 5 years formed the comparator group to whom other patients were contrasted. These patients had a higher BMI, FVC % predicted, FEV1 % predicted, total lung capacity % predicted, and diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide % predicted, but a lower FEV1/FVC ratio and lower mean pulmonary artery pressures. More than one-half of these patients had moderate or severe disease at the time of presentation. Our annualized contingent survival analyses revealed a progressively increasing median survival dependent on the duration of the disease. Conclusions Although we were able to demonstrate differences in our 5-year survivors, rather than being a distinct group, these patients appear to exist within a continuum of improving survival dependent on prior disease duration. This progressively improving time-dependent prognosis mandates the serial reevaluation of an individual patient's projected outcomes. The implementation of dynamic counseling is an important concept in more accurately predicting life expectancy for patients with IPF who are frequently haunted by the prospects of a dismal survival.
Nonlinear programming solution for optimum PM schedule of auxiliary components

Auxiliary components in some systems exist only to serve some other primary components. Preventive maintenance (PM) activities are, therefore, done to these auxiliary components for the sake of extending the life of the primary component. Frequent PM care to auxiliary components increase the cost of PM while infrequent PM leads to increasing downtime of the primary component and, subsequently, production losses. The search for the optimal level of PM care requires a nonlinear programming (NLP) solution that can, sometimes, be very complex. This paper suggests that a very useful pattern exists in the NLP model of this optimization problem which can significantly reduce the complexity of model formulation and the arrival to the NLP solution.
How Did Modern Humans Originate

: People alive today and their immediate ancestors—modern humans—had multiple ancestors in the Middle Pleistocene. They did not originate as a new clade—the unique descendants of a recent, small African population. Therefore, the anatomical, behavioral, and genetic aspects of their modernity are not tied together in their origin. Instead, these key components of modernity have different origins and evolutionary pathways that can be understood as distinct, although interrelated, processes. Each process characterizes all living and recent human populations, and their interrelationship derives from a shared unifying factor: changes in human demographic history originating as the consequence of increased adult survivorship. Longer lifespans helped make humans modern.
MO-E-17A-09: Has Cancer Risk for Pediatric CT Increased Or Decreased? An Analysis of Cohort Data From 2004-2013

Purpose: To analyze CT radiation dosimetry trends in a pediatric population imaged with modern (2004-2013) CT technology Methods: The institutional review board approved this retrospective review. Two cohorts of pediatric patients that received CT scans for treatment or surveillance for Wilms tumor (n=73) or Neuroblastoma (n=74) from 2004–2013 were included in this study. Patients were scanned during this time period on a GE Ultra (8 slice; 2004–2007), a GE VCT (2008–2011), or a GE VCT-XTe (2011–2013). Each patient's individual or combined chest, abdomen, and pelvic CT exams (n=4138) were loaded onto a PACS workstation (Intelerad, Canada) and measured to calculate their effective diameter and SSDE. Patient SSDE was used to estimate patient organ dosimetry based on previously published data. Patient's organ dosimetry were sorted by gender, weight, age, scan protocol (i.e., chest, abdomen, or pelvis), and CT scanner technology and averaged accordingly to calculate population averaged absolute and effective dose values. Results: Patient radiation dose burden calculated for all genders, weights, and ages decreased at a rate of 0.2 mSv/year (4.2 mGy/year; average organ dose) from 2004–2013; overall levels decreased by 50% from 3.0 mSv (60.0 mGy) to 1.5 mSv (25.9 mGy). Patient dose decreased at equal rates for both male and female, and for individual scan protocols. The greatest dose savings was found for patients between 0–4 years old (65%) followed by 5-9 years old (45%), 10–14 years old (30%), and > 14 years old (21%). Conclusion: Assuming a linear-nothreshold model, there always will be potential risk of cancer induction from CT. However, as demonstrated among these patient populations, effective and organ dose has decreased over the last decade; thus, potential risk of long-term side effects from pediatric CT examinations has also been reduced.
Latest developments in the assessment and management of chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes in children.

Purpose of review As many as 25% of new patients in pediatric rheumatology clinics present with idiopathic chronic pain and recent data suggest the prevalence of these conditions is increasing. Knowledge of the latest developments in assessment and treatment is critical for providing optimal clinical care. This review summarizes advances published in the past year forwarding our understanding of chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes in children. Recent findings Research has recently focused on the impairment associated with chronic pain syndromes in children, issues impacting the diagnosis of these conditions, and the efficacy of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments. No diagnostic criteria have been developed for specific chronic pain syndromes in children; however, data from several studies substantiate the need for thorough assessment of the child and family in multiple domains. In addition, studies have expanded both pharmacologic and psychosocial treatment options for children with these syndromes. Summary Despite a growing body of research on chronic pain syndromes in children, there are no established standards of care. Data continues to support an interdisciplinary approach for effectively assessing and managing these conditions.
Ozone and aerosol distributions in the Pacific as observed by NASA's airborne UV DIAL system

The NASA Langley Research Center's Airborne UV DIAL system has been flown on many tropospheric and stratospheric field campaigns since 1980. The current system, in its tropospheric configuration, transmits four beams in both nadir and zenith directions making measurements of O 3 and aerosols from near the surface to above the tropopause. This system has been flown on the NASA DC-8 during the Global Tropospheric Experiments (GTE) to provide real-time remote sensing of tropopause heights, stratospheric intrusions, cloud tops/bases, boundary layer heights, and, in general, the large-scale variations of O 3 and aerosol distributions across the troposphere. In addition, post-mission analyses of relative amounts of ozone O 3 and aerosols as compared to discriminator profiles of each, permits an airmass characterization scheme including stratospherically influenced air, plumes with either high O 3 or high aerosols or both, continental outflows, convective transport, and clean marine air. During the missions the DIAL instrument is routinely used to identify altitudes of O 3 and/or aerosol layers so that the aircraft can then be directed to fly subsequent legs at specified heights to allow for in situ sampling of key species. In post-mission analyses the DIAL measurements provide the broader context for the in situ measurements of other trace species and, when coupled with meteorological and trajectory analyses, play a vital role in the interpretation of the dynamics and photochemistry of the troposphere. To date, NASA's GTE program has conducted three exploratory missions over the Pacific Ocean. PEM West-A (September-October 1991) and PEM West-B (February-March 1994) were focused in the western Pacific of the northern hemisphere to investigate the budget of O 3 and its precursors and to assess both the natural and anthropogenic impact of key atmospheric trace species in this region. PEM West-A was staged in late summer/early fall when the airflow is dominated by easterly across the Pacific. The second phase, PEM West-B, was staged during late winter when the airflow is characterized by maximum outflow from the Asian continent. PEM Tropics-A (September-October 1994) involved two NASA aircraft in a study of the chemistry of the troposphere over the central and southern Pacific with a focus on the tropics in the southern hemisphere. The intent was to study one of the few remaining clean air regions of the world to better understand the role of nitrogen oxides in the O 3 budget. A follow-up to this study, PEM Tropics-B, is in the process of being planned for February-- April 1999 in a contrasting meteorological regime. Selected O 3 and aerosol distributions are illustrated from each of these field campaigns showing some of the key features in each experiment as observed by the airborne UV DIAL system.
Activating a Teaching Philosophy in Social Work Education: Articulation, Implementation, and Evaluation

This article describes how to develop a comprehensive teaching philosophy from articulation through implementation to evaluation. Using literature and teaching-learning experiences, we discuss pragmatic steps for using a teaching philosophy to inform, engage, and evaluate teaching-learning. We promote an integrated teaching philosophy to ensure competent practice in social work education.
Optical evidence on the rotation of mercury

Abstract Computer analysis of an extensive sample of past optical observations of Mercury shows that the rotation period probably equals two-thirds of the orbital period (58.646 days) to within 0.03 day. However, the statistical significance is marginal, which casts doubt on the significance of earlier similar analyses of smaller data samples that are subject to bias due to such factors as the coinciding of the synodic period with twice the rotation period. Perhaps stronger (though still not conclusive) justification for the 58.646-day period is the compatibility of the observations with a new composite map of Mercury's surface made assuming that theoretically-expected period.
A tutoring system for parameter passing in programming languages

We have developed a tutoring system for the parameter passing mechanisms discussed in a typical Comparative Programming Languages course, viz., value, result, value-result, reference and name. The tutor helps students better understand these parameter passing mechanisms by administering problems for them to solve and providing instant feedback on their solution. In this paper, we will describe the design and features of the tutor. We will also discuss a test that we conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using the tutor, and present its results. The test confirmed our hypothesis that using the tutor would result in a systematic improvement in the learning of our students. This tutor may be used in the Comparative Programming Languages course as well as Computer Science I.
VOLUMETRIC IMAGE PROCESSING FOR THREE‐DIMENSIONAL DISPLAY OF THE SKELETAL ANATOMY OF THE SEA OTTER

Volumetrically correct, three-dimensional color images of the sea otter, (Enhydra lutris), were generated from computed tomographic (CT) data using a Sun 3/160 workstation and a Pixar Imaging Computer. These images could be displayed as static images (1024×768) or rotated about any axis in real-time by displaying sequential rotation sequences generated by the Pixar Imaging Computer. The images provided realistic depth of field through overshadowing and differential opacification. This was obtained through an opacification algorithm which traced rays from a selected viewing plane through colored gel volumes, and calculated absorbance percentages as a function of the transparency of the gels penetrated. Reconstructions of this type serve as alternative anatomy tutorials for species otherwise unavailable for routine dissection. They also permit topographical studies without interfering with populations of endangered animals.
Infrared spectroscopic investigation of complexes of ClF and Cl2 with crown ethers and related cyclic polyethers in argon matrices

Abstract The matrix isolation technique is employed to isolate and characterize 1:1 molecular complexes of 18-crown-6 and related cyclic polyethers with the reactive halogens ClF and Cl 2 in an inert environment. The dominant spectral feature noted for these complexes is the perturbed, red-shifted stretching mode of the halogen ion in the complex. Shifts are of the order of 100 cm −1 , which is similar to those observed for complexes of ClF with bases containing a single oxygen atom. The results suggest that there is no obvious reorganization of the host nor is there significant cooperativity of the oxygen atoms in the ring upon complexation. The absorption of the halogen in the complex is relatively broad compared to earlier studies of ClF complexes with simple bases.
Initiation of cleavage in polycrystalline iron

Abstract The initiation of cleavage microcracks in two coarse-grained vacuum-melted ferrites containing 0.035 and 0.007 per cent carbon was studied by means of tensile tests carried out between room temperature and −195°c in conjunction with special metallographic procedures. The latter involved surface replication of prepolished tensile specimens at various stages along the stress-strain curve as well as progressive sectioning of such specimens to reveal the internal details. In this way, the roles of carbides, mechanical twinning and slip in the initiation of cleavage were determined. Cleavage microcracks develop in ferrite throughout the strain-hardening portion of the stress-strain curve at subzero temperatures, and are mainly initiated by the cracking of carbides. Twinning does not play an important part in crack initiation in these materials at temperatures down to − 195°c. Although carbides may crack copiously during plastic deformation, they lead to microcracking of the ferrite only when the applied stress is high enough to permit the carbide cracks to act as griffith cracks. A model for microcrack initiation by such carbide cracking is proposed.
A large-deviation principle for Dirichlet posteriors

Let Xk be a sequence of independent and identically distributed random variables taking values in a compact metric space Ω, and consider the problem of estimating the law of X1 in a Bayesian framework. A conjugate family of priors for nonparametric Bayesian inference is the Dirichlet process priors popularized by Ferguson. We prove that if the prior distribution is Dirichlet, then the sequence of posterior distributions satisfies a large-deviation principle, and give an explicit expression for the rate function. As an application, we obtain an asymptotic formula for the predictive probability of ruin in the classical gambler's ruin problem.
RHC for Vision-Based Navigation of a WMR in an Urban Environment

This paper presents a control strategy for the navigation of an autonomous vehicle through an unknown environment with a focus on real-time implementation. The task at hand is to navigate from an initial position to a predetermined goal through an unknown environment using vision as the primary sensor. To solve this problem online the system must incorporate several component technologies: estimation of the environment, dynamic path planning, and a control strategy which incorporates this information into real-time implementation. In this paper, the obstacle estimation task is performed using a combination of Structure-From-Motion (SFM) fused with inertial measurements to provide 3D information from an onboard camera and an adaptive multiresolution-based learning algorithm to estimate the environment from 3D feature points. The learned obstacle map is used as a constraint in a Receding Horizon Control (RHC) path planner which calculates dynamically feasible and locally optimal trajectories. The feasibility of the real-time implementation of this system for vehicle navigation is investigated using a Wheeled Mobile Robot (WMR) testbed with a future goal of implementation on a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV).
The influence of a compressible boundary on the propagation of gaseous detonations

The velocity decrement of a gaseous detonation propagating through a channel with a compressible, nonreacting boundary is investigated experimentally and theoretically. The decrement depends on the width of the channel, the reaction length of the gaseous explosive, and the ratio of the explosive to inert-gas densities. In the experiments, the gaseous explosive was separated from the boundary gas by a very thin film (≈250) to eliminate any diffusion effect. Extensive experimental results for H2−O2 mixtures bounded by nitrogen, and some results on stoichiometric CH4−O2, show a general agreement with theory. In the case of H2−O2 mixtures, minimum channel width at which the wave continues to propagate is determined. It is found that a velocity decrement beyond 8%–10% leads to quenching, which appears to be best predicted by Belles' explosion-limit criterion. Using velocity decrement data, the reaction lengths of the stoichiometric mixtures of H2−O2 and CH4−O2 are found to be 0.11 in. and 0.26 in., respectively. Experimental results on the deflection angle of the interface and the shock induced by the detonation wave into the inert gas, are also presented. They show good agreement with a theory based on a shock-tube analogy.
Single-electron Capture and Loss Cross Sections Versus Target Z for 1 MeV/u Oxygen Ions Incident on Gases

In an ion-atom collision electron capture and loss depend, in general, on the beam energy, projectile charge state, and target Z. While most fundamental theories of capture and loss are formulated in terms of a single electron moving in the fields of the pertinent nuclei, various scaling laws have been developed to account for partially stripped ions and multielectron targets. The purpose of the present work is to systematically examine the dependence of capture and loss cross sections on target Z. Cross sections for single-electron capture and loss for 1 MeV/u oxygen ions passing through gas targets were measured as a function of target Z for incident projectile charge states of 5+, 6+, 7+, and 8+. The targets used were ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$, He, Ne, Ar, and Kr. The electron-capture measurements are generally in reasonable agreement with existing theoretical and empirical scaling rules. The electron-loss cross sections differ appreciably from predictions of the plane-wave Born approximation, particularly for the heaviest targets studied.
A Study in Herd Expansion

Recently we have had the privilege of studying records of a herd of dairy cattle that was established in 1896, twenty-seven years ago. To found the herd 14 nice cows were purchased and ever since then the best heifer calves have been retained to enlarge and improve the herd. Like every other herd, this one has been visited by its quota of abortions, tuberculosis, accidents and defectives, but it has received unusually good attention, care, feed and stabling. We believe its rate of expansion, or growth, will prove interesting to breeders of cattle. A review of this herd is as follows: • 1 8 9 6 H e r d founded with 14 cows. 1 9 1 2 T h e herd in 1912 contained 29 female descendents of the 14 cows. Eleven of the 14 foundation cows failed to produce enough offspring, particularly heifers, to breed on and disappeared from the herd in the sixteen years, while 3 prolific cows are responsible for the herd growth. i92~--The herd in 1922 contained 37 females, all descendants of the 29 females of 1912. During the twenty-eix years an effort has been made to enlarge and improve the herdby retainiog the best heifers, the bull calves being sold. The herd growth was not rapid, having been heid in check by such difficulties as deaths, accidents, tuberculosis, infertility, defects that caused the culling out of individuals such as sway backs, and loss of quarters of udders. These difficulties are met by all breeders of livestock, but this herd has been fortunate as no wholesale disaster has ever hit this herd, such as sometimes happens. During the first sixteen years the females worthy of retention slightly more than doubled the size of the herd, while during the next ten years the herd increased from 29 to 37 females, an
Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine and amphetamine on rat mothering behavior and offspring development.

Selective CNS dopamine depletion was produced in neonatal female rats by administration of 6-hydroxydopamine and desmethylimipramine. These rats were subsequently tested as adults for maternal behavior toward their own offspring and received d-amphetamine prior to half of these sessions. The effects of early, selective CNS dopamine depletion and its related developmental disruptions on later care of offspring and response to amphetamine were thereby assessed. Pup retrieval, nest building, crouching, and locomotor behaviors were studied in 6-OHDA + DMI treated mothers while offspring were examined with respect to weight, density of fur, age of eye opening, and shuttlebox avoidance learning. Depletion of brain dopamine to 30% of control concentrations was associated with increased crouching time but with no other differences in caregiving, offspring development, or response to amphetamine. Although profound neonatal depletion of dopamine leads to a variety of disturbances in early life, later maternal behavior is adequate and apparently enhanced. The possible role of compensatory brain mechanisms is discussed. Rat behavior
Estro-progestin supplementation enhances the growth hormone secretory responsiveness to ghrelin infusion in postmenopausal women.

Objective To assess the effects of estro-progestin supplementation on ghrelin-mediated GH release, we studied the consequence of ghrelin or saline injection before and after 60 days of hormone therapy or placebo administration in postmenopausal subjects. Design A prospective double blind, placebo-controlled, and parallel cohort study. Setting Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Operative Division of Endocrinological Gynecology. Patient(s) Eighteen postmenopausal women participated in the study. Intervention(s) Ten women were randomized to receive estro-progestin treatment (2 mg of hemihydrate E 2 and 10 mg of dydrogesterone in a continuous sequential regimen); eight women were treated with placebo. All patients underwent in a randomized order a ghrelin test (1 μg/kg IV bolus) or a saline infusion (2-mL IV bolus) on two different days, before and after 60 days of treatment. Main Outcome Measure(s) Basal hormonal assays, including ghrelin basal levels. The GH levels were measured at baseline and after 15, 30, 60, 90 minutes of ghrelin or saline injection. Result(s) The acute ghrelin injection released a notable GH secretion in all postmenopausal women. After estro-progestin therapy the ghrelin-stimulated GH response was significantly higher than before treatment. In particular, the percent increase of ghrelin GH-releasing effect, expressed as incremental area under the curve (AUCi-GH) was more than 50% after hormone therapy. Conclusion(s) In postmenopausal women estro-progestin treatment clearly influenced the ghrelin-stimulated GH secretion.
Maternal iron intake and iron status during pregnancy and child blood pressure at age 3 years

Background Animal data suggest that maternal iron deficiency during pregnancy leads to lower birth weight and sustained blood pressure elevation in the offspring. In humans, iron deficiency during pregnancy is common and is associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight. Data are lacking, however, regarding the effects of maternal iron intake and iron status during pregnancy on offspring blood pressure. Our aim was to examine the extent to which lower maternal iron intake, haemoglobin level and mean cell volume (MCV) during pregnancy are associated with higher child systolic blood pressure (SBP) at age 3 years. Methods We studied 1167 participants in Project Viva, a longitudinal cohort study of pregnant women and their children. We estimated first and second trimester maternal iron intake from food frequency questionnaires. We used an electronic laboratory database to identify haemoglobin and MCV levels in pregnancy. We measured child BP up to five times with a Dinamap and used mixed-effects regression models in our analysis. Results Mean (SD) child SBP at 3 years was 92.0 (9.9) mmHg. Adjusting for confounders, for each 10 mg increase in first trimester iron intake, child SBP was not lower, but was in fact 0.4 mmHg higher (95% CI 0.1, 0.7). For second trimester iron intake, and for first or second trimester haemoglobin and MCV levels, we did not find any appreciable association with 3 year SBP. Conclusions In contrast to animal studies, we did not find that lower maternal iron status during pregnancy was associated with higher offspring BP.
Motion control of two-link flexible-joint robot, using backstepping, neural networks, and indirect method

We present a state-feedback control of a two-link flexible-joint robot. The control algorithm does not require the mathematical model representing the robot. Three-layer neural networks approximate the unknown plant functions. The neural network weights are adapted on-line. We use backstepping control structure together with variable structure control to provide robustness to all uncertainties. We have included experimental results to show the effectiveness of the control algorithm
Low temperature heat capacity of TTF (TCNQ)

Abstract Low temperature heat capacity measurements of two TTF (TCNQ) polycrystalline samples are reported. The existence of a linear term and an anomolously high Debye temperature for one of them at low temperatures are attributed to impurity effects. The literature data on other (TCNQ) salts are discussed.
Semantic Analysis of Genome Annotations using Weighting Schemes

The correct interpretation of many molecular biology experiments depends in an essential way on the accuracy and consistency of the existing annotation databases. Such databases are meant to act as repositories for our biological knowledge as we acquire and refine it. Hence, by definition they are incomplete at any given time. In this paper we describe a technique that improves our previous method for extracting implicit semantic relationships between genes and functions. We added a number of weighting schemes to our previous latent semantic indexing approach. We used this technique to analyze the current annotations of the human genome. The predictions of 15 different weighting schemes were compared and evaluated. Out of the top 50 functional annotations predicted using the best performing weighting scheme, we found support in the literature for 82% of them. For 10% of our prediction we did not find any relevant publications, and 6% were actually contradicted by existing literature. This weighting scheme also outperformed the simple binary scheme used in our previous approach. Our method is independent of the organism and can be used to analyze and improve the quality of the data of any public or private annotation database
Modelling investigation of water partitioning at a semiarid ponderosa pine hillslope

The effects of vegetation root distribution on near-surface water partitioning can be two-fold. On the one hand, the roots facilitate deep percolation by root-induced macropore flow; on the other hand, they reduce the potential for deep percolation by root-water-uptake processes. Whether the roots impede or facilitate deep percolation depends on various conditions, including climate, soil, and vegetation characteristics. This paper examines the effects of root distribution on deep percolation into the underlying permeable bedrock for a given soil profile and climate condition using HYDRUS modelling. The simulations were based on previously field experiments on a semiarid ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) hillslope. An equivalent single continuum model for simulating root macropore flow on hillslopes is presented, with root macropore hydraulic parameterization estimated based on observed root distribution. The sensitivity analysis results indicate that the root macropore effect dominates saturated soil water flow in low conductivity soils (Kmatrix below 10 � 7 m/s), while it is insignificant in soils with a Kmatrix larger than 10 � 5 m/s, consistent with observations in this and other studies. At the ponderosa pine site, the model with simple rootmacropore parameterization reasonably well reproduces soil moisture distribution and some major runoff events. The results indicate that the clay-rich soil layer without root-induced macropores acts as an impeding layer for potential groundwater recharge. This impeding layer results in a bedrock percolation of less than 1% of the annual precipitation. Without this impeding layer, percolation into the underlying permeable bedrock could be as much as 20% of the annual precipitation. This suggests that at a surface with low-permeability soil overlying permeable bedrock, the root penetration depth in the soil is critical condition for whether or not significant percolation occurs. Copyright  2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A closer look at Black–Scholes option thetas

This paper investigates Black–Scholes call and put option thetas, and derives upper and lower bounds for thetas as a function of underlying asset value. It is well known that the maximum time premium of an option occurs when the underlying asset value equals the exercise price. However, we show that the maximum option theta does not occur at that point, but instead occurs when the asset value is somewhat above the exercise price. We also show that option theta is not monotonic in any of the parameters in the Black–Scholes option-pricing model, including time to maturity. We further explain why the implications of these findings are important for trading and hedging strategies that are affected by the decay in an option’s time premium.
High‐dose chloroquine is metabolically cardiotoxic by inducing lysosomes and mitochondria dysfunction in a rat model of pressure overload hypertrophy

Autophagy, macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), are upregulated in pressure overload (PO) hypertrophy. In this study, we targeted this process at its induction using 3 methyladenine and at the lysosomal level using chloroquine and evaluated the effects of these modulations on cardiac function and myocyte ultrastructure. Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 200 g were subjected to ascending aortic banding. After 1 week of PO, animals were randomized to receive 3 methyladenine versus chloroquine, intraperitoneally, for 2 weeks at a dose of 40 and 50 mg/kg/day, respectively. Saline injection was used as control. Chloroquine treatment, in PO, resulted in regression in cardiac hypertrophy but with significant impairments in cardiac relaxation and contractility. Ultrastructurally, chloroquine accentuated mitochondrial fragmentation and cristae destruction with a plethora of autophagosomes containing collapsed mitochondria and lysosomal lamellar bodies. In contrast, 3 methyladenine improved cardiac function and attenuated mitochondrial fragmentation and autophagososme formation. Markers of macroautophagy and CMA were significantly decreased in the chloroquine group; whereas 3 methyladenine treatment significantly attenuated macroautophagy with a compensatory increase in CMA. Furthermore, chloroquine accentuated PO induced oxidative stress through the further decrease in the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase; whereas, 3 MA had a completely opposite effect. Taken together, these data suggest that high-dose chloroquine, in addition to its effect on the autophagy-lysosome pathway, significantly impairs mitochondrial antioxidant buffering capacity and accentuates oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in PO hypertrophy; highlighting, the cautious administration of this drug in high oxidative stress conditions, such as pathological hypertrophy or heart failure.
Metamaterial-inspired, near-field resonant parasitic GPS antennas: Designs and experiments

Several electrically small, metamaterial-inspired near field resonant parasitic (NFRP) antennas are designed for operation at the GPS L1 frequency (1.5754 GHz). Their intended use is in a rectenna system. All these antennas are based on the electric coupling between the NFRP element and the driven monopole element. They are designed to be matched to a 50Ω source. The simulated results of the magnitude of S 11 , radiation efficiency, radiation patterns, and Q ratio are provided. Comparisons between the performances of these antennas are given; experimental confirmation of these simulation results will be provided in our presentation.
An investigation of a compliant interface for press-fit joint replacement

Earlier in vitro studies showed that a compliant layer between a metal surface and trabecular bone improved the load distribution. In this study, the behavior of a compliant layer of Dacron velour was investigated in vivo using a patella resurfacing in a sheep as a model. Bilateral cases were used to compare the velour interface with a direct metal-to-bone interface. For the metal patellas, a fibrous layer developed adjacent to the metal while the underlying bone formed a new subchondral-like layer. With the velour interface, fibrous tissue invaded the velour, followed later by bone, which sometimes reached the metal surface. For follow-ups of 8 months or more, the load across the interface was transferred over localised patches, for both the press-fit and velour interfaces. There was no significant difference in the areas of contact. There was evidence that this was due to the irregularity of the bony surface beneath the fibrous layer, or to bone nodules actually growing up to the metal. It was concluded that in this in vivo model, the velour layer did not retain a more uniform load distribution compared with the press-fit joint, due to the nature of the bone and fibrous tissue that formed at the interfaces.
Substitutions in a Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II-Restricted Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 gp120 Epitope Can Affect CD4+ T-Helper-Cell Function

It has been suggested that the inability of the immune response to control human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication may be due, at least in part, to the capacity of this virus to escape from immune recognition through mutation. While there is increasing evidence for the importance of HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells in containing HIV-1 spread in the infected individual, little is known about the consequences of HIV-1 mutation on virus-specific CD() T-cell function. The impact of HIV-1 sequence variation on CD4+ T-helper (Th)- cell function was assessed with a rhesus monkey model for immune recognition of the HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein. A series of HIV-1 Env(484-496) variant peptides were shown to retain the ability to bind to the appropriate rhesus monkey major histocompatibility complex class II DR molecule. Peptides bearing substitutions at position 490, however, failed to drive the proliferation or cytokine secretion of two well-characterized HXBc2 Env-specific rhesus monkey CD4+ Th-cell lines. Exogenous costimulation was ineffective in complementing the ability of the nonstimulatory peptides to induce [3H]thymidine incorporation by these cells. Finally, HIV-1 Env(484-496) variant peptides with substitutions at position 490 antagonized the HXBc2 Env peptide-induced proliferative response of the CD4+ Th-cell lines. Thus, HIV-1 variants appear to have the capacity to neutralize the function of virus-specific CD4+ T lymphocytes.
Neuronal adaptation to visual motion in area MT of the macaque

The responsivity of primary sensory cortical neurons is reduced following prolonged adaptation, but such adaptation has been little studied in higher sensory areas. Adaptation to visual motion has strong perceptual effects, so we studied the effect of prolonged stimulation on neuronal responsivity in the macaque's area MT, a cortical area whose importance to visual motion perception is well established. We adapted MT neurons with sinusoidal gratings drifting in the preferred or null direction. Preferred adaptation reduced the responsiveness of MT cells, primarily by changing their contrast gain, and this effect was spatially specific within the receptive field. Null adaptation reduced the ability of null gratings to inhibit the response to a simultaneously presented preferred stimulus. While both preferred and null adaptation alter MT responses, these effects probably do not occur in MT neurons but are likely to reflect adaptation-induced changes in contrast gain earlier in the visual pathway.
A pattern classification approach to dynamical object detection

Current systems for object detection in video sequences rely on explicit dynamical models like Kalman filters or hidden Markov models. There is significant overhead needed in the development of such systems as well as the a priori assumption that the object dynamics can be described with such a dynamical model. This paper describes a new pattern classification technique for object detection in video sequences that uses a rich, overcomplete dictionary of wavelet features to describe an object class. Unlike previous work where a small subset of features was selected from the dictionary, this system does no feature selection and learns the model in the full 1,326 dimensional feature space. Comparisons using different sized sets of several types of features are given. We extend this representation into the time domain without assuming any explicit model of dynamics. This data driven approach produces a model of the physical structure and short-time dynamical characteristics of people from a training set of examples; no assumptions are made about the motion of people, just that short sequences characterize their dynamics sufficiently for the purposes of detection. One of the main benefits of this approach is that transient false positives are reduced. This technique compares favorably with the static detection approach and could be applied to other object classes. We also present a real-time version of one of our static people detection systems.
Electromagnetic source synthesis by Reversed-TLM method

Classical methods for source and antenna synthesis are iterative, time consuming and not always adapted to the desired problem. In this paper we present a new method of electromagnetic source synthesis based on the time-reversal technique. This approach employs the Reversed-TLM method and permits the reconstruction of an unknown source distribution, from its electromagnetic far-field radiation pattern. We apply this method to find primary and induced radiating sources. Point-like source reconstruction results show that by using this method, the “classical” half-wavelength resolution limit is overcome. Monopole antenna synthesis results, in terms of orientation and localization of the current distributions along the antenna, are also presented.
Accumulation and perchlorate exposure potential of lettuce produced in the Lower Colorado River region.

The Colorado River is contaminated with perchlorate concentrations of 1.5−8 μg/L, an anion linked to thyroid dysfunction. Over 90% of the lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) consumed during the winter months in the United States is produced in the Lower Colorado River region. Studies were conducted in this region to survey the potential for lettuce perchlorate accumulation and estimate potential human exposure to perchlorate from lettuce. Total uptake of perchlorate in the above-ground plant of iceberg lettuce was approximately 5 g/ha. Exposure estimates ranged from 0.45 to 1.8 μg/day depending on lettuce types and trimming. For all lettuce types, hypothetical exposures were less than 4% of the reference dose recommended by the National Academy of Sciences. Results show the relative iodide uptake inhibition potential because of lettuce nitrate was 2 orders of magnitude greater than that associated with the corresponding trace levels of perchlorate. These data support the conclusion that potential perchlorate expo...
Accurate and practical profile-driven compilation using the profile buffer

Profiling is a technique of gathering program statistics in order to aid program optimization. In particular, it is an essential component of compiler optimization for the extraction of instruction-level parallelism. Code instrumentation has been the most popular method of profiling. However, real-time, interactive, and transaction processing applications suffer from the high execution-time overhead imposed by software instrumentation. This paper suggests the use of hardware dedicated to the task of profiling. The hardware proposed consists of a set of counters, the profile buffer. A profile collection method that combines the use of hardware, the compiler and operating system support is described. Three methods for profile buffer indexing, address-mapping, selective indexing, and compiler indexing are presented that allow this approach to produce accurate profiling information with very little execution slowdown. The profile information obtained is applied to a prominent compiler optimization, namely superblock scheduling. The resulting instruction-level parallelism approaches that obtained through the use of perfect profile information.
Results from the coded aperture neutron imaging system

Because of their penetrating power, energetic neutrons and gamma rays (∼1 MeV) offer the best possibility of detecting highly shielded or distant special nuclear material (SNM). Of these, fast neutrons offer the greatest advantage due to their very low and well understood natural background. We are investigating a new approach to fast-neutron imaging — a coded aperture neutron imaging system (CANIS). Coded aperture neutron imaging should offer a highly efficient solution for improved detection speed, range, and sensitivity. We have demonstrated fast neutron and gamma ray imaging with several different configurations of coded masks patterns and detectors including an “active” mask that is composed of neutron detectors. Here we describe our prototype detector and present some initial results from laboratory tests and demonstrations.
Campaign finance information: an overview of print and Internet resources

Revelation of controversial fundraising practices by the Clinton‐Gore reelection campaign in 1996 and continuing controversy over proposed campaign finance reform legislation has brought this subject into public focus and discussion. This article provides an overview of key recent developments in campaign finance accompanied by coverage of literature and Web sites produced by scholars, government agencies, and participants in the ongoing debate over campaign finance and its role in the American political process.
The Structure and Biosynthesis of Glycosyl Phosphatidylinositol Protein Anchors

GPI STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 ATTACHMENT OF THE GPI TO PROTEIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 The Anchor Precursor . _ . . . _ _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Sequence Determinants Jor Anchor Addition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 The Mechanism oj Anchor Addition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 GPI BIOSYNTHESIS . . .... . . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . .. .... . . 129 Synthesis oJ Glucosaminyl-Phosphatidylinositol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Addition oj Mannose .. . ... .... . . . . ... . ... .. .... . . . . .. . . .. 130 Addition oj Phosphoethanolamine .. ..... . . . . .. . .. . . 131 GPls with Acylated Inositols . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . ..... .... ..... . . 131 Unique Features oJ GPI Biosynthesis in Mammalian Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Intracellular Location oJ GPI Biosynthesis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 GPI Remodeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Mammalian Cells Defective in GPI Biosynthesis . . . ........ . .. ..... 134 THE FUTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Laminar Profile and Physiology of the α Rhythm in Primary Visual, Auditory, and Somatosensory Regions of Neocortex

The functional significance of the α rhythm is widely debated. It has been proposed that α reflects sensory inhibition and/or a temporal sampling or “parsing” mechanism. There is also continuing disagreement over the more fundamental questions of which cortical layers generate α rhythms and whether the generation of α is equivalent across sensory systems. To address these latter questions, we analyzed laminar profiles of local field potentials (LFPs) and concomitant multiunit activity (MUA) from macaque V1, S1, and A1 during both spontaneous activity and sensory stimulation. Current source density (CSD) analysis of laminar LFP profiles revealed α current generators in the supragranular, granular, and infragranular layers. MUA phase-locked to local current source/sink configurations confirmed that α rhythms index local neuronal excitability fluctuations. CSD-defined α generators were strongest in the supragranular layers, whereas LFP α power was greatest in the infragranular layers, consistent with some of the previous reports. The discrepancy between LFP and CSD findings appears to be attributable to contamination of the infragranular LFP signal by activity that is volume-conducted from the stronger supragranular α generators. The presence of α generators across cortical depth in V1, S1, and A1 suggests the involvement of α in feedforward as well as feedback processes and is consistent with the view that α rhythms, perhaps in addition to a role in sensory inhibition, may parse sensory input streams in a way that facilitates communication across cortical areas. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The α rhythm is thought to reflect sensory inhibition and/or a temporal parsing mechanism. Here, we address two outstanding issues: (1) whether α is a general mechanism across sensory systems and (2) which cortical layers generate α oscillations. Using intracranial recordings from macaque V1, S1, and A1, we show α band activity with a similar spectral and laminar profile in each of these sensory areas. Furthermore, α generators were present in each of the cortical layers, with a strong source in superficial layers. We argue that previous findings, locating α generators exclusively in the deeper layers, were biased because of use of less locally specific local field potential measurements. The laminar distribution of α band activity appears more complex than generally assumed.