cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural Correlates of Cardiac Interoceptive Focus Across Development: Implications for Social Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interoception involves the processing of sensory information relevant to physiological functioning and is integral to building self-awareness, emotional states, and modulating social behaviors. With the role of interoception in emotional processing and social functioning, there is growing interest in characterizing interoception in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet, there are mixed results regarding cardiac interoceptive accuracy in ASD. In this study, we explored the neural basis of cardiac interoception using an fMRI heartbeat-counting task in order to assess neural correlates of primary interoception. We predicted that interoceptive-specific response in the insula, a "hub" for interoception, would be related to ASD symptomatology. We investigated the relationship of insula responses during cardiac interoceptive focus and a self/caregiver-reported autism-related symptom scale (Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS)). Participants included 46 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (age 8-54, mean = 19.43 ± 10.68 years) and 54 individuals with typical development for comparison (TC, age 8-53, mean = 21.43 ± 10.41 years). We found no significant difference in cardiac interoceptive accuracy or neural response to cardiac interoception focus in ASD. Several insula subdivisions had a curvilinear relationship to age, peaking in early adulthood. Interoceptive-specific insula response was associated with adult self-report SRS scores; this association differed by diagnostic group and was not present for caregiver-reported scores. This work suggests that (a) there is no global deficit in cardiac interoception in ASD, but integrating interoceptive cues with social information may distinguish individuals with ASD, and (b) there is a developmental trajectory for interoceptive processing in the insula that may be relevant for socio-emotional health. Autism Res 2020, 13: 908-920. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: We use internal sensory information from the body, such as signals from the heart, to understand our emotional response to the external world. We measured how accurately people with autism feel their heartbeat and how the brain responds to this type of information. We found no differences between the autism and comparison groups in how the brain senses heartbeats, or in how accurately people feel their heartbeats. However, for people with autism, brain responses while sensing heartbeats were related to social difficulties. This work suggests people with autism may use internal and external information in a different way.
Optimizing Immunization Strategies in Patients with IBD

Recent advances in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include the use of immune modifiers and monoclonal antibodies, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitors, anti-integrin agents, janus kinase inhibitors, and interleukin-12/23 inhibitors. These agents achieve higher rates of clinical remission and mucosal healing than conventional therapy. However, these therapies increase the risk of infections, including some vaccine-preventable diseases. Infections are one of the most common adverse event of immunosuppressive therapy. Thus, providers should optimize immunization strategies to reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable infections in patients with IBD. There are several newly licensed vaccines recommended for adults by the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This review will focus on how gastroenterology providers can implement the adult immunization schedule approved by ACIP for patients with IBD.
Secreted sphingomyelins modulate low mammary cancer incidence observed in certain mammals

Determining mechanisms that naturally protect species from developing cancer is critical in order to prevent and treat cancer. Here, we describe a novel cancer-suppressing mechanism, via the secretion of bioactive factors by mammary cells, that is present in domesticated mammals with a low mammary cancer incidence. Specifically, these bioactive factors induced triple-negative breast cancer cell (TNBC) death in vitro and reduced tumorigenicity in a xenograft TNBC mouse model in vivo. RNA deep sequencing showed significant downregulation of genes associated with breast cancer progression in secretome-cultured TNBC cells. Further in-depth multi-omics analysis identified sphingomyelins as key secreted factors, and their role was confirmed via inhibition of the sphingomyelin signaling pathway. We speculate that secreted sphingomyelins in the mammary gland of mammals with a naturally low incidence of mammary cancer mediate the elimination of cancer cells. This study contributes to the growing list of protective mechanisms identified in cancer-proof species.
Raman spectroscopy and artificial intelligence to predict the Bayesian probability of breast cancer.

This study addresses the core issue facing a surgical team during breast cancer surgery: quantitative prediction of tumor likelihood including estimates of prediction error. We have previously reported that a molecular probe, Laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), can distinguish healthy and tumor tissue. We now report that combining LRS with two machine learning algorithms, unsupervised k-means and stochastic nonlinear neural networks (NN), provides rapid, quantitative, probabilistic tumor assessment with real-time error analysis. NNs were first trained on Raman spectra using human expert histopathology diagnostics as gold standard (74 spectra, 5 patients). K-means predictions using spectral data when compared to histopathology produced clustering models with 93.2-94.6% accuracy, 89.8-91.8% sensitivity, and 100% specificity. NNs trained on k-means predictions generated probabilities of correctness for the autonomous classification. Finally, the autonomous system characterized an extended dataset (203 spectra, 8 patients). Our results show that an increase in DNA|RNA signal intensity in the fingerprint region (600-1800 cm-1) and global loss of high wavenumber signal (2800-3200 cm-1) are particularly sensitive LRS warning signs of tumor. The stochastic nature of NNs made it possible to rapidly generate multiple models of target tissue classification and calculate the inherent error in the probabilistic estimates for each target.
A Novel Technique for Radiographic Diagnosis of Sarcopenia that Accurately Predicts Postoperative Complications in Lower Extremity Free Flap Patients.

Introduction Sarcopenia is linked to poor outcomes throughout the surgical literature and can be assessed on preoperative imaging to potentially aid in risk stratification. This study examined the effects of sarcopenia on surgical morbidity following lower extremity (LE) reconstruction, and also compared two methods of assessment, one of which is novel (“ellipse method”). Methods A retrospective cohort study of 50 patients receiving free flap-based reconstruction of the LE was performed. Bilateral psoas density and area were quantified at L4 through tracing (“traditional method”) and encircling (“ellipse method”) to calculate Hounsfield unit average calculation (HUAC). Logistic regression and receiving operator curve analysis for the primary outcome of any postoperative complication was used to determine HUAC cutoffs (≤ 20.7 vs. ≤ 20.6) for sarcopenia. Risk of complications associated with sarcopenia was evaluated using Fisher's exact tests. Results Twelve patients (24%) met criteria for sarcopenia via the traditional method and 16 (32%) via the ellipse method. By both methods, sarcopenic patients were older and more often female and diabetic. These patients also had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores and lower serum prealbumin levels. The ellipse method was found to be more accurate, sensitive, and specific than the traditional method in predicting postoperative morbidity (p = 0.009). Via the ellipse method, sarcopenic patients were at higher risk for any complication (p = 0.002) and were at a higher risk for a deep vein thrombus or pulmonary embolism via the traditional method (p = 0.047). Conclusion Sarcopenia is associated with greater pre- and postoperative morbidity in LE reconstruction. The novel ellipse method is a simplified and accurate method of assessing sarcopenia that can be easily performed in the clinical setting.
The Juror, the Citizen, and the Human Being: The Presumption of Innocence and the Burden of Judgment

In this essay, I suggest that the criminal trial is not only about the guilt or innocence of the defendant, but also about the character and growth of the jurors and the communities they represent. In earlier work, I have considered the potential impact of law and politics on the character of citizens, and thus on the capacity of citizens to thrive—to live full and rich human lives. Regarding the jury, I have argued that aspects of criminal trial procedure work to fix in jurors a sense of agency in and responsibility for verdicts of conviction. Here, I draw on those ideas with respect to the presumption of innocence. I suggest that the presumption of innocence works not primarily as legal rule, but rather as a moral framing device—a sort of moral discomfort device—encouraging jurors to feel and bear the weight of what they do. I offer an account of character development in which virtues are conceived of not merely as modes of conduct developed through habituation and practice, but also as capacities and ways of being developed in part through understanding and experience. The criminal trial, framed by the presumption of innocence, can be an experience through which jurors and their communities, by learning what it means and feels like to carry a certain sort of moral weight, may engender a certain set of moral strengths—strengths valuable to them not just as jurors, but also as citizens, and as human beings.
On the Design of Optimization Criteria for Multiple Sequence Alignment

Multiple sequence alignment (MSA) is important in functional, structural and evolutionary studies of sequence data. Much research has focussed on posing MSA as an optimization problem, and several optimization criteria have been explored. In this paper, we discuss biological and mathematical problems that arise in cost function design for the multiple sequence alignment problem. In particular, we focus on tree alignment, which is often viewed as the most ``biological'''' of the rigorous approaches to MSA. We point out several important pitfalls in current optimization approaches to MSA and identify characteristics for good cost function design. We address some extra design issues specific to approximation algorithms. We hope these ideas will lead to future research on a biologically realistic and mathematically rigorous approach to MSA.
Survival of critically ill surgical patients discharged to extended care facilities.

Abstract Background: Rates of discharge of surgical ICU (SICU) patients to extended care facilities (ECF) increase as SICU length of stay (LOS) increases. Increased SICU LOS and APACHE II scores have been related to increased hospital mortality. This study evaluated factors influencing ECF survival after SICU patient discharge. Study Design: We did a longitudinal followup study of patients admitted to our tertiary care SICU during a 2-year period who were eventually discharged to ECF. Demographic data, SICU admission APACHE II score, and LOS data were obtained prospectively. Patient followup was obtained 2 years after discharge by telephone interviews with patients themselves or next of kin to ascertain current status or date of demise. Results: Of 1,799 SICU patients admitted during the study period, 160 patients (9%) were discharged to an ECF. Telephone followup was obtained from 150 patients (94%). Mean length of followup was 21 months after hospital discharge (range 7 to 34 months), mean patient age 64 years (range 16 to 96 years), mean SICU admission APACHE II score 13 (range 2 to 29), and mean SICU LOS 11 days (range 1 to 146 days). At followup, 45% of patients had died, 37% had been discharged home, and 18% still resided in an ECF or hospital. Elderly patients (above age 65) had significantly worse 1-year (p Conclusions: Outcomes of ECF discharge after SICU admission is poor, with nearly 50% 2-year mortality. ECF mortality seems significantly higher for the elderly, with patients undergoing otolaryngologic procedures being at highest risk. Severity of illness at the time of SICU admission and SICU LOS does not seem to influence ECF outcomes.
SU-E-T-737: The Impact of the Size of Custom Lead Shields On the Dosimetry of Electron Beam Therapy

Purpose: Often the management of deeply penetrated skin cancer (>1cm) involves a standard open election field that is blocked with lead shields at patient’s surface to shield adjacent organs at risk. This may Result in change of the known dose distribution inherent to the respective standard electron cone size. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of such shield on the depth dose and profile and to provide more accurate dose distribution. Methods: Gafchromic EBT2 film was used to measure the doses and dose profiles in solid water for 6 MeV and 9 MeV electron beams. The film was calibrated up to 300 cGy. Each film was scanned 24 hours after irradiation. The doses at central axes were measure at 3 different depths (dmax, 90% and 80% isodose lines (IDL)) for two standard circular sizes (5 cm and 8 cm diameters). Each field was either open or partially blocked at the surface of the solid water by 1, 2 and/or 3 cm wide and 5mm thick lead strips from two opposite edges of the light field. Results: For the majority of the cases the dose to the central axes decreases with increase of the blocked area of the field. This difference is more pronounced for smaller field size and higher energy. Compared to the depth of 80% and 90% IDL, the dose at d max is less influenced by increasing of the blocked area. Conclusion: This work accentuates on the important aspect of the use of custom shields in clinical electron radiation therapy. Particularly when smaller field sizes are used, the dose difference at the prescription depth could be as high as 60%.
Motor overflow in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with decreased extent of neural activation in the motor cortex

Motor overflow is a developmental phenomenon that typically disappears by late childhood. Abnormal persistence of motor overflow is often present in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a finger-sequencing task to examine whether excessive motor overflow in children with ADHD is associated with decreased extent of motor circuit activation. Thirty-four right-handed children (18 typically developing controls, 16 ADHD) completed fMRI while performing a finger-sequencing task. Motor overflow was evaluated during a finger-sequencing task and a motor examination (the PANESS) performed outside the scanner. Diagnostic differences in behavioral measures of overflow and extent of activation in the contralateral and ipsilateral motor network ROIs were examined, along with correlations between overflow and extent of activation. Children with ADHD demonstrated greater overflow and lesser extent of activation in left primary motor cortex (BA4) and bilateral premotor cortex (BA6) and supplementary motor area (SMA) during right-hand finger-sequencing compared to controls. Decreased extent of primary motor and premotor activation correlated with increased hand-related overflow movements in children with ADHD but not controls. These findings suggest that overflow movements in children with ADHD may reflect decreased recruitment of neural circuitry involved in active inhibition of homologous motor circuitry unnecessary to task execution.
Inference in a Partially Observed Queuing Model with Applications in Ecology

We consider the problem of inference in a probabilistic model for transient populations where we wish to learn about arrivals, departures, and population size over all time, but the only available data are periodic counts of the population size at specific observation times. The underlying model arises in queueing theory (as an Mt/G/∞ queue) and also in ecological models for short-lived animals such as insects. Our work applies to both systems. Previous work in the ecology literature focused on maximum likelihood estimation and made a simplifying independence assumption that prevents inference over unobserved random variables such as arrivals and departures. The contribution of this paper is to formulate a latent variable model and develop a novel Gibbs sampler based on Markov bases to perform inference using the correct, but intractable, likelihood function. We empirically validate the convergence behavior of our sampler and demonstrate the ability of our model to make much finer-grained inferences than the previous approach.
Reversible hepatotoxicity associated with hepatic vitamin A accumulation in a protein-deficient patient

A 62-yr-old white male presented with edema, protein malnutrition, and abnormal liver function. He had ingested from 40,000-50,000 IU of vitamin A per day for 7 yr. Examination of liver tissue by light and electron microscopy revealed findings characteristic of an excessive accumulation of vitamin A. Liver tissue contained massive amounts of vitamin A (19,000 IU/g); however, both the serum concentration of vitamin A and retinol-binding protein were below normal, and serum RBP was not saturated. On a normal diet the patient was able to mobilize hepatic vitamin A, as indicated 71 days later by a repeat biopsy of the liver, which then contained 9000 IU of vitamin A/g. During this time his nutrition improved, serum vitamin A rose, and serum RBP became transiently saturated. The amount of vitamin A ingested by this patient was less than that usually producing recognizable hepatotoxicity, and he had no extra hepatic manifestations of vitamin toxicity, consistent with a low serum vitamin A concentration and a low vitamin A to retinol-binding protein ratio. At presentation he was apparently unable to normally mobilize vitamin A from his liver, which may have been due to an accompanying protein deficiency.
Comparison between constant-stress and step-stress accelerated life tests under time constraint

By running life tests at higher stress levels than normal operating conditions, accelerated life testing (ALT) quickly yields information on the lifetime distribution of a test unit. The lifetime at the design stress is then estimated through extrapolation using a regression model. In constant-stress testing, a unit is tested at a fixed stress level until failure or the termination time point of test, whereas step-stress testing allows the experimenter to gradually increase the stress levels at some prefixed time points during the test. In this work, the optimal k-level constant-stress and step-stress ALTs are compared for the exponential failure data under complete sampling and Type-I censoring. The objective is to quantify the advantage of using the step-stress testing relative to the constant-stress one. Assuming a log-linear life–stress relationship with the cumulative exposure model for the effect of changing stress in step-stress testing, the optimal design points are determined under C/D/A-optimality criteria. The efficiency of step-stress testing to constant-stress one is then discussed in terms of the ratio of optimal objective functions based on the information matrix. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 00: 000–000, 2013
T-cell surface molecules involved in the induction and expression of lymphokine-activated killing of autologous and allogeneic tumor targets.

The cellular interactions and the surface molecules involved in the generation and the expression of lymphokine-activated killer-cell (LAK) activitiesin vitro in blood mononuclear cells (BMN) from cancer patients and healthy individuals against autologous and allogeneic tumors were studied. The depletion of a plastic-adherent population(s) from BMN at the initiation ofin vitro cultures in recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) markedly interfered with the generation of LAK activities. Readdition of the same number of irradiated autologous plastic-adherent cells to the nonadherent population restored the generation of LAK. The requirement of the plasticadherent population(s) inin vitro induction of LAK activities was observed only in autologous situations. Furthermore, selective modulations of CD3 and CD2 receptors on BMN with the appropriate monoclonal antibodies (MAb) during the induction phases of LAK responses profoundly inhibited the generation of LAK. Thus, unhindered expressions of CD2 molecules and CD3 molecules were necessary for the maximum cytotoxic activation of non-antigen-driven effector cells in short-term cultures in rIL-2.
Resolution-Enhanced 4D 15N/13C NOESY Protein NMR Spectroscopy by Application of the Covariance Transform

The combination of shared-evolution 4D 15N/13C-edited NOESY spectroscopy with covariance NMR is introduced, which yields, as a sub-spectrum, an asymmetric 4D 15N/13C-edited NOESY spectrum at a resolution enhanced 5-fold over the one of a non-shared 4D 15N/13C-edited NOESY measured with the same sweep widths and number of increments. The achieved resolution enhancement allows for a substantial increase in the number of assigned NOEs over that of the 4D Fourier transform spectrum and should prove useful for efficient, high-resolution NMR-based studies of protein structure.
Three's company: the fission yeast actin cytoskeleton

How the actin cytoskeleton assembles into different structures to drive diverse cellular processes is a fundamental cell biological question. In addition to orchestrating the appropriate combination of regulators and actin-binding proteins, different actin-based structures must insulate themselves from one another to maintain specificity within a crowded cytoplasm. Actin specification is particularly challenging in complex eukaryotes where a multitude of protein isoforms and actin structures operate within the same cell. Fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe possesses a single actin isoform that functions in three distinct structures throughout the cell cycle. In this review we explore recent studies in fission yeast that help unravel how different actin structures operate in cells.
Calibration of the Beam-Spill Control System at LAMPF

A technique is described for in-situ calibration of the beam-spill control system at LAMPF. Radiation produced by intercepted beam at the wire scanners is employed as a test source. It is shown that the secondary emission current from the wire scanner is a useful measure of the intercepted beam. The wire scanners are inserted into the beam by a digital-data servo system until the desired level of radiation is produced. Interesting digital-data servo-loop responses are displayed. The entire calibration procedure is programmed by the accelerator control computer and can be repeated as often as required without turning off the beam. The calibration programs have been written so that the conditions of the detectors and signal cables are determined and recorded.
Artistic creativity and DBS: a case report.

Abstract Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who are not adequately controlled with medications. An artist reported changes in her artistic creativity and art appreciation when treated with left DBS. We sought to study her artistic productions and her appreciation of art while both “on” and “off” left DBS. Methods A 69-year-old right-handed woman with an approximate 20-year history of PD was referred to us for management of a left subthalamic region nucleus (STN) DBS placed at another institution 4years prior. In Experiment 1 we had her rate several dimensions (Evocative Impact, Aesthetics, Novelty, Technique, Closure and Representation) of another artist's paintings. In Experiment 2, we tested her with the Abbreviated Torrance Test (of creativity) for Adults (ATTA). During testing the patient remained on her dopaminergic medication, but was tested on and off left DBS. Results On the judgment task while “on” left DBS, versus “off” DBS, there were significant reductions in her appreciation of artistic Closure and Technique. When “off” DBS her ATTA creativity index was above average, but when switched “on” her creativity index was below average. Conclusions These results suggest the possibility that left ventral STN/SNR DBS reduces creativity as well as appreciation of art. The reason for these alterations is not known, but might be related to enhanced activation of the left hemisphere and reciprocal deactivation of the right hemisphere which mediates both visuospatial skills and global attention, both of which are important in artistic creativity and appreciation.
Acquisition of CD-ROM databases for local area networks

Abstract The acquisition of CD-ROM products for the local area network environment presents several new challenges to the acquisitions function. Subscription and pricing options vary widely, licensing issues complicate and extend the order process, and the library's local area network application must be clearly understood and defined. The author presents an analysis of these issues as they impact the role of the acquisition librarian.
Effect of adrenalectomy on the metabolism of glucose in obese (C57 B1/6J ob/ob) mice

The genetically obese mouse, C57 B1/6J ob/ob, has been suggested as an appropriate model for the study of obesity associated with diabetes mellitus. Employing glucose 14C(microliter) as a tracer, the data presented here indicate that obese mice are able to clear glucose from the blood compartment at the same rate as their lean littermates. This was demonstrated with or without an associated cold glucose load. The abnormal glucose tolerance curves observed in the obese animals may be a result of secretion of glucose into the blood. Removal of the adrenal glands from the obese mice and their lean littermate does not impair their ability to clear a glucose load from the vascular compartment. The capacity for endogenous glucose secretion of ob/ob mice is severely curtailed by adrenalectomy, in that the glucose tolerance curves of these adrenalectomized animals become similar to those of sham-operated lean littermates. Thus, it appears that a considerable component of the hyperglycemia in ob/ob mice reflects major adrenal involvement that is activated by stress, ie, ether anesthesia and blood sampling. The hyperglycemia in ob/ob mice may reflect glucocorticoid-dependent gluconeogenesis.
Early Cretaceous near‐trench plutonism in southern Alaska: Atonalite‐Trondhjemite Intrusive Complex injected during ductile thrusting along the Border Ranges Fault System

A group of leucotonalite to trondhjemite plutons in the western Chugach Mountains, Alaska, record a period of Early Cretaceous near-trench plutonism along the paleo-Alaskan/Aleutian subduction zone. The plutons were emplaced along the tectonic join between an older (Jurassic) arc massif and a younger (Cretaceous) melange terrane that was accreted by subduction beneath the crystalline massif. The plutonic rocks were injected during a major thrusting event that placed upper mantle(?) ultramafic masses atop the Cretaceous subduction assemblages. Deformation during this thrusting event apparently progressed from ductile to brittle conditions, and plutonic rocks were injected during both phases. Evidence for plutonism synchronous with ductile deformation includes boudinage or folding of leucotonalite dikes as well as a characteristic weak fabric within larger plutons. The latter is commonly associated with secondary mineral growth as well as deformation-induced microstructures that suggest deformation under temperatures that decreased from lower amphibolite to subgreenschist facies conditions, conditions which are equivalent to the structural/metamorphic progression in adjacent schists. Paradoxically, however, the plutons locally crosscut low-grade melange fabrics in the footwall as well as brittle fault networks within structurally higher parts of the crystalline hanging wall. The paradoxical field relationships are partially due to shuffling by early Tertiary(?) dextral strike-slip faulting but are also indicative of plutonic emplacement over a period of time. The absolute age span of plutonism, however, need not have been long considering the syntectonic emplacement history. In particular, the deformation locally may have been melt-dominated such that after initial injection of melts, the deformation was concentrated in the igneous masses. Lithologically, the plutons follow a low-K series from diorite to muscovite-garnet trondhjemite, a trend that is unusual in Phanerozoic terranes and is typically associated with Archean terranes. Moreover, the compositional trends are unlike the calc-alkaline trend of near-trench plutons studied by Hill et al. (1981). The tectonic mechanism for the near-trench plutonic event is elusive, but shallow melting of amphibolite or metagreywacke along a young subduction zone provides the most reasonable explanations for the observations. However, an alternative model relating magmatic activity to a ridge-trench encounter is also allowable. Nonetheless, in either model the genesis of the igneous rocks within a high-temperature ductile thrust zone is atypical of modern subduction zones. Thus structural setting and lithologic association have many similarities to Archean systems, and the rocks may represent a young analog that ultimately may provide key petrogenetic constraints for the Archean system.
Some contractive type mappings and their applications to difference equations

We discuss a class of discrete dynamic systems in a complete metric space (M, d) defined by mappings which satisfy various types of contractive type conditions. Their variants in ordered Banach space are investigated and applied to solve the global asymptotic stability of the equilibriums of some discrete dynamic systems.
3D Acoustic And Elastic Modeling With Marmousi2

The Marmousi model is a synthetic 2D earth model developed from geologic aspects of the Cuanza basin of offshore Angola. It contains several structural features relevant in marine seismic exploration for petroleum: a water layer with a horizontal seabed, a sequence of dipping growth faults that offset and truncate sedimentary beds, anticlines, two salt sills, a near-horizontal erosional unconformity, and a deep petroleum reservoir. The model is commonly utilized to generate synthetic data for evaluating seismic reflection imaging algorithms. Recently, Martin et al. (2006) created a sophisticated elastic upgrade to the original acoustic Marmousi model, dubbed Marmousi2. Lithology-based formulae appropriate for shale, sandstone, marl, and salt are used to assign shear (S) wave speed and mass density values to the various layers, given the compressional (P) wave speed. Several gas-, oil-, and brine-saturated units are inserted into the layering. The new model is still 2D, although it is extended both laterally and vertically, and water depth is increased to 450 m to enable simulation of deep water seismic exploration experiments. Figure 1 displays the 2D Marmousi2 S-wave velocity distribution; the P-wave velocity and density models are structurally similar.
Characteristics of switchable ferrite microstrip antennas

Switchable antennas consisting of microstrip elements with an in-plane biased ferrite cover layer are introduced. Their radiation and radar cross section (RCS) properties are examined through a full-wave moment-method analysis. For microstrip antennas with a ferrite cover layer, the presence of a decaying extraordinary wave in the ferrite layer can reduce or prohibit incident fields from reaching the antenna resulting in significant RCS reduction. For antenna radiation, most of the power will be converted into magnetostatic waves and little radiates into the air. Under such circumstances, the antennas are "off," in the sense that they are effectively absent as radiators or scatterers. The aim of this paper is, through the use of an accurate full-wave analysis, to investigate the properties of the switchable microstrip antennas. Both the cases of strip dipoles and rectangular patches are analyzed. The effects of the cover-layer thickness, bias-field strength, and the existence of both ordinary and extraordinary waves on the switchable antenna properties are discussed.
A multilocus phylogeny of the Metarhizium anisopliae lineage

Metarhizium anisopliae, the type species of the anamorph entomopathogenic genus Metarhizium, is currently composed of four varieties, including the type variety, and had been demonstrated to be closely related to M. taii, M. pingshaense and M. guizhouense. In this study we evaluate phylogenetic relationships within the M. anisopliae complex, identify monophyletic lineages and clarify the species taxonomy. To this end we have employed a multigene phylogenetic approach using near-complete sequences from nuclear encoded EF-1alpha, RPB1, RPB2 and beta-tubulin gene regions and evaluated the morphology of these taxa, including ex-type isolates whenever possible. The phylogenetic and in some cases morphological evidence supports the monophyly of nine terminal taxa in the M. anisopliae complex that we recognize as species. We propose to recognize at species rank M. anisopliae, M. guizhouense, M. pingshaense, M. acridum stat. nov., M. lepidiotae stat. nov. and M. majus stat. nov. In addition we describe the new species M. globosum and M. robertsii, resurrect the name M. brunneum and show that M. taii is a later synonym of M. guizhouense.
The Effects of Interviewers' Attributional and Reasoning Styles on Hiring Decisions

This research replicated and extended the work of Struthers, Colwill, and Perry (1992) on decision making and reasoning in the interviewing process. Interview transcripts which varied the candidate's past work history, as well as the locus and stability of the stated reason for leaving the previous job, were used as stimuli. Participants rated the likelihood they would hire or reject that candidate for a hypothetical position, as well as their hopefulness and expectations about the candidate's future success. Work history had the greatest impact on interviewers' perception of a candidate, although other attributional inferences were used especially when candidates were viewed favorably.
Expression and localization of serum/glucocorticoid-induced kinase in the rat ovary: relation to follicular growth and differentiation.

Expression of serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase (Sgk), one member of an inducible serine/threonine kinase family, is induced by FSH/cAMP in rat granulosa cells cultured in defined medium. The FSH-stimulated pattern of sgk expression is biphasic, and transcriptional activation of the sgk gene depends on an intact Sp1/Sp3 binding site within the proximal promoter. To determine whether sgk was expressed in a hormone-dependent and physiologically relevant manner in vivo, the cellular levels of sgk messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein as well as the subcellular localization of this kinase were analyzed in ovaries containing follicles and corpora lutea at specific stages of differentiation. To stimulate follicular development and luteinization, hypophysectomized (H) rats were treated with estradiol (E; HE) and FSH (FSH; HEF) followed by hCG (hCG; HEF/hCG). To analyze Sgk in functional corpora lutea, PRL was administered to HEF/hCG rats, or ovaries of pregnant rats were obtained on day 7, 15, or 22 of gestation....
Growth, population, and knowledge diffusion

This paper reviews the recent development of growth theory, focusing on the consistency between theory and evidence in terms of effects of population on growth, and presents some policy implications. Although positive effects of the population size on growth are likely to exist, the size does not necessarily mean the size of the domestic population. In the world with substantial but costly international knowledge diffusion, what affects growth is the population size of the technological leader country, the United States, from which knowledge spills over, and it is the world population when diffusion is costless. Therefore, policies to promote population growth may not be growth-enhancing for most advanced countries. A more effective population-related policy objective theoretically suggested is to encourage international knowledge diffusion.
Hypercapnic impairment of neuromuscular function is related to afferent depression

Acetazolamide (ACZ), a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, results in altered neuromuscular function secondary to depressed afferent transmission in intact humans. One effect of ACZ is hypercapnia. Thus, to test if the neuromuscular depression observed following ACZ treatment is related to elevated CO(2), human subjects ( n=10) were exposed to 15 min of room air (0% CO(2)) or hypercapnia (7% inspired CO(2)), and neuromuscular function was evaluated. Isometric force (36.8 to 31.1 N) and peak-to-peak electromyographic amplitude (EMG, 1.5 to 1.0 mV) associated with an Achilles tendon tap, and soleus H(max):M(max) ratio (69.0 to 62.2%) were depressed, while EMG latency (34.8 to 39.8 ms) was increased by hypercapnia. Reflex recovery profiles (following a conditioning tap to the contralateral Achilles tendon), motor nerve conduction velocity, amplitude of the maximum M-wave, and peak twitch tension at M(max) were unaltered by hypercapnia. We conclude that elevated CO(2) impairs neuromuscular function through effects on afferent transmission or synaptic integrity between type Ia fibers of the muscle spindle and the alpha motor neuron, without affecting the muscle spindle, efferent conduction or skeletal muscle force-generating capacity.
Trial of labor in the patient with a prior cesarean birth

Abstract The increasing incidence of cesarean birth has become quite controversial. The practice of deliverying virtually all women with a prior cesarean section by repeat cesarean section is open to debate. In a large institutional practice, with rapid availability of all support services, selective attempts to deliver women vaginally, after a prior cesarean section, is appealing. A prospective 1-year study on all patients with a prior cesarean delivery commenced July 1, 1982. There were 1209 patients, of whom 751 (62%) underwent a trial of labor and 614 (82%) achieved vaginal delivery. There was no maternal mortality or perinatal mortality attributed to the trial of labor process. Oxytocin usage occurred in 38% of this population. The incidence of uterine rupture and scar dehiscence was similar in the various study subgroups. The overall group of women undergoing a trial of labor had significantly fewer postpartum complications and shorter hospital stays.
Dedicated Eprom-Based Computer for Distributed Instrumentation Control

The LLNL Nuclear Chemistry Counting Facility (NCCF) is being converted to a modern production facility. A computer network has been designed and built to implement this conversion. The outermost node of the computer network is a dedicated EPROM-based controller. Tne controller handles the details of driving the attached nuclear instrumentation, providing a standard interface to the remainder of the network. This paper addresses the design and the implementation of the dedicated instrunientation controller.
The archaeological study of neighborhoods and districts in ancient cities

The spatial division of cities into residential zones is a universal feature of urban life from the earliest cities to the present. I propose a two-level classification of such zones that archaeologists can use to analyze preindustrial cities. Neighborhoods are small areas of intensive face-to-face social interaction, whereas districts are larger areas that serve as administrative units within cities. I review comparative historical data on neighborhoods and districts and outline archaeological methods for their identification and analysis. Illustrative cases are drawn from Mesopotamia and Mesoamerica, and I conclude with a review of the major top-down and bottom-up social forces that generate and shape neighborhoods and districts in preindustrial cities.
Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in childhood Report of three cases and a review of the literature

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XPN) is a rare, unilateral manifestation of chronic pyelonephritis. It is characterized by extensive damage to the parenchyma and its replacement by xanthogranulomatous tissue. The main roentgenological feature is a functionless kidney, often with calcfication. The clinical, pathological and roentgenological findings of our three patients are analyzed and compared with previously reported findings, most notably those in childhood. A tentative diagnosis of XPN can be made from intravenous urography and echography of the kidney. In general, angiography does not provide additional pathognomonic features. The final diagnosis of XPN can only be made by histological microscopic examination. The prognosis of this disease is considered to be good, when the affected kidney is removed and function on the contralateral side is good.
Petrophysical data for integrated flow modeling

Sequential application of three-dimensional seismic surveys has led to the concept of time-lapse seismic monitoring. Changes in reservoir geophysical attributes between surveys can be used to evaluate fluid types, phases, flow, and pressures as a function of time. These changes can be predicted and interpreted by integrating a petrophysical model with a fluid flow simulator. One of the difficulties associated with the incorporation of a petrophysical model into a flow simulator is the need for additional data and constraints. Sources of petrophysical information that can be used in an integrated flow model are presented.
Multivariate hyperbolic tangent neural network approximation

Here we study the multivariate quantitative approximation of real and complex valued continuous multivariate functions on a box or R^N, N@?N, by the multivariate quasi-interpolation hyperbolic tangent neural network operators. This approximation is derived by establishing multidimensional Jackson type inequalities involving the multivariate modulus of continuity of the engaged function or its high order partial derivatives. Our multivariate operators are defined by using a multidimensional density function induced by the hyperbolic tangent function. The approximations are pointwise and uniform. The related feed-forward neural network is with one hidden layer.
Dextran-Coated Gold Nanoparticles for the Assessment of Antimicrobial Susceptibility

Bacteria rapidly evolve mechanisms to become resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, identifying an effective antibiotic or antibacterial agent and administering it at concentrations that will successfully prevent bacterial growth (antimicrobial susceptibility) is critical for health care decision making and vital for the battle against multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Currently, the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility requires at least 24 h. Herein, we describe a nanoparticle-based antimicrobial susceptibility assay based on the concanavalin A-induced clustering of dextran-coated gold nanoparticles, which sense the presence of available complex carbohydrates in bacterial suspension. Under conditions of bacterial growth inhibition, addition of concanavalin A results in the formation of extensive dextran gold nanoassemblies, which are facilitated by the presence of free carbohydrates in solution and result in large shifts in the surface plasmon band of the nanoparticles. Meanwhile, at conditions of in...
Optimization of SiGe bandgap-based circuits for up to 300 °C operation

Abstract An investigation of the performance and reliability issues associated with operating silicon–germanium (SiGe) devices and circuits at temperatures up to 300 °C is presented, along with a new bypass compensation technique for optimizing bandgap reference performance at these extreme temperatures. In addition to the device-level characterization of a SiGe BiCMOS platform, improved circuit design and a device-level collector–substrate leakage suppression technique are shown to improve the viability of SiGe bandgap reference (BGR) circuits on low-cost, bulk Si wafers for high temperature applications. A shunting technique using various transistors to further improve BGR performance above 200 °C is presented, and optimized compensation designs predict new performance records for a bulk-silicon based technology across temperatures from −200 °C to 300 °C. Finally, a closely-related SiGe temperature sensor circuit is characterized for operating environments up to 300 °C.
Operating report of the largest reverse osmosis desalting plant

Abstract The Yuma desalting plant has a capacity of producing 275,000 m 3 /d of desalted water and is utilized to recover agricultural drainage water which has become too brackish for further use in irrigation, municipal and industrial uses. This paper presents some of the overall operating data obtained during this period of operation.
Aging decreases vasoconstrictor responses of coronary resistance arterioles through endothelium-dependent mechanisms.

Objective : Aging decreases coronary blood flow and maximal reserve capacity. Impaired blood flow capacity may be related to an increased vasoconstrictor capacity of coronary resistance vessels. This study tested the hypothesis that aging increases the vasoconstrictor responsiveness of coronary arterioles isolated from myocardium of young (4 months) and old (24 months) Fischer 344 rats. Methods : Isolated coronary arterioles were cannulated and pressurized (60 cm H2O) via hydrostatic pressure reservoirs. Results : Contrary to our hypothesis, aging decreased responsiveness of coronary arterioles to endothelin (ET, 1 × 10−11–3 × 10−8 M), potassium chloride (KCl, 10–100 mM), and pressure-induced myogenic responses (0–140 cm H2O). Removal of the endothelium from coronary arterioles increased vasoconstriction to all agonists; however, age-related KCl vasoconstrictor response differences remained, suggesting that K+ channel activity and/or the relative contribution of specific K+ channels to maintenance of vascular smooth muscle membrane potential may change with age. Removal of the endothelium, in addition to increasing responsiveness, eliminated aging-induced differences in ET- and pressure-induced vasoconstriction. l-NAME (10−5) incubation resulted in a greater enhancement of spontaneous tone in arterioles from old rats compared to those of young rats. ETB (BQ-788, 3 × 10−8) receptor blockade eliminated the age-associated differences. Conclusion : Collectively, these data suggest an age-associated increase in endothelial modulation of coronary resistance vessel constriction. This enhanced endothelial attenuation of coronary arteriolar constriction appears to result from increased basal release of nitric oxide. These alterations of coronary vascular reactivity may contribute to age-induced redistribution of coronary blood flow and diminished cardiac function.