cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-FF-I-41: A Series of 4D Pediatric Hybrid Phantoms Developed From the UF Series B Tomographic Phantoms

Purpose: To develop a series of the pediatric hybrid computational phantoms based on the non‐uniform rational B‐spline (NURBS) technology by converting the existing series of UF pediatric tomographic phantoms. Method and Material: The series of UF tomographic phantoms, newborn female, 9‐month male, 4‐year female, 8‐year female, 11‐year male, 14‐year male, which were developed by the researchers at University of Florida, were employed for this study. The tomographic phantoms were imported to the 3D‐DOCTOR (Able Software Corp., Lexington, MA) segmentation and 3D rendering software, and polygon mesh models representing internal organs and body contour were generated. The polygon mesh models were imported to the Rhinoceros software (McNeel, Seattle, WA) based on NURBS‐technology, and Smooth NURBS surfaces were developed for organ and tissue contours, and the NURBS‐based organ models were generated organ‐by‐organ. The NURBS organ models were integrated into hybrid human phantoms by the Rhinoceros software.Results: A total of 6 hybrid human phantoms were developed from the existing 6 UF tomographic phantoms. The cube‐shaped organ contours in the tomographic phantoms were innovatively smoothed in the resulting hybrid phantoms based on NURBS surfaces. The organ volumes calculated from tomographic and hybrid phantoms were in agreement within 5%. Conclusion: The resulting phantoms are deformable and can thus be used to represent 25th or 75th percentile subjects through the adjustment of control points surrounding each organ and body contour. The NURBS‐based pediatric phantoms developed in this study can be imported into Monte Carlo calculation code, and broadly utilized for dosimetry calculation. The techniques developed in this study will be also applied to the development of NURBS‐based 3D phantoms representing 50th and other percentile adult male and female subjects for use in radiation protection applications, as well as occupational or medical exam dose reconstruction.
The microbiome and butyrate regulate energy metabolism and autophagy in the mammalian colon

The microbiome is being characterized by large-scale sequencing efforts, yet it is not known whether it regulates host metabolism in a general versus tissue-specific manner or which bacterial metabolites are important. Here, we demonstrate that microbiota have a strong effect on energy homeostasis in the colon compared to other tissues. This tissue specificity is due to colonocytes utilizing bacterially produced butyrate as their primary energy source. Colonocytes from germfree mice are in an energy-deprived state and exhibit decreased expression of enzymes that catalyze key steps in intermediary metabolism including the TCA cycle. Consequently, there is a marked decrease in NADH/NAD(+), oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP levels, which results in AMPK activation, p27(kip1) phosphorylation, and autophagy. When butyrate is added to germfree colonocytes, it rescues their deficit in mitochondrial respiration and prevents them from undergoing autophagy. The mechanism is due to butyrate acting as an energy source rather than as an HDAC inhibitor.
The study of low temperature hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods on stents and its applications of cell adhesion and viability

Abstract The hydrothermal growths of the ZnO nanorods with the densities ranging from 157 to 73 nanorods/μm2 were achieved by diluting the ZnO seed solution. However, the ZnO seed nanocrystals started to agglomerate for the seed solution diluted below 1% of the original nano-crystalline solutions and resulted in the formation of clustered nanorods. With the assistance of a surfactant, Triton X-100, the nanorod density can be further reduced to 4 nanorods/μm2. The diameters of the nanorods depended on the concentration of the seed solution and agitation speed of the nanorod growth solution. More diluted seed solution used and less agitation of the growth solution, the larger diameter of the nanorods was obtained. This indicated that the nanorod growth mechanism was controlled by the diffusion of reactants. With sufficient agitation of the growth solution, the nanorod can be uniformly grown with subjects on any arbitrary geometry. We have demonstrated ZnO nanorods growth on both inside and outside of biliary stents as well as on nitinol wires used as metal stents. The effect of nanorod density on the NIH 3T3 and HUVEC cells growth was also investigated in this study and the results suggested nanorod-coating to be a suitable method for controlling cell adhesion and viability on implantable devices.
From Einthoven's galvanometer to single-channel recording

This article discusses the innovations which made it possible to do single-channel recording and to study the release of chemical ions from a single channel in the cell membrane. Topics covered include: Herbert Gasser's use of electronics; Detlev Wulf Bronk as scientist and supporter of science; Hodgkin and Huxley probing inside the nerve; synaptic chemical transmission and quantum release; and inhibition and excitation in the horseshoe crab eye.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence. 59. Rhenium complexes

Re(L)(CO)3Cl complexes (where L is 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2‘-bipyridine, or a phenanthroline or bipyridine derivative containing methyl groups) are photoluminescent in fluid solution at room temperature. In acetonitrile solutions, these complexes display one chemically reversible one-electron reduction process and one chemically irreversible oxidation process. λmax for the luminescence is dependent on the nature of L, and a linear relationship between λmax and the difference in electrode potentials for oxidation and reduction is evident. Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) was observed in acetonitrile solutions of these complexes (Bu4NPF6 as electrolyte) by stepping the potential of a Pt disk working electrode between potentials sufficient to form the radical anionic and cationic species. The relative amount of light produced during the anodic and cathodic pulses was dependent on the potential limits and pulse duration. ECL was also generated in the presence of coreactants, i.e., with tri-n-propylami...
Metaphors of consciousness and attention in the brain

Abstract Scientific metaphors have long provided heuristic tools for approaching novel problems. Today, the neurobiology of consciousness and attention is a central concern, presenting formidable conceptual and empirical challenges. Many current ideas fit the broad theme of a theater metaphor; this idea can be worked out in detail, resulting in relevant, testable hypotheses.
Structure of an Evolving Hailstorm Part IV: Internal Structure from Penetrating Aircraft

Abstract Precipitation particle sizes were measured using a continuous hydrometeor sampler (foil impactor) during penetrations of hailstorms with an armored T-28 aircraft. Data have been analyzed from three penetrations of a storm near Raymer, Colorado, on 9 July 1973 at altitudes between 5.5 and 7.2 km MSL, which correspond to temperatures between about −2°C and −12°C. Other results pertinent to the Raymer storm are discussed in Parts I,II,III and elsewhere in this issue. Most of the particles were identified as ice particles or ones containing both ice and water; however, significant amounts of liquid particles were found in the updrafts of developing cells at temperatures as cold as −12°C. Particles larger than 5 mm in diameter were typically found along the edges of the updrafts, with the precipitation concentrations being strongly dependent on these larger particles. The downdrafts were composed of ice particles. Several particle size distributions from one of the penetrations were examined. The dist...
Precision and accuracy of risk scores for in-hospital death after percutaneous coronary intervention in the current era.

Background: Various risk assessment scores were proposed in the last decade for prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to apply two validated scores, the Mayo Clinic Risk Score (MCRS) and the New York Risk Score (NYRS) to a contemporary cohort treated at a single institution and to simplify the NYRS, such that the parameters used in both scores are similar. Methods and Results: Patients undergoing PCI in 2005–2007 were included. MCRS and NYRS were calculated for each patient. A simplified NYRS, similar to MCRS, was constructed by deleting two variables (gender and left main coronary stenosis). Model discrimination was assessed by the C statistic and goodness-of-fit (calibration) was measured with the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. There were 3,165 procedures. The in-hospital mortality was 0.56% (95% CI 0.31–0.83%). Mean MCRS was 2.7 ± 2.4 (predicted mortality 0.3%). The C-statistic for MCRS was 0.82 (0.71–0.94) and the model was well calibrated (P = 0.79). Mean NYRS was 5.1 ± 3.3, (predicted mortality 0.23%). The C-statistic for NYRS was 0.83 (0.74–0.95), not different from MCRS (P = 0.62) and the model was well calibrated (P = 0.29). The mean simplified NYRS was 4.6 ± 3.1 among survivors and 10.9 ± 5.8 among those who died, P < 0.001. The score had a C-statistic of 0.83 (0.71–0.95), not different from MCRS (P = 0.84) or NYRS (P = 0.27) and was well calibrated (P = 0.71). Conclusion: PCI risk scores utilizing easily collected variables are useful in discriminating risk and predicting death. NYRS might be simplified by removing the gender and left main coronary stenosis variables from its algorithm. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Premalignant neoplasms of the anus and perianal skin

Abstract Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal is preceded by a spectrum of premalignant lesions known as anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN). AIN is caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), and the pathogenesis mimics that of cervical cancer. It is most commonly associated with HIV infection and high-risk sexual behavior. Symptoms of AIN may mimic benign processes. Multiple screening approaches exist for detecting HPV and dysplasia, but so far there is no standard algorithm. Several treatment options for AIN exist, although recurrence remains high. Regular surveillance by a surgeon is key after successful treatment. Extramammary perianal Paget׳s disease (EMPD) is another premalignant lesion. It is an intraepithelial adenocarcinoma that may or may not be associated with underlying malignancy. There are limited cases reported in the literature, and a staging method has been proposed. Both AIN and EMPD will be discussed in the following chapter.
Is It Really Self-Control? Examining the Predictive Power of the Delay of Gratification Task

This investigation tests whether the predictive power of the delay of gratification task (colloquially known as the “marshmallow test”) derives from its assessment of self-control or of theoretically unrelated traits. Among 56 school-age children in Study 1, delay time was associated with concurrent teacher ratings of self-control and Big Five conscientiousness—but not with other personality traits, intelligence, or reward-related impulses. Likewise, among 966 preschool children in Study 2, delay time was consistently associated with concurrent parent and caregiver ratings of self-control but not with reward-related impulses. While delay time in Study 2 was also related to concurrently measured intelligence, predictive relations with academic, health, and social outcomes in adolescence were more consistently explained by ratings of effortful control. Collectively, these findings suggest that delay task performance may be influenced by extraneous traits, but its predictive power derives primarily from its ...
Political Ideologies of CEOs: The Influence of Executives’ Values on Corporate Social Responsibility

This article examines the influence on organizational outcomes of CEOs’ political ideology, specifically political conservatism vs. liberalism. We propose that CEOs’ political ideologies will influ...
A New Chaotic Jerk Circuit

Much recent interest has been given to simple chaotic oscillators based on jerk equations that involve a third-time derivative of a single scalar variable. The simplest such equation has yet to be electronically implemented. This paper describes a particularly elegant circuit whose operation is accurately described by a simple variant of that equation in which the requisite nonlinearity is provided by a single diode and for which the analysis is particularly straightforward.
Depression Screening as an Intervention Against Suicide

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder that can disrupt a person's health, work, and relationships, and--in some cases--lead to suicide. Disparity between the prevalence of depression and diagnosis and treatment of the disorder led to the creation in 1991 of National Depression Screening Day (NDSD), an annual nationwide screening program for depression. By raising awareness and reducing the stigma of depression, the national screening program addresses the problems of underdiagnosis and lack of treatment in persons suffering from the depressive disorder. Mental health professionals and colleagues in other specialties must reach out to depressed individuals and make it easier for them to access the health care system. This article discusses the origin and goals of NDSD, the NDSD model for the current community-based program, the results of NDSD screening, and the proposed future expansion of NDSD and the voluntary screening concept. Language: en
Orientation of the M-Center

A discussion is given and experiments are suggested regarding the polarization and reorientation of M-centers by optical excitation, with reference to the electron-lattice interaction in ionic crystals. Die durch optische Anregung bedingte Polarisation und Reorientierung von M-Zentren werden in bezug auf die Elektron-Gitter-Wechselwirkung in Ionenkristallen diskutiert und einige Experimente hierzu vorgeschlagen.
Fiscal Decentralization with Distortionary Taxation: Tiebout vs. Tax Competition

This paper explores a question that lies at the intersection of two vast literatures. The goal is to gauge whether the good side of fiscal decentralization, as emphasized by the Tiebout literature, dominates the bad side, as studied in the tax-competition literature. The results, which are derived by numerical simulation, show that either answer to this question is possible. Under favorable conditions, where the curvature of the production function and the dispersion of preferences are both high, the gains from Tiebout sorting are likely to outweigh the loss from the capital-tax distortion, so that the good side of fiscal decentralization dominates. If either of these conditions is absent, however, the bad side can win, making decentralization undesirable. When this happens, the lessons of the Tiebout tradition are overturned, with economic efficiency requiring centralized rather than decentralized provision of public goods.
Changes in dc current bias as a function of input drive for a depletion mode SiC MESFET

Power generation is an important aspect of wireless communication. The relationship between the bias current and the output power is thus of great interest. This paper describes in detail the changes that occur in the bias conditions as a function of the input drive in a depletion mode SiC MESFET device that is used in transmitters. The change in bias conditions was first noticed when measuring the output power and efficiency of the device using the load pull technique. The theory, procedure and measured results obtained from utilizing the load pull technique along with the discovery of the change in bias and an investigation of why and how the bias changes as a function of input drive is also included in this paper.
A Method to Test Component Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Used in Safety Critical Systems

In this paper we discuss a method to test component off-the-shelf (COTS) using a hybrid approach based on software fault tree analysis and UML communication diagram. UML communication diagrams can be used to show message passing among components. It can also be used for integration testing. Software fault tree analysis is safely analysis techniques that can be used for modeling safety and dependability aspects of safety critical systems. A simple example is used to show the feasibility of our proposed method.
The Design of the Borealis Stream Processing Engine

Borealis is a second-generation distributed stream processing engine that is being developed at Brandeis University, Brown University, and MIT. Borealis inherits core stream processing functionality from Aurora [14] and distribution functionality from Medusa [51]. Borealis modifies and extends both systems in non-trivial and critical ways to provide advanced capabilities that are commonly required by newly-emerging stream processing applications. In this paper, we outline the basic design and functionality of Borealis. Through sample real-world applications, we motivate the need for dynamically revising query results and modifying query specifications. We then describe how Borealis addresses these challenges through an innovative set of features, including revision records, time travel, and control lines. Finally, we present a highly flexible and scalable QoS-based optimization model that operates across server and sensor networks and a new fault-tolerance model with flexible consistency-availability trade-offs.
Fertility Expectations and Ethnic Identity among Mexican-American Adolescents An Expression of Cultural Ideals

Survey data from Arizona secondary schools were used to test the applicability of structural and minority status hypotheses to the differential fertility expectations of Mexican-American and Anglo adolescents. Analyses of the number of children expected by these respondents and their implied parity progression ratios indicate that indices of acculturation are more important in explaining expected fertility than are measures of parental socioeconomic status or respondent's expected status. Among Mexican-American respondents, language spoken at home, nativity of the respondent and his or her father, and residence are associated with expected fertility. These indices of acculturation retain their importance even when father's education, father's occupation, and number of siblings are introduced.
A smarter mouse with human astrocytes

What is the biological basis for human cognition? Our understanding why human brains make us smarter than other animals is still in its infancy. In recent years, astrocytes have been shown to be indispensable for neuronal survival, growth, synapse formation, and synapse function. Now, in a new study from Maiken Nedergaard and Steven Goldman's groups (Han et al., 2013), human glia progenitor cells have been transplanted into mouse forebrains. These progenitors survived, migrated widely, and gave rise to astrocytes that displayed the characteristics of human astrocytes in the rodent host brains. Strikingly, the mice with transplanted human cells displayed improved long term potentiation (LTP) and learning, suggesting the potential importance of human astrocytes in the unique cognitive abilities of human brains. This landmark paper is an important first step toward future investigations of whether and how human astrocytes play a role in distinguishing the cognitive abilities of humans from those of other animals.
Multiple basis wavelet denoising using Besov projections

Wavelet-based image denoising algorithm depends upon the energy compaction property of wavelet transforms. However, for many real-world images, we cannot expect good energy compaction in a single wavelet domain, because most real-world images consist of components of a variety of smoothness. We can relieve this problem by using multiple wavelet bases to match different characteristics of images. In this paper, we propose a novel image denoising algorithm that uses multiple wavelet bases. By establishing a new relationship between the deterministic Besov space theory and the wavelet-domain statistical models, we generalize the Besov theory for finite sampled data. After defining convex sets in Besov spaces that contain the true image, we obtain an estimate of the true image by the method of projection onto convex sets. The algorithm outperforms existing multiple wavelet basis denoising algorithms; in particular, it shows excellent performance at low signal-to-noise ratios.
Epidemiological trends in invasive mechanical ventilation in the United States: A population-based study

Abstract Purpose Epidemiological trends for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) have not been clearly defined. We sought to define trends for IMV in the United States and assess for disease-specific variation for 3 common causes of respiratory failure: pneumonia, heart failure (HF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods We calculated national estimates for utilization of nonsurgical IMV cases from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1993 to 2009 and compared trends for COPD, HF, and pneumonia. Results We identified 8 309 344 cases of IMV from 1993 to 2009. Utilization of IMV for nonsurgical indications increased from 178.9 per 100 000 in 1993 to 310.9 per 100 000 US adults in 2009. Pneumonia cases requiring IMV showed the largest increase (103.6%), whereas COPD cases remained relatively stable (2.5% increase) and HF cases decreased by 55.4%. Similar demographic and clinical changes were observed for pneumonia, COPD, and HF, with cases of IMV becoming younger, more ethnically diverse, and more frequently insured by Medicaid. Outcome trends for patients differed based on diagnosis. Adjusted hospital mortality decreased over time for cases of pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] per 5 years, 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-0.90) and COPD (OR per 5 years, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.97-0.98) but increased for HF (OR per 5 years, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.09-1.12). Conclusion Utilization of IMV in the US increased from 1993 to 2009 with a decrease in overall mortality. However, trends in utilization and outcomes of IMV differed markedly based on diagnosis. Unlike favorable outcome trends in pneumonia and COPD, hospital mortality for HF has not improved. Further studies to investigate the outcome gap between HF and other causes of respiratory failure are needed.
Weakly-Supervised Acquisition of Open-Domain Classes and Class Attributes from Web Documents and Query Logs

A new approach to large-scale information extraction exploits both Web documents and query logs to acquire thousands of opendomain classes of instances, along with relevant sets of open-domain class attributes at precision levels previously obtained only on small-scale, manually-assembled classes.
Simulations of grafting monomers and associated degradation of polypropylene in a modular co‐rotating twin screw extruder

Kinetic models of grafting maleic anhydride (MAH) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) on polypropylene (PP) were developed for screw extrusion. However, the kinetic models were insufficient to explain the grafting reactions along the length of modular co-rotating twin screw extruders because the rheological properties and the residence time of PP changed owing to degradation of PP during the grafting reaction. In order to model this system for a modular co-rotating twin screw extruder, the kinetic model of grafting reaction and models for degradation of PP were combined with fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Given the geometrical configurations of the screw, the operating conditions, and the physical properties of the polypropylene, the simulations predicted variation of molecular weight and mean residence time due to degradation of PP. The weight percent of grafted MAH or MMA on PP profiles along the screw axis was also calculated in the simulation. These predictions were compared with experimental data for various operating conditions.
Latewood chronology development for summer-moisture reconstruction in the US Southwest

Abstract Tree-ring studies have demonstrated that conifer latewood measurements contain information on long-term North American monsoon (NAM) variability, a hydroclimatic feature of great importance to plants, animals, and human society in the US Southwest. This paper explores data-treatment options for developing latewood chronologies aimed at NAM reconstruction. Archived wood samples for five Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii, Mirb. Franco) sites in southeastern Arizona are augmented with new collections. The combined dataset is analyzed along with time series of regionally averaged observed precipitation to quantify the strength of regional precipitation signal in latewood time series and to identify ways of increasing the signal strength. Analysis addresses the signal strength influences of including or excluding “false” latewood bands in the nominal “latewood” portion of the ring, the necessary adjustment of latewood width for statistical dependence on antecedent earlywood width, and tree age. Resul...
Measurement of the Effectiveness of Application-Layer Multicasting

Multicasting is the data distribution from one sender to a group of receivers. Traditionally multicasting is implemented at network layer, in the way that routers perform membership management, maintain data delivery path, and replicate and forward data. IP multicast is the most efficient way for group data distribution. However, it has been shown that it is extremely difficult to deploy IP multicast at a large scale. Therefore an alternative has been proposed to shift multicast support to the application layer. This approach expects end-hosts participating in the application to perform multicast functions. This is application layer multicasting (ALM). This paper proposes a proxy-based single source ALM protocol which targets media streaming applications, where latency is the overlay building metric. A text-based message exchange application is implemented based on this protocol. Some measurements are taken both on the intranet and on the Internet. And some performance data are provided. Finally we concluded our research
Characteristics of Wind–Wave Interaction During an Intense Extratropical Cyclogenesis

Abstract From November 2 to 5, 1996, an intense extratropical cyclone was near the National Data Buoy Center buoy 46035 in the Bering Sea. At the storm's extremes, the buoy measured minimum sea-level pressure (= 966.1 mbar), 10 m wind speed (= 28.2 m/s), peak gust (= 38.9 m/s), significant wave height (= 15.4 m), and peak period (= 16.7 s). During this period, 41 hourly observations were recorded when the waves were not fully developed; these records are the subject of our detailed analysis. It is shown that the wind–pressure relation was governed by the cyclostrophic equation; stability was neutral (i.e., the logarithmic wind profile law is useful); the relation between dimensionless wave height and period as normalized by the wind speed and the friction velocity follows the formulas found in the literature. Further determination of the friction velocity using the gust factor concept is successful to incorporate both tropical and extratropical cyclones.
Simulation based validation of real time control rules in discrete materials handling systems

A validation study of analytical models designed to provide system designers with instantaneous feedback on the capacity effects of alternative dispatching policies in discrete materials handling systems is described. The analytical models are summarized. The simulation based validation models are outlined, and results based on a sample problem from automated guided vehicle systems are presented. The clear implication of these results is that the performance of the models could be improved significantly by addressing fleet size. >
EXERCISING WITH AND WITHOUT LUNGS I. THE EFFECTS OF METABOLIC COST, MAXIMAL OXYGEN TRANSPORT AND BODY SIZE ON TERRESTRIAL LOCOMOTION IN SALAMANDER SPECIES

To whom offprint reprints should be addressed. Metabolic cost, oxygen consumption (MO2, respiratory structure and body size interact to determine the capacity of salamanders for terrestrial locomotion. Salamanders respiring via both lungs and skin, Ambystoma laterale and A. tigrinum , or with skin alone, Desmognathus ochrophaeus and D. quadramaculatus , attained a steady-state MO2 during exercise in a treadmill respirometer. Endurance was correlated with the speed at which maximal MO2, was attained (VMO2.max). Low aerobic costs of transport (60–80% lower than reptiles of similar mass) increased VMO2.max. However, in lungless salamanders a low maximum MO2 decreased VMO2.max significantly. MO2 increased only 1.6- to 3.0-fold above resting rates in active lungless salamanders, whereas it could increase 3.5- to 7.0-fold in active lunged salamanders. Lungless salamanders attained maximal MO2 at half to one-tenth the speed of lunged animals. Lungless salamanders fatigued in 20 min or less at speeds that lunged salamanders could sustain for 1–2 h. Body size also affected the capacity for oxygen uptake during activity and locomotor performance. The large lungless salamander D. quadramaculatus attained maximum MO2 even at its lowest rate of travel. Cutaneous gas exchange does not provide lungless salamanders with gas transport capacities found in lunged animals. However, only small increases in MO2 may be required for modest levels of activity.
SEMANTICS (2nd ed.)

SEMANTICS (2nd ed.). John I. Saeed. Oxford: Blackwell, 2003. Pp. xx + 413. 32.95 paper.After a long dry spell in which there were few—if any—satisfactory introductory texts in semantics and pragmatics available, the first edition of Saeed's Semantics appeared in 1997. Since then, a number of other texts have appeared: de Swart's Introduction to natural language semantics (1998), Kearns' Semantics (2000), Allan's Natural language semantics (2001), among others. The primary advantage of the original Saeed text as well as this revised and updated version is its comprehensiveness. It includes descriptive lexical semantics, an introduction to formal semantics, the cognitive approaches of Lakoff and others, and more pragmatics than most of its competitors.
Study of biomineralization of poly(vinyl alcohol)-based scaffolds using an alternate soaking approach

The present work adds to the continuing efforts of designing a natural bone-like structure by synthesizing a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of poly(vinyl alcohol)–poly[(acrylic acid)-co-acrylonitrile] and impregnating hydroxyapatite (HAP) into the polymer matrix by an alternate soaking process. The prepared HAP–polymer scaffolds were characterized using techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and environmental scanning electron microscopy. The biomineralized semi-IPN was evaluated for water sorption capacity and the data were utilized for calculating network parameters such as average molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc) and crosslink density (q). The impregnated HAP was quantified as a function of the chemical architecture of the semi-IPN, number of reaction cycles and temperature of the swelling bath. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of Stock Market Returns

In this chapter we use our battery of nonlinearity tests to study the time series properties of growth rates in common stock prices at different levels of time aggregation. Financial economists call such growth rates “rates of return,” and express them as decimal fractions. We also look at the effect of “hard clipping” the data in order to separate the issue of conditional dependence in variance from the deeper issue of serial nonlinear dependence in the time series. By “hard clipping” we mean a transformation that converts the data to a sequence of +1’s and −1’s, depending on whether the return is positive or negative.
Numerical prediction of stress evolution during blowtorch reflow of fused silica micro-shell resonators

Micro-blowtorching is a new, fast and reliable fabrication process to form 3D hollow fused silica shell structures such as high Q-factor birdbath resonators. The performance of the fabricated shell as a resonator can be significantly degraded due to the thermal residual stress during the early cooling phase after fabrication. A multi-step finite element analysis is developed for a qualitative prediction of residual stresses and deformation of the birdbath shells. First, a novel non-isothermal model is used to simulate the reflow and molding process. In the next step, the calculated temperature field is used to conduct a transient heat transfer analysis to mimic the cooling phase up to a designated temperature. Finally, the non-uniform temperature field from the heat transfer simulation is used to conduct a thermoelastic analysis to predict the residual stresses and deformation that would exist at ambient temperature in the birdbath shell structure. The predicted internal stresses can usefully be employed to optimize the coarse and fine annealing processes to reduce the stresses in a fabricated shell to a desired level.
MX: too dense for Congress

Although the Dense Pack basing mode has been rejected by Congress, the fate of the MX is uncertain and the debate will continue in 1983.
Physiological Studies of Chalaropsis Thielavioides

A physiological study of Chalaropsis thielavioides was conducted to determine the effect of nutrition on odor production by this fungus. In addition, the course of fusel-oil production, sugar utili...
Aerodynamic Effects of Parafoil Upper Surface Bleed Air Actuation

Control of the glide slope of parafoil and payload aircraft is limited with current control mechanisms, which makes the precision landing of autonomous systems extremely challenging. The incorporation of bleed air vents into the upper surface of the parafoil canopy to create aerodynamic spoilers has been shown to be an extremely effective means of obtaining a wide range of glide slope control with minimal actuation effort and complexity. The current work presents physical insight into these novel control mechanisms through a combination of computational fluid dynamic simulation and wind tunnel testing.
Transient analysis for three-phase fault of 1 000 kV UHV AC transmission lines

The transient current and voltage of UHV AC transmission lines under three-phase fault are theoretically analyzed and simulated.There are HF(High Frequency) components and decaying DC components in fault current,while there are only HF components in fault voltage.The initial value of fault HF component is related to fault POW(Point On Wave) and it is the highest when POW is 90°.The frequency of HF com-ponent is related to fault location and system operating mode.The smaller the system short circuit capacity is and the farther the fault location is,the closer the harmonic frequency will be to the fundamental one.The farther the fault location is,the larger the HF component will be.The HF harmonics of fault voltage are more serious than those of fault current under the same fault condition.Shunt reactors can reduce the steady capacitive current but have unobvious effect on fault transient current.
Abstract C138: Targeting macropinocytosis in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States with a 5-year survival rate of Citation Format: James Hunt, Serina Ng, Clifford Whatcott, Daniel D. Von Hoff, Haiyong Han. Targeting macropinocytosis in pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr C138.
Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail: The Known, The Known Unknown, and The Unknown Unknown

Cardiothoracic surgery residents often enter their training with fairly limited prior exposure to the field. Obviously, they need to master the essential knowledge and skills of the discipline during their training. In addition to following a didactic curriculum of one sort or another, much of the necessary knowledge and understanding will accrue from their experiences caring for and operating on the patients who will be under their auspices, not only during their formal training but also after they finish their training. Some of these cases and situations, such as elective cases, allow for careful preparation, while some more urgent or emergent cases require generic, advance preparation in order to be ready to perform optimally in these cases when they arise. And then there will always be cases for which one will not be able to prepare in any meaningful way, and these types of cases will require creativity and innovation "on the fly." I will describe three cases, which are examples of each of these situations, with suggestions on how to handle each type of situation optimally. I will describe the preparation, such as it was for each, in some detail to help the reader understand how it felt to deal with each of these cases. The technical details of each of these cases resulted in a publication, which will be cited in the references, should the reader want to learn more about them.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the primary motor cortex and robot-assisted arm training in chronic incomplete cervical spinal cord injury: A proof of concept sham-randomized clinical study.

Background After cervical spinal cord injury, current options for treatment of upper extremity motor functions have been limited to traditional approaches. However, there is a substantial need to explore more rigorous alternative treatments to facilitate motor recovery. Objective To demonstrate whether anodal-primary motor cortex (M1) excitability enhancement (with cathodal-supra orbital area) (atDCS) combined with robot-assisted arm training (R-AAT) will provide greater improvement in contralateral arm and hand motor functions compared to sham stimulation (stDCS) and R-AAT in patients with chronic, incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (iCSCI). Methods In this parallel-group, double-blinded, randomized and sham-controlled trial, nine participants with chronic iCSCI (AIS C and D level) were randomized to receive 10 sessions of atDCS or stDSC combined with R-AAT. Feasibility and tolerability was assessed with attrition rate and occurrence of adverse events, Changes in arm and hand function were assessed with Jebson Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). Amount of Use Scale of Motor Activity Log (AOU-MAL), American Spinal Injury Association Upper Extremity Motor Score and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) at baseline, after treatment, and at two-month follow-up. Results None of the participants missed a treatment session or dropped-out due to adverse events related to the treatment protocol. Participants tended to perform better in JTHFT and AOU-MAL after treatment. Active group at post-treatment and two-month follow-up demonstrated better arm and hand performance compared to sham group. Conclusion These preliminary findings support that modulating excitatory input of the corticospinal tracts on spinal circuits may be a promising strategy in improving arm and hand functions in persons with incomplete tetraplegia. Further study is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of recovery.
Prozone Effect in the Diagnosis of Lupus Anticoagulant for the Lupus Anticoagulant-Hypoprothrombinemia Syndrome

Objectives: The main clinical sequela of a lupus anticoagulant is increased thrombosis risk. However, bleeding due to lupus anticoagulant-hypoprothrombinemia syndrome is a rare but well-described manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome. The association of acute acquired hypoprothrombinemia is caused by a lupus anticoagulant’s specificity to prothrombin, which results in clearance of prothrombin and bleeding due to hypoprothrombinemia (usually <10% of normal). Severe life-threatening bleeding is most frequently reported in children with systemic lupus erythematosus or in healthy children after viral infection. In such cases, steroid therapy is usually effective in controlling the bleeding problems and improving prothrombin levels. Methods: We report one pediatric patient with a lupus anticoagulant who had acute hemorrhagic diathesis. Results: The diagnosis in this case was complicated by the presence of a prozone effect in lupus anticoagulant testing. The prozone effect (also known as hook effect) refers to situations where very high concentrations of antibody mask detection, typically in antigen-antibody reactions, which depend on visualization of agglutination. Decreasing the antibody/antigen ratio results in detectable antigen-antibody complexes. Conclusions: We report for the first time a variation on this theme in a patient with a lupus anticoagulant-type antiphospholipid antibody and hypoprothrombinemia, which corrected with immunosuppression and restoration of normal prothrombin levels.
Phase I study of PTK787/ZK222584 (PTK/ZK) and RAD001 for patients with advanced solid tumors and dose expansion in renal cell carcinoma patients

5039 Background: PTK/ZK is an orally active tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks all known VEGF receptors. RAD001 is an orally active macrolide which selectively inhibits mTOR. Combination therapy...
Seismic architecture and seismic geomorphology of heterozoan carbonates: Eocene-Oligocene, Browse Basin, Northwest Shelf, Australia

Abstract Seismic characterization of Eocene-Oligocene heterozoan carbonate strata from the Browse Basin, Northwest Shelf of Australia, defines marked progradation of nearly 10 km. Stratal terminations and stacking subdivide the succession into mappable seismic units. Stratal architecture and seismic geomorphology varies systematically through the succession. Individual surfaces, discerned by toplap, onlap, and truncation, outline sigmoidal to tangential oblique clinoforms with heights of ranging from 350 to 650 m and maximum gradients between 8 and 18°. Sigmoidal clinoforms can include aggradation in excess of ∼200 m, prograde more than 500 m, and have slopes characterized by inclined, wavy to discontinuous reflectors that represent ubiquitous gullies and channels. In contrast, the overlying tangential oblique clinoforms include downstepped shelf margins, limited on-shelf aggradation ( The associations of shelf aggradation, shelf-margin progradation, and slope channeling within sigmoidal seismic units and the less marked progradation and channeling within tangential oblique seismic units contrast with the classic sequence model in which sediment delivery to the slope and pronounced progradation is favored by limited shelf accommodation. This distinct divergence is interpreted to reflect the prolific heterozoan production across the shelf during periods of rising and high base level when the shelf is flooded, perhaps enhanced by downwelling. Comparison with purely photozoan systems reveals similarities and contrasts in seismic stratigraphic heterogeneity and architecture, interpreted to be driven by distinct characteristics of heterozoan sedimentary systems.
The volatile molecule signature of four mycobacteria species

Mycobacteria are the leading cause of death from infectious disease worldwide and limitations in current diagnostics are hampering control efforts. In recent years, the use of small volatile molecules as diagnostic biomarkers for mycobacteria has shown promise for use in the rapid analysis of in vitro cultures as well as ex vivo diagnosis using breath or sputum. In this study, 18 strains from four mycobacteria species (Mycobacterium avium, M. bovis BCG, M. intracellulare and M. xenopi) were analyzed for the first time using two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS). This study represents the first time volatile molecules associated with M. intracellulare and M. xenopi have ever been reported. A total of 217 chromatographic features were identified and 58 features were selected that discriminate between these four species. Putative identifications are provided for 17 of the 58 discriminatory features, three of which have been reported previously in mycobacteria. The identification of mycobacteria-associated volatile biomarker suites could reduce the time-to-diagnosis for mycobacterial infections, either from in vitro cultures prior to the visualization of colonies or directly from ex vivo specimens, thereby shortening the empiric treatment window and potentially improving outcomes.
Abstract 439: Role of Hindbrain Endogenous Melanocortin Receptor Activity in Contributing to Hypertension in SHR

We previously demonstrated that activation of the central nervous system (CNS) melanocortin system plays a key role in the modulation of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and blood pressure (BP) regulation. In the present study, we examined whether chronic inhibition of melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4R) in the hindbrain attenuates the elevated blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The long-term cardiovascular and metabolic effects of MC4R antagonism were assessed in SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Male WKY rats (n=6) and SHR (n=7) were implanted with telemetry probes to measure BP and heart rate (HR) 24-hrs/day, and an intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannula was placed into the fourth ventricle (4 th V). After 10 days of recovery and 5 days of control measurements, the MC4R antagonist (SHU-9119, 1 nmol/h, 4 th V) was infused for 10 days followed by a 5-day recovery period. Chronic hindbrain MC4R antagonism significantly increased food intake and body weight in WKY (17±1 to 35±2 g/day and 280±8 to 353±8 g) and SHR (19±2 to 35±2 g/day and 323±7 to 371±11 g). No changes were observed in blood glucose levels (99±4 to 87±4 and 89±5 to 89±4 mg/dl, respectively for WKY and SHR). Chronic SHU-9119 infusion reduced MAP and HR similarly in WKY (-5±1 mmHg and -47±3 bpm) and SHR (-8±3 mmHg and -44±3 bpm). These results suggest that although hindbrain MC4R activity is important for appetite and HR regulation, it does not play a major role in mediating the elevated blood pressure in SHR. (NHLBI-PO1 HL51971/AHA SDG5680016)
Legal Ramifications of Ambiguous Clinical Guidelines-Reply.

In Reply In highlighting the potential misuse of practice guidelines in litigation, Mr Kels and Dr Kels draw attention to one of the many unintended consequences of intermediate-grade recommendations; that is, that the authority of a professional society’s imprimatur and the appearance of quantitation inherent in an alphanumeric rating system may convey the impression of an action that is thoroughly evidence-based and ought to be performed, despite any number of layers of equivocation that might be deployed as a hedge against that impression.
Psychology of Religion in the World

The psychology of religion used to be a small and little known field. Although a few pockets of work in the area were done when Psychology began, it was functionally nonexistent for 1/3 of psychology’s history, and received little attention for most of the rest of it. However, in the past 20 years the field has become vast in scope. It now intersects all subfields of general psychology. Also, the psychology of religion no longer exists only in Western countries. It is now an international field with research being conducted worldwide. This article summarizes this trend and documents psychology of religion in the world and in Brazil as a part of it. The need for a multilevel interdisciplinary approach to research and theory is highlighted, as a way to synthesize knowledge of religiousness cross-culturally and trans-religiously. Future research should invoke a meaningmaking model in order to examine not merely observable religious behaviors, beliefs, or experiences, but their underlying roots, i.e., their meanings and attributions made about them. Such research can help us eliminate barriers between disciplines, cultures, religions, and nations.