cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of a novel noninvasive secretin-enhanced MRCP severity index scoring system for diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis: correlation with EUS-based Rosemont criteria.

To evaluate the accuracy of a secretin-enhanced MRCP Chronic Pancreatitis Severity Index (CPSI) in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) based on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) Rosemont criteria. In this retrospective study, 31 patients (20 women; median age 48 years, range 18–77) with known/suspected CP evaluated with both EUS and secretin-enhanced MRCP were included. CP severity was graded using a ten-point-scale secretin-enhanced MRCP-based CPSI scoring system which considered ductal, parenchymal and secretin-based dynamic abnormalities. Cases were categorized as normal, mild, moderate or severe CP. Correlation between CPSI and the EUS Rosemont criteria was performed using Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Comparative evaluation of test performance was obtained using ROC analysis. Using EUS Rosemont criteria, eight patients had features consistent/suggestive of CP, 20 patients were normal and three were indeterminate. On CPSI, five patients were normal, 12 had mild and 14 had moderate/severe CP. There was only fair agreement (k = 0.272) between CPSI and Rosemont criteria categories. CPSI showed 87.5% sensitivity, 69.6% specificity and 74.2% accuracy (cutoff value = 3.5 points; area under the curve = 0.804; p = 0.0026) for CP diagnosis based on EUS Rosemont criteria. CPSI showed relatively high diagnostic accuracy for diagnosis of CP based on Rosemont criteria. The CPSI scoring system can be proposed as a noninvasive alternative to the EUS Rosemont criteria for CP diagnosis.
PRMT5 Is Required for T Cell Survival and Proliferation by Maintaining Cytokine Signaling.

Arginine methylation is a post-translational modification that regulates many biological processes. However, the role of arginine methylation in immune cells is not well studied. Here we report an essential role of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) in T cell homeostasis and activation-induced expansion. Using T cell-specific PRMT5 conditional knockout mice, we found that PRMT5 is required for natural killer T (NKT) cell but not for conventional or regulatory T (Treg) cell development after the double positive (DP) stage in the thymus. In contrast, PRMT5 was required for optimal peripheral T cell maintenance, for the transition of naive T cells to effector/memory phenotype, and for early T cell development before the DP stage in a cell-intrinsic manner. Accordingly, PRMT5-deleted T cells showed impaired IL-7-mediated survival and TCR-induced proliferation in vitro. The latter was more pronounced and attributed to reduced responsiveness to IL-2. Acute deletion of PRMT5 revealed that not only naive but also effector/memory T cells were impaired in TCR-induced proliferation in a development-independent manner. Reduced expression of common γ chain (γc), a shared receptor component for several cytokines including IL-7 and IL-2, on PRMT5-deleted T cells may be in part responsible for the defect. We further showed that PRMT5 was partially required for homeostatic T cell survival but absolutely required for lymphopenic T cell expansion in vivo. Thus, we propose that PRMT5 is required for T cell survival and proliferation by maintaining cytokine signaling, especially during proliferation. The inhibition of PRMT5 may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of diseases where uncontrolled T cell activation has a role, such as autoimmunity.
Chapter 15 – DNA Fingerprinting

Biotechnology is used by more than scientists, doctors, and drug companies. This chapter presents an application that is used by law enforcement and the court system: DNA fingerprinting. This technology first gained widespread notoriety during a televised murder trial in the United States in the 1990s. Since then, the underlying mechanism used for the technology has been improved to increase sensitivity and reduce the requirements placed on the DNA sample being analyzed. Both the older and newer technologies will be discussed.
Full-wave simulations of ICRF heating regimes in toroidal plasma with non-Maxwellian distribution functions

At the power levels required for significant heating and current drive in magnetically-confined toroidal plasma, modification of the particle distribution function from a Maxwellian shape is likely (Stix 1975 Nucl. Fusion 15 737), with consequent changes in wave propagation and in the location and amount of absorption. In order to study these effects computationally, both the finite-Larmor-radius and the high-harmonic fast wave (HHFW), versions of the full-wave, hot-plasma toroidal simulation code TORIC (Brambilla 1999 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 41 1 and Brambilla 2002 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 44 2423), have been extended to allow the prescription of arbitrary velocity distributions of the form . For hydrogen (H) minority heating of a deuterium (D) plasma with anisotropic Maxwellian H distributions, the fractional H absorption varies significantly with changes in parallel temperature but is essentially independent of perpendicular temperature. On the other hand, for HHFW regime with anisotropic Maxwellian fast ion distribution, the fractional beam ion absorption varies mainly with changes in the perpendicular temperature. The evaluation of the wave-field and power absorption, through the full wave solver, with the ion distribution function provided by either a Monte-Carlo particle and Fokker–Planck codes is also examined for Alcator C-Mod and NSTX plasmas. Non-Maxwellian effects generally tend to increase the absorption with respect to the equivalent Maxwellian distribution.
Representation Matters: Integrating Books With Characters With Autism in the Classroom:

Increased awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has come with an increase in books that depict individuals with ASD. However, media representation of disabilities could be misguided. To integ...
A framework for defining FLASH dose rate for pencil beam scanning.

Purpose To develop a method of (a) calculating the dose rate of voxels within a proton field delivered using pencil beam scanning (PBS), and (b) reporting a representative dose rate for the PBS treatment field that enables correspondence between multiple treatment modalities. This method takes into account the unique spatiotemporal delivery patterns of PBS FLASH radiotherapy. Methods The dose rate at each voxel of a PBS radiation field is approximately the quotient of the voxel's dose and "effective" irradiation time. Each voxel's "effective" irradiation time starts when the cumulative dose rises above a chosen threshold value, and stops when its cumulative dose reaches its total dose minus the same threshold value. The above calculation yields a distribution of dose rates for the voxels within a PBS treatment field. To report a representative dose rate for the PBS field, we propose a user-selectable parameter of pth percentile of the dose rate distribution, such that (100 - p) % of the field is above the corresponding dose rate. To demonstrate the method described above, we design FLASH transmission fields using 250 MeV protons and calculate the PBS dose rate distributions in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models. To further evaluate the formalism, we provide an example of a clinical PBS treatment field. Results With the 2D PBS transmission field, it is demonstrated that the time to accumulate the total dose at a voxel is limited to a fraction of the delivery time of the entire field. In addition, the spatial distributions of dose and dose rate are quite different within the field. For the 10 × 10 cm2 PBS field irradiating a 3D water phantom, the prescribed dose of 10 Gy at 10 cm depth is delivered in 1.0 s. The dose rate decreases in the irradiated volume with increasing depth (until the Bragg peak) due to increase of beam spot size by Coulomb scattering. For example, 95% of the irradiated volume between 0 and 10 cm depth receive >40 Gy/s, whereas between 0-20 cm and 0-30 cm depth, 95% of the irradiated volume received >36 Gy/s and >24 Gy/s, respectively. For the clinical PBS treatment field, the scanning pattern conforms to the PTV. PBS dose rate data are presented for the PTV and adjacent normal organs. Conclusion We have developed a method of calculating the dose rate distribution of a PBS proton field and have recommended nomenclature for reporting PBS treatment dose rate. We believe that standardizing the method for calculating and reporting PBS treatment dose rates, in a manner that corresponds with other treatment modalities, will advance the research and potential application of PBS FLASH radiotherapy.
Identification of Barriers to Adherence to a Weight Loss Diet in Women Using the Nominal Group Technique.

Background: At any given time, a majority of women are engaged in some type of weight loss diet; however, these efforts are difficult to sustain for long-term weight control. Because women are more likely to develop obesity and suffer a greater severity of obesity-related health and economic consequences, we sought to identify the key factors that make adhering to a weight loss diet difficult for overweight/obese women. Methods: Ten nominal group technique (NGT) sessions aimed at identifying perceived barriers to adherence to a weight loss diet were conducted as part of a weight loss study for overweight/obese women (n = 33) during the controlled feeding weight loss phase. Results: Individual-level barriers to emerge from the sessions included knowing when to stop eating, being able to control cravings and emotional eating, and sustaining healthier dietary habits. Environmental-level barriers included family/social events that bring people together, especially those centered around food and drink, eating out, cost, and busy schedules. Conclusions: These findings offer a deeper understanding of barriers women find most salient to adhering to a weight loss diet, providing direction for the clinical application of weight loss programs.
Experimental Characterization of Supersonic Single- and Dual-Impinging Jets

Supersonic single-impinging jet flows are known to exhibit strong unsteadiness levels and acoustic signatures due to large-scale resonant motions. However, the flowfield characteristics of two such...
Guided Relaxation-Based Virtual Reality for Acute Postoperative Pain and Anxiety in a Pediatric Population: Pilot Observational Study.

Background: Distraction-based therapies, such as virtual reality (VR), have been used to reduce pain during acutely painful procedures. However, distraction alone cannot produce prolonged pain reduction to manage sustained postoperative pain. Therefore, the integration of VR with other pain-reducing therapies, like guided relaxation, may enhance its clinical impact. Objective: The goal of this pilot study was to assess the impact of a single guided relaxation–based VR (VR-GR) session on postoperative pain and anxiety reduction in children. We also explored the influence of pain catastrophizing and anxiety sensitivity on this association. Methods: A total of 51 children and adolescents (7-21 years) with postoperative pain and followed by the Acute Pain Service at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital were recruited over an 8-month period to undergo a single VR-GR session. Prior to VR, the patients completed 2 questionnaires: Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children (PCS-C) and the Child Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI). The primary outcome was a change in pain intensity following the VR-GR session (immediately, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes). The secondary outcomes included changes in pain unpleasantness and anxiety. Results: The VR-GR decreased pain intensity immediately (P<.001) and at 30 minutes (P=.04) after the VR session, but not at 15 minutes (P=.16) postsession. Reductions in pain unpleasantness were observed at all time intervals (P<.001 at all intervals). Anxiety was reduced immediately (P=.02) but not at 15 minutes (P=.08) or 30 minutes (P=.30) following VR-GR. Patients with higher CASI scores reported greater reductions in pain intensity (P=.04) and unpleasantness (P=.01) following VR-GR. Pain catastrophizing was not associated with changes in pain and anxiety. Conclusions: A single, short VR-GR session showed transient reductions in pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and anxiety in children and adolescents with acute postoperative pain. The results call for a future randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of VR-GR. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04556747; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04556747
Distinct Hypoxia-Induced Translational Profiles of Embryonic and Adult-Derived Macrophages

Tissue homeostasis and repair are orchestrated by resident and newly recruited macrophages that alter their gene expression program in response to changes in tissue microenvironment. Embryonic macrophages, such as fetal liver derived macrophages (FLDM) seed the organs, including heart and lung during embryonic development and persist throughout the adult lifetime, while bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) are recruited following an acute perturbation. Transcriptome analyses of FLDM and BMDM identified differences between them at the level of RNA expression, which correlates imperfectly with protein levels. Post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins determines mRNA stability and translation rate and may override transcriptional cues in response to environmental changes, such as hypoxia. To identify distinct features of FLDM and BMDM response to hypoxia at the level of translation, we employed translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) to isolate polysomal RNA. RNA-seq profiling of translated RNA identified distinct hypoxia-induced translational signature of BMDM (Ly6e, vimentin and glycolysis-associated enzymes Pgk1, Tpi1, Aldoa, Ldha) and FLDM (chemokines Ccl7 and Ccl2). By translational profiling of BMDM and FLDM with deletion of the RNA-binding protein HuR, we identified transcripts that were dependent on HuR. These findings highlight the importance of HuR and identify its distinct targets for post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in embryonic vs. adult-derived macrophages.
Death associated with brorphine, an emerging novel synthetic opioid.

To the Editor,Novel psychoactive substances (NPS), specifically novel synthetic opioids, continue to fuel death rates in the United States’ (US) opioid epidemic, posing an ongoing public health thr...
The effect of test query on recognition event-related potentials (ERPs).

Abstract The influence of question framing (i.e., [was the item] “old?” or “new?”) on recognition memory and event-related potentials (ERPs) was investigated. Words were encoded using a shallow task to create a weak memory trace that was more susceptible to test question framing effects. Participants made yes/no judgments on two, counterbalanced tests. One test focused on old items (“old?”), whereas the other test focused on new items (“new?”). The behavioral evidence suggested that the weak memory traces led to more familiarity-based recognition judgments with a concentrated effect on decision criterion. There were some small ERP changes on the FN400 or LPC consistent with the criterion changes, but the test query did not directly alter these ERP components. Instead, the test query altered a late old/new ERP difference similar to the “right frontal old/new effect” reported in source monitoring ERP studies. When the query was “new?”, old items elicited more positive ERPs, whereas there was no old/new difference when the query was “old?”. The results suggest that the query framing induces memory biases that occur late in the stream of processing. More generally, the results indicate that decision criterion must be accounted for when interpreting physiological correlates of recognition memory.
Improving force field accuracy by training against condensed phase mixture properties

Developing a sufficiently accurate classical force field representation of molecules is key to realizing the full potential of molecular simulation as a route to gaining fundamental insight into a broad spectrum of chemical and biological phenomena. This is only possible, however, if the many complex interactions between molecules of different species in the system are accurately captured by the model. Historically, the intermolecular van der Waals (vdW) interactions have primarily been trained against densities and enthalpies of vaporization of pure (single-component) systems, with occasional usage of hydration free energies. In this study, we demonstrate how including physical property data of binary mixtures can better inform these parameters, encoding more information about the underlying physics of the system in complex chemical mixtures. To demonstrate this, we re-train a select number of the Lennard-Jones parameters describing the vdW interactions of the OpenFF 1.0.0 (Parsley) fixed charge force field against training sets composed of densities and enthalpies of mixing for binary liquid mixtures as well as densities and enthalpies of vaporization of pure liquid systems, and assess the performance of each of these combinations. We show that retraining against the mixture data almost universally improves the force field's ability to reproduce both pure and mixture properties, reducing some systematic errors that exist when training vdW interactions against properties of pure systems only.
Artificial Dreams: The Quest for Non-Biological Intelligence

This book is a critique of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from the perspective of cognitive science - it seeks to examine what we have learned about human cognition from AI successes and failures. The book's goal is to separate those "AI dreams" that either have been or could be realized from those that are constructed through discourse and are unrealizable. AI research has advanced many areas that are intellectually compelling and holds great promise for advances in science, engineering, and practical systems. After the 1980s, however, the field has often struggled to deliver widely on these promises. This book breaks new ground by analyzing how some of the driving dreams of people practicing AI research become valued contributions, while others devolve into unrealized and unrealizable projects.
PALASS: A Portable Application for a Location-Aware Social System

In this paper we present PALASS, a location-aware framework for portable handheld devices based on the Google Android platform. Location-aware systems are context-sensitive systems that provide information based on current location. We expand this model to include a social dimension where events are shared among users of social groups and are graphically displayed using maps in Android handheld devices. The framework is built as a web service supporting the dynamic addition of geographically-located social events, which are automatically filtered according to the group affiliations of each user. To emphasize the implementation-independence of this approach, the framework defines roles for different functionalities, each with clearly defined tasks that simplify the overall interface of the system. Other location-aware systems are also explored to show how they relate to the PALASS framework.
The Molecular Component of the Galactic Center Arched Filaments H II Complex: OVRO Observations of the CS J = 2-1 Line

The Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) millimeter array was used to make observations of the CS (2–1) line (at 97.981 GHz) arising from the G0.07+0.04 region of the "-30 km s-1" molecular cloud near the Galactic center, with a spatial resolution of ~8''. The ionized edge of this cloud forms the Arched Filaments H II regions, which are ionized by the adjacent Arches stellar cluster. The OVRO data were combined with single-dish data from 1986 obtained at the 30 m IRAM telescope by Serabyn & Gusten. A comparison of these CS (2–1) data and our recent H92α recombination line data reveals that the ionized and molecular gas are physically related, but that their velocities in this region differ by up to 35 km s-1. This difference in velocity can be understood if the gas that gave rise to the G0.07+0.04 H II region has been fully ionized. An overall comparison of the molecular and ionized gas across the entire -30 km s-1 cloud based on the single-dish CS (2–1) data and the H92α line data illustrates that such differences in velocity between the ionized and molecular gas are common and that the geometric arrangement of these components is complicated. Much of the ionized gas resides on the near side (to the observer) of the molecular cloud; however, in several regions some molecular material must lie in front of the H II region. The Arches stellar cluster therefore appears to be located in the midst of the molecular cloud, such that some of the near-side cloud surfaces along our line of sight have not been exposed to the ionizing radiation.
Enacting Change in Strategic Marketing Decisions: The Role of Regulatory Focus in Teams

The ability to enact change underlies long-term marketing success. We examine how individual and leadership motivations influence a team’s propensity to enact change across a variety of marketing decisions. We utilize regulatory focus theory and identify the effects of regulatory focus match vs. mismatch within teams on the propensity to enact change in decision-making across the marketing mix. We find that regulatory focus match renders leadership-prescribed goal pursuit strategies ineffective and that only teams under regulatory focus mismatch make decisions consistent with leadership-prescribed goal pursuit strategies. For regulatory match teams, our results demonstrate that a promotion focus is associated with greater levels of change in team marketing decisions than a prevention focus.
Biometric recognition: overview and recent advances

The emerging requirements of reliable and highly accurate personal identification in a number of government and commercial applications (e.g., international border crossings, access to buildings, laptops and mobile phones) have served as an impetus for a tremendous growth in biometric recognition technology. Biometrics refers to the automatic recognition of an individual by using anatomical or behavioral traits associated with that person. By using biometrics, it is possible to recognize a person based on who you are, rather than by what you possess (e.g., an ID card) or what you remember (e.g., a password). Besides bolstering security, biometric systems also enhance user convenience by alleviating the need to design and remember multiple complex passwords. In spite of the fact that the first automatic biometric recognition system based on fingerprints, called AFIS, was installed by law enforcement agencies over 40 years back, biometric recognition continues to remain a very difficult pattern recognition problem. A biometric system has to contend with problems related to non-universality of biometric (failure to enroll rate), limited degrees of freedom (finite error rate), large intra-class variability, and spoof attacks (system security). This paper presents an overview of biometrics, its advantages and limitations, state-of-the-art error rates and current research in representation, fusion and security issues.
Social, academic, and behavioral competence of depressed children : Relationship to diagnostic status and family interaction style

This study compared the social adjustment and academic performance of 15 psychiatrically hospitalized children with depression to 14 children with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 20 normal community children, ages 7–14. The relationship between children's interpersonal and academic competence and the quality of direct family interactions was also examined. Analyses revealed an association between children's adaptive functioning and both diagnostic status and family transactional processes, as assessed by two 10-minute conflict-solving tasks. Major findings were as follows: (a) depressed children and children with schizophrenia spectrum disorders received similarly low ratings of social competence in comparison to normal controls; (b) academic performance of depressed children was similar to normal controls and better than children with schizophrenia spectrum disorders; and (c) children with poorer social competence and more behavioral problems were more likely to have parents who showed negative affect during family problem-solving tasks. The implications of these results for understanding the relationship between psychiatric impairment and children's social and academic development were discussed.
A new approach to the planted clique problem

We study the problem of finding a large planted clique in the random graph $G_{n,1/2}$. We reduce the problem to that of maximising a three dimensional tensor over the unit ball in $n$ dimensions. This latter problem has not been well studied and so we hope that this reduction will eventually lead to an improved solution to the planted clique problem.
Random Search Algorithms

Random search algorithms are useful for many ill-structured global optimization problems with continuous and/or discrete variables. Typically random search algorithms sacrifice a guarantee of optimality for finding a good solution quickly with convergence results in probability. Random search algorithms include simulated annealing, tabu search, genetic algorithms, evolutionary programming, particle swarm optimization, ant colony optimization, cross-entropy, stochastic approximation, multistart and clustering algorithms, to name a few. They may be categorized as global (exploration) versus local (exploitation) search, or instance-based versus model-based. However, one feature these methods share is the use of a random element embedded in their iterative procedures. This article provides an overview of random search algorithms used to solve black-box global optimization problems. Keywords: random search algorithm; single-point generators; multiple-point generators; multistart algorithm; global optimization
LONG-RANGE FISSION FRAGMENTS FROM RADIOGENIC LEAD†

ABSTRACT Fission tracks with a range 19% longer than tracks produced by uranium fission fragments were observed on mylar foils after a three year underground (100 m w. e.) exposure to 3600 cm2 of radiogenic lead. Ordinary lead which was simultaneously exposed to mylar foils under the same conditions yielded a background effect of only 3% of the effect from radiogenic lead. The observed long-range tracks are best explained as resulting from the spontaneous fission of natural, superheavy elements in the suggested element 114 stability region which were coprecipitated with the radiogenic lead. Most likely they are created by a decay chain starting in the proposed Z= 124 to 126 region from a superheavy element which chemically follows uranium.
Point: The rationale for universal lipid screening and treatment in children.

Screening a healthy population for future harmful diseases has the potential of reducing the risk of later morbidity and mortality with early identification and intervention. However, it is important that the screening meets acceptable standards, and the benefits of the screening outweigh risks. The recently published "Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents" (National Heart Lung Blood Institute Guidelines) carefully examined the multiple risk factors for coronary artery disease that begins in childhood but may not become problematic until years later. The evidence-based guidelines give many recommendations that are focused on identification, prevention, and intervention. Included in the guidelines are useful suggestions for improving lifestyle and food choices. In the section on lipids and lipoprotein, careful consideration was given to universal screening of children between 9 and 11 years of age with no known cardiac risk factors and again, if needed, between 17 and 21 years of age. Children with cardiac risk factors may be screened earlier. The section continues with rationale for medical management of children who are refractory to other interventions. The purpose of this article is to discuss the benefits of screening for dyslipidemia in the pediatric population and when necessary, medical management to reduce the risk for coronary artery disease. Both universal screening and early intervention in the pediatric population will identify individuals not previously recognized at risk for premature coronary artery disease and stroke and reduce the incidence of later morbidity and mortality.
Classification of Household Appliance Operation Cycles: A Case-Study Approach

In recent years, a new generation of power grid system, referred to as the Smart Grid, with an aim of managing electricity demand in a sustainable, reliable, and economical manner has emerged. With greater knowledge of operational characteristics of individual appliances, necessary automation control strategies can be developed in the Smart Grid to operate appliances in an efficient manner. This paper provides a way of classifying different operational cycles of a household appliance by introducing an unsupervised learning algorithm called k-means clustering. An intrinsic method known as silhouette coefficient was used to measure the classification quality. An identification process is also discussed in this paper to help users identify the operation mode each types of operation cycle stands for. A case study using a typical household refrigerator is presented to validate the proposed method. Results show that the proposed the classification and identification method can partition and identify different operation cycles adequately. Classification of operation cycles for such appliances is beneficial for Smart Grid as it provides a clear and convincing understanding of the operation modes for effective power management.
On the feasibility of determining polymer chemical heterogeneity by SEC with continuous off-line Raman detection

Examined here is the feasibility of employing Raman spectroscopy as a detection method in size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and related macromolecular separations, for the purposes of determining the chemical heterogeneity of copolymers. To this effect, heart-cutting fractions from the SEC peak of a gradient random copolymer of styrene (S) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were collected, at concentrations resembling those of eluting slices in an analytical SEC experiment, and subsequently analyzed by off-line Raman. The amount (weight or mole percent) of styrene in each fraction was quantitated by Raman by applying a calibration curve constructed through the analysis of well-characterized block, alternating, and random S-MMA copolymers. The weight percentages of S (w% S) obtained from SEC with off-line Raman analysis of the gradient copolymer were compared to results previously obtained using SEC with on-line multi-angle static light scattering, differential refractometry, and ultraviolet absorption detection. Not only did Raman rank the w% S of the fractions in the correct order but, on average, Raman results differed by 3% or less as compared to the values obtained via multi-detector SEC. The results from this study provide proof of principle of both the feasibility of continuous off-line Raman detection for macromolecular separations and of the possibility of employing for this purpose the same or similar hardware to that currently used for continuous off-line Fourier transform infrared detection.
Waveguide power combiner demonstration for multiple high power millimeter wave TWTAs

Summary form only given. The work presented here is the results of a proof-of-concept demonstration of the power combining Ka-band waveguide circuit design and test procedure using two Ka-band TWTAs (Varian model VZA6902V3 and Logimetrics model A440/KA-1066), both of which were previously employed in data uplink evaluation terminals at 29.36 GHz for the NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) program. The characterization of the individual TWTAs and power combining demonstration were carried out over a 500 MHz bandwidth from 29.1 to 29.6 GHz to simulate the deep space network (DSN) bandwidth of 31.8 to 32.3 GHz. The input and output powers were corrected for circuit insertion losses due to the waveguide components. The RF saturated powers of both ACTS TWTAs were in the order of 120 W.
Screening tests for congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

ABSTRACT A method of plasma steroid determinations utilizing solvent partition separation and competitive protein-binding quantitation has been evaluated as a screening test for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Aliquots of petroleum ether (before and after incubation with 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase), benzene and dichlormethane extracts of a deproteinized plasma sample are compared to 17-hydroxyprogesterone, compound S and cortisol standards, respectively. Results in ng of steroid per ml of plasma are expressed as a precursor to cortisol ratio. Determinations on specimens other than cord blood allowed identification of normals (children and adults) and subjects with C-21 (children with CAH) or C-11 (adults post-metyrapone) hydroxylation defects. Patients with 3β-HSD or C-17 hydroxylation defects were not available for study but determinations on pooled plasma containing 17-hydroxypregnenolone or corticosterone suggest these defects could also be detected.
Activation of NF-κB by Fluid Shear Stress, but not TNF-α, Requires Focal Adhesion Kinase in Osteoblasts

When bone is mechanically loaded fluid shear stress (FSS) is generated as a result of the movement of interstitial fluid across the membranes of osteoblasts and osteocytes. This external mechanical loading stimulates changes in the activity of cytoplasmic signaling molecules and alters gene expression in bone cells. This process, referred to as mechanotransduction, is vital for maintaining bone health in vivo by regulating the balance between bone formation and bone resorption. This current study focuses on the role of focal adhesions, sites of integrin-mediated cellular attachment to the extracellular matrix, and their proposed function as mechanosensors in bone cells. We examined the role of a key component of focal adhesions and of mechanotransduction, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in regulation of FSS- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) signaling in osteoblasts. Immortalized FAK(+/+) and FAK(-)(/)(-) osteoblasts were exposed to periods of oscillatory fluid shear stress (OFF) and NF-kappaB activation was analyzed. We determined that FAK is required for OFF-induced nuclear translocation and activation of NF-kappaB in osteoblasts. In addition we found that OFF-induced phosphorylation of the IkappaB kinases (IKKalpha/beta) in both FAK(+/+) and FAK(-/-) osteoblasts, but only FAK(+/+) osteoblasts demonstrated the resulting degradation of NF-kappaB inhibitors IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta. OFF did not induce the degradation of IkappaBepsilon or the processing of p105 in either FAK(+/+) and FAK(-/-) osteoblasts. To compare the role of FAK in mediating OFF-induced mechanotransduction to the well characterized activation of NF-kappaB by inflammatory cytokines, we exposed FAK(+/+) and FAK(-/-) osteoblasts to TNF-alpha. Interestingly, FAK was not required for TNF-alpha induced NF-kappaB activation in osteoblasts. In addition we determined that TNF-alpha treatment did not induce the degradation of IkappaBbeta as did OFF. These data indicate a novel relationship between FAK and NF-kappaB activation in osteoblast mechanotransduction and demonstrates that the mechanism of FSS-induced NF-kappaB activation in osteoblasts differs from the well characterized TNF-alpha-induced activation.
Optimal liner regualtion with hard constraints

An l∞ approach to the design of linear multivariable controllers for descrete-time systems with hard time-domain constraints is presented. The notion of polar of the set of the exogenous inputs is used to parameterize the set of closed-loop transfer functions that meet regulation constraints. The constraints may include magintude and rate bounds on all relevant process variables, including the control inputs. Solutions for optimal l∞ design are found by solving a linear program for the impulse-response coefficients of the controllers, or for the coefficients of an ARMA controller model. Using these formulation, s and analytical frame work is provided for delineating the tradeoffs that govern design of linear control systems.
Long-term Angiographic and Clinical Outcome of Patients Undergoing Multivessel Coronary Stenting

Background Randomized clinical trials have shown that multivessel coronary angioplasty is feasible and provides similar long-term survival as bypass surgery in selected patients. However, the higher need for repeat intervention, in particular, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, remains a problem. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that multivessel stenting is safe and effective in reducing the need for repeat interventions, in particular, the need for bypass surgery. Methods and Results Between March 1993 and June 1995, 100 consecutive patients (243 lesions) had multivessel coronary stenting. High-pressure stent optimization was used in all patients. Procedural success was achieved in 97% of lesions; 2 patients (2%) required emergency bypass surgery. Angiographic follow-up was obtained in 89% of patients at 5.2±2.5 months. Angiographic restenosis occurred in 22% of the lesions, but 37% of patients had ≥1 lesion with restenosis. Clinical follow-up was obtained in all patients at 21±10 months: target lesion revascularization was needed in 30 patients (30%), repeat angioplasty in 28 patients (28%) and coronary bypass surgery in 2 patients (2%); the overall survival rate was 96% (2% noncardiac death). Conclusions Multivessel coronary stenting can be performed with high success rate and low need for emergency bypass surgery. Compared with historical results with multivessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, patients who undergo multivessel stenting need less repeat interventions, in particular, less coronary bypass surgery and have similar long-term survival.
Surface complexes formed by monohydric alcohols on lithium

Abstract The He(I) photoelectron spectra of clean polycrystalline evaporated lithium films exposed to ethanol (g), n-propanol (g), and n-butanol (g) in UHV are reported. The formation of alkoxy-type surface species RO/Li (surf), at subsaturation coverages is indicated from the spectra in each case. No evidence for decomposition of the RO/Li (surf) complexes at room temperature was found. Reactivity was not indicated on exposure of clean lithium to 100 L or more of NH 3 , diethylether, N 2 , CO, or ethylene. Interpretation of the spectra was supported through ab initio molecular orbital calculations for models of the type RO/Li n H m (4⩽ n ⩽9, m = 0 or 1) as well as LiOCH 3 and LiOCH 2 CH 3 . Calculations including geometric variations of the methoxy group relative to the faces of fixed clusters of lithium atoms were used to locate sites of minimum energy. On the (110) face, oxygen is above a 3-atom hollow formed by two pair of near neighbor lithium atoms and one pair of next near neighbor lithium atoms. The OC direction is normal to the plane of the lithiums. On (100) the O forms a bridge between pairs of near neighbor lithiums 3.509 A apart while on (111) oxygen forms a bridge between near neighbor lithiums 3.03 A apart. In these bridges the OC direction is normal to the LiLi axis.
International and Cross-Cultural Influences on Online Shopping Behavior

AbstractThis paper compares and contrasts the differences of gender on online shopping in three distinctive consumer markets: the United States, Finland and Turkey. These nations span the present range of cultural differences in the online world: developed nations, emerging technological niches, and emerging markets in the secular East; comparisons can also be made between free market capitalism, European centralized planning and social consciousness, and the emerging consumerism of secular Moslem society. Our intent is to discern likely gender and age differences between these three areas of the world that might bep redictive of differences in online s hopping activities.
Prescription and over-the-counter drug treatment admissions to the California public treatment system

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse has become a focal point of public health policy, prevention, and control efforts. Adolescents represent one of the fastest growing segments of the general population abusing prescription and OTC drugs as represented by national surveys. This article reports on treatment admission data to the California addiction public system for prescription and OTC drugs among two age subgroups: adolescents 12–17 years and adults 18 years and older. Of the 6,841 admissions for primary abuse of prescription and OTC drugs in California (during 2006–2007), most adolescent admissions (12–17) were for stimulant prescription and OTC drugs (45.3% and 32.1%, respectively), whereas opioid prescription drugs (88.9%) were most common for adults 18 years and older. Differences in psychosocial, treatment, and substance use characteristics between these two age subgroups are described. Results from this study offer useful treatment admission information about prescription and OTC drug abuse within the California public addiction treatment system.
A delay is a delay is a delay.

Three yoked groups under delay of reward performed similarly during both acquisition and extinction at levels significantly below those of a no-delay group, although convergence occurred during acquisition in all three runway segments with terminal acquisition levels being close in the start box and distant in the goal box. No statistically significant differences obtained among the three delay groups, a contingent-delay group where bar pressing under FR15 was required to fill the delay, and two noncontingent groups, one with an orienting stimulus during the delay and one without.
Effects of nutrient and litter manipulations on the narrow-leaved cattail, Typha angustifolia L.

Abstract The effects of altering litter and nutrient loading on above-ground production, nutrient content and borer infestation of Typha angustifolia L. were studied with a 3-year field experiment. In replicated plots, litter was either removed, replaced with plastic strips (pseudolitter), increased 3-fold or left unaltered. One set of plots received fortnightly surface applications of ammonium phosphate solution at a rate totaling 65 g N m −2 and 72 g P m −2 annually. Peak above-ground biomass was increased by nutrient addition, except in the third year of the experiment when peak biomass in all plots was low, possibly due to high salinity that year. The nutrient additions also decreased the rate of flowering, increased concentrations of N and P in plant tissues, and increased the frequency of shoot infestation by boring noctuid larvae. The effects of the litter manipulations seem to be attributable to the physical structure of the litter layer rather than the decomposition process. Plots with neither litter nor pseudolitter showed enhanced incorporation of added N and P in fruits, and were colonized by the herbaceous dicotyledons Lilaeopsis chinensis (L.) Kuntze and Pluchea purpurascens (Swartz) DC. Plots receiving extra litter developed a litter layer thick enough to suppress the growth of Typha in the third year.
Durkheim's Concept of Anomie: Some Observations*

Most interpretations of anornie emphasize the normative aspect. However, Durkheim viewed anomie as involving more than a lack of norms or a conflict of norms. Discussions in The Division of Labor in Society and Suicide show that according to Durkheim the primary threats to social solidarity in modern societies are weak or ineffective structural constraints on individualistic needs and desires. In modern industrialized societies the primary mode of social control is not a set of rules or norms, although they do have a cohesive function, but the development of solidary, interdependent social relationships among diverse individuals. Crucial in the development of solidary social relationships is the rate and nature of social change. For modern or modernizing societies the most important form of social change is industrialization. If industrialization is too rapid then the likelihood of social inequality, economic crises, and family disruption is greater. New and solidary forms of social relationships are not allowed to develop properly. This results in weak constraints on individualistic needs and desires that have been “excited” by the industrialization.
An expanded role for wild-type huntingtin in neuronal transcription.

Huntington disease is caused by a polyglutamine repeat expansion in the huntingtin protein. A new study highlights an important role for the normal protein in neuronal transcriptional regulation.
Significance of strain-hardening and strain-rate effects on the transient response of elastic-plastic spherical shells

Abstract Formulas describing the transient response of uniformly loaded thin spherical shells governed by elastic-plastic material laws are developed. It is assumed that all points in the shell reference surface undergo spherically symmetric motion and that the shell is undergoing either fully elastic or fully plastic response at a given time. It is shown that realistic values of linear material strain-hardening and linear strain-rate sensitivity (rate-dependent yield surface) have a significant effect on both dynamic and final shell deflections. The corresponding rigid-plastic solution is developed and compared to the elastic-plastic solution. Peak deflections are found to agree to within 20 per cent for ratios of plastic-to-elastic energy greater than three. A numerical solution of the corresponding problem with a strain-rate-dependent tangent modulus indicates that the static tangent modulus is generally sufficiently accurate for structural calculations.
Observations on the behavior of recipient atria after cardiac transplantation in man

Abstract During cardiac transplantation the posterior and lateral portions of the recipient's right and left atria and a posterior rim of interatrial septum are left intact. Persistent electrophysiologic activity of these residual recipient atrial remnants has been manifest as P waves dissociated from the donor heart rhythm and recorded in both standard and intracardiac electrocardiograms. Physiologically appropriate changes in recipient atrial rate have occurred in response to the respiratory cycle, donor heart systole, atropine, tyramine, amyl nitrite, carotid sinus pressure, the Valsalva maneuver and exercise. In several patients synchronization of the recipient atrial rate with the donor heart rate has been observed during exercise when these rates approached a similar level. Fibrillation and flutter of the recipient atria, independent of the donor heart rhythm, have been observed in 3 recipients. In 4 patients studied by cardiac catheterization 1 year postoperatively mechanical effects of recipient atrial contractions were detected in both right- and left-sided pressure measurements. Recipient left atrial contraction occurring simultaneously with donor atrial systole increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure by 2 to 4 mm Hg and produced significantly greater peak left ventricular and arterial systolic pressures as well as augmented left ventricular ejection times. In several patients, especially during episodes of threatened graft rejection, diastolic heart sounds related to recipient atrial contraction were noted clinically and recorded on phonocardiograms. Such recipient atrial gallop sounds simulated both atrial and ventricular gallop sounds of donor heart origin, and occurred in addition to both to produce hybrid diastolic gallop rhythms. The physiologic mechanisms and implications of recipient atrial behavior are discussed.