cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear and nonlinear filtering

This paper provides a review of the theory of filtering for stochastic processes. In particular, the sequential theory of linear filtering is reviewed as well as the theory of nonlinear filtering.
Clay Mineralogy, Organic Carbon Burial, and Redox Evolution in Proterozoic Oceans

Clay minerals formed through chemical weathering have long been implicated in the burial of organic matter (OM), but because diagenesis and metamorphism commonly obscure the signature of weathering-derived clays in Precambrian rocks, clay mineralogy and its role in OM burial through much of geologic time remains incompletely understood. Here we have analyzed the mineralogy, geochemistry and total organic carbon (TOC) of organic rich shales deposited in late Archean to early Cambrian sedimentary basins. Across all samples we have quantified the contribution of 1M and 1Md illite polytypes, clay minerals formed by diagenetic transformation of smectite and/or kaolinite-rich weathering products. This mineralogical signal, together with corrected paleo-weathering indices, indicates that late Archean and Mesoproterozoic samples were moderately to intensely weathered. However, in late Neoproterozoic basins, 2M1 illite/mica dominates clay mineralogy and paleo-weathering indices sharply decrease, consistent with an influx of chemically immature and relatively unweathered sediment. A late Neoproterozoic switch to micaceous clays is inconsistent with hypotheses for oxygen history that require an increased flux of weathering-derived clays (i.e., smectite or kaolinite) across the Precambrian–Cambrian boundary. Compared to previous studies, our XRD data display the same variation in Schultz Ratio across the late Neoproterozoic, but we show the cause to be micaceous clay and not pedogenic clay; paleo-weathering signals cannot be recovered from bulk mineralogy without this distinction. We find little evidence to support a link between these mineralogical variations and organic carbon in our samples and conclude that modal clay mineralogy cannot by itself explain an Ediacaran increase in atmospheric oxygen driven by enhanced OM burial.
Linking model systems to cancer therapeutics: the case of Mastermind

Genetics, and more recently genomics, reveal striking conservation in the fundamental signaling pathways that underlie normal and aberrant cell processes. Consequently, various genetic model organisms are now attracting the interest of biomedical scientists who are focused on therapeutic approaches to human disease. There are now several examples of studies in which Drosophila seems likely to facilitate advances in potential therapies, and a recent report has demonstrated the utility of the fly model for understanding and treating human disease. Basic developmental genetic information first obtained in Drosophila was used to design a therapeutic block to oncogenic Notch signaling that was associated with leukemia in mice. The story of Notch signaling in Drosophila demonstrates the potential for standard Drosophila molecular genetics in developing therapeutic strategies that are relevant to human disease.
Assessment of the Price Impact of the South Carolina Cucumber Marketing Order

In 1970 a marketing order, made possible by a 1968 state enabling act, was formed for South Carolina fresh market cucumbers. This legislation is similar to current federal legislation, but South Carolina has no federal marketing order for cucumbers. Order provisions that affect price formation are the subject of this article. Price posting and adoption of statewide USDA inspection requirements are the order provisions that yield the largest and most direct price impact (S.C. Cucumber Board.) The apparent goal of these provisions is higher and more stable prices.The objective of our research is to investigate the success of the South Carolina marketing order in achieving its goal of higher and more stable fresh market cucumber prices.
Germanium monochloride (GeCl). Spectroscopic constants and potential energy curves

Abstract The electronic states, potential energy curves and spectroscopic properties of the GeCl radical were calculated by means of the relativistic ab initio complete active space multiconfiguration self-consistent field (CASSCF) followed by first- and second-order configuration interaction (FOCI, SOCI) methods which included up to a million configurations. Our computed spectroscopic constants are in good agreement with the experiment for the observed states. Spectroscopic constants and potential energy curves of several other electronic states are computed which are yet to be observed. We also show that a previous rotational analysis of the B—X system is incorrect.
Closed-loop adaptive control for rapid thermal processing

An important objective of the feedback control for a rapid thermal processing (RTP) system for a semiconductor wafer is to maintain a uniform temperature of the wafer as it follows a given temperature trajectory. In this paper an adaptive control algorithm is developed using a combination of feedback linearization and a new, nonlinear observer for estimating the exogenous disturbance parameters. The dynamic model, exploiting the circular symmetry of the physical configuration, uses coefficients of a Bessel function expansion as the state variables. An interesting separation property of the control algorithm is proved. A simulation study, using process parameters derived from experimental data obtained from an actual RTP system, gives excellent results.
Detection of bluetongue group-specific antibody by competitive ELISA.

a2 that react with the major core protein VP7 5,7 to the reference Mab 3-17-A3 b in the cELISA. 3 Three hybridomas, 7D3A.2, 8A3B.6, and 8B1B.1, a2 were prepared against BTV17, and their Mab’s were found to be reactive with BT serotypes 1-20. The Mab’s bound to VP7 (designated VP9) 2 and did not react with epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus. The BTV group antigen 5 was prepared using baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cell cultures infected with BTV1 and used to coat an Immulon l c plate. Dilutions of the Mab’s were reacted on the coated plate, the plates were washed, and antimouse IgG conjugated to horseradish peroxidase d was added. After incubation, the plates were washed and the substrate and chromogen, hydrogen peroxide and 2-2’azino-di(3-ethyl benzthiazaline-6 sulfonic acid) e in a citrate buffer, were added. After 15 minutes, the optical densities (OD’s) at 405 nm were recorded. The dilution of Mab fluid to achieve an OD of 0.8-1.0 was determined. The test sera, diluted 1:2, 1:4, and 15, were used in the cELISA Mab system, adding them immediately before the Mab. Positive control antiserum from the bluetongue agar gel immunodiffusion (BT-AGID) test was further diluted 2-fold from 1:10 to 1:160. Results were reported as negative when the sample at a final dilution of 1:4 did not decrease the OD of the Mab by 60% or more. Titers were expressed as the reciprocal of the highest serum dilution giving a positive result. The BT-AGID test was conducted in accordance with the package insert in the licensed test kit. Results were reported as positive (+), weak positive (W+), negative (N), or question (?) for samples of undetermined status. The microtiter virus neutralization (VN) test
Informed Consent: The Food and Drug Administration Perspective

The Food and Drug Administrations’s (FDA) efforts in all areas of informed consent are designed to ensure that patients receive complete and accurate information about risks and benefits, efficacy and safety, side effects and adverse reactions, and alternatives. This paper covers FDA’s role in informed consent for clinical trials, highlights FDA’s informed consent requirements, and discusses FDA’s role in patient information and product labeling.
The forgotten myeloproliferative disorder: Myeloid metaplasia

Myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia is a hematologic disorder currently classified with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia as a chronic myeloproliferative disease. The median age at diagnosis is 60 years, and more than 90% of patients are diagnosed after age 40 years. Clinical manifestations include massive splenomegaly, progressive anemia, profound constitutional symptoms, and extramedullary hematopoiesis. The diagnosis is confirmed by bone marrow examination after other causes of myelofibrosis are ruled out. Median survival is 5 years and causes of death include leukemic transformation. Prognosis is adversely affected by the presence of anemia (hemoglobin 30,000/ micro l), circulating blasts, and hypercatabolic symptoms. Conventional treatment is palliative and does not improve survival. In this regard, androgen preparations, corticosteroids, and erythropoietin are useful for the treatment of disease-associated anemia. Symptomatic splenomegaly is best managed by cytoreductive therapy or surgical removal. Radiation therapy is most useful in the treatment of nonhepatosplenic extramedullary hematopoiesis. New treatment approaches include the use of thalidomide alone or in combination with prednisone and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Much ado about nothing: response matrices for void regions

Abstract Weak form Galerkin approaches are examined for obtaining response matrices for void regions – that is regions where nothing is present. The need arises in spherical harmonics methods based on second-order forms of the neutron transport equation; the methods fail in voids because the cross-section appearing in the equation’s denominator then vanishes. The diffusion approximation, being the lowest-order spherical harmonic method, is first employed as a vehicle for examining response matrices derived from both primal and dual weak forms of the mixed-first-order and second-order transport equations. Those for which discretization results in singular matrix equations as the cross-section goes to zero are rejected. First-order- mixed formulations with modified natural boundary conditions are shown to lead to nonsingular response matrices for voids. The primal method is chosen as the better of the two candidates for generalization from the diffusion to the transport equations, and the transport formulation is presented.
Inhibitory effect of melatonin on cataract formation in newborn rats: Evidence for an antioxidative role for melatonin

We evaluated the inhibitory effect of melatonin, a recently discovered scavenger of free radicals, on cataract formation in the newborn rat. The glutathione synthesis inhibitor, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) (3 mmol/kg), was intraperitoneally injected into newborn rats for 3 consecutive days starting on day 2 after birth. These glutathione depleted rats develop cataracts. Melatonin (4 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into half of the rats once a day beginning at day 2 after birth; the other half of the animals received solvent daily. The incidence of cataract was observed on day 16, after the eyes of the newborn animals had opened. Both reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels were measured. Cataracts were observed in all animals (18/18) treated with BSO plus solvent. The incidence of the cataract in the animals cotreated with melatonin was only 6.2% (1/15). Total lenticular glutathione (GSH + GSSG) levels in BSO only treated rats were reduced by 97%. The total glutathione in the lens of the BSO plus melatonin group was significantly higher (by 3%) than that of the BSO only group. The percentage of the total glutathione as GSSG for the BSO plus solvent group was higher than the control value. Cotreatment of BSO injected rats with melatonin (4 mg/kg/day) clearly reduced cataract formation proving that it is directly or indirectly protective against oxidative stress which accompanies glutathione deficiency. The inhibitory effects of melatonin on cataract formation in this study could be due to melatonin's free radical scavenging activity or due to its stimulatory effect on glutathione production.
Using Ontology in Hierarchical Information Clustering

The tools to analyze and visualize information from multiple, heterogeneous sources have often relied on innovations in statistical methods. The results from purely statistical methods, however, overlook relevant semantic features present within natural language and text-based information. Emerging research in ontology languages (e.g. RDF, RDFS, SUO-KIF, and OWL) offers promising avenues for overcoming these limitations by leveraging existing and future libraries of meta-data and semantic mark-up. Using semantic features (e.g. hypernyms, meronyms, synonyms, etc.) encoded in ontology languages, methods such as keyword search and clustering can be augmented to analyze and visualize documents at conceptually richer levels. We present findings from a hierarchical clustering system modified for ontological indexing and run on a topic-centric test collection of documents each with fewer than 200 words. Our findings show that ontologies can impose a complete interpretation or subjective clustering onto a document set that is at least as good as meta-word search.
Observations on uretheral peristalsis in unoperated dogs.

ConclusionObservations of ureteral peristalsis can be made on unoperated and unanesthetized dogs and conclusions drawn as to the activity of the ureters. Although the series is small, results suggest that nembutal inhibits ureteral peristaltic activity. The mechanism of this inhibition may be through the influence of the anesthetic directly on the ureter; or the anesthetic. may affect the urine production and thus the volume of urine passing down the ureter, since variations in urine volume will affect peristalsis of the ureters.
How to model an internetwork

Graphs are commonly used to model the structure of internetworks, for the study of problems ranging from routing to resource reservation. A variety of graph models are found in the literature, including regular topologies such as rings or stars, "well-known" topologies such as the original ARPAnet, and randomly generated topologies. Less common is any discussion of how closely these models correlate with real network topologies. We consider the problem of efficiently generating graph models that accurately reflect the topological properties of real internetworks. We compare the properties of graphs generated using various methods with those of real internets. We also propose efficient methods for generating topologies with particular properties, including a transit-stub model that correlates well with the internet structure. Improved models for the internetwork structure have the potential to impact the significance of simulation studies of internetworking solutions, providing a basis for the validity of the conclusions.
A single base substitution in 16S ribosomal RNA suppresses streptomycin dependence and increases the frequency of translational errors

A C to U substitution at position 1469 of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from Escherichia coli suppresses streptomycin dependence and causes increased translational error frequencies. Strains containing the rpsL252 or StrM287 streptomycin-dependent alleles are able to grow in the absence of streptomycin when transformed with plasmids containing the U1469 mutation in 16S rRNA. Ribosomes containing wild-type proteins and U1469 mutant 16S rRNA misincorporate leucine in vitro at elevated levels, comparable to that of some typical S4 ram ribosomes. These results provide additional support for the participation of 16S rRNA in maintaining translational accuracy.
Age is a strong risk factor for atrial fibrillation after pulmonary lobectomy.

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary lobectomy can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality as well as increased costs. Methods The records of 360 patients who underwent lobectomy between 2004 and 2008 at a single institution were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify whether any recorded parameters served as prognostic variables in the development of AF. Results The overall incidence of AF was 18% (65 of 360). Univariate/multivariate analyses showed that age and preoperative history of AF/antiarrhythmic medications were strongly predictive for the development of AF ( P ≤ .001). Conclusions Age and pre-existing cardiac disease/arrhythmias are strong risk factors for AF after pulmonary lobectomy by both univariate and multivariate analyses. This study suggests that the elderly are at increased risk for AF. Therefore, this population should be monitored closely or targeted for prophylactic therapy.
An initial exploration of what 'mental health' means to young black men

Abstract Background: A limited number of studies have examined the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of young Black men, particularly with regard to their mental health. This study used focus groups to explore the complexities of the Black male experience and capture young Black men's understanding of and comfort with discussing their mental health. Methods: Forty-six Black male college students in a southern US state were recruited for this study. Participants were asked a series of mental health-related questions to determine their understanding of and comfort with discussing their mental health. Questions included: (1) What is mental health? and (2) How comfortable do you feel talking about your mental health? A taxonomy was created to organize results based on participant responses. Results: Emerging themes included stigma in the Black community, the origin of stoic behaviors, and cultural stereotypes of Black Americans and mental health. During the discussions, participants articulated mental health ...
Injury Type, Injury Severity, and Repeat Occurrence of Alcohol‐Related Trauma in Adolescents

Injury associated with alcohol use is a significant problem among adolescents; however, routine evaluation of alcohol use in this population is not conducted. The purpose of this study was to compare injured adolescents presenting to an emergency room with a positive rerurn alcohol concentration (SAC+) with those injured adolescents wlth a negative serum alcohol concentration (SAC-). Data were collected retrospectively on 176 injured patients, between the ages of 13 and 18, consecutively admitted to a university hospital from January 1, 1989-December 31, 1990. Information collected included mechanism and severity of injury, outcome, SAC, length of stay, prychiatric history, prior or subsequent admission for injury, and hospital charges. Of those tested with an SAC, more than one-third had a positive SAC. Patients with positive SACs had a greater probability of having a psychiatric history and more frequently had a prior or subsequent injury. Furthermore, only 34% of SAC+ patients were referred for counseling. The results indicate that a SAC should be obtained on all adolescents admitted for trauma, that adolescents pnrenting with injuries and a positive SAC should be referred for alcohol and psychiatric assessment, and that injured adolescents may be at increased risk for repeat injuries in the future.
Mean first-passage time control policy versus reinforcement-learning control policy in gene regulatory networks

Probabilistic Boolean networks are rule-based models for gene regulatory networks. They are used to design intervention strategies in translational genomics such as cancer treatment. Previously, methods for finding control policies with the highest effect on steady-state distributions of probabilistic Boolean networks have been proposed. These methods were derived using the theory of infinite-horizon stochastic control. It is well-known that the direct application of optimal control methods is problematic owing to their high computational complexity and the fact that they require the inference of the system model. To bypass the impediment of model estimation, two algorithms for approximating the optimal control policy have been introduced. These algorithms are based on reinforcement learning and mean first-passage times. In this work, the performance of these two methods are compared using both a melanoma-related network and randomly generated networks. It is shown that the mean-first-passage-time-based algorithm outperforms the reinforcement-learning-based algorithm for smaller amount of training data, which corresponds better to feasible experimental conditions. In contrary to the reinforcement-learning-based algorithm, during the learning period of the mean-first-passage- time-based algorithm, the application of control is not required. Intervention in biological systems during the learning phase may induce undesirable side-effects.
Cue Competition Effects: Theoretical Implications for Adaptive Network Learning Models

A feature-free method for testing adaptive network learning models is presented. The test is based on a property called the mean matching law, a. property shared by many adaptive network models of learning. As an application of this method, we prove that cue competition effects obtained with statistically independent cues cannot be explained by many previous adaptive network learning models, including those based on the delta learning rule. These results point to the need to incorporate competitive learning properties into adaptive network learning models.
Abundance and Effects of Predators and Parasitoids on the Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) Under Organic Farming Conditions in Colorado

Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) is an exotic, economically important pest in North American cereal crops. A survey of insect natural enemies of D. noxia was made from 1991 to 1994 on a farm using organic farming methods. Crested wheatgrass, Agropyron cristatum L., had fewer D. noxia and natural enemies than barley, Hordeum vulgare L., or wheat, Triticum aestivum L., but on all plants D. noxia was the most abundant aphid. We observed 41 species of natural enemies: 15 carabids, 12 coccinellids, six spiders, five syrphids, two nabids, and two chrysopids. The most consistently abundant were the coccinellids and nabids. Hippodamia convergens (Guerin) and Nabis alternatus Parsh were the most common species in each family, respectively. Diaeretiella rapae M'Intosh was the only primary parasitoid found in the 4-yr study, and D. noxia parasitism rates were generally ,5%. Four hyperparasitoids, found in association with D. rapae, combined to make a 29% average hyperparasitism rate. Predator and parasitoid exclusion studies using cages showed aphid populations to be between 2.6 and 11.2 times higher in cages compared with wheat plants exposed to natural enemies. Four predatory species were released—Eupeodes nuda (F.), Hippodamia var- iegata (Goeze), Leucopis ninae Tanasijtshuk, and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.). Of these, only a small colony of eight L. ninae and only one P. quatuordecimpunctata were later observed. Four parasitoids species were released—Aphelinus asychis Walker, Aphelinus varipes Forester, Aphelinus matricariae Haliday, and Diaerietilla rapae. Only A. asychis and D. rapae were observed after the release date, although D. rapae were already present.
Protecting against electrostatic discharge (ESD) in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits (ICs) manufactured using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology

Abstract: This chapter describes key differences of ESD protection in SOI technologies as compared to bulk. It presents active rail clamp based SOI ESD protection network and design methodology including both device and circuit level characterization data. A compact model is introduced to describe the gated diode in the ESD regime. ESD characteristics of FinFETs, FinDiodes and FDSOI devices as likely device candidates for advanced SOI technologies are studied. A response surface method to conveniently optimize ESD device sizes depending on the output buffer configuration is presented. It is demonstrated that distributed and boosted rail clamp SOI ESD networks are very compact and provide an effective ESD protection solution.
Denver Wholesale Sporting Goods, Inc.

This case requires students to develop an understanding of (1) the nature of various business events, and (2) how such events affect a company's reported cash flows, net current assets, total assets, and net income. The case does not require the bookkeeping activities of recording and posting journal entries; therefore, it provides an opportunity for a managerially oriented perspective focused on the important question, "How will this event affect my financial profile?"
A holey pursuit: lumen formation in the developing kidney

The formation of polarized epithelial tubules is a hallmark of kidney development. One of the fundamental principles in tubulogenesis is that epithelia coordinate the polarity of individual cells with the surrounding cells and matrix. A central feature in this process is the segregation of membranes into spatially and functionally distinct apical and basolateral domains, and the generation of a luminal space at the apical surface. This review examines our current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the establishment of apical–basal polarity and lumen formation in developing renal epithelia, including the roles of cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions and polarity complexes. We highlight growing evidence from animal models, and correlate these findings with models of tubulogenesis from other organ systems, and from in vitro studies.
Inhibition of acetylcholine turnover rate in rat hippocampus and cortex by intraventricular injection of adenosine analogs.

The effects of i.c.v. administration of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists on the turnover rate of acetylcholine (TRACh) in various areas of the rat brain were examined in an effort to better understand the role of adenosine as a neuromodulator or cotransmittr. TRACh was determined by gas chromatographic-mass fragmentographic analysis of the rate of deuterium incorporation into ACh and choline during a constant rate infusion of deuterated phosphorylcholine. The i.c.v. administration of the adenosine receptor agonist, 2-chloroadenosine (2-CIAdo), in a dose of 82 nmol failed to change the ACh or choline content of any of the brain areas examined. This dose of 2-CIAdo elicited significant reductions in the TRACh in both the hippocampus and frontal cortex, but not in the striatum. The extent of the TRACh reduction was 67 and 36% in hippocampus and cortex, respectively. This inhibition of TRACh elicited by 2-CIAdo was antagonized by pretreatment (i.c.v.) with theophylline (278 nmol), suggesting that an activation of adenosine receptors is operative in the action of 2-CIAdo. Further support for a participation of adenosine receptors in the action of 2-CIAdo was obtained by comparing the effects of the L- and D-isomers of phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) on TRACh. The i.c.v. administration of L-PIA (65 nmol) elicited a 79% reduction in the TRACh in the hippocampus, whereas D-PIA (65 nmol i.c.v.) had no significant effect on hippocampal TRACh. This finding supports the view that these effects on TRACh may be mediated by adenosine A1 receptors, but not by A2 receptors, because the former, but not the latter, display marked stereoselectivity toward PIA. It also was demonstrated that intraseptal injections of L-PIA or theophylline failed to reduce the TRACh in the hippocampus, suggesting that adenosine receptors located in the septum are not operative in mediating the i.c.v. action of PIA.
Routine use of preoperative breast MRI for patients considered for intraoperative radiotherapy

This editorial comments on the study by Tallet et al. which reported on the incidence of ipsilateral second breast cancers (BC) detected by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients being considered for intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT). Any second BC was detected in 7% of patients; an ipsilateral BC was detected in 4% of patients, precluding them from IORT. The authors comment that in view of detection of a substantial rate of ipsilateral BCs by preoperative MRI, this exam should be used routinely for staging patients being considered for IORT.
Vitamin A deprivation in hamsters. Correlations between tracheal epithelial morphology and serum/tissue levels of vitamin A.

The effects of vitamin A deprivation on the tracheal epithelium of young hamsters were investigated. Colchicine was administered 6 h prior to death to induce metaphase arrest, thus making it possible to quantify the mitotic rates of basal cells and secretory (mucous) cells in the epithelium. Blood samples were taken from all hamsters, and liver samples from some, in order to measure serum and tissue levels of vitamin A. Age-matched controls were compared with the following groups of hamsters maintained on a vitamin A deficient diet: (1) pre weight plateau animals (those gaining weight), (2) weight plateau-early weight loss animals (those maintaining approximately the same weight for 3 or 4 days, followed in some cases by a loss of weight for 3 or 4 days), and (3) prolonged weight loss animals (those showing a loss of weight for 5 or more days). Four week old hamsters in a pre weight plateau had undetectable amounts of vitamin A in their livers and declining levels in their serum, whereas 41/2 week old hamsters still gaining weight had barely detectable levels of vitamin A in their serum. Nevertheless, the tracheal epithelium of these animals was not different from controls in appearance, proportions of different cell types, mitotic rates of secretory and basal cells, or in the number of cells per millimeter of basement membrane (cell density). Vitamin A was undetectable in the serum and livers of hamsters in the weight plateau-early weight loss stage. At this time the tracheal epithelium showed minimal morphological change, with small focal areas of epidermoid metaplasia in some animals. The tracheas of animals in early weight loss were smaller than tracheas in the control group, and there was a trend towards an increase in the number of epithelial cells per millimeter basement membrane. Cell types in the minimally changed epithelium appeared nearly normal, but there was an increase in the proportion of basal cells, and an absence (or near absence) of division in both basal and secretory cells. Tracheal rings from hamsters in the prolonged weight loss stage were lined by a cornifying metaplastic epidermoid epithelium.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Causing Dementia in a Geriatric Patient: Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is one of the few reversible dementias. This paper describes a demented 79 year-old man with newly diagnosed normal pressure hydrocephalus. This patient improved significantly after surgical shunting. A review of symptomatology, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and pathogenesis is included. The author emphasizes that the diagnosis is based on clinical and diagnostic information. The sequence of investigational studies should include head computerized tomogram (magnetic, resonance imaging), lumbar puncture, and cisternogram. Shunting is very effectwe if selected patients fulfill specific criteria.
Peter Abelard and Disputation: A Reexamination

This paper examines Abelard9s engagement with disputation ( disputatio ) from the vantage point of twelfth-century scholasticism. Eschewing the well-worn details of Abelard9s personal life and philosophical positions, analysis is instead focused on two parallel dimensions of his career: the manner in which he attempted to face-off with his adversaries through public debate and his underlying theory of disputation. It is argued that Abelard9s theory is to be found not in his theological or logical works, but in his polemical letters and his ethical dialogue, the Collationes , which together offer a coherent hermeneutical strategy for discerning truth. Abelard9s contribution to the art of disputation needs to be assessed in light of his broader involvement in the scholastic method and contemporary Jewish-Christian relations.
Disproportionate Minority Contact Among Juveniles Adjudicated for Sexual, Violent, and General Offending The Importance of Home, School, and Community Contexts

The present study tested whether differences in violence exposure and parent and peer attachment help explain why disproportionate minority contact is lower among adolescents adjudicated for sexual offending than among adolescents adjudicated for other offenses. The 1,109 male juvenile offenders recruited from a juvenile detention center were interviewed, completed self-report measures, and legal documentation of prior offenses was obtained. Using a hierarchical multinomial logistic regression, a unique constellation of factors were found to predict sexual and violent offending relative to general offending. Moreover, the influence of race/ethnicity was diminished in the final model, suggesting disproportionate minority contact is partially explained by contextual factors.
Value Constellation:Theoretical Explanation and Construction of Value-creating Mechanism

The paper points out that great change of the basic logic of value creation has taken place at the edge of network economy.The emerging of value constellation is the milestone of new stage in the development of enterprise organization types and value-creating mechanism.This article criticizes the dichotomy of market and enterprise put forward by Oliver E.Williamson.The author thinks there is a third model of resource deployment and value creation and the value-creating mechanism of value constellation is also analyzed here.
Thrombogenicity of Heparin- and Non-Heparin-Coated Catheters: Clinical Trial

Catheters used in clinical cerebral angiography were examined by scanning electron microscopy for buildup of thrombus. In 21 (67%) of 31 individuals studied with non-heparin-coated catheters, either cell aggregations or thrombi developed compared with seven (28%) of 25 individuals studied with heparin-coated catheters. The median size of the cell aggregations and thrombi on non-heparin- and heparin-coated catheters was significantly different ( p p
Ultrasound-Guided Atlanto-Axial and Atlanto-Occipital Joint Injections

The atlanto-axial joint accounts for up to 16% of patients with occipital headache. In human volunteers, distending the lateral atlanto-axial joint with contrast agent produces occipital pain, and injection of local anesthetic into the joint relieves the headache [1, 2].
Computational investigation of cold denaturation in the Trp-cage miniprotein

Abstract The functional native states of globular proteins become unstable at low temperatures, resulting in cold unfolding and impairment of normal biological function. Fundamental understanding of this phenomenon is essential to rationalizing the evolution of freeze-tolerant organisms and developing improved strategies for long-term preservation of biological materials. We present fully atomistic simulations of cold denaturation of an α-helical protein, the widely studied Trp-cage miniprotein. In contrast to the significant destabilization of the folded structure at high temperatures, Trp-cage cold denatures at 210 K into a compact, partially folded state; major elements of the secondary structure, including the α-helix, are conserved, but the salt bridge between aspartic acid and arginine is lost. The stability of Trp-cage’s α-helix at low temperatures suggests a possible evolutionary explanation for the prevalence of such structures in antifreeze peptides produced by cold-weather species, such as Arctic char. Although the 310-helix is observed at cold conditions, its position is shifted toward Trp-cage’s C-terminus. This shift is accompanied by intrusion of water into Trp-cage’s interior and the hydration of buried hydrophobic residues. However, our calculations also show that the dominant contribution to the favorable energetics of low-temperature unfolding of Trp-cage comes from the hydration of hydrophilic residues.
Deconstructing the Antiviral Neutralizing-Antibody Response: Implications for Vaccine Development and Immunity

The antibody response plays a key role in protection against viral infections. While antiviral antibodies may reduce the viral burden via several mechanisms, the ability to directly inhibit (neutralize) infection of cells has been extensively studied. Eliciting a neutralizing-antibody response is a goal of many vaccine development programs and commonly correlates with protection from disease. Considerable insights into the mechanisms of neutralization have been gained from studies of monoclonal antibodies, yet the individual contributions and dynamics of the repertoire of circulating antibody specificities elicited by infection and vaccination are poorly understood on the functional and molecular levels. Neutralizing antibodies with the most protective functionalities may be a rare component of a polyclonal, pathogen-specific antibody response, further complicating efforts to identify the elements of a protective immune response. This review discusses advances in deconstructing polyclonal antibody responses to flavivirus infection or vaccination. Our discussions draw comparisons to HIV-1, a virus with a distinct structure and replication cycle for which the antibody response has been extensively investigated. Progress toward deconstructing and understanding the components of polyclonal antibody responses identifies new targets and challenges for vaccination strategies.
Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Smooth Muscle-Like Cells Derived from Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells (MAPCs).

Abstract Smooth muscle cells (SMC) play a key role in vascular development and morphogenesis of blood vessels defined by a noncontractile, or synthetic SMC phenotype. Mature SMCs respond to vascular injury/repair by phenotypic modulation to a synthetic state, and hence are also involved in various clinical disorders including atherosclerosis and cancer. We have induced relatively homogenous differentiation of SMC-like cells from multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC). MAPCs have been isolated from murine, rat and human bone marrow. MAPCs can differentiate into mesodermal, neuroectodermal, and endodermal cell types. Here we report that serum free medium supplemented with PDGF-BB and TGF-b1 allows differentiation of rat MAPCs to a population of cells expressing smooth muscle specific markers, as determined by Q-RT-PCR (a-SMC actin, calponin, SM-22a, myocardin, and smooth muscle heavy chain myosin),and immunohistochemistry (a-SMC actin staining in >90% cells and calponin staining in ~50% of cells, co-localization localized with defined stress fibers). Such SMCs can subsequently be passed for at least 15 passages (26 doublings) in the presence of FCS and PDGF-BB and TGF-b1, without loss of phenotypic characteristics. RT-PCR analysis for genes of other mesodermal lineages, including cardiac muscle and endothelium expressed genes (Nkx, Mef-2D, PCAM, and vWF) was negative. To characterize the function of the SMC-like cell population, calcium handling and in-vitro remodeling properties were studied. Passage 4 SMC-like cells responded to endothelin-1, norepinepherine, oxytocin, arg-vasopressin, and bradykinin with an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration, consistent with a smooth muscle phenotype. To assess the remodeling potential, passage 4 cells were entrapped into fibrin matrix hemispheres as previously described for neonatal rat SMC. After 5 weeks in culture, hydroxyproline assays quantified total collagen as (86.8 +/− 9.3 ug) approximately 50% the amount reported using neonatal SMCs. In addition, the remodeled hemispheres demonstrated defined mechanical properties (tensile strength= 0.20 MPa, modulus = 0.65 MPa), similar to what we have previously observed when neonatal rat SMCs are entrapped in fibrin disks. Masson Trichrome staining demonstrates areas of tissue organization characterized by fibrils and collagen production. While further characterization of this population is needed to determine their developmental plasticity, the data is suggestive of a vascular SMC-like cell population derived from MAPCs that demonstrates functional smooth muscle characteristics and could be used to tissue engineer blood vessels.
Pregnancy Outcomes After Direct Uterine Myoma Thermal Ablation: Review of the Literature

Abstract The objective of this review is to describe the reproductive outcomes of women after radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation (RFVTA) of myomas or magnetic resonance–guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU). This is a literature review of the current case reports of reproductive outcomes after direct myoma thermal ablation at multiple academic and private centers throughout the world. A literature search was performed using PubMed and Medline. All publications that included data of women who underwent radiofrequency myoma ablation or MRgHIFU of myomas and subsequently conceived were included. There were 122 pregnancies after direct uterine myoma thermal ablation, and 20 pregnancies were reported after RFVTA. Of these cases, there was 1 spontaneous abortion and 7 elective terminations. The remaining 12 pregnancies went on to have live full-term deliveries, 9 (75%) by cesarean section and 3 (25%) by vaginal delivery. There were no reports of uterine abnormalities at delivery and 1 delayed postpartum hemorrhage with expulsion of a degenerated myoma. There are 102 reported pregnancies after MRgHIFU. There were 21 spontaneous abortions and 22 elective terminations, 48 deliveries, and 11 ongoing pregnancies at the time of report. There was 1 preterm delivery at 36 weeks due to placenta previa, and the remaining deliveries were full term. The complications reported included vaginal spotting (12.5%), delayed placental separation (4%), and placenta previa (4%). There were no cases of uterine rupture. In summary, RFVTA and MRgHIFU are new minimally invasive alternatives for the treatment of myomas. Further investigation into the reproductive outcomes after these myoma therapies is crucial to determine whether these are appropriate treatment options for women with symptomatic myomas who desire future fertility.
Gravitationally Induced Quantum Superposition Reduction With Large Extra Dimensions

A gravity-driven mechanism (''objective reduction'') proposed to explain quantum state reduction is analyzed in light of the possible existence of large extra dimensions in the Arkani-Hamed, Dvali, Dimopoulos scenario. By calculating order-of-magnitude estimates for nucleon superpositions, it is shown that if the mechanism at question is correct, constraints may be placed on the number and size of extra dimensions. Hence, measurement of superposition collapse times (e.g. through diffraction or reflection experiments) could represent a new probe of extra dimensions. The influence of a time-dependent gravitational constant on the gravity-driven collapse scheme with and without the presence of extra dimensions also is discussed.
Optimal motion planning using navigation measure

ABSTRACTWe introduce navigation measure as a new tool to solve the motion planning problem in the presence of static obstacles. Existence of navigation measure guarantees collision-free convergence at the final destination set beginning with almost every initial condition with respect to the Lebesgue measure. Navigation measure can be viewed as a dual to the navigation function. While the navigation function has its minimum at the final destination set and peaks at the obstacle set, navigation measure takes the maximum value at the destination set and is zero at the obstacle set. A linear programming formalism is proposed for the construction of navigation measure. Set-oriented numerical methods are utilised to obtain finite dimensional approximation of this navigation measure. Application of the proposed navigation measure-based theoretical and computational framework is demonstrated for a motion planning problem in a complex fluid flow.
Rondostreptus , a new spirostreptid genus from southeastern Tanzania (Diplopoda: Spirostreptidae)

The name Rondostreptus kiellandi is proposed for an undescribed genus and species of Spirostreptidae apparently endemic to the Rondo Plateau in southeastern Tanzania. It appears to have no close relatives among the known spirostreptid fauna of East Africa.
Rip currents and alongshore flows in single channels dredged in the surf zone

To investigate the dynamics of flows near nonuniform bathymetry, single channels (on average 30 m wide and 1.5 m deep) were dredged across the surf zone at five different times, and the subsequent evolution of currents and morphology was observed for a range of wave and tidal conditions. In addition, circulation was simulated with the numerical modeling system COAWST, initialized with the observed incident waves and channel bathymetry, and with an extended set of wave conditions and channel geometries. The simulated flows are consistent with alongshore flows and rip-current circulation patterns observed in the surf zone. Near the offshore-directed flows that develop in the channel, the dominant terms in modeled momentum balances are wave-breaking accelerations, pressure gradients, advection, and the vortex force. The balances vary spatially, and are sensitive to wave conditions and the channel geometry. The observed and modeled maximum offshore-directed flow speeds are correlated with a parameter based on the alongshore gradient in breaking-wave-driven-setup across the nonuniform bathymetry (a function of wave height and angle, water depths in the channel and on the sandbar, and a breaking threshold) and the breaking-wave-driven alongshore flow speed. The offshore-directed flow speed increases with dissipation on the bar and reaches a maximum (when the surf zone is saturated) set by the vertical scale of the bathymetric variability.
The extent of temporal smearing in surface-temperature histories derived from borehole temperature measurements

Abstract The ability of borehole temperature data to resolve past climatic events is investigated using Backus-Gilbert inversion methods. Two experimental approaches are considered: (1) the data consist of a single borehole temperature profile, and (2) the data consist of climatically-induced temperature transients measured within a borehole during a monitoring experiment. The sensitivity of the data's resolving power to the vertical distribution of the measurements, temperature measurement errors, the inclusion of a local meteorological record, and the duration of a monitoring experiment, are investigated. The results can be used to help interpret existing surface temperature histories derived from borehole temperature data and to optimize future experiments for the detection of climatic signals.
Binding energies of hydrated cobalt(II) by collision-induced dissociation and theoretical studies: evidence for a new critical size

The experimental sequential bond energies for loss of water from Co2+(H2O)x complexes, x = 5-11, are determined by threshold collision-induced dissociation (TCID) using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer with a thermal electrospray ionization source. Kinetic energy dependent TCID cross sections are analyzed to yield 0 K thresholds for sequential loss of neutral water molecules. The thresholds are converted from 0 to 298 K values to give hydration enthalpies and free energies. Theoretical geometry optimizations and single point energy calculations at several levels of theory are performed for the reactant and product ion complexes. Theoretical bond energies for ground structures are used for direct comparison with experimental values to obtain structural information on these complexes. In addition, the dissociative charge separation process, Co2+(H2O)x → CoOH+(H2O)m + H+(H2O)x-m-1, is observed at x = 4, 6, and 7 in competition with primary water loss products. Energies for the charge separation rate-limiting transition states are calculated and compared to experimental threshold measurements. Results suggest that the critical size for which charge separation is energetically favored over water loss is xcrit = 6, in contrast to lower values in previous literature reports.