cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The new pickup VW Amarok

With the Amarok, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is launching one of the most modern pickup trucks in the world onto the market. No competitor in its class is as economical. Many of the technologies implemented in the Amarok are being used for the first time in this segment. These include bi-turbocharging for the top version of the TDI diesel engine with 120 kW (163 PS) power. The 5254 mm long vehicle in ladder frame concept is available with rear-wheel drive as well as non-permanently and permanently four-wheel drive.
Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Severe and Refractory Crohn’s Disease.

Background & Aims Crohn’s disease (CD) is an immunologically mediated inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. In theory, immune ablation followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can induce remission by reconstituting a new immune system. Methods We conducted a phase I HSCT study in 12 patients with severe CD. Candidates were less than 60 years old with a Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) of 250–400 despite conventional therapy including infliximab. Peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized with cyclophosphamide and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and CD34+ enriched. The immune ablative conditioning regimen consisted of 200mg/kg cyclophosphamide, and 90mg/kg equine antithymocyte globulin. Results The procedure was well tolerated with anticipated cytopenias, neutropenic fever, and disease-related fever, diarrhea, anorexia, nausea, vomiting. The median days for neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 9.5 (range 8–11) and 9 (range 9–18), respectively. The infused CD34+ and CD3+ cell counts were 5.64 x 106/kg (range 1.73–9.93) and 0.59 x 104/kg (range 0.3–3.09), respectively. Initial median CDAI was 291 (range 250–358). Symptoms and CDAI improved dramatically (figure 1), and radiographic and colonoscopy findings improved gradually over months to years following HSCT. Ten out of twelve patients entered sustained remission defined by a CDAI ≤ 100. After median follow-up of 17.5 months (range 6–37), only one patient has developed recurrence of active CD which occurred 15 months post-HSCT. Conclusion Autologous HSCT may be peformed safely and has a marked salutary effect on CD activity. Randomized studies will be needed to confirm the efficacy of this therapy. ![Figure][1] Figure [1]: pending:yes
Printed tunable frequency selective surface on a developed flexible functionalized ceramic-polymer based substrate

In this work, we demonstrate the development of a flexible, high-dielectric-constant substrate based on barium strontium titanate (BST)/thermoplastic cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) nanocomposites suitable for fully printable phased array applications. This functionalized BST/COC substrate is demonstrated to possess tunability as a function of an applied DC bias. This tunable substrate is implemented for a tunable frequency selective surface in the X-band frequency range.
Thyroid Nodule Biopsy

Thyroid nodule biopsy for cytology examination is the most accurate method of thyroid nodule assessment. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the thyroid nodules along with the ultrasonographic characteristics assists the physician to determine which nodules should be followed over time and which lesions should be treated with surgical resection. The goal of this chapter is to review the indications, technique, and complications of thyroid nodule biopsy.
Fecal Diversion and Ostomies

Surgeons construct ostomies as a means to connect an internal organ to the patient’s skin surface, discussed in this chapter are ileostomies (connection of the ileum to the skin surface) and colostomies (connection of the colon to the skin surface). The indications for the creation of ostomies are varied including fecal incontinence, constipation, and generalized pelvic floor dysfunction refractory to other surgical interventions in addition to general colorectal surgical indications such as temporary fecal diversion for high-risk anastomosis, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. Ileostomies and colostomies may be temporary or permanent, and loop or end ostomies. The operative technique in constructing ostomies includes the creation of the stoma aperture and maturation of the stoma. The creation of a stoma may be necessary for many indications, but the construction of an ostomy does not come without complications. The assessment and management of stomal-related complications is important aspect in the care of ostomy patients. Quality of life is a critical consideration in constructing a stoma, yet many patients report an improvement in their quality of life after surgery.
An Integrated Rule-Based/Algorithmic Architecture for On-Line Process Monitoring and Reactive Control

Abstract Automation of on-line monitoring and reactive control of complex manufacturing processes requires the intelligent integration of process-specific knowledge with numerical methods for simulation and optimization. This paper presents an architecture for integrating these functions in the real-time control system. Process monitoring and fault detection are based on behavioral models of the process and equipment dynamics. Reactive scheduling is carried out by an interaction of operating rules and numerical optimization managed by a real-time production system, CROPS5 (Concurrent Real-Time OPS5). The paper presents an overview of the architecture and experimental results from a prototype implementation for scheduling beats for electric arc furnaces in continuous-caster steel mills.
Repeal, Replace, Repair, Retreat — Republicans’ Health Care Quagmire

For 7 years, Republicans vowed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Less than 7 months into the Trump administration, that crusade has, at least for now, collapsed. Still, Obamacare’s fortunes remain uncertain.
Evaluation of Esophageal Anastomotic Integrity With Serial Pleural Amylase Levels

Background An anastomotic leak is the most devastating and potentially fatal complication after esophagectomy. Current detection methods can be inaccurate and place patients at risk of other complications. Analysis of pleural fluid for amylase may be more accurate and place patients at less of a risk for evaluating the integrity of an esophageal anastomosis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed prospective data of 45 consecutive patients who underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy over an 18-month period and evaluated their anastomotic integrity with serial pleural amylase levels (PAL). Results There were 40 men (89%), and median age was 63 years (range, 35 to 79). Indication for esophagectomy was cancer in 38 patients (84%); 27 (71%) underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation. A barium swallow was performed in the first 25 patients at median postoperative day (POD) 5 (range, 5 to 10); the swallow was negative in 23 patients (93%). Serial PALs were obtained starting on POD 3 and stopped 1 day after toleration of clear liquids. The PALs in the no-leak patients were highest on POD 3 (median 42 IU/L; range, 20 to 102 IU/L) and decreased (median 15 IU/L; range, 8 to 34 IU/L) to the lowest levels 1 day after clear liquid toleration ( p = 0.04). Two patients had a leak and had peak PALs of 227 IU/L and 630 IU/L, respectively; both leaks occurred on POD 4, 1 day before their scheduled swallow test. The last 20 patients underwent serial PALs only, without a planned swallow test or computed tomography scan for anastomotic integrity evaluation. One of these patients had a leak on POD 5 with a low PAL of 55 IU/L the day before the spike of more than 4,000 IU/L. Two of the leaks were treated with esophageal stent placement and intravenous antibiotics, and the remaining patient's leak resolved with intravenous antibiotics, no oral intake, and observation only. None of the leak patients required transthoracic esophageal repair or drainage of an empyema. There was 1 postoperative death (2%) secondary to aspiration pneumonia on POD 10; no leak was ever identified, and the patient had been eating for 3 days before death. Complications occurred in 15 patients (33%), most commonly respiratory; no respiratory issues occurred in PAL-only evaluated patients. No late anastomotic leaks occurred in any patient while in the hospital or after discharge. Conclusions Serial PALs for the detection of esophageal anastomotic leaks proved to be accurate, safe, and inexpensive. Elimination of barium swallows and computed tomography scans for evaluation of anastomotic integrity may decrease aspiration risks as well as associated pulmonary failure during the postoperative period. Serial PALs may be the preferred method of detecting an anastomotic leak after esophagectomy. A prospective randomized study is warranted.
Delirium in Hospitalized Children with Cancer: Incidence and Associated Risk Factors.

Objective To assess the incidence of delirium and its risk factors in hospitalized children with cancer. Study design In this cohort study, all consecutive admissions to a pediatric cancer service over a 3-month period were prospectively screened for delirium twice daily throughout their hospitalization. Demographic and treatment-related data were collected from the medical record after discharge. Results A total of 319 consecutive admissions, including 186 patients and 2731 hospital days, were included. Delirium was diagnosed in 35 patients, for an incidence of 18.8%. Risk factors independently associated with the development of delirium included age Conclusions In this cohort, delirium was a frequent complication during admissions for childhood cancer, and was associated with increased hospital length of stay. Multi-institutional prospective studies are warranted to further characterize delirium in this high-risk population and identify modifiable risk factors to improve the care provided to hospitalized children with cancer.
PD-L1 Expression Reveals Significant Association With Squamous Differentiation in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES Limited literature is available on the tumor microenvironment (TM) of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This study comprehensively reviews programmed death 1 receptor (PD-1)-positive and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor epithelium (TE). METHODS Seventy-two nephroureterectomy specimens were analyzed for PD-L1, PD-1, and CD8. One percent or more tumor and lymphohistiocyte PD-L1 expression was considered positive. TIL density by H&E was scored semiquantitatively from 0 to 3, and CD8+ and PD-1+ TILs were quantified in hotspots. RESULTS Of the cases, 37.5% demonstrated PD-L1+ on TE. PD-L1+ TE showed an association with pathologic stage (P = .01), squamous differentiation (SqD) (P < .001), TILs by H&E (P = .02), PD-1+ peritumoral TILs (P = .01), and PD-L1+ peritumoral lymphohistiocytes (P = .002). Finally, there was a significant difference in PD-1+ peritumoral TILs in cases with SqD vs no SqD (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS Aggressive UTUC is associated with a distinct TM. Furthermore, TM of UTUC-SqD was distinctly different from those with no SqD, warranting study in a larger cohort.
Don’t Bring Truth to a Gunfight: Pedagogy, Force, and Decision

Many are in shock that today in politics truth doesn’t seem to matter. This analysis misses the mark: politics was never about a correspondence with an existing truth, but about the formulation of a new truth. The contemporary moment thus offers up an important opportunity to reclaim the nature of the political, to develop new political positions on that basis and, most importantly, to assert those politics. This is a deeply pedagogical task, but it is one to which critical forms of education aren’t suited. In this chapter, I draw on Lyotard and Dean to present a particular reading of the “post-truth” era. I locate the “post-truth” within what I term democratic communicative capitalism, which I argue traps the Left in a pattern of critique and exposition. To get out of this impasse, however, I contend that we don’t need to prove a truth, but assert one. Politics is, after all, about the materialization of new truths. In sum, I proffer that what the Left needs right now is clarity, organization, imagination, and force.
Bone Marrow and Angioblast Transplantation

Clinical trials using autologous hematopoietic or whole bone marrow preparations in patients in the peri-infarct period are ongoing. These trials are attempting to improve myocardial function. Although it has been demonstrated in animal models that these stem cells do not differentiate into cardiac myocytes, there is now clear evidence in animal models and clinical human trials that their use is likely beneficial when delivered soon after acute myocardial infarction. It should be noted that all of these trials have been performed in days to less than 2 weeks from myocardial injury. The end product of myocardial injury translates into heart failure, an entity that may be minimized by this type of therapy. One comes to the conclusion that the data are promising, but there are still many questions to be answered, for example: What type of cell(s) should be transplanted, and what should be their mode of delivery, optimal time of transplant, etc.
Size, Shape and Site Selectivities in the Photochemical Reactions of Molecules Adsorbed on Pentasil Zeolites.

Abstract The photochemistry of dibenzyl ketones in the presence of pentasil zeolites follows strikingly different pathways depending on the location of the adsorbed ketone. The product distribution or Cage Effect (vide infra) demonstrates the effects of sorption and diffusion on the radical species produced by photolysis. The difference in chemistry of these zeolites, expressed as the Si/Al ratio, does not affect the product distribution. By addition of a non-reactive titrant, such as water, after the ketone adsorption into the zeolite, the photolysis product distributions can be systematically varied depending upon the aluminum content of the framework. These results are completely described by considerations of (a) the size and shape sorption selectivity of the pentasil zeolites, (b) sorption of water by the hydrophilic sites of the pintasil zeolites (which depends upon the framework aluminum content), and (c) the hydrophobic characteristics of the pentasil channels which do not contain framework aluminum.
Asymptotic Properties of Some Non-Parametric Hyperbolic Efficiency Estimators

A hyperbolic measure of technical efficiency was proposed by Fare et al. (The Measurement of Efficiency of Production, Kluwer-Nijhoff Publishing, Boston, 1985) wherein efficiency is measured by the simultaneous maximum, feasible reduction in input quantities and increase in output quantities. In cases where returns to scale are not constant, the non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) estimator of hyperbolic efficiency cannot be written as a linear program; consequently, the measure has not been used in empirical studies except where returns to scale are constant, allowing the estimator to be computed by linear programming methods. This paper develops an alternative estimator of the hyperbolic measure proposed by Fare et al. (The Measurement of Efficiency of Production, Kluwer-Nijhoff Publishing, Boston, 1985). Statistical consistency and rates of convergence are established for the new estimator. A numerical procedure allowing computation of the original estimator is provided, and this estimator is also shown to be consistent, with the same rate of convergence as the new estimator. In addition, an unconditional, hyperbolic order-m efficiency estimator is developed by extending the ideas of Cazals et al. (J. Econometric. 106:1–25, 2002). Asymptotic properties of this estimator are also given.
Synoptic controls on the energy budget regime of an ablating fast ice surface

Energy budget studies over fast ice were carried out near Broughton Island N.W.T. from June 13 to July 20, 1972. Turbulent flux calculations have been performed via an aerodynamic profile approach. Two clearly differentiated energy budget regimes can be related to the stage of decay of the fast ice. The division between the two regimes occurs at the beginning of July. Cluster analysis has been used to group together days with similar turbulent flux characteristics within each of these two regimes. In each set one group of days was found that tends to advance, and another that tends to retard, the snow or ice ablation. These groupings are found to be statistically significant. The groups in each regime can also be differentiated in terms of pressure patterns, direction of airflow and average temperature.
Pathophysiology of chronic cyanosis in a canine model: Functional and metabolic response to global ischemia

To investigate the pathophysiology of chronic cyanosis, we subjected 14 adult mongrel dogs to diversion of the inferior vena cava to the right inferior pulmonary vein. This produced a mean oxygen tension of 42 +/- 2 mm Hg and a calculated right-to-left shunt of 52.0% +/- 3.9%. These animals (Group C) and 15 normal dogs (Group N) were subjected to cardiopulmonary bypass with 20 minutes of normothermic global ischemia. Functional indices studied were rate of rise of left ventricular pressure and the end-systolic pressure/volume ratio. Metabolic status was assessed by obtaining transmural myocardial biopsy specimens for measurement of adenosine triphosphate content. Myocardial blood flow was measured with radiolabeled microspheres. There were no significant differences between Group C and Group N in either functional index or blood flow measurement prior to global ischemia. At 45 minutes after ischemia, Group N animals had a significantly greater rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (at a left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 0, 5, 10, and 15 mm Hg, p less than 0.025 to 0.05) and subendocarial perfusion (endocardial/epicardial flow ratio 0.961 +/- 0.037 versus 0.815 +/- 0.021, p less than 0.01). At 90 minutes after ischemia, Group N animals exhibited a significantly higher end-systolic pressure/volume ratio (4.9 +/- 0.7 versus 3.0 +/- 0.4 mm Hg/ml, p less than 0.05), rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (at an end-diastolic pressure of 0 to 20 mm Hg, p less than 0.005 to 0.05), and endocardial/epicardial flow ratio (1.065 +/- 0.046 versus 0.829 +/- 0.059, p less than 0.01). No differences in adenosine triphosphate content were found at any sampling period. The Group C left ventricles exhibited no hypertrophy but were significantly dilated compared to Group N (38.8 +/- 0.3 versus 30.1 +/- 0.2 mm, p less than 0.05). Inferior vena cava to pulmonary vein diversion produces cyanosis with left ventricular dilatation but without hypertrophy. It is proposed that abnormal loading characteristics of the left ventricle are responsible for the functional derangements that result from global ischemia.
Increased Hematocrit Due to Electrical-Waveform Exposures in Splenectomized Sus scrofa,

In laboratory studies of the pig Sus scrofa, hematocrit has consistently increased after conducted-electrical-weapon (CEW) exposures, possibly due to contraction of the spleen. Splenectomized animals and intact sham control animals were exposed, each for 30 sec, to a benchtop-produced electrical waveform of net charge levels similar to those of some CEWs. Changes in the blood were compared statistically. Hematocrit increased significantly in both splenectomized and sham animals. There were no significant main-effect differences between values of hematocrit from the two groups. There were, however, significant interactive effects of time and splenectomy for hematocrit, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin. After peak values were reached for these variables, values returned toward baseline levels more slowly in splenectomized animals. This may have been due to the lack of a spleen to sequester red blood cells (thereby resulting in more cells remaining in the general circulation), unlike sham animals with intact spleens.
The corporate cultivation of digital resignation

The aim of this article is to propose a theoretical framework for studying digital resignation, the condition produced when people desire to control the information digital entities have about them...
THE OIL-WAVE INTERACTION

Abstract The damping characteristics of gravity waves on the surface of an incompressible, viscous fluid, is studied in the presence of a layer of oil superimposed on the fluid surface. The surface tension gradient is characterized by surface elasticity. The method employed requires the construction of inner solutions in the various boundary layers and matching the same with the outer solutions. The formulas are shown to subsume various known results.
Abstract 3518: SPARC related signaling genes in non-small cell lung cancer by RNA-sequencing transcriptome analysis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 80 % cases of lung cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and worldwide. SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine), a multicellular non-structural glycoprotein is known to be involved in the regulation of cell adhesion, cell proliferation as well as in tumorigenesis and metastasis in various cancers including NSCLC. SPARC contributes to matrix remodeling and turnover and is involved in modulating the tumor microenvironment. Previous studies have suggested that SPARC can be used as a prognostic factor for NSCLC and represents a highly promising therapeutic modality. In this study we used high-throughput RNA-sequencing transcriptome profiling analysis to delineate pathways involved in SPARC signaling. We assessed differentially expressed genes, novel genes, biological processes and biological signaling pathways in SPARC expressed NSCLC cell line. We identified a total of 3,280 upregulated and 1,608 downregulated differentially expressed genes with known functions in SPARC expressed NSCLC cells. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the differentially expressed genes were involved in cellular metabolic processes, regulation of biological processes or biological signaling pathways like cell cycle, spliceosome, apoptosis and WNT signaling pathway. The RNA-seq analysis further revealed that genes involved in apoptosis were significantly altered after SPARC modulation to NSCLC cells. Co-transfection experiments using SPARC shRNA indicated that SPARC modulation induced apoptosis via regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In summary, this study uncovers SPARC dependent regulatory mechanisms in NSCLC. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Sajani S. Lakka, Bhavesh K. Ahir. SPARC related signaling genes in non-small cell lung cancer by RNA-sequencing transcriptome analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3518.
Genetic Pediatric Pulmonary Disease

Genomic medicine is of increasing importance in all medical specialties, including pediatric pulmonology. Lung manifestations commonly observed in the pediatric pulmonary clinic are often multifactorial in origin, but phenotypes, including neonatal respiratory distress, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, vascular abnormalities, and pneumothorax, have a strong association to certain genetic conditions, and a genetic differential diagnosis should be considered in these patients. This chapter discusses the clinical features and radiological findings of several childhood onset genetic conditions with significant respiratory involvement. Conditions reviewed include surfactant deficiencies, brain-lung-thyroid syndrome, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, immune deficiencies, short telomere syndromes, Hermansky Pudlak syndrome, alveolar capillary dysplasia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, connective tissue disorders, and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome.
Themes Depicted in Top-grossing Rated-R Films Released from 2012 to 2017.

Introduction: Films continue to be a popular form of entertainment amongst children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to determine the most common themes depicted in a select number of rated-R films released 2012-2017. Methods: A total of 25 films were independently viewed and analyzed by five reviewers. Results: The most common positive themes were “encouragement”, “helping others”, “teamwork”, “compassion”, and “honesty” (2.3, 1.7, 1.7, 1.6, 1.4 mean events per hour, respectively). The most common negative themes were “use of inappropriate language”, “use of a lethal weapon”, “physical fighting”, “dishonesty”, and “demonstrating excessive anger” (8.9, 4.4, 3.4, 2.3, 2.2 mean events per hour, respectively). Conclusion: The most common positive themes in our sample were associated with service, collaboration, and honesty/humility, and the most common negative themes were associated with violence. We encourage co-viewing and active mediation, focusing on the themes found in films, as a method to guide children through their development process.
Cardiac Function and Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (From the TOPCAT Trial)

Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have a significantly elevated risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, few imaging data have been correlated to this risk. We evaluated the value of multiple echocardiographic markers of left ventricular (LV) function to predict SCD in HFpEF patients. The Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction with Aldosterone Trial (TOPCAT)-Americas cohort was used to evaluate the echocardiographic predictors of SCD and/or aborted cardiac arrest (SCD/ACA). A retrospective cohort design was used. Cox proportional hazards and Poisson regression models were used to determine the associations between the risk of SCD/ACA and echocardiographic parameters: diastolic dysfunction grade, left ventricle ejection fraction, and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) during follow-up. Impaired left ventricle ejection fraction and GLS were associated with SCD/ACA in univariate models (p = 0.007 and 0.002, respectively), but not diastolic function grade. After multivariate adjustment, only GLS remained a significant predictor of the incidence rate of SCD/ACA (p = 0.006). There was a 58% increase in the hazard of incident SCD/ACA for every 1 unit increase in GLS (1.58, 95%CI: 1.12 to 2.22, p = 0.009). These findings remained robust in the competing risk analyses. In conclusion, amongst the multiple echocardiographic parameters of LV function, GLS may help prognosticate the risk of SCD/ACA in HFpEF patients.
Design of a high-resolution FIR interferometer for the advanced toroidal facility at Oak Ridge national laboratory

A 15-channel interferometer is being designed for the ATF experiment at ORNL. The interferometer will utilize a fan-beam geometry with an array of Schottky diode detectors. To minimize plasma refractive effects, an operating wavelength of 0.119 mm has been chosen. Details of the optics system design will be presented.
Learning constraints from demonstrations with grid and parametric representations

We extend the learning from demonstration paradigm by providing a method for learning unknown constraints shared across tasks, using demonstrations of the tasks, their cost functions, and knowledge...
Design and Validation of a Cable-Driven Asymmetric Back Exosuit

Lumbar spine injuries caused by repetitive lifting rank as the most prevalent workplace injury in the United States. While these injuries are caused by both symmetric and asymmetric lifting, asymmetric is often more damaging. Many back devices do not address asymmetry, so we present a new system called the Asymmetric Back Exosuit (ABX). The ABX addresses this important gap through unique design geometry and active cable-driven actuation. The suit allows the user to move in a wide range of lumbar trajectories while the “X” pattern cable routing allows variable assistance application for these trajectories. We also conducted a biomechanical analysis in OpenSim to map assistive cable force to effective lumbar torque assistance for a given trajectory, allowing for intuitive controller design in the lumbar joint space over the complex kinematic chain for varying lifting techniques. Human subject experiments illustrated that the ABX reduced lumbar erector spinae muscle activation during symmetric and asymmetric lifting by an average of 37.8% and 16.0%, respectively, compared to lifting without the exosuit. This result indicates the potential for our device to reduce lumbar injury risk.
Coherence-Factor-based Passive Acoustic Mapping for Real-Time Transcranial Cavitation Monitoring with Improved Axial Resolution

Traditional passive acoustic mapping (PAM) based on the time exposure acoustic (TEA) algorithm for focused ultrasound (FUS) brain therapy suffers from a poor axial resolution with a clinically-relevant frequency (< 3MHz) for transcranial imaging. Although some methods have been proposed to achieve better resolution, the real-time implementation is virtually impossible due to their computational complexity. Here, we developed a coherence factor (CF)-based PAM that can enhance the axial resolution with a low computational cost. In the proposed method, a CF across the delayed channel data was used as a weighting factor and the delay-and-sum with CF-weighting was repeated for every time sample and accumulated over the PAM integration time. The method was implemented on a Verasonics Vantage system with a GPU using CUDA. The CF exhibited better resolution than the TEA-PAM and comparable to the eigenspace-based robust Capon beamformer (EISRCB)-based PAM. The computational efficiency of CF-PAM was approximately 100 times higher than EISRCB-PAM, which in return enabled real-time monitoring. In the ex-vivo skull study, the CF-PAM successfully located the cavitation transcranially with improved resolution. While EISRCB required a careful parameter adjustment, the CF-PAM did not need any adjustment and provided reliable results throughout all the frames. In conclusion, this technique could help to monitor cavitation activities in real time during the sonication as part of several therapeutic ultrasound applications.
Spontaneous abortion is associated with elevated systemic C5a and reduced mRNA of complement inhibitory proteins in placenta.

Summary Spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy due to unknown reasons is a common problem. The excess complement activation and consequent placental inflammation and anti-angiogenic milieu is emerging as an important associated factor in many pregnancy-related complications. In the present study we sought to examine the expression of complement inhibitory proteins at the feto–maternal interface and levels of complement split products in the circulation to understand their role in spontaneous abortion. Consenting pregnant women who either underwent elective abortion due to non-clinical reasons (n = 13) or suffered miscarriage (n = 14) were recruited for the study. Systemic levels of complement factors C3a and C5a were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma C5 and C3 protein levels were examined by Western blot. Expressions of complement regulatory proteins such as CD46 and CD55 in the decidua were investigated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. The median of plasma C3a level was 82·83 ng/ml and 66·17 ng/ml in elective and spontaneous abortion patients, respectively. Medians of plasma C5a levels in elective and spontaneous abortion patients were 0·96 ng/ml and 1·14 ng/ml, respectively. Only plasma C5a levels but not C3a levels showed significant elevation in spontaneous abortion patients compared to elective abortion patients. Further, there was a threefold decrease in the mRNA expressions of complement inhibitory proteins CD46 and CD55 in the decidua obtained from spontaneous abortion patients compared to that of elective abortion patients. These data suggested that dysregulated complement cascade may be associated with spontaneous abortion.
Spatiotemporal fusion framework for multi-camera face orientation analysis

In this paper, we propose a collaborative technique for face orientation estimation in smart camera networks. The proposed spatiotemporal feature fusion analysis is based on active collaboration between the cameras in data fusion and decision making using features extracted by each camera. First, a head strip mapping method is proposed based on a Markov model and a Viterbi-like algorithm to estimate the relative angular differences to the face between the cameras. Then, given synchronized face sequences from several camera nodes, the proposed technique determines the orientation and the angular motion of the face using two features, namely the hair-face ratio and the head optical flow. These features yield an estimate of the face orientation and the angular velocity through simple analysis such as Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Least Squares (LS), respectively. Spatiotemporal feature fusion is implemented via key frame detection in each camera, a forward-backward probabilistic model, and a spatiotemporal validation scheme. The key frames are obtained when a camera node detects a frontal face view and are exchanged between the cameras so that local face orientation estimates can be adjusted to maintain a high confidence level. The forward-backward probabilistic model aims to mitigate error propagation in time. Finally, a spatiotemporal validation scheme is applied for spatial outlier removal and temporal smoothing. A face view is interpolated from the mapped head strips, from which snapshots at the desired view angles can be generated. The proposed technique does not require camera locations to be known in prior, and hence is applicable to vision networks deployed casually without localization.
Parathyroid hormone stimulates hyaluronan synthesis in an osteoblast-like cell line.

An osteoblast-like cell line (UMR 106-01 BSP), cloned from a transplantable osteosarcoma, was cultured in the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH1-34) and metabolically labeled with [35S]sulfate, [3H]glucosamine, and [3H]tyrosine to determine proteoglycan, glycoconjugate, and protein synthesis, respectively. The synthesis of secreted proteins was substantially increased by PTH treatment. However, the synthesis of bone sialoprotein and proteoglycans was, at best, only moderately stimulated by PTH. Hyaluronan (HA) synthesis was dramatically stimulated by PTH in this cell line. A 5-6-fold increase in HA production was observed using 10(-8) M PTH, and even a 50% increase was detected using 10(-10) M PTH. The PTH-induced stimulation of HA synthesis was rapid and transient, reaching a maximum level (approximately 560 pmol of HA disaccharide equivalents/h/10(6) cells at 10(-8) M PTH) by 4-7 h after hormone exposure and returning to control levels by 12-15 h after the initial treatment. Lastly, the majority of this HA synthesis stimulated by PTH required only a short exposure (
Sex differences in tool use acquisition in bonobos (Pan paniscus).

All the great ape species are known tool users in both the wild and captivity, although there is great variation in ability and behavioral repertoire. Differences in tool use acquisition between chimpanzees and gorillas have been attributed to differing levels of social tolerance as a result of differences in social structure. Chimpanzees also show sex differences in acquisition and both chimpanzees and bonobos demonstrate a female bias in tool use behaviors. Studies of acquisition are limited in the wild and between species comparisons are complicated in captivity by contexts that often do not reflect natural conditions. Here we investigated tool use acquisition in a captive group of naive bonobos by simulating naturalistic conditions. We constructed an artificial termite mound fashioned after those that occur in the wild and tested individuals within a social group context. We found sex differences in latencies to attempt and to succeed where females attempted to fish, were successful more quickly, and fished more frequently than males. We compared our results to those reported for chimpanzees and gorillas. Males across all three species did not differ in latency to attempt or to succeed. In contrast, bonobo and chimpanzee females succeeded more quickly than did female gorillas. Female bonobos and female chimpanzees did not differ in either latency to attempt or to succeed. We tested the social tolerance hypothesis by investigating the relationship between tool behaviors and number of neighbors present. We also compared these results to those reported for chimpanzees and gorillas and found that bonobos had the fewest numbers of neighbors present. The results of this study do not support the association between number of neighbors and tool behavior reported for chimpanzees. However, bonobos demonstrated a similar sex difference in tool use acquisition, supporting the hypothesis of a female bias in tool use in Pan.
Diagnostic molecular pathology: an increasingly indispensable tool for the practicing pathologist.

Abstract Context.—Diagnostic molecular pathology is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool for anatomic pathologists. Familiarity with some of the technologic principles and current, as well as upcoming, molecular diagnostic applications is greatly advantageous for today's practice of pathology. Objectives.— To provide a discussion of the most common techniques currently used in molecular pathology laboratories and review their essential applications to diagnosis and management of neoplastic diseases. Data Sources.—A literature review and illustrative cases from the authors' molecular diagnostic practices. Conclusions.—Applications such as clonality assays, molecular cytogenetics, and chimerism analysis are providing us with accurate tools to resolve difficult diagnostic and management decisions in hemato-oncology. This should serve as a future model to expand molecular applications into the wider field of solid tumors.
A single-domain dual-boundary-element formulation incorporating a cohesive zone model for elastostatic cracks

A cracked elastostatic structure is artificially divided into subdomains of simpler topology such that the well-developed classic dual integral equations can be applied appropriately to each domain. Applying the continuity and equilibrium conditions along artificial boundaries and properties of the integral kernels a single-domain dual-boundary-integral equation formulation is derived for a cracked elastic structure. A cohesive zone model is used to model the crack tip processes and is coupled with the single-domain dual-boundary-integral equation formulation; the resulting nonlinear equations are solved using the iterative method of successive-over-relaxation. The constitutive law used for a crack includes three parts: a law relating cohesive force to crack displacement difference when a crack is opening, a characterization of tangential interaction between crack surfaces when the crack surfaces are in contact, and a maximum principal stress criterion of crack advance. Incorporation of local unloading effect of the cohesive zone material has enabled a simulation of fracture with initial damage, partial development of the failure process zone at structural instability and multiple crack interaction. Some of the features of the method are demonstrated by considering three examples. The first problem is a single-edgecracked specimen that exhibits a snap-back instability. The second example is the development of wing cracks from an angled crack under compression. The last example demonstrates the capability to consider mixed-mode crack growth and interaction of cracks. Thus, the problem of crack growth has been reduced to the determination of the cohesive model for the fracture process.
Combating spam and denial-of-service attacks with trusted puzzle solvers

Cryptographic puzzles can be used to mitigate spam and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, as well as to implement timed-release cryptography. However, existing crypto puzzles are impractical because: (1) solving them wastes computing resources and/or human time, (2) the time it takes to solve them can vary dramatically across computing platforms, and/or (3) applications become non-interoperable due to competition for resources when solving them. We propose the use of Trusted Computing in constructing crypto puzzles. Our puzzle constructions have none of the drawbacks above and only require each client machine to be equipped with a small tamper-resistant Trusted Puzzle Solver (TPS), which may be realized using the prevalent Trusted Platform Module (TPM) with minimal modifications.
AN OPTICAL CATALOG OF GALAXY CLUSTERS OBTAINED FROM AN ADAPTIVE MATCHED FILTER FINDER APPLIED TO SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY DATA RELEASE 6

We present a new cluster catalog extracted from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 6 (SDSS DR6) using an adaptive matched filter (AMF) cluster finder. We identify 69,173 galaxy clusters in the redshift range 0.045 ≤ z < 0.78 in 8420 deg2 of the sky. We provide angular position, redshift, richness, core, and virial radii estimates for these clusters, as well as an error analysis for each of these quantities. We also provide a catalog of more than 205,000 galaxies representing the three brightest galaxies in the r band which are possible brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) candidates. We show basic properties of the BCG candidates and study how their luminosity scales in redshift and cluster richness. We compare our catalog with the maxBCG and GMBCG catalogs, as well as with that of Wen et al. We match between 30% and 50% of clusters between catalogs over all overlapping redshift ranges. We find that the percentage of matches increases with the richness for all catalogs. We cross match the AMF catalog with available X-ray data in the same area of the sky and find 539 matches, 119 of which with temperature measurements. We present scaling relations between optical and X-ray properties and cluster center comparison. We find that both Λ200 and R 200 correlate well with both LX and TX , with no significant difference in trend if we restrict the matches to flux-limited X-ray samples.
Computers in spatial vision research

The original impulse for using computers in a laboratory dedicated to spatial vision research and the current role of computers in experiments are detailed. Although computers are used widely for modeling spatial vision, there is some doubt about whether conventional serial computers are the most appropriate tools for this task.
Do honeybees have two discrete dances to advertise food sources

The honeybee, Apis mellifera, dance language, used to communicate the location of profitable food resources, is one of the most versatile forms of nonprimate communication. Karl von Frisch described this communication system in terms of two distinct dances: (1) the round dance, which indicates the presence of a desirable food source close to the hive but does not provide information about its direction and (2) the waggle dance, which indicates the presence of a desirable food source more than 100 m from the hive and its provides information about both its distance and its direction. The view that honeybees have two discrete recruitment dances has been widely accepted since its inception in the 1920s. However, there are few detailed examinations of the behavioural parameters of dances over the range of food-source distances represented by round dances and waggle dances. Here, we show that both the round dance and the waggle dance convey information about distance and direction and that there is no clear switch between the two. We conclude that it is most meaningful to view the round and waggle dances as the ends of a continuum and that honeybees have just one adjustable recruitment signal: the waggle dance.
Finite Element Optimization of Finite Stepped Slider Bearing Profiles

The finite slider bearing profile is sought which maximizes the load carrying capacity for a given minimum film thickness. Several suboptimization problems in the “space” of stepped profiles are considered. The efficient application of the finite element method to the incompressible lubrication problem is outlined.
Complete basis set ab initio computational study of three-dimensional aromaticity in highly symmetric hydrogen clusters

Abstract The aromaticity of planar and highly symmetric three-dimensional hydrogen clusters were evaluated with the complete basis set ab initio computational method. The energy of formation of the hydrogen clusters from the hydrogen molecule and hydrogen molecular ions were used in comparison to their relative stabilities. The aromaticity of planar hydrogen clusters, as well as hydrogen clusters in the three dimensions, arranged as highly symmetric regular polyhedra (Plato's polyhedras), were discussed with respect to the Huckel and Mobius aromatic rules.
Use of bacteriologic studies in the outpatient management of peritonsillar abscess.

Objective: To examine whether obtaining bacterial Gram stain and aerobic/anaerobic cultures alters management of patients with peritonsillar abscess. Study Design: Retrospective study. Materials and Methods: A total of 221 cases of suspected peritonsillar abscess from July 1990 to February 1999 were analyzed with regard to outcomes and management patterns of those who had bacteriologic studies performed and those who did not. Results: Pus was aspirated in 153 (69%). Eighty-two had bacterial studies performed whereas 71 did not. Of patients that followed up, all patients had complete resolution in the first group based on initial management. Three patients of the latter group had a complicated course secondary to dehydration and antibiotic noncompliance (p = .24). Of the 82 cultures sent, sensitivities were conducted on only 17 (21%). Nine of 17 grew organisms that were penicillin-resistant. No patient in the study had any treatment decisions based on microbiologic studies. Conclusion: In the routine management of peritonsillar abscess, bacteriologic studies are unnecessary on initial presentation. They should be reserved for patients with a high likelihood of infection by resistant organisms, i.e., diabetics, immunocompromised patients, and patients with recurrent peritonsillar abscess.
Fourier Phase Contrast Microscope

Novel Fourier phase contrast microscope is developed exploiting monochromaticity, intensity and phase coherence of laser and photo-induced birefringence of liquid crystals. As condenser annulus - phase plate is not required the images are free from artifacts.
Pleiotypic mechanisms of cellular responses to biologically active lysophospholipids

The activities of cell-derived lysophospholipid (LPL) growth factors on cellular proliferation and a range of proliferation-independent functions are regulated at multiple levels. This section focuses first on the capacity of the actin-severing protein gelsolin to bind lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), but not sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), and either sequester LPA or present it to responsive cells. Expression of members of the family of endothelial differentiation gene-encoded G protein-coupled receptors (Edg Rs) for LPLs is controlled developmentally and by cell-activating stimuli. Edg R transduction of cellular effects of LPLs involves both direct actions on target cells and induction of generation of proteins with relevant actions capable of amplifying or diminishing primary direct effects of LPLs. These general mechanisms are evident in Edg R mediation of proliferation, cytokine secretion and suppression of apoptosis. The availability of functionally-active anti-Edg R antibodies and Edg R-specific pharmacological probes, establishment of Edg R transgenes and gene knockouts, and identification of natural genetic anomalies of LPL metabolism and recognition by Edg Rs will permit elucidation of the in vivo activities of LPA and S1P normally and in disease states.
The Political Influence of African American Ministers A Legacy of West African Culture

Since the days of slavery, some of the most influential political figures among African Americans have been members of the clergy. This political prominence of the clergy may have its origins in West Africa, where societal leaders have historically played both secular and religious roles.