cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Puromycin and cycloheximide inhibition of thymidine incorporation into DNA of cleaving sea urchin eggs

Abstract Puromycin has only a slight effect on the first period of thymidine incorporation (S1) in the fertilized Arbacia egg. Subsequent periods of incorporation are inhibited. Susceptibility of the second period of incorporation (S2) to puromycin is lost before and during S1. In late cleavage puromycin strongly inhibits phenylalanine incorporation into protein a few minutes in advance of its inhibition of thymidine incorporation into DNA. Thymidine incorporation is inhibited by 99 per cent after 65 min puromycin treatment. Cycloheximide inhibits both phenylalanine and thymidine incorporation by about 30 per cent in late cleavage. Preincubation of late-cleavage stages in thymidine greatly reduces the extent of inhibition of its incorporation by puromycin and cycloheximide, suggesting that thymidine may have been converted to other DNA precursors, and that the incorporation of these into DNA is less sensitive to protein synthesis inhibitors than are the initial steps in forming the precursors. The data suggest that the embryo must synthesize proteins in order to incorporate thymidine into DNA. In early stages these proteins may be synthesized about one duplication cycle in advance of their utilization.
A controlled evaluation of an elementary school primary prevention program for eating problems

Abstract Researchers have recently called for the development of primary prevention of eating disorders programs aimed at elementary school students. The present study reports on the development of a curriculum for fifth graders designed to encourage healthy eating, exercise, and body image while discouraging calorie-restrictive dieting, exercising for weight loss, and the development of body dissatisfaction. The program consisted of ten lessons taught by the classroom teachers. The influence of the curriculum on (1) knowledge about nutrition, body fat, and dieting; (2) attitudes about fat people and own body (body esteem); and (3) behaviors, including attempts at weight reduction, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and exercising, were evaluated in a pre–post controlled experimental design. There were 222 white public school children who participated in both the pre- and posttesting, 167 of whom were in the classrooms receiving the curriculum. Results indicated that knowledge was broadly improved by the curriculum. There were information improvements in terms of nutrition, effects of dieting, and causes of body fat. Attitudinal changes were less pronounced, although the curriculum did positively affect attitudes about fat people. Behavior, including eating patterns, exercise patterns, weight reduction attempts, and teasing of fat children, was not changed by participation in the curriculum.
A CONTOUR TREE BASED VISUALIZATION FOR EXPLORING DATA WITH UNCERTAINTY

Uncertainty is a common and crucial issue in scientific data. The exploration and analysis of three-dimensional (3D) and large two-dimensional (2D) data with uncertainty information demand an effective visualization augmented with both user interaction and relevant context. The contour tree has been exploited as an efficient data structure to guide exploratory visualization. This paper proposes an interactive visualization tool for exploring data with quantitative uncertainty representations. First, we introduce a balanced planar hierarchical contour tree layout integrated with tree view interaction, allowing users to quickly navigate between levels of detail for contours of large data. Further, uncertainty information is attached to a planar contour tree layout to avoid the visual cluttering and occlusion in viewing uncertainty in 3D data or large 2D data. For the first time, the uncertainty information is explored as a combination of the data-level uncertainty which represents the uncertainty concerning the numerical values of the data, the contour variability which quantifies the positional variation of contours, and the topology variability which reveals the topological variation of contour trees. This information provides a new insight into how the uncertainty exists with and relates to the features of the data. The experimental results show that this new visualization facilitates a quick and accurate selection of prominent contours with high or low uncertainty and variability.
Size and Form of the Penis in Orang-Utans

Size and form of the external penis, or pars libera, was documented for 17 living orangutans ( Pongo pygmaeus ) of varying age. The pars libera was much longer than previously represented in comparative analyses, and most were filiform (as in Pan ), but form and color was variable: 1) a partially or completely demarcated glans-like structure (as in Gorilla ) was present in a few subjects; 2) epidermal specializations of the pars distalis had either a hinge-like or flap-like form and might be homologous to the keratinized spines seen in other species; 3) the pars libera was not a uniform pink in all cases as the pars medialis often was black or purple. Comparisons of the length of the pars libera relative to size of females across the great apes and humans ( Homo ) reveals that the pars libera of Pan is much longer than that of Homo which is longer than but similar to that of Pongo , which is much longer than that of Gorilla . Relative to size of males, however, Homo have pars libera that are twice as long as those of Pongo . Similarities and differences in penile structure between Pongo , which has a non-gregarious (dispersed) mating system, and Pan (with a multimale system) may be understood in relation to the form of the female genitalia; this is consistent with the notion that sexual selection by female choice may be an ultimate cause of sexual characteristics of hominoids. Hypotheses about causation, however, require scrutiny with a more complete dataset from living subjects.
FLT3 inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia

The fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) plays an important role in both normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Activating mutations in the FLT3 receptor can be detected in approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) and are associated with a distinctly poor clinical outcome for patients. There are now several classes of FLT3 inhibitors in development with varying degrees of potency and selectivity for the target, including several in late-phase clinical trials in combination with chemotherapy. Major clinical responses in AML patients receiving single-agent FLT3 inhibitors have been rare, although transient peripheral blood blast reduction is common. Given such biological suggestion and preclinical activity, FLT3 inhibitors hold promise in improving the outcome of patients with mutant FLT3 AML. This review summarizes the current attempts to target this molecule, with emphasis on the validity of the target, the results of the clinical trials evaluating the FLT3 inhibitors in AML, the optimal use of these compounds and the mechanisms of resistance.
Lck plays a critical role in Ca2+ mobilization and CD28 costimulation in mature primary T cells

To investigate the signaling function of the Src-family protein tyrosine kinase Lck in mature T cells, we generated transgenic mice that expressed Lck in thymocytes but not in peripheral lymphocytes. We compared the phenotype and signaling capacity of Lck-deficient T cells with T cells from mice expressing a dominant inhibitory form of Lck and found that both mouse strains have diminished numbers of mature CD8+ T cells and respond poorly to CD28 costimulation. However, while T cells that lack Lck fail to mobilize Ca2+ after stimulation, those expressing the dominant negative protein do so normally. Our data demonstrate that Lck plays several unique roles in mature lymphocyte signaling.
Normal and inverse spin-valve effect in organic semiconductor nanowires and the background monotonic magnetoresistance

We have observed both peaks and troughs in the magnetoresistance of organic nanowires consisting of three layers---cobalt, 8-hydroxy-quinolinolato aluminum $(\mathrm{Al}{\mathrm{q}}_{3})$, and nickel. They always occur between the coercive fields of the ferromagnetic layers, and we attribute them to the normal and inverse spin-valve effect. The latter is caused by resonant tunneling through localized impurity states in the organic material. Peaks are always found to be accompanied by a positive monotonic background magnetoresistance, while troughs are accompanied by a negative monotonic background magnetoresistance. This curious correlation suggests that the background magnetoresistance, whose origin has hitherto remained unexplained, is probably caused by the recently proposed phenomenon of magnetic-field-induced enhancement of spin-flip scattering in the presence of spin-orbit interaction [Cahay and Bandyopadhyay, Phys. Rev. B 69, 045303 (2004)].
52.3: New Method of Vertical Alignment by Using Nano-Structure

We propose a new technology to control the pretilt angle of liquid crystal and leaning direction of a Vertical Aligned Nematic (VAN) upon a rugged surface. A Multi-domain Vertical Aligned (MVA) panel, incorporating a pillar-like structure with 2–3um pitch, was developed which exhibited high brightness and wide viewing angle range.
Multifrequency electron spin-echo envelope modulation: The determination of nitro group 14N hyperfine and quadrupole interactions of DPPH in frozen solution

Two‐ and three‐pulse electron spin‐echo modulations from 14N in the nitro groups of DPPH in toluene at 77 K have been measured at electron spin excitation frequencies of 4.45, 4.94, 5.47, 6.68, and 9.10 GHz. Analysis of the frequencies, amplitudes, and linewidths of the modulation components, together with their variation with excitation frequency, establishes that the 14N hyperfine interactions are approximately isotropic and enables the evaluation of the isotropic coupling. Distinctive spectral trends apparent in multifrequency ESEEM are employed to identify the cancellation of hyperfine and Zeeman interactions; modulation components accordingly assigned as pure quadrupole frequencies afford accurate determination of quadrupole coupling constants. Multifrequency ESEEM is shown to be a vital tool of general applicability in 14N ESEEM spectroscopy.
Photoionization study of Hg2

Abstract Photoionization efficiency data for Hg 2 + have been obtained in the region of 650–1400 A. The ionization energy of Hg 2 was determined to be 9.103 ± 0.010 eV. This value allows the calculation of the dissociation energy of Hg + 2 to be 1.40 ± 0.02 eV. By analyzing the differences in energy between corresponding autoionization peaks observed in the Hg + and the Hg 2 + spectra and by assuming the charge induced-dipole interaction to be the dominant interaction between Hg + ( 2 D 5/2, 3/2 ) and Hg at the equilibrium bond distance of Hg 2 , the equilibrium bond distance for Hg 2 was deduced to 3.35 A.
Impact of dislocations on minority carrier electron and hole lifetimes in GaAs grown on metamorphic SiGe substrates

The minority carrier lifetime of electrons (τn) in p-type GaAs double heterostructures grown on GaAs substrates and compositionally graded Ge/Si1−xGex/Si (SiGe) substrates with varying threading dislocation densities (TDDs) were measured at room temperature using time-resolved photoluminescence. The electron lifetimes for homoepitaxial GaAs and GaAs grown on SiGe (TDD∼1×106 cm−2) with a dopant concentration of 2×1017 cm−3 were ∼21 and ∼1.5 ns, respectively. The electron lifetime measured on SiGe was substantially lower than the previously measured minority carrier hole lifetime (τp) of ∼10 ns, for n-type GaAs grown on SiGe substrates with a similar residual TDD and dopant concentration. The reduced lifetime for electrons is a consequence of their higher mobility, which yields an increased sensitivity to the presence of dislocations in GaAs grown on metamorphic buffers. The disparity in dislocation sensitivity for electron and hole recombination has significant implications for metamorphic III-V devices.
On-chip control of pneumatic-based bistable valve switch

Bistable valves are of particular interest due to its capability of remaining in open or closed states without energy consumption. This aspect is appealing for microfluidics transferring from benchside to bedside as input access and controls are limited. In this paper, we present pneumatic-based, bistable valve (BSV) switches for immediate on-chip fluid-flow manipulation without the requirement of external microcontroller circuitries. The applicability of the on-chip controller is demonstrated in a 4-to-1 microfluidic multiplexor. Furthermore, clinical relevance of on-chip BSV switches is displayed in point-of-care ABO blood-typing diagnostic chips.
Induction of partial synchrony in soybean cell cultures.

Abstract Cell division in soybean cells (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) grown as 100 ml batch cultures with a defined medium under continuous light has been partially synchronized by daily exchange of 2 5 of the cell suspension for an equal amount of fresh medium. Oscillations of the mitotic index showed 30 h periods, MI(max) = 25%. In cell suspensions maintained as a continuous culture partial synchrony was induced by flushing the cultures with N2-pulses of 1 10 sec every 3–4 sec for 90 min per 24 and 30 h, MI(max) = 12–15%. When the suspensions were grown as a batch culture and N2-pulses administered 8 × 30 min 24 h over a period of 4 days, cell division during the following period of constant aeration was synchronized for 1–2 cycles, MI(max) = 26%
Monensin depletes PC12 pheochromocytoma cells of catecholamines and of chromaffin-type granules.

Abstract PC12 pheochromocytoma cell store dopamine in chromaffin-type granules. The carboxylic ionophore momensin depletes the cells of dopamine and of granules. PC12 cultures incubated for 30 min with 100 nM monensin lose more than 90% of their dopamine. A small fraction of the dopamine that disappears from the cells is converted to dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. The remainder is presumably converted to other, unidentified metabolites. Monensin-treated cells contain many cytoplasmic vesicles. Some of these vesicles contain amorphous, electron-dense material, which may represent the matrix of disrupted granules. There is no morphological evidence of exocytosis. Thus, monensin appears to promote the intracellular lysis of chromaffin-type granules in PC12 cells.
A geochemical model for evaluating theories on the genesis of Florida's sedimentary phosphate deposits

Present ionic concentrations of Ca ++,HCO 3 - ,and HPO 4 = in surface and groundwater runoff in Florida indicate that phosphorus is being concentrated in rock through dissolution and reprecipitation, with calcium phosphate increasing at the expense of calcium carbonate. Analog computer simulation of a systems model of this process suggests that significant enrichment can occur in 20 million years. The degree of enrichment depends on the supply of new phosphorus to Florida through rain and oceanic exchange processes. If the calcium phosphate content of original rock is 0.5 to 1.0 percent (0.52 to 1.05 percent P 2 O 5),a formation with 10 to 20 percent calcium phosphate (CaPO 4 or 10.5 to 21.0 percent P 2 O 5)as in the Hawthorn Formation (Miocene)may result. Nutrient upwelling along the continental slope coupled with transport to the estuaries by lateral eddy diffusion can supply an additional 400 mg P|m 2 |yr which, if deposited, would result in a sediment with a 4.3 percent CaPO 4 (4.5 percent P 2 O 5)content. If this is enriched later by resolution, 40 percent CaPO 4 (42 percent P 2 O 5)results. Through geologic time, the ocean may be considered as a source of phosphorus to the land through rain or estuarine sediment.
Selective serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists for postoperative nausea and vomiting: Are they all the same?

Selective serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have proven safe and effective for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron and tropisetron selectively and competitively bind to 5-HT3 receptors, blocking serotonin binding at vagal afferents in the gut and in the regions of the CNS involved in emesis, including the chemoreceptor trigger zone and the nucleus tractus solitarii. Despite their shared mechanism of action, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have different chemical structures and exhibit differences in receptor binding affinity, dose response and duration of effect. Furthermore, although dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron and tropisetron are all extensively metabolised by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, different components of this system predominate in the metabolism of each of these agents. Hence, although these agents are considered equally effective in the overall population, their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences may explain the variability in individual responses to these drugs. This review discusses the pharmacological profiles of dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron and tropisetron, and the clinical implications of differences in their profiles.
Calcium regulation of skeletal myogenesis. II. Extracellular and cell surface effects

Abstract The process of myoblast fusion during skeletal myogenesis is calcium regulated. Suppression of fusion is obtained by lowering medium [Ca 2+ ] and re-initiated by raising medium [Ca 2+ ]. Previously, we showed that such changes in medium [Ca 2+ ] produced concomitant changes in myoblast [Ca 2+ ] and that a critical cellular concentration of calcium must be present in myoblasts for fusion to occur. In this study, we report on further investigations on the relationship between myoblast [Ca 2+ ] and fusion and also present data which suggest that an outer cell surface pool of calcium is involved in the fusion process. Cellular [Ca 2+ ] must reach greater than 0.8 pmoles/cell and the medium [Ca 2+ ] must be greater than 0.2–0.4 mM for myoblast fusion to occur. These conditions do not have a trigger effect on the entire myoblast population; instead, myoblast fusion was a dose-dependent linear response. If medium [Ca 2+ ] was not maintained at 0.9 mM then cellular [Ca 2+ ] decreased below a critical 0.8 pmoles/cell nucleus and fusion ceased. The cell surface pool of calcium was detected with the calcium antagonist lanthanum. A defined culture medium with 0.9 mM Ca 2+ was used to maintain cell viability, and to prevent precipitation of medium components and changes in medium pH with La 3+ (0.1 mM). La 3+ did not enter the myoblasts as detected by electron microscopy, did not inhibit Ca 2+ movement into the cells and the cellular [Ca 2+ ] was sufficient to promote myoblast fusion. Under these conditions, myoblast fusion was inhibited. Morphologically, the fusion-suppressed myoblasts resembled those suppressed by lowered medium [Ca 2+ ]. After removal of the fusion-block by washing, the myotubes that formed were equivalent to those present in unaltered cultures. These results suggest that a La 3+ displaceable Ca 2+ pool exists at the surface of myoblasts which is involved in myoblast fusion. Thus, it appears that myoblast fusion is dependent on the continuous presence of cell surface calcium and an adequate intracellular Ca 2+ . An influx of calcium alone is not sufficient to promote myotube formation.
An EMG-assisted model of trunk loading during free-dynamic lifting

Abstract One of the continuing challenges in biomechanics has been to assess loading of the spine during dynamic lifting exertions. A model was developed to accurately simulate multi-dimensional spinal loads and trunk moments from measured muscle coactivity and external forces during free-dynamic lifting exertions. Model validity was demonstrated by comparing measured and predicted trunk extension moments. Its purpose was to examine realistic representations of lifting kinetics, kinematics, and dynamic trunk mechanics that may influence spinal loading, and to demonstrate that EMG-assisted modeling techniques can be applied to the analysis of free-dynamic exertions. Spinal loads and trunk moments were predicted from the muscle force vectors and external loads. Muscle tensile forces were determined from the product of normalized EMG data modulated to account for contractile dynamics, muscle cross sectional area, and muscle force per unit cross-sectional area. Model output was physiologically valid, i.e. average predicted muscle force per unit cross-sectional area of 50–65 N cm −2 , and accurately predicted measured, dynamic, lifting moments, with an average R 2 = 0.81 in the sagittal plane and R 2 = 0.76 in the lateral plane. Results indicated that compressive and shear loading increased significantly with exertion load, lifting velocity, and trunk asymmetry.
Vascular calcification: Mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle cell calcification

Vascular calcification is highly prevalent and, when present, is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. Vascular smooth muscle cells play an integral role in mediating vessel calcification by undergoing differentiation to osteoblast-like cells and generating matrix vesicles that serve as a nidus for calcium-phosphate deposition in the vessel wall. Once believed to be a passive process, it is now recognized that vascular calcification is a complex and highly regulated process that involves activation of cellular signaling pathways, circulating inhibitors of calcification, genetic factors, and hormones. This review will examine several of the key mechanisms linking vascular smooth muscle cells to vessel calcification that may be targeted to reduce vessel wall mineralization and, thereby, reduce cardiovascular risk.
On Cars and Food: Reflections on Sources for the Historical Study of Everyday Information Behavior

Historical approaches are beginning to be used in the study of everyday information behavior. The ideal sources for carrying out this kind of scholarship would be large bodies of correspondence or large numbers of diary entries that discuss particular everyday activities, spread across long periods of time. Given the general lack of availability of these kinds of sources, historically minded everyday information behavior scholars need to find alternative source materials to employ in their research, even if these sources give only indirect rather than direct information about individuals' everyday information behavior. This article discusses a number of these alternative sources (consumer magazines, popular magazines, corporate marketing literature, guidebooks, reviews, and various kinds of advertising) and shows how they were used in historical studies on car buying and eating out in America.
Altered Lower Extremity Movement Variability in Female Soccer Players During Side-Step Cutting After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) is common after an ACL tear and is thought to restore functional stability to the knee. A recent investigation demonstrated that individuals who have undergone ACLR exhibited increased lower extremity coupling variability during gait, suggestive of altered dynamic stability. However, little is known about whether they exhibit alterations in lower extremity variability during dynamic sport-specific tasks.Purpose:To determine if female soccer players who have had an ACLR demonstrate differences in lower extremity coupling variability as compared with athletes with no history of knee injury during a side-step cutting maneuver.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Ten female soccer players who had undergone ACLR served as the experimental group, and 10 female soccer players with no history of knee ligament injury composed the control group (CON). Three-dimensional kinematics and ground-reaction forces were collected while each partic...
Life Changes, Cessation and Maintenance of Smoking: A Preliminary Report:

Positive and negative life changes in the 6 mo. prior to treatment were related to cessation and maintenance of smoking. 20 subjects who initially quit smoking during treatment and those 8 who maintained cessation at 4 mo. reported significantly fewer positive life changes prior to treatment. Negative life changes were unrelated to success in therapy. The results support Sarason, Johnson, and Siegel, who in 1978 argued for the utility of differentiating between positive and negative life changes
Recession of a coal face exposed to a high temperature

Abstract A one-dimensional, transient model is developed to describe drying, pyrolysis, endothermic gasification and spalling(thermomechanical failure) of a wet coal face exposed to a high temperature. Such a situation occurs, for example, at the roof of an underground coal gasification (UCG) cavity. Emphasis is placed on thermochemistry, and rock mechanics are simplified by use of two parameters, a failure length and temperature, which measure the strength of the coal. Drying of the coal and convection of the evaporated water are modeled as a Stefan problem, and reaction of this water vapor with carbon at the free surface is described by an asymptotic solution in the limit of a large activation energy for this reaction. Thus, evaporation and gasification effects become analytic boundary conditions on the numerical solution to the transient heat penetration in the dry coal. Pyrolysis is treated numerically as the release of a single component in the dry coal according to one-step Arrhenius kinetics. Both surface gasification and spalling are shown to be of importance for typical UCG conditions, and their relative interaction can provide an explanation for UCG field test observations. The model, in particular the perturbation solution developed for the surface recession rate due to gasification, has applications in pyrolyzing ablative and related systems.
Comparison of the sequence organization of related retrovirus-like multigene families in three evolutionary distant rodent genomes

Sequences related to mouse intracisternal A-particle (IAP) genes have been isolated from rat and Syrian hamster gene libraries as recombinants in lambda phage. The sequences are moderately reiterated in both these genomes but their sequence organization in the hamster genome is different from that in the rat genome. Restriction analysis and electron microscopy indicate that the Syrian hamster IAP sequences represent a family of relatively homogeneous well-conserved units; in this, they resemble the mouse IAP genes. The rat sequences, in contrast, are heterogeneous. Both the hamster and rat IAP sequences contain regions homologous to mouse IAP genes interspersed with regions of apparent non-homology. The interspersed regions range in size from 0.5-1.0 kilobases (Kb). The regions of homology among the mouse, rat and Syrian hamster IAP sequences have been mapped to a 5-6 Kb internal region on the mouse IAP genes. Mouse IAP long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences were not detected in the rat and Syrian hamster genomes. We used the thermal stability of hybrids between cloned and genomic IAP sequences to measure family homogeneity. Mouse and Syrian hamster IAP sequences are homogeneous by this criterion, but the rat IAP sequences are heterogeneous with a Tm 6 degrees C below the self-hybrid. The contrasting organization of IAP-related elements in the genomes of these rodents indicates that amplification or homogenization of this sequence family has occurred independently and at different periods of time during their evolution.
Exhaustion, immuno-inflammation, and pathogen burden after cardiac surgery: An exploratory study

Background:Exhaustion, a consequence of prolonged stress characterized by unusual fatigue, is associated with increased risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality. In patients recovering from coronary artery bypass (CABG), little is known about the relationship of 1) immune-mediated inflammation and resultant endothelial activation, and 2) cumulative exposure to infectious pathogens (pathogen burden (PB)) implicated in coronary atherosclerosis to exhaustion.Aim:The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the association of PB, inflammatory markers (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10) and a marker of endothelial activation (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1)) to exhaustion.Methods:One to two months post-CABG, 42 individuals who met inclusion criteria were assessed for exhaustion using the Maastricht Interview for Vital Exhaustion. Serum IgG antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1, HSV-2, cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, and inflammatory and endothelial activation markers were measured ...
Three-dimensional haemodynamics in patients with obstructive and non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance

Aims The left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) peak pressure gradient is an important haemodynamic descriptor in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); however, secondary alterations in aortic blood flow have not been well described in these patients. Aortic flow derangement is not easily assessed by traditional imaging methods, but may provide unique characterization of this disease. In this study, we demonstrated how four-dimensional (4D) flow MRI can assess LVOT peak pressure gradients in HCM patients and also evaluated the ascending aorta (AAo) haemodynamic derangement associated with HCM. Methods and results Obstructive ( n = 12) and non-obstructive ( n = 18) HCM patients were included in the study along with 10 normal volunteers. 4D flow MRI was used to visualize three-dimensional (3D) blood flow patterns within the LVOT and AAo, which were graded for the presence of helical flow as a marker of flow derangement (absent = 0, mild/moderate = 1, and severe = 2). MRI-estimated pressure gradient (Δ P MRI) was calculated from the peak systolic 3D blood velocity profile within the LVOT. There was higher grade helical flow in obstructive HCM patients compared with non-obstructive patients ( P = 0.04) and volunteers ( P < 0.001). Non-obstructive patients also had higher helix grade than volunteers ( P = 0.002). There was a significant correlation between helical grade and increasing Δ P MRI ( r S = 0.69, P < 0.001). Systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve was associated with both increasing helix grade ( P < 0.001) and Δ P MRI ( P = 0.006). Conclusions Ascending aorta flow derangement occurs in both obstructive and non-obstructive HCM patients and can be identified using 4D flow MRI. The degree of flow derangement correlates with LVOT gradient, SAM, and outflow tract geometry.
Simulation and visualization of flow around bat wings during flight

This paper presents a case study of interdisciplinary collaboration in building a set of tools to simulate and visualize airflow around bat wings during flight. A motion capture system is used to generate 3D coordinates of infrared markers attached to the wings of a bat flying in a wind tunnel. Marker positions that cannot be determined due to high wing deformation are reconstructed on the basis of the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). The geometry obtained for the wings is used to generate a sequence of unstructured tetrahedral meshes. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in arbitrary Lagrangian- Eulerian formulation are solved using the hybrid spectral/hp element solver Nektar. Preliminary simulation results are visualized in the CAVE, an immersive, 3D, stereo display environment.
Adaptive output feedback regulation of a class of nonlinear systems: convergence and robustness

In this paper we consider a minimum-phase, input-output linearizable system that is represented globally by an nth-order differential equation. The nonlinearities of the system depend linearly on unknown parameters which belong to a known convex set. We design a semiglobal adaptive output feedback controller to ensure boundedness of all state variables and regulation of the output to zero (an open-loop equilibrium condition). It is shown that the adaptive controller is robust with respect to bounded disturbances in the sense that the mean square regulation error is of the order of the magnitude of the disturbance. Moreover, if the disturbance vanishes when the input and output are identically zero and if its slope is sufficiently small, then the adaptive controller will ensure convergence of the regulation error.
Ontology-Aware Search on XML-based Electronic Medical Records

As the use of electronic medical records (EMRs) becomes more widespread, so does the need for effective information discovery on them. Recently proposed EMR standards are XML-based, having as a key characteristic the frequent use of ontological references, i.e., ontological concept codes appear as XML elements and are used to associate portions of the EMR document with concepts defined in a domain ontology. In this paper we present the XOntoRank system which tackles the problem of ontology-aware keyword search on XML documents with a particular focus on EMR XML documents. Our running examples and experiments use the Health Level Seven (HL7) clinical document architecture (CDA) Release 2.0 standard of EMR representation and the systematized nomenclature of human and veterinary medicine (SNOMED) ontology, although the presented techniques and results are applicable to any EMR hierarchical format and any ontology that defines concepts and relationships.
Compensation of geometric distortion effects on intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging for enhanced visualization in image-guided neurosurgery.

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI, diffusion tensor MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and positron-emission tomographic scans may be aligned to intraoperative MRI to enhance visualization and navigation during image-guided neurosurgery. However, several effects (both machine- and patientinduced distortions) lead to significant geometric distortion of intraoperative MRI. Therefore, a precise alignment of these image modalities requires correction of the geometric distortion. We propose and evaluate a novel method to compensate for the geometric distortion of intraoperative 0.5-T MRI in image-guided neurosurgery. METHODS: In this initial pilot study, 11 neurosurgical procedures were prospectively enrolled. The scheme used to correct the geometric distortion is based on a nonrigid registration algorithm introduced by our group. This registration scheme uses image features to establish correspondence between images. It estimates a smooth geometric distortion compensation field by regularizing the displacements estimated at the correspondences. A patient-specific linear elastic material model is used to achieve the regularization. The geometry of intraoperative images (0.5 T) is changed so that the images match the preoperative MRI scans (3 T). RESULTS: We compared the alignment between preoperative and intraoperative imaging using 1) only rigid registration without correction of the geometric distortion, and 2) rigid registration and compensation for the geometric distortion. We evaluated the success of the geometric distortion correction algorithm by measuring the Hausdorff distance between boundaries in the 3-T and 0.5-T MRIs after rigid registration alone and with the addition of geometric distortion correction of the 0.5-T MRI. Overall, the mean magnitude of the geometric distortion measured on the intraoperative images is 10.3 mm with a minimum of 2.91 mm and a maximum of 21.5 mm. The measured accuracy of the geometric distortion compensation algorithm is 1.93 mm. There is a statistically significant difference between the accuracy of the alignment of preoperative and intraoperative images, both with and without the correction of geometric distortion (P 0.001). CONCLUSION: The major contributions of this study are 1) identification of geometric distortion of intraoperative images relative to preoperative images, 2) measurement of the geometric distortion, 3) application of nonrigid registration to compensate for geometric distortion during neurosurgery, 4) measurement of residual distortion after geometric distortion correction, and 5) phantom study to quantify geometric distortion.
Computing with field-coupled nanomagnets

Magnetic phenomena are commonly used for data-storage applications, but there are relatively few attempts to exploit magnetic phenomena for logic applications. In this presentation, we review our recent work on logic functionality in systems of physically-coupled nanometer-scale magnets. Nanomagnets are special in that they exhibit only two distinct stable states of magnetization, which is the basis for their use in magnetic random access memories and in hard disk drives. These latter applications, for which fabrication of dense arrays is under development, face the challenge of avoiding magnetic dipole interactions between individual elements, which limits data storage density. In contrast, these interactions are exploited in the magnetic quantum-dot cellular automata (MQCA) system, which is a network of closely-spaced, dipole-coupled, single-domain nanomagnets designed for digital computation. Our work demonstrates that logic functions can be realized in properly-structured arrays of physically-coupled nanomagnets, and points to the possibility of all-magnetic information processing systems that incorporate both memory and logic.
Review: topical NSAIDs reduce pain in osteoarthritis only during the first 2 weeks of use

Lin J, Zhang W, Jones A, et al . Efficacy of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ 2004;329:324. [OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] Q Are topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) efficacious for treatment of osteoarthritis? ### ![Graphic][3] Data sources: Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, Scientific Citation Index, and Cochrane Library (up to October 2003); reference lists; and conference abstracts from international societies of rheumatology (2002–3). ### ![Graphic][4] Study selection and assessment: randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in any language that compared topical NSAIDs with placebo or oral NSAIDs in patients with clinical or radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. Individual study quality was assessed based on randomisation, blinding, and withdrawals. ### ![Graphic][5] Outcomes: reduction in pain (global pain or pain at rest) from baseline, change in function or stiffness, and adverse events (eg, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and local events). 13 trials (16 comparisons, n = 2224) met the selection criteria. Mean age of patients ranged from 61–67 years. Comparison groups were placebo (13 comparisons, n = 1460) and oral NSAIDs (3 comparisons, n = 764). Topical NSAIDS v placebo . Topical NSAIDs reduced pain and improved function more than placebo during the … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBMJ%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1136%252Fbmj.38159.639028.7C%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F15286056%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=bmj&resid=329/7461/324&atom=%2Febnurs%2F8%2F1%2F20.atom [3]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [4]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [5]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif
A compressive sensing method for noise reduction of speech and audio signals

Recently, compressive sensing (CS) has been intensively studied in the fields of applied mathematics and signal processing. However, its application to speech processing has not been well discussed. In this paper, we propose a compressive sensing method for noise reduction of speech and audio signals. The noise reduction problem is formulated in the theoretical framework of CS, as an l 1 -minimisation problem with a linear combination of a constrained term, by adopting a random partial Fourier transform operator. Furthermore, a gradient descend line search (GDLS) algorithm is adopted to efficiently solve the optimisation problem. Finally, we demonstrate that the proposed method is quite effective in reducing the noise of speech signals, especially for stationary and nonstationary white Gaussian noises.
Forward-backward averaging in the presence of array manifold errors

We investigate the use of forward-backward (f/b) averaging for estimating the covariance matrix used for adaptive beamforming and space-time adaptive processing (STAP). We demonstrate that the estimation loss is reduced by the use of f/b averaging and, for some STAP cases, f/b averaging can even quadruple the available sample support. We also show that unknown array manifold errors have little effect on the effectiveness of f/b averaging. The gain from f/b averaging is demonstrated on data from the mountaintop database.
Will the multimode wireless transceiver soon resemble a software-defined radio?

The signs are clear: competition among handset makers is forcing them to replace today's multiplicity of ad hoc standard-specific modules and associated RF passive filters and duplexers by a highly integrated universal transceiver platform that connects directly to the antenna. This platform, with the ability to tune continuously from 80 MHz to 6 GHz, should support all 2G and 3G cellular standards as well as wireless data connectivity. These are all the attributes of software-defined radio.
Ball lightning as a route to fusion energy

Ball lightning can have a diameter up to several meters, a lifetime of over 100 s, an energy content in excess of 10 MJ, and an energy density and a kinetic pressure greater than that of a reacting D-T plasma. Some of the properties of ball lightning which commend it to the attention of the fusion community are reviewed. Some potential advantages and applications of ball lightning fusion reactors are discussed. >
Decorrelation algorithm for blind decision feedback equalizer with lattice structures

A new algorithm was previously introduced for blind, adaptive equalization, known as the decorrelation algorithm. The algorithm is based on decorrelating the input to the decision or threshold device of a decision feedback equalizer to reduce the intersymbol interference at the equalizer's output. To increase the rate of convergence of this blind, adaptive, decision feedback equalizer, a fast Kalman structure was proposed, but not without a dramatic increase in complexity and limited numerical stability. In the present paper, more computationally efficient lattice-based structures are proposed. Using the decorrelation algorithm to control these structures, the authors maintain a high rate of convergence with better numerical stability in finite-precision environments. >
Differential étale extensions and differential modules over differential rings

This paper studies differential square zero extensions and differential modules of a commutative differential algebra R over a differential field F where the field of constants of F is algebraically closed and of characteristic 0. All elements of R and the differential R modules and algebras considered are assumed to satisfy linear homogeneous differential equations over F. For R differentially simple, we describe the invectives, and, using that all considered differential modules are R flat, provide a criterion for all square zero extensions to be differentially split.
Nutrition and Bipolar Depression

As with physical conditions, bipolar disorder is likely to be impacted by diet and nutrition. Patients with bipolar disorder have been noted to have relatively unhealthy diets, which may in part be the reason they also have an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity. An improvement in the quality of the diet should improve a bipolar patient's overall health risk profile, but it may also improve their psychiatric outcomes. New insights into biological dysfunctions that may be present in bipolar disorder have presented new theoretic frameworks for understanding the relationship between diet and bipolar disorder.
A case study in helping students to covertly eat their classmates

Werewolves is an online version of the game Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow that we developed in 2012 to help teach information flow in a computer security and privacy class. The game pits werewolves against townspeople in a shared Linux system, where students must use the command line environment to find information flow leaks in the form of side channels that reveal the werewolves’ identities. Werewolves has many desirable traits, such as the ability to make learning about information flow fun and the fact that the kinds of attacks students can carry out to gain an advantage in the game are open ended, which leads to self-guided learning. However, these benefits quickly deteriorate if one or two students dominate the game. In this paper, we discuss instances where this has occurred through several uses of the game, and propose ways to ameliorate this problem.
Gaze-Stabilizing Deficits and Latent Nystagmus in Monkeys With Early-Onset Visual Deprivation: Role of the Pretectal NOT

We studied the role of the pretectal nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) in the development of monocular optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) asymmetries and latent nystagmus (LN) in two monkeys reared with bi...
Brain Hemorrhage in Embolic Stroke

Brain hemorrhage is a feared complication of immediate anticoagulation of cardiogenic brain embolism. The clinical features of 62 patients with CT evidence of brain hemorrhage complicating embolic stroke were studied. Worsening with hemmorhagic transformation occurred in 15 anticoagulated and two non-anticoagulated patients, with no apparent relationship with patient age or embolic source. Of anticoagulated (AC) patients who worsened, 7 were hypertensive, 11 were excessively anticoagulated and 9 had large infarcts. There were 3 AC patients who worsened who were neither hypertensive, nor excessively anticoagulated. Asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation was more common than hemorrhagic worsening, occurring in 45 patients. Factors associated with hemorrhage and worsening include large infarct size (60 % vs 21 %) and initiation of AC after early (less than 12 hrs from stroke onset) CT (62 % vs 37 %). The occurrence of symptomatic brain hemorrhage in embolic stroke is not entirely predicable. In patients with large embolic strokes, postponing anticoagulation for several days may be prudent.
Vasculitis in primary Sjögren's syndrome. Histologic classification and clinical presentation.

Nine out of 70 patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome had vasculitis of small and/or medium-sized vessels. The small vessel vasculitis was of the hypersensitivity type: leukocytoclastic and lymphocytic. The medium vessel vasculitis was acute necrotizing and simulated polyarteritis nodosa histologically but lacked the characteristic aneurysmal formation. A healing stage of vasculitis, presenting as endarteritis obliterans, was seen in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and a long-standing history of vasculitis. The hypersensitivity vasculitis was localized mainly in the skin and provided mild clinical symptoms. The polyarteritis nodosa-like vasculitis was localized predominantly in internal organs and was associated with life-threatening symptoms. Endarteritis obliterans was mainly seen in acral sites of the extremities and presented with recurrent symptoms of obstruction. One patient died of vasculitis. The remaining patients are alive. The presence of anemia, cryoglobulinemia, and hypocomplementemia suggested an immune-complex origin of the vasculitic process.
Eradicating Poverty through Profits

This article investigates how the financial performance of a microfinance organization (MFO) affects its focus on women borrowers. Building on the institutional logics perspective and cognate research on comparative institutional analysis, I examine how heterogeneous logic configurations in terms of neoliberalism and patriarchy variably moderate the effects of financial performance on MFOs’ lending focus on women across nations. Using data on 1569 microfinance organizations in 101 developing countries between 1995 and 2007, I find that more financially self- sufficient MFOs tend to have a reduced focus on women borrowers. This effect is further amplified in highly neoliberal and patriarchal countries, where women clients are more costly and less financially appealing to serve. Implications of these findings for the microfinance sector, the institutional shaping of the financial-social performance debate, and the integration of the institutional logics perspective and comparative institutional analysis are...