cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Color distribution of three regions of extracted human teeth

Abstract Objectives. Knowledge of human tooth color and its distribution are critical to the understanding of shade matching in esthetic dentistry. The color of human teeth shows a gradation from the gingival to the incisal region. There have been many reports in the literature on the distribution of color in teeth, but not in the CIE 1976 L*a*b* system. This study was conducted to determine the color distribution in three regions in a sample of human teeth and express the results in Munsell notation, CIE 1976 L*a*b* and CIE ΔE* color differences. The hypothesis of this research was that it is possible to detect significant differences in the color parameters of the three distinct regions in teeth. Methods. All of the teeth used in this study were extracted, cleaned and stored in artificial saliva. Prior to measurement, the teeth were removed from the solution and mounted in a holder to ensure consistent measurements. SpectraI data were collected using a GE recording spectrophotometer, CIE chromaticity coordinates calculated using CIE illuminant C and 1931 observer data, and conversions made to L*, a*, b* and Munsell notation. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Scheffe's multiple comparisons test. Results. The mean L*, a*, b*s were 72.6,1.5,18.4 for gingival, 72:4,1.2, 16.2-for middle, and 71.4, 0.9, 12.8 for incisal. Average Munsell parameters were 1.2 Y 7.1/2.7 for gingival, 1.3 Y 7.1/2.4 for middle, and 1.4 Y 7.0/1.9 for incisal. The mean CIE ΔE* between the gingival and incisal regions of the 95 teeth showed a clinically significant difference of 8.2. Significance. The distribution of color was identified for three regions of the tooth. A statistical analysis determined that there are statistically significant color differences between the regions, and these differences are also clinically significant. This information is beneficial when esthetic restorations are required.
An Interactive Communication Technology Adoption Model

In the evolving research arena of mediated communication technology adoption and uses, one of the most valuable developments involves the increased integration of distinct communication research traditions. This emerging fusion presents an unprecedented opportunity for communication researchers to share, confer, and challenge the “native” tradition that each has followed. This article proposes an integrated research model and explains how it can serve as the basis for mediated communication technology adoption research. In particular, this proposed model is intended to provide a research framework for studying the factors that help shape adoption decisions of various communication technologies and the potential impact of technology adoption on the social system, audiences, and use patterns. Mediated communication, whether it be point-to-point or point-tomultipoint, stands as the backbone of an information society and a significant phenomenon in human communication. As pointed out by Qvortrup (1994, p. 377), information-technology tools should be regarded as “social tools” because they are utilized for the transfer, manipulation, storage, and retrieval of human symbols, cognitive products, and interactive relations. The significance of these social tools is most visible not only in terms of the amount of time they consume in human communication on a daily basis, but also in the level of scholarly research they help generate. The latter scenario is readily observable via the availability of a slew of peer-reviewed academic journals (e.g., Journal of Computer Mediated-Communication, Journal of Electronic Publishing, Behaviour and Information Technology, The Information Society, etc.) dedicated to mediated communication research. Equally important is that other disciplines traditionally distinct from communication—such as library sciences, education, psychology, and information management sciences—have also published scholarly works and dedicated journals to addressing their unique perspectives on mediated communication research. Communication technology research, thus,
Outcome of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia who receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy

Abstract Background/Purpose: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an accepted therapy for acute respiratory failure but more recently has been used in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and superimposed acute pulmonary insults. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of such infants. Methods: Charts of infants at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) who had a diagnosis of BPD before ECMO were reviewed. In addition, to obtain survival data in a larger population, the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry was searched for infants with BPD before ECMO. Results: Of 204 patients who received noncardiac ECMO at CHOP, 9 had BPD before ECMO. Of 7 survivors, 4 were still ventilator dependent at 9 to 39 months of corrected age. Developmentally, 4 had significant global delays, whereas 3 had significant language and motor delays with average to mildly delayed cognitive abilities. The ELSO Registry search showed 76 patients with BPD before ECMO, with a 78% survival. Conclusions: The survival rate of infants with BPD who receive ECMO is comparable to, or better than, the survival rates in most other ECMO populations. However, there appears to be a high risk of severe pulmonary and neurodevelopmental sequelae. J Pediatr Surg 36:1479-1484. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Blockade of sensitization to methylphenidate by MK-801: partial dissociation from motor effects.

The role of MK-801's locomotor effect in blocking the development of sensitization to methylphenidate was investigated utilizing a computerized locomotor activity monitoring system. After 7 days of acclimation to a 12:12 light-dark cycle (lights on at 07:00), male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=62) were housed in test cages and motor activity was recorded continuously for 16 days. The first 2 days of recording served as a baseline for each rat, and on day 3 each rat received a saline injection. On days 4 to 9 rats were randomly divided into seven groups: Rats received either six daily s.c. injections of methylphenidate (2.5 mg/kg; Group 1), or six daily i.p. injections of 0.30 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg MK-801 (Groups 2 and 3, respectively); two MK-801 pre-treatment groups received a single i.p. injection of 0.05, or 0.30 mg/kg MK-801 one hour prior to 2.5 mg/kg methylphenidate (n=8 each) on day 4 followed by five daily injections of 2.5 mg/kg methylphenidate; and finally, two cotreatment groups received a challenge dose of 2.5 mg/kg methylphenidate on day 4 followed by either 0.05 or 0.30 mg/kg MK-801 i.p. one hour prior to 2.5 mg/kg methylphenidate from days 5 to 9. All groups were allowed five days of no treatment before being re-challenged on day 15 with the same treatment they received on day 4. Methylphenidate and 0.30 mg/kg MK-801 sensitized to their own locomotor effects, but 0.05 mg/kg MK-801, which had no acute motor effects, did not. The administration of MK-801 (0.30 mg/kg) prior to methylphenidate either singly on day 4, or coadministered throughout the repeated methylphenidate treatment phase, blocked the development of sensitization to methylphenidate. However, MK-801 at 0.05 mg/kg delayed the development of sensitization when co-administered on days 5 to 9, but a single injection 1 h prior to methylphenidate on day 4 did not prevent sensitization to subsequent methylphenidate administration. In conclusion, MK-801 prevents sensitization to methylphenidate; motor stimulation by MK-801 is not necessary for short-term prevention or delay of sensitization to methylphenidate but may be necessary for a persistent blockade of sensitization.
Ventrolateral medullary control of cardiovascular activity during muscle contraction

An overview of the role of ventrolateral medulla (VLM) in regulation of cardiovascular activity is presented. A summary of VLM anatomy and its functional relation to other areas in the central nervous system is described. Over the past few years, various studies have investigated the VLM and its involvement in cardiovascular regulation during static muscle contraction, a type of static exercise as seen, for example, during knee extension or hand-grip exercise. Understanding the neural mechanisms that are responsible for regulation of cardiovascular activity during static muscle contraction is of particular interest since it helps understand circulatory adjustments in response to an increase in physical activity. This review surveys the role of several receptors and neurotransmitters in the VLM that are associated with changes in mean arterial pressure and heart rate during static muscle contraction in anesthetized animals. Possible mechanisms in the VLM that modulate cardiovascular changes during static muscle contraction are summarized and discussed. Localized administration of an excitatory amino-acid antagonist into the rostral portion of the VLM (RVLM) attenuates increases in blood pressure and heart rate during static muscle contraction, whereas its administration into the caudal part of the VLM (CVLM) augments these responses. Opioid or 5-HT1A receptor stimulation in the RVLM, but not in the CVLM, attenuates cardiovascular responses to muscle contraction. Furthermore, intravenous, intracerebroventricular or intracisternal injection of an α2-adrenoceptor agonist or a cholinesterase inhibitor attenuates increases in blood pressure and heart rate during static muscle contraction. Finally, the possible involvement of endogenous neurotransmitters in the RVLM and the CVLM associated with cardiovascular responses during static muscle contraction is discussed. An overview of the role of the VLM in the overall cardiovascular control network in the brain is presented and critically reviewed.
How to take skepticism seriously

Modern-day heirs of the Cartesian revolution have been fascinated by the thought that one could utilize certain hypotheses that one is dreaming, deceived by an evil demon, or a brain in a vat to argue at one fell swoop that one does not know, is not justified in believing, or ought not believe most if not all of what one currently believes about the world. A good part of the interest and mystique of these discussions arises from the contention that the seeds of such arguments lie in our ordinary epistemic practices, so that external world skepticism can arise "from within". But is this contention correct? I doubt it.
Effect of 2,4-dinitrophenol and other metabolic inhibitors on the renal deposition and excretion of mercury.

Abstract Observations are reported on the effects of administration of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), probenecid, sodium fluoroacetate, sodium fluoride and sodium malonate on the ability of the rat kidney to accumulate inorganic mercury. Mercury was injected into female rats, body wt. 240 g, as mercuric chloride or mercuric cysteine (100 μg Hg per animal, i.m.) and the metabolic inhibitors were given subcutaneously in doses approaching the ld 50 dose. Mercury levels were measured in urine, blood and kidney. DNP inhibited the renal accumulation of mercury. The other inhibitors were ineffective. DNP was effective only when given just prior to the injection of mercury. The dose of DNP capable of inhibiting renal uptake or mercury was without effect on renal hemodynamics and either did not influence, or only slightly influenced, the excretion of various urinary solutes and water. DNP did not increase the urinary excretion of mercury. It was concluded that the selective accumulation of mercury by kidney is because of energy-dependent processes and that most of this accumulation took place directly into renal tissue from the peritubular capillaries and not by way of glomerular filtration.
Biological and Cultural Anthropology of a Changing Tropical Forest: A Fruitful Collaboration across Subfields

In this article, we integrate approaches from biological and cultural anthropology to describe changing relationships between humans and animals in the Dzanga-Ndoki Park and Dzanga-Sangha Dense Forest Reserve (RDS), Central African Republic (CAR). Recent decades have seen a rapid proliferation of human activities, with striking tensions between logging and conservation economies. Our data suggest that certain animals and humans initially adapted successfully to these forest uses, and that local residents have crafted culturally rich new ways of living in the forest. However, our longitudinal data indicate animal declines and expanding frontiers of increasingly intensive human use. These trends are altering previous territorial arrangements and coming to undermine today's remarkably rich spectrum of human-animal encounters there. Our combined approach offers an alternative to increasingly distinct method and theory between anthropology's subfields. We sketch a research agenda for integrated anthropological attention to environmental change, especially to transformations in human-animal interactions and entanglements.
The structure of ferritin cores determined by electron nanodiffraction.

Electron nanodiffraction, with a 100-keV electron beam less than 1 nm in diameter, has been used to obtain single-crystal diffraction patterns from individual iron-containing cores of ferritin molecules. We show that, while a majority of the cores have a hexagonal structure somewhat similar to the major phase in the mineral ferrihydrite, as previously assumed, several minor phases are present including some that are similar in structure to the iron oxides magnetite and hematite and also some composed of highly disordered material. In general, each core consists of one single crystal of one phase.
Sociotechnical coordination and collaboration in open source software

In the mid 90s, a new style of software development, termed open source software (OSS) has emerged and has originated large, mature, stable, and widely used software projects. As software continues to grow in size and complexity, so do development teams. Consequently, coordination and communication within these teams play larger roles in productivity and software quality. My dissertation focuses on the relationships between developers in large open source projects and how software affects and is affected by these relationships. Fortunately, source code repository histories, mailing list archives, and bug databases from OSS projects contain latent data from which we can reconstruct a rich view of a project over time and analyze these sociotechnical relationships. We present methods of obtaining and analyzing this data as well as the results of empirical studies whose goal is to answer questions that can help stakeholders understand and make decisions about their own teams. We answer questions such as “Do large OSS project really have a disorganized bazaar-like structure?” “What is the relationship between social and development behavior in OSS?” “How does one progress from a project newcomer to a full-fledged, core developer?” and others in an attempt to understand how large, successful OSS projects work and also to contrast them with projects in commercial settings.
Attempted removal and subsequent fragmentation of 3 self-expanding metal stents.

Case 1 An 84-year-old woman presented with dysphagia after radiation treatment for metastatic breast cancer. At endoscopy, an esophageal stricture was dilated and complicated by a 2-cm mid esophageal perforation. An Alimaxx-E (Alveolus Inc, Charlotte, NC) stent was placed without difficulty (Fig. 1). The patient did well initially, but 12 months later presented with dysphagia and a 9.07-kg (20-lb) weight loss attributed to esophageal stenosis around the proximal end of the stent. The stenosis was dilated with a through-thescope balloon to a diameter of 12 mm, and stent removal was attempted. The manufacturer’s guidelines for removal were followed; the purse string was grasped and pulled but the proximal end fragmented and broke away. Attempts to grasp the stent with an alligator forceps resulted in fragmentation into multiple small pieces (Fig. 2). A rigid esophagoscope and forceps were used to separate and remove the stent in a piecemeal fashion over 4 hours. The esophageal perforation healed, but the prolonged stent-removal procedure was complicated by aspiration pneumonia.
Intraoperative imprint cytology: Its significance as a diagnostic adjunct

We retrospectively evaluated 664 specimens submitted for intraoperative frozen-section analysis for which cytologic imprints or smears were also prepared; 238 (36%) were malignant neoplasms. These preparations were retrospectively evaluated independently by three reviewers of varied experience in the detection of malignancy. The number of false-positive and false-negative results were recorded, and various assessment parameters (sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, and predictive value) were calculated. The imprint was of chief value as an adjunct to the frozen section, particularly in avoiding false-positive and, to a lesser extent, false-negative interpretations. Experience with the use of intraoperative cytology demonstrated the technique to be of value in providing abbreviated preparation time (3-5 min); supportive diagnostic information when frozen section was equivocal: diagnostic information when frozen-section evaluation could not be done (e.g., excessively small sample); contributory information for final diagnosis on difficult cases; and excellent teaching material for cytopathology.
A Model for Optimizing Indexed File Structures

Multilevel indexes have long been used for accessing records in sorted files. Given the access cost at each level, the total cost of retrieving a record from the file can be substantially reduced by selecting the proper size of the index at each level. Organizations involving a variable number of levels are covered and binary searching is compared to sequential searching.
Mechanisms for integrated voice and data conferencing

A distributed control mechanism for managing a multi-party, packet switched voice conference connection has been previously presented [Weis88, Weis90, Zieg89]. The principal concept introduced was to view a conference connection as a logical ring of participants. Alternate methods for implementing voice conferencing on both multicast-capable and non-multicast-capable networks were discussed and analyzed. The mechanisms were shown applicable to both intranet and internet conferences. This paper extends those results to allow for multi-party, integrated voice and data conferences. The paper introduces the technique developed and then presents experimental benchmark performance measures with respect to station and gateway workloads.
Treatment of sepsis and septic shock: A review

Septic shock is one of the leading causes of death in intensive care units, and its incidence is increasing. Mortality rates as high as 95% are reported, with rates of 60% or more even when diagnosed and treated promptly. This review examines the definition of septic shock, its pathogenesis, and supportive therapy, with particular attention to intervention during the septic shock cascade.
A numerical investigation of phase change effects in porous materials

Abstract In this paper, a numerical study of heat and mass transfer with phase change in porous materials is performed. The problem is modelled by a system of transient inter-coupled equations governing the two-dimensional multiphase transport process in porous media. The solution algorithm allows full simulation without any significant simplifications. The variations and the interrelationship between the temperature, vapor density, condensation rate, liquid content and the fluid velocity fields are demonstrated and discussed in detail. It is found that the aspect ratio of the porous matrix does not have a significant effect on the Nusselt number results. Furthermore, it is found that the one-dimensional model is not valid when the boundaries of the porous matrix are subjected to a small or zero pressure difference and that the constant pressure simplification would generate significant errors under some circumstances. The present analysis, which presents a full simulation of the problem for the first time, can be applied to a class of problems on heat and mass transport with phase change through a porous medium.
Developmental Characterization of Thymosin β4 and β10 Expression in Enriched Neuronal Cultures from Rat Cerebella

The beta 4 and beta 10 thymosins are G-actin binding proteins that exhibit complex patterns of expression during rat cerebellar development. Their expression in vivo is initially high in immature granule cells and diminishes as they migrate and differentiate, ceasing altogether by postnatal day 21. Thymosin beta 4 is present in a subset of glia throughout postnatal development, and its synthesis is also induced in maturing Bergmann glia. In contrast, thymosin beta 10 is only present at very low levels in a very small subpopulation of glia in the adult cerebellum. To study the factors differentially regulating expression of the beta-thymosins, we characterized their patterns of expression in primary cultures of rat cerebellum. Both beta-thymosins were initially expressed in granule cells, although expression, especially of thymosin beta 4, was truncated compared with the in vivo time course. As in vivo, thymosin beta 4 was synthesized at much higher levels in astrocytes and microglia in cultures from postnatal cerebellum than was thymosin beta 10. Unlike in vivo, the latter was expressed in glia cultured from fetal cerebellum. The similarities between the in vivo and in vitro expression of the beta-thymosins show that modulation of tissue culture conditions could be used to identify factors regulating beta-thymosin expression in vivo. The differences would identify regulatory mechanisms that are not evident from the in vivo studies alone.
Low‐frequency absorption of sound in air

Thirty sets of sound absorption measurements in air at a pressure of 1 atmosphere are presented at temperatures from 10 C to 50 C, relative humidities from 0 to 100 percent, and frequencies from 10 to 2500 Hz. The measurements were conducted by the method of free decay in a resonant tube having a length of 18.261 m and bore diameter of 0.152 m. Background measurements in a gas consisting of 89.5 percent N2 and 10.5 percent Ar, a mixture which has the same sound velocity as air, permitted the wall and structural losses of the tube to be separated from the constituent absorption, consisting of classical rotational and vibrational absorption, in the air samples. The data were used to evaluate the vibrational relaxation frequencies of N2 and/or O2 for each of the 30 sets of meteorological parameters. Over the full range of humidity, the measured relaxation frequencies of N2 in air lie between those specified by ANSI Standard S1.26-1978 and those measured earlier in binary N2H2O mixtures. The measured relaxation frequencies could be determined only at very low values of humidity, reveal a significant trend away from the ANSI standard, in agreement with a prior investigation.
Crystal structure of enteropeptidase light chain complexed with an analog of the trypsinogen activation peptide.

Enteropeptidase is a membrane-bound serine protease that initiates the activation of pancreatic hydrolases by cleaving and activating trypsinogen. The enzyme is remarkably specific and cleaves after lysine residues of peptidyl substrates that resemble trypsinogen activation peptides such as Val-(Asp)4-Lys. To characterize the determinants of substrate specificity, we solved the crystal structure of the bovine enteropeptidase catalytic domain to 2.3 A resolution in complex with the inhibitor Val-(Asp)4-Lys-chloromethane. The catalytic mechanism and contacts with lysine at substrate position P1 are conserved with other trypsin-like serine proteases. However, the aspartyl residues at positions P2-P4 of the inhibitor interact with the enzyme surface mainly through salt bridges with the Nzeta atom of Lys99. Mutation of Lys99 to Ala, or acetylation with acetic anhydride, specifically prevented the cleavage of trypsinogen or Gly-(Asp)4-Lys-beta-naphthylamide and reduced the rate of inhibition by Val-(Asp)4-Lys-chloromethane 22 to 90-fold. For these reactions, Lys99 was calculated to account for 1.8 to 2.5 kcal mol(-1) of the free energy of transition state binding. Thus, a unique basic exosite on the enteropeptidase surface has evolved to facilitate the cleavage of its physiological substrate, trypsinogen.
Engineering Students' Use of and Satisfaction With Faculty and Professional Academic Advising Systems

The academic advising program in a college of engineering was studied to describe the role of the advisor in terms of Predominant patterns of use for assistance with preregistration, class add/drop, curriculum planning, career guidance, college and department rules and procedures, and personal counseling. Faculty and professional advisors were compared, and student gender, grade point average (GPA), and age were studied. Students used their advisors predominantly for assislance with preregistration, curriculum planning, and adding or dropping classes. Students assigned to faculty advisors reported greater use of and satisfaction with their advisors than students assigned professional advisors. No discernable pattern of use of and satisfaction with the assigned advisor was found with regard to gender. The expectation was not generally supported that females would use and be more satisfied with their advisors than would males. Students with higher GPAs reported greater use of and satisfaction with their adv...
Magnetic ordering in Er2Fe14−xMnxB

Abstract Magnetic ordering in Er 2 Fe 14− x Mn x B has been studied by powder neutron diffraction at 4.2 K. At low x , antiferromagnetic ordering is observed on the Er sublattices. At x ⩾ 3, antiferromagnetism is also seen on the j 2 site which is highly populated by Mn. The six Fe sublattices each disorder at a different Mn concentration. These results should challenge the theoretical models of RE-TM compounds.
Further Evidence for Veridical Perception During Near-Death Experiences

Abstract: We briefly survey research designed to validate alleged out-of-body perceptions during near-death experiences. Most accounts of this kind that have surfaced since Michael Sabom's work are unsubstantiated self-reports or, as in claims of visual perception of blind persons, completely undocumented or fictional, but there have bee n some reports that were corroborated by witnesses. We briefly present and discuss three new cases of this kind.
Quantitation of cytoplasmic fibrinogen in rat liver cells.

Abstract Following an inflammatory response, the fibrinogen content of postmicrosomal supernatants from rat liver was quantitated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A fivefold increase in intracellular fibrinogen was observed in the liver cells of turpentine-stimulated animals. The utility of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for investigating the induction of fibrinogen synthesis was demonstrated.
SU‐E‐J‐199: An Image‐Based Model of Glioblastoma Growth for Treatment Response Assessment

Purpose: To develop a mathematical model of tumor growth based on MRI imaging to predict tumor growth, with potential applications in treatment response assessment to differentiate responding and non‐responding tumor types. Method: The model is composed of 3 terms describing tumor proliferation, diffusion in various tissue types, and radiation treatment effect. The proliferation terms describes the rate at which the cell replicates while the diffusion term describes tumor invasion into adjacent tissue. The radiotherapy effect term models cell response to radiation through a linear quadratic radiobiological model. Tissue‐specific evolution taking into account the differential diffusion in white and gray matter is accomplished by segmenting T1Pre, T1POST and FLAIR images using a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. Patient specific model parameters of perfusion and diffusion are deduced from 3 serial apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) imaging maps that are evolved under the guidance of a partial differential equation to deduce tumor evolution at later times. Results: The model tumor was applied on 19 glioblastoma patients and initialized from their ADC maps acquired before, after and 1 month after treatment completion. Voxel wise maps of the perfusion, diffusion and tumor spreading speed were created to assess treatment efficiency. The proliferation was measured in region enhancing in the pre‐treatment imaging and ranged between −0.0189 and 0.00820 mm/day while the diffusion coefficients ranged between 0.0317 and 0.4721 per day. Conclusion: We have developed a tumor growth model and applied it on clinical patients to estimate response to treatment. The model may find also applications follow‐up method for radiation treatments as well as in designing treatment margins that take into account tumor diffusion speed and direction.
CPR Degradation Diagram

During untreated ventricular fibrillation (VF), before CPR is applied, different bodily systems deteriorate at different rates. This paper describes the times when the EEG disappears, when respiratory arrest occurs, and when PD-PEA occurs. It also describes the frequency of VF waves over a 7-min period and how the frequency increases with good CPR.
A scientific psychologistic foundation for theories of meaning

I propose, develop and defend the view that theories of meaning — for instance, a theory specifying the logical form or truth conditions of natural language sentences — should be naturalized to scientific psychological inquiry. This involves both psychologism — the claim that semantics characterizes psychological states — and scientific naturalism — the claim that semantics will depend on the data and theories of scientific psychology. I argue that scientific psychologism is more plausible than the traditional alternative, the view that a theory of meaning is a priori. After defending scientific psychologism against several objections, I offer a speculative proposal that shows how a theory of meaning can be integrated into scientific psychology.
Mathematical Model Identifies Blood Biomarker–Based Early Cancer Detection Strategies and Limitations

Most clinical blood biomarkers lack the necessary sensitivity and specificity to reliably detect cancer at an early stage, when it is best treatable. It is not yet clear how early a clinical blood assay can be used to detect cancer or how biomarker-based strategies can be improved to enable earlier detection of smaller tumors. To address these issues, we developed a mathematical model describing dynamic plasma biomarker kinetics in relation to the growth of a tumor, beginning with a single cancer cell. To exemplify a realistic scenario in which biomarker is shed by both cancerous and noncancerous cells, we primed the model on ovarian tumor growth and CA125 shedding data, for which tumor growth parameters and shedding rates are readily available in published literature. We found that a tumor could grow unnoticed for more than 10.1 years and reach a volume of about π/6(25.36 mm)(3), corresponding to a spherical diameter of about 25.36 mm, before becoming detectable by current clinical blood assays. Model parameters were perturbed over log orders of magnitude to quantify ideal shedding rates and identify other blood-based strategies required for early submillimeter tumor detectability. The detection times we estimated are consistent with recently published tumor progression time lines based on clinical genomic sequencing data for several cancers. Here, we rigorously showed that shedding rates of current clinical blood biomarkers are likely 10(4)-fold too low to enable detection of a developing tumor within the first decade of tumor growth. The model presented here can be extended to virtually any solid cancer and associated biomarkers.
Differentiation syndrome in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia

Objective. To review the pathophysiology, risk factors, and management of differentiation syndrome (DS) associated with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).Data source. A MEDLINE search was conducted (1977–November 2010) using the terms APL, DS, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), retinoic acid syndrome, and arsenic trioxide (ATO).Methods of study selection. English articles identified from the MEDLINE search were evaluated.Data extraction and synthesis. With ATRA, ATO, and chemotherapy, a complete remission is achievable for most newly diagnosed APL patients. However, treatment with the differentiating agents, ATRA and ATO, can lead to the development of DS. Signs and symptoms of this syndrome include hyperleukocytosis and cardiorespiratory compromise. Severe complications can develop, if DS is not recognized early and treated promptly with corticosteroids. In addition, patients with a high white blood cell count at diagnosis may benefit from prophylactic steroids.Conclusions. Early recognition and prompt ini...
Real-Time 3-Dimensional Echocardiography in the Operating Room:

Real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D-TEE) represents a novel clinical and intuitively educational perioperative cardiovascular imaging modality. The development of RT-3D-TEE allows for live 3D imaging as it circumvents most of the disadvantages of reconstructive 3D methods. RT-3D-TEE will likely revolutionize perioperative assessment of complex 3D structures, such as the mitral valve (MV), as it provides important mechanistic insights into functional and ischemic mitral regurgitation. The MV is particularly suited to live RT-3D-TEE assessment because of the complex interrelationships among the valve, chordae, papillary muscles, and myocardial walls. The 3D en face view of the MV is in accordance with the surgical view and allows to illustrate the unique saddle shape of the MV annulus and to define and localize mitral leaflet lesions in MV prolapse, endocarditis, or congenital MV abnormalities, all potentially important in guiding surgical repair. RT-3D-TEE will soon be integrate...
Memory-Based Reinforcement Learning: Efficient Computation with Prioritized Sweeping

We present a new algorithm, Prioritized Sweeping, for efficient prediction and control of stochastic Markov systems. Incremental learning methods such as Temporal Differencing and Q-learning have fast real time performance. Classical methods are slower, but more accurate, because they make full use of the observations. Prioritized Sweeping aims for the best of both worlds. It uses all previous experiences both to prioritize important dynamic programming sweeps and to guide the exploration of state-space. We compare Prioritized Sweeping with other reinforcement learning schemes for a number of different stochastic optimal control problems. It successfully solves large state-space real time problems with which other methods have difficulty.
Simultaneous transducers for data-parallel XML parsing

Though XML has gained significant acceptance in a number of application domains, XML parsing can still be a vexing performance bottleneck. With the growing prevalence of multicore CPUs, parallel XML parsing could be one option for addressing this bottleneck. Achieving data parallelism by dividing the XML document into chunks and then independently processing all chunks in parallel is difficult, however, because the state of an XML parser at the first character of a chunk depends potentially on the characters in all preceding chunks. In previous work, we have used a sequential preparser implementing a preparsing pass to determine the document structure, followed by a parallel full parse. The preparsing is sequential, however, and thus limits speedup. In this work, we parallelize the preparsing pass itself by using a simultaneous finite transducer (SFT), which implicitly maintains multiple preparser results. Each result corresponds to starting the preparser in a different state at the beginning of the chunk. This addresses the challenge of determining the correct initial state at beginning of a chunk by simply considering all possible initial states simultaneously. Since the SFT is finite, the simultaneity can be implemented efficiently simply by enumerating the states, which limits the overhead. To demonstrate effectiveness, we use an SFT to build a parallel XML parsing implementation on an unmodified version of libxml2, and obtained good scalability on both a 30 CPU Sun E6500 machine running Solaris and a Linux machine with two Intel Xeon L5320 CPUs for a total of 8 physical cores.
Adaptive mechanisms underlying the bat biosonar behavior

For survival, bats of the suborder Microchiropetra emit intense ultrasonic pulses and analyze the weak returning echoes to extract the direction, distance, velocity, size, and shape of the prey. Although these bats and other mammals share the common layout of the auditory pathway and sound coding mechanism, they have highly developed auditory systems to process biologically relevant pulses at the expense of a reduced visual system. During this active biosonar behavior, they progressively shorten the pulse duration, decrease the amplitude and pulse-echo gap as they search, approach and finally intercept the prey. Presumably, these changes in multiple pulse parameters throughout the entire course of hunting enable them to extract maximal information about localized prey from the returning echoes. To hunt successfully, the auditory system of these bats must be less sensitive to intense emitted pulses but highly sensitive to weak returning echoes. They also need to recognize and differentiate the echoes of their emitted pulses from echoes of pulses emitted by other conspecifics. Past studies have shown the following mechanical and neural adaptive mechanisms underlying the successful bat biosonar behavior: (1) Forward orienting and highly mobile pinnae for effective scanning, signal reception, sound pressure transformation and mobile auditory sensitivity; (2) Avoiding and detecting moving targets more successfully than stationary ones; (3) Coordinated activity of highly developed laryngeal and middle ear muscles during pulse emission and reception; (4) Mechanical and neural attenuation of intense emitted pulses to prepare for better reception of weak returning echoes; (5) Increasing pulse repetition rate to improve multiple-parametric selectivity to echoes; (6) Dynamic variation of duration selectivity and recovery cycle of auditory neurons with hunting phase for better echo analysis; (7) Maximal multiple-parametric selectivity to expected echoes returning within a time window after pulse emission; (8) Pulse-echo delaysensitive neurons in higher auditory centers for echo ranging; (9) Corticofugal modulation to improve on-going multiple-parametric signal processing and reorganize signal representation, and (10) A large area of the superior colliculus, pontine nuclei and cerebellum that is sensitive to sound for sensori-motor integration. All these adaptive mechanisms facilitate the bat to effectively extract prey features for successful hunting.
Operational versus definitional: a perspective on programming paradigms

Various paradigms that support high-level programming are discussed independently of supporting languages. The paradigms are grouped according to their approach to problem solving. The operational approach describes step-by-step how to construct a solution. The demonstrational approach is a variation on it that illustrates the solution operationally for specific examples and lets the system generalize these example solutions for other cases. The definitional approach is different. It states properties about the solution to constrain it without describing how to compute it. These three approaches are viewed on a continuum from operational to definitional. A pure language solution to the problem of sorting a list into some linear order is presented for each paradigm. >
The use of multicast delivery to provide a scalable and interactive video-on-demand service

In typical proposals for video-on-demand (VoD) systems, customers are serviced individually by allocating and dedicating a transmission channel and a set of server resources to each customer. This approach leads to an expensive to operate, nonscalable system. We consider a VoD system that uses multicast delivery to service multiple customers with a single set of resources. The use of multicast communication requires that part of the on-demand nature of the system be sacrificed to achieve scalability and cost-effectiveness. One drawback to using multicast communication is that it complicates the provision or interactive VCR-style functions. Interactivity can be provided by either increasing the complexity of the customer set-top box (STB) or by modifying the semantics of the interactive functions to make them easier to provide. We describe a framework and mechanisms by which such interactive functions can be incorporated into a multicast delivery VoD system. Through the use of simulation, we evaluate and compare the performance of a unicast VoD system and multicast VoD systems offering various levels of interactivity.
An overview of measurement comparisons from the INTEX-B/MILAGRO airborne field campaign

As part of the NASA's INTEX-B mission, the NASA DC-8 and NSF C-130 conducted three wing-tip to wing-tip comparison flights. The intercomparison flights sampled a variety of atmospheric conditions (polluted urban, non-polluted, marine boundary layer, clean and polluted free troposphere). These comparisons form a basis to establish data consistency, but also should also be viewed as a continuation of efforts aiming to better understand and reduce measurement differences as identified in earlier field intercomparison exercises. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of 140 intercomparisons of data collected as well as a record of the measurement consistency demonstrated during INTEX-B. It is the primary goal to provide necessary information for the future research to determine if the observations from different INTEX-B platforms/instrument are consistent within the PI reported uncertainties and used in integrated analysis. This paper may also contribute to the formulation strategy for future instrument developments. For interpretation and most effective use of these results, the reader is strongly urged to consult with the instrument principle investigator.
Fully automated dual‐color dual‐hapten silver in situ hybridization staining for MYC amplification: a diagnostic tool for discriminating secondary angiosarcoma

Background MYC amplification occurs in post-radiation and chronic lymphedema-associated secondary angiosarcoma and some primary angiosarcomas. In this study, we tested the ability of automated dual-color dual-hapten in situ hybridization (DISH) staining to discriminate secondary angiosarcoma from radiation-associated atypical vascular lesions (AVL), and to correlate with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for MYC amplification. Methods Cases of secondary angiosarcoma, including 11 biopsies and 3 excisions from 11 patients, and 5 AVL biopsies from 5 patients, were examined by FISH and DISH. DISH staining was performed using the Dual Color Open Probe software on a Ventana Benchmark XT automated slide stainer. Metallic black silver (MYC) and reference CHR8 red signals were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively enumerated for tumor nuclei. Small and large clusters of silver signals were recorded as 6 or 12 signals, respectively. MYC amplification was defined as MYC/CHR8 ratio >2.0. Results Where tissue was available for both DISH and FISH, all secondary angiosarcoma cases showed MYC amplification (11/11 = 100%) by both DISH and FISH. All AVL were negative for MYC amplification by both techniques (0/5 = 0%). Conclusion In the current cohort, use of DISH identified all MYC amplified cases, and distinguished secondary angiosarcoma from AVL. DISH staining may be useful in distinguishing secondary angiosarcoma from AVL in challenging cases.
On the Razor's Edge: The Forecast of the Primary Model

With another Bush looking weak, many Democrats are feeling good about their prospects in November, even without the dream of a job in the White House for themselves. Yet this time, a Bush won't be on the presidential ballot in November, nor will someone closely affiliated with his administration, such as the vice president. Whatever the Bush legacy may be, the 2008 presidential election shapes up as an open-seat contest. A key predictor of the model used here to forecast the outcome of that contest is the showing of the presidential nominees in primaries (hence the sobriquet Primary Model). Since American elections in November are typically preceded by primary elections earlier in the year, it is natural to inquire whether the voting in presidential primaries is a leading indicator of the vote in the general election? Remarkably so, as it turns out. How the presidential candidates do in primary elections foretells their prospects in the November election with great accuracy.
The importance of water to oceanic mantle melting regimes

The formation of basaltic crust at mid-ocean ridges and ocean islands provides a window into the compositional and thermal state of the Earth's upper mantle. But the interpretation of geochemical and crustal-thickness data in terms of magma source parameters depends on our understanding of the melting, melt-extraction and differentiation processes that intervene between the magma source and the crust. Much of the quantitative theory developed to model these processes has neglected the role of water in the mantle and in magma, despite the observed presence of water in ocean-floor basalts. Here we extend two quantitative models of ridge melting, mixing and fractionation to show that the addition of water can cause an increase in total melt production and crustal thickness while causing a decrease in mean extent of melting. This may help to resolve several enigmatic observations in the major- and trace-element chemistry of both normal and hotspot-affected ridge basalts.
A safety and efficacy pilot study of acupuncture for the treatment of chronic lymphoedema

Background Lymphoedema is a distressing problem affecting many women after breast cancer surgery. There is no cure and existing treatments are marginally benefi cial, rarely reducing arm swelling in any meaningful way. Needling and even lifting of objects using the affected arm has been prohibited, but our clinical experience and that of others suggested that acupuncture was safe and that it might be a useful treatment for lymphoedema. Objective We sought to conduct a pilot study of the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture in women diagnosed with chronic lymphoedema for at least 6 months and less than 5 years. Methods Women with chronic lymphoedema (affected arm with >2 cm circumference than unaffected arm) after breast cancer surgery received acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks. Response was defi ned as at least a 30% reduction in the difference in size between the affected and unaffected arms. Monthly follow-up calls for 6 months following treatment were made to obtain information about side effects. Results Study goals were met after nine subjects were treated: four women showed at least a 30% reduction in the extent of lymphoedema at 4 weeks when compared with their respective baseline values. No serious adverse events occurred during or after 73 treatment sessions. Limitations This pilot study requires a larger, randomised follow-up investigation plus enquiries into possible mechanisms. Both are in development by our group. Conclusion Acupuncture appears safe and may reduce lymphoedema associated with breast cancer surgery.