cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic potential of microbes and microbial products in the management of human allergic asthma

The intellectual property literature concerning novel therapeutic applications of microbes and their products in the management of human allergic asthma during the period of 2001 – 2004 is reviewed. In contrast to the primary literature, surprisingly few patent citations (< 30) have been identified in this period, and the majority of the citations describe the application of Mycobacterium spp. and their novel components, bacterial unmethylated CpG dideoxynucleotides and endotoxin. In addition to the use of whole cells, several potentially therapeutic bacterial components have been characterised from Mycobacterium spp. and shown to be promising in the suppression of allergic and asthma-like responses when tested in mouse models. However, in most of these studies, the bacteria or their products were given before, concurrently, or shortly after allergen sensitisation, and hence their efficacy in the therapeutic application is not clear. Although the availability of microbe-based immunotherapy for clinical us...
Symmetric function means of positive operators

Abstract Many authors have studied means involving ratios of the elementary symmetric functions. This work involves generalizing these means to an operator theoretic setting, and extending many of the classical scalar inequalities to operators. It is shown that these operator means are related to electrical networks.
awaywithwords: On the possibilities in unavailable designs

Constraints in our use of communication materials are often socially and historically produced; to ask after the constraints as we teach or compose can help us understand how material choices in producing communications articulate to social practices we may not otherwise wish to reproduce. In this writing, I consider the constraints Gunther Kress often applied to “word” and “image,” questioning their temporal and spatial structures.
Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Diagnostic Tool to Assess Bladder Permeability and Associated Colon Cross Talk: Preclinical Studies in a Rat Model

Purpose: Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome is a devastating disease associated with multiple symptoms. It is usually diagnosed based on pain, urgency and frequency in the absence of other known causes. To our knowledge there is no diagnostic test to date.Materials and Methods: In a model of rats intravesically exposed to protamine sulfate we performed in vivo diagnostic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with intravesical administration of Gd-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid contrast medium via a catheter to visualize increased bladder urothelium permeability. Gd-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid was administered intravenously to visualize secondary tissue effects in the colon.Results: Bladder urothelium and colon mucosa were assessed 24 hours after bladder protamine sulfate exposure. Enhanced contrast magnetic resonance imaging established bladder urothelium leakage of Gd-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid according to the change in magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity...
An auroral infrasonic substorm investigation using Chatanika radar and other geophysical sensors

Abstract Characteristics of the supersonic auroral arcs within the 0905 UT 2 April 1973 substorm were determined using data from (1) all-sky cameras; (2), surface magnetometers, (3) multispectral scanning photometers, (4) 30MHz riometers, (5) Chatanika incoherent-scatter radar, (6) Homer auroral radar, and (7) infrasonic microphone arrays at College and Stevens Village in Alaska. These data were analyzed to determine the properties of an auroral electrojet arc that generates auroral infrasonic waves (AIW). An arc that was show to be the source of an AIW was found to have the following characteristics: (1) a velocity of 500 m/sec traveling from an azimuth of 350°; (2) an intensity in 4278 A of 26 Kr, (3) a maximum electron density of 2.8 × 10 6 el/cm 6 at 100km height, (4) an equivalent westward line current of 2.8 × 10 6 A, (5) orientation of ΔH parallel to the AIW direction of travel and perpendicular to the arc's long axis, (6) a characteristic energy of the primary auroral electron spectrum of 3.0keV, and (7) an energy deposition rate for the auroral pdarticles of 100 erg/cm 2 sec.
Calcium channels and short-term synaptic plasticity.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in presynaptic nerve terminals initiate neurotransmitter release in response to depolarization by action potentials from the nerve axon. The strength of synaptic transmission is dependent on the third to fourth power of Ca2+ entry, placing the Ca2+ channels in a unique position for regulation of synaptic strength. Short-term synaptic plasticity regulates the strength of neurotransmission through facilitation and depression on the millisecond time scale and plays a key role in encoding information in the nervous system. CaV2.1 channels are the major source of Ca2+ entry for neurotransmission in the central nervous system. They are tightly regulated by Ca2+, calmodulin, and related Ca2+ sensor proteins, which cause facilitation and inactivation of channel activity. Emerging evidence reviewed here points to this mode of regulation of CaV2.1 channels as a major contributor to short-term synaptic plasticity of neurotransmission and its diversity among synapses.
High frequency ZnO-SiO2-Si surface acoustic wave convolvers

The separate comb grating transducer configuration is used in the fabrication of high frequency convolvers in the metal-ZnO-SiO2-Si surface acoustic wave device structure. A Rayleigh convolver with an operating frequency of 285 MHz and a Sezawa convolver with an operating frequency of 355 MHz are reported.
Clinical Utility of EEG in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Research Update

Psychiatric research applications of electroencephalography (EEG), the earliest approach to imaging human cortical brain activity, are attracting increasing scientific and clinical interest. For more than 40 years, EEG research has attempted to characterize and quantify the neurophysiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), most consistently associating it with increased frontocentral theta band activity and increased theta to beta (θ/β) power ratio during rest compared to non-ADHD controls. Recent reports suggest that while these EEG measures demonstrate strong discriminant validity for ADHD, significant EEG heterogeneity also exists across ADHD-diagnosed individuals. In particular, additional studies validating the use of the θ/β power ratio measure appear to be needed before it can be used for clinical diagnosis. In recent years, the number and the scientific quality of research reports on EEG-based neurofeedback (NF) for ADHD have grown considerably, although the studies reviewed here do not yet support NF training as a first-line, stand-alone treatment modality. In particular, more research is needed comparing NF to placebo control and other effective treatments for ADHD. Currently, after a long period of relative stasis, the neurophysiological specificity of measures used in EEG research is rapidly increasing. It is likely, therefore, that new EEG studies of ADHD using higher density recordings and new measures drawn from viewing EEG as a 3-dimensional functional imaging modality, as well as intensive re-analyses of existing EEG study data, can better characterize the neurophysiological differences between and within ADHD and non-ADHD subjects, and lead to more precise diagnostic measures and effective NF approaches.
A chemical bonding model for photo-induced defects in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H): Intrinsic and extrinsic reaction pathways

In device grade a-Si:H photo- or light-induced defect generation is an intrinsic effect for impurity concentrations of oxygen and nitrogen below about 10{sup 19} to 10{sup 20} cm{sup {minus}3}; however, at higher concentrations it increases with increasing impurity content. Charged defect configurations are identified by empirical chemistry and are studied by ab initio calculations. This paper addresses: (1) the chemical stability of charged defects; (2) the reaction pathways for defect metastability; and (3) the transition between extrinsic and intrinsic behavior.
Stress and emotional eating: The mediating role of eating dysregulation

This study examined whether the association between stress and emotional eating was mediated by eating dysregulation. Young adults (N = 345) reported their stress levels, eating dysregulation, and emotional eating. This study found that eating dysregulation mediated the association between stress and emotional eating. Experience of stress was related to individuals’ poorer capability of being responsive to their internal signals of hunger and satiety, which in turn, was related to higher emotional eating. These findings suggest that practitioners could consider training individuals who eat in response to stress to be sensitive to their hunger and satiety cues.
Delayed hypersensitivity to diclofenac: a report on two cases

Background Although skin reactions have been reported during use of diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, immunopathogenic mechanisms have been demonstrated in only a few cases. Methods We administered skin and patch tests to two subjects who had developed maculopapular rashes respectively 48 and 72 hours after initiation of treatment with doclofenac. Results In both cases, prick and intradermal tests with the drug were negative at 20 minutes, but 24 hours later an erythematous infiltrate had appeared at the intradermal test site. Patch tests with diclofenac were also positive at 48 and 72 hours. Conclusions The features of both these cases are suggestive of delayed hypersensitivity to diclofenac. Delayed-reading intradermal and patch tests may be a simple and effective means of diagnosing reactions of this type.
Comparison of combination methods utilizing T-normalization and second best score model

The combination of biometric matching scores can be enhanced by taking into account the matching scores related to all enrolled persons in addition to traditional combinations utilizing only matching scores related to a single person. Identification models take into account the dependence between matching scores assigned to different persons and can be used for such enhancement. In this paper we compare the use of two such models - T-normalization and second best score model. The comparison is performed using two combination algorithms - likelihood ratio and multilayer perceptron. The results show, that while second best score model delivers better performance improvement than T-normalization, two models are complementary to each other and can be used together for further improvements.
Vertical distribution of zooplankton in subalpine and alpine lakes: Ultraviolet radiation, fish predation, and the transparency-gradient hypothesis

The transparency-gradient hypothesis argues that ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a primary determinant of the vertical distribution of zooplankton in transparent lakes with fewer fish, while fish predation is the primary driver in less transparent lakes where fish are more abundant. We measured vertical profiles of UV, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, essentially visible light used as a proxy for fish predation), temperature, pH, conductivity, chlorophyll a (Chl a), and zooplankton in seven subalpine and alpine lakes and examined the distribution and abundance of the major zooplankton groups relative to environmental variables using a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and multiple regression. Pigment concentrations and UV tolerance of representative species were examined experimentally. The CCA revealed that conductivity, PAR, and UV were most related to zooplankton distribution and abundance. The cladoceran Daphnia was associated with high PAR, while cyclopoids and nauplii were associated with low PAR. In contrast, the vertical distribution of calanoids was positively related to UV, while Holopedium was negatively associated with UV. The regressions revealed that UV consistently explained more of the variance in zooplankton vertical distribution than did either PAR or chlorophyll. Calanoids had high concentrations of photoprotective compounds and a relatively high UV tolerance compared to Daphnia. The positive association of Daphnia with visible light (PAR) and the importance of UV in overall zooplankton vertical distribution support the transparency-gradient hypothesis, indicating that UV is more important than fish predation in controlling the vertical distribution of zooplankton in more transparent lakes.
Numerical studies of lunar motion.

Numerical integration has been used to investigate the adequacy of the lunar theory for high precision applications and to examine the problem of modelling the apparent departures of the lunar motion from strict gravitational theory. The truncation of the planetary perturbations and the obsolescence of the elements of the solar motion in the analytic theories require a special perturbation theory for space research.
Flux measurements from an Ice-tethered profiler: First look

A current sensor has been added to the Ice-Tethered Profiler to measure mean currents as a function of depth as well as temperature and conductivity. In addition, for periods with the profiler parked at the top of the mooring, turbulent fluxes of momentum, heat flux, and salinity flux have been measured in the under-ice boundary layer in the Arctic Ocean. In order to rotate the measured profiler relative velocities into earth coordinates, a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis angle-rate gyro, and a three-axis magnetometer were added. This paper will give a first look at the under-ice turbulent flux measurements. Ice-tethered profiler number 35 was built, deployed in the Arctic on October 8, 2009, and recovered in early fall of 2010. Of 1357 profiles recorded over six months, 335 were stationary profiles for measuring under-ice turbulent fluxes. Of these 335 stationary profiles, six had excessive dropout and were not processed. The other 329 stationary profiles were processed for turbulent fluxes. The turbulent Reynolds stress magnitude was compared to a drag law stress and the correlation coefficient was 66%. Comparing magnitudes gave a drag coefficient of 0.01, high but not unreasonable for the rough underside of the ice and during a period of ice formation with its associated brine production and negative buoyancy flux in the boundary layer. The turbulent heat flux was compared to the time-rate-of-change of temperature at 5.7m depth and gave a correlation coefficient of 33%. The turbulent salinity flux was compared to the time-rate-of-change of salinity at 5.7m and gave a correlation coefficient of 54%.
The fractionally spaced vector constant modulus algorithm

The vector constant modulus algorithm (VCMA) was previously introduced as an extension of the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) which can equalize data from shaped sources having nearly Gaussian marginal distributions. Some simple changes in the structure of VCMA allow it to be used in fractionally spaced equalizers with their attendant benefits. Although developed with shell mapping in mind, VCMA can also equalize data from other shaping methods such as trellis shaping. Furthermore, the vector modulus concept from VCMA can be successfully applied to other algorithms based on constant modulus criteria, including reduced constellation algorithm (RCA) and multimodulus algorithm (MMA). Simulations have verified all of these results.
Luxatio testis traumatica and experimental study of the mechanism

Abstract A case of traumatic luxation of the testis into the pubic region is reported. The mechanism of displacement is discussed and an explanation is attempted on theoretical grounds and by experimental investigations. Eleven cases of pubic displacement are assembled, including one personal case and 93 cases of all varieties are collected.
Ethical risk assessment: valuing public perceptions

Engineers are confronted with an array of moral issues and dilemmas as the complexity modern technology results in equally complex efforts to assess the accompanying environmental and safety risks. The author examines the connections between engineering ethics, risk communication, and the engineering culture. First moral issues in risk assessment are reviewed and the ethical responsibilities of engineers with respect to risk assessment and risk communication are discussed. The conventional model of risk communication, which holds that only experts possess relevant risk information, is then critiqued, and the findings of social scientists and humanists with respect to the dual importance of expert and public risk information are reviewed. Following a discussion of the prevailing engineering culture, particularly as it relates to the problems involved in risk communication, some suggestions are made for transforming the engineering culture in a manner conducive to more meaningful discussion of risk. >
On the realization of perspective systems and its application to motion and shape estimation problems in machine vision

Considers the problem of realization of perspective systems. A perspective system is a linear dynamic system whose output is observed up to a scale factor. For such a system, the authors are able to characterize the orbit of all parameter sets that produce the observed output as a certain group action on the nominal parameter set. In this way, the authors are able to determine the extent to which of these parameters are identifiable. The authors show how perspective systems arise in the study of motion and shape estimation in machine vision. The authors apply the approach developed in this paper to two problems in machine vision. In these problems, the special structure of the parameter sets enables the authors to define a subgroup action on the parameters that further characterizes the set of identifiable parameters. >
E(var)3-9 of Drosophila melanogaster Encodes a Zinc Finger Protein

The importance of a gene's natural chromatin environment for its normal expression is poignantly illustrated when a change in chromosome position results in variable gene repression, such as is observed in position effect variegation (PEV) when the Drosophila melanogaster white (w) gene is juxtaposed with heterochromatin. The Enhancer of variegation 3-9 [E(var)3-9] gene was one of over a hundred loci identified in screens for mutations that dominantly modify PEV. Haploinsufficiency for E(var)3-9 enhances wm4 variegation, as would be expected from increased heterochromatin formation. To clarify the role of E(var)3-9 in chromosome structure, the gene has been cloned and its mutant alleles characterized. The involvement of E(var)3-9 in structure determination was supported by its reciprocal effects on euchromatic and heterochromatic PEV; E(var)3-9 mutations increased expression of a variegating heterochromatic gene in two tissue types. E(var)3-9 mutations also had a recessive phenotype, maternal effect lethality, which implicated E(var)3-9 function in an essential process during embryogenesis. Both phenotypes of E(var)3-9 mutations were consistent with its proposed function in promoting normal chromosome structure. The cloning of E(var)3-9 by classical genetic methods revealed that it encodes a protein with multiple zinc fingers, but otherwise novel sequence.
Nonlinear panel flutter using high-order triangular finite elements

A 54 degree-of-freedom, high-order triangular plate finite element extended for geometrically nonlinear static and dynamic analysis is used to formulate and analyze the supersonic nonlinear panel flutter problems. The finite element formulation is based on Kirchhoffs theory of thin plates. The quasisteady aerodynamic theory is used. Numerical solution procedures are presented. The limit cycle oscillation analyses are performed for twodimensional and square panels with all edges simply supported and clamped, respectively. The effects of in-plane compressive force, mass ratio, and in-plane edge stress free condition are considered. Stress distributions for the limit cycle oscillation of a two-dimensional panel are plotted. For the case of panels under static pressure differential, the results for the steady mean amplitude and flutter dynamic pressure are obtained for the twodimensional and square panels, respectively. The effect of biaxial in-plane compressive stress for a simply supported square panel is studied and boundaries among the flat and stable region, dynamically stable buckled region, and the limit cycle oscillation region are found. Alternative analytical and numerical solutions are available for most of the examples for comparison and all are in excellent agreement.
Great auricular nerve: Anatomy and imaging in a case of perineural tumor spread

We present the imaging and clinical findings of a case of recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the face in which CT and MR imaging revealed perineural tumor spread along the great auricular nerve. The great auricular nerve is a superficial cutaneous branch of the cervical plexus, providing sensory innervation to the skin of the parotid and periauricular region. Our purpose was to familiarize the reader with the anatomy of this nerve and imaging's potential role in the diagnosis of perineural tumor spread along this seldom seen structure.
Putting the Benchmarks Into Practice: Multiculturally Competent Supervisors—Effective Supervision

This article explores how the TCP Major Contribution, “Multicultural Clinical Supervision and Benchmarks: Empirical Support Informing Practice and Supervisor Training,” can be applied to the refining of competencies for the profession of psychology. It examines the major contributions’ thoughtful conclusions regarding effective supervisor behaviors, including the focus on the supervisory working alliance, provision of feedback to supervisees, supervisor use of self, empowering supervisees, supervisor as a competent clinician, and multicultural competencies. Implications for research and practice to enhance the profession and protect the public are discussed.
Vision-based hand gesture tracking and recognition

Summary form only given. We present some results of our research on hand tracking and gesture recognition in the last 5 years. This research is motivated by applications in human-computer interaction such as display control in virtual environments and the manipulation of virtual objects. Although we have studied both appearance-based and 3D model-based approaches, this talk concentrates on the latter. At any given time instant, the hand configuration - 6 parameters for the global hand "pose" and 21 finger joint angles (the hand "posture") - is a point the 27-dimensional configuration space. We track the trajectory of this point over time using a 3D model-based and analysis-by-synthesis approach. The challenge is to represent the constraints on hand posture and finger movement in a compact way and use this representation to speed up the search in the 21-dimensional space. The tracking results can then be used to do gesture recognition. Some preliminary results are shown on constraint representation and its use in tracking.
A review of chemical issues in 1H NMR spectroscopy: N‐acetyl‐l‐aspartate, creatine and choline

The structure and function of the chemicals contributing to the three main peaks seen with 1H NMR spectroscopy, N-acetyl-L-aspartate (NAA), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr), and choline-containing compounds (Cho) is reviewed and the changes seen with these compounds in various disease states are briefly outlined. NAA is present within neurons although its biological function is largely unknown. NAA is elevated in several degenerative neurological conditions including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and canavan disease, and in high concentrations it may behave like a neurotoxin. The creatine peak seen with 1H NMR spectroscopy consists of creatine and phosphocreatine which serve as a reserve for high-energy phosphates in the cytosol of muscle and neurons. They also buffer cellular ATP/ADP. The Cho peak seen with 1H NMR consists of a complex mixture of Cho-containing compounds. Cho is a precursor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and for the membrane constituent phosphatidylcholine. Future studies of changes seen in the Cho peak with stroke, degenerative dementia, drug intake, and infectious and neoplastic brain masses will be of great interest.
Lateral velocity resolution from three-dimensional seismic refraction data

SUMMARY A method for estimating the lateral velocity resolution from 3-D seismic refraction traveltimes is presented. The method is non-linear in that synthetic data calculated from ‘checkerboard’ models are inverted using an iterative tomographic approach incorporating smoothness constraints and updated ray paths at each iteration. Two applications are presented: (1) real data from the Faeroe Basin experiment using the ray coverage and noise level of approximately 50 000 picks, and (2) ideal data from the same experiment corresponding to 100 per cent data recovery, equivalent to about three times as many ray paths. The refraction data constrain the sedimentary and basement structure to approximately 12 km depth. A comparison of the results from the two data sets provides a qualitative check on the resolution method, illustrates the pitfalls of using ray coverage as an indicator of resolution, and demonstrates the potential resolution of currently feasible 3-D refraction experiments. 32 checkerboard models consisting of alternating positive and negative velocity anomalies superimposed on the preferred final model of the basin were tested, each with a diVerent cell size, position or orientation. The problem of ray bending associated with the 5 per cent checkerboard anomalies is shown to be small. Using models with four cell sizes allowed for resolution estimates from 3 to 15 km, this range being imposed by the frequency content of the data and the areal dimensions of the study area (44◊26 km). An operator centred on each model node measures the local semblance between the known and recovered checkerboard models. A determination of the smallest well-resolved cell size at each model node is then made using a 0.7 semblance threshold to provide a spatially dependent lateral resolution estimate. Resolution for the real data set varies from an average of just over 3 km at 2 km depth, to 10 km at 10 km depth, where there is a local maximum in ray coverage due to a concentration of ray-bottoming points. For the ideal data set, the average lateral resolution drops oV roughly linearly from better than 3 km at 2 km depth, to 6.3 km at 10 km depth. The largest diVerence between the resolution associated with the ideal and real data occurs at 7.2 km depth, where it averages 4.6 km for the former and 10.8 km for the latter due to the near absence of ray-bottoming points between 7 and 9 km. The results show that the final model for the Faeroe Basin obtained by regularized inversion with smoothness constraints is consistent with the resolution estimates in the sense that the model does not contain structure with a wavelength smaller than the resolution estimate at any point. The results for the ideal data show that good-quality 3-D refraction experiments can provide a lateral resolution of no worse than the receiver spacing (shot spacing for land data) throughout most of the sampled volume.
Expanding whole exome resequencing into non-human primates

Background: Complete exome resequencing has the power to greatly expand our understanding of non-human primate genomes. This includes both a better appreciation of the variation that exists in non-human primate model species, but also an improved annotation of their genomes. By developing an understanding of the variation between individuals, non-human primate models of human disease can be better developed. This effort is hindered largely by the lack of comprehensive information on specific non-human primate genetic variation and the costs of generating these data. If the tools that have been developed in humans for complete exome resequencing can be applied to closely related non-human primate species, then these difficulties can be circumvented. Results: Using a human whole exome enrichment technique, chimpanzee and rhesus macaque samples were captured alongside a human sample and sequenced using standard next-generation methodologies. The results from the three species were then compared for efficacy. The chimpanzee sample showed similar coverage levels and distributions following exome capture based on the human genome as the human sample. The rhesus macaque sample showed significant coverage in protein-coding sequence but significantly less in untranslated regions. Both chimpanzee and rhesus macaque showed significant numbers of frameshift mutations compared to self-genomes and suggest a need for further annotation. Conclusions: Current whole exome resequencing technologies can successfully be used to identify coding-region variation in non-human primates extending into old world monkeys. In addition to identifying variation, whole exome resequencing can aid in better annotation of non-human primate genomes.
A Pedagogical Comparison Between the use of Instructor-Led In-Class Cases and Student-Led Out-of-Class Cases

This study compares the attitudes and learning outcomes of students in sections of introductory corporate finance courses. The study was conducted at two different universities. Three sections of the course were taught using the lecture method supplemented with a student-led out-of-class case study project. Three other sections of the course were taught using lecture combined with an instructor-led in-class case study project. The students were given pre-tests and post-tests in each section to determine changes in attitudes and learning. Students in both types of course achieved similar learning outcomes. Students found the subject of finance more interesting when participating in the student-led out-of-class case study project. Students found the course less difficult when participating in the instructor-led in-class case study course.
Comparison of polymorphisms in the α7 nicotinic receptor gene and its partial duplication in schizophrenic and control subjects

The hypothesis that the 15q13-15 region of chromosome 15 contains a gene that contributes to the etiology of schizophrenia is supported by multiple genetic linkage studies. The alpha7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (CHRNA7) gene was selected as the best candidate gene in this region for molecular investigation, based on these linkage findings and biological evidence in both human and rodent models. CHRNA7 receptors are decreased in expression in postmortem brain of schizophrenic subjects. A dinucleotide marker, D15S1360, in intron two of the CHRNA7 gene is genetically linked to an auditory gating deficit found in schizophrenics and half of the first-degree relatives of patients. Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequence analyses of DNA from schizophrenic and control individuals identified 33 variants in the coding region and intron/exon borders of the CHRNA7 gene and its partial duplication, dupCHRNA7; common polymorphisms were mapped. Twenty-one variants were found in the exons, but non-synonymous changes were rare. Although the expression of CHRNA7 is decreased in schizophrenia, the general structure of the remaining receptors is likely to be normal.
Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder with Lymph Node-only Metastasis Treated with M-VAC (Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin and Cisplatin) has a Better Survival than GC (Gemcitabine and Cisplatin)

Background: Previous studies demonstrated that GC (gemcitabine and cisplatin) provided a similar survival advantage as M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin) for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), and had a better safety profile and improved tolerability. However, no clinical clues in selection of first-line chemotherapy regimen were suggested. This study aims to determine whether different sites of metastasis and chemotherapy regimens affected the prognosis of patients with metastatic UCB. Methods: Patients with metastatic UCB were retrospectively reviewed. Data on clinical characteristics, progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate were analyzed. Results: Between 2000 and 2012, a total of 76 patients with metastatic UCB were enrolled. The median age was 64.5 years and the median follow-up period was 13.6 months. Of these patients, 37 had lymph node-only metastasis (LOM) and 39 had non-LOM. The median survival was significantly longer for UCB patients with LOM. The median PFS was 10.0 months for LOM and 4.3 months for non-LOM (P = ＜ 0.01), while the median OS was 16.9 months for LOM and 10.5 months for non-LOM (P = ＜ 0.01). The ORR and CR rate were both significantly higher in patients with LOM than in those with non-LOM. Subgroup analysis suggested that UCB patients with LOM treated with M-VAC had a better survival. The median PFS was 16.4 months in the M-VAC group and 8.7 months in the GC group (P = 0.08), while the median OS was 23.1 months in the M-VAC group and 16.0 months in the GC group (P = 0.03). The CR rate remained significant. Conclusions: UCB patients with LOM, especially those treated with M-VAC, had better survival outcomes and greater CR rate than those with non-LOM. However, the sample size of this study was quite small and analyzed on a retrospective basis. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted.
Revising your world-view of the fundamental constants

Fundamental constants" are thought to be discoveries about Nature that are xed and eternal, and not dependent on theory. Actually constants have no de nition outside the theory that uses them. For a century units and constants have been based on the physics of the previous millennium. The constants of physics changed radically with quantum mechanics and modern theory, but their use and interpretation was unfortunately locked in early. By critically re-examining the actual structure of the present system in a new light, we nd that obsolete concepts of Newtonian physics impede the understanding and use of quantum theory. Confronting the di erence nds that Planck's constant cannot be observed in quantum theory, and is entirely a construct of human history and convention. A cascade of seeming paradoxes and contradictions occurs when Plancks constant is eliminated, yet the end result is a simpler and cleaner vision of what quantum mechanics and quantum eld theory really involve. By eliminating redundant holdovers the number and nature of fundamental constants is revised. By avoiding the Newtonian conception of mass and associated experimental errors the electron mass is determined with a relative error 67 times smaller than before. The fundamental unit of electric charge is determined more than 100 times more accurately than the current determination of international committees.
Assay of fibrinopeptides A and B and of released platelet proteins as a measure of activation of hemostasis.

Our understanding of relationships between atherosclerosis and the hemostatic system would be greatly enhanced, if tests were available which would reproducibly and clearly demonstrate perturbations of the system in association with atherosclerosis. Tests of the hemostatic mechanism may be divided into two general types, those which measure the functional status of different components and those which measure the products of specific reactions. Functional status tests have been particularly useful in distinguishing, diagnosing and monitoring therapy in the bleeding disorders but have been of very limited usefulness in studying thromboembolism. The results of studies with functional tests in which patients with atherosclerosis were compared with patients with other disease are not available. The newly developed tests which measure the products of hemostatic reactions appear to be useful in studying thromboembolism and await application to the study of atherosclerosis. The present manuscript will review the theoretical basis for these tests and summarize the limited available clinical data. The results of studies on patients with hyperlipidemia will also be discussed.
Myxoid dermatofibrosarcoma protruberans of the scrotum: A rare diagnosis in an unreported location

Abstract Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) represents a low grade, locally aggressive mesenchymal neoplasm with characteristic clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings. Myxoid DFSP is an uncommon variant, with only few cases reported in the literature and may present a diagnostic challenge on histopathologic examination. We report the first case of myxoid DFSP arising in the scrotum of a 38year-old man and describe the morphologic and immunohistochemical findings. Recognition of this variant at unusual sites is clinically important because the differential diagnosis includes benign and malignant tumors which could lead to under or over-treatment.
Epidemiology and Control of Nosocomial Viral Infections

The impact of nosocomial viral disease, in terms of morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures, should not be underestimated. Respiratory viruses, in particular, account for a substantial proportion of all nosocomial infections, especially among pediatric patients and the institutionalized elderly. The immunocompromised, very young, and chronically ill patients in hospitals are unusually vulnerable to serious viral illness. The emerging technology of rapid viral diagnosis will allow more timely and accurate recognition of viral infections, even in the smaller hospital with limited laboratory resources. Early recognition of viral diseases should, in turn, permit us to institute, and further evaluate, specific measures for their control. Appreciation of the epidemiology and transmission of these viruses will provide the framework for successful infection control strategies.
AT-22PHASE II TRIAL OF BEVACIZUMAB, RADIATION THERAPY (RT) AND TEMOZOLOMIDE FOLLOWED BY BEVACIZUMAB AND TEMOZOLOMIDE WITH CONTINUATION OF BEVACIZUMAB BEYOND PROGRESSION

BACKGROUND: Two multicenter phase III trials, RTOG0825 and AVAglio, evaluated the addition of bevacizumab to RT and temozolomide in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients and demonstrated a lack of statistically significant increased survival. In both studies, the majority of patients discontinued bevacizumab at the time of disease progression on bevacizumab. Given encouraging results in other diseases, we decided to evaluate the safety and benefit of incorporating bevacizumab from the time of diagnosis and throughout multiple treatment lines, beyond progression. METHODS: Patients with new diagnosis of WHO grade IV malignant glioma were enrolled on study after maximal safe surgical intervention. Patients were initiated on RT and temozolomide at 75 mg/m2/day, with bevacizumab at 10 mg/kg every 14 days beginning at least 28 days post-operatively. Following RT, patients initiated on adjuvant 5-day temozolomide for up to 12 cycles. Bevacizumab was maintained during adjuvant temozolomide, at tumor progression and once patients came off chemotherapy (maintenance phase). RESULTS: All planned 68 patients have been enrolled on study. Median age is 57.5 years and 69% are men. Two patients are still undergoing RT. At a median follow-up of 10.4 months, median progression-free survival was 9.9 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 8.7 months-not reached) and 1-year overall survival is 85.2% (95 CI, 70.9-92.8%). Grade 4 toxicities thus far include: neutropenia (n = 4); thrombocytopenia (n = 6); leucopenia (n = 3); colonic perforation (n = 1); sepsis (n = 1); intracranial hemorrhage (n = 1); and hypertension (n = 1). Grade 3 toxicities include: lymphopenia (n = 24); neutropenia (n = 6); thrombocytopenia (n = 9); leucopenia (n = 6); fatigue (n = 5); hypertension (n = 5); thromboembolic event (n = 3); and one each of anemia, elevated AST, ventricular tachycardia, oral mucositis, nausea, pustular rash, urinary tract infection, wound infection, cognitive difficulties, headaches, and allergic reaction. CONCLUSION: Continuing bevacizumab beyond progression is tolerable. Updated survival and toxicity results will be presented.
Connecting Eating Pathology with Risk for Engaging in Suicidal Behavior: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance.

Individuals with eating pathology, particularly those with diagnosed eating disorders, are at high risk for suicide. It is less clear whether undiagnosed eating pathology and subsyndromal eating disorders carry the same risk and, if so, what mechanisms may explain why higher levels of eating pathology yield greater risk for engaging in suicidal behaviors. The indirect relationship between disordered eating and risk for suicidal behaviors via facets of experiential avoidance was tested using a multiple-mediator model. The model was tested using bootstrapping estimates of indirect effects in a sample of 218 noncollege student adults (Mage = 32.33, 66.1% women) with a history of suicidal attempt and/or history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Results revealed that disordered eating indirectly predicted risk for suicidal behaviors, distress aversion (i.e., negative attitudes or dislike of distress), and procrastination (i.e., delaying engagement with distressing activities). Results suggest that targeting experiential avoidance and helping those who have a history of engaging in suicidal behaviors and/or NSSI develop regulation strategies to use during times of distress may be of utmost importance for treatment and prevention of eating pathology.
Comparative Study on Template Matching and Neural Network Method to License Plate Character Recognition

Character recognition in license plate is a core component of the intelligent transportation system. This paper studied on the two character recognition methods, i.e., template matching method(TMM) and neural network method(NNM), and then performed them in Matlab platform. The simulation results showed the efficiency of TMM and NNM. Finally, some constructive conclusions are presented by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of TMM and NNM.
STUDY ON PETROPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF LOW-RESISTIVITY RESERVOIRS

The combined use of conventional logs such as density, neutron and resistivity logs has been proven very effective in evaluating normal reservoirs. An accurate determination of the petrophysical parameters with the conventional logs for low resistivity reservoirs, however, is very difficult. This paper presents two cases of low resistivity reservoirs and low contrast resistivity reservoirs where conventional logging interpretation shows water zones, yet water free hydrocarbons would be produced. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) has been available only as a supplement tool, to provide additional information on the productivity of the reservoir. This paper shows that in the case of low resistivity contrast reservoirs NMR is a very cost effective tool for helping accurately determine petrophysical properties of the reservoir.
Non-Viral Gene Delivery with Cationic Liposome–DNA Complexes

A large amount of research activity worldwide is currently directed towards developing lipid- or polymer-based, non-viral gene vectors for therapeutic applications. This strong interest is motivated by their low toxicity, ease of production, ability to transfer large pieces of DNA into cells, and lack of immunogenic protein components. Cationic liposomes (CLs) are one of the most powerful non-viral vectors. In fact, CL-based vectors are among the prevalent synthetic carriers of nucleic acids currently used in human clinical gene therapy trials as well as in cell transfection applications for biological research. Our understanding of the mechanisms of action of CL-DNA complexes is still in its infancy. However, the relevance of a few crucial parameters, such as the lipid/DNA charge ratio (rho(chg)) and the membrane charge density of lamellar complexes (sigma(M)), is well established. To arrive at true comparisons of lipid performance, one must optimize both these parameters using a reproducible, reliable transfection assay. In this chapter, we aim to provide the reader with detailed procedures for liposome formation and transfection. It is our hope that the use of such optimized protocols will improve the comparability of transfection data obtained with novel lipids.
Hydrops fetalis: Antenatal diagnosis and treatment

Seventeen of 59 consecutive fetuses subjected to intrauterine fetal transfusion were found to have gross ascites. No radiologic or chemical test was of great prognostic value in establishing the diagnosis of hydrops fetalis. All fetuses were treated by controlled paracentesis with volumetric replacement of removed ascitic fluid by compatible packed erythrocytes. Five of the 17 infants were live born, 2 died in the neonatal period, but 3 survived and appear to be normal and well. There were no discernible maternal complications.
Vibration of Plates

This chapter analyzes the vibration of thin plates. After reviewing the general plate equations, two situations are considered separately: (a) axial in-plane vibration of plates; and (b) flexural out-of-plane vibration of plates. Both rectangular coordinates and cylindrical coordinates are used, as appropriate. For rectangular plates, simplified solutions are derived for straight-crested axial and flexural vibrations and compared with the corresponding 1-D cases discussed in Chapter 3. General solutions for the 2-D flexural vibration of rectangular plates are given from the literature. The vibration of circular plates is treated in terms of Bessel functions. Closed-form solutions are derived for axisymmetric vibration of circular plates, to be used later in Chapter 9 for the analysis of PWAS resonators and in Chapter 10 for SHM analysis of electromechanical (E/M) impedance of circular PWAS transducers applied to circular plates.
Right Facial Weakness and Microtia in a Newborn

At birth, a preterm newborn presents with right facial asymmetry and right ear deformity characterized by decreased cartilage, auricular cupping, and protuberance. ### Prenatal History ### Birth History ### Vital Signs ### Physical Examination The infant initially was …
Effects of Signaled Positive Reinforcement on Problem Behavior Maintained by Negative Reinforcement

We evaluated the effects of providing positive reinforcement for task completion, signaled via the presence of a tangible item, on escape-maintained problem behavior displayed by three typically developing children during one-time 90-min outpatient evaluations. Brief functional analyses of problem behavior, conducted within a multielement design, identified negative reinforcement. Treatment, conducted within a nonconcurrent multiple baseline with reversal design, consisted of a signal for positive reinforcement while continuing to permit escape for problem behavior, thus creating a competition between positive and negative reinforcement. For all participants, problem behavior decreased.