cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Locally focused mri

Conventional magnetic resonance images are reconstructed by Fourier transformation and have uniform spatial resolution across the entire field of view (FOV). This paper describes a way of creating MR images that have higher spatial resolution in some areas than in others. High resolution imaging can be confined to just those areas where it is necessary to resolve strong edges without truncation artifact. Such locally focused images can be acquired in less scan time than that required to image the entire FOV with uniformly high resolution. Images are reconstructed from a subset of the usual phase-encoded signals required to create a uniformly well-resolved image. The measured signals are usually nonuniformly scattered in k-space. Functional and interventional imaging may benefit from this technique, which makes it possible to acquire a rapid series of dynamical images that have high resolution in areas of expected change and lower resolution elsewhere. Spectroscopic images may be improved by using high resolution in the neighborhood of sharp edges (e.g., scalp lipids) that might otherwise cause truncation artifacts.
Response Characteristics of Anion-Selective Polymer Membrane Electrodes Based on Gallium(III), Indium(III) and Thallium(III) Porphyrins

The potentiometric anion responses of ion-selective electrodes prepared with polymeric membranes doped with gallium(III), indium(III) and thallium(III) metalloporphyrins are examined. These group XIII metals, when inserted into either octaethyl- or tetraphenyl-porphyrin derivatives and subsequently incorporated into plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes, serve as anion ionophores with selectivity patterns that deviate significantly from the classical Hofmeister series for anions. The gallium(III) porphyrin-based electrodes exhibit significantly enhanced response toward fluoride, whereas the indium(III) and thallium(III) porphyrins display some preference for chloride and also effectively discriminate less hydrated anions such as perchlorate and nitrate. All of the metalloporphyrins investigated are determined to function via a charged carrier response mechanism. This mechanism is elucidated by correlating the effect of adding lipophilic ionic sites, either cationic (quaternary ammonium) or anionic (tetraphenylborate) salts, to the observed anion selectivity and response patterns of the metalloporphyrin-based liquid /polymer membrane electrodes.
A spectrum of universality classes in period doubling and period tripling

Abstract We have studied the functional dependence of the period-doubling and period-tripling universal bifurcation ratios α and δ on the order of the critical point z in the iterated map f;(χ) = 1 − a ¦χ¦ z , where z can be even, odd o r fractional. For the period-doubling sequence, α( z ) is seen to be a monotonically decreasing function of z , and δ( z ) a monotonically increasing function. For the period-tripling sequence, α( z ) is still monotonically decreasing; however, δ( z ) displays an interesting minimum at z = 2.
A note on testing for skewness persistence

This paper shows that the tests of skewness persistence considered by Muralidhar Muralidhar, K. 1993. The bootstrap approach for testing skewness persistence. Management Sci.39 487-491. far exceed the true Type I error. That is, the probabilities of detecting an increase decrease in skewness from one time period to another when in fact there is no change are inflated. Consequently, higher power achieved by these tests comes at the cost of a higher than specified level of Type I error. We propose a new test which maintains the specified Type I error levels. Additionally, the power of this test for lognormal distributions is reported.
Defects and Diffusion issues for the Manufacturing of Semiconductors in the 21st Century

Within the past decade, process simulation has become an essential part of new technology development in the silicon IC industry. The use of TCAD (technology computer aided design) tools has been driven by the enormous cost of purely experimental approaches to technology development. Yet the power of these tools and their predictive capability are still greatly limited by the models they use. TCAD models for doping processes are universally based today on point defects. These models have evolved considerably in the past decade to incorporate additional understanding. The state-of-the-art today includes concentration dependent diffusion through Fermi level effects on defect concentrations, full coupling between defects and dopants which allows prediction of non-local diffusion effects, basic models for the effects of ion implantation damage (the +1 model), surface and interface effects (through effective recombination velocities and segregation), and full 2D and 3D simulations. As devices continue to shrink, better models will certainly be required. Challenges for the future include more detailed information about damage resulting from ion implantation, better understanding of point defect properties (equilibrium populations, diffusivities, transient response to temperatures changes), better models for point defect behavior at interfaces, and finally, development of accurate methods to actually measure 2D and 3D dopant profiles. This paper will attempt to describe where we are and where we need to be in the future.
Nonlinear phenomena in solid state physics and technology

Stationary waves in nonlinear, nondispersive systems, represented by an ideal crystalline solid, are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the effects of material structure and microstructure on the generation of the stationary waveform and on the thermal expansivity of the material. The relationship between the thermal expansivity of the crystal and the modal acoustic radiation-induced static strains generated by radiation sources associated with the vibrating atoms of the crystalline lattice is derived. The effects of dispersion in material systems, as represented by amorphous solid vitreous silica (glass), are considered. The introduction of dispersion into the nonlinear wave equation results in stationary wave solutions that have the form of solitary waves or solitons. In vitreous silica the solitons have a negative polarity, and are discussed in terms of their possible role in the negative thermal expansivity of glass at low temperatures. >
Operators of contrast modification of fuzzy sets

When a vague value is expressed by a fuzzy set, its fuzziness (vagueness) is measured with respect to the threshold /spl alpha/=0.5. This point is the equilibrium of the standard fuzzy complement. It also separates "large" and "small" membership coefficients of a fuzzy set when the operator of contrast intensification (diminishment) is used to decrease (increase) the amount of fuzziness of a fuzzy set. For /spl alpha/ /spl isin/ (0, 1) more general operators of /spl alpha/-contrast intensification and /spl alpha/-contrast diminishment based on fuzzy complement with equilibrium equal to /spl alpha/ will be introduced, discussed and illustrated with examples.
Understanding behavioral effects of early life stress using the reactive scope and allostatic load models

The mechanisms through which early life stress leads to psychopathology are thought to involve allostatic load, the "wear and tear" an organism is subjected to as a consequence of sustained elevated levels of glucocorticoids caused by repeated/prolonged stress activations. The allostatic load model described this phenomenon, but has been criticized as inadequate to explain alterations associated with early adverse experience in some systems, including behavior, which cannot be entirely explained from an energy balance perspective. The reactive scope model has been more recently proposed and focuses less on energy balance and more on dynamic ranges of physiological and behavioral mediators. In this review we examine the mechanisms underlying the behavioral consequences of early life stress in the context of both these models. We focus on adverse experiences that involve mother-infant relationship disruption, and dissect those mechanisms involving maternal care as a regulator of development of neural circuits that control emotional and social behaviors in the offspring. We also discuss the evolutionary purpose of the plasticity in behavioral development, which has a clear adaptive value in a changing environment.
Psychosocial Correlates of Healthy Beliefs, Choices, and Behaviors in Overweight and Obese School-Age Children: A Primary Care Healthy Choices Intervention Pilot Study

The relationships among weight, mental health, social competence, healthy lifestyle beliefs, choices, and behaviors in overweight and obese school-age children (9 to 12 years) who were participating in a pilot Healthy Choices Intervention Program were examined using a descriptive correlational design. Results indicated that the children's weight negatively correlated with the children's self-concept, social skills, and, most importantly, healthy lifestyle choices. Their healthy lifestyle beliefs demonstrated positive correlations with their intentions to choose a healthy lifestyle. The children's healthy lifestyle beliefs and choices also were associated with increased cooperation and empathy behaviors. A positive self-concept was associated with decreased anxiety and depressive symptomology. These data support the need for health care providers to understand the psychological and social issues that overweight and obese school-age children experience. Cognitive behavior skills building techniques, such as those in the Healthy Choices Intervention Program, may promote healthy lifestyle choices and behaviors.
Does amoeboid reasoning explain the evolution and maintenance of virulence factors in Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is a model organism for the study of fungal infections. This encapsulated fungus is found worldwide, particularly in soil samples contaminated by bird excreta (1). Despite frequent exposure, immunologically intact persons rarely get disease, with an annual incidence estimated at only 0.001%. However, the incidence rises astronomically in patients with impaired T-cell function. In persons with AIDS, C. neoformans is one of the five most common causes of life-threatening opportunistic infections. Meningoencephalitis is the most common clinical presentation of cryptococcosis, although any organ system can be affected. C. neoformans is a facultative intracellular parasite of macrophages and it seems that the capacity to survive both inside and outside the phagocyte is critical for the organism's virulence (2). In this issue of PNAS, Steenbergen et al. (3) provide tantalizing data regarding the evolution and maintenance of virulence in C. neoformans. The authors examined the interactions of C. neoformans with the free-living soil amoeba, Acanthamoeba castellanii. They found that the fungus was phagocytosed by the amoebae. Once inside, the fungus efficiently replicated, eventually killing the amoebae. The process was remarkably similar to that seen in mammalian macrophages (2). Thus, with both macrophages and amoebae, after phagocytosis the fungi get localized into membrane-bound vacuoles. Fungal replication ensues, accompanied by disruption of the vacuolar membrane, intracellular accumulation of capsular polysaccharide, and cell lysis.
Oxidative activity of cytoplasmic particles of apples: Krebs cycle oxidations, oxidative phosphorylation, & cytochromes

Previous studies of procedures for isolating apple mitochondria showed the importance of pH during homogenization of the tissues (12,13). Virtually no mitochondrial activity could be detected in particles from neutral homogenates. Highest comparative rates of reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH) oxidase, DPNHcytochrome c reductase, diaph-orase, and cytochrome oxidase were recorded with particles from pH 9.9 homogenates. Maximal succinoxidase and succinic-cytochrome c reductase activities were found in particles from pH 8.4 homogenates. These particles were, therefore, characterized with respect to their electron transport chain activities. The purpose of the present study is to further characterize these apple particles and establish whether or not they can be identified as mitochondria. It will be shown that Krebs cycle activity, oxidativephosphorylation, and cytochrome spectra, typical of other plant mitochondria, can be demonstrated with some of these particles. These data thus provide presumptive evidence for the presence of mitochondria in apple pulp tissue.
The expression and function of midkine in the vertebrate retina.

The functional role of midkine during development, following injury and in disease has been studied in a variety of tissues. In this review, we summarize what is known about midkine in the vertebrate retina, focusing largely on recent studies utilizing the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an animal model. Zebrafish are a valuable animal model for studying the retina, due to its very rapid development and amazing ability for functional neuronal regeneration following neuronal cell death. The zebrafish genome harbours two midkine paralogues, midkine-a (mdka) and midkine-b (mdkb), which, during development, are expressed in nested patterns among different cell types. mdka is expressed in the retinal progenitors and mdkb is expressed in newly post-mitotic cells. Interestingly, studies of loss-and gain-of-function in zebrafish larvae indicate that midkine-a regulates cell cycle kinetics. Moreover, both mdka and mdkb are expressed in different cell types in the normal adult zebrafish retina, but after light-induced death of photoreceptors, both are up-regulated and expressed in proliferating Muller glia and photoreceptor progenitors, suggesting an important and (perhaps) coincident role for these cytokines during stem cell-based neuronal regeneration. Based on its known role in other tissues and the expression and function of the midkine paralogues in the zebrafish retina, we propose that midkine has an important functional role both during development and regeneration in the retina. Further studies are needed to understand this role and the mechanisms that underlie it. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed section on Midkine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-4
Inhibition of human papillomavirus type 16 gene expression by nordihydroguaiaretic acid plant lignan derivatives

Several methylated derivatives of a plant lignan, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) were found to be potent anti-viral agents by suppressing Sp1 regulated transcription within the sexually transmitted viruses human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). A prominent Sp1 DNA binding site within many human papillomavirus (HPV) promoters has been noted to play an active role in HPV gene expression. In this report it is shown that the three NDGA derivatives, Mal.4, M(4)N, and tetra-acetyl NDGA can also inhibit gene expression from the early promoter P(97) of HPV16. The drug activity on gene expression was measured after DNA transfection of recombinant vector constructs linking the viral promoter and enhancer elements to the luciferase reporter gene. Using the specific luciferase activity as the indicator of gene expression, Mal.4 and M(4)N were found to be active in a dose dependent manner that is in the same range of concentrations reported for the promoters of HIV, HSV, and simian virus 40 (SV40) while tetra-acetyl NDGA was much more active in suppression of the HPV P(97) promoter activity than Mal.4 and M(4)N. The drugs showed limited to no effect on gene expression driven by the adenovirus major late promoter and the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Hence, such drug derivatives may be significant in the therapy of papillomavirus infections and their associated induced human cancers.
Experiments on liquid immiscibility along tholeiitic liquid lines of descent

Crystallization experiments have been conducted on compositions along tholeiitic liquid lines of descent to define the compositional space for the development of silicate liquid immiscibility. Starting materials have 46–56 wt% SiO2, 11.7–17.7 wt% FeOtot, and Mg-number between 0.29 and 0.36. These melts fall on the basaltic trends relevant for Mull, Iceland, Snake River Plain lavas and for the Sept Iles layered intrusion, where large-scale liquid immiscibility has been recognized. At one atmosphere under anhydrous conditions, immiscibility develops below 1,000–1,020°C in all of these compositionally diverse lavas. Extreme iron enrichment is not necessary; immiscibility also develops during iron depletion and silica enrichment. Variations in melt composition control the development of silicate liquid immiscibility along the tholeiitic trend. Elevation of Na2O + K2O + P2O5 + TiO2 promotes the development of two immiscible liquids. Increasing melt CaO and Al2O3 stabilizes a single-liquid field. New data and published phase equilibria show that anhydrous, low-pressure fractional crystallization is the most favorable condition for unmixing during differentiation. Pressure inhibits immiscibility because it expands the stability field of high-Ca clinopyroxene, which reduces the proportion of plagioclase in the crystallizing assemblage, thus enhancing early iron depletion. Magma mixing between primitive basalt and Fe–Ti–P-rich ferrobasalts can serve to elevate phosphorous and alkali contents and thereby promote unmixing. Water might decrease the temperature and size of the two-liquid field, potentially shifting the binodal (solvus) below the liquidus, leading the system to evolve as a single-melt phase.
Research Note: Combined Halogen Disinfectants in Poultry Processing

Abstract Three organic N-nalamine compounds (combined halogen disinfectants) were compared with free chlorine (as calcium hypochlorite) as bactericides against Salmonella typhimurium and unidentified normal poultry bacterial flora under controlled conditions of pH, temperature, and halogen demand similar to those encountered in poultry processing. Two of the compounds (3-chloro-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolidinone and l,3-dichloro-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-imidazolidinone) at a concentration of 50 mg/L were found to cause a 99.9999% decline in viable organisms in less than 1 min at 48 C, whereas a third compound (1-bromo-3-chloro-4,4,5,5-tetramemyl-2-imidazotidinone) was found to be less suitable (5.6 min to 99.9999% decline under the same conditions).
Ethics in Worksite Health Programming: Who is Served?

As relatively new innovations in the workplace, employee assistance and wellness/ health promotion programs have not yet established clear identities. Thus ethical prac tices have not been fully considered or discussed. Based on extensive research exper ience with employee assistance programs, ethical issues are considered at three levels. Of primary concern are ethical issues affecting the individual employee, of which the scope of perceived or expected service relationships between employees and EAP coordinators is critical. There are tendencies to transfer models of community or private practice to the worksite, but the relationships both prescribed and implied at the worksite require that a different pattern of clinical relationships obtain. At the organizational level, it is critical for the worksite practitioners to be conscious of their authority in translating scientific data into recommended practices at the worksite and in transforming equivocal data and health practices into organizational norm...
Normal Human CD4+ Memory T Cells Display Broad Heterogeneity in Their Activation Threshold for Cytokine Synthesis

CD4+ memory T cells coordinate immune responses against viruses and other pathogens via the Ag-induced secretion of potent effector cytokines. The efficacy of these responses depends on both the overall number of pathogen-specific memory T cells and the particular array of cytokines that these cells are programmed to secrete. Here, we provide evidence that heterogeneity in Ag triggering thresholds constitutes an additional critical determinant of memory T cell function. Using a novel assay that allows single-cell detection of Ag-specific T cell cytokine production, we demonstrate that CMV-specific CD4+ memory cells from human peripheral blood display pronounced differences in their costimulatory requirements for Ag-induced triggering of IFN-gamma and IL-2 secretion, ranging from cells that trigger with little costimulation (e.g., resting APC alone) to cells requiring potent costimulation through multiple pathways (resting APC plus multiple costimulatory mAbs, or activated APC). These differences in costimulatory requirements are independent of clonal differences in TCR signaling intensity, consistent with an intrinsic activation-threshold heterogeneity that is "downstream" from the TCR. Thus, "effective" frequencies of Ag-specific CD4+ memory T cells appear to depend on the activation status of available APC, a dependence that would allow the immune system to rapidly adjust the number of functional Ag-specific memory T cells in a particular effector site according to local conditions.
LBBA: An efficient online benefit-aware multiprocessor scheduling for QoS via online choice of approximation algorithms

Abstract Maximizing the benefit gained by soft real-time jobs in many applications and embedded systems is highly needed to provide an acceptable QoS (Quality of Service). This paper considers a benefit model for on-line preemptive multiprocessor scheduling. The goal is to maximize the total benefit gained by the jobs that meet their deadlines. This method prioritizes the jobs using their benefit density functions and schedules them in a real-time basis. We propose an online choice of two approximation algorithms in order to partition the jobs among identical processors at the time of their arrival without using any statistics. Our analysis and experiments show that we are able to maximize the gained benefit and decrease the computational complexity (compared to existing algorithms) while minimizing makespan (response time, also referred to as cost), with fewer missed deadlines and more balanced usage of processors. Our solution is applicable to a wide variety of soft real-time applications and embedded systems such as, but not limited to multimedia applications, medical monitoring systems or those with higher utilization such as bursty hosting servers. 1
Omenn Disease: Termination in Lymphoma

Two brothers with Omenn's disease were seen at the University of Wisconsin. The first died at 3 months. The second developed a chronic measles iinfection f i o m vaccination with a live virus to which he did not produce an antibody. H e received transfer factor and irradiated leukoyte infusions without benefit. After death a lymphoma was found in virtually all tissues. It is unclear whether the treatment predisposed the child to or caused the cancer.Omenn's disease is an autosomal-recessive disorder of the immune system that leads to early death. The pathopesis remains unknown.
Surgery for Supranuclear Monocular Elevation Deficiency.

AbstractPurpose: We report a novel approach to surgery for monocular elevation deficiency (MED).Methods: A retrospective review of 5 patients undergoing surgery for supranuclear MED between 2003 and 2014. All patients had intact Bell’s phenomenon, hypotropia, limited elevation above the primary position, and negative forced duction testing of the paretic eye. Preoperatively all patients preferred chin-up head posture and three had pseudoptosis or ptosis. One of the 5 had prior vertical muscle surgery. Surgery correction for the MED consisted of near maximal superior rectus recession on the contralateral sound eye.Results: Compensatory chin-up head position and alignment in primary position was improved in all patients. Average age at surgery was 5.3 years. Average superior rectus recession was 9.7 mm. Mean follow-up was 4.8 years (range 12 months to 11.5 years). The vertical deviation of the paretic eye in primary position postoperatively was orthotropic for 2, hypotropic for 2, and overcorrected for 1.Co...
Optimal blood pressure targets in older adults: how low is low enough?

The study by Bangalore et al. [(1)][1] that appears in this issue of the Journal addresses the most pressing topic in antihypertensive therapy today: determining the optimal thresholds and targets for treatment in various segments of the hypertensive population. The paper is a direct response to the
Rationale and study protocol for the Nursing Home Compare Plus (NHCPlus) randomized controlled trial: A personalized decision aid for patients transitioning from the hospital to a skilled-nursing facility

Abstract Background Annually more than 3 million people are admitted to one of the 15,965 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in the United States, with 90% of admissions occurring from a hospital. Although the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes several internet-based report cards, including one for nursing homes (Nursing Home Compare, NHC), they are not widely used. This is due, in part, to the complexity of the information available and the fact that the choice of nursing homes is typically made while in the hospital without access to the web-based NHC. We developed Nursing Home Compare Plus (NHCPlus) to address these limitations and to improve the decision-making process. Methods/design This paper describes the design and rationale of a two-arm randomized controlled trial designed to test the effectiveness of NHCPlus compared to usual care only, in a sample of patients being discharged from the hospital to an SNF (N = 229). Assessments were conducted within 24 h prior to patient discharge and 30-days post discharge. Primary outcomes to be examined included the use of NHC, increased choice of nursing homes with better reported outcomes, and increased distance between patient/family residence and nursing home. Secondary outcomes included satisfaction with the decision to go to a nursing home, confidence in the choice of nursing home, and reduced hospital length of stay. Discussion NHCPlus is an innovative mobile application designed to allow patients to personalize their choice of nursing homes to meet their medical needs and preferences. The application to other quality report cards is discussed.
Sense of place and forest science: toward a program of quantitative research.

Sense of place is rich in theory, but quantitative research approaches often fail to reflect this richness. This schism between theory and application not only impedes the development of theory, but also the ultimate utility of the concept for integration into resource management planning. Here, several fundamental points in sense of place theory that can readily be translated into testable hypotheses are identified, as are suggestions for how they may be reformulated into hypothesis language. Sense of place is composed of descriptive and evaluative components that are a function of landscape attributes, experience with the landscape. In turn, any of these elements may affect place-related behaviors.
Ten Analyses Of Sol-Gel Derived And Sputtered PZT Thin Films

Ferroelectric PZT thin films were prepared by sol-gel methods and RF magnetron sputteomg. Sputtered PZT fast fired at 650°C for 30 minutes showed microporosity. For the sol-gel route, solution precursors had a significant effect on the microstructure of the crystalline PZT films. PZT thin films deived from metal-organic precursors dissolved in n-propanol were observed to have large and microporous spherulitic grains on the order of 2 μ and phase separation in acetic acid-catalyzed films. In contrast, PZT precursors originated from alcohol exchanges with 2-methoxyethanols resulted in dense films with fine grains of ~0.2 μm and clear evidence of ferroelectric domains. The dense sol-gel films possessed superior dielectric and ferroelectric properties.
Erythropoiesis in pyridoxine deficient mice.

SummaryMice maintained on a pyridoxine deficient diet developed a progressive anemia characterized by hypochromia, microcytosis, reticulocytosis, and erythroid hyperplasia of the marrow and spleen. Circulating siderocytes were greatly increased. Hypertransfusion of these animals with red cells obtained from pyridoxine deficient donors resulted in erythroid aplasia. The response to exogenous erythropoietin was comparable to that observed in erythropoietin treated control hypertransfused mice. These data indicate normal erythroid differentiation and maturation in pyridoxine deficient mice.The authors thank Drs. H. Baker and O. Frank of the East Orange Veterans Administration Hospital, East Orange, New Jersey for the pyridoxine assays.The erythropoietin was collected and concentrated by the Department of Physiology, University of the Northeast, Corrientes, Argentina, further processed and assayed by the Hematology Research Laboratories, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, under Research Grant HE 10880 (Natio...
Prevalence of Left Atrial Thrombus Detection by Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Comparison of Continuous Non–Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant Versus Warfarin Therapy in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients on ≥4 weeks of continuous non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy require transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter and to compare rates of left atrial (LA) thrombus and dense spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) in patients on NOAC versus warfarin therapy. Background The impact of NOAC therapy on the rates of LA thrombus detection by TEE in patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF is unknown. Methods Initial TEEs for 388 patients (median age, 65 years; 74% male) on ≥4 weeks of continuous NOAC (n = 183) or warfarin therapy (n = 205) undergoing catheter ablation of AF and flutter were reviewed. Results After ≥4 weeks of therapy, the prevalence of LA thrombus and LA thrombus/dense SEC among patients on NOACs was 4.4% and 6.0%, respectively, which was comparable with that of patients on warfarin. LA thrombus rates among patients on dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban were 5.4%, 4.8%, and 0%, respectively (p = 0.46). Predictors of LA thrombus were congestive heart failure (odds ratio [OR]: 5.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.79 to 16.2; p = 0.003); and persistent AF (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.06 to 10.2; p = 0.040). Conclusions Despite ≥4 weeks of anticoagulation, the rate of LA thrombus in patients on NOACs before catheter ablation of AF or atrial flutter was 4.4%. This suggests that continuous NOAC therapy does not eliminate the need for TEE before catheter ablation of AF.
An Analysis of Squeeze Film Damping for MEMS Plate Structures with Raised Strips

To analyze the squeeze film damping effect of MEMS plates with raised strips,an analytical solution is given to calculate the coefficient of squeeze film damping by using Reynolds equation and the first boundary conditions.A MEMS switch with raised strips is designed and fabricated.A Simulink model with the damping coefficient is created to simulate the dynamic response.The consistency of the threshold acceleration in Simulink and the testing results of the dropping hammer system proves the validity of theoretical analysis.
Inhibitory effects of soy protein isolate on intestinal carcinogenesis in azoxymethane (AOM)-treated Sprague-Dawley rats are subsite-specific and linked to insulin/IGF action.

Fifth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, Nov 12-15, 2006 A160 Our laboratories have reported inhibitory effects on colon carcinogenesis of soy protein isolate (SPI) in AOM-treated male rats (Linz et al, 2004, J. Carcinogenesis, 3:14). In the present study, we examined regional and hormonal aspects of the intestinal cancer-preventative actions of SPI. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley dams at gestation day 4 were placed on semi-purified, iso-caloric, AIN-93G diets containing casein (CAS) or SPI (both at 20%, w/w) as the sole protein source. At postnatal day (PND) 3, each litter was culled to 5 males and 5 females (females used in unrelated studies) and rats fed the same diet as their dam. Male progeny were injected subcutaneously with AOM (15mg/kg body weight) at ages PND 50 and PND 57 and killed at 19.5 wks post-AOM. A second group of rats similarly fed CAS or SPI were killed at PND 50 or at 1 or 4 days post-AOM to examine acute responses to carcinogen in proximal vs. distal colon. SPI diet inhibited colon, but not small bowel, tumor incidence at 19.5 wks post-AOM (colon tumor incidence: CAS - 58.6%, SPI - 37.7%, P 0.05). CAS and SPI fed rats did not differ with respect to tumor multiplicity or tumor weight; however, colon tumors of the SPI group had an increased preponderance of gastrointestinal lymphomas. Tumor distribution in colon tended to be more distal than proximal for both diets. Reduction in colon tumor incidence in the SPI group was associated with reduced circulating insulin and leptin and increased circulating IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations; serum IGF-I did not differ. Expression of insulin-responsive SREBP-1c and Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) genes was suppressed in non-tumor colon tissue of the SPI group. In the second study , AOM treatment induced a transient suppression (day 1) in cell proliferation in crypts of the proximal colon which was maintained in the SPI, but not CAS groups, at day 4. Relative proliferation status of crypt epithelium in distal colon was unaffected by AOM, diet or time. Apoptosis was transiently induced by AOM (day 1 > PND50 or day 4) with number of TUNEL-positive cells greater for distal than proximal colon. SPI-fed rats manifested reduced numbers of apoptotic cells and phospho-ser15-p53-positive cells in distal colon crypts at day 1, suggesting an SPI-induced resistance to the DNA alkylating effects of AOM. SPI elicited reductions in serum insulin and mRNA abundance of colon SREBP-1c and FAS genes . Results suggest colon-specific inhibitory effects of SPI on AOM-induced carcinogenesis that may involve suppression of insulin/IGF action. Further study of SREBP-1c and FAS in dietary modulation of colon tumorigenesis is warranted.
Seq-ing the cortex one neuron at a time.

The most complete single-neuron transcriptome database of the mouse visual cortex was performed using a large collection of reporter mouse lines. Results highlight the unmatched neuronal diversity of the cerebral cortex.
DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES FOR PRERADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY IMAGING

Objective: Estimation of absorbed radiation doses to normal organs is essential for use of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy. We have developed methods for acquiring gamma camera images that provide precise and reproducible biodistribution data for dosimetry calculations. Methods: Patient attenuation data is acquired by imaging a radioactive sheet source both with and without the patient between the source and the camera. Organ localization is performed by identifying landmarks on the patient and then injecting 99mTc agents that visualize the major organs. Using templates placed over the camera positioning scope and point source markers on anatomic landmarks, the patient is positioned for each view and the templates are marked where the sources appear. After radiolabeled antibody infusion the patient is positioned using point source markers and the previously created templates. Results: We have developed a systematic method which has reduced the amount of time needed for biodistribution data acquisition and processing. Conclusion: This precise method gives the investigator confidence when comparing pretreatment radiation absorbed dose estimates to the patient post-treatment outcome.
The Dynamics of Marine Ice Sheets

Marine ice sheets rest on land that, for the most part, is below sea-level. Ice that flows across the grounding line, where the ice sheet becomes afloat, either calves into icebergs or forms a floating ice shelf joined to the ice sheet. At the grounding line there is a transition from ice-sheet dynamics to ice-shelf dynamics, and the creep-thinning rate in this region is very sensitive to sea depth; rising sea-level causes increased thinning-rates and grounding-line retreat, falling sea-level has the reverse effect. If the bedrock slopes down towards the centre of the ice sheet there may be only two stable modes: a freely-floating ice shelf or a marine ice sheet that extends to the edge of the continental shelf. Once started, collapse of such an ice sheet to form an ice shelf may take place extremely rapidly. Ice shelves which form in embayments of a marine ice sheet, or which are partially grounded, have a stabilizing influence since ice flowing across the grounding line has to push the ice shelf past its sides. Retreat of the grounding line tends to enlarge the ice shelf, which ultimately may become large enough to prevent excessive outflow from the ice sheet so that a new equilibrium grounding line is established; removal of the ice shelf would allow retreat to continue. During the late-Wisconsin glacial maximum there may have been marine ice sheets in the northern hemisphere but the only current example is the West Antarctic ice sheet. This is buttressed by the Ross and Ronne Ice Shelves, and if climatic warming were to prohibit the existence of these ice shelves then the ice sheet would collapse. Field observations suggest that, at present, the ice sheet may be advancing into parts of the Ross Ice Shelf. Such advance, however, would not ensure the security of the ice sheet since ice streams that drain to the north appear to flow directly into the sea with little or no ice shelf to buttress them. If these ice streams do not flow over a sufficiently high bedrock sill then they provide the most likely avenues for ice-sheet retreat.
Selective lymphocyte migration into secondary lymphoid organs and inflamed tissues

An important aspect of the immune system is the delivery of lymphocytes from the blood to organs of the lymphoid system (secondary lymphoid organs) and extra-lymphoid sites of inflammation. It is in the former that most naive lymphocytes initially respond to foreign antigen. On a continual basis, most mature, naive B and T cells recirculate from the blood into secondary lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches, and back into the blood via the lymphatics. This recirculation process provides the naive lymphocyte a mechanism to continuously access the organs of the body that collect antigen from epithelial surfaces, somatic tissues, and blood. Once lymphocytes respond to antigen, become activated, proliferate, and eventually develop into memory cells, they are thought to exhibit different trafficking behaviors, such as acquiring the increased capacity to migrate into extra-lymphoid tissues. In some instances, memory cells preferentially target and/or accumulate in certain organs. For example, it has been shown that certain lymphocyte subsets preferentially target the gut lymphoid tissues, such as Peyer’s patches and lamina propria, peripheral sites, such as peripheral lymph nodes, and the inflamed skin [1-7]. In order for lymphocytes to enter a tissue, they must bind and migrate through the vascular endothelium, which involves a multi-step process regulated by specific receptor/ligand interactions. The intent of this chapter is to (1) define the interactions of lymphocytes with the vascular endothelium, (2) outline the cell types involved and briefly discuss tissue-selective lymphocyte recirculation, and (3) provide an overview of some of the molecules that are involved in tissue-selective lymphocyte trafficking.
Class Patterns and Templates in Software Design

This chapter describes the use of design patterns as reusable components in program design. The discussion includes the two core elements: the class diagram and examples implemented in code. The authors believe that although precanned patterns have been popular in the literature, it is the patterns that we personally create or adapt that are most useful. Only after gaining intimate familiarity with a particular class structure will we be able to use it in an application. In addition to the conventional treatment of class patterns, the discussion includes the notion of a class template. A template describes functionality and object relations within a single class, while patterns refer to structures of communicating and interacting classes. The class template fosters reusability by providing a guide in solving a specific implementation problem. The chapter includes several class templates that could be useful to the software developer.
Dietary Supplements and Young Teens: Misinformation and Access Provided by Retailers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations against pediatric use of creatine and testosterone boosters, research suggests that many young teenagers take these dietary supplements. Our objective was to determine to what extent health food stores would recommend and/or sell creatine and testosterone boosters to a 15-year-old boy customer. METHODS: Research personnel posing as 15-year-old high school athletes seeking to increase muscle strength contacted 244 health food stores in the United States via telephone. Researchers asked the sales attendant what supplements he/she would recommend. If a sales attendant did not mention creatine or testosterone boosters initially, each of these supplements was then specifically asked about. Supplement recommendations were recorded. Sales attendants were also asked if a 15-year-old could purchase these products on his own in the store. RESULTS: A total of 67.2% (164/244) of sales attendants recommended creatine: 38.5% (94/244) recommended creatine without prompting, and an additional 28.7% (70/244) recommended creatine after being asked specifically about it. A total of 9.8% (24/244) of sales attendants recommended a testosterone booster. Regarding availability for sale, 74.2% (181/244) of sales attendants stated a 15-year-old was allowed to purchase creatine, whereas 41.4% (101/244) stated one could purchase a testosterone booster. CONCLUSIONS: Health food store employees frequently recommend creatine and testosterone boosters for boy high school athletes. In response to these findings, pediatricians should inform their teenage patients, especially athletes, about safe, healthy methods to improve athletic performance and discourage them from using creatine or testosterone boosters. Retailers and state legislatures should also consider banning the sale of these products to minors.
The Effects of Goal Origin and Implementation Intentions on Goal Commitment, Effort, and Performance

ABSTRACTSelf-set goals, selected by students for themselves, have known motivational benefits leading to increased autonomy and intrinsic motivation. In spite of the motivational benefits, students often fail to accomplish self-set goals because they lack the social motivator ascribed to assigned goals. The purpose of this research was to investigate methods of increasing students' commitments to self-set goals using implementation intentions: plans for when, where, and how to work toward a goal. The results of two studies revealed that implementation intentions increased students' performance on self-set goals relative to assigned goals through enhanced goal commitment and effort. Our findings suggest that the positive effects of self-set goals are greater when they are coupled with implementation intentions.
Development and Maintenance of the Blood–Brain Barrier

Abstract The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a specialized vascular structure that serves to restrict the passage of most molecules from the systemic circulation into the CNS. A functional BBB is present shortly after vascularization of the developing embryonic brain and an intact barrier is crucial for proper neuronal function. This barrier is regulated and maintained via inputs from a number of different cell types, including endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, neurons, and microglia, that are collectively known as the neurovascular unit. Disruption or opening of the BBB often proves deleterious and exacerbates CNS disorders such as Alzheimer disease, epilepsy, and stroke. The BBB is critical for CNS homeostasis, but it also presents a significant obstacle for drug delivery to the CNS.
The Status and Usefulness of Angler Recognition Programs in the United States

Abstract An angler recognition program is here defined as a program that gives awards to anglers who submit official affidavits for the catch of large fish. Thirty-one state agencies now administer such programs, but few utilize the results outside of publicity releases. Interesting seasonal and locational trends in the catch of large fish of several species were revealed by analysis of affidavits from the Massachusetts Freshwater Sportfishing Award Program from 1971 through 1982. Data derived from affidavits for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are described in detail. Analysis of the Massachusetts data indicated that a popular angler recognition program with meaningful standards can provide several types of information to fisheries researchers and managers. Unusual numbers of large fish from a body of water may encourage biological investigation into causative factors. Productive waters for large fish may be candidates for special regulations to preserve them as trophy fisheries. Returns to a tro...
A Lockean Argument for Black Reparations

This is a defense of blackreparations using the theory of reparations setout in John Locke's The Second Treatise ofGovernment. I develop two mainarguments, what I call the ``inheritanceargument'' and the ``counterfactual argument,''both of which have been thought to fail. In nocase do I appeal to the false ideas that presentday United States citizens are guilty ofslavery or must pay reparation simply becausethe U.S. Government was once complicit in thecrime.
African Immigrant Consumers’ Attitude Towards Advertising in General and Impact on Buying Decisions: An Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of consumers’ attitudes towards advertising in general by comparing the African immigrant consumer group in the United States and a control group. Following Shavitt et al.’s (1998) study on “Whites and non-Whites” attitude towards advertising, the African immigrant consumer group is compared with a control group (i.e., non-African immigrants) to enhance appropriate contextual comparison (see also Shavitt et al. 1998).
O4 -Alkylated-2-Deoxyuridine Repair by O6 -Alkylguanine DNA Alkyltransferase is Augmented by a C5-Fluorine Modification.

Oligonucleotides containing various adducts, including ethyl, benzyl, 4-hydroxybutyl and 7-hydroxyheptyl groups, at the O4 atom of 5-fluoro-O4-alkyl-2′-deoxyuridine were prepared by solid-phase synthesis. UV thermal denaturation studies demonstrated that these modifications destabilised the duplex by approximately 10 °C, relative to the control containing 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that these modified duplexes all adopted a B-form DNA structure. O6-Alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) from humans (hAGT) was most efficient at repair of the 5-fluoro-O4-benzyl-2′-deoxyuridine adduct, whereas the thymidine analogue was refractory to repair. The Escherichia coli AGT variant (OGT) was also efficient at removing O4-ethyl and benzyl adducts of 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine. Computational assessment of N1-methyl analogues of the O4-alkylated nucleobases revealed that the C5-fluorine modification had an influence on reducing the electron density of the O4−Cα bond, relative to thymine (C5-methyl) and uracil (C5-hydrogen). These results reveal the positive influence of the C5-fluorine atom on the repair of larger O4-alkyl adducts to expand knowledge of the range of substrates able to be repaired by AGT.