cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interferometric signal retrieval in single-beam coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering

Interferometric retrieval of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering signal through pulse shaper is demonstrated. The method allows for fast acquisition, and is beneficial in detecting broad Raman structure that has short coherence lifetime.
Constraint on the post-Newtonian parameter γ on galactic size scales

We constrain the post-Newtonian gravity parameter $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ on kiloparsec scales by comparing the masses of 15 elliptical lensing galaxies from the Sloan Lens ACS Survey as determined in two independent ways. The first method assumes only that Newtonian gravity is correct and is independent of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, while the second uses gravitational lensing which depends on $\ensuremath{\gamma}$. More specifically, we combine Einstein radii and radial surface-brightness gradient measurements of the lens galaxies with empirical distributions for the mass concentration and velocity anisotropy of elliptical galaxies in the local universe to predict $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-dependent probability distributions for the lens-galaxy velocity dispersions. By comparing with observed velocity dispersions, we derive a maximum-likelihood value of $\ensuremath{\gamma}=0.98\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07$ (68% confidence). This result is in excellent agreement with the prediction of general relativity that $\ensuremath{\gamma}=1$, which has previously been verified to this accuracy only on solar-system length scales.
Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

The recent success of anti-PD1 drugs in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with mismatch repair deficiency generated overwhelming enthusiasm for immunotherapy in the disease. However, patients with mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer represent only a small subset of the metastatic population. Current research focuses on advancing immunotherapy to earlier stages of the disease including adjuvant and first-line metastatic settings, and on inducing sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy through a combinatorial approach. Here, we review the contemporary understanding of the immune and molecular landscape in colorectal cancer and discuss ongoing clinical trials evaluating novel combination regimens based on immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Spatial Understanding as a Common Basis for Human-Robot Collaboration

We are developing a robotic cognitive architecture to be embedded in autonomous robots that can safely interact and collaborate with people on a wide range of physical tasks. Achieving true autonomy requires increasing the robot’s understanding of the dynamics of its world (physical understanding), and particularly the actions of people (cognitive understanding). Our system’s cognitive understanding arises from the Soar cognitive architecture, which constitutes the reasoning and planning component. The system’s physical understanding stems from its central representation, which is a 3D virtual world that the architecture synchronizes with the environment in real time. The virtual world provides a common representation between the robot and humans, thus improving trust between them and promoting effective collaboration.
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and Raman (and Fluorescence) Spectroscopic Imagery of Permineralized Cambrian and Neoproterozoic Fossils

Among all problems confronting the study of permineralized (petrified) ­fossils—the most life-like remnants preserved in the fossil record—two stand out, the need for (1) accurate documentation of their three-dimensional morphology, and (2) direct analysis of their chemical composition and that of their embedding mineral matrix. These problems can be addressed effectively by the use of two techniques recently introduced to paleontology: confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and Raman (and fluorescence) spectroscopic imagery. Both of these techniques, which are non-intrusive and non-destructive, can provide data by which to characterize, in situ and at submicron resolution, the cellular and organismal morphology of thin section-embedded organic-walled fossils. The techniques are complementary: CLSM detects laser-induced fluorescence emitted from the carbonaceous kerogen of which such fossils are composed, whereas Raman and fluorescence spectroscopic imagery provide direct analyses of the molecular-structural composition of such kerogen and its embedding mineral matrix as well as providing a means to assess quantitatively the geochemical maturity of the preserved organics. The paleontological usefulness of these techniques is illustrated here by studies of fossils from four Early Cambrian and late Neoproterozoic units: (1) a lowermost Cambrian ctenophore (“comb jelly”) embryo from the Kuanchuanpu Formation of Shaanxi Province, China; (2) scale ­fossils (Chilodictyon) from the ∼750-Ma-old Lower Tindir Group of Yukon Territory, Canada; (3) acritarchs and cyanobacteria from the ∼775-Ma-old Chichkan Formation of southern Kazakhstan; and (4) cyanobacteria from the ∼800-Ma-old Bitter Springs Formation of central Australia. Use of these techniques for studies of permineralized fossils can provide information in three dimensions at high spatial resolution about their morphology and cellular anatomy, taphonomy and fidelity of preservation, composition and mode of preservation, and show that they are both indigenous to and syngenetic with the formation of the rocks in which they occur.
Continuity Properties of the Solution Map for the Euler–Poisson Equation

We study the continuity properties of the data-to-solution map for the modified Euler–Poisson equation. We show that for initial data in the Sobolev space $$H^s$$ , $$s>3/2$$ , the data-to-solution map is not better than continuous. Furthermore, we consider the solution map in the $$H^\gamma $$ topology for $$s>\gamma $$ and find that the data-to-solution map is Holder continuous.
Investigating relations among stress, sleep and nail cortisol and DHEA.

In the current study, we present data investigating the relationships among stress, sleep disturbance, self-control, and levels of cortisol (CORT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in fingernail cl...
Why the VA Needs More Competition.

Why the VA Needs More Competition If the Veterans Affairs health system receives funding for modernization, it can compete on quality and outcomes with the private sector. Rather than being a step toward privatization, such competition is a way of maximizing resources and promoting high-quality care.
Towards a Bayesian Theory of Self-Organization, Societal Evolution, Creativity, and the Role of Randomizers in the Societal Evolution

Social Darwinism, the well-known application of Darwin’s theory to explain societal evolution, became discredited because it restricted the complex societal, multicausal evolution exclusively to natural, external selection, adaptation, or, in the words of game theory: to solutions of competitive conflicts between individual interests. According to Dennett (Dennett 1991: 17–28, 520), there looms behind Darwin’s book The origin of species “Darwin’s cultural, most dangerous idea” of evolution as the only creative process we know so far. In this century, this idea received more and more attention; it has greatly enhanced our present understanding of societal evolution. The idea’s dangerous and revolutionary implications are that it proved scientifically and successfully that evolution is not only the creation or self-organization of species but of all physical and chemical forms of matter, of all forms of life, of the human brain, and of its enormous creativity within human societies, cultures, sciences. This idea returned the problem of evolution to the central issue that scientists have been avoiding for too long, to the problem of self-organization and creation. Self-organization begins with the self-organizational processes of physical, chemical-prebiontic, and genetic evolution; it ends with the creativity of the human brain during societal evolution. Especially the coevolution of the evolution of the human brain and of societal evolution in today’s democratic societies is taken seriously by evolutionists and brain physiologists. It will be the main topic of this article because it fostered an increase of human creativity in the twentieth century never known before. Some hypotheses on the dynamic of the sensory and cognitive processing in the brain put forth by the group around Basar will be used in this article.
The Nature of Meaning and Meaningful Learning

Classroom or subject-matter learning is primarily concerned with the acquisition, retention, and use of large bodies of meaningful information such as facts, propositions, principles, and vocabulary in the various disciplines. It is important, therefore, that we make very explicit at the outset what we mean by meaning and meaningful learning. The concept of knowledge itself may refer either to the sum total of all organized subject matter and content possessed by an individual in a given field of inquiry or merely to the relative position and specific relationships of particular component elements in the hierarchical structure of the discipline as a whole.
The Hepatitis Viruses: An Overview

During the three years that have elapsed since the last International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease, held in Houston, Texas in 1990, there has continued to be much progress in our understanding of the hepatitis viruses, and this progress continues to be translated into effective control measures. Much of the progress has centered on hepatitis C virus and hepatitis E virus, the former being of interest in both the Western and Eastern hemispheres because of its worldwide medical importance and the latter being investigated because of its importance as a pathogen in much of Asia and Africa and because, surprisingly, antibody to hepatitis E virus has been found in a number of Western countries in which hepatitis E does not appear to be clinically important. In addition, new vaccines, especially against hepatitis A, have been developed and new potential threats to the control of hepatitis B revealed. The following papers give more detailed analyses of the current state-of-the-art but below is a brief overview of new developments in the field of hepatitis virology.
Diffusion and Fallout of Pollutants Emitted by Aircraft Engines

Emission of pollutants by aircraft engines has become an important topic because of: 1. Complaints of smoke, odor, and soiling caused by jet emissions near an airport. 2. Reduced visibility caused by the aircraft that depends on good terminal visibility at the airport. 3. Unsettled argument as to the effect of high-altitude emission on the earth’s environment.
Fitts' Law in two dimensions with hand and head movements.

Subjects performed two-dimensional discrete movements either with a helmet-mounted sight or with a joystick. Fitts’ Law was found to be a good predictor of the speed-accuracy tradeoff for both systems. The joystick produced faster movement times than the helmet-mounted sight. For both systems, horizontal and vertical movements were slightly faster than diagonal movements. Two dimensional generalizations of Fitts’ Law were discussed in terms of multidimensional scaling. The obtained pattern of movement times was found to be intermediate to the predictions of Euclidean and City-block models of the movement space. Muscle coordination strategies were considered, and a strictly serial coordination model was rejected. A strictly parallel model was also rejected for the helmet-mounted sight, but not for the joystick.
Encoding of Interaural Timing for Binaural Hearing

We present an overview of the circuitry underlying low-frequency sound localization. Brain regions in birds and mammals that process this information are characterized by elegant anatomy and physiology, together providing one of the clearest examples of a computational circuit in the nervous system. We discuss specializations of synaptic connectivity and intrinsic cellular properties in these pathways. We also highlight the contributions of inhibition in both systems for two reasons. First, recent studies have established the central role of inhibition in interaural time disparity processing. Second, the nature of inhibition in the two systems represents one of the most profound differences between avian and mammalian binaural processing.
Postretirement Life Satisfaction and Financial Vulnerability: The Moderating Role of Control.

Objectives This article examines changes in life satisfaction around retirement exits for those with varying preretirement incomes, testing whether constraints on personal control and control over finances moderate the relationship between retiring and preretirement income. Method This longitudinal study draws data from the 2004-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study to examine changes in life satisfaction pre- versus postretirement for three groups (the poor/near poor, financially vulnerable, and financially stable) of full-time workers aged 51-87 years (N = 970), and a subset (N = 334) who fully retire over a 4-year period. Results Controlling for baseline life satisfaction, health, job/demographic characteristics, and social engagement, ordinary least squares regression results show financially stable retirees report higher levels of postretirement life satisfaction relative to their full-time working counterparts, whereas the poor/near poor and the financially vulnerable report similar life satisfaction to those who continue working full time. Constraints on personal control and control over finances moderate postretirement life satisfaction for the financially vulnerable. Discussion Results suggest full retirement predicts improved life satisfaction only for those most advantaged financially. Financially vulnerable older workers may adjust more effectively to retirement if they have access to resources that facilitate greater control over their lives.
Application of Remote Telemetry for Improving Formula SAE Car Performance

Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) competition provides opportunity for students to enhance their engineering design and project management skills by applying learned classroom theories in a challenging competition. The engineering design goal for teams is to develop and construct a single-seat race car for the non-professional weekend autocross racer with the best overall package of design, safety, construction, performance and cost. One such improvement has been the implementation of a telemetry and data acquisition system. Data acquisition can be further used to improve the performance of the car on the fly. A telemetry and data acquisition system allows the collection and interpretation of data from sensors, actuators and other relevant critical sub-systems with the car. The collected information enables the team to diagnose and solve issues with the car as well as programming tools, simulation tools, and other procedures used to create a working telemetry and data acquisition system. The system is based on an Arduino Mega microcontroller and its shields, which gather and transmit data from multiple sensors that measure parameters such as suspension travel, throttle/brake position, steering angle, fuel pressure, lateral/longitude/vertical acceleration, engine coolant temperature and many more sensor-values from the Engine Control Module (ECU) via CAN-BUS. Though, many of these devices were not meant to work directly with one another, the use of communication protocols allowed the system to successfully relay data back to the pit via graphical display for assessment by the participating FSAE team. An overview of the construction of the Formula SAE car, telemetry and data acquisition system, equipment and utilized software will be given. The goal of this article is to explain the concepts and design of the system; components, sensors, actuators, relevant software, calculations, challenges, and the methodologies used to overcome the problems with the system.
An Analysis of Consumers’ Preferences between Locally Grown/Processed Food and Organic Food

With apparent concerns for food safety, personal health, and environment sustainability, research has shown that consumers are selective when they purchase and consume food
Formulation of Curable Resins Utilized in Stereolithography

Formulating UV curable resins for Additive Manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is an area that spans various industrial sectors from adhesives, inks and optical fibers to nanotechnology and biomaterials. UV curable resins such as epoxides, vinyl ethers and acrylates are also important monomers that offer effective media for energetic materials. The potential exists to develop environmentally friendly formulations with suspended energetic materials at various solid loading levels. Developing techniques for UV curing formulations of highly loaded energetic suspensions is a challenging feat that must satisfy several requirements and produce a high-quality formulation with synergistic ingredient combinations to enhance propulsion phenomena. The candidate formulation must be able to operate in a sterolithography (SLA) resin tank, meaning the suspension must be at least as fluidic as conventional SLA resins; and a thorough understanding of the polymerization cure kinetics, photoinitiation and cure depth is required. This is due to the fact that these are dominating factors for processing and formation of polymer network structure that exhibits good mechanical properties.
Analyzing Grouped Administrative Data for RCTs Using Design-Based Methods:

This article discusses estimation of average treatment effects for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using grouped administrative data to help improve data access. The focus is on design-based es...
Enhanced polarization in strained BaTiO3 from first principles

The structure, polarization, and zone-center phonons of bulk tetragonal BaTiO3 under compressive epitaxial stress are calculated using density functional theory within the local density approximation. The polarization, computed using the Berry-phase formalism, increases with increasing tetragonality and is found to be enhanced by nearly 70% for the largest compressive misfit strain considered (-2.28%). The results are expected to be useful for the analysis of coherent epitaxial BaTiO3 thin films and heterostructures grown on perovskite substrates having a smaller lattice constant, such as SrTiO3.
Introspective accuracy for social competence in psychometric schizotypy

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Deficits in social competence have been identified in schizotypy; however, most studies rely on self-reports of these skills. Deficits in introspective accuracy (IA) have been...
Safe Late Explantation of Transcatheter Aortic Bioprosthesis

Late explantation of transcatheter aortic biprosthesis with surgical aortic valve replacement is distinctively different from immediate rescue transcatheter valve explant, posing additional challenges due to the sickness of patients, severely adherent transcatheter device to the surrounding structure, and frequently necessary other concurrent procedures. There is clearly a learning curve for late explantation of transcatheter valves, whereas there is limited information with respect to the specific surgical technique for this entity. Herein I describe the key preoperative factors and critical steps of the surgical technique that will facilitate a safe device explantation.
Silicon photonic chip for 16-channel wavelength division (de-)multiplexing in the O-band

We experimentally demonstrate a silicon photonic chip-scale 16-channel wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) operating in the O-band. The silicon photonic chip consists of a common-input bus waveguide integrated with a sequence of 16 spectral add-drop filters implemented by 4-port contra-directional Bragg couplers and resonant cladding modulated perturbations. The combination of these features reduces the spectral bandwidth of the filters and improves the crosstalk. An apodization of the cladding modulated perturbations between the bus and the add/drop waveguides is used to optimize the strength of the coupling coefficient in the propagation direction to reduce the intra-channel crosstalk on adjacent channels. The fabricated chip was validated experimentally with a measured intra-channel crosstalk of ∼-18.9 dB for a channel spacing of 2.6 nm. The multiplexer/demultiplexer chip was also experimentally tested with a 10 Gbps data waveform. The resulting eye-pattern indicates that this approach is suitable for datacenter WDM-based interconnects in the O-band with large aggregate bandwidths.
Manual bag valve mask ventilation performance among respiratory therapists.

Abstract Background High peak pressures delivered via bag valve mask (BVM) can be dangerous for patients. Objective To examine manual ventilation performance among respiratory therapists (RTs) in a simulation model. Methods Respiratory therapists (n=98) were instructed to ventilate a manikin for 18 breaths. Linear regression was utilized to determine associated predictors with the outcomes: delivered tidal volume, pressure and flow rate. Results Among all participants, the mean ventilation parameters include a tidal volume of 599.70 ml, peak pressure of 26.35 cmH2O, and flow rate of 77.20 l/min. Higher confidence values were positively associated with delivered peak pressure (p=0.01) and flow rate (p=0.008). Those with the most confidence in using the BVM actually delivered higher peak pressures and flow rates compared to those with lower confidence levels. Conclusions Our results emphasize the urgent need to create an intervention that allows providers to deliver safe and optimal manual ventilation.
Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound Evaluations of Zone II Partial Flexor Tendon Lacerations: A Cadaveric Study.

OBJECTIVES Surgical intervention for zone II high-grade partial flexor tendon lacerations is often required when more than half of the tendon width is torn. Reliable noninvasive tests are critical for optimizing clinical decision making. Our team previously investigated the use of ultrasound (US) for identification of high-grade zone II flexor digitorum profundus lacerations. In this study, we compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to US for the evaluation of high-grade partial flexor tendon lacerations in cadaveric specimens. METHODS Dissection of 32 digits in 8 fresh-frozen upper extremity cadaveric specimens was performed. The flexor digitorum profundus tendons were randomized into 3 groups: intact, low-grade laceration, and high-grade laceration. A dynamic US examination was performed by a blinded musculoskeletal radiologist. The same specimens underwent hand coil MRI, which was read by the same blinded radiologist. Magnetic resonance imaging test performance metrics were calculated and compared to those computed for the US evaluation. RESULTS For US evaluation of high-grade lacerations, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.5 and 1.0, with positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) values of ∞ and 0.50, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for MRI evaluation were 0.2 and 1.0, with LR+ and LR- values of ∞ and 0.80. CONCLUSIONS Both US and MRI are adequate at determining the presence of a high-grade laceration. Magnetic resonance imaging was more specific than US in identification of high-grade partial flexor tendon lacerations. Although less specific, US is a reasonable and less-expensive alternative to MRI when evaluating for clinically significant high-grade partial flexor tendon lacerations.
Trends of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in the United States from 2003 to 2014: Analysis of 3,133 Patients.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the trends concerning ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) for athletic injuries within the United States over the years 2003 to 2014. Methods A retrospective review of the Truven Health Marketscan® Commercial Database was conducted for patients undergoing UCLR. Data was reviewed for patients treated between 2003 and 2014, and the cohort of patients undergoing UCLR was queried using Common Procedural Terminology code 24346. Patients ages 11 to 40 years were included and divided into 6 different age groups, with the rate of UCLR calculated for each group. Results The overall rate of UCLR increased from 4.4 per million in 2003 to 11.9 per million in 2014 (p < .01). Throughout the same time period, the rate per million increased from 3.3 to 22.1 in 11- to 15-year-olds (p < .01), from 105.4 to 293.2 in 16- to 20-year-olds (p < .01), from 23.1 to 67.0 in 21- to 25-year-olds (p < .01), and from 2.1 to 5.7 in 31- to 35-year-olds (p < .01). There was no significant increase in the rate of UCLR in the age groups of 26 to 30 and 36 to 40 years. Conclusion UCLR was mostly performed in patients aged 11 to 25 years (96.6%), and specifically most common in those patients aged 16 to 20 years (67.4%). The rate of UCLR procedures increased over time for younger age groups significantly more than for their older counterparts. Clinical Relevance UCLR rates are increasing in young patients despite efforts addressing injury risk reduction strategies and education for coaches, players, and parents regarding risk factors for UCL injury.
Using Critical Language Awareness to Disrupt Global English Hegemony in US Higher Education

While English functions as a contact language for growing numbers of ethnolinguistically diverse students in Anglophone universities, monolingual and monoglossic ideologies often prevail not only at the macro institutional scale, but also at the individual learner scale. Drawing on data from a self-study taking place in a developmental English writing classroom, this chapter highlights strategies one instructor adopts to foster students’ critical language awareness, and tensions that emerge as L1 and L2 students formulate their own understandings about language learning. Using a language ideology framework (Woolard, Language ideologies: Practice and theory. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1998), the chapter examines four students’ essays, highlighting how students’ expressed language ideologies can both foster and hinder their critical language awareness. Ultimately, this analysis illuminates both possibilities for bringing plurilingual practices into writing classrooms and challenges that arise when contesting views emerge among students.
The role of the pediatric cutaneous and gut microbiomes in childhood disease: A review.

Abstract Objective Infancy and early childhood are crucial periods in the development of the human microbiome and shape the trajectory of microbial colonization, immune system development, and systemic disease. We review the development of the skin and gut microbiomes, their connection to the immune system, and their relevance to common pediatric pathologies. Findings Beginning after birth, and likely even in utero, colonization of the skin and the gut occur in parallel, influenced by external factors. This colonization, in turn, dictates maturation of the immune system and contributes to conditions from atopic dermatitis to sepsis. Emerging literature is identifying links between the gut and skin microbiomes. Conclusion The gut and skin microbiomes are associated with pediatric disease states. Immune and microbial plasticity make this unique period an ideal target for intervention. Investigating the purposeful manipulation of the pediatric microbiome may lead to novel treatment and prevention strategies.
Geographical variability in the relationship between synoptic weather type and emergency department visits for pain across North Carolina

Bodily pain plagues populations across the globe. Past studies have discovered some links between synoptic weather types and different kinds of pain. These relationships are essential as they can aide in treatment and potentially prevention of pain. In this study, the role of geographical characteristics on the relationships between synoptic weather type and pain were looked at. North Carolina was separated into three geographic sections: Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont Plateau, and Coastal Plain. Over a 7-year period, synoptic weather types and emergency department (ED) visits for various kinds of pain (migraine, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and general back pain) were collected. Bootstrapped confidence intervals of the mean number of population-adjusted ED visit rates (per 100,000 persons), for the different synoptic weather types, were compared across the different geographic regions. In the plateau region, Moist Tropical and Moist Moderate weather types were often linked to the highest rates of ED visits, while Polar weather types were frequently associated with the fewest visits. The mountainous portion of the state displayed similar patterns between synoptic weather types and the different forms of pain, with migraine and fibromyalgia being the exceptions. Few statistically significant relationships were noted for the coastal region.
Hidden symmetries and K l 3 form factors

A model consisting of eight physical pseudoscalar fields and characterized by a hidden SU(3) symmetry is presented. The model is applied to K₁₃ decay and relations among the K₁₃ form factors are obtained. (LBS)
Abstract 13333: Imatinib Attenuates LPS-induced Inflammation and Vascular Leakage in Clinically Relevant Murine Models of Acute Lung Injury

Introduction: Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by inflammation-induced disruption of the endothelial cell (EC) barrier lining the pulmonary vasculature, which causes leakage of fluid and inflammatory cells into the airspaces. The mechanisms underlying ALI are critically dependent on EC cytoskeletal regulation of vascular permeability. The Abl family kinases Abl and Abl Related Gene (Arg) are key mediators of the endothelial cytoskeleton. The pharmaceutical agent imatinib inhibits these kinases and is used clinically for the treatment of multiple different malignancies. Hypothesis: Imatinib attenuates LPS-induced inflammation and vascular leakage in murine ALI and retains its protective properties when combined with high tidal volume (Tv) mechanical ventilation (MV). Methods: As a clinically relevant combination model of ALI stimuli, animals were given intratracheal (i.t) LPS (0.5mg/kg) (vs. PBS), allowed to recover for 20 hours, and then intubated for MV (Tv 30ml/kg, RR 75/min, PEEP 0 cm H2O, 4hrs). Imatinib (75mg/kg) (vs. vehicle) was given i.p. 30 min before LPS and 30 min before MV. For post-injury experiments, imatinib (75mg/kg) (vs. vehicle) was given 4 hours after LPS (1mg/kg) and animals were harvested after 18 hrs. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) was analyzed for total cell counts, neutrophil number, total protein, albumin content, and cytokine levels. Lung tissues were used for MPO activity, albumin content, histology, and Evans Blue dye extravasation. Results: Imatinib attenuated inflammation in both combination model studies and post-LPS treatment studies as measured by BAL cell count, PMN number, MPO activity, TNFα levels, and H&E staining. Additionally, in both models, imatinib decreased vascular leakage as measured by total protein, BAL and lung tissue albumin, and Evans Blue dye extravasation. Conclusions: Imatinib attenuates LPS-induced inflammation and vascular leak in mice. Additionally, imatinib is protective in a clinically relevant murine model of combined LPS and mechanical ventilation injury. Imatinib may have potential for translational use in ALI patients.
Intellectual Privacy: Rethinking Civil Liberties in the Digital Age

Introduction Part One: Tort Privacy 1. Tort Privacy 2. Speech 3. Disclosure 4. Invasion 5. Data Part Two: Intellectual Privacy 6. Intellectual Privacy 7. Thinking 8. Reading 9. Confiding Part Three: Information Policy and Civil Liberties 10. Beyond Tort Privacy 11. Beyond Law 12. Conclusion Acknowledgements
Piecewise Differentiable Minimization for Ill-posed Inverse Problems

Based on minimizing a piecewise differentiable l p function subject to a single inequality constraint, this paper discusses algorithms for a discretized regularization problem for ill-posed inverse problems. We examine computational challenges of solving this regularization problem. Possible minimization algorithms such as the steepest descent method, iteratively weighted least squares (IRLS) method and a recent globally convergent affine scaling Newton approach are considered. Limitations and efficiency of these algorithms are demonstrated using the geophysical traveltime tomographic inversion and image restoration applications.
Anatomic Single-Graft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Restores Rotational Stability: A Robotic Study in Cadaveric Knees.

Purpose First, we aimed to investigate the ability of a single bone–patellar tendon–bone graft placed in the anatomic center of the femoral and tibial attachment sites to restore normal tibiofemoral compartment translations and tibial rotation. Second, we aimed to investigate what combination of anterior load and internal rotation torque applied during a pivot-shift test produces maximal anterior tibiofemoral subluxations. Methods We used a 6- df robotic simulator to test 10 fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens under anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–intact, ACL-sectioned, and ACL-reconstructed conditions measuring anterior translations of the medial, central, and lateral tibiofemoral compartments and degrees of tibial rotation. Specimens were loaded under Lachman, anterior limit, and internal rotation conditions, as well as 3 different pivot-shift conditions. Results On ACL sectioning, compartment translations in the Lachman and 3 pivot-shift tests increased significantly and were restored to ACL-intact values after single-graft ACL reconstruction. In the pivot-shift tests, the single graft restored lateral and medial compartment translations (e.g., group 3, within 1.3 ± 0.6 mm and 0.8 ± 0.6 mm, respectively, of the ACL-intact state and internal rotation within 0.7° ± 1.2°). Anterior subluxation of the medial compartment during pivot-shift loading was reduced when internal rotation torque was increased from 1 to 5 Nm ( P Conclusions A single-graft ACL reconstruction performed at the central femoral and tibial ACL attachment sites restored anterior-posterior translation and tibial rotation motion limits. In addition, rotational knee stability as defined by tibiofemoral compartment translations was restored under all simulated pivot-shift testing conditions. Clinical Relevance This study provides in vitro evidence to support the clinical use of single-graft ACL reconstructions in restoring tibiofemoral compartment translations. It also shows the advantage of describing ACL insufficiency in terms of medial and lateral compartment subluxations as compared with the common approach of describing changes in central tibial translations and rotations.
Multiple Window Based Ultrawideband Microwave Imaging for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Detection

In this paper we propose a multiple window (MW) method for ultrawideband microwave-based breast cancer detection in low signal-to-clutter ratio tissue environments. Multiple space-time beamformers or windows are employed to obtain approximately statistically independent images of backscattered power which are then averaged. Areas of large backscattered power suggest the presence of tumors because of the relatively large dielectric properties contrast between normal and malignant tissue. We develop a criterion for designing the multiple beamformers and illustrate the performance of the MW method with simulated data from a 2-D realistic numerical breast model. We demonstrate that the MW method yields higher signal-to-clutter ratios than the penalized least-squares based beamformer for various tumor locations
Sepsis in rats stimulates cellular proliferation in the mucosa of the small intestine.

Abstract Background/Aims: Increased protein synthesis in intestinal mucosa during sepsis may reflect increased cell turnover. The influence of sepsis and endotoxemia on cellular proliferation in the mucosa of the small intestine was studied. Methods: Sepsis was induced in rats by cecal ligation and puncture. Control rats were sham-operated. Other rats were treated with endotoxin (total dose, 2 mg/kg), human recombinant tumor necrosis factor α, or human recombinant interleukin 1α at a dose of 100 μ/kg each. Villus height and crypt depth in the jejunum were measured as the number of cells along the side of the villus and crypt, respectively. Cellular proliferation was assessed by measuring the rate of [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation into DMA of the jejunal mucosa and performing autoradiographic studies after intravenous administration of [ 3 H]thymidine. Results: Sepsis resulted in reduced villus height, increased crypt depth, and increased incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine into DNA in the jejunal mucosa. Autoradiography after administration of [ 3 H]thymidine showed labeled cells almost exclusively in the crypts; the number of labeled cells per crypt was higher in septic than in control rats. Administration of endotoxin or recombinant interleukin 1α, but not recombinant tumor necrosis factor α, stimulated the incorporation of [ 3 H]-thymidine into DNA in the jejunal mucosa. Conclusions: Sepsis and endotoxemia stimulate cellular proliferation in the mucosa of the small intestine. This response to sepsis and endotoxemia may be partly mediated by interleukin 1.
Noninvasive Assessment of Pulmonary Arterial Capacitance by Echocardiography

Background Pulmonary arterial capacitance (PAC) has been associated with right ventricular (RV) workload and mortality in pulmonary hypertension, but is not routinely evaluated in children. We investigated whether PAC can be estimated noninvasively by echocardiography. Methods We retrospectively determined PAC in 31 children with pulmonary hypertension, using echocardiography, and compared the results with those obtained at cardiac catheterization. Results PAC derived from echocardiography was similar to that derived from catheterization (mean ± SD 1.16 ± 1.0 vs 1.10 ± 0.95 mL 3 × mm Hg −1 , P = not significant) and the two correlated well ( r = 0.74, P R 2 = 0.54, P Conclusions Echocardiography can reliably estimate PAC, which strongly correlates with RV hypertrophy, a surrogate for RV work.
Effects of familiarization, associative reaction time, and meaningfulness of response terms in forward and backward paired-associate learning

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of familiarization of response terms on the forward and backward acquisition rate of a list of PAs, in which the response terms were rated on associative reaction time (RT) and meaningfulness (associative frequency—Mn). Thirty-two undergraduate Ss individually received 20 familiarization trials in which, for 16 of the Ss, the eight CVCVC units of the list were the response terms of a PA list which was subsequently learned. For the other 16 Ss, conditions were the same, except that the CVCVCs of the familiarization list were different from the units of the PA list. Both RT and Mn were significant response-term variables in the forward anticipation learning task, but Mn interacted with familiarization, while RT did not, i.e., familiarization increased the learning rate of low-Mn pairs but not of high-Mn pairs. In the backward learning task, high-Mn pairs were learned in fewer trials than low-Mn pairs, but neither RT nor familiarization had an effect.
Nanocomposite Li-ion battery anodes produced by the partial reduction of mixed oxides

A method based on the thermochemical reduction of mixed oxides is demonstrated for creating ultrafine metal−ceramic composites for lithium storage. Mixed oxides containing a more noble metal, selected to be capable of alloying with lithium at potentials useful as a Li-ion battery anode, are partially reduced to form electrochemically active composites of the dispersed metal in a conductive oxide matrix. The starting oxides SbVO4 rutile and Sb2Mn2O7 distorted fluorite are discussed as examples. Materials are characterized using XRD, SEM, and TEM, and electrochemical tests are presented. Reversible charge capacities of 300−400 mAh/g (1800−2500 mAh/cm3) are shown to be possible in these systems.
Designing optimal strategies for contaminated groundwater remediation

Abstract The problem of locating pumps and setting pump rates to most effectively stabilize and remove a plume of contaminated groundwater at a hazardous waste site is examined. Nonlinear optimization methods are combined with convective-disperisve transport simulation in a unit response matrix type of optimization formulation. Constraints are used which guarantee that the contaminant plume is removed by limiting the concentrations at nodal points in the domain at a future time. Additional constraints explicitly require that concentrations not increase in the area outside the initial plume boundary. The effectiveness of alternative formulations are examined by performing numerical experiments using a hypothetical aquifer. The experiments show that computational costs are dominated by the repeated simulations required for computation of constraint gradients and are proportional to the number of pump sites under consideration. This characteristic of the formulation and algorithm used, limits the use of the approach to problems where the number of potential pump sites is relatively small.
A comparison of the Amemiya GLS and the Lee-Maddala-Trost G2SLS in a simultaneous-equations Tobit model

Abstract This paper proposes a class of GLS estimators for the structural parameters of a simultaneous-equations Tobit model and shows that this class contains an estimator which is asymptotically more efficient than an alternative estimator proposed by Lee, Maddala and Trost in 1980.
Which imaging test for right lower quadrant pain

A 36-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with abdominal pain and intermittent nausea. You suspect that she has acute appendicitis. Which imaging test should you order to further evaluate this patient?
Local Regulation of L-Type Ca2+ Channel Sparklets in Arterial Smooth Muscle

This review addresses the latest advances in our understanding of the regulation of a novel Ca2+ signal called L-type Ca2+ channel sparklets in arterial smooth muscle. L-type Ca2+ channel sparklets are elementary Ca2+ influx events produced by the opening of a single or a small cluster of L-type Ca2+ channels. These Ca2+ signals were first visualized in the vasculature in arterial smooth muscle cells. In these cells, L-type Ca2+ channel sparklets display two functionally distinct gating modalities that regulate local and global intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The activity of L-type Ca2+ channel sparklets varies regionally within a cell depending on the dynamic activity of a cohort of protein kinases and phosphatases recruited to L-type Ca2+ channels in the arterial smooth muscle sarcolemma in a complex coordinated by the scaffolding molecule A kinase anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150). We also described a mechanism whereby clusters of L-type Ca2+ channels gate cooperatively to amplify intracellular Ca2+ signals with likely pathological consequences.
Marriage, Migration, and the Mean Information Field: A Study in Uniqueness and Generality

ABSTRACT Recently available experimental data on the spatial behavior of mobile individuals as they shop, go to work, marry, and migrate permit the study of individual information fields. The aggregation of such fields into a community mean information field has proven useful in the computer simulation of how information is spread over populated areas, and how innovations are adopted. Of the wide variety of curves which fit distance-contact data, four are discussed: Pareto, exponential, lognormal, and Pareto-exponential. In general, Pareto formulations work better for contacts not involving permanent or costly moves, whereas exponential functions seem better for migrations and marriage distances. Examples of fitted curves are given for Cleveland (1933–1936), Cedar Rapids (1949), Seattle (1962), Asby, Sweden, (1930–1939) and Kagawa, Japan (1951). Comparisons of data and curves for areas of varying population density and stage of economic development will enable future migration and spatial diffusion studie...
Capacity limits in oscillatory networks: Implications for sensory coding

Psychological studies have investigated limits in the capacity to simultaneously store multiple objects in working memory, which turns out to be approximately four. In this paper we examine the existence and origin of such a capacity limit in the sensory encoding stage, where synchronous activity can be considered to group related features of a common object. We develop a model of an object recognition network using oscillatory elements that can achieve phase synchronization. Using simulations based on this network, we show that distinct phases of oscillation can be used to label combinations of objects presented simultaneously. This allows the network to separate mixtures of objects, and identify the input elements that belong to each object. We demonstrate that there is a limit of four objects that can be separated from a mixture. Further studies are required to generalize this result by varying the size of the network and the number of objects used for training. We also show that by narrowing a tuning function that governs the dynamics of the system, we can achieve higher separation accuracy. However, this comes at the cost of utilizing a higher number of iterations over which the system settles and learns its synaptic weights. We lay down a framework for the quantitative modeling of factors affecting capacity limits, which has the potential to advance our understanding of sensory representation, attention, working memory and multitasking.
Synthesis of Hollow Silica and Titania Nanospheres

Hollow silica nanospheres were prepared by template growth of silica gel on monodisperse (100−500 nm) polystyrene beads coated with poly-l-lysine, followed by calcinations. A similar route was used to prepare titania nanospheres.
Blood Levels of Fluoroearbon Related to Cardiac Sensitization: Part II

Arterial and venous concentrations of three C2 fluorocarbons were obtained in unanesthetized beagle dogs during and after 10-minute inhalation exposures. Blood concentration increased rapidly during the first five minutes of exposure and more slowly or not at all thereafter. At termination of exposure, fluorocarbon blood concentration decreased rapidly at first, followed by a more prolonged decline. An arterial-venous difference, observed during and after exposure, suggested a tissue uptake of fluorocarbon. Although a wide range of inspired concentrations—0.5% fluorocarbon 113, 2.5% fluorocarbon 114, and 15.0% fluorocarbon 115—is needed to produce cardiac sensitization, arterial or venous fluorocarbon concentrations associated with these sensitizing levels differ only slightly among the compounds tested: 12.5, 13.8. and 5.8 μg/ml arterial and 4.9. 7.2, and 3.9 μg/ml venous respectively. Sensitizing blood levels from 25 to 35 μg/ml arterial and from 18 to 23 μg/ml venous have been reported for C1 fluorocar...
H.G. Bronn, Ernst Haeckel, and the Origins of German Darwinism

Sander Gliboff, H.G. Bronn, Ernst Haeckel, and the Origins of German Darwinism: A Study in Translation and Transformation. Cambridge, MA, and London: The MIT Press, 2008. xii + 272 pp. $35.00/ £25....