cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microresonator Based Discrete- and Continuous-Variable Quantum Sources on Silicon-Nitride

We experimentally demonstrate the generation of correlated photon-pairs in the visible and of quadrature-squeezed states in silicon-nitride microresonators. These devices provide the primary quantum states for discrete- and continuous-variable quantum information processing.
A narrative review of socioeconomic disparities in the treatment of esophageal cancer

The persistent challenges of disparities in healthcare have led to significantly distinct outcomes among patients from different racial, ethnic, and underserved populations. Esophageal Cancer, not unlike other surgical diseases, has seen significant disparities in care. Esophageal cancer is currently the 6th leading cause of death from cancer and the 8th most common cancer in the world. Surgical disparities in the care of patients with Esophageal Cancer have been described in the literature, with a prevailing theme associating minority status with worse outcomes. The goal of this review is to provide an updated account of the literature on disparities in Esophageal Cancer presentation and treatment. We will approach this task through a conceptual framework that highlights the five main themes of surgical disparities: patient-level factors, provider-level factors, system and access issues, clinical care and quality, and postoperative outcomes, care and rehabilitation. All five categories play a complex role in the delivery of high-quality, equitable care for patients with Esophageal Cancer. While describing disparities in care is the first step to correcting them, moving forward, we should focus on developing effective interventions to mitigate disparities, policies linking disparities to quality-of-care metrics, and delivery system change to enable minority patients to more easily access high volume centers.
Development and Utilization of Multifunctional Polymeric Scaffolds for the Regulation of Physical Cellular Microenvironments

Polymeric biomaterials exhibit excellent physicochemical characteristics as a scaffold for cell and tissue engineering applications. Chemical modification of the polymers has been the primary mode of functionalization to enhance biocompatibility and regulate cellular behaviors such as cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and maturation. Due to the complexity of the in vivo cellular microenvironments, however, chemical functionalization alone is usually insufficient to develop functionally mature cells/tissues. Therefore, the multifunctional polymeric scaffolds that enable electrical, mechanical, and/or magnetic stimulation to the cells, have gained research interest in the past decade. Such multifunctional scaffolds are often combined with exogenous stimuli to further enhance the tissue and cell behaviors by dynamically controlling the microenvironments of the cells. Significantly improved cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as tissue functionalities, are frequently observed by applying extrinsic physical stimuli on functional polymeric scaffold systems. In this regard, the present paper discusses the current state-of-the-art functionalized polymeric scaffolds, with an emphasis on electrospun fibers, that modulate the physical cell niche to direct cellular behaviors and subsequent functional tissue development. We will also highlight the incorporation of the extrinsic stimuli to augment or activate the functionalized polymeric scaffold system to dynamically stimulate the cells.
DAIMLER AG V. BAUMAN: A NEW ERA FOR JUDICIAL JURISDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES

In this article written primarily for a European audience, Professor Silberman discusses the Supreme Court’s 2014 decision in Daimler AG v. Bauman that redefined the constitutional limitations on general personal jurisdiction – holding that a corporation must be sued “at home” unless the claims being asserted relate to the corporation’s activity in the forum state. Professor Silberman highlights the significance of the decision for transnational cases, including the jurisdictional implications for foreign parent corporations and their subsidiaries. She draws comparisons with the European approach to jurisdiction under the European Regulation (now the Brussels Recast) and explains why the overall jurisdictional regime in the United States may be substantially more limited than in other countries. She offers some observations about the impact of the new U.S. jurisdictional era on a potential world-wide judgments convention being reconsidered at the Hague Conference on Private International Law. Finally, Professor Silberman notes a set of potential hurdles for the recognition and enforcement of foreign country judgments and arbitral awards if the Daimler standard is applied in that context.
iReMedI - Intelligent Retrieval from Medical Information

Effective encoding of information is one of the keys to qualitative problem solving. Our aim is to explore Knowledge representation techniques that capture meaningful word associations occurring in documents. We have developed iReMedI, a TCBR based problem solving system as a prototype to demonstrate our idea. For representation we have used a combination of NLP and graph based techniques which we call as Shallow Syntactic Triples, Dependency Parses and Semantic Word Chains. To test their effectiveness we have developed retrieval techniques based on PageRank, Shortest Distance and Spreading Activation methods. The various algorithms discussed in the paper and the comparative analysis of their results provides us with useful insight for creating an effective problem solving and reasoning system.
A Review of The Ultimate Sports Parent

The Ultimate Sports Parent is a Web-based resource that provides the parents of young atheletes with a variety of tools to help their children gain confidence and success in sport. This resource is...
What Have Religious Groups Done After 3.11? Part 2: From Religious Mobilization to “Spiritual Care”

Buddhist, Christian, Shinto, and other religious responses to devastation in the wake of the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters in northeast Japan have included a great deal more than providing material aid and seeing to the ritual needs of the dead and the bereaved. This article considers ways in which burgeoning collaborations of religious professionals, clinical care workers, and academics are crafting a public persona of religion as “spiritual care,” a new formulation designed to meet the needs of a Japanese public that welcomes therapeutic interventions for disaster victims yet remains leery of religion. While the move from the religious to the spiritual presents novel opportunities to rehabilitate Japanese religion's public image, it appears as if some post-disaster religious initiatives challenge definitions of what “religion” may include. These initiatives also pose open questions about how Japanese religious institutions and practices may change as they adapt to the priorities of a public in need of help but ill-disposed toward religion.
Density Functional Perturbation Theory

A detailed description of the Sternheimer method and its application to calculations of dynamic polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities is given. The modified Sternheimer method is an alternative to the Real Time Method, and is included for comparison. Derivation starts with the original Sternheimer approach and gradually brings the description to the modern state of the art. The chapter concludes with the algorithm of calculation of the molecular hyperpolarizabilities.
Inhibition of protein kinase A and cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-specific transcription factor binding by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC): A putative mechanism of cannabinoid-induced immune modulation☆

Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) binding to cannabinoid receptors induces an inhibition in adenylate cyclase activity through the engagement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein. In this study we investigated the ramifications of decreased cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation by delta9-THC on signaling events through the cAMP pathway distal to adenylate cyclase in mouse splenocytes. Delta9-THC treatment produced a marked and concentration-related decrease in forskolin-inducible protein kinase A (PKA) activity. This decrease in kinase activity was due to an inhibition in cAMP formation and not through a direct effect on the kinase as evidenced by the fact that PKA activity could not be modulated directly by delta9-THC in the presence of exogenous cAMP. One of the primary roles of PKA in this signaling pathway is to activate transcription factors for subsequent binding to cAMP response elements (CRE) present in the promoter region of cAMP-responsive genes. In the present studies, we observed that forskolin treatment of splenocytes resulted in a rapid activation of trans-acting factor binding to the CRE, which peaked at 30-60 min and whose binding was repressed concentration dependently in the presence of delta9-THC. As with forskolin, mitogenic stimulation including anti-CD3 mAb or phorbol ester plus ionomycin treatment of splenocytes induced CRE binding activity, which was maximal around 60 min and was suppressed by delta9-THC treatment. In conclusion, these data indicate that cAMP-mediated signal transduction is inhibited by delta9-THC and consequently leads to a decrease in the activation of transcription factors that bind to CRE regulatory sites.
Sequel Rights in the Law of Literary Property

ideas are common property freely available to all. What men forge out of these ideas with skill, industry, and imagination, into concrete forms uniquely their own, the law protects as private property. It gives the special form the stamp of recognition; it does so to stimulate creative activity. It does something more to stimulate creative activity: it assures all men free utilization of abstract ideas in the process of crystallizing them in fresh forms. For creativeness thrives on freedom; men find new implications in old ideas when they range with open minds through open fields.... It would be ironic if copyright law, designed to encourage creative activity, became the instrument of its destruction. The very function of creative activity is to keep the common field in continuous germination; it is not for copyright law to render it barren by a succession of enclosures denying access to those who would cultivate
Abstraction, emergence, and thought

My research focuses on the relationships among abstraction, emergence (as in the study of complex systems), and the externalization of thought as software-in particular, on the application of computer science perspectives, especially abstraction, to long-standing philosophical issues.
Limitations of strain estimation techniques from discrete deformation observations

[1] Several common classes of model-free strain estimation techniques from geodetic deformation measurements were investigated to assess the systematic computational artifacts introduced into strain estimates from different parameterizations. It is demonstrated that highly structured artifacts, which may be impossible to distinguish from real variations in strain, persistently appear in the strain rate field at and above the spatial scale of the network that samples the deformation field. These computational artifacts are biased by the spatial sampling, and by the orientation of the sampling network with respect to the deformation field. While such aliased strain rate representations provide some gross representation of the underlying real strain rate field, they contain numerous small-scale artifacts. As a result, in the absence of a tectonic model, the interpretation of strain rates from heterogeneous networks have limited direct use for interpreting subtleties in the underlying driving mechanisms.
Extraordinary behavior of atoms near a phase conjugator

An atom near a phase conjugator (PC) behaves quite differently than an atom in empty space, or an atom in the vicinity of an ordinary (linear) surface. A spherical diverging wave, which is emitted by the atomic dipole \(\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\thicksim}$}}{u} \) , is reflected by the PC as a converging wave, and exactly focused on the emitting atom. This gives rise to a high probability for reabsorption of the photon that was just emitted. It can be anticipated that this mechanism leads to a strong enhancement of the effective lifetime of an excited state.
A MOUSE MODEL FOR STUDY OF LOCALIZED TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE ADDUCTS FOLLOWING INTRABRONCHIAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHEMICAL: INFLAMMATION AND ANTIBODY PRODUCTION

Intranasal and intratracheal administration of chemicals are alternative routes to inhalation in some immunologic and toxicologic studies. Selection of an appropriate route frequently depends on the physical-chemical characteristics of the agent, and the desire to avoid aerosol generation. We report a simple surgical procedure for site-specific intrabronchial administration of chemicals as a first step in development of a mouse model of chemical asthma. Toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a recognized cause of occupational asthma, was diluted in corn oil, then administered to the left lung lobe through a cannula. Fifteen days later, mice were challenged by delivery of 1 mug TDI to the same location. Histopathologic examination 24 h later revealed infiltration of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils around the vasculature and airways. Macrophages were increased in the alveoli. Similar inflammatory reactions were noted in the treated, nonchallenged animals. Immunostaining using a rabbit antiserum prepared to a...
On periods modulo p in arithmetic dynamics

Abstract We prove the following analogue of Silverman's results [9] for pairs of maps. Let d ≥ 2 be an integer, K / Q a number field, and N = N K / Q ( P ) the norm of an ideal P ⊂ O K . Let h ( z ) ∈ K [ z ] be non-constant and not of the form h ( z ) = ξ z , ξ d − 1 = 1 . Denote f t ( z ) = z d + t , g t ( z ) = z d + h ( t ) , and F ( l ) the l-th iteration of F. There are constants c 1 , c 2 depending on d and h such that the following holds. For almost all prime ideals P ⊂ O K , there is a finite subset T ⊂ F ¯ P , | T | ≤ c 1 such that if t ∈ F ¯ P ∖ T at least one of the sets (1) { f t ( l ) ( 0 ) : l = 1 , 2 , ⋯ , [ c 2 log ⁡ N ] } , { g t ( l ) ( 0 ) : l = 1 , 2 , ⋯ , [ c 2 log ⁡ N ] } consists of distinct elements.
Dispersion of Evaporating Droplets in a Swirling Axisymmetric Jet

The effects of swirl and vaporization on droplet dispersion are investigated in the near region of a two-phase, swirling, heated jet. Simulations are based on the numerical solution of time-dependent, axisymmetric gas-phase equations.Droplets’ trajectoriesaretrackedbyusingaLagrangianapproach.Foralloftheswirlcasesinvestigated, the droplet dispersion exhibits a nonmonotonic behavior, with the maximum dispersion occurring near Stokes number(St)unity.Astheswirlintensity isincreased,theradialdispersion ofboth nonevaporating andevaporating droplets is signie cantly enhanced. We attribute this dispersion enhancement to two factors: 1 ) increased vortex pairing interactions caused by swirl and 2 ) transfer of gas-phase swirl momentum to droplets. The effect of vaporization on dispersion is characterized in terms of droplet lifetime compared to its response time and the characteristice owtime.Fortheinvestigatedconditions,thedispersionofevaporatingdropletsisnoticeablyreduced compared to that in the nonevaporating case. The dispersion function vs St behavior is also modie ed due to vaporization. Droplets with diameters smaller than the optimum value are sufe ciently vaporized during their interaction with the vortex rings, and their dispersion approaches the low-St limit. On the other hand, droplets with diameters larger than the optimum are not vaporized signie cantly. Consequently, their dispersion follows the large-St behavior.
The Putative Enoyl-Coenzyme A Hydratase DspI Is Required for Production of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Dispersion Autoinducer cis-2-Decenoic Acid

In the present study, we report the identification of a putative enoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) hydratase/isomerase that is required for synthesis of the biofilm dispersion autoinducer cis-2-decenoic acid in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The protein is encoded by PA14_54640 (PA0745), named dspI for dispersion inducer. The gene sequence for this protein shows significant homology to RpfF in Xanthomonas campestris. Inactivation of dspI was shown to abolish biofilm dispersion autoinduction in continuous cultures of P. aeruginosa and resulted in biofilms that were significantly greater in thickness and biomass than those of the parental wild-type strain. Dispersion was shown to be inducible in dspI mutants by the exogenous addition of synthetic cis-2-decenoic acid or by complementation of ΔdspI in trans under the control of an arabinose-inducible promoter. Mutation of dspI was also shown to abolish cis-2-decenoic acid production, as revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of cell-free spent culture medium. The transcript abundance of dspI correlated with cell density, as determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR. This regulation is consistent with the characterization of cis-2-decenoic acid as a cell-to-cell communication molecule that regulates biofilm dispersion in a cell density-dependent manner.
Expert Talk for Time Machine Session: High Order Entropy Coding -- From Conventional Video Coding to Distributed Video Coding

High order entropy coding has proved to be critical for improving the coding efficiency of conventional image/video coding. What role will it play in distributed video coding? This talk intends to shed some light on that.
Robust face tracking with a consumer depth camera

We address the problem of tracking human faces under various poses and lighting conditions. Reliable face tracking is a challenging task. The shapes of the faces may change dramatically with various identities, poses and expressions. Moreover, poor lighting conditions may cause a low contrast image or cast shadows on faces, which will significantly degrade the performance of the tracking system. In this paper, we develop a framework to track face shapes by using both color and depth information. Since the faces in various poses lie on a nonlinear manifold, we build piecewise linear face models, each model covering a range of poses. The low-resolution depth image is captured by using Microsoft Kinect, and is used to predict head pose and generate extra constraints at the face boundary. Our experiments show that, by exploiting the depth information, the performance of the tracking system is significantly improved.
Psychological Barriers to STEM Participation for Women Over the Course of Development

Women continue to be underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This literature review examines psychological factors over the course of development that contribute to the ongoing underrepresentation of women in these fields. The authors present fundamental principles that pose barriers to women in STEM.
Size-Dependent Alewife Predation on Larval Walleyes in Laboratory Experiments

Abstract Alewives Alosa pseudoharengus can be significant predators on larval fish, and fishery managers must consider potential predation when developing stocking strategies. We conducted laboratory experiments to determine sizes of larval walleyes Stizostedion vitreum that alewives can capture. Adult alewives (122 ± 1.52 mm total length, TL) preyed intensely on larval walleyes from the time the larvae hatched until they reached about 16 mm TL. All larval walleyes smaller than this size were captured on the first strike by an alewife. Avoidance behavior by larval walleyes was first observed when they reached 16–19 mm TL, and although some survived the first strike, all were consumed by the end of 1 h. When larvae averaged about 25 and 30 mm TL, few were captured on the first strike, and 75% and 33%, respectively, were consumed within 1 h. When larvae were about 34 mm TL, only 5% were eaten by the end of 1 h. Alewife gape height and width were both about twice as large as the largest larval walleye body h...
Economic and financial simulation for small business: a discussion of the small business economic, risk, and tax simulator

A simulation model designed to perform economic, risk, and tax analysis for small busi nesses organized as sole proprie torships is presented. The SERTS model can be run deter ministically or stoch...
Modeling of the scattering response of particulate obscurant clouds

Abstract Obscurants are often clouds of dispersed particulate materials whose purpose is to mask a given object. The objective of this paper is to develop a simple discrete-ray/discrete-particle model in order to enable rapid assessment of the response of an obscurant cloud to an incoming high-frequency beam. The beam is decomposed into a set of discrete rays and the obscurant is represented by a discrete set of scattering particles. Ray-tracking is used to calculate the transient propagation of the rays and the absorption of energy by the particles. Examples are given, comprised of concentrated incident beams, their propagation into the obscurant cloud, and the subsequent reflection and transmitted aggregate response. Basic system trends are computed, varying the randomly dispersed particle shapes from spherical to oblate objects, which correlate the total amount of volume and surface area material available to interact with the beam and the overall scattering response. This allows further correlation of the obscurant cloud performance to the weight of the material, which is important for portable containers of dispersible obscurants, such as smoke grenades. Specifically, the model allows for rapid quantification of the modest reduction of scattering efficiency of flakes, relative to spheres, but which have significantly less weight than spheres. Thus, there is a trade-off between the weight of the dispersed system and its scattering efficiency.
A feasibility study of electrochromic windows in vehicles

Thermal comfort of passengers is essential when they enter a vehicle parked in the sun for an extended period. Quickly achieving this comfort level and reducing fuel consumption at the same time can be accomplished by using electrochromic (EC) glass. Keeping the interior of the car cooler by controlling EC windows increases the fuel economy, comforts passengers faster and protects the vehicle components exposed to heat and solar radiation. The optical properties of EC glass are compared with other types of currently available glass types. The power load comparisons are analyzed through a software package, VSOLE. In VSOLE models, transmitted, absorbed, and reflected solar radiation analyses are conducted as functions of the optical properties of glass glazing, providing valuable insights on the usability of EC glass.
Monocyte activation state regulates monocyte-induced endothelial proliferation through Met signaling

Direct interaction of unactivated primary monocytes with endothelial cells induces a mitogenic effect in subconfluent, injured endothelial monolayers through activation of endothelial Met. We now report that monocytes' contact-dependent mitogenicity is controlled by activation-mediated regulation of hepatocyte growth factor. Direct interaction of unactivated monocytes with subconfluent endothelial cells for 12 hours resulted in 9- and 120-fold increase in monocyte tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA levels and bitemporal spike in hepatocyte growth factor that closely correlates with endothelial Met and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Once activated, monocytes cannot induce a second wave of endothelial cell proliferation and endothelial Met phosphorylation and soluble hepatocyte growth factor levels fall off. Monocyte-induced proliferation is dose dependent and limited to the induction of a single cell cycle. Monocytes retain their ability to activate other endothelial cells for up to 8 hours after initial interaction, after which they are committed to the specific cell. There is therefore a profoundly sophisticated mode of vascular repair. Confluent endothelial cells ensure vascular quiescence, whereas subconfluence promotes vessel activation. Simultaneously, circulating monocytes stimulate endothelial cell proliferation, but lose this potential once activated. Such a system provides for the fine balance that can restore vascular and endothelial homeostasis with minimal overcompensation.
A partially purified polypeptide fraction from rat liver cell conditioned medium with multiplication-stimulating activity for embryo fibroblasts.

A polypeptide fraction with multiplication-stimulating activity for chicken and rat embryo fibroblasts was partially purified from serum-free medium conditioned by the growth of a line of rat liver cells. The specific multiplication-stimulating activity of this fraction was 27,000 times that of serum. The rat liver cell multiplication-stimulating activity had a molecular weight of approximately 10,000 daltons and was inactivated by mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol. It had sulfation factor and non-suppressible insulin-like activities, but did not have anti-trypsin activity. The rat liver cell multiplication-stimulating activity resembled both multiplication-stimulating activity from calf serum and somatomedin.
Medical and surgical outcome of tricuspid regurgitation caused by flail leaflets

Abstract Objective We sought to evaluate the medical and surgical outcome of tricuspid regurgitation caused by flail leaflets. Methods We analyzed the cause, clinical presentation, outcome, and natural history of 60 patients with tricuspid regurgitation caused by flail leaflets, a cause of mostly severe and organic tricuspid regurgitation, diagnosed by means of echocardiography between 1980 and 2000. Results The main cause was traumatic (62%). Clinical presentation was often severe: 57% were symptomatic, 33% had a history of congestive heart failure, and 40% had a history of atrial fibrillation. Compared with expected survival of the US matched population, excess mortality (39% ± 10% at 10 years or 4.5% yearly, P P P = .31). The poor medical outcome was further confirmed by high event rates (69% ± 9% at 15 years) in the natural history beginning from the flail's occurrence. Tricuspid operations were performed in 33 patients (55% ± 7% at 5 years), with valve repair in 82%, low mortality (3%), and, despite frequently refractory atrial fibrillation, symptomatic improvement in 88%. Conclusion Tricuspid regurgitation caused by flail leaflets is a serious disease associated with excess mortality and high morbidity. Tricuspid valve repair can often be performed with low risk, allowing symptomatic improvement. These results suggest that surgical intervention should be considered early in the course of the disease before the occurrence of irreversible consequences.
Do statins have a role in the management of diastolic dysfunction

Diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle is an increasingly recognized clinical entity that may in some cases cause overt congestive heart failure. Currently, treatment of these patients is based on limited studies in patients with symptomatic heart failure. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) drugs, which are primarily used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, have been shown to have additional pharmacologic properties that may be beneficial in other disease states such as heart failure. Here, we wish to review the current knowledge of the mechanism of action of statins and the probable implications for asymptomatic patients with diastolic dysfunction. We discuss the causes and settings of diastolic dysfunction, the potential role of statin therapy in the treatment of diastolic dysfunction, and potential mechanisms by which statins may show benefit. The use of statins in the setting of diastolic dysfunction, both for treatment of established heart failure as well as to prevent progression of subclinical disease to overt symptomatic expression, is an area of substantial research interest with direct clinical application.
De novo synthesis and developmental control of the multiple gene-controlled malate dehydrogenase isozymes in maize scutella.

Abstract In maize, both soluble and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenases ( l -malate:NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.37) exist in multiple molecular forms (isozymes). Biochemical studies and genetic analysis showed that the maize malate dehydrogenase isozymes are not interconvertable conformational forms of a single gene product. Instead, they are determined by multiple genes which may reside on different chromosomes. Therefore, developmental expression of the various malate dehydrogenase isozymes was studied. During early development of the sporophyte (dry kernel to 10 days of germination), the total malate dehydrogenase activity in scutella increases through the first 5 days, peaks about the 6th day and decreases gradually thereafter. Both soluble and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase isozymes exhibit similar activity profiles; however, the total mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase activity is only 60% of that in the cytosol. Density labeling experiments and atempts to detect the possible existence of “inactive malate dehydrogenase precursors” were performed. The results show that both soluble and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase are synthesized in the scutella during germination and early growth of young maize seedlings. Accumulation of the maize malate dehydrogenase isozymes is probably controlled by synthesis as well as degradation instead of activation and inactivation of enzyme moieties. Correlation between the developmental pattern of the scutellar malate dehydrogenase isozymes and the physiological conditions of the young maize seedlings is discussed.
Identification of Essential GATA and Ets Binding Motifs within the Promoter of the Platelet Glycoprotein Ibα Gene

Abstract Platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V is a multisubunit adhesion receptor that supports platelet attachment to thrombogenic surfaces at sites of vascular injury. The congenital absence of the receptor results in a bleeding disorder associated with “giant” platelets, a condition linking the expression of the complex to platelet morphogenesis. To understand better the expression of the GP Ib-IX-V complex, studies were undertaken to define the essential genetic elements supporting the expression of the α-subunit of the complex (GP Ibα). GP Ibα promoter activity was evaluated by transfection of human erythroleukemia cells with reporter plasmids coding for the enzyme, luciferase. Studies were initiated with a fragment extending 2,738 nucleotides 5′ to the transcription start site and lead to the identification of 253 nucleotides retaining full promoter activity in human erythroleukemia cells. In cells of nonhematopoietic lineage, human endothelial and HeLa cells, the GP Ibα promoter activity was no greater than background levels obtained with promoterless constructs. Gel shift assays and site-directed mutagenesis studies defined essential GATA and Ets binding motifs 93 and 150 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site, a finding which further substantiates these elements as important determinants of megakaryocytic gene expression. The results define essential cis-acting elements responsible for the expression of GP Ibα and provide insights into molecular events coinciding with the release of normal platelets into the bloodstream.
Absorption rates of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide in sterically hindered amines

The absorption of CO/sub 2/ by aqueous amine solutions is an important operation in the natural gas and synthetic ammonia industries and has received extensive theoretical and experimental attention. Recent experimental studies have shown that the chemistry of CO/sub 2/ reactions with amines are controlled by steric hindrance and basicity. In aqueous amino alcohol solutions, steric hindrance is the dominant factor for achieving both high thermodynamic capacity and fast absorption rates at high CO/sub 2/ loadings. Hindered amines show capacity and absorption rate advantages over conventional, linear amines for CO/sub 2/ removal from gases by absorption in aqueous amines, in aqueous polar organic solvent solutions of amines and in amine-promoted potassium carbonate solutions. The experimental work reported so far with hindered amines is focused rather on equilibria data. The interest here is in studies on the rate of absorption rather than thermodynamic ones with hindered amines. The objective is to investigate the rate of CO/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/S absorption in view of the hindrance effect and to compare it with the linear amines. 7 references, 4 figures.
Effectiveness and acceptability of a computerized decision support system using modified Wells criteria for evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism.

Study objective Ready availability of computed tomography (CT) angiography for evaluation of pulmonary embolism in emergency departments (EDs) is associated with a dramatic increase in the number of CT angiography tests. The aims of this study are to determine whether a validated prediction algorithm embedded in a computerized decision support system improves the positive yield rate of CT angiography for pulmonary embolism and is acceptable to emergency physicians. Methods This study was conducted as a prospective interventional study with a retrospective preinterventional comparison group. Results The implementation of the computerized physician order entry–based computerized decision support system was associated with an overall increase in the positivity rate of from 8.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9% to 12.9%) preintervention to 12.7% (95% CI 8.6% to 17.7%) postintervention, with a difference of 4.4% (95% CI –1.4% to 10.1%). A total of 404 patients were eligible for inclusion. Physician nonadherence to the computerized decision support system occurred in 105 (26.7%) cases. Fifteen patients underwent CT angiography despite low Wells score and negative D-dimer result, all of whose results were negative for pulmonary embolism. Emergency physicians did not order CT angiography for 44 patients despite high pretest probability, with one receiving a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism on a subsequent visit and another, of DVT. When emergency physicians adhered to the computerized decision support system for the evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism, a higher yield of CT angiography for pulmonary embolism occurred, with 28 positive results of 168 CT angiography tests (16.7%; 95% CI 11.4% to 23.2%) and a difference compared with preintervention of 8.4% (95% CI 1.7% to 15.4%). Physicians cited the time required to apply the computerized decision support system and a preference for intuitive judgment as reasons for not adhering to the computerized decision support system. Conclusion Use of an evidence-based computerized physician order entry–based computerized decision support system for the evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism was associated with a higher yield of CT angiography for pulmonary embolism. The computerized decision support system, however, was poorly accepted by emergency physicians (partly because of increased computer time), leading to possibly selective use, reducing the effect on overall yield, and leading to removal of the computerized decision support system from the computer order entry. These findings emphasize the importance of facilitation of rule-based decisionmaking in the ED and attentiveness to the complex demands placed on emergency physicians.
Poly(ethylene glycol) enhances cell motility on protein-based poly(ethylene glycol)-polycarbonate substrates: A mechanism for cell-guided ligand remodeling

The regulation of cell motility on ligand-adsorbed poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based polymeric biomaterials is governed by variables that are not well characterized. In this report, we examined keratinocyte migratory responsiveness to PEG-variant tyrosine-derived polycarbonates adsorbed with equivalent levels of the cell adhesion ligand, fibronectin. The equivalently adsorbed ligand adopted differential distributions, confirmed via atomic force microscopy, and the total number of exposed cell-binding domains (CBD), quantified through immunosorbent fluorometry, varied as a function of PEG concentration. Specifically, the CBD exposure was maximized at 4 mol % PEG and diminished at 8 mol % PEG, suggesting, based on our previous work (Tziampazis et al., Biomaterials 2000;21:511-520), that activation of cell adhesion and motility could be potentially promoted through increased CBD exposure at intermediate levels of PEG. This was confirmed through cell migration studies wherein cell speed values increased from 11 to 22 microm/h as the PEG concentration was increased from 0 to 4 mol %. Unexpectedly, however, high cell motility rates were sustained at 8 mol % PEG despite diminished levels of initial CBD exposure beyond 4 mol % PEG, suggesting that factors other than the initial CBD exposure may additionally have a role in activating cell migration at higher levels of PEG. Through studies of direct ligand mobility, cell-ligand-polymer interactions via atomic force microscopy, and CBD variation and integrin receptor roles in ligand remodeling, we offer evidence that cell motility is enhanced by a new mechanism for the regimen of higher PEG concentration: upon cell attachment and spreading, the ligand exhibits greater "slippage" at the polymer interface, and undergoes cell-engendered remodeling, which further activates cell motility, likely through enhanced exposure of hitherto encrypted sites for cell binding and signaling.
My career in psychopharmacology.

This review summarizes the author's interests and research from the 1940s to the present. An early health condition positioned him to be mentored by famous scientists who encouraged him; he transitioned from the role of student into a mentor who launched the scientific careers of some of the world's current leading nicotine and tobacco researchers. This overview was presented when he and Ed Lichtenstein received the Ove Ferno clinical research award in March 2001.
Comparison of Simulator Sickness Using Static and Dynamic Walking Simulators

Findings from the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) evaluated several factors related to the physiological effects of immersive virtual environments (IVE) exposure. Subjects conducted locomotion activities within a selected IVE by traversing a three-dimensional computer hallway setting using either a mouse-driven static simulator or a treadmill-operated dynamic simulator system. Two levels of rendered visual detail were also compared for their SSQ effects. Simulator Sickness Questionnaire analyses reveal an effect of gender such that the females were significantly more affected by simulator activities than the male subjects. Length of time in the simulator was also found to have a significant physiological effect on the participants in the tested range of 13–23 minutes of exposure. Longer time intervals were associated with significantly greater symptoms of simulator sickness and perceived discomfort. A comparison of scores between distance judgment and movement production activities produced no sign...
Cytogenetic peculiarities of the cervical epithelium in inflammatory diseases

The functional status of epithelial cells in inflammatory diseases of the cervix has been studied with the use of cytogenetic methods of detection of chromosome nucleolar organizers. The highest level of proliferation and rRNA synthesis was detected in cylindrical epithelial cells using indexes of compact and transitional nucleolonemic types of nuclear organizer regions; an elevated level of proliferation and rRNA synthesis was found in the squamous epithelial cells of the intermediate layer, and a low level of proliferation and rRNA synthesis was found in the squamous epithelial cells of the superficial layer.
Rain-Induced Cross Polarization: Calculations At Wavelengths From 1 to 30 Millimeters

Calculations are made of rain-induced cross polarization and attenuation on horizontal paths, at wave-lengths between 1.36 and 30.0 millimeters, and rainfall rates between 5 and 40 millimeters per hour. On a one kilometer path, cross-polarization ratio vs wavelength exhibits a maximum in the region between 5 and 10 millimeters, the location in this region varying with rainfall rate.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Real-time, location-aware collaborative filtering of web content

In this paper we describe the collaborative filtering feature of a location-aware, Web content recommendation service, called Gloe. The main purpose of our collaborative filtering solution is to increase the diversity of recommendations and to thereby mitigate popularity bias. The key challenge is to filter candidate suggestions in real-time, with minimal data mining and model building overhead. There is an apparent trade-off between building general purpose reusable models with contributions from a large user base on one hand and efficient on-line evaluation and recommendation in realtime on the other hand. Our solution is to apply item-based, top-N collaborative filtering within a hierarchical folksonomy structure in a Geohash pre-partitioned geographic locale. We demonstrate that these recommendations can be, on average, as fast to compute as aggregate rating-based recommendations, while offering a more diverse as well as personalized set of recommendations.
A generalization of prolate spheroidal functions with more uniform resolution to the triangle

Prolate spheroidal functions constitute a one-parameter (α) family of orthogonal functions in the interval. For α = 0, they are the Legendre polynomials. For larger α, the prolate spheroidal functions oscillate more uniformly than the Legendre polynomials, and provide more uniform resolution in the interval. The prolate spheroidal functions can be obtained by adding a zeroth-order term to the Sturm–Liouville equation for the Legendre polynomials. Here, the Sturm–Liouville equation for orthogonal polynomials in the triangle is modified in a similar fashion. The modification maintains the self-adjointness and symmetry properties of the original Sturm–Liouville equation, so that the new eigenfunctions are orthogonal and give spectrally accurate approximations of smooth functions with arbitrary boundary conditions in the triangle. The properties of the new eigenfunctions mimic those in the interval. For larger α, the new eigenfunctions provide more uniform resolution in the triangle.
Real-time laser damage monitoring with photoacoustics.

A method for automatic real-time damage monitoring on optical components with dielectric coatings, using piezoelectric photoacoustic detection, is developed.(AIP)
Commentary: Is It Safe to Limit Allogeneic Red Blood Cell Transfusions to Neonates?

Two randomized clinical trials, conducted independently, have reported results of neonates transfused with red blood cells (RBCs) given per either liberal (relatively high pretransfusion blood hematoc
Trace elements in moose (Alces alces) found dead in Northwestern Minnesota, USA

The moose (Alces alces) population in bog and forest areas of Northwestern Minnesota has declined for more than 25 years, and more recently the decline is throughout Northwestern Minnesota. Both deficiencies and elevations in trace elements have been linked to the health of moose worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether trace element toxicity or deficiency may have contributed to the decline of moose in Northwestern Minnesota. Livers of 81 moose found dead in Northwestern Minnesota in 1998 and 1999 were analyzed for trace elements. With the exception of selenium (Se) and copper (Cu), trace elements were not at toxic or deficient levels based on criteria set for cattle. Selenium concentrations in moose livers based on criteria set for cattle were deficient in 3.7% of livers and at a chronic toxicity level in 16% of livers. Copper concentrations based on criteria set for cattle were deficient in 39.5% of livers, marginally deficient in 29.5% of livers and adequate in 31% of livers. Moose from agricultural areas had higher concentrations, on average, of Cd, Cu, Mo and Se in their livers than moose from bog and forest areas. Older moose had higher concentrations of Cd and Zn, and lower concentrations of Cu than younger moose. Copper deficiency, which has been associated with population declines of moose in Alaska and Sweden, may be a factor contributing to the decline of moose in Northwestern Minnesota.
Physico-mechanical properties of degradable polymers used in medical applications: A comparative study

Abstract The physico-mechanical properties of degradable polymers used for medical applications have been characterized. The following polymers were included in this study: three samples of poly(ortho esters) derived from 3,9-bis(ethylidene 2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane) and various ratios of 1,6-hexanediol and trans -cyclohexane dimethanol, poly(glycolic acid), six samples of poly( l -lactic acid) and poly( d,l -lactic acid) with mol wt from 21 000 to 550 000, poly(e-caprolactone), poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) and three copolymers of β-hydroxybutyric acid and various amounts of hydroxyvaleric acid, one sample each of two different types of poly(anhydrides), poly(trimethylene carbonate) and two different poly(iminocarbonates). For each polymer, the thermal properties (glass transition temperature, crystallization, melting and decomposition points) were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and by thermogravimetric analysis. The tensile properties (Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at yield and break) were determined by tensile testing on an Instron stress-strain tester. The flexural storage modulus as a function of temperature was determined by dynamic mechanical analysis.
Dynamic Conformations of Nucleophosmin (NPM1) at a Key Monomer-Monomer Interface Affect Oligomer Stability and Interactions with Granzyme B

Nucleophosmin (NPM1) is an abundant, nucleolar tumor antigen with important roles in cell proliferation and putative contributions to oncogenesis. Wild-type NPM1 forms pentameric oligomers through interactions at the amino-terminal core domain. A truncated form of NPM1 found in some hepatocellular carcinoma tissue formed an unusually stable oligomer and showed increased susceptibility to cleavage by granzyme B. Initiation of translation at the seventh methionine generated a protein (M7-NPM) that shared all these properties. We used deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS) to perform a detailed structural analysis of wild-type NPM1 and M7-NPM, and found dynamic conformational shifts or local “unfolding” at a specific monomer-monomer interface which included the β-hairpin “latch.” We tested the importance of interactions at the β-hairpin “latch” by replacing a conserved tyrosine in the middle of the β-hairpin loop with glutamic acid, generating Y67E-NPM. Y67E-NPM did not form stable oligomers and further, prevented wild-type NPM1 oligomerization in a dominant-negative fashion, supporting the critical role of the β-hairpin “latch” in monomer-monomer interactions. Also, we show preferential cleavage by granzyme B at one of two available aspartates (either D161 or D122) in M7-NPM and Y67E-NPM, whereas wild-type NPM1 was cleaved at both sites. Thus, we observed a correlation between the propensity to form oligomers and granzyme B cleavage site selection in nucleophosmin proteins, suggesting that a small change at an important monomer-monomer interface can affect conformational shifts and impact protein-protein interactions.