cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retrospective Evaluation of Acute Liver Failure in Dogs (1995-2012): 49 Cases

Objective To characterize the clinical presentation and outcome of dogs with acute liver failure (ALF). Design Retrospective case series from January 1995 to December 2012. Setting University teaching hospital. Animals Forty-nine dogs were diagnosed with ALF defined as the acute onset of clinical signs accompanied by serum hyperbilirubinemia and coagulopathy (prothrombin time >1.5 times the upper limit of the reference interval) with or without signs of hepatic encephalopathy. Methods Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for clinical presentation, history, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, diagnostic imaging findings, hepatic histopathology, treatment, and outcome. Main results Presenting signs included anorexia (28/49, 57%), vomiting (25/49, 51%), neurologic abnormalities (17/49, 35%), and polydipsia/polyuria (10/49, 20%). Neurologic impairment compatible with hepatic encephalopathy occurred at some point during hospitalization in 28/49 (57%) of dogs. Common clinicopathologic abnormalities on presentation other than hyperbilirubinemia and increased serum liver enzyme activity included thrombocytopenia (25/49, 51%), hypoalbuminemia (23/49, 46%), leukocytosis (17/49, 34%), anemia (14/49, 29%), hypokalemia (13/49, 27%), and hypoglycemia (10/49, 20%). The causes of ALF included neoplasia (13/49, 27%), presumptive leptosporosis (4/49, 8%), and ischemia (1/49, 2%). The remaining cases were idiopathic although 15 of these dogs had exposure to possible hepatotoxins. Common lesions in the 35/49 (71%) dogs that had hepatic histopathology were necrosis (19/39, 48%), lipidosis (16/39, 41%), vacuolar change (7/49, 14%), and inflammation (4/49, 8%). Complications included ascites (20/49, 41%), bleeding tendencies (14/49, 29%), pancreatitis (12/49, 24%), and acute tubular necrosis (11/49, 22%). Seven (14%) dogs survived to discharge. Survivors had higher alanine aminotransferase activity, and were more likely to maintain normal albumin concentrations and not develop clinical bleeding or ascites during hospitalization. Conclusions Canine ALF is associated with multiple etiologies and a high mortality rate. Strategies to increase survival are urgently required.
Oil and Gas Accumulation History Using Fluid Inclusions and Basin Modeling-Example from the Western Slope of the Yuanyanggou Sub-Sag

Defining the hydrocarbon migration period and the path is a key to the analysis of oil and gas reservoir.The time and space distribution characteristics of hydrocarbon migration and the accumulation kinetics of the western slope of Yuanyanggou sub-sag are determined,through homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions,simulation and paleo-geothermal history and petroleum inclusions particles index GOI statistics.The results show that the Hydrocarbon migration times of the western slope of the Yuanyanggou sub-sag are Ed2,Ed1 and Nm,of which the Ed2 and Ed1 are two main stages.A basin modeling study further shows that the Shahejie Group began to produce oil at the end of Es1,but large-scale oil and gas expulsion and accumulation started during the Ed period.The statistical and analysis indicate that the high-value areas of GOI(GOI5%) is favorable areas for hydrocarbon accumulation,and Huanxiling and Shuangnan oilfields are in the GOI5% region.A perfect time and space distribution characteristics of hydrocarbon migration may be determined by the information from enclosure and basin modelling.
Urban Space and Exclusion in Asia

The much-vaunted growth of cities across Asia has been accompanied by new forms of urban exclusion. This article reviews recent research into urban space and exclusion in Asia, focusing on anthropology as well as on key works in cognate fields such as geography, political science, sociology, and urban studies. The review of the literature suggests that spatial exclusions in Asian cities are perpetuated by numerous different modes, some overt and intentional, others tacit and unintentional, and that inclusion and exclusion are often entangled with each other. Six representative modes of exclusion are outlined: paperwork, money, violence, environment, space, and civility. Essential scholarship about each mode of exclusion is introduced, and it is suggested that the best scholarly work on urban exclusion investigates the overlaps and intersections of modes such as these.
Indwelling Neural Implants: Strategies for Contending with the In Vivo Environment

Despite enormous advances made in the development of external effector prosthetics over the last quarter century, significant questions remain, especially those concerning signal degradation that occurs with chronically implanted neuroelectrodes.Offering contributions from pioneering researchers in neuroprosthetics and tissue repair, Indwelling Neural Implants: Strategies for Contending with the In Vivo Environment examines many of these challenges, paying particular attention to how the healing of tissues surrounding an implant can impact the intended use of a device.
Staged Occlusion of Arteriovenous Malformations

The surgical treatment of high-grade arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is usually fraught with hemorrhagic problems and carries a significant risk. We have been able to lower the surgical risk by treating these lesions with preoperative and intraoperative embolization. Multiple embolization procedures may be needed, and these are often staged and combined with surgery, radiation therapy, or both. We have had good results utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to AVMs and recommend tailoring therapy to individual patients by incorporating these options into the treatment armamentarium.
693 Influence of permissive parenting on youth farm risk behaviours

Background Family farms are unique in that children live in the midst of a dangerous workplace. Farm youth continue to experience high rates of injuries and premature deaths as a result of agricultural activities. Increased parental permissiveness has been known to be positively associated with high-risk behaviour in youth, including more frequent sexual activity, elevated pregnancy-rates, and risky driving behaviours. This study explored whether lax-inconsistent or permissive parenting (fathering and mothering) predicts youth unsafe behaviours on the farm. Methods This study was a part of a larger family-based randomised control intervention study focused on youth farm safety. Pre-intervention data were analysed for 67 youth, their fathers and mothers. Families were recruited through farm publications, youth organisations, local newspapers, farmer referrals, and the Cooperative Extension Network. Two hierarchical multiple regression models were run. Results Fathers and mothers who practiced lax-inconsistent disciplining were more likely to have youth who indulged in unsafe behaviours on the farm. Lax-inconsistent disciplining by fathers and mothers continued to predict youth unsafe farm behaviours, even after age, youth personality (risk-taking) and father’s modelling (of unsafe behaviours) were all taken into account. Conclusions Findings affirm that farm behaviours belong on the list of adolescent behaviours (like traffic violations) known to be positively influenced by permissive parenting styles. A key implication is that parents play an important role in influencing youth farm safety behaviours, and therefore need to be made the focus of farm safety interventions. Farm safety interventions need to focus not only on safe farm practices, but also promote positive parenting practices, including increased parent-youth communication about safety, consistent parental disciplining practices, increased monitoring and modelling of safe farm behaviours for youth.
Dopamine Selectively Modulates the Outcome of Learning Unnatural Action–Valence Associations

Learning the contingencies between stimulus, action, and outcomes is disrupted in disorders associated with altered dopamine (DA) function in the BG, such as Parkinson disease (PD). Although the role of DA in learning to act has been extensively investigated in PD, the role of DA in “learning to withhold” (or inhibit) action to influence outcomes is not as well understood. The current study investigated the role of DA in learning to act or to withhold action to receive rewarding, or avoid punishing outcomes, in patients with PD tested “off” and “on” dopaminergic medication (n = 19) versus healthy controls (n = 30). Participants performed a reward-based learning task that orthogonalized action and outcome valence (action–reward, inaction–reward, action–punishment, inaction–punishment). We tested whether DA would bias learning toward action, toward reward, or to particular action–outcome interactions. All participants demonstrated inherent learning biases preferring action with reward and inaction to avoid ...
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

In the near-infrared region the absorption process is associated with the overtone and combination bands of vibrational transitions. This region can be studied with the same equipment that is used for electronic spectra, apart from changing from photocell to photoconductive detectors above 1 µ. A review by Kaye (1954; see also, 1955) defines the near-infrared region to be from 0.7 µ to 3.5 µ, and quartz prisms are usable over much of this range. Goddu (1960), Wheeler (1959), McCallum (1964), and Whetsel (1968) have more recently presented reviews of near-infrared spectrophotometry. Wheeler’s is a comprehensive review with references to near-infrared spectra of somewhere near 500 organic compounds of many classes. Whetsel’s review also contains extensive references to organic applications.
Accurate Reconstruction of Porous Materials via Stochastic Fusion of Limited Bimodal Microstructural Data

Porous materials such as sandstones have important applications in petroleum engineering and geosciences. An accurate knowledge of the porous microstructure of such materials is crucial for the understanding of their physical properties and performance. Here, we present a procedure for accurate reconstruction of porous materials by stochastically fusing limited bimodal microstructural data including limited-angle X-ray tomographic radiographs and 2D optical micrographs. The key microstructural information contained in the micrographs is statistically extracted and represented using certain lower-order spatial correlation functions associated with the pore phase, and a probabilistic interpretation of the attenuated intensity in the tomographic radiographs is developed. A stochastic procedure based on simulated annealing that generalizes the widely used Yeong–Torquato framework is devised to efficiently incorporate and fuse the complementary bimodal imaging data for accurate microstructure reconstruction. The information content of the complementary microstructural data is systematically investigated using a 2D model system. Our procedure is subsequently applied to accurately reconstruct a variety of 3D sandstone microstructures with a wide range of porosities from limited X-ray tomographic radiographs and 2D optical micrographs. The accuracy of the reconstructions is quantitatively ascertained by directly comparing the original and reconstructed microstructures and their corresponding clustering statistics.
Peer Influence on IPV by Young Adult Males: Investigating the Case for a Social Norms Approach:

Nearly 32% of women report experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner and more than 8% report being raped by a significant other in their lifetime. Young people's perceptions that their peers perpetrate relationship violence have been shown to increase the odds of self-reported perpetration. Yet, limited research has been conducted on this relationship as individuals begin to age out of adolescence. The present study sought to examine the link between the perception of peer perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) and self-reported IPV perpetration among a sample of predominately young adult (21-35 years) males. This study also explored the discordance between the perception of peer IPV behavior and self-reported perpetration. Data from 101 male peer dyads (n = 202) were taken from a study on the effects of alcohol and bystander intervention in Atlanta, Georgia. Thirty-six percent (n = 73) of men reported perpetrating physical IPV and 67% (n = 135) reported perpetrating sexual IPV in the past 12 months. Nearly 35% (n = 55) of the sample reported that none of their peers had perpetrated physical IPV, which contradicted their friend's self-report of physical IPV perpetration. Similarly, 68% (n = 115) of the men perceived none of their peers to have perpetrated sexual IPV, which contradicted their friend's self-report of sexual IPV perpetration. Discordance variables were significantly associated with self-reported perpetration for both physical (χ2 = 152.7, p < .01) and sexual (χ2 = 164.4, p < .01) IPV. These results point to an underestimation of peer IPV perpetration among young adult males. Findings suggest a traditional social norms approach to IPV prevention, which seeks to persuade individuals that negative behaviors are less common than perceived, may not be the best approach given a significant number of men believed their friends were nonviolent when they had perpetrated violence.
Case report: Minimally invasive method to activate the expiratory muscles to restore cough.

Context: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) via disc electrodes surgically placed via laminotomy incisions has been shown to restore an effective cough in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI). The pur...
Strong Discipline Knowledge Cuts Both Ways for Novice Mathematics and Science Teachers

This paper presents the findings of a group of teacher candidates with undergraduate degrees in a STEM discipline who were followed through an intensive 1-year preparation program and their 1st year of teaching. We report on the affordances and challenges participants’ discipline knowledge presented to developing pedagogical content knowledge during their student teaching experience and their 1st year of teaching. The participants were interviewed at 3 different times: the start of their teacher preparation program, the end of a year-long clinical teaching experience, and the end of their 1st year of teaching. Their mentor teachers were interviewed at the end of the participants’ year of student teaching. Each semi-structured interview included questions regarding the participants’ discipline backgrounds and transition to teaching. The interviews were coded and analyzed to identify emergent themes. We found that having mathematics or science discipline knowledge allowed for several affordances: participants could focus on teaching, readily provide alternative explanations, and incorporate additional resources into lessons. A challenge of their discipline knowledge, possibly exacerbated by biased views of their disciplines, was making content accessible to students. We consider these findings in light of a framework we have developed for mathematics and science teacher pedagogical content knowledge. We suggest teacher preparation programs for teacher candidates with mathematics and science undergraduate degrees need not only devote specialized attention to connecting that content knowledge to teaching but also engage these prospective teachers in situations that purposefully make evident to them the need to attend to student thinking.
Circulating cell-free DNA for non-invasive cancer management

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was first identified in human plasma in 1948 and is thought to be released from cells throughout the body into the circulatory system. In cancer, a portion of the cfDNA originates from tumour cells, referred to as circulating-tumour DNA (ctDNA), and can contain mutations corresponding to the patient's tumour, for instance specific TP53 alleles. Profiling of cfDNA has recently become an area of increasing clinical relevance in oncology, in particular due to advances in the sensitivity of molecular biology techniques and development of next generation sequencing technologies, as this allows tumour mutations to be identified and tracked non-invasively. This has opened up new possibilities for monitoring tumour evolution and acquisition of resistance, as well as for guiding treatment decisions when tumour biopsy tissue is insufficient or unavailable. In this review, we will discuss the biology of cell-free nucleic acids, methods of analysis, and the potential clinical uses of these techniques, as well as the on-going clinical development of ctDNA assays.
Studentification and Disorder in a College Town

This study uses interview and focus group data to examine how residents perceive and cope with studentification, disorder, and neighbor conflict in a college town. First, we find that nonstudent re...
Giardia's ventral disc is hyperstable and composed of over 80 disc-associated proteins

Giardia is a common protistan parasite that causes diarrheal disease worldwide. Motile trophozoites colonize the small intestine, attaching to the villi with the ventral disc, a complex microtubule (MT) organelle. Attachment is required for infection as it allows Giardia to resist peristalsis. Parallel, uniformly spaced MTs spiral to form a domed structure, with one overlap zone between the upper and lower portions, and the ventral groove region extending over the ventral flagella. The MT spiral is coated with novel microribbon-crossbridge protein complexes (MR-CB) that extend up to 400 nm into the cytoplasm. The highly ordered lateral crest lies outside the disc margin at the disc periphery, and forms a seal in early staged of parasite attachment. The disc is a hyperstable structure in that drugs that normally affect MT dynamic instability have no effect on ventral disc microtubules and no turnover of any disc-associated protein has been reported. Here we show that much of the ventral disc structure remains intact after detergent extraction in up to 2M potassium chloride. Using a new method of disc biochemical fractionation in high salt with shot-gun proteomic analysis of the disc, we identified and confirmed 55 new disc-associated protein (DAPs), bringing the current total of DAPs to 87. While close to 30 DAPs also localize with flagella, 54 DAPs localize specifically to the disc. Most also localize to specific structural regions of the disc such as the ventral groove or disc margin. Despite our developing understanding of the complexity of ventral disc architecture, we are still in the very preliminary stages of understanding the and composition and contribution of specific structural elements in generating the forces for attachment and stability. Future genetic, biochemical, and functional analyses of DAPs will be central toward understanding not only disc architecture and assembly, but also the overall disc conformational dynamics that promote host attachment.
Proceedings of the 1st Workshop on Digital Biomarkers

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the ACM 1st workshop on Digital Biomarkers 2017 (DigitalBioMarkers'17). The workshop will bring academics, industry researchers and medical researchers together to address the modeling, testing, and validation of new digital biomarkers for evaluating and predicting onset of diseases/health conditions, response to treatments, and effects of interventions. The workshop aims to facilitate a systematic discussion among experts from different knowledge domains including mobile sensing, systems, machine learning, medicine and health sciences in order to (i) identify new digital biomarkers relevant to behavioral, chronic, and degenerative conditions, (ii) identify the key shortcomings of the existing mobile and wearable sensor systems, and research platforms (e.g., ResearchKit(™) and ResearchStack) for digital biomarker inference in terms of scalability, customizability, and sensing affordances, (iii) find realistic solutions towards building new digital biomarker evidence engine leveraging sensor data from a variety of mobile systems (e.g., smartphones, wearables, IoT devices, and other relevant digital traces), (iv) identify key data collection, labeling, testing and validation methodologies for development of digital biomarkers. The call for papers attracted highly relevant submissions from around the world. The program committee accepted 6 short papers out of 9 submissions. In addition to the presentations of the 6 accepted papers, the workshop will feature one a morning keynote and an afternoon panel session. Keynote: "A Quantum of Solace: Digital Traces and Mental Health", Prof. Vincent M. B. Silenzio, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry Designing studies for feasibility testing, refinement and validation of digital biomarkers Panel Session
Deep learning approaches to biomedical image segmentation

Abstract The review covers automatic segmentation of images by means of deep learning approaches in the area of medical imaging. Current developments in machine learning, particularly related to deep learning, are proving instrumental in identification, and quantification of patterns in the medical images. The pivotal point of these advancements is the essential capability of the deep learning approaches to obtain hierarchical feature representations directly from the images, which in turn is eliminating the need for handcrafted features. Deep learning is expeditiously turning into the state-of-the-art for medical image processing and has resulted in performance improvements in diverse clinical applications. In this review, the basics of deep learning methods are discussed along with an overview of successful implementations involving image segmentation for different medical applications. Finally, some research issues are highlighted and the future need for further improvements is pointed out.
Therapeutic Anticoagulation Is Associated with Decreased Mortality in Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 Patients

Abstract Objective To evaluate differences in morbidity and mortality among mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 treated with therapeutic versus prophylactic anticoagulation. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 245 COVID-19 positive patients admitted to the ICU requiring mechanical ventilation from March 1, 2020 through April 11, 2020 at Mount Sinai Hospital. Patients either received therapeutic anticoagulation for a minimum of 5 days or prophylactic dose anticoagulation. Morbidity and mortality data were analyzed. Results Propensity score (PS) weighted Kaplan-Meier plot demonstrated a survival advantage (57% vs. 25%) at 35 days from admission to the ICU in patients who received therapeutic anticoagulation for a minimum of 5 days compared to those who received prophylactic anticoagulation during their hospital course. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model with PS weights to adjust for baseline differences found a 79% reduction in death in patients who were therapeutically anticoagulated HR 0.209, [95% Cl (0.10, 0.46), p Conclusions Therapeutic anticoagulation is associated with a survival advantage among patients with COVID-19 who require mechanical ventilation in the ICU.
Bioengineering of genetically encoded gene promoter repressed by flavonoids for constructing intracellular sensor for molecular events

In recent years, Synthetic Biology has emerged as a new discipline where functions that were traditionally performed by electronic devices are replaced by "cellular devices". Those are genetically encoded circuits, constructed of DNA that are built from biological parts (aka bio-parts). The cellular devices can be used for sensing and responding to natural and artificial signals. However, a major challenge in the field is that the crosstalk between many cellular signaling pathways use the same signaling endogenous molecules that can result in undesired activation. To overcome this problem, we utilized a specific promoter that can activate genes with a natural, non-toxic ligand at a highly-induced transcription level with low background or undesirable off-target expression. Here we used the orphan aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor that upon activation binds to specific AHR response elements (AHRE) of the Cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP1A1) promoter. Flavonoids have been identified as AHR ligands. Data presented here shows successful creation of a synthetic gene "off" switch that can be monitored directly using an optical reporter gene. This is the first step towards bioengineering of a synthetic, nanoscale bio-part for constructing a sensor for molecular events.
Losing Steam: Why Does Japan Produce So Little Geothermal Power?

Japan has long faced energy insecurity due to its extreme dependence on energy imports. Why, then, has Japan failed to exploit its huge domestic geothermal energy resources, which could provide up to 10% of the country’s electricity needs? This article argues that local interests empowered by national policy have been the main obstacle to expansion of geothermal power production in Japan since the 1970s. The article substantiates its claim with a historical analysis of national geothermal policy and a fieldwork-based case study of geothermal power development in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture.
Republished: Simultaneous stent expansion/balloon deflation technique to salvage failed balloon remodeling

Herniation, with possible embolization, of coils into the parent vessel following aneurysm coiling remains a frequent challenge. For this reason, balloon or stent assisted embolization remains an important technique. Despite the use of balloon remodeling, there are occasions where, on deflation of the balloon, some coils, or even the entire coil mass, may migrate. We report the successful use of a simultaneous adjacent stent deployment bailout technique in order to salvage coil prolapse during balloon remodeling in three patients. Case No 1 was a wide neck left internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysm, measuring 9 mm×7.9 mm×6 mm with a 5 mm neck. Case No 2 was a complex left superior hypophyseal artery aneurysm, measuring 5.3 mm×4 mm×5 mm with a 2.9 mm neck. Case No 3 was a ruptured right posterior communicating artery aneurysm, measuring 4 mm×4 mm×4.5 mm with a 4 mm neck. This technique successfully returned the prolapsed coil mass into the aneurysm sac in all cases without procedural complications. The closed cell design of the Enterprise VRD (Codman and Shurtleff Inc, Raynham, Massachusetts, USA) makes it ideal for this bailout technique, by allowing the use of an 0.021 inch delivery catheter (necessary for simultaneous access) and by avoiding the possibility of an open cell strut getting caught on the deflated balloon. We hope this technique will prove useful to readers who may find themselves in a similar predicament.
Size-dependent Hamaker constants for silver and gold nanoparticles

Hamaker-Lifshitz constants are material specific constants that are used to calculate van der Waals interaction forces between small particles in solution. Typically, these constants are size-independent and material specific. According to the Lifshitz theory, the Hamaker-Lifshitz constants can be calculated by taking integrals that include the dielectric permittivity, as a function of frequency, of the interacting particles and the medium around particles. The dielectric permittivity of interacting metal nanoparticles can be calculated using the Drude model, which is based on the assumption of motion of free conducting electrons. For bulk metals, the Drude model does not predict any sizedependence of the dielectric permittivity. However, the conducting electrons in small noble metal nanoparticles (R ~ 10nm) exhibit surface scattering, which changes the complex permittivity function. In this work, we show theoretically that scattering of the free conducting electrons inside silver and gold nanoparticles with the size of 1 – 50 nm leads to size-dependent dielectric permittivity and Hamaker-Lifshitz constants. We calculate numerically the Hamaker-Lifshitz constants for silver and gold nanoparticles with different diameters. The results of the study might be of interests for understanding colloidal stability of metal nanoparticles.
Efficient Search as a Means of Executing Specifications

The utility of directly executing formal specifications is briefly touched upon and the concept of exhaustive search as a means of execution is introduced. A mechanism for improving the efficiency of such searches is presented in some detail. Finally, the results of an implementation of the mechanism are presented.
Transforming growth factor-beta inhibition of epithelial cell proliferation linked to the expression of a 53-kDa membrane receptor.

Abstract Cells whose proliferation is blocked by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) express three distinct surface glycoproteins of 53, 73, and 300 kDa that bind TGF-beta with high affinity, but whose function is unknown. We have isolated two classes of chemically-induced Mv1Lu epithelial cell mutants resistant to growth inhibition by TGF-beta. Class R mutants have selectively lost expression of the 53-kDa (type I) TGF-beta-binding protein. They have also lost the ability to respond to TGF-beta with elevated fibronectin expression and cell flattening. Class S mutants bind normally but do not respond to TGF-beta. TGF-beta-resistant mutants retain a contact inhibited, nontransformed phenotype. The properties of S mutants suggest that they are defective in the TGF-beta signal transduction mechanism, while the results with R mutants identify the type I TGF-beta-binding protein as the receptor involved in mediating TGF-beta actions on cell adhesion and proliferation.
Monetary policy, liquidity, and foreign exchange markets: An exploration

Abstract This paper explores empirically the fluctuations of money demand arising from financial markets. Fluctuations in financial markets' liquidity are reflected in interest rates and asset returns. The paper uses daily data on the Swiss franc and other currencies from January 1, 1980 until December 31, 1987, and is based on a priori knowledge on the timing of liquidity shocks. In the empirical analysis I ask whether at the time liquidity shocks occur ‘abnormal” rates of return can be observed in the foreign exchange markets.
Constraint-Based Linear-Relations Analysis

Linear-relations analysis of transition systems discovers linear invariant relationships among the variables of the system. These relationships help establish important safety and liveness properties. Efficient techniques for the analysis of systems using polyhedra have been explored, leading to the development of successful tools like HyTech. However, existing techniques rely on the use of approximations such as widening and extrapolation in order to ensure termination. In an earlier paper, we demonstrated the use of Farkas Lemma to provide a translation from the linear-relations analysis problem into a system of constraints on the unknown coefficients of a candidate invariant. However, since the constraints in question are non-linear, a naive application of the method does not scale. In this paper, we show that by some efficient simplifications and approximations to the quantifier elimination procedure, not only does the method scale to higher dimensions, but also enjoys performance advantages for some larger examples.
Varicela no pequeno lactente

Introduction: Chickenpox is a common childhood disease. Although usually benign, when it occurs in a two month-old child with immunological immaturity, it may cause concern regarding the correct clinical approach. Case Description: We report the case of a two month-old previously healthy infant, who came to a primary care clinic because of a vesicular rash without other systemic signs of illness. Her brother had been diagnosed with varicella two weeks previously. Varicella infection was diagnosed and the baby referred to the local hospital, where the diagnosis was confirmed. She was admitted for intravenous acyclovir therapy, with a favorable clinical outcome. Discussion: Chickenpox is infrequently diagnosed in young infants in primary care. However, with a vesicular rash and a history of contact with an affected individual, doctors have to consider this diagnosis regardless of age and presentation. There is controversy regarding treatment. Conservative measures may be sufficient for mild illness.
A novel developmental regulatory motif required for stage-specific activation of the epsilon-globin gene and nuclear factor binding in embryonic erythroid cells.

Abstract Members of the human beta-globin gene family are expressed at discrete stages of development and therefore provide an important model system for examining mechanisms of temporal gene regulation. We have previously shown that expression of the embryonic beta-like globin gene (epsilon) is mediated by a complex array of positive and negative upstream control elements. Correct developmental stage- and tissue-specific gene expression is conferred by synergistic interactions between a positive regulatory element (termed epsilon-PRE II) which is active only in embryonic erythroid cells and at least two other regulatory domains upstream of the epsilon-globin gene promoter. A nuclear factor highly enriched in cultured embryonic erythroid cells and in mouse embryonic yolk sac binds to a novel, evolutionarily conserved sequence within epsilon-PRE II. We show here that binding of this factor to the conserved element within epsilon-PRE II is critical for transcriptional activity. Point mutations that interfere with protein binding to epsilon-PRE II abolish transcriptional activation of the constitutive epsilon-globin promoter. Adult erythroid nuclei (from cultured cells or adult mouse liver) also contain a factor that binds to this region, but the complex formed migrates more rapidly during nondenaturing electrophoresis, suggesting either that distinct proteins bind to epsilon-PRE II or that a single protein is differentially modified in these cells in a way that modulates its activity. Several lines of evidence suggest that the binding factors in embryonic and adult erythroid cells are distinguished by posttranscriptional differences.
Electrotransfer of [32P]NAD allows labeling of ADP-ribosylated proteins in intact Chinese hamster ovary cells

CHO-K1D cells electroporated in buffers containing [32P]NAD incorporated the label in a voltage-dependent manner. Electroporation with 650 V/cm at 1460 microF in Ham's F12 medium supplemented with 10 mM Hepes, pH 7.1, resulted in a greater than 20-fold increase in [32P]NAD uptake, while decreasing relative cellular survival by only 6%. Exposure of cells to gamma irradiation (20 Gy) prior to electroporation increased the steady-state level of poly(ADP-ribosylated) nuclear proteins two- to four-fold over that of unirradiated control cells. These data indicate that electrotransfer of [32P]NAD is a simple and rapid means of labeling the cellular NAD pool and should prove useful in the analysis of the relationship between poly(ADP-ribosylation) of nuclear proteins and DNA repair.
Studies on adenosine triphosphate transphosphorylases XIV. Equilibrium binding properties of the crystalline rabbit and calf muscle ATP-AMP transphosphorylase (adenylate kinase) and derived peptide fragments

Abstract Both a fluorescence-quenching technique and a uv-difference spectral method have been used to study the binding of 1, N 6 -etheno analogs of the adenine nucleotides (ϵATP, ϵADP, ϵAMP) ( J. A. Secrist III, J. R. Barrio, N. J., Leonard, and G. Weber, 1972 , Biochemistry , 11 , 3499–3506) to crystalline rabbit and calf muscle ATP-AMP transphosphorylase in the presence and absence of Mg 2+ , at 0.16 ( Γ 2 ), 25 °C, and pH 7.4. In addition, the binding of the ϵ-analogs of the adenine nucleotides has been studied to two S -[ 14 C]carboxymethylated peptide fragments of the rabbit muscle enzyme (residues 1–44 = MT-I; residues 171–193 = MT-XII), as well as to a synthetic nonapeptide corresponding to residues 32 − 40 of the rabbit muscle enzyme. In the case of the rabbit and calf enzymes: MgϵATP 2− , ϵATP 4− , MgϵADP − , and ϵAMP 2− are bound stoichiometrically ( n ∼- 1), MgϵAMP is insignificantly bound, and n ∼- 2 for ϵADP 3− ( n = maximal number of moles bound per mole of protein). In the case of S -carboxymethylated peptide fragments: MT-I binds stoichiometrically to MgϵATP 2− , ϵATP 4− , MgϵADP − , and ϵADP 3− with values of n ∼- 1; but MT-I does not bind to ϵAMP 2− significantly. MT-XII binds stoichiometrically to uncomplexed ϵAMP 2− or to uncomplexed ϵADP 3− (both with n ∼- 1); whereas, the binding of MgϵADP − , ϵATP 4− , and MgϵAMP to MT-XII are comparatively insignificant. Other peptide fragments in the molecule, viz. fragments MT-IV (residues 77–96) or MT-VI (residues 106–126) did not bind significantly to any of the ethenoanalogs; nor did insulin, nor, e.g., did bo vine serum albumin. The binding of the etheno analogs was also studied to an equimolar mixture of peptides MT-I + MT-XII, which qualitatively duplicated the binding pattern of the entire native molecule, and except for ϵATP 4− or MgϵATP 2− (which are bound more tightly to the entire native molecule), even quantitatively. The synthetic peptide (residues 32 to 40) was found to bind to MgϵATP 2− , ϵATP 4− , and MgϵADP − , with n ∼- 1; but it does not significantly bind to ϵAMP 2− , nor to ϵADP 3− . These binding data support the idea that there are two separate sites for the binding of either (a) the complexed nucleotide substrate (MgATP 2− or MgADP − ) residing in the sequence of MT-I (residues 1 to 44) and in the neighborhood of residues 32 to 40, or (b) the uncomplexed nucleotide substrate (AMP 2− or ADP 3− ) residing in the sequence of MT-XII (residues 171 to 193) of the rabbit muscle enzyme.
Timbral influences on vocal pitch-matching accuracy

The purpose of this study was to investigate how vocal fundamental frequency control was influenced by the timbre of target auditory stimuli. Nineteen female participants were asked to vocally reproduce the pitch of target tones, which consisted of female, male, violin, and clarinet timbres at three different fundamental frequencies. Results revealed that the participants were significantly more accurate at matching the pitch of female target tones compared to the instrumental timbres. This was interpreted as being due to an effect of spectral similarity of the female timbre to that of the female participants. The results of this study support the hypothesis of a perceptual integrality between timbre and pitch, and that stimulus timbre can influence the accuracy of vocal reproduction.
Reproduction in eastern forms of the Spotted skunk (genus Spilogale)

The reproductive physiology of 156 feral and 31 captive specimens of two eastern subspecies of the Spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius) was studied, the histology of the primary and secondary sexual organs of both sexes described, and the breeding cycle outlined. Most matings take place in April and parturition occurs in June. Some females from southern latitudes may produce two litters in a single year.
A design method using darwinian principles for Collaborative Problem-Solving Environments (CPSEs)

Distributed computational CPSEs (Collaborative Problem-Solving Environments) offer a petri dish where we can keep records and track creative path-finding as never before. CPSEs will enable us to test hypotheses about the dynamics of creative problem-solving that could not be tested until now.This paper argues that Darwin's method, a daring break from the rationalistic straitjacket of his time, offers eight lessons for designers and users of CPSEs. By applying these eight lessons, CPSEs can more effectively support large scale, long-lived multi-Center and multi-project enterprises such as Mars research and mission planning. Web-based knowledge management, interactive visualization and collaborative control capabilities can evolve incrementally, transitioning into CPSEs, which will support scientists and designers to work in new ways.My hypothesis is that CPSEs will support a new scientific revolution that could change the paradigm for "scientific method." If this hypothesis is correct, then CPSEs could drive a paradigm change in the community of practice regarding what constitutes acceptable "scientific method" and "engineering design." I suggest that CPSE design itself may also require a new synthesis, a new way of looking at scientific and engineering problems.
5f electrons and superconductivity: Dilute alloys formed between lanthanum and the actinide metals☆

Abstract Small amounts of the metals Th, U, Np, PuI, and Am were dissolved individually into fcc La, and the superconducting transition temperatures T c of the alloys were measured and compared with that of La. Th decreased T c of La only very weakly, and U seemed to do likewise. Np and Pu depressed T c quite strongly, as does the anomalous rare-earth metal Ce. Am does not appear to possess a magnetic moment in La. The present data complement previous work on the 4f metals and illustrate some differences between the first few transactinium metals and their counterparts in the rare-earth series.
ENERGY SPECTRUM OF FAST COSMIC-RAY NEUTRONS NEAR SEA LEVEL.

Measurement of the sea-level spectrum of cosmic-ray neutrons in the energy region 0.05-2.0 MeV has been carried out with $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ hydrogen-recoil proportional counters. Electronic pulse-shape discrimination has been utilized to reject meson- and photon-induced events. In general, the flux per unit energy decreases monotonically with increasing energy. The experimental data reveal some structure which may be due to scattering resonances in elements that dominate the environment. An integral flux of 2.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ neutrons/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ sec in the interval 0.05-2.0 MeV has been obtained for the air-land interface at the Argonne National Laboratory site (53\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} N geomagnetic latitude).
Flow Injection Determination of Ammonia-N Using Polymer Membrane Electrode-based Gas Sensing System

Abstract A new potentiometric gas sensing concept is used in conjunction with a flow injection technique to rapidly determine ammonia-nitrogen in the 10−5 to 10−2 mol/L range. The system designed utilizes a novel tubular flow-through PVC-nonactin membrane electrode to detect ammonium ions formed in a recipient buffer stream as the sample flows through a gas dialysis unit. At least 30 samples/h can be determined with good precision ( ± 7%) for samples  10−5 mol/L in ammonia-N. Preliminary data concerning the analytical application of this system for blood ammonia-N measurements is presented. A novel gas dialysis method for removing ammonia from blood samples is also described.
Animatronic shader lamps avatars

Applications such as telepresence and training involve the display of real or synthetic humans to multiple viewers. When attempting to render the humans with conventional displays, non-verbal cues such as head pose, gaze direction, body posture, and facial expression are difficult to convey correctly to all viewers. In addition, a framed image of a human conveys only a limited physical sense of presence—primarily through the display’s location. While progress continues on articulated robots that mimic humans, the focus has been on the motion and behavior of the robots rather than on their appearance. We introduce a new approach for robotic avatars of real people: the use of cameras and projectors to capture and map both the dynamic motion and the appearance of a real person onto a humanoid animatronic model. We call these devices animatronic Shader Lamps Avatars (SLA). We present a proof-of-concept prototype comprised of a camera, a tracking system, a digital projector, and a life-sized styrofoam head mounted on a pan-tilt unit. The system captures imagery of a moving, talking user and maps the appearance and motion onto the animatronic SLA, delivering a dynamic, real-time representation of the user to multiple viewers.
Three-Dimensional Modeling of Functionally Graded Multiferroic Composites

A three-dimensional (3D) finite-element-method (FEM) formulation is developed to investigate the response of functionally graded material (FGM) multiferroic composites under different types of loads. Numerical examples are carried out for the three-layered piezoelectric (PE)/piezomagnetic (PM) composite with its top and bottom layers being FGMs and the middle layer homogenous PE material. For the FGM layer, two cases of material grading along the thickness direction of the composite are considered: one is the PM material with the properties varying as an exponential function (E-FGM) and the other is the PE/PM composite material with the volume ratios varying as a power-law function (P-FGM). The effect of different material grading functions on the mechanical, electric and magnetic responses is clearly showed by both E-FGM and P-FGM grading cases, which could be useful to the future design of FGM multiferroic devices.
Three-Dimensional Polarization Tuning at the Focal Field of a Lens

We propose an approach to optical microscopy that enables control over the three-dimensional polarization vector at the focal spot of a high-numerical-aperture lens. The input field is linearly polarized and no polarization optics are required.
Prophage induction by DNA topoisomerase II poisons and reactive-oxygen species: role of DNA breaks.

Various compounds were evaluated for their ability to induce prophage lambda in the Escherichia coli WP2s(lambda) microscreen assay. The inability of a DNA gyrase subunit B inhibitor (novobiocin) to induce prophage indicated that inhibition of the gyrase's ATPase was insufficient to elicit the SOS response. In contrast, poisons of DNA gyrase subunit A (nalidixic acid and oxolinic acid) were the most potent inducers of prophage among the agents examined here. This suggested that inhibition of the ligation function of subunit A, which also has a DNA nicking activity, likely resulted in DNA breaks that were available (as single-stranded DNA) to act as strong SOS-inducing signals, leading to prophage induction. Agents that both intercalated and produced reactive-oxygen species (the mammalian DNA topoisomerase II poisons, adriamycin, ellipticine, and m-AMSA) were the next most potent inducers of prophage. Agents that produced reactive-oxygen species only (hydrogen peroxide and paraquat) were less potent than adriamycin and ellipticine but more potent than m-AMSA. Agents that intercalated but did not generate reactive-oxygen species (actinomycin D) or that did neither (teniposide) were unable to induce prophage, suggesting that intercalation alone may be insufficient to induce prophage. These results illustrate the variety of mechanisms (and the relative effectiveness of these mechanisms) by which agents can induce prophage. Nonetheless, these agents may induce prophage by producing essentially the same type of DNA damage, i.e., DNA strand breaks. The potent genotoxicity of the DNA gyrase subunit A poisons illustrates the genotoxic consequences of perturbing an important DNA-protein complex such as that formed by DNA and DNA topoisomerase.