cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accelerated whole-brain perfusion imaging using a simultaneous multislice spin-echo and gradient-echo sequence with joint virtual coil reconstruction.

Purpose Dynamic susceptibility contrast imaging requires high temporal sampling, which poses limits on achievable spatial coverage and resolution. Additionally, more encoding-intensive multi-echo acquisitions for quantitative imaging are desired to mitigate contrast leakage effects, which further limits spatial encoding. We present an accelerated sequence that provides whole-brain coverage at an improved spatio-temporal resolution, to allow for dynamic quantitative R2 and R2 * mapping during contrast-enhanced imaging. Methods A multi-echo spin and gradient-echo sequence was implemented with simultaneous multislice acquisition. Complementary k-space sampling between repetitions and joint virtual coil reconstruction were used along with a dynamic phase-matching technique to achieve high-quality reconstruction at 9-fold acceleration, which enabled 2 × 2 × 5 mm whole-brain imaging at TR of 1.5 to 1.7 seconds. The multi-echo images from this sequence were fit to achieve quantitative R2 and R2 * maps for each repetition, and subsequently used to find perfusion measures including cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume. Results Images reconstructed using joint virtual coil show improved image quality and g-factor compared with conventional reconstruction methods, resulting in improved quantitative maps with a 9-fold acceleration factor and whole-brain coverage during the dynamic perfusion acquisition. Conclusion The method presented shows the advantage of using a joint virtual coil-GRAPPA reconstruction to allow for high acceleration factors while maintaining reliable image quality for quantitative perfusion mapping, with the potential to improve tumor diagnostics and monitoring.
A Direct Comparison of the In Vivo Efficacy and in Vitro Signaling of Chimeric Antigen Receptors and Endogenous T Cell Receptors

Abstract The adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expressing T cells targeting the CD19 antigen induces remission in 70-90% of pediatric patients with relapsed and/or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Despite initial enthusiasm, emerging data indicate the durability of remission is limited in a substantial number of patients, therefore, addressing relapse will be critical for increasing the clinical efficacy of CAR T cell therapy. CARs are synthetic receptors designed to redirect the antigen specificity of T cells while recapitulating the T cell activating properties of the endogenous T cell receptor (TCR). Clinical and pre-clinical observations have demonstrated that CAR T cells have inferior sensitivity to low levels of antigen and have diminished persistence in vivo compared to T cells responding to TCR activation. These observations suggest the CAR does not fully replicate the signaling of a TCR which subsequently leads to suboptimal T cell function which may underlie the inability of CAR T cell therapy to induce durable remissions in a significant number of patients. In these studies, we directly compared the in vivo and in vitro consequences of CAR versus TCR activation, as well as the signal transduction of each of these receptors. To accomplish this, we created a novel, syngeneic model system in which a 2nd generation CAR is introduced into OTI TCR transgenic T cells to generate a population of T cells (CAR-OTI cells) in which each cell recognizes the CD19 antigen via its CAR as well as the ovalbumin (OVA) antigen via its TCR, thus providing a model in which the function and signaling of each receptor could be studied within a uniform population of T cells. To stimulate either the CAR or the TCR, we generated antigen-expressing cell lines from the pre-B ALL cell line, E2aPbx, that expressed either the cognate antigen for the CAR (CD19), the TCR (OVA) or both. These cell lines allowed us to stimulate either receptor in a model which preserved the properties of the cell-to-cell interactions expected in vivo . We validated the activity of each receptor in this model, by demonstrating similar in vitro degranulation, proliferation and target cell lysis in CAR-OTI cells upon co-incubation with CAR-antigen or TCR-antigen positive E2aPbx cells. Despite the similarities seen in vitro, CAR-OTI cells adoptively transferred into mice with established E2aPbx leukemia demonstrated enhanced expansion at 4 (p Using our model of CAR-OTI cells and E2aPbx cells expressing either the CAR- or TCR-antigen, we interrogated proteins in the canonical TCR signal transduction cascade after CAR or TCR activation. We demonstrated that CAR activation resulted in increased and prolonged phosphorylation of Zap70, a kinase central to canonical TCR signal transduction. Despite the increased activation of Zap70, the CAR signal demonstrated diminished activation of the MAPK family members, Erk (p Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
P051 The bigger you are the harder you fall? Short term effects of LUM/IVA (Orkambi) on lung function in children with cystic fibrosis

Aim Cystic Fibrosis conductance Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR) protein modulators represent a major breakthrough in the pharmacological management of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Previous studies report acute changes in lung function after first administration of lumacaftor/ivacaftor (LUM/IVA) without a clear underlying mechanism.1 2 Our aim was to explore links between changes in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (ppFEV1) and a number of potentially influencing factors. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of all children with CF who were started on LUM/IVA treatment between September 2016 and August 2017 in our institution. Data was collected from patient charts, electronic laboratory and radiology records. CT Thorax images were reviewed for evidence of air trapping using the Brody score.3 Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Results Data was collected from 15 children with CF who were started on LUM/IVA treatment. The mean (±SD) age of starting treatment was 14 years (±1.7 years), with a mean weight of 47.3 kg (±8.9 kg) and male-to-female ratio of 9:6. Ninety-three percent of patients experienced an acute decline in ppFEV1 post initiation of LUM/IVA, with an absolute mean decline of -10.8% (0–20%). There is a statistically significant inverse relationship between absolute change in ppFEV1 (FEV1) and baseline ppFEV1. There is no correlation between FEV1 and weight, gender or air trapping score. Conclusion Our results suggest that a LUM/IVA related decline in lung function is more significant in CF children with higher baseline ppFEV1. This offers reassurance when initiating LUM/IVA as the patients who experience significant declines have a greater respiratory reserve with which to support this reduction. References Ratjen F, Hug C, Marigowda G, et al. Efficacy and safety of lumacaftor and ivacaftor in patients aged 6–11 years with cystic fibrosis homozygous for F508del-CFTR: a randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet Respir Med 2017;5:557–567. Labaste A, Ohlmann C, Mainguy C, et al. Real-life acute lung function changes after lumacaftor/ivacaftor first administration in paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. J Cyst Fibros 2017;16:709–712. Brody A, Klein J, Molina P, et al. High- resolution computed tomography in young patients with cystic fibrosis: distribution of abnormalities and correlation with pulmonary function tests. Journal of Pediatrics 2004;145:32–38.
Kähler-Einstein metrics and volume minimization

Abstract We prove that if a polarized Q -Fano variety admits a Kahler–Einstein metric, then the normalized volume functional over the associated affine cone is globally minimized at the canonical divisorial valuation obtained by blowing-up the vertex. This is also generalized to the logarithmic and the orbifold settings. A refinement of this result together with the result in [41] gives an equivalent characterization of K-semistability for any smooth Fano manifold. We also prove that the valuation associated to the Reeb vector field of a smooth Sasaki–Einstein metric minimizes the normalized volume over the corresponding Kahler cone. These results strengthen and generalize the minimization result of Martelli–Sparks–Yau.
Maximizing expected exponential utility of consumption with a constraint on expected time in poverty

We compute the optimal investment and consumption strategies for an individual who wishes to maximize her expected discounted exponential utility of lifetime consumption, while imposing a constraint on the expected time her wealth spends below a poverty threshold b. First, we compute the optimal strategies for the corresponding (unconstrained) problem with a running penalty for time that wealth spends below b. This penalty acts as a Lagrange multiplier for our original constrained problem, so we recover the optimal strategies for our original problem from the recast problem. We show that (1) if the current wealth is greater than b, then the optimal investment strategy becomes more conservative as the poverty constraint becomes sharper; and (2) if the current wealth is less than b, then the optimal investment strategy is either independent of the poverty constraint or becomes more aggressive as the poverty constraint becomes sharper, depending on the value b. We also show that the optimal rate of consumption (weakly) decreases as the poverty constraint becomes sharper.
Inspire - HF Manifesto Reduces Readmissions And Improves Outcomes In Chronic Heart Failure

Introduction Multiple co-morbidity is common in patients with HF increasing their risk for poor health outcomes. In the US, approximately 40% of Medicare beneficiaries with HF have >5 non-cardiac conditions and this group accounts for >80% of the total inpatient HF-related hospital days in the US. Annual total costs for HF is more than $ 40 B and the majority (61%) of hospital readmissions are attributable to multimorbidity and occur within 15-days of discharge. Most of these HF admissions and readmissions are preventable. A proactive management strategies are needed to address all comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic derangement, worsening renal function, and repetitive hospitalizations that ultimately lead to loss of psychosocial and financial independence, anxiety, depression, poor coping skills, falls, sarcopenia and death. Hypothesis Use of a novel framework such as INSPIRE -HF will address multiple comorbidities and improve outcomes Methods A comprehensive, multidisciplinary, nurse-directed, physician guided heart failure management program including those with CKD was started in 2017. The goal of the Cardiorenal center is to reduce 30-day hHF, 90-day hHF, optimize GDMT, improve QOL, prevent CKD progression, and enhance survival .The program consists of intensive face to face weekly or bimonthly encounters in patients enrolled at this clinic within a week after discharge from the hospital for CHF. The multicomponent program consists of the INSPIRE HF framework: 1) Identify individualized priorities and nature of multimorbidity, 2) Nutrition intervention including management of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and poor functional capacity, 3) Stabilize fluid status 4) Psychosocial motivational empowerment and financial assistance as needed, 5) Initiate GDMT 6) Revisit comorbidities with biomarker assessments and 7) Education and exercise programs including EECP therapy for those who qualify. A total of 162 patients discharged from the hospital enrolled within a week at the clinic were followed for 30 months on a weekly or bimonthly basis. Results A total of 162 patients (Men 66 %, Systolic HF 69%, Ischemic etiology 55%, 35 % with diabetes, 27 % hypertensive and 58 % with CKD) were started on the INSPIRE Strategy driven protocol. Total of 27 patients (16 %) were admitted during the 30-month period of which 8 patients (5%) were readmitted within 30 days and 19 patients (11%) were readmitted in the subsequent 180 days. Twenty-seven patients have died (16.7%) during this period. Fifty-nine patients received IV diuretics at some point during their visits and averted readmission (37%). More than 90% improved by at least 1 NYHA functional class. Conclusion A comprehensive multiple comorbidity management strategy in a nurse directed physician guided outpatient cardiometabolic renal center using the INSPIRE HF manifesto improves HF outcomes.
Grape Leaf Disease Detection and Classification Using Machine Learning

Grapevine diseases and pets could cause significant financial losses to grape production and farmers if not detected and treated early. With the recent advance of artificial intelligence techniques and machine learning technologies, people start to use computer vision and deep learning algorithms to detect and classify grapevine diseases with high efficiency. In this paper, four modified deep learning models are developed for grape leaf disease detection and classification based on a developed grape leaf dataset. Transfer learning technique has been used in this research project based on three pre-trained machine learning models (VGG16, MobileNet, and AlexNet). The targeted diseases include: black rot, black measles, leaf blight and phylloxera. The reported comparative evaluation results show better accuracy and performance improvement compared with pre-trained models. In addition, an ensemble model based on these four developed models improves final detection and classification accuracy. The reported evaluation results show a great potential usage in grapevine production.
Multiscale Model of Moving Vegetative Clutter in ISAR Imaging

Clutter is present in most applications of radar imaging and can negatively impact target location and identification by adding unwanted image artifacts. Time-varying clutter, such as vegetation in the presence of wind, can be difficult to model and remove. A second-order stochastic model for time-varying clutter is proposed and validated. This model captures second-order statistics and estimates directional multiscale correlation between target space image pixels. Directional multiscale correlation is estimated using a linear system of wavelet decomposition coefficients at the desired scale, resulting in a flexible multiscale model that can be used with clutter removal techniques. This model is evaluated using simulated data and physical ISAR measurements of time-varying vegetation.
Effects of blocking echoic responses on tact emergence following stimulus pairing

We evaluated the effect of interfering with echoic responses during stimulus pairing on preschool-age children’s responses in tact probes. During stimulus pairing, children viewed presentations of ...
Skin phosphocreatine

Background/purpose: The skin has the unique ability to survive ischemia associated with skin grafts, flaps and hair transplantation procedures. Spectroscopic data later confirmed by chromatography, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques identified the presence of large quantities of phosphocreatine in human skin. Phosphocreatine molecules regenerate ATP cellular reserves during ischemia. This reaction is mediated by creatine phosphokinase enzymes that were also isolated and studied in normal and diseased skin. Methods: Literature search revealed important contributions by US, Swiss, German, French, Scandinavian and Japanese investigators in the development and understanding of this research field. Results: Serum creatine phosphokinase levels are elevated in burn victims and patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis. Phosphocreatine concentration and creatine phosphokinase activity are elevated in psoriatic skin and in non-melanoma malignancies in comparison with normal skin. Furthermore, skin phosphocreatine and creatine phosphokinase enzymes are localized almost exclusively within the epidermis and in hair follicles. Finally, phosphocreatine and creatine phosphokinase enzymes help to protect skin from UV damage. Conclusions: Clearly, this research area is only starting to be appreciated by the scientific community. Topical and systemic phosphocreatine administration appears to reverse photodamage and improve wound healing. Spectroscopic monitoring of phosphocreatine and related phosphometabolites can be potentially used to monitor disease activity and respond to therapy in psoriasis, leg ulcers, skin malignancies and other skin conditions.
A GPU implementation of tiled belief propagation on Markov Random Fields

In the MEMOCODE Design Contest 2013, we are participating with a parallelized version of tiled belief propagation method for stereo matching. The proposed algorithm is implemented in CUDA programming model to leverage parallel processing capabilities of GPUs. In our solution, the original tiled belief propagation algorithm is combined with a number of novel optimizations specific to parallel programs in CUDA. For the given test inputs, the proposed solution runs in 7.96 milliseconds on Nvidia Tesla C2050, achieving acceptable accuracy with respect to the reference code. To the best of authors' knowledge, there is no prior work in optimizing a parallelized version of the tiled belief propagation algorithm.
Fluorescence Depolarization Measurements on Pyrene Butyric-Bovine Serum Albumin Conjugates

Abstract Bovine serum albumin has been cojugated with pyrene butyric acid. Fluorescence depolarization measurements indicate that the fluorescence lifetime is 5 to 10 times longer than that of other fluorescent dyes used to prepare fluorescent protein conjugates.
A Cultural Approach to Interpersonal Communication

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2006 Pages: 504 Publisher: Blackwell Publishing ISBN: 1-4051-2595-0 (hard cover). Prices: $74.95 USD(hard cover).
The 30% Rule

This article explains a teaching technique to manage classroom discussion that balances student participation with course coverage goals through student self-regulation. Before they ask a question in class students are required to consider whether 30% or more of their classmates would be interested in the answer. If not, they should ask the question outside of class.
The Hunsaker Mon-Jet tube with jet ventilation is effective for microlaryngeal surgery

Purpose Microlaryngeal surgery involves a delicate balance between airway control and appropriate visualization of laryngeal anatomy. When the self-centering, laser-safe Hunsaker Mon-Jet tube (Xomed, Jacksonville, FL) was introduced in 1994, to provide subglottic ventilation, the needs of both anesthesiologist and surgeon appeared to have been adequately met. However, limited data exists regarding the efficacy of this device in a large patient series. The aim of this cohort study was to explore the spectrum of patients and procedures for which this technique could be used. Methods We report a retrospective study of 552 patients who had undergone microlaryngeal surgery between January 1995 and June 2005, utilizing the Hunsaker Mon-Jet tube and automated jet ventilator to provide subglottic ventilation. In addition to patient demographics, overall success of ventilation and several perioperative outcomes were evaluated, including the incidence of complications. Results In combination with an automatic jet ventilator, the Hunsaker Mon-Jet tube was successfully utilized in more than 98% of the 552 patients, including those with severe co-morbidities, obesity and difficult airway access, providing optimal visualization of the vocal cords and excellent surgical access for a wide range of laryngeal disorders, including laser treatment. In less than 2% of patients, hypoxia, hypercarbia, or both, necessitated exchange of the Hunsaker Mon-Jet tube for a standard or laser-safe endotracheal tube with rapid resolution of the precipitating cause. Conclusions Subglottic ventilation via the Hunsaker Mon-Jet tube with an automated jet ventilator may be considered an effective, safe and versatile technique for the anesthetic management of microlaryngeal surgery.
Wind Observations of Suprathermal Electrons in the Interplanetary Medium

We review some of the new results for suprathermal electrons obtained with the 3-D Plasma and Energetic Particle Instrument on the WIND spacecraft, which provides high sensitivity electron and ion measurements from solar wind thermal plasma up to ≳ MeV energies. These results include: (1) the observation of solar impulsive electron events extending down to ∼0.5 keV energy; (2) the observation of a turnover at ∼12 keV for electrons in a gradual large solar energetic particle (LSEP) event; (3) the detection of a quiet-time population (the‘ superhalo’) of electrons extending up to ∼100 keV energy; and (4) the probing of the magnetic topology and source region for magnetic clouds, using electrons. These unique WIND measurements are highly complementary to the particle composition measurements which will be made by ACE.
Reviews of Alain Badiou, The Incident at Antioch: A Tragedy in Three Acts, Introduction by Kenneth Reinhard, translated by Susan Spitzer. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013; and Pier Paolo Pasolini, St. Paul: A Screenplay, Foreword by Alain Badiou,

This is a book review of Alain Badiou, The Incident at Antioch: A Tragedy in Three Acts, Introduction by Kenneth Reinhard, translated by Susan Spitzer. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013; and Pier Paolo Pasolini, St. Paul: A Screenplay, Foreword by Alain Badiou, Afterword by Ward Blanton, translated by Elisabeth Castelli. New York: Verso Books, 2014.
Sequence of the gene encoding the N-terminal portion of the Plasmodium yoelii yoelii 17XL merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1).

Abstract The nucleotide (nt) sequence of the 5' portion of the gene encoding the Plasmodium yoelii yoelii ( Pyy ) 17XL merozite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) was determined by direct sequencing of both strands of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product. This report completes the entire coding region of the Pyy 17XL MSP-1 gene which we have found to be identical to the nt sequence of the Pyy YM MSP-1 [Lewis, Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 36 (1989) 271–282], despite independent selection of parasite clones, passages and replications in mice over many years.
Biology of Oplomus dichrous (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and Its Potential to Control Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

A Mexican race of Oplomus dichrous (Herrich-Schaeffer) was collected in September 1983 and brought to the United States for evaluation as a biological control agent of Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Predator development was negligible between 12 and 15°C and optimum from 28 to 33°C. Development for one generation (egg to egg) at 25°C requires ca. 1.5-fold longer than that of CPB. In field-cage studies, 95% control was attained with a release ratio of ca. one O. dichrous adult to 40–50 CPB eggs. It is unlikely that this predator will successfully overwinter in the Northeast. Considering its relatively low population growth rate in cool climates, it apparently has little potential to control CPB in the Northeast, although it may be of importance in warmer climates.
Arsenite oxidase gene diversity among Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria from El Tatio Geyser Field, Chile.

Arsenic concentrations (450–600 μmol L−1) at the El Tatio Geyser Field in northern Chile are an order of magnitude greater than at other natural geothermal sites, making El Tatio an ideal location to investigate unique microbial diversity and metabolisms associated with the arsenic cycle in low sulfide, > 50 °C, and circumneutral pH waters. 16S rRNA gene and arsenite oxidase gene ( aio A) diversities were evaluated from biofilms and microbial mats from two geyser-discharge stream transects. Chloroflexi was the most prevalent bacterial phylum at flow distances where arsenite was converted to arsenate, corresponding to roughly 60 °C. Among aio A-like gene sequences retrieved, most had homology to whole genomes of Chloroflexus aurantiacus , but others were homologous to alphaproteobacterial and undifferentiated beta- and gammaproteobacterial groups. No D einococci , T hermus , A quificales , or C hlorobi aio A-like genes were retrieved. The functional importance of amino acid sites was evaluated from evolutionary trace analyses of all retrieved aio A genes. Fifteen conserved residue sites identified across all phylogenetic groups highlight a conserved functional core, while six divergent sites demonstrate potential differences in electron transfer modes. This research expands the known distribution and diversity of arsenite oxidation in natural geothermal settings, and provides information about the evolutionary history of microbe–arsenic interactions.
The Aging of Ions in Air and Nitrogen

Previous work on the mobility of aged ions in air has been extended to the measurement in air and in nitrogen of mobilities of ions at different short ages. The ions were produced by alpha-rays directly in the field used for their measurement and the average age was obtained from the time taken by the ions to cross between the two electrodes. In air containing 4 mg of water per liter, both kinds of ions of short age had the same mobility of 2.0 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/volt\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}sec while at an average age of 0.18 sec the negative ions moved 8 percent faster than the positive. In air partially dried by KOH the mobility of the negative ions decreased from 2.3 (above units) at 0.004 sec to 2.1 at 0.34 sec while the positive ion mobility decreased from 2.0 at 0.004 sec to 1.7 at 0.26 sec. In air dried by aid of liquid air traps the negative ion mobility decreased from 2.44 at 0.004 sec to 2.35 at 0.28 sec. The positive ions in this dry air were found to be very sensitive to minute changes in conditions that had no effect on negative ions. These changes are supposed to arise from small traces of some unknown impurity. Positive mobilities as high as 2.3 at 0.05 sec were obtained. The new information is applied to the explanation of the previous results for older ions. No transformation of one type of positive ion into another single type as observed by Erikson was found under the conditions of these measurements. The ions were all found to have the same mobility at the shortest ages but with increase of time the ion mobilities became spread over a range of values, the numbers given above corresponding to the peak of the distribution curves. The nitrogen used contained 0.3 percent of oxygen. The negative ions of short age all had a very high mobility which could only be roughly estimated as of the order of 100. With increase of age these fast ions gradually transformed into slower ions which were not all alike and had a peak mobility that decreased from 3.0 at 0.04 sec to 2.5 at 0.25 sec. The fast negative ions presumably remain free electrons for a large portion of their path and since their mobility does not appear to change with time it is necessary to suppose that these ions alternate frequently between being free electrons and monomolecular ions, but after more molecules become attached, the ion can no longer revert to the electron stage. The positive ions in nitrogen were always contained in one group only, the peak mobility of which ranged from 2.2 at 0.007 sec to 1.8 at 0.17 sec. The slow decrease of mobility of the ions with age and the large effect of slight changes apparently of gas composition upon the rate of this decrease for positive ions especially, indicate that the ions are gradually undergoing change of size owing to the accretion of scarce molecules or the exchange of such molecules for those which first gather about the central charge to form an ion cluster.
Human Herpesvirus 6 Is Associated with Focal Encephalitis

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a cause of roseola infantum. Recent reports associate HHV-6 with cases of encephalitis ; however, conclusive etiologic data do not exist. We evaluated clinical data and laboratory specimens obtained from patients with focal encephalitis of unknown etiology. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of HHV-6 DNA. Selected samples were analyzed by DNA sequencing. We detected HHV-6 DNA in the CSF of nine of 138 patients. DNA sequencing revealed that group B strains of HHV-6 were present in those specimens that were analyzed. No significant differences could be demonstrated in clinical presentation, laboratory findings, or neurodiagnostic imaging results between the nine patients with confirmed HHV-6 infection and the 129 patients without evidence of HHV-6 infection. Neurological outcome for the nine HHV-6-infected patients varied from complete recovery without neurological deficit to death. Further prospective study is warranted.
Scalings of Vector Spaces and the Uniqueness of Lyapunov Scaling Factors

Given two subspaces V 1 and V 2 of we prove necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence and for the uniqueness of a diagonal matrix D such that V 1=DV 2. We apply these to prove a necessary condition and a sufficient condition for the uniqueness of a Lyapunov scaling factor of a given Lyapunov diagonally semislable matrix and we conjecture a necessary and sufficient condition.
Fractal structure in the collision of vector solitons

We study the collision of two orthogonally polarized and equal-amplitude vector solitons in the nonintegrable coupled nonlinear Schr\"odinger equations. We show that the separation velocity versus collision velocity graph has a fractal structure. When we zoom into this graph, we get a structure qualitatively identical to the original one. In addition, collision dynamics in the zoomed-in windows is intimately related to that in the original graph. We explain this fractal dependence of the collision by a resonance mechanism between the translational motion of vector solitons and internal oscillations inside a vector soliton.
Honoring Mentors of Distinction

Every few years, the Women's Caucus for Political Science (WCPS) issues a call to its members to identify people who have acted as their mentors in the process of becoming and remaining a political scientist. Everyone wins in this "competition," since the only requirement for honoring a nominee is that a letter of explanation and commendation accompany the nomination. During 1992-93, the WCPS received 35 nominations from 34 members. An award ceremony for the mentors was held during the WCPS business meeting at the APSA convention, and was followed by a reception for honorees and members of the Caucus. My citation consisted entirely of quotations from letters of nomination, some of which follow. They give a sense as nothing else can of how important mentoring is to women in particular and to the discipline as a whole, how much work it entails, and how gratifying it is to the recipient.
TOFU: a socially expressive robot character for child interaction

The TOFU project introduces a robotic platform for enabling new opportunities in robot based learning with emphasis on storytelling and artistic expression. This project introduces a socially expressive robot character designed to mimic the expressive abilities of animated characters. This demonstration proposal describes the expressive abilities and operator interface to the TOFU project. In this demonstration session, participants will have the opportunity to physically interact with the TOFU project and puppeteer the behavior of the robotic character through a simple joystick interface.
GABA neuronal subpopulations in cat primary auditory cortex: co-localization with calcium binding proteins

Abstract GABA immunoreactive neurons are present in all layers of cat AI and in the subjacent white matter; they are most numerous in layer II, the superficial half of layer III and layer IV. Double labeling immunofluorescence reveals that subpopulations of the GABA neurons are immunoreactive for the calcium binding proteins (CaBP), calbindin (28 kDa vitamin D-dependent calcium binding protein) and parvalbumin. Both proteins are present exclusively with GABA neurons but in subpopulations that are entirely separate. The two proteins together are present in approximately 70–75% of the GABA neurons; the largest group of GABA neurons displaying no CaBP immunoreactivity is in layers I–IIIA and VI. Calbindin immunoreactive neurons are present in two bands within cat AI: a superficial band, made up of numerous stained somata and processes, that includes layers II and IIIA and a deeper band, containing fewer neurons, that is coextensive with layer VI. Isolated calbindin somata are scattered between the two bands are very rarely in the subcortical white matter. Parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons are very densely packed in layers IIIB and layer IV, and include the majority of GABA neurons in layer IV; they are also numerous in layer VI. Parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons are much less numerous in layers II, IIIA and V and are absent from layer I. Light microscopic analyses suggest that the two subpopulations of GABA/CaBP neurons include several morphological types. In addition to the intrinsic somata and processes, numerous axons in white matter subjacent to AI are immunoreactive for either or both of the two proteins. These data demonstrate that cat AI is similar to other cortical areas in other species in posessing subpopulations of GABA neurons that express the CaBPs, calbindin and parvalbumin.
Comparison of intravenous nitroprusside, nitroprusside-captopril, and nitroglycerin for deliberate hypotension during posterior spine fusion in adults.

Abstract Three techniques for deliberate hypotension (mean arterial pressure, 60 to 70 mmHg) were prospectively compared in adults undergoing posterior spine fusion. Patients received either IV sodium nitroprusside, sodium nitroprusside with oral captopril pretreatment, or IV nitroglycerin. Patient groups were comparable in age, sex, weight, baseline hemodynamic and laboratory parameters, duration of surgery, and duration of hypotension. Absolute blood loss was significantly less in the group receiving nitroglycerin; however, there were no differences between groups when corrected for operative exposure (milliliter per spine segment exposed). Nitroprusside was effective in producing target blood pressure in all patients. Nitroglycerin was ineffective in two patients and two other patients required >20 Rgl kg/min. Both groups receiving nitroprusside developed significant postinfusion increases in arterial pressure. Blood pressure fell significantly after induction of anesthesia in patients receiving captopril. Cardiac index, heart rate, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, intrapulmonary shunt, and arterial blood gases were comparable and did not change significantly in any group. Systemic vascular resistance fell during infusion in all groups and remained depressed after infusion in patients receiving nitroglycerin. Plasma renin activity was significantly increased in the group receiving captopril due to loss of feedback inhibition of renin release and rose significantly during infusion in those patients receiving nitroprusside alone. There were no complications. Nitroprusside with and without captopril pretreatment was associated with postoperative increases in arterial pressure, although not to hypertensive levels, probably due to loss of captopril activity after single-dose administration. The use of nitroglycerin was limited by lack of potency. There was no demonstrable clinical advantage for any of the three techniques.
Treatment alterntives: Head and neck cancers

No tumor system is more amenable to multidiscipline therapy than head and neck cancers. Diagnosis is enhanced by fine-needle cytology, computerized tomography (CT) scan, and tumor markers. Modified surgical techniques, CO2 laser, and immediate myocutaneous flap reconstruction have enhanced surgery. Endocurie therapy, radiosensitizers, and particle therapy supplementation have enhanced radiotherapy. Combination chemotherapy, immunotherapy, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, and retinoids have enhanced chemotherapy. Induction chemotherapy followed by surgery with or without postoperative radiotherapy is optimum multidisciplinary therapy. Reduction in exposure to tobacco, alcohol, sunlight, gamma irradiation, occupational toxins, and Epstein-Barr virus, and recognizing high-risk hereditary conditions, can help prevent these cancers.
STUDIES ON THE COMPLEMENT FIXATION ANTIGENS OF INFLUENZA VIRUSES TYPES A AND B.

Two types of specific particles can be obtained from allantoic fluid preparations of influenza A and B virus. The larger particle which possesses all the attributes of the virus and which shows a sedimentation constant of about 600 S was compared with the smaller component (30 S) by complement fixation technic. The 30 S component can be differentiated from the 600 S particle by the patterns of the optimal antigen-antibody relationships and by cross-absorption of the sera with the two particles. Some of the 30 S-type antigen can be demonstrated in higher concentrations of the 600 S particles by the use of sera containing only anti-30 S; i.e., sera carefully absorbed with 600 S component. Also, upon sonic vibration of the 600 S particle, serologically active material was released which behaved in every respect like the 30 S antigen. The response of human beings to these antigens was found to vary. Antibodies to the 30 S component developed in the majority of subjects exposed to active virus either under epidemic or experimental conditions, but only rarely following vaccination with three different vaccines. In selecting sera without 30 S antibodies a fairly close correlation between the antibody titers obtained by inhibition of hemagglutination and complement fixation with the 600 S component was obtained. The presence of 30 S antibodies prevented such a correlation. The reaction with the 30 S antigen may be of value in the diagnosis and study of the epidemiology of influenza.
Safety and tolerability of eprosartan.

The safety and tolerability of eprosartan were extensively assessed in 17 phase IIb-III studies that included 2709 patients with hypertension. The frequency of adverse events observed with eprosartan was similar to that seen with placebo. Neither the number nor the severity of these effects increased with prolonged therapy, and their frequency was not affected by increased eprosartan dosage or dosing frequency. The drug is equally well tolerated by women and men, by younger (< 65 yrs) and older (≥ 65 yrs) individuals, and by persons of all races. There are no known drug interactions, and eprosartan is well tolerated when given in combination with other frequently prescribed antihypertensive agents, without an increase in adverse events beyond those expected of baseline antihypertensive therapy.
A multidimensional two-phase flow model for the total dissolved gas downstream of spillways

Elevated levels of dissolved gas in the spillway stilling basin, which are responsible for gas bubble disease in fish, constitute an important negative environmental effect of dams. Bubbles, entrained when a plunging jet impacts the tailwater pool, plunge beneath the surface and transfer mass to the liquid, causing an increase in the total dissolved gas (TDG) concentration. Most of the numerical studies onTDG downstream of spillways found in the literature are based on experimental correlations for the gas volume fraction.Abetter approach involves the use of a two-phase flowmodel. In this paper, a two-fluid model is used to calculate the gas volume fraction and velocity of the bubbles. A polydisperse model is used in which a Boltzmann transport equation predicts the bubble size distribution, to account for the different bubble sizes found in the flow downstream of spillways. The bubble mass is discretized considering groups of bubbles of variable mass, with the mass of the bubbles changing due to bubble/l...
Physics of Light and Optics: A Free Online Textbook

We highlight an electronic textbook available free of charge in PDF format at optics.byu.edu. The target audience is upper-division physics undergraduates.
Mode-directed preferences for logic programs

Preference logic programming (PLP) is an extension of constraint logic programming for declaratively specifying problems requiring optimization or comparison and selection among alternative solutions to a query. PLP essentially separates the programming of a problem itself from the criteria specification of its solution selection. In this paper we provide a syntax for PLP based upon mode-directed preferences and a semantics based upon Herbrand models and fixed-point theory. Our method uses mode declarations to designate certain predicates as optimization predicates, and uses preference rules for stating the criteria for determining their optimal solutions. This paper also presents an elegant and easy method of executing preference logic programs in terms of tabled Prolog. Automatic transformation is applied to embed the preferences into the problem specification for efficient evaluation. We show that the procedural semantics of a preference logic program is equivalent to its declarative semantics.
MCM proteins and checkpoint kinases get together at the fork

An article by Cortez et al . (1) in a recent issue of PNAS makes several important connections between minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins and the DNA damage response. The authors establish that two MCM subunits, MCM2 and MCM3, are substrates for ATM- and Rad3-related (ATR) and ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) checkpoint kinases, respectively. They also identify one of the phosphorylation sites on each MCM subunit. In addition, Cortez et al . show that decreasing the level of MCM7 protein, an ATR-interacting protein (ATRIP)-interacting subunit, causes an S-phase checkpoint defect as seen by radio-resistant DNA synthesis. DNA replication starts at discrete origins marked by the origin recognition complex (ORC)-dependent assembly of a pre-replicative complex (pre-RC) (2, 3). Subsequent to ORC binding, Cdc6, Cdt1, and the MCM proteins assemble. Eukaryotes contain six related MCM proteins (MCM2–MCM7). MCM proteins are members of the AAA+ family (4) and display ATPase activity. Only the MCM467 subcomplex displays in vitro DNA helicase activity (5). MCM proteins and their associated ATPase activities are all essential for DNA replication (6) and are required for replication fork progression (7). Although it has not yet been conclusively established that MCM proteins are the replicative helicase unwinding DNA at the replication fork, they are the best candidates for this activity (8). The MCM-containing pre-RC is converted into an initiation complex after the concerted activity of S-phase kinases Cdk2/CycE and Cdc7/Dbf4 (3). Although the essential targets of Cdk2 and Cdc7 protein kinases on the pre-RC have not been identified, one consequence of their action is loading of Cdc45, an essential protein involved in DNA polymerase loading (9). Several signal transduction pathways prevent duplication of damaged DNA, thus preserving genome integrity throughout S-phase (10). These cell-cycle checkpoint pathways can be activated in a replication-dependent or independent manner. They are triggered by a …
Risk assessment for epithelial ovarian cancer: Proposing a new approach to a deadly problem

Presently the majority of women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) have advanced stage disease (III-IV) with a poor 5-year survival rate (12-30 %). This significantly contrasts when early stage disease is detected, which has a 5-year survival rate approximating 90 %. Therefore, detection of early stage disease is critical to making an impact on outcome. By using genetic algorithms, modifications of transvaginal ultrasonography and use of novel biomarkers, we propose a risk assessment profile to identify at-risk women and enable ovarian cancer screening to become a reality. Such a novel algorithm starts by applying classic genetic pedigree assessment and uses a panel of multiple biomarkers that identify both phenotypic and genotypic expression of high-risk markers followed with conventional ultrasound and advanced ultrasound techniques such as microvascular contrast-enhancement as a secondary test. We presently employ a multidisciplinary program incorporating genetics, molecular biology, tumor immunology, gynecologic oncology and diagnostic imaging to identify asymptomatic high risk women.
Computer generation of bivariate normal-curve values

As psychological assessment broadens and becomes increasingly based on multiple sources of data, univariate normal-curve tables become less and less useful in determining the prevalence and severity of clinical disorders. Multivariate normal-curve data are required. The Visual Basic based Bivariate Agreement Program allows users to obtain percentages of the bivariate normal distribution at various correlations and univariatez-score values. This computer program simulates a bivariate distribution of up to 75,000 cases, and reports the percentage of cases above, below, and outside thez-scores. Program function and simulation integrity are discussed, and an application illustrates program use.
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the common femoral vein: Case report and review of the literature

A young competitive skier had venous claudication. A stenosis of the left common femoral vein was revealed by means of an examination. Exploration and vein patch angioplasty were performed, and because of both the unusual appearance (focal thickening of vein wall) and the unclear etiology of the lesion, frozen and permanent sections of the wall were obtained. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, a rare intravascular sarcoma, was revealed by means of an examination of the permanent sections. Two additional procedures were required to completely excise the epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. We discuss these rare vascular malignancies and include a review of the available literature. Also, oncologic principles important in both the diagnosis and therapy of intravascular sarcomas are discussed.
Grease Resistance of Corn Zein Coated Paper

The grease resistance of corn zein coated paper was measured as related to coating level, plasticizer addition and time. Overall grease resistance ws normalized by time and expressed as percent area stained/hr (%AS.hr -1 ). For a 2.2 kg coating.ream -1 of paper, %AS.hr -1 was greater than both unplasticized and plasticized 4.4 and 6.6 kg.ream -1 coating levels (p<0.001). THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE IN %AS.HR -1 among 4.4 and 6.6 kg.ream -1 zein coated and commercial polyethylene laminated paper (p:ME0.098). Plasticizer increased (p<0.001) AND CREASING HAD NO EFFECT (P=0.11) ON %AS.HR -1 . Electron microscopy showed discontinuities in zein coating at the 2.2 kg.ream -1 level. The 4.4 and 6.6 kg.ream -1 levels showed uniform coatings
Germination of Bacterial Spores by Long-Chain Alkyl Amines

SURFACE-ACTIVE agents induce striking changes in the physical, chemical and biological properties of bacterial spores1,2. The alterations caused by selected quaternary ammonium compounds are relatively minor at room temperature, but rapid and large at 50–100° C. The changes in spores of Bacillus megaterium brought about by combinations of mild heat and the quaternary ammonium compounds studied were practically identical with germinative changes induced by L-alanine and inosine3,4 except that the cells treated with surfactants were non-viable2. In all probability this class of surfactants induced germination, the germinated spores being hypersensitive to the concentrations of surfactants required for germination and being killed immediately on germination.