cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Which way to grow? Force over time may be the heart's Dao de jing.

Genetic cardiomyopathy manifests as either a hypertrophic or dilated phenotype. However, molecular mechanisms that determine which disease pathway emerges in patients is largely unknown. Work from the Molkentin laboratory published in the May issue of the journal Cell provides novel insights into this fundamental question. The investigators found that sarcomeric mutations associated with a reduced muscle contraction-time integral resulted in a dilated cardiomyopathy, while mutations associated with an increase in this parameter were associated with a hypertrophic phenotype. The molecular cellular cues that orchestrate which cardiomyopathic pathway ensues appear to be the signal transduction pathways involving the molecules MEK1 and ERK1/2. The identified signals driving overall growth of the heart, on the either hand, were found to involve Calcineurin and NFAT. These findings may help improve treatment strategies aimed to combat familial cardiopathy and, moreover, pave the way to the development of novel personalized medicine based therapy by using cardiac cells that are derived from individual patient’s induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Distributed Node Counting in Wireless Sensor Networks in the Presence of Communication Noise

Distributed node counting in wireless sensor networks can be important in various applications, such as network maintenance and information aggregation. In this paper, a distributed consensus algorithm for estimating the number of nodes in a wireless sensor network in the presence of communication noise is introduced. In networks with a fusion center, counting the number of nodes can easily be done by letting each node to transmit a fixed constant value to the fusion center. In a network without a fusion center, where nodes do not know the graph structure, estimating the number of nodes is not straightforward. The proposed algorithm is based on distributed average consensus and norm estimation. Different sources of error are explicitly discussed; the Fisher information and the distribution of the final estimate are derived. Several design parameters and how they affect the performance of the algorithm are studied, which provide guidelines toward making the estimation error smaller. Simulation results corroborating the theory are also provided.
Flood risk management in the USA: implications of national flood insurance program changes for social justice

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), an essential element of US flood management, has been modified by recent legislation to make it financially solvent. Primarily affecting policy types that have long been subsidized, the reconfigured program will result in these being converted to risk-based policies and this has produced concerns over policy affordability, especially for moderate- to lower-income households. The Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 does require the program’s administrator, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to develop an affordability framework and program to present to the US Congress for enactment. These NFIP changes are considered in the context of its historic challenges and through the lens of risk perception studies and their social justice implications. Studies show that perception of flood risk is conditioned by experience with flooding as much as by economic factors, and coupling of flood risk and climate change in FEMA communications is likely to be counterproductive. More deliberative and collaborative engagement with at-risk communities is important. The NFIP changes might exacerbate social injustice, but less so than a retreat from or dismantling of the program.
60-Micrometer pitch polymer waveguide array attached active optical flex

We present a 60-micrometer pitch polymer waveguide array attached active optical flexible module which is useful for compact and high-channel count optical interconnect. We fabricated this module and realized 20-Gbps optical signal transmission.
Differential passage rates and digestion of neutral detergent fiber from grain and forages in 30, 60 and 90% concentrate diets fed to steers.

Six ruminally cannulated steers were used to determine the effects of altering dietary concentrates on fiber digestion. Diets contained 30, 60 or 90% of a concentrate based on flaked sorghum grain plus a 50:50 mixture of wheat straw and alfalfa hay. Total tract digestibility of NDF was not altered, but digestibility of potentially digested NDF (PDF) decreased (P less than .05) from 92 to 48% as concentrates increased from 30 to 90% of diet DM. Ruminal passage rate for straw (3.4 and 3.0%/h) and for hay (4.6 and 4.7%/h) was unchanged when concentrate was increased from 30 to 60%, but it decreased by 28 (2.2%/h) and 13% (4.1%/h), respectively (P less than .05), when concentrates were increased to 90%. Passage rate for grain (5.3, 5.1 and 4.4%/h) and fluid (9.3, 10.0 and 8.2%/h) was not influenced by concentrate percentage. Calculated ruminal digestibilities of NDF in individual ingredients did not differ between 30 and 60% concentrates, but they decreased (P less than .05) by 72, 57 and 34% for straw, hay and grain when concentrate was increased to 90%. Because of their relative contribution to total diet NDF, straw, hay and grain accounted for 28, 18 and 54% of the total decrease in estimated fiber digestion. It is concluded that PDF as well as NDF should be evaluated in studies of concentrate effects on fiber digestion, and that dietary concentrate level has more influence on passage rate of low-quality forage than on passage rate of grain or high-quality forage. In 90% concentrate diets, although fiber digestibility was depressed more for forage than for grain, grain accounted for most of the depression in fiber digestion because grain was the primary source of dietary fiber.
Nanofluidic transport and formation of nano-emulsions

The focus of this research is to study fluidic transport through carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes studied were formed by electrospinning Polycaplrolactone (PCL) nanofibers and then using them as channel templates in colyacrylamide blocks which were carbonized. A pressure driven flow is initiated through the nanochannels and the rate of emulsion formation is recorded with a CCD camera. Theoretical calculations are conducted for nanochannels because in many experiments, the nanochannels studied have two-phase flows, which make direct application of Poiseuille law impossible. The model used for the calculations is a slit with two fluid layers in between. In particular, in many experiments, decane-air system is of interest. The calculations are carried out using the Navier-Stokes equations. The results of the model are used to evaluate experimental volumetric flow rates and find the distribution of air and decane in the nanochannels.
Sensor performance requirements for atmospheric correction of satellite ocean color remote sensing

We analyze the effects of the sensor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) requirements for atmospheric correction of satellite ocean color remote sensing using the near-infrared (NIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands. Using the Gaussian noise model for the sensor noise distribution in the NIR and SWIR bands, some extensive simulations have been carried out to evaluate and assess the effects of sensor NIR and SWIR SNR values on the retrieved normalized water-leaving reflectance spectra ρwN(λ), which are used to derive all ocean or inland water biological and biogeochemical property data. The standard atmospheric correction algorithm for global oceans and inland waters using the two NIR bands, i.e., Gordon and Wang (1994) [Appl. Opt.33, 443 (1994)Appl. Opt.46, 1535 (2007)], is assumed in the evaluation. Specifically, the minimum and goal SNR requirements for the NIR and SWIR bands for atmospheric correction are estimated. The minimum SNR values are those with which sufficiently accurate ρwN(λ) can be derived, while the goal SNR requirements are those with which the atmospheric correction algorithms reach to their corresponding inherent limitations (or inherent errors), i.e., no gains can be achieved with further increase of SNR values in the NIR and SWIR bands. Evaluation results show that the minimum SNR requirement for the two NIR bands is ~200–300, while the minimum SNR requirement for the three SWIR bands is ~100. For the goal SNR requirements, the recommendations are SNR’s of ~600 and ~200 for the two NIR bands and three SWIR bands, respectively.
Comparison of Duplex Ultrasound and Computed Tomography Surveillance after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair in Determining Proximal Endograft Location

Introduction—Color Duplex ultrasound (CDU) is the primary modality for endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR) surveillance in our institution. Computed tomography (CT) scan (also known as CT...
Incorporating spatial constraint in co-activation pattern analysis to explore the dynamics of resting-state networks: An application to Parkinson's disease

The dynamics of the brain's intrinsic networks have been recently studied using co-activation pattern (CAP) analysis. The CAP method relies on few model assumptions and CAP-based measurements provide quantitative information of network temporal dynamics. One limitation of existing CAP-related methods is that the computed CAPs share considerable spatial overlap that may or may not be functionally distinct relative to specific network dynamics. To more accurately describe network dynamics with spatially distinct CAPs, and to compare network dynamics between different populations, a novel data-driven CAP group analysis method is proposed in this study. In the proposed method, a dominant-CAP (d-CAP) set is synthesized across CAPs from multiple clustering runs for each group with the constraint of low spatial similarities among d-CAPs. Alternating d-CAPs with less overlapping spatial patterns can better capture overall network dynamics. The number of d-CAPs, the temporal fraction and spatial consistency of each d-CAP, and the subject-specific switching probability among all d-CAPs are then calculated for each group and used to compare network dynamics between groups. The spatial dissimilarities among d-CAPs computed with the proposed method were first demonstrated using simulated data. High consistency between simulated ground-truth and computed d-CAPs was achieved, and detailed comparisons between the proposed method and existing CAP-based methods were conducted using simulated data. In an effort to physiologically validate the proposed technique and investigate network dynamics in a relevant brain network disorder, the proposed method was then applied to data from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database to compare the network dynamics in Parkinson's disease (PD) and normal control (NC) groups. Fewer d-CAPs, skewed distribution of temporal fractions of d-CAPs, and reduced switching probabilities among final d-CAPs were found in most networks in the PD group, as compared to the NC group. Furthermore, an overall negative association between switching probability among d-CAPs and disease severity was observed in most networks in the PD group as well. These results expand upon previous findings from in vivo electrophysiological recording studies in PD. Importantly, this novel analysis also demonstrates that changes in network dynamics can be measured using resting-state fMRI data from subjects with early stage PD.
Behavioral Verilog-A Model of Superconductor-Ferromagnetic Transistor

The superconductor-ferromagnetic transistor (SFT) is a novel cryogenic device with the potential to greatly enhance traditional single flux quantum (SFQ) circuits. Since SFT devices are under active development, compact models are necessary to evaluate this device in novel circuits. In this paper, a simplified compact model of a three terminal SFT device is proposed. The model fits the general I-V characteristics of existing devices with 7.4% mean absolute error, while also capturing the transient behavior of the device. The model has been implemented in Verilog-A and simulated in Cadence Spectre. The proposed model enables the simulation of SFQ circuits containing SFT devices, and is reconfigurable to support developments in SFT technology.
Increasing saugeye (S. vitreus × S. canadensis) production efficiency in a hatchery setting using assisted reproduction technologies

Abstract Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are used to increase fertilization rates in a number of animal species. However, their use with sauger (Sander canadensis), the paternal contributor in the production of the recreationally and economically important saugeye (Sander vitreus × S. canadensis), is limited. State fishery management agencies are periodically unable to meet saugeye production goals due to the inability to collect sufficient numbers of sauger broodstock, as well as a lack of protocols for standardized sperm use during production. Therefore, the need exists to overcome sauger sperm limitation during the saugeye production season using ARTs. Toward this end, we investigated the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on sperm production, determined an efficient sperm-to-egg ratio for fertilization, and validated the use of a densimeter to measure sauger sperm cell concentration for precise sperm addition during fertilization. The effect of hCG on sperm production was evaluated by comparing pre- and post-treatment milt parameters between fish treated with either hCG or saline (control). Treating fish with hCG increased sperm volume relative to saline controls (hCG 0.64 ± 0.19 mL/kg; control: 0.31 ± 0.05 mL/kg). However, sperm cell concentration and total sperm production were unaffected. To determine an efficient sperm-to-egg ratio, fresh milt from several individuals was pooled and used to fertilize walleye eggs at three sperm-to-egg ratios (20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 sperm/egg). The range of sperm-to-egg ratios used in this study did not significantly affect fertilization rates (20,000: 82.67 ± 3.38%, 50,000: 91.33 ± 2.67% and 100,000: 88.67 ± 3.44%). Lastly, by using linear regression to compare densimeter and hemocytometer estimates in serially diluted sperm we were able to accurately estimate hemocytometer estimates (R2 = 0.96, p
A Comment on Ray Tracing in an Anisotropic Medium

An improvement on numerical integration of Yabroff's ray-tracing equations is suggested wherein at each step the refractive-index vector is corrected in both magnitude and direction.
Airborne-radar studies: Ice Streams A, B and C, West Antarctica

Digital airborne-radar data were collected during the 1988–89 Antarctic field season in six gridded blocks covering the upstream parts of Ice Streams A, Β and C. An automated processing procedure was developed for picking onset times, converting travel times, interpolating missing data, converting pressure-transducer readings, correcting navigational drift, performing cross-over analysis and zeroing remanent cross-over errors. Cross-over analysis was used to remove the effects of temporal variations in atmospheric pressure and to estimate errors. Interpolation between flight lines was carried out using the Kriging method. Surface elevation was referred to the Rapp Set A geoid by tying the gridded surface to satellite-surveyed ground stations, using a planar-model fit. Maps of surface elevation, ice thickness and bottom topography with standard-error estimates of 4–9 m for surface elevation and 30–60 m for ice thickness and bottom topography were produced. These maps show that the locations of the ice streams are not clearly reflected in either the surface or basal topography, so are presumably controled by basal or internal conditions, that there is no clearly demarcated transition zone between sheet flow and streaming flow, that there is no clear cut evidence for the capture of the catchment of Ice Stream C by Ice Stream B, but that Ice Stream Β does drain virtually the entire region between the lateral boundaries of Ice Streams A and C.
THERMODYNAMICS | Humidity Variables

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 3, pp 930–941, © 2003, Elsevier Ltd.
A Guide to the Psychological Assessment of Deaf-Blind Adults:

Discusses the special problems involved in the psychological evaluation of deaf-blind adults. Outlines three major limiting factors in this area: (1) the lack of psychological tests designed for th...
Selecting dimensions and delay values for a time-delay embedding using a genetic algorithm

This paper describes a novel technique for determining a useful dimension for a time-delay embedding of an arbitrary time series, along with the individual time delays for each dimension. A binary-string genetic algorithm is designed to search for a variable number of time delays that minimize the standard deviation of the distance between each embedded data point and the centroid of the set of all data points, relative to the mean distance between each data point and the centroid. The geometric transformations of rotation and scaling are added to the algorithm to allow it to identify attractors that are not aligned with the data axes. Several artificial and real-world attractors and time series are analyzed to describe the types of attractors favorable to the use of this technique.
Conditional survival of patients with small renal masses undergoing active surveillance.

OBJECTIVES To determine conditional survival for patients with small renal masses (SRMs) undergoing active surveillance (AS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients were enrolled in a prospective AS protocol at our institution between May 2005 and January 2016. Patients with SRMs ≤4 cm with serial cross-sectional imaging available in-house for review were included. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and modelled via Cox proportional hazards models. The primary endpoints analysed were the conditional probability of survival and tumour growth over time. Landmark analysis was used to evaluate survival outcomes beyond the 2-year mark after the initial scan. The relative conditional survival of patients on AS was compared to those undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN) using inverse probability of treatment weighting. RESULTS A total of 272 patients were included in this analysis. The mean initial SRM size was 1.74 ± 0.77 cm, and the mean mass size closest to the 2-year mark was 1.97 ± 0.83 cm. The likelihood of continued survival to 5 years improved after the 2-year landmark. Patients with masses <3 cm who survived the first 2 years on AS had a 0.84-0.85 chance of surviving to 5 years, and if they survived 3 years, the probability of surviving to 5 years improved to 0.91. A slow tumour growth (β: 0.12; P < 0.001) with parallel growth rates was found for tumours <3 cm. Patients on AS and those who underwent PN had similar OS for ~7 years, beyond which PN demonstrated a trend of lower risk of death compared with AS (hazard ratio 0.57; P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS The conditional survival probability of patients with SRMs <3 cm on AS increased after 2 years. This information may prove useful to urologists and patients who are considering continuing AS vs intervention after the first 2 years on AS.
Extinction of random telegraph switching in small area silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors

Random telegraph switching (RTS) noise showing a slow decay in the switching rate at cryogenic temperatures which leads to the eventual extinction of the discrete noise fluctuations has been observed in the drain-source current (IDS) of small area (<0.05 μm2) Si n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. The RTS noise was characterized by current fluctuations between two discrete current levels spaced ΔIDS apart with relative fluctuation amplitude ΔIDS/IDS from 2% to 76%, depending on the device, over a finite interval of gate bias. In all devices showing RTS, the average switching rate gradually diminished to zero over a time of 1 to 2 h at 15 K while maintaining the nearly constant fluctuation amplitude so that the RTS eventually ceased with IDS staying in its lower current state. This decay in the switching rate may be due to a metastable oxygen vacancy defect that gradually repairs itself after repeated capture and emission of charge, deactivating the trap defect. Once gone, RTS noise did not reappear in any subsequent measurements of a given device even after bias and temperature cycling, suggesting a mechanism to deactivate at least some forms of RTS through a “cryogenic anneal.”Random telegraph switching (RTS) noise showing a slow decay in the switching rate at cryogenic temperatures which leads to the eventual extinction of the discrete noise fluctuations has been observed in the drain-source current (IDS) of small area (<0.05 μm2) Si n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. The RTS noise was characterized by current fluctuations between two discrete current levels spaced ΔIDS apart with relative fluctuation amplitude ΔIDS/IDS from 2% to 76%, depending on the device, over a finite interval of gate bias. In all devices showing RTS, the average switching rate gradually diminished to zero over a time of 1 to 2 h at 15 K while maintaining the nearly constant fluctuation amplitude so that the RTS eventually ceased with IDS staying in its lower current state. This decay in the switching rate may be due to a metastable oxygen vacancy defect that gradually repairs itself after repeated capture and emission of charge, deactivating the trap defect. Once gone, RTS noi...
Commonality in Pelvic Anatomy among Three Fossorial, Scratch-Digging, Mammalian Species

This study tests whether three species of fossorial, scratch-digging mammals – Dasypus novemcinctus, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, and Taxidea taxus – show commonality in pelvic anatomies inferred to be adaptive for this behavior and, correspondingly, divergence in these anatomies from nonfossorial species. The fossorial and nonfossorial species are in the same superorder or family; the comparative sets of species are D. novemcinctus with Bradypus variegatus and Choloepus hoffmanni, I. tridecemlineatus with Sciurus carolinensis, and Ta. taxus with Gulo gulo, Martes americana, and Neovison vison. Fossorial species are hypothesized to show higher prevalence of fusion of sacroiliac and sacroischial (if present) joints, reduction in size or loss of pelvic symphysis, greater number of sacral vertebrae, greater number of vertebrae in articulation with ilium and ischium, and longer ischium. Only males were used in the study; total sample size was 318 adults and 135 subadults. Results show commonality among fossorial species in greater number of sacral vertebrae and rigidity of the pelvis. One inconsistency with expectations is that the pelvic symphysis in fossorial species is as sturdy as in nonfossorial species, based on prevalence of symphyseal fusion and relative length and breadth of pelvic symphysis. Greater number of sacral vertebrae may be due to assimilation of a lumbar vertebra(−e) with the sacrum in fossorial species associated with their slow running speed. A rigid pelvis, due to fusion of pelvic joints and relatively longer or broader pelvic symphysis, effectively transfers forces between vertebral column and hind limb.
A Constitutional Minimum Threshold for the Actus Reus of Crime? MPC Attempts and Material Support Offenses

Material support crimes combined with the modern law of attempted offenses have the capability to magnify significantly the ability of the government to prosecute inchoate criminal activity. Examination of attempts to commit federal material support/terrorism offenses (with Model Penal Code attempts law being applied by the federal courts) can help us to understand how this potent combination of bases for inchoate criminal liability is being used in the legal arena of anti-terrorism enforcement. It also lays the foundation for addressing a basic question of constitutional law and theory--whether this kind of combined inchoateness could involve a breach of constitutional norms. Stated another way, is there a minimum constitutional threshold of actus reus conduct for inchoate crime? Does the fact that the crimes here at issue involve terrorism need to be taken into account in applying a constitutional calculus? Would it be a matter of concern were a similar basis for criminal liability extended to ordinary crime—that is, outside the arena of terrorism or other special crime categories? This paper addresses and tries to answer such questions.
MANUEL LÁZARO PULIDO, FRANCISCO LEÓN FLORIDO, ESTÍBALIZ MONTORO MONTERO (eds.), Pensar la Edad Media cristiana: la presencia de la teología medieval en el pensamiento moderno, Madrid, Sindéresis, 2018

Este nuevo volumen de la Coleccion Biblioteca de Humanidades Salmanticensis (Serie Filosofia) es el segundo de una serie de libros sobre filosofia medieval cuyo titulo comien2a por 9ensar fa Kdad Media xristiana.
Abstract 03: High-Dose Intranasal Insulin During CPR Improves Neurological Outcomes in a Rat Model of Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Post-cardiac arrest brain injury is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Insulin has well-established CNS neuroprotecive properties mediated by the AKT survival signaling pathway...
Self-Governance, Polycentricity, and Environmental Policy

This chapter explores Elinor and Vincent Ostroms’ normative and analytical arguments regarding self-governance and how self-governing systems can resolve environmental problems without the need for top-down, centralized policies. On the normative side, the Ostroms argued that citizens should be free to develop their own rules and strategies for solving environmental problems. The Ostroms’ conception of self-governance pushes back against the practice of far-removed politicians and bureaucrats manipulating the actions of citizens like pieces on a chessboard. On the analytical side, self-governance can solve environmental problems because people who are nearest to an environmental problem often have more knowledge and better incentives to solve it. Much of the Ostroms’ research found that polycentric systems, which have multiple, overlapping decision-making centers, allow societies to both achieve self-governance and effectively solve environmental problems. A polycentric approach allows lower levels of government and private associations to find solutions that are better tailored to local conditions, take advantage of local knowledge, and have more direct involvement with local populations. This chapter examines a case study of sage-grouse conservation in the American West that shows how polycentric and community-oriented institutions can solve environmental problems and uphold self-governance.
Stability-enhanced AP IMEX-LDG schemes for linear kinetic transport equations under a diffusive scaling

Abstract Transport equations arise in many applications such as rarefied gas dynamics, neutron transport, and radiative transfer. In this work, we consider some linear kinetic transport equations in a diffusive scaling and design high order asymptotic preserving (AP) methods within the discontinuous Galerkin method framework, with the main objective to achieve unconditional stability in the diffusive regime when the Knudsen number e ≪ 1 , and to achieve high order accuracy when e = O ( 1 ) and when e ≪ 1 . Initial layers are also taken into account. The ingredients to accomplish our goal include: model reformulations based on the micro-macro decomposition and the limiting diffusive equation, local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) methods in space, globally stiffly accurate implicit-explicit (IMEX) Runge-Kutta methods in time, and strategies to handle non-well prepared initial data. Formal asymptotic analysis is carried out for the continuous model within the micro-macro decomposed framework to derive the initial layer as well as the interior problem with an asymptotically consistent initial condition as e → 0 , and it is also conducted for numerical schemes to show the AP property and to understand the numerical initial treatments in the presence of initial layers. Fourier type stability analysis is performed, and it confirms the unconditional stability in the diffusive regime, and moreover it gives the stability condition in the kinetic regime when e = O ( 1 ) . In the reformulation step, a weighted diffusive term is added and subtracted to remove the parabolic stiffness and enhance the numerical stability in the diffusive regime. Such idea is not new, yet our numerical stability and asymptotic analysis provide new mathematical understanding towards the desired properties of the weight function. Finally, numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy, stability, and asymptotic preserving property of the proposed methods, as well as the effectiveness of the proposed strategies in the presence of the initial layer.
Epistemology and history.

The essay reviews Hans-Jorg Rheinberger's intensive engagement with French epistemology that has remained a constant throughout his career. It focuses especially on a set of recent writings by Rheinberger that all revolve around the question: how has epistemology become historical? This question is discussed in the context of Rheinberger's own move from philosophy to an embracement of history.
Integrated application of hospital information based on enterprise service bus

The present hospital information systems are analyzed,with finding that hospital information isolated island phenomenon getting worse due to failure of interconnection of various systems and equipment vendors with different technologies.An integrated platform based on an enterprise service bus is proposed for hospital information,which can be connected into these heterogeneous systems,effectively minimizing the inter-system coupling,and achieving data and service interconnection,enabling an integrated and intelligent hospital architecture. Key words: Hospital informationization; Isolated island; System integration; Enterprise service bus
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

Boron neutron capture therapy in Japan was started by H. Hatanaka at HTR in 1968. Successively, four reactors (HTR, MuITR, KUR, and JRR-2) were authorized for medical use (Figure 1). He modified the method developed by W. Sweet. Furthermore, he decided to introduce BSH, which was discovered and tested by his coworker A. H. Solway in Boston, into the new trial as a boron compound. He placed BNCT as radio-surgery and combined surgical procedures and thermal neutron irradiations at the reactor. Hatanaka reported the outcome of the clinical trial in 1986 and showed significant improvement of the results, with long-term recurrence-free survivals in selected patients with malignant gliomas1. Many researchers not only in Japan but also in foreign countries were stimulated by his result and began to plan new basic and clinical trials. Following the standstill of MuITR in 1989, KUR and JRR-2 became new research facilities for BNCT in Japan. It was a fortunate timing for Dr. Oda and his group to start clinical trials at KUR. They modified the methods of Hatanaka and started BNCT using BSH in 1990. On the other hand Mishima started a study of a boron neutron capture therapy for melanoma in 1972 and developed BPA as a boron compound. BPA was introduced into treatment for brain tumor afterwards by Ueda in 1994. A new group led by Matsumura started clinical trials at JRR-2 in 1996 with BSH. We missed Dr. Hatanaka because of intracerebral hemorrhage and Dr. Nakagawa succeeded his group and has developed clinical trial using both KUR and JRR-2,2,3. Since 1968 to present, more than 200 patients with malignant intracranial tumors, especially malignant gliomas such as glioblastoma, anaplastic astrocytoma etc. were treated by BNCT in Japan (Table 1).
My Treatment Approach to Multiple System Atrophy

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by autonomic failure plus parkinsonism or cerebellar ataxia. The diagnosis may be challenging and is usually made at a tertiary care center. The long-term management issues are equally challenging and frequently require collaboration with the patient's local care providers. Whereas there is currently no cure for MSA, treatment focuses on the most problematic symptoms experienced by the patient. Autonomic symptoms may include severe orthostatic hypotension with syncope, urinary symptoms culminating in incontinence, constipation, anhidrosis, and erectile dysfunction. Motor symptoms include parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, and falls. Although certain motor symptoms may respond partially to medications, some of these medications may exacerbate autonomic problems. In this manuscript, we seek to bridge the gap between tertiary care providers and the patient's local care providers to provide multidisciplinary care to the MSA patient. Patients are often best served by management of their chronic and evolving complex problems with a team approach involving their primary care providers and subspecialists. Treatment guidelines typically list myriad therapeutic options without clarifying the most efficacious and simplest treatment strategies. Herein, we provide a guideline based on what has worked in our MSA clinic, a clinic designed to provide care throughout the disease course with subspecialty integration with the goal of empowering a partnership with the patient's home primary care providers.
Stop-Motion Animation to Model the Analemma

The Sun does not return to the same position in the sky every 24 hours. At local noon, for example, the Sun will appear higher in the sky as we move from winter to summer solstice. In addition, and perhaps more surprisingly, solar days (the roughly 24 hours between subsequent local noons) vary in length, causing the Sun to be east or west of its location 24 hours prior. Over a year, this variation traces out a figure 8, known as an analemma, as shown in Fig.1. It can also be seen in the sundial in Fig. 2, where the gnomon incorporates the analemma to produce an accurate reading of local time.
How much a theory of law can tell us about the nature of morality: a response to Mark Greenberg’s How facts make law

In his outstanding paper “How Facts Make Law,” Mark Greenberg argues for the antipositivist claim that descriptive facts about certain social practices are not the only necessary determinants of legal content; “value facts” – which he is committed to construing as moral facts – are another necessary determinant of legal content. In this essay, I argue that, construed as doing the work Greenberg believes it does in refuting positivism, his conclusion that legal content is not possible without value facts has certain implications about the nature of morality that no purely metaphysical considerations about the relationship between social practices and the content of social norms can plausibly have. In particular, Greenberg’s conclusion, together with the obvious (because extremely weak) truth that law is possible, seems to imply moral objectivism – a highly contested view in general ethical theorizing. I take this to be a reductio of his view, as it seems clear that no theory relying on general metaphysical claims about social practices can bear such weight.
Elevated Temperature Ion Implantation: A New Direction for Surface Engineering

The advantages of ion implantation as a method for surface treatment are substantial. Improvements in hardness, wear and corrosion resistance of many steels have been obtained through relatively short time exposure to a flux of interstitial ions such as carbon or nitrogen. However, the depth of the implanted layer is extremely small after conventional implantation, generally in the range of 1000A or less. For many applications, such as abrasive and corrosion wear, these layers are of insufficient thickness to provide long term improvement.
Learning from Data

This chapter contains sections titled: Learning Machine Statistical Learning Theory Types of Learning Methods Common Learning Tasks Model Estimation Review Questions and Problems References for further study
Star Spots on Ar Lac Type Stars

There is no generally accepted definition of AR Lac Stars, and the term RS CVn stars is used interchangeably or to refer to a particular subgroup. For the purposes of this discussion I use the term AR Lac stars to refer to detached close binaries showing Ca II emission in at least the cooler component outside eclipse, the hotter component being a main-sequence or subgiant star of spectral type F or G. Most of the systems show irregularities in their light curves as well as period changes. In order to determine whether a system is detached, one must know both the mass ratio and the relative radii. The determination of minimum masses is a fairly straightforward spectroscopic task, and provisional values are available for 22 of the systems, two or possibly three of them being non-eclipsing. All but 3 (AD Cap, RT Lac, RV Lib) have masses of the two components within 30% of each other. Because of appreciable irregularities in the light curves, the radii are subject to considerable uncertainty even when photometry of good precision is available. Nevertheless the 9 systems with very provisional radii all appear to be detached. These all have mass ratios near unity. We may assume, as a working hypothesis, that the other systems with mass ratios near unity are also detached and hence also belong in the AR Lac group.
Involvement of IRS-1 interaction with ADAM10 in the regulation of neurite extension.

The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway plays an important role in neuronal cell differentiation. Recent studies have shown that IGF-1 has the capacity to counteract the retraction of neuronal processes in response to inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, which is a known factor for neuronal injury in the CNS. This event is thought to be mediated via interference of TNF-α-induced interaction of β1-integrin with insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). Here we demonstrate the interaction of IRS-1 with disintegrin and metalloproteinase ADAM10 through the N-terminal domain of IRS-1 and that this is involved in the regulation of neurite extension and retraction by IGF-1 and TNF-α, respectively. PC12 cells expressing the N-terminal domain show enhanced neurite extension after IGF-1 treatment and reduced neurite depletion relative to control cells after TNF-α treatment. The level of ADAM10 was found to be increased in immunohistochemical studies of HIV encephalitis clinical samples and is present with TNF-α and TNFR1 in both astrocytes and neurons. Altogether, these observations suggest a role for ADAM10 in the mechanism for IGF1/IRS-1 signaling pathway in sustaining the stability of neuronal processes.
Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Superconducting Coils

This paper presents data on 3 of the important mechanical properties of SSC type superconducting coils. The measured properties are: 1) The azimuthal elastic modulus of the coil samples made for the stress relaxation tests. 2) The rate of stress - relaxation of collared SSC outer coils molded to different sizes and 3) The pressures that various insulations can withstand during molding or collaring before turn-to-turn shorts develop. Additional data on these and other properties are available but omitted here because of space limitations.
Prefrontal neurons encode context-based response execution and inhibition in reward seeking and extinction

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) guides execution and inhibition of behavior based on contextual demands. In rodents, the dorsal/prelimbic (PL) medial PFC (mPFC) is frequently considered essential for execution of goal-directed behavior (“go”) whereas ventral/infralimbic (IL) mPFC is thought to control behavioral suppression (“stop”). This dichotomy is commonly seen for fear-related behaviors, and for some behaviors related to cocaine seeking. Overall, however, data for reward-directed behaviors are ambiguous, and few recordings of PL/IL activity have been performed to demonstrate single-neuron correlates. We recorded neuronal activity in PL and IL during discriminative stimulus driven sucrose seeking followed by multiple days of extinction of the reward-predicting stimulus. Contrary to a generalized PL-go/IL-stop hypothesis, we found cue-evoked activity in PL and IL during reward seeking and extinction. Upon analyzing this activity based on resultant behavior (lever press or withhold), we found that neurons in both areas encoded contextually appropriate behavioral initiation (during reward seeking) and withholding (during extinction), where context was dictated by response–outcome contingencies. Our results demonstrate that PL and IL signal contextual information for regulation of behavior, irrespective of whether that involves initiation or suppression of behavioral responses, rather than topographically encoding go vs. stop behaviors. The use of context to optimize behavior likely plays an important role in maximizing utility-promoting exertion of activity when behaviors are rewarded and conservation of energy when not.
Abstract 2688: The expression of lung resistance protein (LRP) in patient ascites predicts platinum resistance in advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The human lung resistance protein (LRP) is a multidrug resistance protein that has been shown to be overexpressed in numerous chemotherapy resistance models. The precise role of LRP in platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we sought to determine LRP expression in the tumor cells of ovarian cancer patient ascites of chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced EOC. After IRB approval was obtained, patient ascites was collected and evaluated for platinum sensitivity, and LRP expression using western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Both patient ascites and primary tumor were treated with 50 uM carboplatin for 48h and cell viability was analyzed. LRP, activated Caspase 3, and tunnel were analyzed using IHC on samples treated with 50uM carboplatin and untreated. A total of 27 patients with advanced-stage EOC undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham were consented for the study. Ten patient ascites samples were deemed adequate for analysis. Of these, 3/10 (30%) had increased LRP levels in ascites samples demonstrated by strong IHC staining with capping and confirmed by western blot. These patient samples were platinum resistant as verified by cytotoxicity analysis. Two ascites specimens (20%) lacked LRP expression by IHC and western blot and demonstrated platinum sensitivity on cytotoxicity. Five ascites specimens (50%) displayed intermediate LRP staining and platinum cytotoxicity. Tumor cells in ascites treated with carboplatin had an inverse correlation of LRP staining and activated Caspase 3. There is a strong correlation between LRP expression in the ascites of patients with advanced EOC and platinum resistance in this ex vivo model. This protein may therefore predict poor prognosis disease unlikely to respond to adjuvant platinum therapy. Specifically targeting the LRP in a clinical model may reverse carboplatin resistance. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2688.
Ozonolysis of Uric Acid at the Air/Water Interface

Uric acid (UA) epoxide, peroxide, and ozonide species produced in aqueous UA microdroplets exposed to O3(g) are detected by online mass spectrometry within ∼1 ms. UA conversions are independent of its initial concentration below ∼0.1 mM and are unaffected by addition of excess H2O2 or t-butanol. UA reactivity increases ∼380 times from pH 4 to 7, which is at variance with the pH-independent rates reported for the UA + O3(aq) reaction in bulk water. At pH ∼7, UA and ascorbic acid (AH2) microdroplets react with O3(g) at similar rates, although UA is ∼40 times more reactive than AH2 toward O3(aq) in bulk water. Only the UA epoxide, plus traces of UA peroxide, are formed upon mixing UA(aq) and O3(aq) solutions. We infer that the gas−liquid ozonolysis of UA proceeds in an interfacial aqueous medium quite distinct from bulk water. Thus, UA, a component of the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid that scavenges atmospheric O3(g) into less deleterious species (similar to AH2), is rendered inactive below pH ∼5. The potential implications of these findings on synergistic health effects between tropospheric ozone and acidic particulates are briefly analyzed.
Response of Red-Tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles to Topographical Features, Weather, and Abundance of a Dominant Prey Species at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, California: April 1999-December 2000

Studies have shown that raptors flying within the Altamont Pass WRA are vulnerable to fatal turbine collisions, possibly because of their specific foraging and flight behavior. Between June 1999 and June 2000, I conducted 346.5 hours of raptor observations within the Atlamont Pass WRA. Behavior was recorded in relation to characteristics of the topography (slope aspect, elevation, and inclination), the weather, and ground squirrel abundance, as determined by active burrow entrances. The most significant finding of this study revealed that red-tailed hawks and golden eagles flew more in strong winds than in weak winds, particularly along hillsides facing into prevailing winds (as opposed to hillsides shielded from the wind). This is likely a result of the birds' use of declivity currents for lift during flights. These results suggest that certain combinations of topography and weather produce wind currents that are sought out by foraging red-tailed hawks and golden eagles within the Altamont Pass WRA. To decrease raptor mortality, mitigation measures can be targeted to specific areas likely to attract foraging raptors because of their capacity to create particularly favorable wind currents.
Borneo: a stable portion of the Eurasian margin since the Eocene

Abstract Samples collected from sixteen paleomagnetic sites of Plio-Pleistocene basaltic rocks from southeastern Borneo yield mean direction of D m = 180.4°, I m = −13.8° (α 95 7.8° k = 23.6) and a paleomagnetic pole of λ = 82.7° N , σ = 120.5° E . Samples collected from nine sites, Eocene-Early Miocene basalt, andesite, and shale, yield a mean direction of D m = 182.0°, I m = −2.2° (α 95 = 11.0° k = 22.8) and a mean Eocene-Early Miocene pole of λ = 87.8° N , σ = 173.5° E . These Eocene-Early Miocene directions pass a fold test. Rock magnetic studies suggest that the carrier of remanence in the samples is magnetite. These Eocene to Pleistocene paleomagnetic results from southeastern Borneo suggest the island has been at its present position with respect to Eurasia since Eocene. Our results are consistent with other studies showing no evidence for latitudinal displacement; however, these results do not concur with the previous reports of a large Tertiary counterclockwise rotation. Our data are in general agreement with the rotations predicted by the extrusion tectonic model for southeast Asia and argue against the numerous Cenozoic tectonic reconstructions of the region which require a large counterclockwise rotation of Borneo.