cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Event detection in educational records: an application of big data approaches

As the exponential growth of predictive analytics applied to educational institutions continues, with various goals in mind, an event detection system could serve as the foundation for more sophisticated predictive systems. What is envisioned is a system that flags educational records that have a sudden change (i.e., event detection in education records). The basic algorithm prosed would retrieve the current week's data for each student, calculate Euclidian and Mahalanobis distances among current week's data, and historical student data, sort all student data based on these distances, and update historical data with current data. The educational event detection system uses a query-based, R-tree structure, big data analytical approach. A simulated experiment determined that the event detection algorithm was able to detect relatively small changes in simulated data. Although, the units of the two distance metrics do not coincide, so distance measurements are not directly comparable, the event detection algorithm with the two different distance metrics have comparable CPU run times. Research and suggestions for constructing predictive analytics on student learners' attrition/retention approaches were documented.
A rare case of Bacteroides fragilis and Streptococcus anginosus sepsis associated with superior mesenteric vein thrombophlebitis in a teenager

Introduction: Superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombophlebitis is exceedingly rare in pediatrics. Clinical manifestations are nonspecific and include fever and abdominal pain. We hereby present a rare case of SMV septic thrombophlebitis with B.fragilis and S. anginosus sepsis a teenager. Case report: a 16-year-old previously healthy Asian female presented with one-day history of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue. She was febrile, dehydrated, and had diffuse abdominal tenderness. The rest of her physical exam and review of systems were unremarkable. Pertinent initial lab findings were WBC of 2.6 x 109/L, creatinine of 1.07 mg/dL …
Photon emission from circular equatorial Kerr orbiters

We consider monochromatic and isotropic photon emission from circular equatorial Kerr orbiters. We derive analytic expressions for the photon escape probability and the redshift-dependent total flux collected on the celestial sphere as a function of emission radius and black hole parameters. These calculations crucially involve the critical curve delineating the region of photon escape from that of photon capture in each emitter's sky. This curve generalizes to finite orbital radius the usual Kerr critical curve and displays interesting features in the limit of high spin, which we investigate by developing a perturbative expansion about extremality. Although the innermost stable circular orbit appears to approach the event horizon for very rapidly spinning black holes, we find in this regime that the photon escape probability tends to $5/12+1/(\sqrt{5}\ensuremath{\pi})\mathrm{arctan}\sqrt{5/3}\ensuremath{\approx}54.65%$. We also obtain a simple formula for the flux distribution received on the celestial sphere, which is nonzero. This confirms that the near-horizon geometry of a high-spin black hole is in principle observable. These results require us to introduce a novel type of near-horizon double-scaling limit. We explain the dip observed in the total flux at infinity as an imprint of the black hole: the black hole ``bite.''
Perioperative Ischemia and Infarction: Cardiac Surgery

Summary Ischemia and infarction occur during all types of cardiac surgery although they are more common during coronary artery surgery. They result from hemodynamic changes causing imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand, coronary artery spasm, coronary air embolism, and technical problems associated with attempted revascularization. Coronary perfusion must be improved if MI is to be avoided. Measures to alleviate ischemia include pharmacologic therapy with nitroglycerin, calcium entry blocking drugs, and vasodilator therapy to control preload or afterload, skillful anesthetic management to minimize oxygen supply/demand imbalance, and controlled prompt reperfusion.
A Fictionalized View of Right Wing Utopia

Karl Greenfeld portrays our current economic, political and climate dysfunction in the tradition of John Steinbeck.
MRI in the Assessment of Cardiopulmonary Interaction

Cardiopulmonary interactions occur due to complex coupling between the cardiovascular and the respiratory systems. In current clinical practice, a multimodality approach is typically utilized based on the presentation and clinical questions that need to be addressed. Several novel techniques such as Dynamic contrast imaging, Fourier Decomposition, Diffusion Weighted, and Hyperpolarized gas enhanced imaging have been utilized for functional imaging of the lung and can be combined with anatomical images to assess cardiopulmonary interactions in the lungs. We describe the role of MRI in assessing cardiopulmonary interactions in a range of cardiac and pulmonary diseases in this review.
Thucydides, Pericles, and Periclean Imperialism

Edith Foster compares Thucydides' narrative explanations and descriptions of the Peloponnesian War in Books One and Two of the History with the arguments about warfare and war materials offered by the Athenian statesman Pericles in those same books. In Thucydides' narrative presentations, she argues, the aggressive deployment of armed force is frequently unproductive or counterproductive, and even the threat to use armed force against others causes consequences that can be impossible for the aggressor to predict or contain. By contrast, Pericles' speeches demonstrate that he shared with many other figures in the History a mistaken confidence in the power, glory, and reliability of warfare and the instruments of force. Foster argues that Pericles does not speak for Thucydides, and that Thucydides should not be associated with Pericles' intransigent imperialism.
Using the Saturn V and Titan III Vibroacoustic Databanks for Random Vibration Criteria Development

This is an update to TN D-7159, "Development and Application of Vibroacoustic Structural Data Banks in Predicting Vibration Design and Test Criteria for Rocket Vehicle Structures", which was originally published in 1973. Errors in the original document have been corrected and additional data from the Titan III program have been included. Methods for using the vibroacoustic databanks for vibration test criteria development are shown, as well as all of the data with drawings and pictures of the measurement locations. An Excel spreadsheet with the data included is available from the author.
A toolbox for the choice of indicator classes for ranking of watersheds

There has been considerable work on determining a suitable method to accomplish a satisfactory ordering of a group of objects, when there are multiple evaluation criteria. A weighted index can be used to combine the opinion of all stakeholders to obtain a criterion for ranking the objects. Data from 21 watersheds of the Atlantic Slope Consortium (ASC) has been examined with the goal of determining an accurate ranking by overall watershed condition. In particular, there are three groups of indicators that range from Level I to Level III, increasing in the quality and accuracy of the data as well as the cost and effort needed to obtain the data. Due to the high cost, Level III data is available only for six watersheds; however the interest is in ranking all 21 watersheds. The investigators using their expertise have developed indices for the Level I and Level II indicators, and we would like to determine if those indices are effective in ranking the watershed condition. In addition, we introduce a method of selecting effective weights using POSAC (Partial Order Scalogram Analysis), which gives us insight for improving the weights already selected by the stakeholders. We also use elements of poset (Partial order set) theory as a foundation for our analysis. The Poset linear extension method can be used to find rankings without using an index, relying only on pairwise comparisons of the objects.
Characterization of the Forssman-active oligosaccharides from dog gastric mucus glycoprotein isolated with the use of a monoclonal antibody

The structure of carbohydrate chains of dog gastric mucus glycoprotein bearing Forssman antigenic determinant was investigated. The reduced oligosaccharides obtained by alkaline borohydride reductive cleavage of the glycoprotein were chromatographed on a immunoaffinity column containing monoclonal anti-Forssman antibody coupled to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose 4B. The bound oligosaccharides, eluted from the affinity column with 6 M urea, separated on thin layer chromatography into two major components. These two compounds, representing 92% of the absorbed oligosaccharides, were purified to homogeneity, and their structures and antigenic properties were determined. Based on the results of immunological assays, analysis of sugar composition, sequential degradation with specific glycosidases, and methylation analyses of the intact and enzyme-degraded compounds, we propose the following structures for these oligosaccharides. (formula, see text).
Distribution of lymphocytes bearing TCRγ/δ in cutaneous lymphocytic infiltrates

A monoclonal antibody to the recently characterized T lymphocyte expressing a T cell receptor bearing gamma and delta chains (TCR gamma/delta) was applied to 60 biopsy specimens spanning a wide range of diagnoses and containing a variable number of T lymphocytes. TCR gamma/delta+ cells were not enriched in the tissues examined, representing between 0-5% of the total CD3 positive T lymphocyte population. TCR gamma/delta+ cells were identified in 27 cases (45%). The distribution of the TCR gamma/delta-bearing cells was remarkable for preferential stratification at upper cutaneous levels, within the epidermis and papillary dermis in some cases of mycosis fungoides. Benign infiltrates lacked a similar pattern. The role of TCR gamma/delta+ cells is uncertain. The data do not reveal a consistent number or distribution of these cells in cutaneous infiltrates.
On “The Reinvention of Cultural Geography” by Price and Lewis

(1993). On “The Reinvention of Cultural Geography” by Price and Lewis. Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 83, No. 3, pp. 520-522.
Modification of the calcium and calmodulin sensitivity of the type I adenylyl cyclase by mutagenesis of its calmodulin binding domain

The type I adenylyl cyclase is directly stimulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin in vitro, and the enzyme is also stimulated by increases in intracellular Ca2+ in vivo. Ca2+ stimulation of the enzyme in vivo may be due to direct interactions of the enzyme with Ca2+ and calmodulin or to an indirect mechanism involving stimulation of the enzyme by Ca(2+)-activated protein kinases. In this study, we have made several point mutations within the calmodulin binding domain to determine if the Ca2+ sensitivity of the enzyme can be modified by mutagenesis. The catalytic activities of the mutant enzymes were comparable to wild type type I adenylyl cyclase. Substitution of Cys-507 with Ser-507 did not have significant effects on the calmodulin or Ca2+ sensitivity of the enzyme. However, replacement of Lys-504 with Asp caused a 4-fold decrease in sensitivity to Ca2+. Ca2+ and calmodulin stimulation were abolished by substitution of Phe-503 with Arg-503. Stimulation of type I adenylyl cyclase activity in vivo by intracellular Ca2+ was also greatly diminished with the Arg-503 mutant indicating that Ca2+ stimulation of the enzyme in vivo is due primarily to direct interactions with calmodulin and Ca2+. These data demonstrate that the Ca2+ sensitivity of this enzyme can be modulated by point mutagenesis within the putative calmodulin binding domain and indicate that the enzyme can be directly regulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin in vivo.
Algorithm-based, single axis rotation of a solar panel apparatus for low power devices

This paper discusses the implementation of single-axis algorithm in accordance with Clear Sky Model for a low-power device such as a Wireless Mesh Sensor Network (WMSN) module. Solar energy can be used to power up modules which have low-power requirement such as WMSNs, specially when these WMSNs are mounted at remote locations where regular maintenance and changing battery cells is difficult. We devise a solar tracker assembly using a modified algorithm which tracks the Sun's accurate position. By using simple information such as the location's latitude, longitude and local time, various solar angles such as azimuth, zenith and altitude can be calculated using this algorithm and the assembly can be rotated. A successful implementation of such an algorithm with the help of a servo motor assembly for a single-axis angle, azimuth angle is described in this paper. Future aspects of implementing dual axis trackers are also addressed.
Identification of a Light Density Murine Megakaryocyte Progenitor (LD-CFU-M)

Murine bone marrow cells were separated on discontinuous Percoll gradients and assayed for their ability to give rise to megakaryocyte colonies. Ninety-one percent of the megakaryocyte progenitors (CFU-M) sedimented at densities between 1.070 and 1.080 g/mL. Six percent of CFU-M were found at densities between 1.060 and 1.070 g/mL, 2% between 1.050 and 1.060 g/mL, whereas less than 1% had a density either lower than 1.050 g/mL or higher than 1.080 g/mL. The number of doublings and endomitoses achieved by progenitors of density classes higher than 1.050 g/mL were similar. However, colonies derived from CFU-M of densities less than 1.050 g/mL (LD-CFU-M) had a higher probability of polyploidization and a lower probability of cell division in vitro. The inverse correlation found between the number of cells per colony and their DNA content was invariate regardless of the density class of the progenitors. The heterogeneity of the ploidy of cells within colonies increased continuously with increasing cell numbers per colony. The study if a short-period exposure of LD-CFU-M to acute thrombocytopenia could modify the ploidy of their progeny, mice were given rabbit antimouse platelet serum while control animals received normal rabbit serum. Twenty-four hours after injection, marrow was cultured. After a five-day culture period, no change in the number of colonies, doublings, ploidy, and heterogeneity of ploidy were observed between control and thrombocytopenic animals. The data suggests that LD-CFU-M are a distinct category of CFU-M, perhaps more mature than the common CFU-M.
Secure group communication in asynchronous networks with failures: integration and experiments

The increasing popularity and diversity of collaborative applications prompts a need for highly secure and reliable communication platforms for dynamic peer groups. Security mechanisms for such groups tend to be both expensive and complex and their integration with reliable group communication services presents a formidable challenge, This paper discusses some important integration issues, reports on our implementation experience and provides experimental results. Our approach utilizes distributed group key management developed by the Cliques project. We enhance it to handle processor and network faults (under a fail-stop or crash-and-recover model) and asynchronous membership events (such as joins, leaves, merges and network partitions). Our approach leverages the strong properties provided by the Spread group communication system, such as message ordering, clean failure semantics and a membership service. The result of this work is a secure group communications layer and an API that provide the application programmer with both standard group communication services and flexible security services.
The influence of grain size and texture on the mechanical response of high purity hafnium

The mechanical behavior of hafnium is influenced by texture, strain rate, temperature, chemistry, and stress state; however the effects of microstructure remain poorly understood. As is observed in other group IVb elements, such as titanium and zirconium, deformation in hafnium at quasi-static and dynamic strain rates occurs through a combination of prismatic slip, pyramidal slip, and twinning. For titanium and zirconium, the mechanical behavior has been previously shown to be highly dependent upon the average grain size of the material. Here, the effects of grain size on the mechanical response of high purity hafnium tested in compression are systematically probed and the flow stress and work hardening behavior is correlated with the substructural and textural evolution during deformation. The influence of strain rate, temperature, and texture as a function of the microstructure is examined and Hall–Petch constants for hafnium are calculated.
The insulin-like growth factor system and the fetal brain: effects of poor maternal nutrition

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling system plays indispensable roles in pre- and post-natal brain growth and development. A large body of studies using both in vivo null mutant and transgenic mice and in vitro neuronal culture techniques indicate that IGF-I acts directly on the brain while IGF-II effects are mediated to a large extent by IGF-II control of placental growth. It appears that all of the mechanisms, except migration, that are involved in normal brain development, e.g., proliferation, apoptosis, maturation and differentiation, are influenced by IGF-I. While IGF system members are produced in the brain, recent reports in post-natal animals indicate that normal brain health and function are dependent upon transfer of circulating IGF-I from the liver and its transfer across the blood brain barrier. Data showing that this phenomenon applies to pre-natal brain growth and development would make an important contribution to fetal physiology. A number of kinase pathways are able to participate in IGF signaling in brain with respect to nutrient restriction; among the most important are the PI3K/AKT, Ras–Raf–MEK–ERK and mTOR-nutrient sensing pathways. Both maternal and fetal IGF-I peripheral plasma concentrations are greatly reduced in nutrient restriction while IGF-II does not appear to be affected. Nutrient restriction also affects IGF binding protein concentrations while effects on the IGF-I receptor appear to vary with the paradigm. Studies on the effects of nutrient restriction on the fetal primate brain in relation to activity of the IGF system are needed to determine the applicability of rodent studies to humans.
A transistorized pulse code modulator

A pulse code modulator is described in which transistors are the only active circuit components. The functions of quantizing and encoding the signal are performed entirely by semiconductor diodes, using transistor amplifiers where necessary to increase the signal level. The readout is obtained from a set of “and” gates, each gate having as one of its inputs an output from the encoding system, and as the other input, a pulse obtained from a time delay circuit to assure sequential operation. The system produces a three digit binary code at a sampling rate of 5,000 cps.
Correlations of in vivo mediator release with late cutaneous allergic responses in humans. I. Kinetics of histamine release.

Abstract To evaluate the contribution of mast cell-derived mediators in the late cutaneous allergic response, the duration and quantity of antigen-induced histamine release was compared to the intensity of the antigen-induced skin reactions in atopic volunteers. Chambers containing either pollen extract or buffer were appended to denuded blister bases for 1 hr and were replaced hourly with buffer for 3 additional hr. These were compared to the extinction dilution skin test titer and to the mean diameters of the 20-minute wheal and induration at 6 and 8 hr after intradermal injection of antigen. Chamber-fluid histamine levels were significantly higher at antigen than at buffer sites throughout the 4 hr. The hourly histamine levels correlated with the size of the induration at 6 and 8 hr but not with the wheal size or skin test titer. We conclude that (1) histamine is released for at least 4 hr at skin sites of antigen challenge as a consequence of prolonged release either from individual or sequentially activated mast cells, and (2) the quantity of histamine released correlates with the intensity of the late-phase skin response. We hypothesize that histamine might be a marker for prolonged release from the mast cell of other mediators that are responsible for the late-phase response.
Effects of prescription depth, cylinder size, treatment length, tip space, and curved end on doses in high-dose-rate vaginal brachytherapy

Purpose: To determine the effects of the prescription depth, cylinder size, treatment length, tip space, and curved end on high-dose-rate vaginal brachytherapy (HDR-VBT) of endometrial cancer. Methods and Materials: Treatment plans were prescribed and optimized based on points at the cylinder surface or at 0.5-cm depth. Cylinder sizes ranging from 2 to 4 cm in diameter, and treatment lengths ranging from 3 to 8 cm were used. Dose points in various depths were precisely defined along the cylinder dome. The given dose and dose uniformity to a depth of interest were measured by the mean dose (MD) and standard deviation (SD), respectively, among the dose points belonging to the depth. Dose fall-off beyond the 0.5 cm treatment depth was determined by the ratio of MD at 0.75-cm depth to MD at 0.5-cm depth. Results: Dose distribution varies significantly with different prescriptions. The surface prescription provides more uniform doses at all depths in the target volume, whereas the 0.5-cm depth prescription creates larger dose variations at the cylinder surface. Dosimetric uncertainty increases significantly (>30%) with shorter tip space. Extreme hot (>150%) and cold spots ( Conclusions: Instead of prescribing to a depth of 0.5 cm, increasing the dose per fraction and prescribing to the surface with the exact surface points around the cylinder dome appears to be the optimal approach.
An automated end-to-end lecture capture and broadcasting system

Remote viewing of lectures presented to a live audience is becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, the lectures can be recorded for subsequent on-demand viewing over the Internet. Providing such services, however, is often prohibitive due to the labor-intensive cost of capturing and pre/post-processing. This article presents a complete automated end-to-end system that supports capturing, broadcasting, viewing, archiving and searching of presentations. Specifically, we describe a system architecture that minimizes the pre- and post-production time, and a fully automated lecture capture system called iCam2 that synchronously captures all contents of the lecture, including audio, video, and presentation material. No staff is needed during lecture capture and broadcasting, so the operational cost of the system is negligible. The system has been used on a daily basis for more than 4 years, during which 522 lectures have been captured. These lectures have been viewed over 20,000 times.
Borderlands: Riding the Edge of AmericaDerek Lundy. Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf of Canada, 2010.

Borderlands: Riding the Edge of America Derek Lundy. Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf of Canada, 2010.Derek Lundy has explored one of the least-examined, most mysterious, and unpredictably changing areas in the world, the "borderlands," parts of the United States adjacent to Mexico and Canada (not including the Alaskan-Canadian border). He did so in one of the most exciting ways possible, alone by motorcycle, and with a bike that likely would cause anyone familiar with cycles to ask "why the top-heavy Kawasaki KLR 650? Why a single-cylinder 'thumper' that is inherently less smooth than a multi-cylinder engine?" Lundy, himself, describes his choice in bikes as "butt ugly."The answer becomes clear: Lundy's route at times would take him through conditions that would demanded great torque, or pulling power, and a large cylinder tends to provide torque in abundance. He knew he would need a dependable machine with off-road capability. The KLR 650, in terms both of weight and balance, is about at the maximum size for a dirt bike, yet is acceptable for highway use and sufficient for touring. His choice served him well.Also serving him and his readers well was his background as an Irish-Canadian. Lundy was close enough to Americans to relate to them, but could bring fresh eyes with which to view conditions that they might find less than clear - even if they are among the minority who experiences the most drastic examples directly.Certainly the borders were different from one another, but each had seen drastic change. Lundy notes the pervasive sentiment that America is under siege, and the consequent hostility toward immigrants. The result was the rise of "minu temen," stereotypes, misinformation, and danger that bubbled not far beneath the surface. Common sentiments included "Mexicans are all drug-runners," and "the 9-11 terrorists all came from Canada," "you're all liberals up there, or socialists." Especially along the Mexican border, Lundy over and over was warned away by officials as being in "restricted," although unmarked, areas. Numerous times he was searched simply for being where authorities thought his presence to be questionable.Along the northern border, Lundy found locations where the road wandered into, and out of, each country, with little or no control over entry - at least for the moment. Conversely, he found many communities that had long traditions of cross-border culture that were being drastically wrenched by new controls and restrictions on border crossings. …
A Review From a High Place: The Field of Judgment and Decision Making as Revealed in Its Current Textbooks

Decisions, decisions…. PS takes a broad look at a currently active field that provides a model for the fruitful combination of theory, research, and application
Portable system for extracting water samples for organic analysis.

1 University of Arkansas, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Department, Altheimer Laboratory, 1366 West Altheimer Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA 2 Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, College Station, TX 77843, USA 3 University of Arkansas, Biological, and Agricultural Engineering Department, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA 4 Agricultural Statistics Laboratory, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Absorption by the tails of the oxygen microwave resonances at atmospheric pressures

A variety of methods axe available for calculating atmospheric absorption of microwaves and millimeter waves by oxygen resonances. We compare these methods for the absorption by the tails of the 60 GHz band, the line at 118.75 GHz, and the nonresonant oxygen absorption. For practical, atmospheric calculations the tails of the 60 GHz band consist of frequencies less than 48 GHz and greater than 71 GHz. Gordon's method is selected as being the simplest and most reliable for calculating the absorption by the tails of the 60 GHz band. The interference parameter of the 118.75 GHz line can be chosen such that its high-frequency tail approaches zero as frequency increases.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage in a patient taking phentermine for weight loss

Abstract Objective To report the case of an angiography-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in association with increased use of the sympathomimetic phentermine. Summary A 45-year-old woman taking phentermine for weight loss presented with the "worst headache of her life," as well as nausea and some confusion. Her prior medical history was largely negative for pathology except for a 20-pack–year history of smoking. Results Upon admission to an inpatient facility, the patient was normotensive with a Glasgow Coma Score of 15. She was found on computed tomography to have a diffuse SAH (Hunt and Hess grade 2, Fisher grade 3). Digital subtraction angiography, performed on hospital day 2, was negative for aneurysm. The patient convalesced in the intensive care unit for 8 days and was treated as a typical patient with SAH (i.e., vasospasm prophylaxis with nimodipine and atorvastatin, ad lib diet with strict attention to fluid balance to maintain euvolemia). A repeat angiographic study on hospital day 8 also did not reveal an aneurysm or other cause for her SAH. She was discharged thereafter with intensive smoking cessation education and counseled to discontinue phentermine. Upon follow-up 6 weeks later, the patient was without complaints or neurologic deficits and had resumed her previous activities and work. Conclusion Phentermine is a sympathomimetic agent found commonly in weight-loss products. Sympathomimetics have been linked to the development of hypertension, which can lead to cardiovascular and neurologic hemorrhages. We believe that the SAH in this patient was likely secondary to drug-induced hypertension or vasculopathy from the phentermine.
Acute syringomyelia: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Syringomyelis is generally regarded as a chronic, slowly progressive disorder. We describe a case of acute dilation of the central canal of the spinal cord that presented with rapidly progressive segmental signs. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old female patient who had previously undergone surgical treatment for a Chiari 1 malformation, syringomyella, and hydrocephalus presented with an B-day history of headaches, progressive paraparesis, and urinary retention. Magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated panventricular hydrocephalus in association with a holocord syrinx that extended to the obex. Magnetic resonance imaging scans that had been coincidentally obtained just 3 days before the onset of symptoms had revealed no evidence of hydrocephalus or syringomyelia. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent emergency revision of a failed ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Postoperatively, there was prompt resolution of the syringomyelia, hydrocephalus, and associated neurological deficits. CONCLUSION: Among patients with communicating syringomyelia, the central canal of the spinal cord participates as a fifth ventricle and can undergo rapid dilation in association with acute hydrocephalus. Appropriate treatment in such cases involves placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
Visual signal detection in structured backgrounds. III. Calculation of figures of merit for model observers in statistically nonstationary backgrounds.

Models of human visual detection have been successfully used in computer-generated noise. For these backgrounds, which are generally statistically stationary, model performance can be readily calculated by computing the index of detectability d′ from the noise power spectrum, the signal profile, and the model template. However, model observers are ultimately needed in more real backgrounds, which may be statistically nonstationary. We investigated different methods to calculate figures of merit for model observers in real backgrounds based on different assumptions about image stationarity. We computed performance of the nonprewhitening matched-filter observer with an eye filter on mammography and coronary angiography for an additive or a multiplicative signal. Performance was measured either by applying the model template to the images or by computing closed-form expressions with various assumptions about image stationarity. Results show first that the structured backgrounds investigated cannot be considered stationary. Second, traditional closed-form expressions of detectability calculated from the noise power spectra with the assumption of background stationarity lead to erroneous estimates of model performance. Third, the most accurate way of measuring model performances is by directly applying the model template on the images or by computing a closed-form expression that does not assume image stationarity.
Nearly bird's beak-free local oxidation technology for controlled dielectric formation in deep silicon trenches

Silicon deep trench isolation technology using local oxidation is reported. Scaled, high-density trench capacitors were fabricated with varying trench aspect ratios. Nearly bird's beak-free local oxidation resulted in a controlled growth of silicon dioxide on the trench bottom surfaces and significantly improved the trench gate MOS isolation characteristics. Detailed MOS capacitance measurements were performed and wafer yield in excess of 90% was demonstrated across 4 inch diameter silicon wafers.
Absorbed Dose And Image Quality In Xeromammography

The relationship between absorbed dose and image quality in xeromammography is examined as a function of various x-ray beam and breast parameters. Image quality is assessed in terms of measured density profiles across low contrast edges. The radiographic risk is quantified by means of the average absorbed dose to the whole breast. It is concluded the diagnostically useful images can be obtained at exposure levels substantially lower than currently quoted in literature.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Use of body scanner in radiotherapy treatment planning.

CT body scans obtained on 98 patients before, during, and after radiotherapy were evaluated for their utility in radiotherapy treatment planning and in follow-up after radiotherapy. Twenty-two patients were studied after irradiation. Four received additional treatment, and continuing or planned treatment was withheld from another four on the basis of CT data. Tumor extent was clearly delineated on CT scan in 48/76 cases (63%), suggestive in 25/76 (33%), and not seen in only three (4%). Utilizing CT data relative to all other available tests, in 75 patients, total treatment volume was altered in 34 (45%), tumor coverage was marginal or inadequate in 35 (47%), and volume of normal tissue irradiated was changed in 34 (45%). CT scan data was judged essential for treatment planning in 41, or 55%, of patients studied. Unsuspected areas of tumor involvement were seen in 32 of 75 cases (43%). Use of the CT scan as a patient contour for radiotherapy treatment planning and alternative techniques for inputting the CT data to treatment planning computers are discussed. A simple inexpensive device to accomplish this is described. Speculations are made regarding the impact of CT scanners on transverse axial tomography units and treatment simulators as well as the potential application of the technique in brachytherapy dose computation. Cancer 40:170–179, 1977.
Mosaic trisomy 16 in a thriving infant; maternal heterodisomy for chromosome 16

Lindor NM, Jalal SM, Thibodeau SN, Bonde D, Sauser KL, Karnes PS. Mosaic trisomy 16 in a thriving infant; maternal heterodisomy for chromosome 16 Clin Genet 1993: 44: 185–189. © Munksgaard, 1993 Trisomy 16 is the most common trisomy in spontaneous abortions and is usually, if not always, lethal in the nonmosaic state. We report a liveborn infant with trisomy 16 mosaicism first diagnosed by amniocentesis at 20 weeks gestation. At birth, the infant was growth retarded and mildly dysmorphic. At age 14 months she was developmentally normal and had facial asymmetry. Her length, weight and head circumference were normal. Pure trisomy 16 was found in cells from the placenta. A normal female karyotype was found in lymphocytes from the infant. Skin fibroblasts revealed a trisomy 16 karyotype in 6 of 30 cells. Molecular analysis showed maternal uniparental heterodisomy, indicating that the trisomic conceptus arose from a nondisjunction of maternal meiosis. Fibroblasts may be the tissue of choice for detection of low-level trisomy 16 mosaicism.
Elimination of T cell reactivity to pancreatic β cells and partial preservation of β cell activity by peptide blockade of LFA-1:ICAM-1 interaction in the NOD mouse model

In insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (T1D), self-reactive T cells infiltrate pancreatic islets and induce beta cell destruction and dysregulation of blood glucose. A goal is to control only the self-reactive T cells, leaving the remainder of the T cell population free to protect the host. One approach is blockade of the second signal for T cell activation while allowing the first (antigen-specific) signal to occur. This work proposes that small peptides that block interaction of second signals delivered through the counter receptors LFA-1:ICAM-1 will induce attacking T cells (receiving the antigen signal) to become anergic or undergo apoptosis. In NOD mice, the peptides eliminated T cell reactivity against pancreatic antigens and reduced cellular infiltration into islets, which retained stronger density of insulin staining at five weeks after cessation of therapy. In in vitro studies the peptides induced nonresponsiveness during activation of T cells from mice and from human peripheral blood.
Neuropsychological evidence for the functional role of the uncinate fasciculus in semantic control.

Abstract Understanding a word requires mapping sounds to a word-form and then identifying its correct meaning, which in some cases necessitates the recruitment of cognitive control processes to direct the activation of semantic knowledge in a task appropriate manner (i.e., semantic control). Neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies identify a fronto-temporal network important for word comprehension. However, little is known about the connectional architecture subserving controlled retrieval and selection of semantic knowledge during word comprehension. We used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in aphasic individuals with varying degrees of word comprehension deficits to examine the role of three white matter pathways within this network: the uncinate fasciculus (UF), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF). Neuroimaging data from a group of age-matched controls were also collected in order to establish that the patient group had decreased structural and functional connectivity profiles. We obtained behavioral data from aphasic participants on two measures of single word comprehension that involve semantic control, and assessed pathway functional significance by correlating patients’ performance with indices of pathway structural integrity and the functional connectivity profiles of regions they connect. Both the structural integrity of the UF and the functional connectivity strength of regions it connects predicted patients’ performance. This result suggests the semantic control impairment in word comprehension resulted from poor neural communication between regions the UF connects. Inspections of other subcortical and cortical structures revealed no relationship with patients’ performance. We conclude that the UF mediates semantic control during word comprehension by connecting regions specialized for cognitive control with those storing word meanings. These findings also support a relationship between structural and functional connectivity measures, as the rs-fMRI results provide converging evidence with those obtained using DTI.
Early Diffuse Alopecia in a Neonate with Congenital Syphilis

Neonatal alopecia has been described in many circumstances but never as a part of the constellation of signs in congenital syphilis. Common clinical features of early congenital syphilis include hepatosplenomegaly, skeletal deformities, hematologic disturbances, and mucocutaneous features such as rhinitis and maculopapular rash. Syphilitic alopecia has previously been described only in conjunction with secondary syphilis. In this article, we describe the first occurrence of alopecia in a neonate with congenital syphilis.
Smoothings of sphere bundles over spheres in the stable range

The general problem of classifying up to orientation-preserving diffeomorphism those smooth manifolds homeomorphic to a given manifold is probably too complicated to be treated in any effective uniform manner. The first case to be treated was of course the sphere, where everything has been established modulo computation of the Adams spectral sequence. The next case considered was a product of two spheres, where the author and DeSapio independently reduced the classification to homotopy theory with the exception of determining the action of ~P4k + 2 on some (4 k + 1)-dimensional products. It is completely straightforward to extend this classification to the k-sphere bundles associated to (k+l)-plane bundles over S" which have nowhere zero cross sections and satisfy k n which apparently diverge from [1] in some respects. We make two remarks for completeness. A classification of smoothings of bundles with k < n (not necessarily having cross sections) may be derived from [3, w 5]. Finally, throughout this paper the phrases "combinatorially equivalent" and "homeomorphic" are interchangeable by the Hauptvermutung for simply connected closed manifolds with torsion free homology and dimension at least 5.
Behavior therapy and homosexuality: A critical perspective

Inadequate behavioral assessment in formulating appropriate therapeuticstrategies characterizes much of the behavior modification literature on the treatment of homosexual behavior. Homosexuality has been too narrowly conceptualized, and improved treatment approaches must more accurately reflect its diverse and complex sources. The rationale for the predominant use of aversive techniques in the behavior therapy treatment of homosexuality is critically examined, and a more expanded therapeutic regimen deriving from social learning theory suggested. The ethics of these behavior change programs and the choice of therapeutic goals are discussed.
Developmental maturation of hepatic n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism: Supply of docosahexaenoic acid to retina and brain☆

Abstract Docasahexaenoic acid is an essential fatty acid enriched in lipids of photoreceptor, synaptic, and nerve growth cone membranes. [ 3 H]docosahexaenoic acid was intraperitoneally injected in 5-day-old and 14-day-old mouse pups, and the labeling time course was followed in liver, plasma, brain, and retina for 72 hours. The liver of 5-day-old mice displayed higher content and labeling of triacylglycerols, lower content of phospholipids, and a more avid uptake of [ 3 H]docosahexaenoic acid as compared with 14-day-old mice. Maximal [ 3 H]docosahexaenoic acid labeling in the liver was observed 2 hr postinjection and decreased thereafter as [ 3 H]docosahexaenoic acid accumulated in brain and retina. The most efficient [ 3 H]docosahexaenoic acid accumulation in retina and brain occurred with 14-day-old pups and correlated with a higher labeling and a long half-life of [ 3 H]docosahexaenoic acid phospholipids in liver (35 hr for 5-day-olds and 54 hr for 14-day-olds) and plasma (42 hr for 5 day-olds and 68 hr for 14-day-olds). As a function of time, the labeling profile in plasma lipids followed that of liver. A significant amount of total plasma decosahexaenoic acid was found esterified into cholesterol esters, while decosahexaenoic acid-phospholipids accounted for 60 to 70% at both ages. Docosahexaenoic acid cholesterol ester may also be a carrier of docosahexaenoic acid to neural tissues after synthesis in the liver and/or in high density lipoproteins from a liver-derived docosahexaenoic acid-phosphatidylcholine pool. Both cholesterol and docosahexaenoic acid are needed for neural membrane biogenesis. Collectively, these data indicate that the metabolism of docosahexaenoic acid by liver and the uptake and esterification of docosahexaenoic acid into hepatic lipids and its subsequent appearance in the plasma are developmentally regulated and under control by the liver. The esterification of docosahexaenoic acid into phospholipids and the increased half-life of [ 3 H]docosahexaenoic acid-phospholipids in plasma may be salient factors modulating efficient docosahexaenoic acid delivery to the central nervous system.
Aqueous pretreatments of polyetherimide to facilitate the bonding of electrolessly deposited copper

A chemical method for pretreating polyetherimide substrates to promote adhesion to copper is described. The process consists of cleaning the polymer surface followed by surface normalization, debris solubilization, and adhesion promotion via chemical modification of the polymer surface. Classes of candidates for each of the major steps are described and the optimal agents assembled into a recommended procedure. Peel strengths between 150-210 g mm-1 for copper to polyetherimide were achieved utilizing the suggested scheme. Scanning electron microscopic and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses were employed to investigate changes in the polymer surface and chemistry during processing. Metallized specimens were examined after 90° peel testing and the failure locus found to be within the polymer layer.
PGE2 is generated by specific COX-2 activity and increases VEGF production in COX-2-expressing human pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract In some cancers cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition appears to be anti-mitogenic and anti-angiogenic, but the actions of COX-derived prostaglandins in pancreatic cancer (PaCa) are unknown. In this study COX-2 was detected in three of six PaCa cell lines while COX-1 was identified in all cell lines. COX-2 expression correlated with basal and arachidonic acid (AA) stimulated PGE2 production. PGE2 production was inhibited by the COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide. In COX-2 expressing cells, exogenous AA and PGE2 increased VEGF synthesis via the EP2 receptor. Whereas PGE2 stimulated intracellular cAMP formation in COX-2 positive and negative cells, 8-bromo cAMP stimulated VEGF production only in COX-2 expressing cells. Stimulating COX-2 expressing PaCa cell lines with AA enhanced migration of endothelial cells, an effect which was inhibited by a COX-2 inhibitor and EP2 receptor antagonist. These data identify a subset of human PaCa cell lines that express functional COX-2 enzyme. PGE2 generated by specific COX-2 activity increases VEGF secretion in human PaCa cells through an autocrine mechanism.
Biodegradation of Trichloroethene by Methane Oxidizers Naturally Associated with Wetland Plant Roots

Trichloroethene (TCE) can undergo natural attenuation within wetland environments, particularly by oxidative processes that occur in the vegetated subsurface. The goal of this study was to evaluate TCE degradation potential through aerobic cometabolism by methane-oxidizing microorganisms associated with the roots of wetland plant species, Carex comosa and Scirpus atrovirens. The degradation experiments were conducted in 2.4 L Teflon microcosms with 15 g of washed, soil-free roots and amended with methane (2.1 mg/L), oxygen (8 mg/L), and TCE (three enrichment cycles without TCE and four cycles at 150 μg/L, one cycle at 600 μg/L, and one cycle at 900 μg/L of TCE). Our results indicated that methane-oxidizing activity and TCE degradation potential were comparable for the plant species investigated. The initial rates of methane degradation with TCE amendments varied between 0.21 and 0.30 mg L–1 d–1 for Carex comosa, and between 0.14 and 0.25 mg L–1 d–1 for Scirpus atrovirens. The average TCE mass removal per cycle varied between 24 and 32%, and the overall transformation yield was 0.0004 mmol TCE/mmol CH4 for both plant species. This study suggests that wetland plants can play an important role in the natural attenuation of TCE in contaminated aquatic environments.