cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost‐effectiveness of a telehealth intervention for in‐home dementia care support: Findings from the FamTechCare clinical trial

Determining the cost-effectiveness of technological interventions is a crucial aspect in assuring these interventions can be adopted. The FamTechCare intervention is an innovative telehealth support that links family caregivers of persons living with dementia to tailored feedback from dementia care experts based on caregiver-initiated video recordings of challenging care situations. The FamTechCare intervention has demonstrated significant reductions in caregiver depression and increases in caregiver competence when compared to standard telephone support. The purpose of this article is to report on the cost-effectiveness of the FamTechCare telehealth intervention. Process-based costing and a cost-effectiveness analysis using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was completed with 68 caregiver and person living dementia with dyads. The cost of the 12-week FamTechCare telehealth intervention was found to be greater ($48.43 per dyad per week) due to the telehealth equipment, recording application, and expert panel time compared with the telephone support intervention ($6.96 per dyad per week). The ICER was $18.51 for caregiver depression and $36.31 for caregiver competence indicating that it cost no more than $36.38 per dyad per week over 12 weeks to achieve significant improvement in depression and competence in the FamTechCare caregivers compared to the telephone support caregivers. The FamTechCare intervention appears to be cost-effective when compared to the telephone support intervention and remains near the willingness-to-pay threshold for caregivers providing in-home dementia care support.
Micro- and nanoscale biophysical cues for cardiovascular disease therapy

After cardiovascular injury, numerous pathological processes adversely impact the homeostatic function of cardiomyocyte, macrophage, fibroblast, endothelial cell, and vascular smooth muscle cell populations. Subsequent malfunctioning of these cells may further contribute to cardiovascular disease onset and progression. By modulating cellular responses after injury, it is possible to create local environments that promote wound healing and tissue repair mechanisms. The extracellular matrix continuously provides these mechanosensitive cell types with physical cues spanning the micro- and nanoscale to influence behaviors such as adhesion, morphology, and phenotype. It is therefore becoming increasingly compelling to harness these cell-substrate interactions to elicit more native cell behaviors that impede cardiovascular disease progression and enhance regenerative potential. This review discusses recent in vitro and preclinical work that have demonstrated the therapeutic implications of micro- and nanoscale biophysical cues on cell types adversely affected in cardiovascular diseases - cardiomyocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells.
Altered mental status with mirror giant middle cerebral artery aneurysms: A case report

Abstract Introduction Mirror aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) constitute 14% of all MCA aneurysms, which commonly arise from the MCA bifurcation. Giant MCA aneurysms (>25 mm in diameter) have a reported 5-year rupture rate of 40%, though can be difficult to treat surgically given their complex nature. Giant aneurysms may present with symptoms of mass effect, including neurological deficit, headaches, and/or cranial neuropathies. To our knowledge, no case of mirror bilateral giant MCA aneurysms exists in the neurosurgical literature. Case description Here we present a case of mirror bilateral giant MCA aneurysms in an 84-year-old man who presented with altered mental status and increased falls in the last year. Imaging revealed mirror MCA aneurysms, 3.5 and 4 cm in diameter respectively, arising from bilateral M1 segments. The patient opted to forego further evaluation or surgical intervention and was discharged home. Conclusion We report the first known case of mirror bilateral giant MCA aneurysms were found in an 84-year-old man presenting with altered mental status and progressive decline across the last year.
Landslides, hurricanes, and sediment sourcing impact basin-scale erosion estimates in Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Abstract Accurately inferring erosion rates from cosmogenic isotope concentrations in river sand assumes temporally steady concentrations; few studies test this assumption. Following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, we quantified temporal variability in meteoric and in situ 10Be (10Bem, 10Bei) on sand-sized grains of riverine transported material in landslide-prone basins. We analyzed 20 samples collected over 18 months from the channels of two nested watersheds: the Icacos (3.14 km2, 0.09% active landslide area) and Guaba basins (0.11 km2, 1.23% active landslide area). 10Bei concentrations in Icacos basin sediment remained steady over time whereas concentrations in Guaba basin sediment were initially half those in the Icacos basin and increased linearly over 18 months, constraining recovery time to
‘Top Down’ Analysis of Proteins for the Masses

ABSTRACT During the last decade, ‘top-down analysis’ of proteins has been available to those scientists privileged by access to Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). Recent advances in ion trap and orbitrap technology coupled with developments like electron transfer dissociation (ETD) promise to make the ‘top-down’ strategy of protein analysis more widely available. Here, the general strategy of ‘top-down analysis’ is reviewed, an example of ‘top-down analysis’ of a small protein by ion trap mass spectrometry is described, and the importance of ETD is presented in the context of instrumentation based on the linear ion trap or as hybridized with transmission quadrupole mass spectrometers.
A deep learning-assisted mathematical model for decongestion time prediction at railroad grade crossings

This paper presents a deep learning-assisted framework to estimate the decongestion time at the grade crossing, and its key novelty lies in a differential approach to address the challenge associated with data deficiency of congestion events in grade crossings. A hypothesis of the traffic behavior during the congestion event caused by passing trains is proposed. A deep neural network-based vehicle crowd counting algorithm is developed to estimate the number of vehicles at the normal traffic condition. A running average-based motion detection algorithm is designed to estimate the time of the train passing through the grade crossing. A regression model is then constructed to relate the quantitative information with the decongestion time. In the experiments, 30 congestion events are video-recorded during a period of 200 h with different camera angles at a selected grade crossing, and then studied by the proposed method to learn the congestion pattern and predict the decongestion time, which to the best of our knowledge has not been attempted before. Analysis of the experimental results shows that the vehicle number at the normal traffic flow and the train passing time have significant influences on the traffic decongestion time. The relationship is captured by a quantitative model for rapid prediction. Our study also points out the direction for further improvement of the present development to meet the need for real-world applications.
Using Video to Establish Immediacy with Students in Distance Education Courses

This chapter describes a ‘fun’ method used to develop a bond between the instructor and students in online University-level courses. The method described is general enough that it may be customized to a specific instructor, course, or other situation.
Feasibility of and agreement between MR imaging and spectroscopic estimation of hepatic proton density fat fraction in children with known or suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Purpose To assess feasibility of and agreement between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for estimating hepatic proton density fat fraction (PDFF) in children with known or suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
INFLUENCE OF MAGNETIC FIELDS ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE SOLAR CORONA.

A current-free approximation to the coronal magnetic field is calculated from measured photospheric magnetic fields (Mt. Wilson) and traced by computer. The calculated field structure is then compared to a white-light photograph of the November 12, 1966 eclipse.
Exons and Code Growth in Genetic Programming

Current theories regarding code growth (bloat) in genetic programming focus on the presence and growth of introns. In this paper we show for the first time that code growth can occur, albeit quite slowly, even in code that has a significant impact on fitness.
The -theory of toric manifolds

Toric manifolds, the topological analogue of toric varieties, are determined by an n-dimensional simple convex polytope and a function from the set of codimensionone faces into the primitive vectors of an integer lattice. Their cohomology was determined by Davis and Januszkiewicz in 1991 and corresponds with the theorem of DanilovJurkiewicz in the toric variety case. We use the Adams spectral sequence to compute the KO-theory of all toric manifolds and certain toric varieties.
Optimizing the fold stability of miniprotein sequences.

Peptides (< 25 residues) rarely have well-defined, deep energy wells for folding with the possible exception of a reported few hairpin and miniprotein structures. However, these systems display relatively low melting temperatures and broad thermal transitions for unfolding. Our lab has recently employed several strategies that provide exceptional stability for both types of folds. In the case of the Trp-cage motif, combining helix stabilizing mutations with one other feature provided three mutants that display TM values greater than 75°C, with two-state folding (Fig. 1). In the β hairpin, Trp/Trp pairings flanking a turn have been shown to greatly stabilize folds [1]. These residue pairs adopt an edge-to-face (Etf) geometry, as evidenced by circular dichroism (CD) exciton couplets and an upfield Trp He3 proton (−2.2 ppm). Adding a backbone-NH/inhole H-bonding interaction to a turn motif stabilized by and Etf Trp/Trp interaction, produced a 10-mer hairpin that is greater than 85% folded at 25°C (TM > 60°C). Fig. 1 Peptides sequences, lower case amino acid abbreviations indicate d-AA. The melting temperatures, defined at 50% folded, were obtained from the temperature dependence of the CD. The ΔG values for unfolding (280K) were calculated from H/D exchange ... Methods Linear peptides were synthesized using standard Fmoc solid-state chemistry and purified reverse-phase HPLC as previously described [1, 2]. The cyclized peptide was synthesized employing a 4-sulfamylbenzoyl AM "safety catch" resin, which produces a C-terminus thioester when cleaved by a mercaptan. Under aqueous conditions that favor Trp-cage folding, the termini are spatially near resulting in the efficient attack of the N-terminal amide on the thioester producing the cyclic peptide. Backbone-amide H/D exchange, NMR and CD data collection, as well as the methods for calculating TM and ΔGU, have previously described, [1–3]
Abstract 175: The Role of ER-α, ER-ß, and AR in the FCG Model of Ischemic Brain Injury

Background: Ischemic stroke is a sexually dimorphic disease. Females are protected from ischemic brain injury throughout most of the lifespan, but the contribution of hormones in this “ischemia resistant” phenotype remains unclear. The “four core genotype” (FCG) model is used to differentiate the effect of the chromosomal complement (XX vs. XY) from an animal’s gonadal (estrogen vs. testosterone producing) sex through examination of five genotypes XYMwt, XY-M, XXM, XXF, and XYF. XY-M FCG mice are made by the translocation of Sry from the Y chromosome to an autosome. Stroke sex differences have been largely attributed to the neuroprotective effects of estrogen. However, it remains unclear whether hormonal receptors can be influenced at the chromosomal level, which could further explain sexual dimorphism in stroke phenotypes. We hypothesize that the sex chromosome complement and transgene Sry (the testis determining gene found on the Y chromosome) contribute to the sexually dimorphic stroke phenotype. Methods: FCG animals were gonadectomized at 3 weeks of age. Animals were subjected to stroke at 8-12 weeks of age. Cytosolic samples were evaluated for androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER-α and ER-β) levels in sham and stroke samples. RT-PCR for Sry on the stroke hemisphere (delta-delta-CT) was performed on the FCG mice and wild type males. Results: Western blot analysis showed that XXM and XXF mice had significant stroke induced reduction in AR expression (p<0.01). No significant difference in the expression of ER-α was seen in sham and stroke mice among genotypes. ER-β expression increased significantly in XXM post stroke (p<0.05), but not in the other genotypes. RT-PCR analysis showed approximately 90-fold increase of mRNA expression of Sry in the phenotypes with the exogenous Sry (XYM and XXM) compared to WTM mice with endogenous Sry (p<0.05). Conclusion: XXM and XYM mice show an increase in Sry expression compared to WTM suggesting insertional and positional effects of Sry transgene. AR expression in XXM and XXF mice is influenced at the chromosomal level, suggesting effects of X chromosome dosage on AR expression. Stroke induced ER-β expression in XXM mice may be an effect of the interaction between transgene Sry and other hormonal axes.
Design and evaluation of a robust dynamic neurocontroller for a multivariable aircraft control problem

The design of a dynamic neurocontroller with good robustness properties is presented for a multivariable aircraft control problem. The internal dynamics of the neurocontroller are synthesized by a state estimator feedback loop. The neurocontrol is generated by a multilayer feedforward neural network which is trained through backpropagation to minimize an objective function that is a weighted sum of tracking errors, and control input commands and rates. The neurocontroller exhibits good robustness through stability margins in phase and vehicle output gains. By maintaining performance and stability in the presence of sensor failures in the error loops, the structure of the neurocontroller is also consistent with the classical approach of flight control design. >
Fumonisins: fungal toxins that shed light on sphingolipid function

Fumonisins are sphinganine analogues produced by Fusarium moniliforme and related fungi. They inhibit ceramide synthase and block the biosynthesis o f complex sphingolipids, promoting accumulation o f sphinganine and sphinganine 1 phosphate. Disruption o f sphingolipid metabolism by fumonisin B(1) alters cell-cell interactions, the behaviour o f cell-surface proteins, the activity o f protein kinases, the metabolism of other lipids, and cell growth and viability. This multitude of effects probably accounts for the toxicity and carcinogenicity of these mycotoxins. Naturally occurring inhibitors o f sphingolipid metabolism such as fumonisins are proving to be powerful tools for studying the diverse roles of sphingolipids in cell regulation and disease.
Stochastic learning automata for image estimation

Maximum posterior marginals (MPM) image estimation is examined in the framework of stochastic learning automata. An automaton is associated with each pixel, with the M gray levels possible at the pixel constituting the action set of the automaton. This distributed set of automata function in a cooperative manner with each automaton using an identical and predefined stochastic learning scheme to converge in probability to its optimal action. Three different learning schemes are studied and a parallel implementation of each learning scheme is given. Experimental results of reconstructing the original from a noisy image are presented. >
On Data Center Network Architectures for Interconnecting Dual-Port Servers

During the past decade, various novel data center network (DCN) architectures have been proposed to meet various requirements of large scale data centers. In existing works that consider server-centric DCN architectures, the lengths of a server-to-server-direct hop and a server-to-server-via-a-switch hop are assumed to be equal. We propose the concept of Normalized Switch Delay (NSD) to distinguish a server-to-server-direct hop and a server-to-server-via-a-switch hop, to unify the design and analysis of server-centric DCN architectures for interconnecting servers with two network interface cards. In [1] , the authors claim that BCN is the largest known architecture to interconnect dual-port servers, with diameter 7, given a switch port number. We notice that the existing DPillar [2] architecture accommodates more servers than BCN does under the same configurations. Motivated by this fact, we consider a fundamental problem: maximizing the number of dual-port servers, given network diameter and switch port number; and give an upper bound on this maximum number. Then, we propose three novel architectures that try to achieve this upper bound: SWCube, SWKautz, and SWdBruijn, based on the generalized hypercube, Kautz graph, and de Bruijn graph, respectively. The number of servers that SWCube can accommodate is comparable to that of DPillar. The number of servers that SWKautz and SWdBruijn can accommodate is generally greater than that of DPillar. Compared with three existing architectures, the three proposed architectures, SWCube, SWKautz and SWdBruijn demonstrate various advantages. Analysis and simulations on the newly proposed architectures also show that they have nice properties for DCNs, such as low diameter, high bisection width, good fault-tolerance, and the capability of efficiently handling network congestion.
The effect of artificial electron donor and acceptor systems on light-induced absorbance responses of cytochromes f and other pigments in intact chloroplasts

Abstract An investigation has been made into the effect of low concentrations of 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) and N , N , N ′, N ′-tetramethyl- p -phenylenediamine (TMPD), in the presence of ascorbate, on light-induced absorbance changes in the α-band region of cytochrome f and b -type cytochromes. Strong photo-oxidation of cytochrome f occurred with DCIP, in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) (2 μM), but not with TMPD. However, with TMPD a large light-induced absorbance increase occurred due to a broad band centred at 566 nm. With DCIP, the uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide p -trifluoromethoxyphenyl hydrazone (FCCP), in conjunction with the electron acceptor 1,1′-ethylene-2,2′-bipyridylium dibromide (diquat), inhibited the cytochrome f response and an absorbance increase in the 560–575 nm region occurred similar to that with TMPD. Neither FCCP nor diquat had any great effect on the TMPD system. The results support a pathway of electron transport between the two photosystems in which (a) DCIP-ascorbate interacts with an intermediate on the Photosystem II side of a coupling site; (b) TMPD-ascorbate interacts after this site, and (c) cytochrome f is located on the Photosystem I side of the site.
A new lifting scheme for lossless image compression

Since its first introduction, the lifting scheme has become a powerful method to perform wavelet transforms and many other orthogonal transforms. Especially for integer-to-integer wavelet transforms, the lifting scheme is an indispensable tool for lossless image compression. Earlier work has shown that the number of lifting steps can have an impact on the transform performance. The fidelity of integer-to-integer transforms depends entirely on how well they approximate thir original wavelet transforms. The predominant source of errors is due to the rounding-off of the intermediate real result to an integer at each lifting step. Hence, a wavelet transform with a large number of lifting steps would automatically increase the approximation error. In the case of lossy compression, the approximation error is less important because it is usually masked out by the transform coefficient quantization error. However, in the case of lossless compression, the compression performance is certainly affected by the approximation error. Consequently, the number of lifting steps in a wavelet transform is a major concern. The new lifting method presented in this paper reduces the number of lifting steps substantially in lossless data compression. Thus, it also significantly improves the overall rounding errors incurred in the real-to-integer conversion process at each of the lifting steps. The improvement of the overall rounding errors is more pronounced in the integer-to-integer orthogonal wavelet transforms, but the improvement in the integer-to-integer biorthogonal wavelet transforms is also significant. In addition, as a dividend, the new lifting method further saves memory space and decreases signal delay. Many examples on popular wavelet transforms are included.
Coagulation and adsorption of humic substances: An analysis of surrogate parameters for predicting effects on trihalomethane formation potential

Abstract Alum coagulation and activated carbon adsorption are effective water treatment processes for removing trihalomethane precursors. Nonpurgeable organic carbon (NPOC), UV absorbance, and fluorescence can serve as surrogate parameters for predicting the trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) of a water source from its untreated state through various degrees of treataent by these processes. Multiplicative parameters such as the product of UV absorbance and NPOC can also function as effective surrogates.
Molecular origins of cofilin-linked changes in actin filament mechanics.

Abstract The actin regulatory protein cofilin plays a central role in actin assembly dynamics by severing filaments and increasing the concentration of ends from which subunits add and dissociate. Cofilin binding modifies the average structure and mechanical properties of actin filaments, thereby promoting fragmentation of partially decorated filaments at boundaries of bare and cofilin-decorated segments. Despite extensive evidence for cofilin-dependent changes in filament structure and mechanics, it is unclear how the two processes are linked at the molecular level. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations and coarse-grained analyses to evaluate the molecular origins of the changes in filament compliance due to cofilin binding. Filament subunits with bound cofilin are less flat and maintain a significantly more open nucleotide cleft than bare filament subunits. Decorated filament segments are less twisted, thinner (considering only actin), and less connected than their bare counterparts, which lowers the filament bending persistence length and torsional stiffness. Using coarse-graining as an analysis method reveals that cofilin binding increases the average distance between the adjacent long-axis filament subunit, thereby weakening their interaction. In contrast, a fraction of lateral filament subunit contacts are closer and presumably stronger with cofilin binding. A cofilactin interface contact identified by cryo-electron microscopy is unstable during simulations carried out at 310 K, suggesting that this particular interaction may be short lived at ambient temperatures. These results reveal the molecular origins of cofilin-dependent changes in actin filament mechanics that may promote filament severing.
Drive level, incentive conditions and systematic desensitization

Abstract The role of drive level was investigated as it bears upon the process mechanism(s) involved in systematic desensitization. Drive was defined by subjects' performance on a pre-BAT. High and Low Drive subjects were randomly assigned to a systematic desensitization, a reward. an extinction, and a control condition. The results indicated that systematic desensitization was the most effective condition for both high and low drive subjects. However, there were indications that both the extinction and reward conditions may be effective with further trials. The suggestion was that systematic desensitization might be the more efficient, but not the sole effective treatment. If so, the process mechanism involved is likely to be extinction rather than reciprocal inhibition. The role of relaxation, then, would be one of an incentive that permits the subject to maintain exposure to the feared stimuli, thus facilitating extinction.
Hostility and Anxiety Differentially Predict Cardiovascular Disease in Men and Women

Consideration of the psychosocial contributions to cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains an ongoing focus of research in the behavioral sciences, with a particular emphasis on the role of hostility. There are, however, a number of inconsistent findings, and the generality of findings across genders remains a continuing concern. This article presents an emotions-theory perspective on the relation between personality and CVD and reports a test of the hypothesis that anxiety predicts CVD in women whereas hostility predicts CVD in men. Six hundred and eighty women and 415 men completed measures of traditional risk factors, emotion, and cardiovascular disease. Structural equation analyses supported our prediction. Data are interpreted in terms of their capacity to inform general psychosocial models of CVD, and implications for gender-specific intervention programs are discussed.
Comparison of serum blocking factors on leucocyte adherence inhibition and PHA lymphocyte blastogenesis in breast cancer patients

Specific and nonspecific serum blocking factors (SBF) in sera from 48 breast cancer patients were examined to evaluate the correlation of SBF to the tumor burden. Specific SBF in leucocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) assay was demonstrated in 15 of 21 patients with a recurrence, in five of 11 with local or regional involvement and in 3 of 16 with no evidence of the disease (NED). The difference between patients with recurrence and with NED was significant (P<0.005). SBF in LAI and lymphocyte blasto-genesis correlated in 29 of 48 (60%) patients (both positive 9 of 48, both negative 20 of 48). However, SBF in LAI was demonstrated in 14 of 48 (29%) patients whose sera showed no SBF in lymphocyte blastogenesis. These results indicate that SBF in LAI and lymphocyte blastogenesis are either induced or derived from breast cancer tissue. SBF in LAI correlates closely with the tumor burden, more so than do SBF in lymphocyte blastogenesis. The blocking assays have a potential use for prognostication and a guide for clinical therapy.
"Ceausescuismn" and Civil-Military Relations in Romania

This article discusses the relationship between the Romanian armed forces and the leadership of the Romanian Communist party. It suggests that this relationship has been complicated, and made more difficult, by Romania's pursuit of foreign policy autonomy from the Soviet Union. Ceausescu has relied more on direct political intervention and less on positive inducements to retain control of the armed forces than have his counterparts elsewhere in Eastern Europe. Romania's defense establishment, like other institutions in that country, has been reduced to a state of stagnation and cannot under present circumstances be expected to provide the basis for leadership alternative to that of the current Communist party elite.
Latency lags bandwith

As I review performance trends, I am struck by a consistent theme across many technologies: bandwidth improves much more quickly than latency. Here, I list a half-dozen performance milestones to document this observation, many reasons why it happens, a few ways to cope with it, a rule of thumb to quantify it, plus an example of how to design systems differently based on this observation.
Co-localization of leukotriene a4 hydrolase with 5-lipoxygenase in nuclei of alveolar macrophages and rat basophilic leukemia cells but not neutrophils.

The synthesis of leukotriene B4 from arachidonic acid requires the sequential action of two enzymes: 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene A4hydrolase. 5-Lipoxygenase is known to be present in the cytoplasm of some leukocytes and able to accumulate in the nucleoplasm of others. In this study, we asked if leukotriene A4 hydrolase co-localizes with 5-lipoxygenase in different types of leukocytes. Examination of rat basophilic leukemia cells by both immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence revealed that leukotriene A4 hydrolase, like 5-lipoxygenase, was most abundant in the nucleus, with only minor occurrences in the cytoplasm. The finding of abundant leukotriene A4 hydrolase in the soluble nuclear fraction was substantiated by two different cell fractionation techniques. Leukotriene A4 hydrolase was also found to accumulate together with 5-lipoxygenase in the nucleus of alveolar macrophages. This result was obtained using both in situand ex vivo techniques. In contrast to these results, peripheral blood neutrophils contained both leukotriene A4hydrolase and 5-lipoxygenase exclusively in the cytoplasm. After adherence of neutrophils, 5-lipoxygenase was rapidly imported into the nucleus, whereas leukotriene A4 hydrolase remained cytosolic. Similarly, 5-lipoxygenase was localized in the nucleus of neutrophils recruited into inflamed appendix tissue, whereas leukotriene A4 hydrolase remained cytosolic. These results demonstrate for the first time that leukotriene A4hydrolase can be accumulated in the nucleus, where it co-localizes with 5-lipoxygenase. As with 5-lipoxygenase, the subcellular distribution of leukotriene A4 hydrolase is cell-specific and dynamic, but differences in the mechanisms regulating nuclear import must exist. The degree to which these two enzymes are co-localized may influence their metabolic coupling in the conversion of arachidonic acid to leukotriene B4.
Determination of Nanomechanical Properties of Polyester Matrix Composite Using Nanoindentation

Fiber reinforced polymer composites are two component material systems in which fibers are embedded in a polymer matrix. Such a system inherently has an interface region where the two components meet. The interface region around the fiber is also referred to as the ‘interphase’. Properties at the fiber-matrix interphase change by changing the chemistry of the composite system. Study of property variations with changing chemistry will help in better understanding and tailoring of the composite properties. The present work concentrates on the investigation of nanomechanical properties at the fiber-matrix interphase of glass fibers embedded in a polyester matrix. The glass fibers were coated with two types of silanes to produce a strong and a weak bond at the fiber-matrix interphase. Nanoindentation techniques coupled with atomic force microscopy imaging capabilities have been used for this investigation. Two different tips were employed for indenting, one being a Berkovich diamond tip supplied by Hysitron, Inc., and another a parabolic tungsten tip, which was made in the laboratory. Indentations were performed in the fiber-matrix interphase region and also in the bulk matrix. Mechanical properties such as modulus, stiffness, hardness and penetration depth were obtained in the interphase and their variation on moving away from the fiber. Variations of the elastic modulus in the interphase region and its relation to the chemistry are presented. The results obtained using two different tip shapes have been compared.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Supporting Young Geoscientists at Fall Meeting

Three events for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students will occur at this year's Fall Meeting.
Microinjected morphine suppresses the activity of locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons in freely moving cats.

Microinjection of morphine (1.0 microgram/0.1 microliter) produced a significant suppression (approximately 60%) of the single unit activity of locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons in freely moving cats. This effect was reversible by systemic administration of the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (1.0 mg/kg i.v.). The microinjection of naloxone (1.0 microgram/0.1 microliter), however, was without effect on the spontaneous activity of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus. Non-noradrenergic neurons recorded in the same vicinity showed no consistent response to the microinjection of morphine. These results suggest that the direct effect of opioids in the locus coeruleus is an inhibition of noradrenergic neuronal activity. Furthermore, it appears that opioid influences upon these neurons are not tonically active.
RFX-B Is the Gene Responsible for the Most Common Cause of the Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome, an MHC Class II Immunodeficiency

The bare lymphocyte syndrome (BLS) is characterized by the absence of MHC class II transcription and humoral- and cellular-mediated immune responses to foreign antigens. Three of the four BLS genetic complementation groups have defects in the activity of the MHC class II transcription factor RFX. We have purified the RFX complex and sequenced its three subunits. The sequence of the smallest subunit describes a novel gene, termed RFX-B. RFX-B complements the predominant BLS complementation group (group B) and was found to be mutant in cell lines from this BLS group. The protein has no known DNA-binding domain but does contain three ankyrin repeats that are likely to be important in protein-protein interactions.
1/f2 and 1/f power spectra of short-term interbeat interval time series

Power spectral scaling and correlation properties of physical and biological dynamical systems are useful in system characterization and in giving insight into their mechanisms. Since, heart rate has been found to vary with respect to time in a very complicated manner, analysis of this variation using power spectral scaling and correlation techniques can give insight into the various physiologic systems which are involved in heart rate control. 1/f power spectrum, one of the most ubiquitous types of power spectra found in nature, has previously been found to be characteristic of normal cardiac interbeat interval time series for frequencies less than 2 X 10-2 Hz. This frequency domain corresponds to relatively long-term interbeat interval variation. The scaling properties of short-term heart rate variability (related to short-term heart rate control by the baroreceptor reflex), on the other hand, have not as yet been examined analytically. To accomplish this now, we analyzed the scaling properties of the power spectra of cardiac interbeat interval time series of five minute durations in 10 normal individuals and in 10 patients with heart failure. By studying the scaling and correlation properties of the power spectra of short-term interbeat interval time series we may gain more insight into the non-linear characteristics of baroreceptor reflex heart rate regulation.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Repetition time in echo planar functional MRI

To date, surprisingly little attention has been directed toward determining the optimum TR in a functional imaging experiment. A survey of the literature reveals a wide range of TRs, but little justification for a specific TR. Long-TR functional imaging experiments provide maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the raw images; allow for the collection of a large number of slice locations; and decrease the size of the data set acquired, simplifying storage and handling. This work, however, demonstrates that long-TR imaging sacrifices statistical power when the paradigm timing is held fixed. That is, for a fixed-run duration consisting of multiple activation/control blocks, shorter TR acquisitions (on the order of 1000 ms) provide better discrimination between the activated and nonactivated brain tissue regions than do long-TR acquisitions (on the order of 4000 ms). Results are shown for modeling the functional imaging experiment and for three different paradigms performed on normal subjects.
Effects of 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate on mutagenesis and p53 protein expression in the tongue of lacI rats treated with 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide

Abstract Previously we showed that the organoselenium compound, 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenocyanate (p-XSC) 1 inhibits 4-nitroquinoline- N -oxide (4-NQO)-induced tongue tumorigenesis in Fisher rats. Here we investigate possible mechanisms of this inhibition by monitoring mutagenesis and p53 protein levels in lacI and conventional Fisher rats treated with: (1) a carcinogenic dose of 4-NQO for 10 weeks in drinking water, (2) 4-NQO + p-XSC (15 ppm as selenium), and (3) 4-NQO followed by p-XSC. For mutagenesis studies, rats were euthanized at 7, 12 or 23 weeks after the start of 4-NQO. For studies on p53 levels, rats were euthanized at 11, 15 and 23 weeks. Appropriate controls were also monitored. In the 4-NQO-alone groups, the mutant fraction (MF) in the cII gene in tongue increased at least 50× background level. The MF (in units of mutants/10 5 plaque forming units) for the 7, 12, and 23 weeks 4-NQO groups were respectively, 184 ± 88, 237 ± 105, and 329 ± 110. Thus, mutagenesis increased with length of exposure and post-treatment time. p-XSC modestly (ca. 15–30%) inhibited mutagenesis under all conditions. The inhibition reached significance at the last time point. When p-XSC was administered after 4-NQO, the MF was also modestly reduced. In 4-NQO-alone animals, levels of p53 in tongue (determined by Western blotting) were 1, 1.5 and 2.4 control levels at 10, 15 and 23 weeks, respectively. In the p-XSC + 4-NQO group, the enhancement in p53 levels by 4-NQO treatment was decreased about 90% at 15 weeks and 45% ( P
Heat transfer from round impinging jets to a flat plate

Abstract An investigation of heat transfer from round jets, impinging normally on three instrumented flat plates, for various nozzle-to-target plate distances, with Reynolds numbers ranging from 14 000 to 67 000, and nozzle diameters from 3.18 to 12.7 mm, has been carried out. The experimental data at the stagnation point were given particular attention. Flat plate stagnation point data and the average heat transfer have also been correlated by means of dimensional analysis, and compared with calculations and with the results from the literature.
Maturation of Cognitive Processes From Late Childhood to Adulthood

To characterize cognitive maturation through adolescence, processing speed, voluntary response suppression, and spatial working memory were measured in 8- to 30-year-old (N = 245) healthy participants using oculomotor tasks. Development progressed with a steep initial improvement in performance followed by stabilization in adolescence. Adult-level mature performance began at approximately 15, 14, and 19 years of age for processing speed, response inhibition, and working memory, respectively. Although processes developed independently, processing speed influenced the development of working memory whereas the development of response suppression and working memory were interdependent. These results indicate that processing speed, voluntary response suppression, and working memory mature through late childhood and into adolescence. How brain maturation specific to adolescence may support cognitive maturation is discussed.
Corneal topographic changes over time after radial keratotomy

Radial keratotomy flattens the cornea, but in a nonuniform fashion. We used computer-assisted topographic analysis to examine curvature changes in different regions of the cornea. Within 45 days after surgery in human eyes, the central and midperipheral cornea flattens and the periphery steepens. Shortly after surgery, the central cornea (within 1-1.5 mm of the corneal light reflex) is steeper than the adjacent midperipheral cornea (1.5-3 mm peripheral to the light reflex). With time, however, the central cornea flattens more than the midperiphery, such that it is no longer relatively steeper. This regional variability in corneal curvature after radial keratotomy helps explain phenomena such as multifocal lens effect after radial keratotomy, and the changes with time account for the conflicting results observed clinically in human corneas and experimentally in human eye bank eyes.
Simultaneous measurement of three displacement derivatives using a multiple image-shearing interferometric camera

AbstractThis paper describes a multiple image-shearing camera. By incorporating coherent light illumination, the camera serves as a multiple-shearing speckle interferometer which measures the derivatives of surface displacements with respect to three directions simultaneously. The application of the camera to the study of flexural strains in bent plates is shown, and the determination of the complete state of two-dimensional strains is also considered. The multiple image-shearing camera uses an interference phenomenon, but is less demanding than holographic interferometry with respect to vibration isolation and the coherence of the light source. It is superior to other speckle techniques in that the obtained fringes are of much better quality.
Computer-aided surgery planning and rehearsal at Mayo Clinic

The Biomedical Imaging Resource at the Mayo Clinic has been involved in the design and implementation of computer-based techniques for comprehensive and fully-interactive display and analysis of biomedical images since the 1970s. The algorithms and programs Mayo Clinic has developed have been integrated into a software system called Analyze. This system has been used in the planning and rehearsal of numerous operations, including some special surgeries, such as the separation of joined twins. More than 10 years' experience using computers to plan operations has led Mayo Clinic to design the Virtual Reality Assisted Surgery Program (VRASP) for eventual use during craniofacial, orthopedic, prostate and neurological surgery. VRASP lets surgeons view 3D renderings of CT and MRI data and permits interactive virtual display manipulation. In essence, as doctors use interactive technology and computer-generated 3D images of patients' bodies to plan and rehearse surgery, so the program brings pre-surgery planning and rehearsal into line with what happens on the operating table, to make the surgical procedure more effective, less risky and less expensive.
Emergence of a Dominant Course of Action in a General Feedback Loop When Goal Uncertainty is Present.

A decision maker is confronted with a finite set of possible courses of action, each of which can generate one of several possible outcomes. The decision maker must make a (possibly infinite) sequence of such decisions, the consequence of each decision being fed back to him so that the estimated averages can be updated before the next course of action is selected. Furthermore, suppose that initially the decision maker is uncertain of precisely how to assess the utilities associated with each action-outcome pair (goal uncertainty), but that as he proceeds through the decision-information feedback loop he is gradually able to sharpen his perception of these utilities (goal shaping). In this article a mathematical model of a decision maker subject to goal uncertainty is given. Conditions are established which guarantee that the decision maker's ranges of expected utilities stabilize as he cycles through the decision-feedback loop. It is also shown that a single dominant course of action will always emerge. A specific example involving a decision maker functioning in the type of environment described above provides insight as to how this procedure works in practice. © 1987 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Cloud Standards and the Spectrum of Development

Cloud computing methods can be classified in terms of APIs, protocols, languages, and tools. This article looks at the different types of cloud software components, and discusses the pros and cons of taking a development plus operations ("DevOps") approach to accelerate progress on software and standards.
Non Drug Use- and Drug Use-Specific Spirituality as One-Year Predictors of Drug Use Among High-Risk Youth

The present article explored two different dimensions of spirituality that might tap negative and positive relations with adolescent drug use over a 1-year period. Non-drug-use–specific spirituality measured how spiritual the person believes he or she is, participation in spiritual groups, and engagement in spiritual practices such as prayer, whereas drug-use–specific spirituality measured using drugs as a spiritual practice. Self-report questionnaire data were collected during 1997–1999 from a sample of 501 adolescents in 18 continuation high schools across southern California. Participants ranged in age from 14 to 19 and were 57% male, with an ethnic distribution of 34% White, 49% Latino, 5% African American, 7% Asian, and 5% other. A series of general linear model analyses were conducted to identify whether or not two different spirituality variables predict drug use (cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens, and stimulants) at 1-year follow-up. After controlling for baseline drug use, non-drug-us...
Symphony: a case study in extending learner-centered design through process space analysis

We are exploring a new class of tools for learners: scaffolded integrated tool environments (or SITES), which address the needs of learners trying to engage in new, complex work processes. A crucial phase within a learner-centered design approach for SITE design involves analyzing the work process to identify areas where learners need support to engage in the process. Here we discuss the design of Symphony, a SITE for high-school science students. Specifically, we discuss how the process-space model helped us analyze the science inquiry process to help us identify a detailed set of learner needs, leading to a full set of process scaffolding strategies for Symphony.
NOD1 Expression in the Eye and Functional Contribution to IL-1β–Dependent Ocular Inflammation in Mice

PURPOSE NOD1 plays an important role in host defense and recognizes the minimal component of bacterial cell walls, meso-diaminopimelic acid (iE-DAP). Polymorphisms in NOD1 are associated with autoinflammatory diseases characterized by uveitis such as Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis. NOD1 is homologous to NOD2, which is responsible for an autosomal dominant form of uveitis. Nonetheless, the role of NOD1 in intraocular inflammation has not been explored. The induction of uveitis by iE-DAP in mice and the potential contribution of interleukin (IL)-1beta were investigated. METHODS BALB/c mice or mice deficient in caspase-1 or IL-1R1 and their congenic controls were injected intravitreally with iE-DAP or saline. The time course, dose response, and contribution of IL-1beta to ocular inflammation were quantified by intravital video microscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry. NOD1 and IL-1beta were measured in eye tissue by immunoblotting and ELISA. RESULTS NOD1 protein is expressed in the eye and promotes ocular inflammation in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. The authors previously defined the role of IL-1beta in NOD2 uveitis and tested whether NOD1 and NOD2 used similar mechanisms. Treatment with iE-DAP significantly increased IL-1beta, which was caspase-1 dependent. However, in contrast to NOD2, caspase-1 and IL-1R1 were essential mediators of iE-DAP-induced uveitis, suggesting that NOD1 and NOD2 induce ocular inflammation by distinct mechanisms involving IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that NOD1 is expressed within the eye and that its activation results in uveitis in an IL-1beta-dependent mechanism. Characterizing the differences between NOD1 and NOD2 responses may provide insight into the pathogenesis of uveitis.