cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidental splenic findings in pancreatosplenectomy specimens resected for primary pancreatic lesions.

AIMS Little has been written on the frequency and nature of incidental splenic lesions diagnosed on histopathological examination of pancreatosplenectomy specimens. METHODS AND RESULTS For 191 such specimens, incidental histological findings after haematopathologist re-review were tabulated. Cases suspicious for lymphoid malignancy underwent molecular analysis for immunoglobulin heavy and kappa light chain rearrangement. Follow-up was obtained on selected cases. In five cases (3%), the spleen was sampled but not mentioned in the original microscopic report; all were normal on re-review. Otherwise, most (171 of 186, 92%) were initially diagnosed as normal, with 160 (94%) remaining so on re-review. Findings on re-review not initially described (n = 11, 6%) included four cases with splenic morphology suspicious for possible leukaemia/lymphoma involvement. Additional findings included abscess formation, foamy macrophages, necrotising granulomas and simple cysts. Fifteen spleens were initially diagnosed as abnormal; the histopathological process was confirmed in all, including non-necrotising granulomas, cysts, Gamna-Gandy bodies, foamy macrophages, involvement by pancreatic neoplasm and involvement by known chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Molecular analysis was performed on the five cases of known/suspected lymphoma and two were positive for monoclonal gene rearrangement, including the known CLL and a previously undiagnosed case with similar immunophenotype. CONCLUSIONS Incidental splenic findings are not uncommon in pancreatosplenectomy specimens. While most are of limited clinical significance, low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders may go undetected if the spleen is overlooked. We recommend careful observation of splenic findings in these specimens, with a low threshold for haematopathological consultation when in doubt.
Soft Robotic Bilateral Hand Rehabilitation System for Fine Motor Learning

This paper presents the development of a pneumatically actuated soft robotic based bilateral therapy system for hand rehabilitation in post-stroke patients. The goal is to use a healthy hand to guide the motion of the paretic hand using a sensorized glove and a robotic exoskeleton, respectively. The sensorized glove tracks the motion of the healthy hand and provides inputs for the soft robotic hand exoskeleton to apply mimicking motion to the paretic hand. Two control algorithms, PD flow-based and adaptive PD pressure-based position controls, were developed and tested. Initial tests confirmed the ability of the systems to apply bilateral therapy. Furthermore, the adaptive pressure-based controller showed better performance with overall error reduced by 25.8% with respect to the flow-based controller. Future studies will include feasibility and performance of the system for applying therapy to post-stroke patients.
Recruitment of Future Physical Education Teachers Will Require All Hands on Deck

This article examines the recruitment of high-quality future physical educators, specifically as it relates to these four critical areas: (1) recognize personal traits and cultivate the disposition...
Neural correlates of aversive anticipation: An activation likelihood estimate meta-analysis across multiple sensory modalities

Anticipation is a universal preparatory response essential to the survival of an organism. Although meta-analytic synthesis of the literature exists for the anticipation of reward, a neuroimaging-based meta-analysis of the neural mechanisms of aversive anticipation is lacking. To address this gap in the literature, we ran an activation likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analysis of 63 fMRI studies of aversive anticipation across multiple sensory modalities. Results of the ALE meta-analysis provide evidence for a core circuit involved in aversive anticipation, including the anterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, mid-cingulate cortex, amygdala, thalamus, and caudate nucleus among other regions. Direct comparison of aversive anticipation studies using tactile versus visual stimuli identified additional regions involved in sensory specific aversive anticipation across these sensory modalities. Results from complementary multi-study voxel-wise and NeuroSynth analyses generally provide converging evidence for a core circuit involved in aversive anticipation. The multi-study voxel-wise analyses also implicate a more widespread preparatory response across sensory, motor, and cognitive control regions during more prolonged periods of aversive anticipation. The potential roles of these structures in anticipatory processing as well as avenues for future research are discussed.
Early versus late tracheostomy in pediatric intensive care unit: Does it matter? A 6-year experience

Background The aim of this study is to examine the clinical data of children who underwent tracheostomy during their stay in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), in order to describe the relationship between the timing of tracheostomy, the length of PICU stay and the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods This is a retrospective cohort study that collects all patients undergoing tracheostomy during their PICU stay over a six-year period. Data collection included PICU length of stay, days of intubation, days of mechanical ventilation, primary indication for tracheostomy, information about VAP and decannulations. The early tracheostomy group was defined as patients who had ten or fewer days of continuous ventilation, whereas the late tracheostomy group had more than ten days of continuous ventilation. Results A significant decrease in the rate of VAP incidence was noticed in the early tracheostomy group vs. late group (P=0.004, OR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.18-0.85). No differences were observed about decannulation, need of long-term ventilation and death rate. Significant decreases of days of mechanical ventilation and PICU stay were found in subgroup of patients who underwent early tracheostomy and were decannulated within 18 months. Conclusions No standard timing for tracheostomy placement has been established in the pediatric population. Early tracheostomy can shorten the days of ventilation and hospitalization in PICU and reduce the incidence of VAP, but further studies are needed to identify patient categories in which it can be of benefit.
Myosin: Cellular Molecular Motor

Myosins are a superfamily of ATP-dependent, actin-based motor proteins. In addition to muscle contraction, myosins are involved in a wide range of motility functions in cells, including transport of intracellular cargo. Typically, myosin molecules are composed of a heavy chain having a tail, hinge, and head domain and light chain present near the myosin head that modulates calcium-dependent transduction of force by myosin. The myosin head has both actin binding and ATP binding and ATPase activity. In resting state, myosin is bound to actin. When ATP binds to the myosin head, the head dissociates from the actin filament. Hydrolysis of bound ATP to ADP and the release of phosphate establish the rigor state of myosin (reestablishes myosin–actin interaction), generating force in the process to walk along the actin filament. Binding of a new ATP molecule to the myosin head releases myosin from actin to repeat the cycle. The structure and function of myosin are globally conserved.
Enthalpies of formation of some 3d Transition Metal-Antimony compounds by high temperature direct synthesis calorimetry

Abstract In this work we have performed a calorimetric investigation of some thermoelectric compounds, which are useful for energy savings, but do not contain toxic or extremely rare elements. The standard enthalpies of formation at 298 K of some binary antimony and transition metal (TM) compounds have been measured by high temperature direct synthesis calorimetry. The reported results are: ScSb(−112.0 ± 3.1); Sc5Sb3(-95.4 ± 2.8) TiSb (−63.3 ± 2.4); CrSb (−3.0 ± 2.7); FeSb2(0 ± 2.5); Mn2Sb (−9.2 ± 1.5); CoSb (−19.6 ± 1.3); CoSb3(-20.1 ± 2.0); NiSb (−35.3 ± 1.8). In kJ/mole of atoms. We compare our experimental measurement results with some previously published measurements and with predicted values by ab initio calculations.
Do Term Limits “Limit” the Speaker? Examining the Effects of Legislative Term Limits on State Speaker Power

What is the role of legislative term limits in the structure of legislative institutions? Using Mooney’s collective action problem theoretical framework on legislative leadership power, I claim tha...
Machine Learning for Advanced Additive Manufacturing

Summary Increasing demand for the fabrication of components with complex designs has spurred a revolution in manufacturing methods. Additive manufacturing stands out as a promising technology when it comes to prototyping multi-functional and multi-material designs. However, challenges still exist in the additive manufacturing process, such as mismatched material properties, lack of build consistency, and pervasive imperfections in the printed part. These inherent challenges can be avoided by implementing algorithms to detect imperfections and modulate printing parameters in real time. In this paper, several algorithms, with a focus on machine learning methods, are reviewed and explored to systematically tackle the three main stages of the additive manufacturing process: geometrical design, process parameter configuration, and in situ anomaly detection. Current challenges and future opportunities for algorithmically driven additive manufacturing processes, as well as potential applications to other manufacturing methods, are also discussed.
Jesuit, Catholic, and Green: Evidence from Loyola UniversityChicago

In this article, we investigate the relationship between religion, spirituality, and sustainability ethics. We focus on the sustainability efforts and channels that a Catholic Jesuit university employs in defining sustainability for business education and the global community through a consideration of the themes of social justice and the value of life. Specifically, we examine the model embraced by Loyola University Chicago (LUC), which promotes sustainability ethics and initiatives through their campus infrastructure, academic curriculum, and institutional culture. We examine emerging student-run businesses and their impact on the environment from a social justice perspective. Sustainability initiatives include on-campus biodiesel production, bottled water bans, sustainable farming, water conservation, and the creation of a sustainability dashboard.
Prasanta K. Pattanaik

Prasanta Pattanaik explains his choice of economics as a student (switching from Sanskrit). He recalls his formation in logic and in moral philosophy, and the role of Amartya Sen as his Ph.D. supervisor. Strategic voting, deprivation, choice of opportunity sets are considered.
Central hemodynamic monitoring in patients with cardiogenic shock

Cardiogenic shock is the pathology most commonly encountered by intensive care physicians. Its frequency averages 4–10% in STEMI ( ST -elevation myocardial infarction) patients and 2–4% in NONSTEMI (non- ST -elevation myocardial infarction) patients. Effective shock therapy is impossible without understanding the hemodynamic mechanisms of its occurrence. Many authors emphasize that cardiac output is the most important indicator of cardiac function, which necessitates its monitoring. Meanwhile, the cardiac output monitoring is associated with a number of difficulties, including those related to the technology of recording this function. In this article, the authors emphasize the importance of measuring central hemodynamic parameters in patients with predominantly cardiogenic shock. We have tried to structure the knowledge about different techniques of central hemodynamics monitoring, considered advantages and disadvantages of each of them. We believe that the data obtained by hemodynamic monitoring should be closely studied and used, because sometimes multidirectional mechanisms may be involved in the genesis of shock; therefore, therapy should be based on the data obtained in a particular patient.
Detection of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues via in situ hybridization:

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that succumbed to rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2; Lagovirus GI.2) during the 2019 outbreak in Washington, USA, were utilized for in situ hybridization via RNAscope (ACDBio). This detection method was both sensitive and specific, with no staining in tissues from RHDV- (Lagovirus GI.1) and RHDV2-negative rabbits, and only slight background staining of RHDV-positive rabbits; RHDV2-positive tissues had bright-red cytoplasmic staining. Although much of the viral mRNA detection was consistent with previously described antigen detection via immunohistochemistry of the liver, lungs, and spleen, there was also significant glomerular staining in the kidneys, and endothelial staining within blood vessels of almost all organs. We validated the RNAscope technique for detection of RHDV2 mRNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, with increased sensitivity from previous techniques, and identified additional affected cell types that may contribute to the understanding of pathogenesis.
Anger management: Mechanisms of glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity underlying animal aggression.

Abstract Excessive and recurring violent aggression is a serious concern for society and a symptom of many psychiatric diseases. Substance abuse, attack experience, and social and traumatic stress increase vulnerability to developing this type of aggression. Glutamate receptors are an intriguing target for long-term treatment. This review will assess the importance of glutamate receptors and glutamatergic pathways in aggression, focusing on the role of glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity in experience-dependent long-lasting aggression. By synthesizing what is known about glutamatergic systems in aggression, it is hoped more effective treatments can be developed.
Water Stress and Day-To-Day Variation in Apparent Photosynthetic Acclimation of Field-Grown Soybeans to Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Midday measurements of single leaf gas exchange rates of upper canopy leaves of soybeans grown in the field at 350 (AC) and 700 (EC) µmol(CO2) mol−1 in open topped chambers sometimes indicated up to 50 % higher net photosynthetic rates (P N) measured at EC in plants grown at AC compared to EC. On other days mean P N were nearly identical in the two growth [CO2] treatments. There was no seasonal pattern to the variable photosynthetic responses of soybean to growth [CO2]. Even on days with significantly lower P N in the plants grown at EC, there was no reduction in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, chlorophyll, or soluble protein contents per unit of leaf area. Over three years, gas exchange evidence of acclimation occurred on days when either soil was dry or the water vapor pressure deficit was high (n = 12 d) and did not occur on days after rain or on days with low water vapor pressure deficit (n = 9 d). On days when photosynthetic acclimation was evident, midday leaf water potentials were consistently 0.2 to 0.3 MPa lower for the plants grown at EC than at AC. This suggested that greater susceptibility to water stress in plants grown at EC cause the apparent photosynthetic acclimation. In other experiments, plants were grown in well-watered pots in field chambers and removed to the laboratory early in the morning for gas exchange measurements. In these experiments, the amount of photosynthetic acclimation evident in the gas exchange measurements increased with the maximum water vapor pressure deficit on the day prior to the measurements, indicating a lag in the recovery of photosynthesis from water stress. The apparent increase in susceptibility to water stress in soybean plants grown at EC is opposite to that observed in some other species, where photosynthetic acclimation was evident under wet but not dry conditions, and may be related to the observation that hydraulic conductance is reduced in soybeans when grown at EC. The day-to-day variation in photosynthetic acclimation observed here may account for some of the conflicting results in the literature concerning the existence of acclimation to EC in field-grown plants.
Representation Rings of Classical Groups

In the previous chapter we saw the importance of the relation between the representation rings R(G) and K(X). In this chapter we give a systematic calculation of R(G) for G equal to U(n), SU(n), Sp(n), SU(n), and Spin(n). Finally, we consider real representations of Spin(n), which were successfully used by Bott for a solution of the vector field problem.
Combining Registration and Minimum Surfaces for the Segmentation of the Left Ventricle in Cardiac Cine MR Images

This paper describes a system to automatically segment the left ventricle in all slices and all phases of cardiac cine magnetic resonance datasets. After localizing the left ventricle blood pool using motion, thresholding and clustering, slices are segmented sequentially. For each slice, deformable registration is used to align all the phases, candidates contours are recovered in the average image using shortest paths, and a minimal surface is built to generate the final contours. The advantage of our method is that the resulting contours follow the edges in each phase and are consistent over time. We demonstrate using 19 patient examples that the results are very good. The RMS distance between ground truth and our segmentation is only 1.6 pixels (2.7 mm) and the Dice coefficient is 0.89.
Climate Change and Global Justice

Today’s human-induced climate change is generating far-reaching ecological, economic and social change across the globe. Although industrialized countries are regarded as the primary causes of climate change, the costs are mainly laid at the door of developing countries – where emissions are low, but vulnerability is high. This raises the question of a fair and just balance of responsibilities. In the course of the current debate, the obvious deficiency in justice is merging into a demand for sustainable, fair environmental policies, which faces a twofold concrete problem: 1. Rapid and effective problem-solving strategies must be developed to mitigate the increase in global warming. To achieve this, the distribution mechanisms and distribution effects of trading with carbon certificates must be readjusted and reformed. 2. Successful climate protection policies could halt the progress of global warming and avoid a rise of over two degrees in global temperature. Despite this, human habitats would change radically. To guarantee the human adaptability which is thus under threat, preventive and adaptive measures are necessary which, although implemented as national projects, must be accompanied by the demand for international distribution of costs.
A Measure of Selling Skill: Scale Development and Validation

Selling skills are learned proficiency at performing tasks necessary for a sales job. They are among the most important predictors of sales performance. However, the research into selling skills has been hampered by the lack of an overall scale. To address this shortcoming the present paper identifies a model of sales skills consisting of three components of interpersonal skills, salesmanship skills, and technical skills. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the authors report the development of a Selling Skill scale as a reliable and valid instrument. The authors suggest priorities for future research and potential uses of this instrument.
This computer responds to user frustration:: Theory, design, and results

Abstract Use of technology often has unpleasant side effects, which may include strong, negative emotional states that arise during interaction with computers. Frustration, confusion, anger, anxiety and similar emotional states can affect not only the interaction itself, but also productivity, learning, social relationships, and overall well-being. This paper suggests a new solution to this problem: designing human–computer interaction systems to actively support users in their ability to manage and recover from negative emotional states. An interactive affect–support agent was designed and built to test the proposed solution in a situation where users were feeling frustration. The agent, which used only text and buttons in a graphical user interface for its interaction, demonstrated components of active listening, empathy, and sympathy in an effort to support users in their ability to recover from frustration. The agent's effectiveness was evaluated against two control conditions, which were also text-based interactions: (1) users’ emotions were ignored, and (2) users were able to report problems and ‘vent’ their feelings and concerns to the computer. Behavioral results showed that users chose to continue to interact with the system that had caused their frustration significantly longer after interacting with the affect–support agent, in comparison with the two controls. These results support the prediction that the computer can undo some of the negative feelings it causes by helping a user manage his or her emotional state.
Microcapsules for cell entrapment by template polymerization of a synthetic hydrogel coating around calcium alginate gel: preliminary development

Stable, water-soluble copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate with n-vinyl pyrrolidinone (I) were prepared by free-radical polymerization. Water-soluble copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with methacrylic acid (II) were examined as co-reactants with (I) to form hydrogel matrices. Upon mixing of (I) and (II) in solution, a covalently crosslinked hydrogel was formed, presumably by etherification of epoxy functionality on (I) with hydroxyls on (II). Synthetic hydrogel-coated gel beads were prepared from an aqueous mixture of sodium alginate and (II) by treatment with solution containing (I) and calcium ion. An elastic, defect free and indefinitely stable covalently crosslinked hydrogel coating was formed around the calcium alginate by surface reaction of (I) and (II). Encapsulated guinea-pig red blood cells suffered minimal lysis over a 4 day period due to isolation and protection from the reacting species by the interior alginate gel matrix.
Surface plasmons at nanoscale relief gratings between a metal and a dielectric medium with optical gain

Surface plasmons at the interface between metal and a dielectric with strong optical amplification are analyzed theoretically. It is shown that proper choice of optical indices of the dielectric medium results in an infinitely large effective refractive index of surface waves. Such resonant plasmons have extremely low group velocity and are localized within a vanishingly small distance near the interface. The plasmon-related anomalies in the UV reflection spectra are predicted for nanoscale gratings on a surface of a silver film covered by a concentrated dye solution with high optical amplification.
Home literacy experiences of preschoolers who use AAC systems and of their nondisabled peers

A survey was employed to compare the home literacy experiences of physically disabled preschoolers who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to the experiences of their nondisabled (ND) peers. Questionnaires were completed by 15 parents of children in each group. Results of the survey indicated that the general reading and writing environments in the households of the two groups were similar: there were available a range of literacy materials and regular models of others reading and writing. Although both groups of children were reported to be interested in literacy activities, the children in the AAC group had less opportunity to use printed materials or to participate in writing/drawing activities. When engaged in story reading activities, the children in the AAC group seemed to be less involved in initiating and asking questions about the text than the children in the ND group. Parental priorities for their children differed somewhat between the two groups. The parents in the AAC...
Croton oil induced suppression of the immune response of guinea-pigs.

ALTHOUGH the promoter or cocarcinogenic activity of croton oil1 and its active principle, the phorbol esters2,3, have been studied for many years, the precise mechanisms by which they exert this effect have not been established. Various tumours, whether induced by chemical, viral or mechanical carcinogens, have been shown to possess “tumour-specific” antigens which render them immunogenic in their host of origin4,5. Furthermore, immunosuppression of animals treated with these agents results in an increased incidence of tumours and a shorter latent period for their development6. It has been demonstrated that several carcinogens are themselves immunosuppressive7 and also that the susceptibility of an inbred strain of mice to the carcinogenicity of an agent is positively correlated with its capacity to suppress an immune response in that strain8. It has been proposed that the immune system, especially cell-mediated immunity, is part of a homoeostatic mechanism for the control of carcinogenesis9.
War-Time rubber exploitation in tropical America

From April, 1942, through August, 1944, when the world’s great source of rubber in Malaya and adjacent areas was not available, the United States obtained 32% of its needs from tropical American countries, 15% from Liberia and the remainder from Ceylon, India and African sources other than Liberia.
Pretectal Syndrome by Metastatic Malignant Melanoma to the Posterior Commissure

A 46-year-old man with a known metastatic tumor developed the sudden onset of upgaze paralysis, impaired convergence, eyelid retraction, pupillary light-near dissociation, convergence-retraction nystagmus, and ocular skew deviation in association with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Selective interruption of the posterior commissure by metastatic melanoma provided a precise anatomic correlation of the pretectal syndrome in man.
Soil Inorganic Nitrogen under Fertilized Bermudagrass Turf

Managed turfgrass acreage in the southeastern USA is steadily increasing. There is public concern that fertilization of turfgrass systems, particularly additions of N on golf courses, might be adversely affecting groundwater quality due to nitrate leaching. This study was conducted to measure soil nitrate levels in situ under continuously managed bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) and to evaluate influences from fertilization and mineralization. Two experimental sites were established on 50- and 75-yr-old golf course fairways in the Neuse and Cape Fear River basins in eastern North Carolina. Soil sampling was done seasonally. Results indicate that nitrate-N levels were consistently low (1 to 4 mg kg -1 soil) and similar to adjacent natural areas throughout the 120-cm sampling depths during the 2-yr experiment at both sites. Levels were relatively uniform with depth and across several landscape positions. The soil nitrate levels under fertilized fairways were similar to those in adjacent nonfertilized natural areas, indicating minimal influence from turf management practices. From laboratory mineralization studies and soil temperature data, it was estimated that 60 to 154 kg N ha -1 would be released from organic N pools during the bermudagrass growing season (May to October). Because of similar temperature responses, it appeared that N release from mineralization would be synchronized with bermudagrass growth. Substantial bermudagrass growth in nonfertilized plots provided direct evidence that mineralization was a significant contributor to turf nutrition. There was no evidence that N fertilization or the ecology of the bermudagrass system posed inherent risks to water quality and the environment.
Detection of Aflatoxin-contaminated Grain by Three Granivorous Bird Species

Supplemental feeding of game species and the use of backyard feeders to attract avian wildlife are common practices throughout the United States. However, these activities may expose wildlife to aflatoxins. We tested the hypothesis that wild birds would avoid consuming aflatoxin-contaminated feed. Individual northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), white-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica), and green jays (Cyanocorax yncas) were presented with feeders that had four compartments, which contained milo that was contaminated with aflatoxin levels of 0, 100, 500, and 1,000 μg/kg, respectively. Feed remaining was weighed at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hr after the initiation of the trial. White-winged doves and northern bobwhites did not avoid contaminated feed. However, green jays selected against aflatoxin-tainted grain. Because white-winged doves and northern bobwhites did not avoid contaminated feed, the risk of exposure to this potentially hazardous toxin exists for these species.
Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Eyelid with Pagetoid Involvement of the Bulbar and Palpebral Conjunctiva

A case of sebaceous carcinoma with pagetoid involvement of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctival epithelium was studied by light and electron microscopy. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells within the conjunctival epithelium were identical to those in the underlying invasive sebaceous carcinoma. Evidence of gradual transformation of conjunctival epithelial cells to the neoplastic sebaceous cells or transitional forms between conjunctival epithelial cells and sebaceous cells was not encountered. The evidence thus supports the theory that the neoplastic cells in the conjunctival epithelium are the result of secondary invasion by the underlying sebaceous carcinoma.
Computational crystal plasticity

To better predict material response associated with plastic deformations, plasticity models for behaviors over an extensive range of length scales are being combined to give a more comprehensive representation of the material. The breadth of the length scales naturally enters a more complete material description through the influences that features of the structure of many sizes have on the mechanical responses. The effective inclusion of material structure in simulations is pushing applied plasticity toward more highly quantitative implementations. Computed costs are greater in many respects, but the potential rewards are simulations with much greater relevance to current engineering applications. The focus of this paper is on a number of trends and issues related to these implementations and their use. In particular, we examine the methodologies for describing material structure at multiple scales within the context of simulation and discuss techniques used to compute properties and to evolve the state based on features of the structure.
Solution of multiple-choice knapsack problem encountered in high-level synthesis of vlsi circuits

In computer-aided design, performance of digital designs can be enhanced by transformations to the input specification. The purpose of these transformations is to reduce total chip area or chip delay. Examples of such transformations are tree-height reduction and hierarchical decomposition. Using existing formal predictive models of cost and performance, the impact of these transformations on the design implementation can be evaluated. In this paper we address the question of what transformations should be applied and how many times should each transformation be applied in order to achieve an optimal chip design. We formulate the above problem as a multiple-choice knapsack problem and propose a Lagrangian relaxation technique for finding an approximate solution. Two simple but effective post-optimal heuristics which improve the relaxation solution are also discussed. Results for several randomly generated problems indicate that the proposed approach is highly effective. In almost all cases considered a de...
An approach to a selection system for adenosine-deaminase-positive (ADA+) cells and detection of rat ADA+ "revertants".

We have substituted deoxyadenosine or adenosine for hypoxanthine in the standard HAT selection system in an attempt to select for ADA-normal (ADA+) cells. ADA− human lymphoid line cells could not utilize deoxyadenosine as an alternative to hypoxanthine as a purine source (DAT) and failed to grow but were only somewhat inhibited in growth when adenosine was substituted for hypoxanthine (AAT). In contrast, ADA+ cells utilized adenosine or deoxy-adenosine as efficiently as hypoxanthine as a purine source. Growth in DAT, but not in HAT, of an artificial mixture of one ADA+ human lymphoid cells in 1,000 ADA− cells resulted in enrichment of ADA+ cells to 25–86% of total cells. When we grew a rat ADA− cell line in two variations of the DAT system, we detected at least three electrophoretically different ADA+ patterns, one of which corresponded to normal rat ADA. These could represent “revertants.”
Time-dependent differences in the rat's motor response to amphetamine

The dose-related motor effects of d-amphetamine given at the beginning of the light and dark cycle of rats were investigated using a computerized activity-monitoring system that recorded five different motor behavior indices. After 7 days of acclimatization and 2 days of baseline monitoring, rats were randomized into either a no-treatment time control group (n = 12), or to receive 0 (vehicle), 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, or 10 mg/kg d-amphetamine (n = 8 each) either 1 h into the light phase (0800) or another five groups at 1 h into the dark phase (2000) of day 3. The time control group exhibited a stable baseline level of activity for the length of the experiment. All doses (0.6, 1.25, 2.5, and 10 mg/kg) significantly elevated ( p < 0.01) locomotor activity compared to baseline at both times of administration, but not all motor indices followed the same pattern of response. At both injection times, the maximum increase over baseline generally occurred following the 1.25 mg/kg dose of amphetamine ( p < 0.001). The duration of the drug effect also increased with each dose. The stereotypic effects produced by high doses of AMP (10 mg/kg) was different when applied at the light phase compared to the dark phase, but the amphetamine effect on locomotor behavior remained the same regardless of the difference in motor activity baseline between the activity phases.
PHILOSOPHY, CRITICISM, AND SOCIAL REFORM

Comparaison entre la tentative philosophique de Dewey et la tentative feministe de L. Antony et C. Witt de resoudre l'apparent dilemme entre l'activite critique et l'activite constructive de la philosophie. Malgre une approche commune du probleme, l'A. montre que Antony et Dewey se distinguent quant au role theorique qu'ils accordent a la verite
Combined gemcitabine and CHK1 inhibitor treatment induces apoptosis resistance in cancer stem cell-like cells enriched with tumor spheroids from a non-small cell lung cancer cell line

Evaluating the effects of novel drugs on appropriate tumor models has become crucial for developing more effective therapies that target highly tumorigenic and drug-resistant cancer stem cell (CSC) populations. In this study, we demonstrate that a subset of cancer cells with CSC properties may be enriched into tumor spheroids under stem cell conditions from a non-small cell lung cancer cell line. Treating these CSC-like cells with gemcitabine alone and a combination of gemcitabine and the novel CHK1 inhibitor PF-00477736 revealed that PF-00477736 enhances the anti-proliferative effect of gemcitabine against both the parental and the CSC-like cell populations. However, the CSC-like cells exhibited resistance to gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. Collectively, the spheroid-forming CSC-like cells may serve as a model system for understanding the mechanism underlying the drug resistance of CSCs and for guiding the development of better therapies that can inhibit tumor growth and eradicate CSCs.
Privacy Calculus on Social Networking Sites: Explorative Evidence from Germany and USA

Worldwide social networks, like Facebook, face fierce competition from local platforms when expanding globally. To remain attractive social network providers need to encourage user self-disclosure. Yet, little research exists on how cultural differences impact self-disclosure on these platforms. Addressing this gap, this study explores the differences in perceptions of disclosure-relevant determinants between German and US users. Survey of Facebook members indicates that German users expect more damage and attribute higher probability to privacy-related violations. On the other hand, even though American users show higher level of privacy concern, they extract more benefits from their social networking activities, have more trust in the service provider and legal assurances as well as perceive more control. These factors may explain a higher level of self-disclosure indicated by American users. Our results provide relevant insights for the social network providers who can adjust their expansion strategy with regard to cultural differences.
Beware of Cells Bearing Gifts Cell Replacement Therapy and Arrhythmic Risk

See related article, pages 159–167 Heart failure is a major worldwide health problem that is growing in prevalence despite recent treatment advances. Patients with heart failure ultimately die from either pump failure or cardiac arrhythmia, and there is a link between the degree of contractile dysfunction and arrhythmic risk. Since the 1960s, the definitive therapy for heart failure has been cardiac transplantation, but the limited supply of organs has restricted the impact of this therapy. Starting in the mid-1990s, a series of observations has led to the concept that cells might be used to repair myocardial damage. Subsequently, this therapy has shown promise in ischemic and nonischemic forms of myocardial injury. The increased availability of cells as compared with organs has driven an exuberant search for the right replacement cells. Nevertheless, after intense study, there is no obvious frontrunner.1 The concept driving the cell selection process has been the need for a sufficient number of immune compatible, contractile cells. Proposed cell sources have included skeletal myoblasts,2 bone marrow–derived progenitor cells,3 and embryonic stem cells.4 These 3 cell types have been shown to improve myocardial function in animal models, and the first 2 have shown promise in human clinical trials.5 Generally, the effects of these 2 cell types on myocardial function have been similar.6 If they are to fulfill their promise as replacement myocytes, it is important that the …
Complete urogenital nonunion

A 7.5-year-old boy was admitted to our department with left undescended testis. On surgical exploration, the vas deferens and epididymis were normal in appearance in its route to the scrotum, but no obvious testis or testis-like structure was identified. Exploration was extended to the abdominal cavity via the processus vaginalis, and the testis was found near the sigmoid colon without any connection to the vas deferens and epididymis. The testis was freed from surrounding structures preserving the testicular vasculature, and an orchidopexy was performed. In cases of nonpalpable testis with the vas deferens and epididymis reaching to the scrotum, an intra-abdominal testis owing to a nonunion phenomenon must be considered, and extended exploration should be performed.
Phosphor thermometry at the cellular level

Luminescence from a thermographic phosphor (TGP) can be very sensitive to temperature, an attribute exploited in commercial and scientific applications at various levels. Depending on the formulation and the processing method, phosphor particle sizes may range from a few nanometers to dozens of microns across. The size, then, may be comparable to or even much smaller than a typical biological cell. In previous biomedical efforts we have explored using TGP's as 1) flow tracers in simulations of positive pressure infusion for brain tumors, 2) their performance for nanoscale thermometry at physiological temperatures, and 3) as surrogates for green fluorescent protein-labelled cells in tests of cytometric neurocatheters. The present effort provides additional supporting quantitative information to aid deployment of phosphor thermometry for cellular level applications. One of the most temperature-sensitive phosphors is La2O2S:Eu. At normal body temperature, a one degree C change in temperature results in a greater than 5% change in decay time. In this work, it is demonstrated that temperature changes of at least 0.05 C can be resolved using this phosphor. Also demonstrated is detection of phosphor signal using small diameter multimode and even single-mode optical fiber. The latter fiber had a 5 micron diameter core and is therefore only slightly larger than biological cells. In conclusion, the results may serve as a guide to further investigations and application of phosphors to biomedical applications.
Mechanics of inner core super-rotation

A mechanism is proposed to explain the seismologically-inferred prograde rotation of the Earth's solid inner core in terms of the structure of convection in the fluid outer core. Numerical calculations of convection and dynamo action in the outer core exhibit excess temperatures inside the tangent cylinder surrounding the inner core. We show that this temperature difference generates a prograde thermal wind and a strong azimuthal magnetic field inside the tangent cylinder. Electromagnetic torques on the inner core derived from induced azimuthal magnetic fields and the ambient poloidal field equilibrate when the inner core angular velocity lags the nearby tangent cylinder fluid angular velocity by approximately 14%. The inferred prograde rotation of the inner core (1.1–3°/year relative to the mantle) can be produced by a very small (⋍ 0.001 K) temperature anomaly within the tangent cylinder and indicates strong toroidal magnetic fields with peak intensities of 24–66 mT in that region of the core.
Boundary element analysis for composite materials and a library of Green's functions

Abstract With the rapid development of advanced composite materials and the wide application of such materials in engineering, it is desirable to model problems involving these materials by computer and to use powerful numerical methods like the finite element method (FEM) and the boundary element method (BEM) for analysis. In this paper, a BEM is developed to analyze two-dimensional micromechanical behavior of fiber-reinforced composites based on models for both perfectly-bonded and imperfectly-bonded materials in a unit cell. For composites with perfect bond between matrix and fibers, it is shown that our predictions coincide satisfactorily with comparable quantities obtained in physical experiments and by FEM analysis. For imperfectly-bonded composites, it is found that variation of the interphase parameters (thickness, stiffness) causes pronounced changes in the overall effective moduli and also in the state of stress in the composites. Also in this paper, the idea of a library of Green's functions for fiber-reinforced composites is discussed. With such a library, users could quickly generate data useful in design with very little knowledge of methods for computational modeling in general or of the BEM in particular.
Pattern and process of biotic homogenization in the New Pangaea

Human activities have reorganized the earth's biota resulting in spatially disparate locales becoming more or less similar in species composition over time through the processes of biotic homogenization and biotic differentiation, respectively. Despite mounting evidence suggesting that this process may be widespread in both aquatic and terrestrial systems, past studies have predominantly focused on single taxonomic groups at a single spatial scale. Furthermore, change in pairwise similarity is itself dependent on two distinct processes, spatial turnover in species composition and changes in gradients of species richness. Most past research has failed to disentangle the effect of these two mechanisms on homogenization patterns. Here, we use recent statistical advances and collate a global database of homogenization studies (20 studies, 50 datasets) to provide the first global investigation of the homogenization process across major faunal and floral groups and elucidate the relative role of changes in species richness and turnover. We found evidence of homogenization (change in similarity ranging from −0.02 to 0.09) across nearly all taxonomic groups, spatial extent and grain sizes. Partitioning of change in pairwise similarity shows that overall change in community similarity is driven by changes in species richness. Our results show that biotic homogenization is truly a global phenomenon and put into question many of the ecological mechanisms invoked in previous studies to explain patterns of homogenization.
Activated chemisorption of hydrogen on supported ruthenium: I. Influence of adsorbed chlorine on accurate surface area measurements

Abstract Irreversible hydrogen adsorption onto Ru Al 2 O 3 catalysts prepared from RuCl 3 occurs with apparent activation energies as high as 16 kcal/mole at half-saturation coverage, whereas little or no apparent activation energy barriers are encountered over catalysts prepared in the absence of chlorine from Ru 3 (CO) 12 . Adsorption uptakes measured at 298 K on chlorine-containing specimens can be as little as one-half the value measured at 373 K even though 24-h equilibration times are used. Addition of low chlorine levels to chlorine-free precursors of 2.8-nm diameter indicates that the first chlorine adatoms to adsorb produce about six activated adsorption sites per chlorine adatom. Further chlorine addition to 2.8-nm crystallites poisons a maximum of 20% of the available hydrogen adsorption sites while ca. 38% of the remaining sites become so activated that they can be populated only after adsorption at ca. 373 K. Additional studies demonstrate that the above-noted effects cannot be attributed to (i) titration of surface oxygen, (ii) incomplete reduction of the catalyst, or (iii) hydrogen spillover. Rather, it appears that the presence of electronegative adatoms decreases electron density at nearby ruthenium atoms thereby inhibiting electron donation to, and dissociative chemisorption of, incoming hydrogen molecules. Observations from these studies suggest that hydrogen adsorption measurements may severely underestimate the number of surface ruthenium atoms. The magnitude of such errors increase at lower adsorption temperatures and at higher chlorine coverages.