cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coordinated Wide-Area Control of Multiple Controllers in a Power System Embedded With HVDC Lines

This paper develops a coordinated wide-area control of power system stabilizers (PSSs), static VAr compensators (SVCs), and supplementary damping controllers (SDCs) for damping low frequency oscillations (LFOs) in a power system embedded with multiple high voltage DC (HVDC) lines. The improved damping is achieved by designing a coordinated wide-area damping controller (CWADC) that employs partial state feedback. The design methodology uses a linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based mixed $H_2/H_\infty$ robust control for multiple operating scenarios. To reduce the high computational burden, an enhanced version of selective modal analysis (SMA) is employed that not only reduces the number of required wide-area feedback signals, but also identifies alternate feedback signals, in case of failure of the primary signals. Additionally, the impact of delays on the performance of the control design is investigated. The studies are performed on a 29 machine, 127 bus equivalent model of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) system-embedded with three HVDC lines and two wind farms.
Hurricane Freshwater Flood Risk Assessment Model for Residential Buildings in Southeast US Coastal States Considering Climate Change

AbstractA significant amount of hurricane losses are caused by rainfall-induced freshwater flooding, and hurricane precipitation is expected to increase in the warming climate. However, the climate...
Correlation of baseline circulating tumor cells (CTC) and associated genomic profile with survival outcomes in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) in a real-world cohort.

5077Background: We recently published, in the context of SWOG1216 trial in pts with mCSPC, that higher baseline CTC level were associated with inferior survival outcomes (Goldkorn. Agarwal, CCR, 20...
A Preliminary Examination of the Acceptability, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of a Telehealth Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group for Social Anxiety Disorder

In light of the growing interest in, and need for, the telehealth delivery of health care, additional research is needed on the acceptability and effectiveness of these types of interventions. This study examined the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of an adapted telehealth-delivered group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for adults with social anxiety disorder (SAD). This report describes the adaptation and subsequent implementation of an 8-week telehealth-delivered group treatment designed to reduce symptoms of SAD. Specific adaptations for delivering treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent enactment of social distancing measures are discussed. Posttreatment data indicated that the intervention was feasible to implement in an outpatient mental health clinic, acceptable to participants, and associated with reduction in symptoms of social anxiety, general anxiety, depression, and stress.
Cost-Effective Marine Fender Design Using an Elastoplastic Support Element: An Investigation

Abstract This manuscript investigates the potential cost savings of installing a steel elastoplastic element in series, structurally, with a commercial rubber marine fender. Along with cost savings...
Study of the Cathode–Electrolyte Interface of LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 Synthesized by a Sol–Gel Method for Li-Ion Batteries

High voltage spinel LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 has been synthesized by a modified Pechini sol-gel method and has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical methods. The synthesized materials are porous structures of nanosized crystallites ranging in size from 21 to over 400 nm depending on the sintering temperature used. The XRD patterns of the materials were assigned to the disordered spinel structure of the space group Fd3m. The Li-ion batteries assembled using the synthesized cathode materials showed significant capacity fade for samples sintered at 500°C, while for those sintered at 800°C the capacity fade was low. Impedance spectroscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to determine the compositions of the cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI). Impedance spectroscopy confirmed the spontaneous formation of the CEI on LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 and that its thickness grows on cycling. After more than 100 cycles, it is found that the CEI film is composed of polycarbonates, polyether, LiF, and Li x PO y F z salts. The composition of the organic layer was the same regardless of the capacity fade.
Uncertainty in artificial intelligence: Is probability epistemologically and heuristically accurate?

Historically, probability has been by far the most widely used formalism for representing uncertainty. However, the majority of AI researchers have not, hitherto, found standard probabilistic techniques very appealing for use in rule-based, expert systems. Among the many alternative numerical schemes for quantifying uncertainty that have been developed are the Certainty Factors used in Mycin (Shortliffe & Buchanan, 1975) and its descendants, Fuzzy Set Theory (Zadeh, 1984), the quasi-probabilistic scheme of Prospector (Duda et al., 1976), and the Belief functions of Dempster-Shafer theory (Shafer, 1976). There have also been attempts to develop non-numerical schemes, including Paul Cohen’s theory of endorsements (Cohen, 1985), Doyle’s theory of reasoned assumptions (Doyle, 1983), and various linguistic representations of uncertainty (Fox, 1986). We shall refer to both probabilistic and alternative methods, generically, as uncertain inference schemes, or UISs.
Learning patterns in noisy data: the AQ approach

In concept learning and data mining, a typical objective is to determine concept descriptions or patterns that will classify future data points as correctly as possible. If one can assume that the data contain no noise, then it is desirable that descriptions are complete and consistent with regard to all the data, i.e., they characterize all data points in a given class (positive examples) and no data points outside the class (negative examples).
Styles of Thinking and Creativity

In this chapter the authors review and synthesize literature in the areas of creativity, learning styles, brain studies, teaching technologies, learning strategies, and evaluation. Our position on the topic of thinking styles and creativity is a holistic one. While learning styles and strategies may differ from person to person, creativity is maximized in the use of the fully functioning brain.
Developing bacteriophage Qβ as versatile carrier for anti-carbohydrate cancer vaccine: influence of antigen design on antibody responses (VAC8P.998)

Vaccines that aim to stimulate the immune system to eradicate tumor cells are very attractive method for cancer therapy. One such strategy, active vaccination against tumor associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs), which are overexpressed on malignant cells and strongly correlated with tumor progression and metastasis, has shown high potential in clinical studies. However, two major challenges need be circumvented to develop effective TACA anticancer vaccines. First, TACAs are self-antigens and tolerated by the immune system; Second, TACAs are weak T cell independent antigens and cannot generate long lasting immune responses when administered alone. We are interested in exploration of bacteriophage Qβ as versatile platforms for the development of carbohydrate based cancer vaccine. The highly repetitive array of subunit in Qβ permits the organized display of antigens on the surface of the particle. The Qβ also contains natural T-helper epitopes and pathogen associated molecular patterns, which can engage innate immunity and activate the immune system. Herein, we present the vaccination studies with Tn antigen conjugated to bacteriophage Qβ. The effect of antigen density, nature of linker, and immunization routes on the quality and diversity of antibody responses was analyzed. With the optimal construct, significant preventive and therapeutic effects were achieved on highly aggressive TA3Ha tumor model.
Chronic heart failure alters orexin and melanin concentrating hormone but not corticotrophin releasing hormone-related gene expression in the brain of male Lewis rats

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic heart failure (HF; 16 weeks post left coronary artery ligation) on the brain's orexin (ORX) and related neuropeptide systems. Methods Indicators of cardiac function, including the percent fractional shortening (%FS) left ventricular posterior wall shortening velocity (LVPWSV) were assessed via echocardiography at 16 weeks post myocardial infarction or sham treatment in male Lewis rats (n = 5/group). Changes in gene expression in HF versus control (CON) groups were quantified by real-time PCR in the hypothalamus, amygdala and dorsal pons. Results HF significantly reduced both the %FS and LVPWSV when compared to CON animals (P Conclusion These observations support previous work demonstrating that cardiovascular disease modulates the ORX system and identify that in the case of chronic HF the ORX system is altered in parallel with changes in MCH expression but independent of any significant changes in the central CRH system. This raises the new possibility that ORX and MCH systems may play an important role in the pathophysiology of HF.
Zinc Transporter YiiP from Escherichia coli

YiiP from Escherichia coli belongs to the protein family of cation diffusion facilitator (CDF). CDFs play critical roles in metal homeostatic controls in microbes, plants, and mammals. They utilize the proton motive force to drive effluxes of transition metal ions out of the cytoplasm. Bacterial CDFs primarily contribute to metal resistance while mammalian CDFs are more involved in metal metabolism and cellular signaling. The crystal structure of YiiP reveals a Y-shaped dimeric architecture, consisting of a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain that adopts a metallochaperone-like fold. The molecular details of three distinct zinc coordination sites in YiiP delineate how metallochemistry is tailored to three central functions of CDFs: selective metal binding, rapid transport kinetics, and allosteric regulation of the transport activity. An integration of the structural information and existing biochemical data allows us to propose a two-modular model for the operation of YiiP. In this model, the transmembrane domain is responsible for a stoichiometric zinc-for-proton exchange across the membrane barrier. The cytoplasmic domain detects the fluctuation of zinc concentrations and responds with a conformational change that is transmitted to regulate the activity of the transmembrane domain. In addition, the cytoplasmic domain may also serve as a zinc receiving module for uploading of the zinc cargo from a putative zinc-metallochaperone. 3D Structure Keywords: membrane transporter; metal selectivity; metal-proton exchange; fast kinetics; allosteric regulation; metal trafficking
Strabismus Surgery Reoperation Rates With Adjustable and Conventional Sutures.

Purpose To determine the association of strabismus surgery reoperation rates with adjustable or conventional sutures. Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods setting: Review of a large national private insurance database. study population: Adults aged 18–89 having strabismus surgery between 2007 and 2011. intervention: Adjustable vs conventional suture strabismus surgery. outcome measure: Reoperation rate in the first postoperative year. Results Overall, 526 of 6178 surgical patients had a reoperation (8.5%). Reoperations were performed after 8.1% of adjustable suture surgeries and after 8.6% of conventional suture surgeries ( P = .57). Of the 4357 horizontal muscle surgeries, reoperations were performed after 5.8% of adjustable suture surgeries, and after 7.8% of conventional suture surgeries ( P = .02). Of the 1072 vertical muscle surgeries, reoperations were performed after 15.2% of adjustable suture surgeries and after 10.4% of conventional suture surgeries ( P = .05). Younger age (18–39 years) was associated with a lower reoperation rate ( P ≤ .02). The significant multivariable predictors of reoperation for horizontal surgery were adjustable sutures (odds ratio [OR] 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.52–0.91), monocular deviation (OR 0.64), complex surgery (OR 1.63), and unilateral surgery on 2 horizontal muscles (OR 0.70, all P ≤ .01). Adjustable sutures were not significantly associated with reoperation rates after vertical muscle surgery (multivariable OR 1.45, P = .07). Conclusions Adjustable sutures were associated with significantly fewer reoperations for horizontal muscle surgery. Adjustable sutures tended to be associated with more reoperations for vertical muscle surgery, but this observation was not statistically significant in the primary analysis after controlling for age.
Polarization of inclusively produced $\Lambda_c$ in a QCD based hybrid model

A hybrid model is presented for hadron polarization that is based on perturbative QCD subprocesses and the recombination of polarized quarks to form polarized hadrons. The model, originally applied to polarized $\Lambda$'s that were inclusively produced by proton beams, is extended to include pion beams and polarized $\Lambda_c$'s. The resulting polarizations are calculated as functions of $x_F$ and $p_T$ for high energies and are found to be in fair agreement with recent experiments.
Can butterflies evade fire? Pupa location and heat tolerance in fire prone habitats of Florida.

Butterflies such as the atala hairstreak, Eumaeus atala Poey, and the frosted elfin, Callophrys irus Godart, are restricted to frequently disturbed habitats where their larval host plants occur. Pupae of these butterflies are noted to reside at the base of host plants or in the leaf litter and soil, which may allow them to escape direct mortality by fire, a prominent disturbance in many areas they inhabit. The capacity of these species to cope with fire is a critical consideration for land management and conservation strategies in the locations where they are found. Survival of E. atala pupae in relation to temperature and duration of heat pulse was tested using controlled water bath experiments and a series of prescribed fire field experiments. Survival of E. atala pupae was correlated to peak temperature and heat exposure in both laboratory and field trials. In addition, E. atala survival following field trials was correlated to depth of burial; complete mortality was observed for pupae at the soil surface. Fifty percent of E. atala survived the heat generated by prescribed fire when experimentally placed at depths ≥ 1.75cm, suggesting that pupation of butterflies in the soil at depth can protect from fatal temperatures caused by fire. For a species such as E. atala that pupates above ground, a population reduction from a burn event is a significant loss, and so decreasing the impact of prescribed fire on populations is critical.
Structural Requirements for In Vivo Detection of Cell Death with 99mTc-Annexin V

99mTc-Annexin V is used to image cell death in vivo via high-affinity binding to exposed phosphatidylserine. We investigated how changes in membrane-binding affinity, molecular charge, and method of labeling affected its biodistribution in normal mice and its uptake in apoptotic tissues. Methods: An endogenous Tc chelation site (Ala-Gly-Gly-Cys-Gly-His) was added to the N-terminus of annexin V to create annexin V-128. The membrane-binding affinity of annexin V-128 was then progressively reduced by 1-4 mutations in calcium-binding sites. In addition, mutations were made in other residues that altered molecular charge without altering membrane-binding affinity. All mutant proteins were labeled with 9 9 m Tc at the same N-terminal endogenous chelation site. Wild-type annexin V was also labeled with 9 9 m Tc after derivatization with hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC). Radiolabeled proteins were tested for biodistribution in normal mice and in mice treated to induce apoptosis of the liver. Results: Comparison of 9 9 m Tc-annexin V-128 with 9 9 m Tc-HYNIC-annexin V showed that the protein labeled at the endogenous chelation site had the same or higher uptake in apoptotic tissues, while showing 88% lower renal uptake at 60 min after injection. The blood clearance of annexin V was unaffected by changes in either the membrane-binding affinity or the molecular charge. Kidney uptake was unaffected by changes in binding affinity. In marked contrast, uptake in normal liver and spleen decreased markedly as affinity decreased. The same pattern was observed in animals treated with cycloheximide to induce apoptosis. Control experiments with charge mutants showed that the effects seen with the affinity mutants were not due to the concomitant change in molecular charge that occurs in these mutants. Conclusion: (a) All four domains of annexin V are required for optimal uptake in apoptotic tissues; molecules with only 1 or 2 active domains are unlikely to be suitable for imaging of cell death in vivo. (b) Uptake in normal liver and spleen is specific (dependent on phosphatidylserine-binding affinity), whereas renal uptake is nonspecific. (c) 9 9 m Tc-Annexin V-128 detects cell death as well as 9 9 m Tc-HYNIC-annexin V, while showing 88% less renal retention of radioactivity due to much more rapid urinary excretion of radioactivity.
Novel hormonal approaches in prostate cancer

It is well recognized that the vast majority of prostate cancers rely on activation of the androgen receptor (AR) by circulating androgens for growth and survival. Three proven hormonal strategies to impair AR signaling are decreasing gonadal hormone production, inhibiting androgen-AR interaction, and impairing extragonadal androgen synthesis. In this review, we discuss the current strategies to slow initial and castration-resistant tumor growth through the use of hormonal agents such as the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, antiandrogens, and adrenolytic agents, focusing on defining the optimal timing, combinations, and use of these agents, as well as on novel drug development.
Abdominal pain in expectant fathers

Three case histories of patients experiencing significant emotional difficulties while anticipating fatherhood are reported. Each man, during his wife's pregnancy, experienced abdominal pain for which no physical cause could be found. Contrary to previous findings, our experience indicates that such pain, called the couvade syndrome, usually requires psychiatric hospitalization.
SU‐FF‐T‐390: Study of the Long Term Stability of the Radiation Isocenter of the Cone‐Based SRS System On Varian's Trilogy Linac

Purpose: The accuracy of the SRS radiation isocenter is of critical importance since it directly affects the dose distribution in patients undergoing SRS procedures. The cone‐based SRS system on Varian's Trilogy® linac consists of a gantry mount and a set of 13 cones with sizes varying from 5mm–35mm. The system has a rotational isocenter accuracy of better than 0.5mm according to manufacturer's specification. To evaluate the long term stability of the SRS radiation isocenter, we analyzed its off‐set based on the data collected since January 2006. Method and Materials: Before each SRS procedure, the radiation isocenter of the SRS system is checked from different gantry angles to make sure it is within specification. A small steel ball is positioned accurately at the ideal isocenter and a 12mm cone is mounted onto the gantry. Gafchromic® films are then exposed at five angles (240°, 270°, 0°, 90°, and 120°) along the most commonly used arcs in our treatment plan. A template of isocentered circles and an Edmund Optics® magnifier are then used to measure the off‐set of circular radiation field from the center of the steel ball. This method can provide an accuracy of 0.1mm and a total of 23 measurements are analyzed in this study. Results: During the period of more than one year, the average off‐sets of the isocenter at the 5 angles are 0.31±0.09mm (240°), 0.27±0.06mm(270°), 0.48±0.08mm(0°), 0.21±0.07mm (90°), and 0.33±0.09mm(120°). We observed that they all fall within the 0.5mm specification of the system. We further observed that the offset at 0 gantry angle (AP) is the largest among the five due to mechanical tilt of the gantry head. Conclusion: The radiation isocenter of Varian Trilogy® cone‐based SRS system is very stable and can provide sub‐millimeter accuracy required for the SRS procedures in the long term.
Measure preserving derivatives and the pricing kernel puzzle

Abstract Recent empirical studies have found evidence of nonmonotonicity in the pricing kernels for a variety of market indices. This phenomenon is known as the pricing kernel puzzle. The payoff distribution pricing model of Dybvig predicts that the payoff distribution of a direct investment of $1 in a market index may be replicated by investing less than $1 in some derivative written on that market index whenever the associated pricing kernel is nondecreasing. Using the Hardy–Littlewood rearrangement inequality, we obtain an explicit solution for the cheapest replicating derivative, which we refer to as the optimal measure preserving derivative. The optimal measure preserving derivative is the permutation appearing in Ryff’s decomposition of the pricing kernel with respect to the market payoff measure. We compute optimal measure preserving derivatives corresponding to the estimated physical and risk neutral distributions in the paper by Jackwerth (2000) that first brought attention to the pricing kernel puzzle.
Growth, phosphorus uptake, and water relations of safflower and wheat infected with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus

SUMMARY Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L. cv. S555) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Anza) were grown with or without the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum Becker & Gerd., under environmentally controlled conditions. Soil phosphate concentrations were adjusted before planting to produce mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants that had similar leaf areas and root length densities at the same stage of development before initiating drought stress treatments. Drought did not affect the amount of mycorrhizal infection in safflower or wheat. Interactions between water stress treatments and mycorrhizal infection on plant growth and phosphorus uptake were limited and only occurred in wheat. NM wheat plants had 28% greater shoot d. wt, slightly greater root length densities, and 39% greater P acquisition than M plants when grown under well watered conditions, but under droughted conditions plant size and tissue P contents of M and NM wheat plants were similar. Mycorrhizas did not affect stomatal behaviour during drought stress in either safflower or wheat, i.e., transpiration and stomatal conductance declined independently of infection as soil water was depleted and leaf water potentials declined. Therefore, mycorrhizal infection did not alter the intrinsic hydraulic properties of the plant/soil system. Whilst wheat maintained turgor of recently expanded leaves during severe drought and safflower did not, mycorrhizal infection had no effect on leaf turgor during drought in either plant species.
What Really is Experimental Error in Block Designs

Abstract A simple derivation of expected mean squares is given for the randomized (complete) block design, showing that “experimental error,” the error term for testing treatments, is comprised of three sources of variability: block by treatment interaction, within block plot-to-plot variability, and within experimental plot sampling variation. The approach could readily be extended to incorporate measurement error as a fourth component of experimental error.
Elevation or alteration? Evaluation of isotopic constraints on paleoaltitudes surrounding the Eocene Green River Basin

Low oxygen isotope values (∼−16‰, relative to Peedee belemnite standard) obtained from microbial carbonates of the Green River Formation have been interpreted as evidence for snowmelt and high elevations surrounding this early Eocene lake basin. However, low values from microbial precipitates could also represent a diagenetic overprint. We investigate these alternate hypotheses by measuring the oxygen isotope composition of altered and unaltered freshwater bivalves from the basin. We analyzed subannual samples from 3 individuals and bulk samples from 54 individuals. Subannual samples exhibit clear seasonal fluctuations in oxygen isotope values. These fluctuations are large enough to require seasonal shifts in temperature and/or the oxygen isotope value of the lake water. However, the lowest value of any unaltered sample (either bulk or high resolution) corresponds to lake-water δ 18 O of ∼−12‰ (relative to standard mean ocean water) and is not low enough to require the addition of snowmelt to the lake. A few bulk samples exhibit very low oxygen isotope values, which would seem to suggest snowmelt. However, these samples also show clear evidence of calcite in X-ray diffraction patterns, demonstrating the presence of diagenetic precipitates. Given that (1) diagenetic alteration is a plausible explanation of very low δ 18 O values, (2) alteration has not been examined in microbial carbonates, and (3) unaltered aragonitic bivalves provide no independent evidence for low δ 18 O values for lake waters, we conclude that robust isotopic evidence for high elevations surrounding the Green River Basin during the Eocene is currently lacking.
What can prosody tell a parser

In this paper, I consider how a sentence processor might use specific prosodic cues at various points in the processing of particular sentences containing (at least temporary) syntactic ambiguity. In principle, the usefulness of prosodic information depends on what a given cluster of prosodic cues typically signifies, and on which syntactic options exist for a given string: in only some instances can prosodic information provide useful disambiguating information.
Use of a fenestrated instrument tray intraoperatively allows assessment of plantar contact areas and percutaneous fixation without losing deformity correction

Deformity correction of the foot can be challenging. One of the goals of deformity correction is to restore the normal plantar contact area of the foot [1,2]. The normal plantar contact area may be referenced from the contralateral foot or from normative values if the contralateral foot is also deformed [3]. We have found a simple technique using a readily available material to assess plantar contact areas intraoperatively that can guide correction of foot and ankle deformities. The patient is typically positioned supine with the foot just over the distal extent of the operating table. Once osseous and soft tissue corrections have been made the plantar aspect of the foot is placed onto the fenestrated instrument tray. This allows direct vision of the contact areas of the foot and further manipulation of the foot can be carried out to modify areas of overload (Fig. 1). Once the ideal foot position is attained Kirschner wires can be passed to gain initial fixation – these are passed through the tray without altering the correction already attained (Fig. 2). Once the correction has been stabilised the tray can be removed and further definitive fixation obtained. In foot deformity correction attaining a plantigrade foot with as normal plantar contact areas is a key goal. Assessment of this intraoperatively is potentially difficult with multiple techniques, many anecdotal, some sophisticated, available [3–5]. Being able to assess the contact areas prior to fixation and then without losing the reduction is not easy and it has been reported that using a device intraoperatively to assess contact areas alters the final position accepted by the surgeon [6].
Shaping Of Beam-Shaping Optics

Several designs for anamorphic beam shaping optics will be described, applying a unique zoom lens principle based on Gaussian beam propagation. These systems were developed for use in medium resolution polygon-type scanners employing either gas or semiconductor lasers. Their primary advantage lies in the achievement of an independence of magnification parameters in orthogonal meridians within the constraints of source size variation and correction of facet pyramid errors.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
ADELIC STRING AMPLITUDES

Abstract We show that the Veneziano and Virasoro-Shapiro four-particle scattering amplitudes can be factored in terms of an infinite product of non-archimedean string amplitudes. This factorization is equivalent to the functional equation for the Riemann zeta function.
Remarks on the anomalous magnetic moment of the W boson.

We comment on the experimental significance of limits on the electroweak-boson self-interactions derived from studies of the radiative corrections to currently well-measured quantities.
A computer model for Atrio-Ventricular blocks

Abstract A mathematical model of the A-V node and of the His bundle has been incorporated into a model of electrical cardiac activity to devise a mechanism for A-V block. A coefficient of conduction efficiency η has been defined whose magnitude can vary from 1-0. Seven theorems are demonstrated which may be summarized as follows: there exist three critical values of η ordered as 1 > η 1 > η 2 > η 3 > 0 such that a first degree block occurs when 1 > η ⩾ η 1 , Wenckebach cycles when η 1 > η ⩾ η 2 , n :1 block when η 2 > η ⩾ η 3 , third degree block when η 3 > η ⩾ 0. A least upper bound is given for the number of consecutive ventricular beats in the Wenckebach phenomenon. Wenckebach cycles are shown to have P-R growth at a decreasing rate and ventricular beat acceleration as the dropped beat is approached, and where n :1 block is interpersed with ( n + 1):1 block, the P-R interval is shorter after n + 1, than after n dropped ventricular beats. Finally, when partial block occurs in the His bundle, a Mobitz II block results. All this corresponds to clinical experience.
The deleterious effect of inorganic salts on hydrocarbon yields from catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass and its mitigation

Abstract The effect of alkali and alkali earth metals (AAEMs) on yields of hydrocarbons from catalytic pyrolysis of biomass was investigated. Experiments were performed in a tandem micro-reactor that segregates the biomass from the zeolite catalyst ( ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis). It was found that even trace amounts of AAEMs added to cellulose as acetate salts dramatically reduced the yields of hydrocarbons. Both the concentration and types of AAEM salts impacted product distribution. The yield of aromatics and olefins decreased monotonically with increasing concentration of AAEMs. The effect of AAEMs on reducing hydrocarbon yields followed the order: K + > Na + > Ca 2+ > Mg 2+ . Two pretreatments of biomass were investigated to alleviate the catalytic effects of AAEMs that naturally occurs in biomass: acid-washing and acid-infusion. It was found that pretreated biomass increased yields of hydrocarbons apparently by suppressing reactions that would otherwise convert carbohydrate to non-condensable gases and char.
Differential expression of the regulator of G protein signaling RGS9 protein in nociceptive pathways of different age rats.

Abstract Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are GTPase-activating proteins which act as modulators of G-protein-coupled receptors. RGS9 has two alternative splicing variants. RGS9-1 is expressed in the retina. RGS9-2 is expressed in the brain, especially abundant in the striatum. It is believed to be an essential regulatory component of dopamine and opioid signaling. In this study, we compared the expression of RGS9 proteins in the nervous system of different age groups of rats employing immunocytochemistry. In both 3-week- and 1-year-old rats, RGS9 is expressed abundantly in caudate–putamen, nucleus accumbens, and olfactory tubercle. It is also expressed abundantly in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. Quantitative analysis showed that the intensities of RGS9 expression in 1-year-old rats are higher than those in the 3-week-old rats in caudate–putamen, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, periaqueductal gray, and gray matter of the spinal cord. In contrast, in thalamic nuclei and locus coeruleus, the intensities of RGS9 immunostaining in 3-week-old rats are higher than in 1-year-old rats. In DRG cells, there is no significant difference between the two age groups. These data suggest that RGS9 is differentially expressed with age. Such differential expression may play an important role in neuronal differentiation and development as well as in neuronal function, such as dopamine and opioid signaling.
Harmonic and frequency modulated ultrasonic vocalizations reveal differences in conditioned and unconditioned reward processing.

Abstract Novelty and sensation seeking (NSS) and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are both used as measures of individual differences in reward sensitivity in rodent models. High responders in the inescapable novelty screen have a greater response to low doses of amphetamine and acquire self-administration more rapidly, while the novelty place preference screen is positively correlated with compulsive drug seeking. These screens are uncorrelated and implicated in separate drug abuse models. 50 kHz USVs measure affective state in rats and are evoked by positive stimuli. NSS and USVs are each implicated in drug response, self-administration, and reveal differences in individual behavior, yet their relationship with each other is not understood. The present study screened rats for their response to novelty and measured USVs of all call types in response to heterospecific play to determine the relationships between these individual difference traits. Generally, we hypothesized that 50 kHz USVs would be positively correlated with the NPP screen, and that 22 kHz would be positively correlated with the IEN screen. Results indicate none of the screens were correlated indicating they are measuring different individual difference traits. However, examination of the subtypes of USVs indicated harmonic USVs and the novelty place preference were positively correlated. Harmonic 50 kHz USVs increased in response to reward associated context, suggesting animals conditioned to the heterospecific tickle arena and anticipated rewarding stimuli, while FM only increased in response to tickling. USV subtypes can be used to elucidate differences in attribution of incentive value across conditioned stimuli and receipt of rewarding stimuli. These data provide strong support that harmonic and FM USVs can be used to understand reward processing in addition to NSS.
Augmentation of ultraviolet B radiation-induced tumor necrosis factor production by the epidermal platelet-activating factor receptor

Abstract Ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) has been shown to damage human keratinocytes in part by inducing oxidative stress and cytokine production. Indeed, UVB-induced production of the pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) has been implicated in the epidermal damage seen in response to acute solar radiation. Though the lipid mediator platelet-activating factor (PAF) is synthesized in response to oxidative stress, and keratinocytes express PAF receptors linked to cytokine biosynthesis, it is not known whether PAF is involved in UVB-induced epidermal cell cytokine production. These studies examined the role of the PAF system in UVB-induced epidermal cell TNF-α biosynthesis using a novel model system created by retroviral-mediated transduction of the PAF receptor-negative human epidermal cell line KB with the human PAF receptor (PAF-R). Treatment of PAF-R-expressing KB cells with the metabolically stable PAF-R agonist carbamoyl-PAF resulted in increased TNF-α mRNA and protein, indicating that activation of the epidermal PAF-R was linked to TNF-α production. UVB irradiation of PAF-R-expressing KB cells resulted in significant increases in both TNF-α mRNA and protein in comparison to UVB-treated control KB cells. However, UVB treatment up-regulated cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA levels to the same extent in both PAF-R-expressing and control KB cells. Pretreatment with the antioxidant vitamin E or the PAF-R antagonists WEB 2086 and A-85783 inhibited UVB-induced TNF-α production in the PAF-R-positive but not control KB cells. These studies suggest that the epidermal PAF-R may be a pharmacological target for UVB in skin.
Incremental versus Methodological Policymaking in the Liberal State

Disjointed incrementalism became a feasible paradigm for American administrative decision making during the growth of interest-group liberalism. Over the same time, methods of quantitative rational...
Hooking Up and Identity Development of Female College Students

Hooking up generally involves casual sex with noncommittal partners. Hooking up is prevalent on college campuses today and can negatively affect the identity development of female students. The authors examined this phenomenon with a feminist developmental perspective, evaluating hooking up in the context of sexual risk taking with physical and psychosocial consequences.
Biosynthesis and metabolism of 4‐hydroxynonenal in canine ceroid‐lipofuscinosis

Canine ceroid-lipofuscinosis (CCL) is a model of the juvenile type of Batten disease in human patients. Abnormalities have been reported previously in 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) levels in English setters with CCL. The purpose of this study was to examine the sources of HNE in neutrophil membranes and plasma of CCL dogs. The fatty acid composition of neutrophil phospholipids, i.e., phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine, was determined by gas-liquid-chromatography (GLC) since some polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are precursors of HNE. The copper catalyzed peroxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) was examined to determine the susceptibility of LDL from CCL dogs to peroxidation. The results indicated that a number of PUFA precursors of HNE decreased in affected and carrier neutrophil phospholipids, indicating that this source of HNE may be disease specific. The Cu ++ catalyzed formation of HNE from LDL demonstrated that carrier and normal LDL produced large amounts of HNE, while LDL from affected dogs required much higher concentrations of Cu ++ for maximal HNE production. These results provide additional support for the role of HNE in the pathogenetic events in NCL and support the view that lipid peroxidation may be an important contributor to the complex pathogenesis of the NCL.
Desmond Morris's Two Spheres

What is the value of artistic practices, techniques, inventions, aesthetics and knowledge for the working scientist? What is the value of scientific practices, techniques, inventions, aesthetics and knowledge for the artist? When does art become science and science, art? Can an individual excel at both science and art, or is even a passing familiarity with one sufficient to influence the other significantly? Guest editor Robert Root-Bernstein continues the exploration of such questions in the second installment of the Leonardo special project “ArtScience: The Essential Connection.” Interested authors: please send proposals, queries and/or manuscripts to the Leonardo Editorial Office: . Additional information available on the Leonardo web site: .
How to write health dialog for a talking computer

Automated dialogue systems delivered over the telephone offer a promising approach to delivering health-related interventions to populations of individuals at low-cost. Over the past two decades, an automated telephone system called Telephone-Linked Care or TLC has been successfully designed and evaluated by the authors and their colleagues. This work has resulted in over twenty systems for various health-related conditions and lifestyle behaviors. This paper describes our approach to developing and writing dialogue for these automated telephone systems, including determining the program objectives, defining the target population, and selecting a theory of behavior change to guide the intervention. Both macro and micro issues are considered in constructing dialogue systems that are engaging for the target population, easy to use, and effective at promoting positive health behaviors and outcomes.
Dental Caries as a Side Effect of Infantile Hemangioma Treatment with Propranolol Solution

We report the case of an 18-month-old boy who presented with caries in the upper central incisors associated with the use of propranolol solution for the treatment of an infantile hemangioma. This side effect of propranolol solution has not been reported before, and it may result from a sucrose-based excipient of the solution, or decreased salivation caused by beta-adrenergic antagonist effect of propranolol.
The Utility of 11C-choline Positron Emission Tomography Computerized Tomography (PET-CT) for Staging Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer

Purpose/Objective(s): 18Fluoro-deoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) imaging is routinely used to stage patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer but results in significant false negative and false positive findings. The utility of 11C-choline has not been evaluated in this clinical setting.We performed a study evaluating the reliability of 11C-Choline PETCT (11C-choline) imaging in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer prior to and following a course of chemoradiation.
Spacetime as a Topological Insulator: Mechanism for the Origin of the Fermion Generations

We suggest a mechanism whereby the three generations of quarks and leptons correspond to surface modes in a five-dimensional theory. These modes arise from a nonlinear fermion dispersion relation in the extra dimension, much in the same manner as fermion surface modes in a topological insulator or lattice implementation of domain wall fermions. We also show that the topological properties can persist in a deconstructed version of the model in four dimensions.
Disruption and damage of an electrooptic modulator by pulsed microwaves

These results demonstrate the ability of a commercial LiNbO3 EO modulator to withstand damage from direct pulsed RF input up to 200 W. However, short-term disruption occurred at a few Watts, which suggests a need for improved modulator thermal design.
Here Comes the Bride: Wedding Announcements and Bridal Norms

Abstract It is generally assumed that since the second wave of the women's movement there has been normative change in women's roles. Because the traditional enactment of the bridal role signifies male dominance, this would be a likely place to notice a revamping of this solely female role. By providing a historical analysis of New York Times wedding announcements from 1962 to 1992, this paper examines aspects of the bridal role: representation, ritual enactment and the directed attainment of the upperclass and upper-middle class women whose announcements are published in the Times. The data suggest that over the period studied the achievements of this specific group of brides as well as their representation reflect changing conventions while traditional norms prevail in the enactment of the bridal role.
Cancer: Why tumours eat tryptophan

Tumours increase their consumption of the amino acid tryptophan to evade immune control. But how does this work? A study shows that the main product of this consumption binds to a receptor involved in the immune system. See Article p.197 The tryptophan catabolite kynurenine (Kyn) and tryptophan degradation by indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenases have previously been implicated in suppressing an antitumour immune response. Michael Platten and colleagues now identify tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) as the enzyme expressed in gliomas and other cancers that converts tryptophan to Kyn. Kyn is an endogenous ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), acting directly on glioma cells to promote tumorigenesis. TDO expression in cancer cells also suppresses an AHR-mediated immune response. In human glioblastomas, the expression of TDO and AHR-regulated genes are associated with more advanced stages and poorer clinical outcome.
Computations of Sub-Micron Heat Transport in Silicon Accounting for Phonon Dispersion

In recent years, the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) has begun to be used for predicting thermal transport in dielectrics and semiconductors at the sub-micron scale. However, most published studies make a gray assumption and do not account for either dispersion or polarization. In this study, we propose a model based on the BTE, accounting for transverse acoustic (TA) and longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonons as well as optical phonons. This model incorporates realistic phonon dispersion curves for silicon. The interactions among the different phonon branches and different phonon frequencies are considered, and the proposed model satisfies energy conservation. Frequency-dependent relaxation times, obtained from perturbation theory, and accounting for phonon interaction rules, are used. In the present study, the BTE is numerically solved using a structured finite volume approach. For a problem involving a film with two boundaries at different temperatures, the numerical results match the analogous exact solutions from radiative transport literature for various acoustic thicknesses. For the same problem, the transient thermal response in the acoustically thick limit matches results from the solution to the parabolic Fourier diffusion equation. Also, in the acoustically thick limit, the bulk experimental value of thermal conductivity of silicon at different temperatures is recovered from the model even at coarse phonon frequency band discretization.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Malignant histiocytosis: a cytochemical and electron microscopic study of an unusual case.

A 25-year-old black female presented with lymphadenopathy, fever and anemia of two months duration. The diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis was made on the basis of histiocytic infiltrations in the sinuses of spleen, liver and lymph nodes and by the demonstration of erythrophagocytosis in bone marrow. Following splenectomy, the patient developed a leukemic phase with as many as 50 x lo9 abnormal histiocytesil and bone marrow necrosis. This patient was also atypical because of multiple granulomas in liver, spleen and lymph nodes. Cytochemical and immunofluorescent stains confirmed that the abnormal cells were derived from the monocyte-macrophage series. Electron microscopy was used to further characterize this abnormal cell population. The electron microscopic and cytochemical evidence confirms that the malignant cells in malignant histiocytosis are derived from monocytes. Cancer 442 158- 2 164, 1979. ALIGNANT HISTIOCYTOSIS (MH) is a rare, M rapidly progressive, fatal disorder associated with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and pancyt~penia.~~ The disease is characterized by proliferation of abnormal macrophages (histiocytes) with erythrophagocytosis and leukophagocytosis in lymph nodes, marrow, liver, spleen and other organs. 137322,25327 Death usually occurs within 6 to 12 months.' This r eport describes a female with MH presenting with widespread granulomas who terminated with histiocytic leukemia. Electron microscopic and cytochemical evidence supporting the monocytic origin of her malignant cells is presented.
A Novel Break Point Parameter as a Diagnostic Tool for Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and claims one out of every three deaths in the United States [1]. There is a greater need than ever for more accurate and robust diagnostic tools with the increasing number of deaths caused by this disease. Color M-mode echocardiography is a technique that is commonly used in the diagnosis of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction (LVDD).Copyright © 2008 by ASME