cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variations in Initiation Dates of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for Definitive Management of Inoperable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Are Associated With Decreases in Overall Survival.

Abstract Background We evaluated trends in administration of concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT) and how variations in start dates of chemotherapy and radiotherapy affected overall survival (OS) in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing a course of definitive CRT. Materials and Methods Cases of NSCLC treated with definitive CRT were obtained from the National Cancer Database. A survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models. Propensity score matching was conducted. Results On a national level, only 48.6% of patients began concurrent CRT on the same day. In a propensity-matched population, starting CRT within 6 days was associated with improved OS (17.9 months) compared with starting 7 to 13 days apart (16.5 months; P = .04). Starting dual therapy within 6 days of each other was associated with a 7% reduction in the risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.93; P = .05). Furthermore, in a propensity-matched cohort, starting CRT within 3 days was associated with longer survival (18.7 months) compared with 4 to 6 days apart (17.5 months; P = .02). Starting treatment 4 to 6 days apart was associated with an 8% increased risk of death (hazard ratio, 1.08; P = .04). Conclusion A large proportion (48.6%) of patients with unresectable NSCLC do not initiate CRT on the same day as is considered standard by national guidelines. In this population, nonsimultaneous initiation of CRT was associated with differences in OS. Further efforts to understand the mitigating factors and barriers that interfere with timely delivery of concurrent CRT are needed.
Dynamical Systems and Bifurcations

In this section we develop the rudiments of the modern theory of dynamical systems. To give the reader a bird’s eye view of this exciting field, we will for the most part skip the proofs. Some results are identical in ℝ n to those stated in ℝ2 in Chapter 2, but the center manifold theorem and bifurcation calculations are new in this chapter. We will also use machinery that we have built up enroute to this chapter to sharpen statements made in Chapter 2. Readers who wish to consult more detailed books are referred to Guckenheimer and Holmes [122], Ruelle [247], or Wiggins [329].
Prediction of starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) invasion risk in upper Midwest (USA) lakes using ecological niche models

Abstract Starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa; Characeae) is a freshwater macroalga that is considered an invasive species in North America and has only recently been identified in the upper Midwest states of Minnesota and Wisconsin (USA). While the current known extent of N. obtusa invasion in the Midwestern U.S. is limited, there is significant potential habitat for continued expansion and thus a pressing need to target surveillance and response efforts to limit further spread. Here we use data on N. obtusa presence and lake-level environmental conditions from locations in New York state to train a set of ecological niche models using three separate algorithms: random forests, boosted regression trees, and ecological niche factor analysis. These models were then used to predict habitat suitability and potential invasion risk for a set of ∼900 lakes in the upper Midwest using publicly available lake-level water quality data. Based on a cross-validation study we found that the random forest method provided the most accurate predictions, though only marginally better than boosted regression trees. Ecological niche factor analysis, while offering better than random predictions, had the highest cross-validation error rates. Though there were some inconsistencies between modeling approaches, all three tended to agree on regions of relatively high risk in central Minnesota and eastern Wisconsin and relatively low risk in north-central Wisconsin. However, there are inherent limitations to developing ecological niche models with data from one geographical region and predicting into a different region, thus there is a need for additional efforts to validate model predictions.
A Patent as a De Facto Standard

Abstract To discuss a tire bead failure in a Plaintiff's case is to accept a challenge in both engineering and the law. Why do we include in this monograph a presentation of a patent describing a manufacturing method for the bead on a tire? The answer is to demonstrate that an industry standard (a common practice, a de facto engineering standard) can emerge from a basic patent. In the case of the tire industry, a basic patent on the manufacture of a tire bead from 1958 became a de facto industry standard. We can learn a great deal by studying such a de facto standard. In any given Plaintiff's tire failure case, the question of the technology available to preclude failure in a tire bead comes down to what the patent literature teaches the expert and the Court. In general, the patent literature can provide a look at the technology available for technical and legal argument in products liability matters.
Composable building blocks to open up processor design

We present a framework called Composable Modular Design (CMD) to facilitate the design of out-of-order (OOO) processors. In CMD, (1) The interface methods of modules provide instantaneous access and perform atomic updates to the state elements inside the module; (2) Every interface method is guarded, i.e., it cannot be applied unless it is ready; and (3) Modules are composed together by atomic rules which call interface methods of different modules. A rule either successfully updates the state of all the called modules or it does nothing. CMD designs are compiled into RTL which can be run on FPGAs or synthesized using standard ASIC design flows. The atomicity properties of interfaces in CMD ensures composability when selected modules are refined selectively. We show the efficacy of CMD by building a parameterized out-of-order RISC-V processor which boots Linux and runs on FPGAs at 25 MHz to 40 MHz. We also synthesized several variants of it in a 32 nm technology to run at 1 GHz to 1.1 GHz. Performance evaluation shows that our processor beats in-order processors in terms of IPC but will require more architectural work to compete with wider superscalar commercial ARM processors. Modules designed under the CMD framework (e.g., ROB, reservation stations, load store unit) can be used and refined by other implementations. We believe that this realistic framework can revolutionize architectural research and practice as the library of reusable components grows.
Social Perception in Deaf and Hearing Adolescents

Slides containing facial caricatures and six social interaction cartoon films were presented to deaf and hearing adolescents (12 to 19 years old). Results indicated few age related differences in perceptual reports. A number of deaf-hearing differences suggested that these groups often differ in their extraction of social information from the eye region of the face, as well as from gross motor activity. Findings were discussed in relation to a number of recent findings in the literature.
Using spiritual care to alleviate religious, spiritual, and moral struggles arising from acute health crises

Summary Extensive research on religious coping demonstrates that aspects of religion and spirituality may help or harm people going through life crises and trauma. Many people experience religious, spiritual, and moral struggles in coping with crises. While some people are able to draw upon aspects of their religious, spiritual, or moral orienting systems to experience growth in the midst of such struggles, for many people religious, spiritual, and moral struggles are associated with poorer health and well-being. I argue that research on religious, spiritual, and moral struggles ethically compels medical care providers to provide holistic comprehensive care of acute health crises, such that people's beliefs, values, and ways of coping become resources and not liabilities. Healthcare providers, ethically mandated to ‘do no harm’, risk medically neglecting patients by ignoring the religious, spiritual, and moral struggles arising from their acute health crises. What might spiritually oriented care of religious, spiritual, and moral struggles look like? The concept of moral orienting systems is described as a way to practice evidence-based and intercultural care of religious, spiritual, and moral struggles arising from acute health crises.
167. Assessment of the efficacy of teriparatide (Forteo) in patients undergoing posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion: a double-blinded randomized pilot study

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Lumbar spinal fusion is an increasingly common procedure for treating degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. Non-solid fusion, or pseudarthrosis, at one year is a common complication associated with poor clinical outcomes and need for revision surgery. The risk of pseudarthrosis depends on the number of levels fused, the fusion material, and patient risk factors (osteoporosis, smoking, diabetes, etc.). Although there are multiple options for bone graft and osteoinductive materials, all have their benefits, side-effects and cost. Teriparatide is an injectable recombinant analog of parathyroid hormone that has been well-studied in its treatment of osteoporosis. However, no clinical studies of its effect on spinal fusion in humans have been published to date. PURPOSE To analyze the effect of teriparatide treatment on posterolateral spinal fusion in adults with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Multicenter prospective double-blinded randomized study. PATIENT SAMPLE 60-90 year-olds with degenerative scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, or spondylosis at two medical centers undergoing instrumented posterolateral instrumented fusion >2levels. Use of BMP was excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES Pseudoarthrosis, screw loosening, PJK by CT. VAS, ODI, and Eq5D. METHODS Prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study performed at two large academic centers, UCSF and McGill University (Montreal). Included patients were aged 60-90 years with degenerative lumbar disease who were scheduled to undergo two-level or greater posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 (Forteo:Placebo) manner. Patient were dosed 2 weeks pre-op and 10 weeks post-op. Patient derived outcomes were collected pre-op, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Fusions at 1 year were analyzed by helical CT. RESULTS A total of 36 patients completed the study. 58.3% (n=21) received teriparatide. 42.8% (n=9) reported an adverse event. Fusion rate of all patients was 47.2% (n=17); the remaining 52.8% (n=19) demonstrated pseudoarthrosis at 1 year. Fourty-seven percent of patients receiving teriparatide had a pseudoarthrosis, while 60% of placebo had a pseudoarthrosis. VAS, ODI, and Eq5D improved in all groups but no significant difference was found between groups. CONCLUSIONS Teriparatide appears to provide minimal benefit of avoiding pseudoarthroses in 60-90 year-olds undergoing thoracolumbar fusions. Teriparatide appears to have a fairly safe side effect profile. Further larger scale studies are warranted, possibly with the addition of BMP and/or bisphosphonates. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS Unavailable from authors at time of publication.
Effect of hydrogen incorporation on sub-gap density of states in amorphous InGaZnO thin-film transistors

Amorphous semiconducting transparent oxides like InGaZnO4 (a-IGZO) have a broad distribution of metal and oxygen vacancy defects that determine thin film transistor (TFT) characteristics and impact device reliability metrics such as hysteresis. Here, we demonstrate how hydrogen modifies the density of states (DoS) through a novel on-chip method that spectrally resolves trap concentration in a-IGZO spanning the bandgap. Requiring laser energies continuously tunable from 0:26 to 3:1 eV, this method also employs difference frequency generation to access shallow states near the conduction band. We characterize the effect of hydrogen incorporation on the sub-gap peaks of the DoS of an a-IGZO TFT. Specifically, our data suggests hydrogen hybridizes with vacancy defects through metal-hydrogen (M-H) bonds that passivate oxygen vacancy sites and O-H bonds that passivate metal vacancy sites. These interactions result in a suppression of oxygen vacancy and metal vacancy- related trap states in the sub-gap and an enhancement of a metal-hydrogen bonding peak near the VBM. Temperature dependent, photon energy-dependent hysteresis, and transient defect lifetime measurements further reveal the strong impact of hydrogen concentration on a-IGZO TFT performance germane to current optical display technology.
Free college? Assessing enrollment responses to the Tennessee Promise program

Abstract In this paper, we study a novel, broad-based tuition assistance program within the two-year college sector and contribute new results to both the expansive higher education funding literature and the modest yet fast-growing college promise literature. Starting with the class of 2015, the state of Tennessee has been covering full tuition and fees for any high school graduate who wishes to attend a state-funded two-year college under its unique Tennessee Promise initiative. Exploiting the timing of this policy shock, we employ quasi-experimental methods to document that Tennessee Promise increased full-time first-time undergraduate enrollment at the state's community colleges by at least 40%. We also find a positive response in attendance among black and Hispanic students. An auxiliary analysis shows a short-run reduction of about 2% in enrollment at the state's public four-year institutions, suggesting some degree of substitutability between the unsubsidized and subsidized college sectors. We discuss the implications of our findings for the design of future statewide free-college programs.
Foreword II: Convergence and Synthesis

In their book Convergence of Knowledge, Technology, and Society Roco et al. (2013; see also NRC 2014) argued that the history of science has been one of swings between divergence and convergence. In the divergence phase specialization flourishes, with limited interaction between specialties, while in the convergence phase the barriers between the specialties begin to weaken, and science advances through the sharing of expertise and interest between specialties.
Annotated Bibliography of Resources on Doctoral Education.

Many recent publications on doctoral education issues are available, and it can be challenging to keep up with the literature that can inform our commitment to implementing best practices. In an ef...
Avoiding Moonraker: Averting Unilateral Geoengineering Efforts

Geoengineering has gradually moved from the realm of forbidden technology to a real possibility for addressing the increasingly devastating effects of climate change. Despite many concerns regarding the effects of geoengineering on the planet as a whole, absent drastic action from the global community to reduce emissions, which does not currently seem likely, its deployment seems inevitable in the near future. This article focuses on solar radiation management (SRM), particularly on upper atmosphere and space-based mechanisms. There are four main risks that must be evaluated in this area: (1) the risk of geoengineering, (2) the risk of unilateral state action, (3) the risk of unilateral private action, and (4) the risk of doing nothing. The article posits that our legal system is poorly designed for addressing these risks, since it focuses on ex post actions rather than providing ex ante measures to adequately evaluate and minimize the risks. Unilateral actions by individual states or by private actors cannot be adequately addressed by ex post legal measures, such as liability regimes. There is a need for robust regulatory mechanisms at an international level to mitigate the negative consequences that unilateral action would inevitably give rise to. Even with such regulatory mechanisms, however, the significance of the harm caused by global temperature increases is such that it may outweigh any potential negative consequences to states who are faced with the choice between the survival of their people or adherence to international legal standards.
KNOWLEDGE HAPPENS: WHY ZAGZEBSKI HAS NOT SOLVED THE MENO PROBLEM

I argue that Linda Zagzebski's proposed solution to the Meno Problem faces serious challenges. The Meno Problem, roughly, is how to explain the value that knowledge, as such, has over mere true belief. Her proposed solution is that believings—when thought of more like actions—can have value in virtue of their motivations. This meshes nicely with her theory that knowledge is, essentially, virtuously motivated true belief. Her solution fails because it entails that, necessarily, all knowledge is motivated in a way that resembles the motivation of actions. Crucially, Zagzebski says the value derived from motivation comes from certain laudable feelings—like love of truth (she is explicit that love is a feeling). But there are possible cases of knowledge—probably some of which are actual—in which subjects do not or cannot experience these feelings.
Physical computing and multimodal input in human-computer interfaces

The human-computer interface is widely recognized as an important part of any software project. Consequently, the principles of human-computer interaction are increasingly being taught in computer science departments. Usually, this type of course will focus on the design, implementation and testing of graphical user interfaces. Yet today's ubiquitous computing applications require interfaces that are context aware and respond to more than text from a keyboard or the click of a mouse. Students who have experience developing interfaces with a range of multimodal inputs will be better prepared to meet this growing need.This paper describes a new course that is being taught at two different colleges at the undergraduate level. Students in these classes learn the theory behind good interface design while obtaining practical experience implementing applications that respond to speech, sensor input, and computer vision. This paper also describes how students go on to apply this knowledge to educational applications in subsequent independent projects, working with teachers as clients. Finally, the paper presents several of the projects produced by students in these classes and in subsequent collaborations.
A fully integrated GMSK modulator using BiCMOS /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ frequency synthesizer with automatic loop gain calibration

A 2.7 V 16 mA GMSK modulator using a /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ frequency synthesizer with automatic loop gain calibration is implemented on a 3.2 mm/sup 2/ die area using a 0.35 /spl mu/m BiCMOS process. It meets the GSM transmit spectral mask specification and achieves a close-in phase noise of -90 dBc/Hz and spurious noise level of -75 dBc/Hz without modulation.
Condenser Discharges Through a General Gas Circuit

Any change in the electrical conditions of a circuit, whether internal, such as a change of load, starting and switching operations, short circuits, or external, such as due to lightning, involves a readjustment of the stored electromagnetic and electrostatic energy of the circuit, that is a so-called transient. Such transient is of the general character of a condenser discharge through an inductive circuit. The phenomenon of the condenser discharge through an inductive circuit therefore is of the greatest importance to the engineer, as the foremost cause of high-voltage and high-frequency troubles in electric circuits. With the development of radio communication?whether wireless or wired?the condenser discharge through an inductive circuit has assumed a great additional importance since, with the exception of a few of the highest power transoceanic stations, which use power-driven high-frequency alternators, the source of power in all radio communication is the condenser discharge through the inductive circuit, whether as a damped wave or as an undamped wave. In undamped wave radio communication, the condenser discharge circuit is coupled with a source of electric power?a battery?in such a manner, that, without interfering with the character of the oscillation, sufficient energy is fed into the circuit to maintain the oscillation, similarly as in the clock, the pendulum is coupled with a source of mechanical power?weight or spring?so as to maintain its oscillation undamped. FIG. A The condenser discharge through an inductive circuit is thus one of the most important phenomena with which the electrical engineer has to deal.
Empirical simulation extrapolation for measurement error models with replicate measurements

We present a variation of the simex algorithm (J. Amer. statist. Assoc. 89 (1994) 1314) appropriate for the case in which the measurement error variance(s) are unknown but replicate measurements are available. The method used pseudo errors generated from random linear contrasts of the observed replicate measurements. An attractive feature of the new method is its ability to accommodate heteroscedastic measurement error.
Formulation of Kinetic Energy Preserving Conservative Schemes for Gas Dynamics and Direct Numerical Simulation of One-Dimensional Viscous Compressible Flow in a Shock Tube Using Entropy and Kinetic Energy Preserving Schemes

This paper follows up on the author's recent paper "The Construction of Discretely Conservative Finite Volume Schemes that also Globally Conserve Energy or Enthalpy". In the case of the gas dynamics equations the previous formulation leads to an entropy preserving (EP) scheme. It is shown in the present paper that it is also possible to construct the flux of a conservative finite volume scheme to produce a kinetic energy preserving (KEP) scheme which exactly satisfies the global conservation law for kinetic energy. A proof is presented for three dimensional discretization on arbitrary grids. Both the EP and KEP schemes have been applied to the direct numerical simulation of one-dimensional viscous flow in a shock tube. The computations verify that both schemes can be used to simulate flows with shock waves and contact discontinuities without the introduction of any artificial diffusion. The KEP scheme performed better in the tests.
3D pattern of brain atrophy in HIV/AIDS visualized using tensor-based morphometry

Abstract 35% of HIV-infected patients have cognitive impairment, but the profile of HIV-induced brain damage is still not well understood. Here we used tensor-based morphometry (TBM) to visualize brain deficits and clinical/anatomical correlations in HIV/AIDS. To perform TBM, we developed a new MRI-based analysis technique that uses fluid image warping, and a new α-entropy-based information-theoretic measure of image correspondence, called the Jensen–Renyi divergence (JRD). Methods 3D T1-weighted brain MRIs of 26 AIDS patients (CDC stage C and/or 3 without HIV-associated dementia; 47.2 ± 9.8 years; 25M/1F; CD4+ T-cell count: 299.5 ± 175.7/μl; log10 plasma viral load: 2.57 ± 1.28 RNA copies/ml) and 14 HIV-seronegative controls (37.6 ± 12.2 years; 8M/6F) were fluidly registered by applying forces throughout each deforming image to maximize the JRD between it and a target image (from a control subject). The 3D fluid registration was regularized using the linearized Cauchy–Navier operator. Fine-scale volumetric differences between diagnostic groups were mapped. Regions were identified where brain atrophy correlated with clinical measures. Results Severe atrophy (∼ 15–20% deficit) was detected bilaterally in the primary and association sensorimotor areas. Atrophy of these regions, particularly in the white matter, correlated with cognitive impairment (P = 0.033) and CD4+ T-lymphocyte depletion (P = 0.005). Conclusion TBM facilitates 3D visualization of AIDS neuropathology in living patients scanned with MRI. Severe atrophy in frontoparietal and striatal areas may underlie early cognitive dysfunction in AIDS patients, and may signal the imminent onset of AIDS dementia complex.
Classroom Response Systems: A Review of the Literature

As the frequency with which Classroom Response Systems (CRSs) are used is increasing, it becomes more and more important to define the affordances and limitations of these tools. Currently existing literature is largely either anecdotal or focuses on comparing CRS and non-CRS environments that are unequal in other aspects as well. In addition, the literature primarily describes situations in which the CRS is used to provide an individual as opposed to a group response. This article points to the need for a concerted research effort, one that rigorously explores conditions of use across diverse settings and pedagogies.
Field validation of the geohydrology simulation model, FEWA

Abstract A finite element model of water flow through aquifers (FEWA) has been validated using field data from the Love Canal area, New York and from the Conesville area, Ohio, USA, The computed data for both cases investigated compare well with the field data, indicating that FEWA provides accurate results.
Decamethylytterbocene complexes of bipyridines and diazabutadienes: multiconfigurational ground states and open-shell singlet formation.

Partial ytterbium f-orbital occupancy (i.e., intermediate valence) and open-shell singlet formation are established for a variety of bipyridine and diazabutadiene adducts with decamethylytterbocene, (C5Me5)2Yb, abbreviated as Cp*2Yb. Data used to support this claim include ytterbium valence measurements using Yb LIII-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) multiconfigurational calculations, as well as structural measurements compared to density functional theory calculations. The CASSCF calculations indicate that the intermediate valence is the result of a multiconfigurational ground-state wave function that has both an open-shell singlet f13(π*)1, where π* is the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the bipyridine or diazabutadiene ligands, and a closed-shell singlet f14 component. A number of other competing theories for the unusual magnetism in these materials are ruled out by the lack of temperature dep...
Some Clinical Features of Complete Heart Block

A review was made of 251 cases of complete heart block. They were divided into the following groups: coronary artery disease (nonacute), 58 cases; myocardial infarction (acute), 49 cases; hypertensive heart disease, 62 cases; rheumatic heart disease, 21 cases; miscellaneous, 16 cases; "etiology undetermined," 18 cases; and digitalis intoxication, 27 cases. Among the various clinical features analyzed were the sex and age factors, the occurrence of syncope, palpitation, congestive failure, anginal pain, and the duration of life after the onset of major symptoms. Methods of treatment are discussed.
Diuretic-induced hypokalaemia inducing torsades de pointes

Torsades de pointes (TP), an unique polymorphous type of ventricular tachycardia, is associated with either an acquired or congenitally prolonged QT interval. Several reports have demonstrated TP to follow an acquired prolonged QT interval secondary to chronic hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, or hypokalaemia. We report a rapid onset, acute extracellular hypokalaemia not associated with other electrolyte disturbances inducing a prolonged QT interval followed by TP. This is the first case report of a rapid onset isolated acute extracellular hypokalaemia inducing TP. Since anaesthetists are involved in therapies that will rapidly reduce extracellular potassium (diuretic, catecholamine, and/or insulin administration, hyperventilation), this case report serves as a warning that such therapy may have the risk of arrhythmia induction.
Dopaminergic modulation and rod contribution in the generation of oscillatory potentials in the tiger salamander retina

The roles of rod and cone input and of dopamine in the generation of oscillatory potentials were studied in tiger salamander retina. Under scotopic conditions, oscillations were elicited with a green, but not a red stimulus. With mesopic background illumination, both stimuli caused oscillations. Addition of quinpirole to a mesopic retina eliminated oscillations while SKF-38393 had no effect. Similarly, addition of sulpiride to a light-adapted retina elicited oscillatory activity, but SCH 22390 had no effect. These results suggest that oscillatory potentials are elicited through activation of the rod pathway and are modulated by dopamine through D2-receptors.
ADAMTS13 and TTP: the clot thickens

HEMOSTASIS, THROMBOSIS, AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY ![Figure][1] Current beliefs are that familial thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is caused by mutations of the ADAMTS13 gene and that acquired TTP is caused by autoantibodies that inhibit ADAMTS13 activity. These concepts are consistent
Comparison of the mass quadrupole and hydrodynamic collective models

Comparison is made between the mass quadrupole coordinate collective model and an appropriately extended version of the hydrodynamic collective model to ascertain whether or not the former is an exact microscopic formulation of the latter. We find that, while there are strong similarities, it is not.
A scanning tip electrospinning source for deposition of oriented nanofibres

We present a method for controlled deposition of oriented polymeric nanofibres. The method uses a microfabricated scanned tip as an electrospinning source. The tip is dipped in a polymer solution to gather a droplet as a source material. A voltage applied to the tip causes the formation of a Taylor cone, and at sufficiently high voltages, a polymer jet is extracted from the droplet. By moving the source relative to a surface, acting as a counter-electrode, oriented nanofibres can be deposited and integrated with microfabricated surface structures. For example, we deposited fibres of polyethylene oxide with diameters ranging from 100 to 1800 nm, with the diameter primarily depending on the concentration of the polymeric solution. In addition to the uniform fibre deposition, the scanning tip electrospinning source can produce self-assembled composite fibres of micro-and nanoparticles aligned in a polymeric fibre. We also deposited oriented conductive polymeric fibres of polyaniline and investigated the conductivity of these fibres as components for polymeric nanoelectronics.
Resonance Raman spectra of flavin semiquinones stabilized by N5 methylation.

Abstract Resonance Raman spectra are reported for the semiquinone of N5-methyl derivatives of FMN (flavin mononucleotide) in H2O and 2H2O, 8-chloro FMN and FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) with 647.1 nm excitation, in the first π-π∗ absorption band, using KI to quench fluorescence. The spectral pattern is similar to that of oxidized flavin, in its first absorption band, with appreciable shifts, up to approx. 50 cm−1, in corresponding frequencies. There are also significant shifts with respect to the previously reported resonance Raman spectrum of flavodoxin semiquinone, reflecting the substitution of CH3 for H at N5. The N5-methyl FAD semiquinone spectrum is also reported for 514.5 nm excitation, in resonance with the second π-π∗ transition. The intensity pattern is quite different, the spectrum being dominated by a band at 1611 cm−1, assigned to a mode localized primarily on the central pyrazine ring.
Influence of Mechanical Load on Enzymatic Cleavage of Native Collagen

It has been hypothesized that collagen fibrils in native tissue are “strain-stabilized” and thus protected (to some extent) from enzyme attack by the application of mechanical load. If true, collagen and its complement native enzymes (MMPs) could comprise the basis of “smart” structure which is intrinsically load-adaptive. If strain protection of collagen significantly reduces the activity of bacterial collagenase (BC-Clostridium Histolyticum), then benchtop “sculpting” of collagenous matrix for tissue engineering may be practical. In this investigation, we have quantified the enzymatically-induced creep of uniaxially-loaded (0.25 N) and unloaded control bovine corneal tissue strips (∼6.0 mm × 0.7 mm × 17 mm) which were exposed to BC (0.05 mM). Experimental and control strips were loaded for 15 minutes (initial creep-in) then exposed to the BC at which point the controls were unloaded. After 35 minutes of degradation, unloaded controls were re-loaded and the dynamic strain was recorded. All unloaded control specimens were significantly compromised mechanically compared to experimentals and could not hold the applied load for more than a few minutes following reloading. From the data is clear that strain protects the loaded fibrils. How that protection is manifested remains an open question.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Vasculitis: Refining phenotypes in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

As granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) share histopathologic and clinical features, including the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCAs), patients with these syndromes are commonly labelled as having ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and are subjected to similar treatments. A recent study suggests that dividing AAV into five classes based on disease phenotype provides better prognostic information than the classic division into GPA and MPA.
Design Configuration of Vehicle With Domain Knowledge Enhancement

Configuration design and packaging optimization correspond to finding the optimal placement of a series of objects in a system while satisfying functional requirements and minimizing criteria. The research presented in this paper is applied to the configuration design of vehicles and more specifically the US Army FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles). This paper presents the latest developments of the design methodology based on a multiple objective genetic algorithm. A swap operator specifically constructed for packaging problems is presented. For this multi-criteria problem, the goal of the methodology is to explore the objective space in order to find multiple Pareto designs. This research is motivated by the need to add non-conventional components, namely, a fuel cells auxiliary power unit and its associated modules, on the FMTV. Three objectives are considered: vehicle dynamic behavior, maintainability, and survivability. The methodology uses several in-house and commercial analysis packages to evaluate the fitness of the evolving designs. The new approach is systematically evaluated comparing the results to those of the original method with respect to its ability in generating the Pareto front of the multi-criteria design problem.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Phage therapy: eco-physiological pharmacology.

Bacterial virus use as antibacterial agents, in the guise of what is commonly known as phage therapy, is an inherently physiological, ecological, and also pharmacological process. Physiologically we can consider metabolic properties of phage infections of bacteria and variation in those properties as a function of preexisting bacterial states. In addition, there are patient responses to pathogenesis, patient responses to phage infections of pathogens, and also patient responses to phage virions alone. Ecologically, we can consider phage propagation, densities, distribution (within bodies), impact on body-associated microbiota (as ecological communities), and modification of the functioning of body “ecosystems” more generally. These ecological and physiological components in many ways represent different perspectives on otherwise equivalent phenomena. Comparable to drugs, one also can view phages during phage therapy in pharmacological terms. The relatively unique status of phages within the context of phage therapy as essentially replicating antimicrobials can therefore result in a confluence of perspectives, many of which can be useful towards gaining a better mechanistic appreciation of phage therapy, as I consider here. Pharmacology more generally may be viewed as a discipline that lies at an interface between organism-associated phenomena, as considered by physiology, and environmental interactions as considered by ecology.
Superadditive Memory Strength for Item and Source Recognition: The Role of Hierarchical Relational Binding in the Medial Temporal Lobe

Source memory depends on our ability to recollect contextual information--such as the time, place, feelings, and thoughts associated with a past event. It is acknowledged that the medial temporal lobe (MTL) plays a critical role in binding such episodic features. Yet, controversy exists over the nature of MTL binding--whether it contributes specifically to source recollection or whether it contributes equally to both item familiarity and source recollection. To resolve this issue, the authors propose that the MTL acts to bind contextual features through a process of hierarchical relational binding. That is, by way of multiple levels of associative bindings (i.e., bindings of bindings), the MTL links episodic features in a superadditive manner. To account for this binding feature, the authors develop a recognition model that includes positively skewed distributions of memory strength. Such skewed distributions can account for many empirical findings and regularities of both item familiarity and source recollection.
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with presumed choroidal involvement

Background Conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma has been well-described, but rarely do these lesions demonstrate intraocular involvement. We report a case of conjunctival MALT lymphoma with intraocular involvement and novel spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings. Patient and methods A 75-year-old woman with biopsyproven MALT lymphoma of the conjunctiva presented with ipsilateral yellowish diffuse choroidal infiltrates on fundoscopic examination. Choroidal involvement was documented clinically, on ultrasonography, on fluorescein angiography, and by SD-OCT. Treatment consisted of 3 weeks of oral doxycycline and six cycles of systemic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and rituximab. Results There was no evidence of progression or recurrence of MALT lymphoma after 9 months of follow-up. Despite complete resolution of clinical findings, ultrasound, and fluorescein angiography, the choroidal lesions remained unchanged on SD-OCT. Discussion Choroidal involvement of conjunctival MALT is rare, and can be successfully treated. Persistence of irregularities on SD-OCT did not influence management in the presence of clinical improvement and resolution on ultrasonography and fluorescein angiography.
Rab GTPases associate with isolated lipid droplets (LDs) and show altered content after ethanol administration: potential role in alcohol-impaired LD metabolism.

Background Alcoholic liver disease is manifested by the presence of fatty liver, primarily due to accumulation of hepatocellular lipid droplets (LDs). The presence of membrane-trafficking proteins (e.g., Rab GTPases) with LDs indicates that LDs may be involved in trafficking pathways known to be altered in ethanol (EtOH) damaged hepatocytes. As these Rab GTPases are crucial regulators of protein trafficking, we examined the effect EtOH administration has on hepatic Rab protein content and association with LDs. Methods Male Wistar rats were pair-fed Lieber–DeCarli diets for 5 to 8 weeks. Whole liver and isolated LD fractions were analyzed. Identification of LDs and associated Rab proteins was performed in frozen liver or paraffin-embedded sections followed by immunohistochemical analysis. Results Lipid accumulation was characterized by larger LD vacuoles and increased total triglyceride content in EtOH-fed rats. Rabs 1, 2, 3d, 5, 7, and 18 were analyzed in postnuclear supernatant (PNS) as well as LDs. All of the Rabs were found in the PNS, and Rabs 1, 2, 5, and 7 did not show alcohol-altered content, while Rab 3d content was reduced by over 80%, and Rab 18 also showed EtOH-induced reduction in content. Rab 3d was not found to associate with LDs, while all other Rabs were found in the LD fractions, and several showed an EtOH-related decrease (Rabs 2, 5, 7, 18). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the enhanced content of a LD-associated protein, perilipin 2 (PLIN2) that was paralleled with an associated decrease of Rab 18 in EtOH-fed rat sections. Conclusions Chronic EtOH feeding was associated with increased PLIN2 and altered Rab GTPase content in enriched LD fractions. Although mechanisms driving these changes are not established, further studies on intracellular protein trafficking and LD biology after alcohol administration will likely contribute to our understanding of fatty liver disease.
VENEZIANO MODEL WITH SECONDARY TERMS FOR PION--PION SCATTERING.

We show that the Veneziano-Lovelace one-term formula for pion-pion scattering, although a good first approximation, has some undesirable features. With the help of a few secondary terms, a model amplitude, which is consistent with the known properties of the pion-pion system up to the ${f}^{0}$ mass region and the high-energy phenomenology, is constructed.
Ideal Structures of Path Independent Choice Functions

Abstract Ideals are used to provide necessary and sufficient conditions for classes of choice functions satisfying the Strong Axiom of Preference, the Weak Axiom of Revealed Preference, or Path Independence. Semigroups whose choice functions are not path independent are demonstrated to lack proper ideal structures. A subsemigroup which is a monoid is identified. A motivation for interest in these structures is that the semigroup property is required of all finite state automata. Search-process foundations to choice functions facilitate applying automata results to economics and direct tests of whether an automaton is economic. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C69, D00, D83.
The HERA-B ring imaging Cherenkov detector

Abstract The HERA-B RICH system is designed and prototyped. It will be fully assembled by the end of 1998. It will constitute an efficient and reliable means for charged particle identification over the momentum range 4–80GeV/c. Its principal role will be to provide B 0 ( B 0 ) flavor tagging via kaon-pion separation. An overall description of the design features is provided. The principal innovation is the design of the focal plane photon detector. This employs Hamamatsu R5900 multianode photomultipliers exclusively. Each PMT is outfitted with a specially designed UVT acrylic lens telescope system for light collection purposes.
Supporting network evolution and incremental deployment with XIA

eXpressive Internet Architecture (XIA) [1] is an architecture that natively supports multiple communication types and allows networks to evolve their abstractions and functionality to accommodate new styles of communication over time. XIA embeds an elegant mechanism for handling unforeseen communication types for legacy routers.In this demonstration, we show that XIA overcomes three key barriers in network evolution (outlined below) by (1) allowing end-hosts and applications to start using new communication types (e.g., service and content) before the network supports them, (2) ensuring that upgrading a subset of routers to support new functionalities immediately benefits applications, and (3) using the same mechanisms we employ for 1 and 2 to incrementally deploy XIA in IP networks.
Visual evoked responses to word and nonsense syllable stimuli

Abstract Word and nonsense visual stimuli were presented to eight normal adult subjects. The words were consonant-vowel-consonant trigrams, such as CAT, and each letter was presented separately in sequence. The nonsense syllables were paired for the first two positions: only the third position consonant was changed. The subject's task was to decide whether or not the stimuli formed a word and to make a motor answer response. Cortical evoked responses were recorded from the vertex, left parietal and right parietal areas. Responses from each letter in the sequence were analyzed separately, both to the words and to the nonsense syllables. No consistent differences were noted between VERs to word stimuli and VERs to nonsense syllables. The amplitude of responses to third position stimuli was significantly greater than of those to first position stimuli in all subjects. These differences were maximal at 450–550 msec following stimulus presentation and were most prominent at the vertex electrode. The increased positive amplitudes of the late components of the visual evoked response were related to the subject's decision making process. In separate experiments the task-relevant meaningful stimulus was switched to first position consonants and then the increased amplitude occurred after the first response. No consistent differences were found between responses from the left and right hemispheres. The application of these techniques to the study of various types of reading disabilities was briefly discussed.
Facile functionalization and assembly of live cells with microcontact-printed polymeric biomaterials

The functionalization and assembly of live cells with microfabricated polymeric biomaterials have attracted considerable interest in recent years, but the conventional methods suffer from high cost, high complexity, long processing time or inadequate capability. The present study reports on the development of a novel method for functionalizing and assembling live cells by integrating microcontact printing of polymeric biomaterials with a temperature-sensitive sacrificial layer prepared by spin-coating. This method has been used not only to functionalize live cells with microscopic polyelectrolyte and thermoplastic structures of various sizes and shapes, but also to assemble the cells into macroscopic stripes and sheets. The method is applicable to multiple types of cells, including human leukemic cells, mouse embryonic stem cells and human mesenchymal stem cells in the forms of single cells and cell aggregates. In addition, the microcontact-printed structures can be prepared using biodegradable and biocompatible polyelectrolytes and thermoplastic. The unique combination of low cost, ease of use and high versatility renders this method potentially useful for diverse biomedical applications, including drug delivery, cell tracking and tissue engineering.
Neurogenesis in the insect central nervous system

Recent advances provide an increasingly sophisticated understanding of Drosophila CNS development. First, genes have been identified that specify unique neuroblast cell fates. Second, neuroblasts have been found to use a novel mechanism for asymmetric localization of proteins into one daughter cell at mitosis. Third, a gene controlling the choice between glial/neuronal determination has been discovered. And finally, new cell-lineage methods are being used to determine the entire lineage of identified neuroblasts, including axon projections and synaptic contacts.