cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absolute diameter measurements of coronary arteries based on the first zero crossing of the Fourier spectrum.

Current edge detection methods used to determine coronary artery dimensions from digital (DSA)images suffer a strong dependence on the system’s modulation transfer function(MTF). The videodensitometric algorithms are less sensitive to MTF blurring, yet still result in an overestimation of the vessel size of 10% to 25% for blurring aperture sizes of 50% to 80% of the vessel diameter. We propose a new algorithm to measure the absolute diameter of a vessel which has a lower sensitivity to the system MTF for blurring aperture sizes up to 80% of the vessel diameter. A consequence of the similarity theorem of Fourier transform pairs is that the ‘‘width’’ of the Fourier transform, as characterized by the first zero crossing in frequency space, is inversely proportional to the width of the vessel profile. For an ideal (unblurred) vessel image, the width of the vessel profile is equal to the diameter of the vessel. For a blurred image this is not true. In frequency space, however, the transform of the blurred profile is simply the product of the transformed ideal profile and the system MTF. Thus, if the blurring aperture of the system is below some critical value, the first zero of the unblurred profile will still dominate the transform of the blurred profile. For vessels of circular cross section and a rectangular blurring aperture, this critical aperture size is approximately 80% of the vessel diameter. A more detailed explanation of the theory and calculations involved in this measurement, along with measurements of computer simulated and phantom vessels is presented.
Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Field Theory: Fermions, Gauge Fields, and Supersymmetry Part I: Lattice Field Theories

In this paper we explore the mathematical foundations of quantum field theory. From the mathematical point of view, quantum field theory involves several revolutions in structure just as severe as, if not more than, the revolutionary change involved in the move from classical to quantum mechanics. Ordinary quantum mechanics is based upon real-valued observables which are not all compatible. We will see that the proper mathematical understanding of Fermi fields involves a new concept of probability theory, the graded probability space. This new concept also yields new points of view concerning ergodic theorems in statistical mechanics.
Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol Catalyzed by Platinum Supported on Magnesium Oxide

The conversion of guaiacol catalyzed by Pt/MgO in the presence of H2 was investigated with a flow reactor at 573 K and 140 kPa. Among the dozens of reaction products identified by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry, the predominant ones were phenol, catechol, and (surprisingly) cyclopentanone, with others including methane, n-butane, butenes, n-pentane, and carbon monoxide. The predominant reactions were hydrodeoxygenation (with about 70 % of the guaiacol that was converted forming products that were reduced in oxygen). In contrast, when the catalyst incorporated an acidic support, Pt/γ-Al2O3, other reactions became kinetically significant, exemplified by transalkylation, and the selectivity to deoxygenated products was reduced to about half the value observed with Pt/MgO at guaiacol conversions in the range of about 6–20 %. Pt/MgO underwent deactivation less rapidly than Pt/γ-Al2O3, consistent with a lower rate of coke formation and with observations by scanning transmission electron microscopy showing that the average platinum cluster diameter, approximately 1–2 nm in each catalyst, did not change significantly during operation. The results point to the advantages of basic supports for noble metal hydrodeoxygenation catalysts. .
Withdrawal in adolescent light smokers following 24-hour abstinence

INTRODUCTION Withdrawal is one of the most important symptoms of nicotine addiction. We examined the extent to which adolescent light smokers experienced withdrawal symptoms when deprived of nicotine for a 24-hr period. METHODS A total of 20 adolescents aged 13-17 years who smoked 1-5 cigarettes/day (CPD) refrained from smoking for a 24-hr period. Withdrawal scales were administered, and heart rate was measured at baseline, 12, and 24 hr. Neuropsychological testing was performed at baseline and 24 hr. Participants were divided into two groups: very light smokers (1-3 CPD) and light smokers (4-5 CPD). RESULTS At 12 hr, very light smokers experienced a decrease in withdrawal symptoms versus light smokers, who reported an increase in symptoms (-2.9 vs. 2.8, p = .02). Similarly, at 24 hr, very light smokers experienced a mean decrease in withdrawal score compared with a mean increase for the light smoker group (-2.2 vs. 5.8, p = .04). We did not find a significant change in heart rate or any differences in participants' scores on the memory or concentration tasks. DISCUSSION Based on our findings in this controlled laboratory experiment, adolescent very light smokers did not appear to have significant withdrawal symptoms following abstinence from nicotine. Adolescent light smokers who smoke 4-5 CPD experienced subjective withdrawal symptoms but did not have objective signs of nicotine withdrawal. The stage of smoking in which adolescents are smoking 5 CPD or fewer appears to be a crucial time for studying development of nicotine addiction in teens as they may be transitioning from social smoking to early addiction.
A Note on the FM-CW radar as a remote probe of the pacific trade-wind inversion

A vertically pointed FM-CW radar was used to monitor the Pacific Trade-Wind Inversion in the Hawaiian Islands during the summer of 1971. An instrumented aircraft was used forin situ measurements of radio refractivity and temperature. The correspondence between the position of the radar returns and the aircraft data was excellent. The strong returns seen by the radar were due chiefly to the strong lapse of humidity across the inversion. The radar indicated that over the island of Lanai the trade-wind inversion was highly variable both in position and intensity. At times the layer would move from above 2 km to less than 1 km in the space of five minutes associated with strong mechanical turbulence. Its thickness would change rapidly from tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Wave-like structure induced by the mountains on the east side were observed by the radar. Our analysis indicates that interpretation ofin situ aircraft measurements may be greatly aided by using the FM-CW radar as a guide.
Coarse-grained Molecular Dynamics of lipid bilayer membranes with multiple components

Lipid bilayer membranes formed from multiple components can separate into coexisting liquid domains with distinct compositions. The formation of stripe and circular domains, curvature-dependent domain sorting, and membrane fission into separate vesicles have been observed experimentally.We have developed a novel solvent-free coarse-grained model that allows free diffusion of membrane agents to simulate the phase separation and morphological evolution in the two-component liquid membranes. Depending on the line energy between the domains, a vesicle with uniform composition can undergo phase separation accompanied by the formation of stripe or circular domains. The formation of the complete spherical buds and the fission into separate vesicles at domain boundaries are also observed in our simulation. The distinct curvatures for phase-separated domains are apparent during the evolution of the vesicles. Our simulations are in agreement with several recent experimental observations.
Multivariable stability margin calculation with uncertain correlated parameters

An algorithm is developed for the computation of the multivariable stability margin in the case of real uncertain system parameters which can be related to each other.
Solubility of (UO2)3(PO4)2.4H2O in H+-Na+-OH--H2PO-4-HPO2-4-PO3-4-H2O and its comparison to the analogous PuO2+2 system

The objectives of this study were to address uncertainties in the solubility product of (UO2)3(PO4)2⋅4H2O(c) and in the phosphate complexes of U(VI), and more importantly to develop needed thermodynamic data for the Pu(VI)-phosphate system in order to ascertain the extent to which U(VI) and Pu(VI) behave in an analogous fashion. Thus studies were conducted on (UO2)3(PO4)2⋅4H2O(c) and (PuO2)3(PO4)2⋅4H2O(am) solubilities for long-equilibration periods (up to 870 days) in a wide range of pH values (2.5 to 10.5) at fixed phosphate concentrations of 0.001 and 0.01 M, and in a range of phosphate concentrations (0.0001–1.0 M) at fixed pH values of about 3.5. A combination of techniques (XRD, DTA/TG, XAS, and thermodynamic analyses) was used to characterize the reaction products. The U(VI)-phosphate data for the most part agree closely with thermodynamic data presented in Guillaumont et al.,(1) although we cannot verify the existence of several U(VI) hydrolyses and phosphate species and we find the reported value for formation constant of UO2PO−4 is in error by more than two orders of magnitude. A comprehensive thermodynamic model for (PuO2)3(PO4)2⋅4H2O(am) solubility in the H+-Na+-OH−-Cl−-H2PO−4-HPO2−4-PO3−4-H2O system, previously unavailable, is presented and the data shows that the U(VI)-phosphate system is an excellent analog for the Pu(VI)-phosphate system.
The pulse oximetry plethysmographic curve revisited.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate the recent literature on the utility of the pulse oximetry plethysmographic curve to assess macrocirculation and microcirculation monitoring in intensive care patients. RECENT FINDINGS: In patients with sinus rhythm who are hypotensive, deeply sedated, mechanically ventilated, critically ill and in the operation room, plethysmographic pulse variation related to mechanical breath is a recent noninvasive indicator of preload dependency. SUMMARY: A growing number of recent clinical studies demonstrated that plethysmographic dynamic indices are useful methods to assess fluid responsiveness. Any alternating signal processing of the raw data curves, however, may be detrimental for this purpose, as significant clinically relevant information could be lost after perpetual adjustment of filtering. Hence, time will tell if the pulse oximetry plethysmographic curve will succeed other methods as a noninvasive approach to monitor haemodynamics of critically ill patients.
Implementation of college admission rules

We consider both Nash and strong Nash implementation of various matching rules for college admissions problems. We show that all such rules are supersolutions of the stable rule. Among these rules the “lower bound’ stable rule is implementable in both senses. The “upper bound” Pareto and individually rational rule is strong Nash implementable yet it is not Nash implementable. Two corollaries of interest are the stable rule is the minimal (Nash or strong Nash) implementable solution that is Pareto optimal and individually rational, and the stable rule is the minimal (Nash or strong Nash) implementable extension of any of its subsolutions.
Towards subunit-specific proteasome inhibitors: synthesis and evaluation of peptide α', β'-epoxyketones

Abstract Background: The proteasome is a large multicatalytic protease complex (700 kDa) involved in a number of highly regulated processes. It has three major catalytic activities: a chymotrypsin-like activity, a trypsin-like activity and a post-glutamyl peptide hydrolyzing (PGPH) activity. To be useful as molecular probes, which could help dissect the cellular functions of the proteasome, inhibitors should be specific for the proteasome, active in vivo and selectively block only one of the three catalytic activities. To date, few inhibitors fulfill these requirements so we set out to make novel proteasome inhibitors that incorporate these characteristics. Results: A panel of amino-terminally acetylated peptide α',β'-epoxyketones with leucine in P1 and various aliphatic or aromatic amino acids in P2-P4 were prepared and evaluated. Most compounds selectively inhibited the chymotrypsin-like activity, while only weakly inhibiting the trypsin-like and PGPH activities. After optimization, one inhibitor, Ac-hFLFL-epoxide, was found to be more potent and selective for the inhibition of the chymotrypsin-like activity than several previously described inhibitors. This inhibitor also exhibited strong in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusions: Optimization of amino-terminally acetylated peptide α',β'-epoxyketones furnished a potent proteasome inhibitor, Ac-hFLFL-epoxide, that has an excellent selectivity for the chymotrypsin-like activity. The inhibitor also proved to be a potent antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory agent. The strong in vivo and in vitro activities suggest that this class of proteasome inhibitors could be both molecular probes and therapeutic agents.
The method of approximate particular solutions for solving anisotropic elliptic problems

Abstract In this paper, we study the method of approximate particular solutions for solving anisotropic elliptic-type problems. A special norm associated with the anisotropic differential operator is introduced for the design of anisotropic radial basis functions. Particular solutions of anisotropic radial basis function can be found by the same procedure as that of regular radial basis functions under Laplace operator. Consequently, the method of approximate particular solutions can be extended to anisotropic elliptic-type problems. Numerical results are presented for a number of two-dimensional anisotropic diffusion problems. It shows that this method permits the choice of collocation points independent of the magnitude of anisotropy.
CORD BLOOD ERYTHROPOIETIN (Ep) AND POSTNATAL BILIRUBIN PRODUCTION IN NORMAL TERM INFANTS

We hypothesized that high cord blood Ep levels measured by radioimmunoassay, reflecting in utero hypoxic stress in some apparently normal term infants, might be associated with increases in the pulmonary excretion rate of CO (VeCO), an index of bilirubin production, because of consequent effective erythropoiesis or stimulation of hepatic heme turnover by other biochemical effects of such stress. Forty-eight normal-sized (AGA) or macrosomic (LGA; > 4 kg) infants were studied consecutively, excluding only those with a diabetic mother (IDMs; maternal HbAIc > 5.7% total Hb), a hematoma, bruising, or a positive Coombs test. Others with a history of possible in utero hypoxic stress late in gestation (toxemia, 2nd stage of labor > 2 hrs, dystocia, meconium staining, nuchal cord, low Apgars) were included (9/26 AGA; 14/22 LGA). Ep and VeCO did not correlate. No infants had polycythemia. Thus, if IDMs are excluded, 1) AGA and LGA infants with nonchronic in utero hypoxic stress late in gestation may have similar postnatal bilirubin production, and 2) cord blood Ep levels in such infants may not predict bilirubin production after birth.
The minimally invasive approach is associated with reduced perioperative thromboembolic and bleeding complications for patients receiving preoperative chronic oral anticoagulant therapy who undergo colorectal surgery

The data on the perioperative risk of both thromboembolism and hemorrhage for patients receiving chronic oral anticoagulation who undergo colorectal surgery are sparse. In addition, it is uncertain whether the use of the laparoscopic instead of open technique entails additional risk for these patients. This study aimed to evaluate surgical outcomes, with a particular focus on perioperative thromboembolic and bleeding complications for patients receiving chronic oral anticoagulation therapy who undergo open or laparoscopic colorectal resection. Patients undergoing colorectal resection between 1994 and 2011 on preoperative chronic oral anticoagulant therapy were included in the study. Patient demographics, characteristics, and perioperative outcomes, with particular emphasis on thromboembolism and bleeding risks, were evaluated comparing laparoscopic and open colectomy. The study enrolled 261 patients receiving chronic anticoagulation therapy (102 laparoscopic colectomy vs 159 open colectomy patients). The patients had a mean age of 57.9 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.3 kg/m2. The conversion rate was 8.8 % (n = 9) for laparoscopic operations. Laparoscopic and open cases had comparable BMIs and levels of preoperative hemoglobin. Anastomotic leak, postoperative hospital stay, and surgical-site infection rates were similar for the two groups. Although the laparoscopic group had a significantly greater mean age (p < 0.001) and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score (p = 0.005), the rates for postoperative venous thromboembolism (24.5 vs 2.9 %; p < 0.001), urinary complications (6.9 vs 0 %; p = 0.008), and overall morbidity (44.7 vs 17.7 %; p < 0.001) were lower after laparoscopic surgery. Although the rates for intra- and postoperative blood transfusion were similar, the postoperative hemoglobin levels were significantly higher after laparoscopic surgery. One patient in the laparoscopic group died of sepsis on postoperative day 3. For the patients receiving preoperative chronic anticoagulant therapy who underwent colorectal resection, the laparoscopic approach was associated with lower thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications than open surgery.
On the relationship between the urea-soluble and citric acid-soluble proteins of bovine snout epidermis.

SUMMARY This report presents evidence that the urea-extractable proteins and the citric acid-extractable protein (‘prekertin’) of bovine snout epidermis are related. Prekeratin was solubilized by trypsinization, S-carboxymethylation, 6 mol/l urea or 0·05 mol/l NaOH. trypsinization or S-carboxymethylation produced at least two species of soluble proteins. 6 mol/l urea at 37°C solubilized prekeratin, but a homogeneous product was not obtained. Depending upon the duration of exposure, prekeratin was cleaved by 0.05 mol/l NaOH at 25°C to form several soluble derivatives, whereas at comparable time intervals at 4°C both insoluble and soluble derivatives were produced. The various soluble proteins derived from prekeratin showed precipitin bands of identity with the urea-extracted proteins of beef snout epidermis when reacted in agar with antisera raised against the urea-extracted protein which precipitated at pH 6.3 and 5.5. It is suggested 6 mol/l urea and 0.05 mol/l NaOH may cleave prekeratin in situ to release the proteins extracted by urea and alkali respectively.
Abstract 111: Regulation of alcohol dehydrogenase 1B by DNA methylation and histone modification in epithelial breast cell lines

Homeostasis of normal breast epithelium requires maintenance of a gene expression profile that is, in part, dependent on DNA methylation and histone modification. Tumorgenesis is marked by a disturbance of this profile, as the bulk of the tumor genome is hypomethylated with the exception of tumor suppressor genes that are typically hypermethylated. The hypermethylation interacts with histone modifications to suppress gene expression. Our previous research demonstrated that alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isozymes are expressed in normal breast tissue and down-regulated in breast cancer. In this study, qRT-PCR analysis of RNA extracted from normal breast epithelium reveals that ADH1B accounts for 95.8% of total ADH isozyme expression. Expression of ADH1B in RNA extracts from breast tumor is significantly down-regulated to 5.4% of normal expression (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 111. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-111
Natural chromatography and the accumulation of petroleum in rocks in view of analyses of bitumen from the athabasca deposit in Canada

La matiere organique contenue dans les sediments recents offre une grande variete de composants. Le petrole, cependant, est constitue essentiellement d'hydrocarbures. Le deplacement des fluides dans les roches se traduit par une chromatographie, ou les particules colloidales separent selectivement de la phase mobile les composants polaires. La repartition des hydrocarbures satures dans une partie du gisement de l'Athabasca, au Canada, repond a la notion de chromatographie naturelle.
Quark matter in neutron stars

According to quantum chromodynamics, matter at ultra-high density and low temperature is a quark liquid, with a condensate of Cooper pairs of quarks near the Fermi surface (“color superconductivity”). This paper reviews the physics of color superconductivity, and discusses some of the proposed signatures by which we might detect quark matter in neutron stars.
Building Local Support for Chinese Civil Society with International Resources

This article examines how international resources can be used to strengthen local support for civil society initiatives in China to improve the circumstances of poor and vulnerable populations. It identifies ways in which international resources have strengthened civil society in other countries, such as enhancing access to financial resources, building capacity of leaders and organizations, reducing sector fragmentation, building public legitimacy and improving cross-sector relations. It examines the characteristics and special circumstances facing civil society in China, arguing that institutional constraints are particularly problematic. Then it explores how international resources might be applied to each of the problem areas identified given the constraints of the Chinese context. Finally the article articulates five principles that might guide international donors for building more local support for civil society activity in China.
Democracy assistance: The question of strategy

The current expansion of efforts by most western donors to use assistance to promote democracy in other countries raises many questions about the forms and functions of such aid. This article addresses the question of strategy: what approach to democracy and democratization does such assistance embody? The analysis concentrates on US aid although the argument is advanced that the democracy‐related aid of other donors does not differ substantially in terms of basic approach. The article finds that although US democracy assistance rests on a conventional model of western liberal democracy, it also rests on a less clearly‐established model of democratization that can best be characterized as one of institutional modeling. The sources of this model of democratization as well as its practical strengths and weaknesses are examined. The article concludes with an assessment of the ways in which aid practitioners are attempting to move beyond the existing approach to more innovative, effective strategies of democr...
A FREE AND SECURE ACCESS TO THE SEA

(1959). A FREE AND SECURE ACCESS TO THE SEA. Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 256-268.
Cosmic shear E/B-mode estimation with binned correlation function data

In this work I study the problem of E/B-mode separation with binned cosmic shear two-point correlation function data. Motivated by previous work on E/B-mode separation with shear two-point correlation functions and the practical considerations of data analysis, I consider E/B-mode estimators which are linear combinations of the binned shear correlation function data points. I demonstrate that these estimators mix E- and B-modes generally. I then show how to define estimators which minimize this E/B-mode mixing and give practical recipes for their construction and use. Using these optimal estimators, I demonstrate that the vector space composed of the binned shear correlation function data points can be decomposed into approximately ambiguous, E- and B-mode subspaces. With simple Fisher information estimates, I show that a non-trivial amount of information on typical cosmological parameters is contained in the ambiguous mode subspace computed in this formalism. Next, I give two examples which apply these practical estimators and recipes to generic problems in cosmic shear data analysis: data compression and spatially locating B-mode contamination. In particular, by using wavelet-like estimators with the shear correlation functions directly, one can pinpoint B-mode contamination to specific angular scales and extract information on its shape. Finally, I discuss how these estimators can be used as part of blinded or closed-box cosmic shear data analyses in order to assess and find B-mode contamination at high-precision while avoiding observer biases.
Transient paraparesis: a complication of the surgical management of Scheuermann's kyphosis secondary to thoracic stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN Transient paraparesis during the operative management of a 16-year-old patient with Scheuermann's kyphosis secondary to thoracic stenosis is reported. OBJECTIVE To describe a treatable cause for paraparesis in a patient with Scheuermann's kyphosis undergoing surgical treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Cord injury in the surgical treatment of Scheuermann's kyphosis is a rare event, yet it is felt to be more common in the surgical correction of kyphosis than in surgery for scoliosis. Suggested etiologies have included vascular insufficiency, hypotension, direct mechanical trauma, and neural element stretch. Concomitant thoracic spinal stenosis predisposing to neurologic injury during surgical manipulation has not been reported. METHODS A 16-year-old boy with progressive Scheuermann's kyphosis measuring 80 degrees from T7 to T12 underwent an anteroposterior spinal fusion with somatosensory-evoked potential monitoring and wake-up tests. During the instrumentation posteriorly, somatosensory-evoked potential monitoring became markedly abnormal. This was followed by a wake-up test that demonstrated the patient's inability to move either of his lower extremities. All instrumentation was removed. The patient had recovered neurologic function by the time he reached the recovery room. A computed tomography myelogram was performed on the third postoperative day, which demonstrated severe thoracic stenosis from T8 to T10. The patient was returned to the operating room 1 week later to undergo a posterior laminectomy from T7 to T11 and instrumented fusion from T5 to L2. Somatosensory-evoked potential monitoring was stable throughout this procedure, and the wake-up test was normal. RESULTS The patient's postoperative course and subsequent 2-year follow-up period were unremarkable. He progressed to clinical and radiographic union and maintained a normal lower extremity neurologic examination. CONCLUSIONS A treatable cause for paraparesis secondary to the surgical treatment of Scheuermann's kyphosis is presented. The author currently obtains a thoracic magnetic resonance image (MRI) before the surgical correction of any patients with Scheuermann's kyphosis.
The Specialized Posterolateral Sebaceous Glandular Regions in Microtine Rodents

Rodents of the subfamily Microtinae are frequently characterized by the presence of enlarged and modified sebaceous glands in a posterolateral zone of the skin. Within this zone, four sites of special glandular development typify particular genera and subgenera: (1) caudal (Dicrostonyx); (2) rump (Lemmus); (3) hip (Microtus in part); and (4) flank (Synaptomys, Neofiber, Clethrionomys, Aschizomys, Eothenomys, Alticola, Phenacomys in part, Lagurus, Arvicola, and Microtus in part. Flank glands are probably a primitive feature in the subfamily and suggest relationship with Old World cricetines. Correlations are suggested at four taxonomic or evolutionary levels within the Microtinae. At the lowest of these, from population to species, in Microtus greater frequency and development of posterolateral glands occurs in higher latitudes. Throughout the subfamily when present, flank and hip glands are either present in all individuals of a species or of a population, or they are in some degree more frequent or better developed in the older males, suggesting both genetic and androgenic dependence. Glandular structure, variation, and taxonomic distribution are described and probable evolutionary and biological correlations are discussed.
A Micro-Meteorological mission for global network science on Mars: a conceptual design

Abstract The Mars Micro-Meteorological Station (“μ-Met”) mission is designed to provide the global surface pressure measurements required to help characterize the Martian general circulation and climate system. Measurements of surface pressure distributed both spatially and temporally, coupled with simultaneous measurements from orbit, will enable the determination of the general circulation, structure and driving factors of the Martian atmosphere as well as the seasonal CO 2 cycle. The influence of these atmospheric factors will in turn provide insight into the overall Martian climate system. With the science objective defined as the long-term (at least 1 Mars year) globally distributed measurement of surface atmospheric pressure, a readily achievable and low-cost network mission has been designed. The μ-Met mission utilizes microsensors coupled with a robust and lightweight surface station to deliver 16 μ-Met stations to Mars via a Med-Lite launch vehicle. The battery powered μ-Met surface stations are designed to autonomously measure, record and transmit the science data via a UHF relay satellite. Entry, descent and landing is provided by an acroshell with a new lightweight ceramic thermal protection system, a parachute and an impact absorbing structure. The robust lander is capable of surviving the landing loads imposed by the high altitude landing sites required in a global network. By trading the ability to make many measurements at a single site for the ability to make a single measurement at many sites, the μ-Met mission can provide truly global meteorological science.
Inhibition of photoinitiated degradation of polycarbonate by cerium (III) overcoating

Photodownconversion of UV radiation incident on a polymeric substrate, polycarbonate, into visible and IR region is effected by coating the substrate with cerous chloride (CeCl3)/poly(vinyl alcohol) complex whereby photolytic degradation of the substrate is significantly inhibited. Thus it appears that cerous ion coating serves as an effective UV screener. The testing method consists of exposing the coated and naked substrate films to a medium intensity UV source with a cutoff filter below 280 nm for different intervals and determining their optical transmission characteristics. Some of the cerous ion coated films were further overcoated with polyvinyl acetate in order to prevent ion leaching by water. The final product retains the visible and IR transmittance of untreated polycarbonate film, and when the optimum composition of CeCl3 in poly(vinyl alcohol) is coated, its transmission spectrum is barely changed even after 24 hr of UV irradiation. The object is to develop inexpensive solar glazing materials which can last up to 20 years without deterioration of their optical and mechanical properties upon solar irradiation.
New insights into the biological basis of genomic disorders

Many clinical syndromes result from deletion or duplication of regions within the human genome. Two new studies demonstrate strong connections between such events and allelic recombination in humans, which in the future may enable researchers to better predict the locations of unstable genomic regions.
Myosin isoforms show different strokes for different blokes

Spectroscopic evidence for tilting of smooth muscle, but not skeletal muscle, myosin heads when ADP dissociates suggests mechanisms for the adaptations of these muscle types for their specialized roles.
A preliminary investigation of using age and distance measures in the detection of evolutionary couplings

An initial study of using two measures to improve the accuracy of evolutionary couplings uncovered from version history is presented. Two measures, namely the age of a pattern and the distance among items within a pattern, are defined and used with the traditional methods for computing evolutionary couplings. The goal is to reduce the number of false positives (i.e., inaccurate or irrelevant claims of coupling). Initial observations are presented that lend evidence that these measures may have the potential to improve the results of computing evolutionary couplings.
Statistical theory and clinical practice in predicting rare phenomena.

The statistical theory contained in Bayes's theorem provides insight into some of the difficulties encountered by clinicians in predicting rare phenomena.
Photodynamic therapy of pet animals with spontaneously occurring head and neck carcinomas

Eleven pets with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were treated with PDT using 3.0 mg/kg Photofrin II and a light dose of 300 J/cm2 at 632 nm. All tumors had measurable disease that was recurrent following at least one surgical removal. Ten of the eleven patients achieved a complete remission (CR). Of the ten animals with CR, two relapsed at 11 or 13 weeks while the other eight maintained their CR. Six animals remain disease free to the present time, with durations of 65, 56, 56, 56, 50 and 13 weeks. One died of unrelated causes at 12 weeks, and a second animal died of metastatic disease at 8 weeks. In these two cases, extensive histologic evaluation of the treated areas failed to demonstrate any evidence of residual tumor. Toxicity to the tumor bed or surrounding normal tissue was minimal. When the tumor was located adjacent to bone of the mandible or maxilla, the bone was at risk to form sequestra (in 3/5 cases). Based on these preliminary results, PDT may have applications for human patients with carcinoma of the head and neck.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Research management — A survival issue

Despite the growing emphasis placed on research these days, it must be kept in mind that, unless it is properly directed, there is no guarantee that will be effective. Today, research management calls especially for examining the management of the total resources of research to achieve fundamental aims. Whether in the weapons industry to preserve the defense of our country, or in the industrial and commercial areas to preserve our economic, material, and cultural position, research management has become a survival issue. Using his own company as an example, the author emphasizes the point that the key to research management is, first of all, a deliberate determination of key strategies designed to achieve really major goals, followed by the pursuit of R & D tactics aimed specifically at the selected strategies.
The significance of primate paleontology for anthropological studies.

The correct use of taxonomic names must become widespread if a clear understanding of primate paleontology is to exist among anthropologists. Physical anthropologists are urged to acquire genuine competence in the paleontology, systematics, and taxonomy of mammals. Examples are given of improper taxonomic procedure and of the perpetuation of invalid names. The need for a stable and correct nomenclature of the primates is emphasized. The importance of examining actual fossil specimens is stressed. The taxonomy of the Hominoidea is discussed and a summary of invalid names in current use is given. Recently discovered fossils from Oligocene strata in the Egyptian Fayum are figured and the pertinence of these to the origins of higher primates is suggested.
An Investigation of Design Parameters that Affect Commercial High-Rise Office Building Energy Consumption and Demand

There are many factors that drive the energy consumption and demand in high-rise commercial office buildings. Understanding the effects of individual building parameters and two-factor interactions can be very useful for directing building audits and developing energy simulation models. A fractional factorial analysis was conducted to evaluate a large number of building parameters in an effort to quantify their effect on building energy consumption and demand. The analysis utilized building data collected from 22 building audits of high-rise commercial office buildings located in the downtown Chicago Loop area. Simulation results for three of the buildings show the effects of each factor and two-factor interactions on energy consumption and demand over a set of climate zones. The factors of primary importance include lighting and equipment power density, chiller efficiency, window U-value, the mass of interior furnishings and supply fan static pressure.
Blurring the Lines: Leveraging Internet Technology for Successful Blending of Secondary/Post-Secondary Technical Education.

The Remote Automation Management Platform (RAMP) is a real-time, interactive teaching tool which leverages common off-the-shelf internet technologies to provide high school learners extraordinary access to advanced technical education opportunities. This outreach paradigm is applicable to a broad range of advanced technical skills from automation to Global Information Systems (GIS) to 3-dimensional design.
QSAR study on maximal inhibition (Imax) of quaternary ammonium antagonists for S-(−)-nicotine-evoked dopamine release from dopaminergic nerve terminals in rat striatum

Abstract Maximal inhibition (Imax) of the agonist effect is an important pharmacological property of inhibitors that interact with multiple receptor subtypes that are activated by the same agonist and which elicit the same functional response. This report represents the first QSAR study on a set of 66 mono- and bis-quaternary ammonium salts that act as antagonists at neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mediating nicotine-evoked dopamine release, conducted using multi-linear regression (MLR) and neural network (NN) analysis with the maximal inhibition (Imax) values of the antagonists as target values. The statistical results for the generated MLR model were: r2 = 0.89, rmsd = 9.01, q2 = 0.83 and loormsd = 11.1; the statistical results for the generated NN model were: r2 = 0.89, rmsd = 8.98, q2 = 0.83 and loormsd = 11.2. The maximal inhibition values of the compounds exhibited a good correlation with the predictions made by the QSAR models developed, which provide a basis for rationalizing selection of compounds for synthesis in the discovery of effective and selective second generation inhibitors of nAChRs mediating nicotine-evoked dopamine release.
An experimental study of morphology and rheology of ternary Pglass‐PS‐LDPE hybrids

Ternary blends of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), and a low T g tin-based phosphate glass (Pglass) were prepared at compositions ranging from 0-50 vol% Pglass in which either LDPE or PS was the continuous matrix phase. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to investigate the phase behavior of the pure components, PS-LDPE blends and binary Pglass-polymer hybrids. Interesting steady-shear and transient rheology was observed for the hybrids. In particular, the steady shear viscosity curves for the hybrids of Φ Pglass ≤ 30% exhibited unusual, four-region flow behavior, similar to that of liquid crystalline polymers. Two Newtonian plateaus at low (γ ≤ 0.1 s -1 ) and moderate (0.4 ≤ γ ≤ s -1 ) shear rates connected by two distinct shear-thinning regimes were apparent. This observed rheology is ascribed to a unique composite morphology of these multi-component systems. Rheological data on the binary Pglass-polymer systems suggest that the presence of the Pglass within both PS and LDPE contributes significantly to this unusual behavior, perhaps because of the interfacial behavior between the phases. Micrographs obtained via scanning electron microscopy reveal preferential placement of the Pglass phase dispersed within the PS-phase and surrounding the LDPE phase. Optical shearing data confirmed the evolution of this microstructure under specific shear conditions.
Margin index: a useful tool for the breast surgeon?

Abstract Background In breast conservation surgery (BCS) for breast cancer, the appropriate surgical margin is controversial. Margin index, a mathematical relationship between tumor size and closest margin, has been shown to be predictive of the probability of residual cancer after BCS for early stage breast cancer. We applied this tool to the same population of patients at our institution to evaluate its ability to predict residual disease after BCS. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database of women undergoing BCS between 1980 and 2010 at the University of Pennsylvania. A total of 246 women underwent re-excision because of close margins. Average margin index between groups with and without residual disease in the re-excision specimen was compared using the Student t-test. A receiver operating curve was created using logistic regression to assess the overall diagnostic ability of the margin index on the presence or absence of residual disease. Results Of patients who underwent re-excision, 29% of patients had residual disease. We analyzed several cutoff values for margin index, but none proved to be significant predictors of residual disease. Average margin index was significantly higher for patients without residual disease compared with patients with residual invasive cancer but not for patients with residual ductal carcinoma in situ. Conclusions In women undergoing BCS for early stage breast cancer at our institution, margin index was not predictive of the presence of residual cancer on re-excision. We hypothesize that the predictive ability of a margin index is likely limited by several factors including the presence of ductal carcinoma in situ and the location and extent of the close margin.
MULTIPLE LIMIT CYCLE BIFURCATION SURFACES AND GLOBAL FAMILIES OF MULTIPLE LIMIT CYCLES

Abstract Sufficient conditions are given for the local exitence of multiplicity-m limit cycle bifurcation surfaces, Cm, of planar analytic systems depending on n parameters with n ≥ m ≥ 2. In the generic case, the surfaces C2, C3, and C4 are the familiar saddle-node, cusp, and swallow-tail bifurcation surfaces, respectively. The author′s termination principle for global one-parameter families of simple limit cycles of relatively prime, planar, analytic systems is generalized to a termination principle for global one-parameter families of multiple limit cycles which implies that the boundary of a global limit cycle bifurcation surface typically consists of Hopf bifurcation surfaces and/or homoclinic (or heteroclinic) loop bifurcation surfaces.
Low early ototoxicity rates for pediatric medulloblastoma patients treated with proton radiotherapy.

Background: Hearing loss is common following chemoradiotherapy for children with medulloblastoma. Compared to photons, proton radiotherapy reduces radiation dose to the cochlea for these patients. Here we examine whether this dosimetric advantage leads to a clinical benefit in audiometric outcomes. Methods: From 2006-2009, 23 children treated with proton radiotherapy for medulloblastoma were enrolled on a prospective observational study, through which they underwent pre- and 1 year post-radiotherapy pure-tone audiometric testing. Ears with moderate to severe hearing loss prior to therapy were censored, leaving 35 ears in 19 patients available for analysis. Results: The predicted mean cochlear radiation dose was 30 60 Co-Gy Equivalents (range 19-43), and the mean cumulative cisplatin dose was 303 mg/m 2 (range 298-330). Hearing sensitivity significantly declined following radiotherapy across all frequencies analyzed (P < 0.05). There was partial sparing of mean post-radiation hearing thresholds at low-to-midrange frequencies and, consequently, the rate of high-grade (grade 3 or 4) ototoxicity at 1 year was favorable (5%). Ototoxicity did not correlate with predicted dose to the auditory apparatus for protontreated patients, potentially reflecting a lower-limit threshold for radiation effect on the cochlea. Conclusions: Rates of high-grade early post-radiation ototoxicity following proton radiotherapy for pediatric medulloblastoma are low. Preservation of hearing in the audible speech range, as observed here, may improve both quality of life and cognitive functioning for these patients.
Islam and End-of-Life Practices in Organ Donation for Transplantation: New Questions and Serious Sociocultural Consequences

Advances in knowledge about human biological processes bring into question whether either brain (heart-beating) or circulatory (non-heartbeating) criteria of death ensure that donors are really dead before organ procurement. The utility of conflating the “prognosis” (incipiently dying or destined to die) with the “diagnosis” of death (really dead) to justify organ donation has been morally defended in both the medical and the ethics literature. Major religions emphasize the sanctity of human life but permit organ donation if it is performed after death. Thus, the moral justification of end-of-life practices in organ donation poses serious ethical and religious challenges. Legislation has been introduced in several countries, including the United States, to permit the administration of life support systems for organ preservation without prior consent for organ donation. Such administration of life support systems for organ preservation interrupts traditional Islamic practices about the care of the dying and the deceased. We conclude that: 1) many practical aspects of end-of-life organ donation conflict with the Islamic faith’s core principles of care for the dying and their families; 2) defining the societal role of transplantation medicine is not uniquely a matter of accounting for technical capabilities and expertise, but must include the recognition of cultural, social, and religious values that constitute morality and guide best scientific evidence; 3) Muslim scholars should critically evaluate new evidence about end-of-life practices in organ donation, their effects on the care of terminally ill patients and their families
Threads of Silence: Reflections on Long‐Term Fieldwork in Galicia

SUMMARY This short article is about the realization that the most important lessons of the author's long-term fieldwork in Galicia (Spain) since 1985 are rendered in silence. The disruption engendered by the author's stroke in 1998 and the aphasia, the speechlessness, it created were helpful in her learning process. In this article, the author chronicles how she learned to see her physically induced silence as a source of insight into the disruptions experienced by her participants, including the communal disruption endured by the Galician people after the Prestige oil spill disaster.
A microwave oscillator S-parameter design procedure for loop oscillators

A design sequence for a maximum power output loop oscillator using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator at 303.5 MHz is described. The loop oscillator design technique provides a non-iterative solution for the circuit parameters and presents an optimum load or source to the active device under consideration. A block diagram of the loop oscillator and the design criteria are shown. Data relating to the performance of the oscillator are presented. >
Automating HAZOP analysis of batch chemical plants : Part II. Algorithms and application

Abstract A framework for representing the HAZOP knowledge for batch chemical plants was proposed in Part I of this paper. In Part II, we present a knowledge-based system, called Batch HAZOPExpert , which is an implementation of the framework proposed in Part I. The important features of Batch HAZOPExpert and its performance on an industrial case study are described.