cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiply transfused patients with sickle cell disease and thalassemia after low-dose total body irradiation, fludarabine, and rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin

Patients with sickle cell disease (N = 3) and thalassemia (N = 1) with high-risk features received hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HCT) to induce stable (full or partial) donor engraftment. Patients were 9-30 years of age. Fludarabine, rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), and 200 cGy total body irradiation were administered pre-transplant. Patients received bone marrow (N = 3) or peripheral blood stem cells (N = 1) from HLA-identical siblings, followed by mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine for post-grafting immunosuppression. Significant lymphopenia, but only moderate neutropenia and thrombocytopenia developed post transplant. No grade IV nonhematological toxicities or acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were observed. At 3 months after transplantation, three of four patients had evidence of donor myeloid chimerism (range, 15-100%). However, after post transplant immunosuppression was discontinued, graft rejection occurred in all but one patient. This patient is now doing well 27 months post transplant with full donor engraftment. One patient died after a second transplant, and another patient experienced a stroke as her graft was being rejected. These results suggest that stable donor engraftment after nonmyeloablative HCT is difficult to achieve among immunocompetent patients with hemoglobinopathies and that new approaches will need to be developed before wider application of this transplantation method for hemoglobinopathies.
A Robotic Cadaveric Gait Simulator With Fuzzy Logic Vertical Ground Reaction Force Control

Lower limb dynamic cadaveric gait simulators are useful to investigate the biomechanics of the foot and ankle, but many systems have several common limitations, which include simplified tendon forces, nonphysiologic tibial kinematics, greatly reduced velocities, scaled body weight (BW), and, most importantly, trial-and-error vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) control. This paper presents the design, development, and validation of the robotic gait simulator (RGS), which addresses these limitations. A 6-degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) parallel robot was utilized as part of the RGS to recreate the relative tibia to ground motion. A custom-designed nine-axis proportional-integral-derivative (PID) force-control tendon actuation system provided force to the extrinsic tendons of the cadaveric lower limb. A fuzzy logic vGRF controller was developed, which altered tendon forces in real time and iteratively adjusted the robotic trajectory in order to track a target vGRF. The RGS was able to accurately reproduce 6-DOF tibial kinematics, tendon forces, and vGRF with a cadaveric lower limb. The fuzzy logic vGRF controller was able to track the target in vivo vGRF with an average root-mean-square error of only 5.6% BW during a biomechanically realistic 3/4 BW, 2.7-s stance phase simulation.
Large extra-abdominal cyst as a postpartum complication of peritoneal shunt: Case report

An extra-abdominal cyst rilled with cerebrospinal fluid was found postpartum in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. No similar complication of VP shunting has been reported before.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over phanerozoic time.

A new model has been constructed for calculating the level of atmospheric CO2 during the past 570 million years. A series of successive steady states for CO2 is used in order to calculate CO2 level from a feedback function for the weathering of silicate minerals. Processes considered are: sedimentary burial of organic matter and carbonates; continental weathering of silicates, carbonates, and organic matter; and volcanic and metamorphic degassing of CO2. Sediment burial rates are calculated with the use of an isotope mass-balance model and carbon isotopic data on ancient seawater. Weathering rates are calculated from estimates of past changes in continental land area, mean elevation, and river runoff combined with estimates of the effects of the evolution of vascular land plants. Past degassing rates are estimated from changes in the rate of generation of sea floor and the shift of carbonate deposition from platforms to the deep sea. The model results indicate that CO2 levels were high during the Mesozoic and early Paleozoic and low during the Permo-Carboniferous and late Cenozoic. These results correspond to independently deduced Phanerozoic paleoclimates and support the notion that the atmospheric CO2 greenhouse mechanism is a major control on climate over very long time scales.
Effect of Angle of Attack on Hypersonic

An experimental investigation of the effects of angle of attack on hypersonic boundary-layer stability on a ared-cone model was conducted in the low-disturbance Mach-6 Nozzle-Test-Chamber Facility at NASA Langley Research Center. Hot-wire anemometry diagnostics were applied to identify the boundary-layer instability mechanisms that lead to transition. The present results show that the boundary layer becomes more stable on the windward ray and less stable on the leeward ray relative to the zero-degree angle-of-attackcase. The second-mode instability dominates the transition process at a 0-deg angle of attack; however, on the windward meridian at an angle of attack this mode was stabilized. On the leeward meridian the frequency of the dominant instability was higher than the estimated frequency of the second-mode disturbance; thus the dominant transition mechanism may be other than a second-modedisturbance. Nonlinear effects, such as growth saturation, harmonic generation, and spectral broadening, were observed in the transitional and turbulent ow regimes.
Balancing efficacy with cost: antiemetic control in the pediatric stem cell transplant (SCT) population.

Balancing efficacy with cost: antiemetic control in the pediatric stem cell transplant (SCT) population
Microwave-Assisted Resonant Collisional Energy Transfer in Na Rydberg States

The microwave-assisted resonant collisional energy transfer process Na(ns)+Na(ns)+h..nu -->..Na(np)+Na((n-1)p) is observed between two colliding Na(ns) atoms. The collisional resonance occurs when the microwave frequency ..nu.. equals the collisional energy defect ..delta..W/h. The observed cross sections are very large (approx.10/sup 8/ A/sup 2/) and require very low microwave power, approx.10 W/cm/sup 2/. These observations are in good agreement with an intuitive two-photon absorption model for these collisions.
Characterization of a quantum well AlxPGa1-xAs/GaAs photodetector

Interdigitated photoconductors whose operation is based on the generation of carriers in a modulation doped AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs (x = 0.3) heterostructure are examined and characterized. When the frequency response of these detectors was measured, the 3-dB cutoff frequency was found to be around 3 GHz. This relatively low cutoff frequency motivated further studies in order to understand the limiting factors of the detectors. The d.c. resistivity measurements as a function of temperature between 36 and 300 K were performed to identify different scattering mechanisms. These measurements revealed that the remote impurities are not heavily screened. Also, photovoltage, photocapacitance and transverse acousto-electric voltage spectroscopies were performed between 0.8 and 1.8 eV in order to identify trap centers in the active region of the photoconductors. As a result, a large electron trap density was detected at around 1.39 eV above the valence band in all the above spectroscopies. In this paper we present these experimental results and their relationship to the frequency response of the detectors.
The Potential Sex Murderer: Ominous Signs, Risk Assessment

Abstract Despite the many problems inherent in predicting violent behavior, risk assessment remains an important and necessary component of clinical forensic practice. The majority of research on violence prediction has focused on the mentally ill or sexual offender with a history of aggressive or threatening behavior. Risk assessment with the potential sex murderer is more complex since there is often no overt psychosis, an absence of threats, and in many cases there may even be an absence of any history of interpersonal violence. This paper reviews ten ominous signs frequently found in the backgrounds of individuals who have committed a sexual homicide. These signs, especially when seen in combination, should serve as red flags for a potential offender. While absolutely correct prediction is not possible, some type of prognostic statement can and should be offered to mental health professionals, the Court, law enforcement, governmental agencies, and others who are involved with such potentially dangerou...
MeV Light Atom Beams for Heating and/or Diagnostics of Tokamak Plasmas

We have studied the possible usefulness and feasibility of multi-MeV beams of light atoms (6 ? A ? 30) for applications in magnetically confined plasmas. These potential applications include plasma heating or current drive, and as a diagnostic to probe the velocity distribution function of the confined energetic alpha particles which result from fusion reactions between deuterium and tritium. The combined current and energy requirements for these applications appear to preclude the use of electrostatic acceleration. However, electric-quadrupole-focused RF linear accelerators such as the radio frequency quadrupole (being developed at LASL) or the MEQALAC (at BNL) appear to be promising technologies.
Insidious sinusitis leading to catastrophic cerebral aspergillosis in transplant recipients.

Cerebral aspergillosis is an important cause of mortality in organ transplant recipients and is typically associated with concomitant pulmonary infection.1 Herein we describe two patients with insidious Aspergillus sinusitis leading to catastrophic CNS infection. ### Case reports. #### Patient 1. A 56-year-old man with pancreas and kidney transplant was transferred to our tertiary care facility with meningoencephalitis and cerebral infarction. He had a history of new onset headache of 6 weeks with fever. His immunosuppressive regimen consisted of mycophenolate mofetil, prednisone, and tacrolimus with prophylactic sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and valganciclovir. He had a temperature of 38.9 °C, opened eyes to voice only but followed commands, and neurologic examination showed neck stiffness, dysarthria, right-sided anisocoria, and a left sided hemiparesis. Empiric antimicrobial therapy was started, including fluconazole. CT showed fluid and membrane thickening within paranasal sinuses. Cranial MRI demonstrated enhancement involving the basilar meninges and sphenoid sinus (figure, A). Diffusion-weighted images demonstrated restricted diffusion in the right pons, right cerebellum, and right caudate head consistent with acute infarction (figure, B). Cerebral angiogram demonstrated narrowing of arteries around the basal cisterns and occlusion of the right superior cerebellar artery, consistent with vasculitis secondary to basal meningitis. Lumbar puncture (LP) revealed CSF leukocytes of 1,200/mm3 (94% neutrophils), protein of 73 g/L, and glucose of 64 mg/dL. Fluconazole was changed to voriconazole. Cultures of CSF remained negative. The serum galactomannan antigen test was normal (0.39 index), …
Bullying as a social malady in contemporary Japan

In the past 20 years bullying has become a serious problem in contemporary Japanese society. Bully-related suicides are on the rise and policymakers have been forced to aggressively pursue the issue. This article suggests that bullying in Japan has been affected by many factors, including the stresses involved in the educational system, Japan’s indigenous religion, Shinto, and a national trend of passivity towards power. Japan affords us the opportunity to see bullying as an international concern and to learn from the efforts of the Japanese to combat it.
Phrasing in Dynamic Requirements Trace Retrieva

Dynamic trace retrieval provides an alternate option to traditional traceability methods such as matrices, hyperlinks, and manual link construction. Instead of relying upon manually constructed and maintained traces, links are generated dynamically on an ?as-needed? basis using information retrieval techniques. Prior work in this area has indicated that in order to retrieve between 90% to 95% of the correct traces, only low precision levels can be obtained, which means that analysts must spend time filtering out unwanted links. This paper describes a method for improving the precision of trace results through incorporating the use of phrases detected and constructed from requirements using a part-of-speech tagger. A project glossary is also used to find additional phrases and weight the contributions of key phrases and terms. The approach is implemented in a probabilistic trace retrieval tool and evaluated through a series of experiments. The results show that phrasing can significantly increase the accuracy of the dynamic trace retrieval tool by generally increasing precision, and also by moving good trace links towards the top of the candidate links list.
Gestation period and birth weight of Australopithecus.

BASED on my estimates1 of the foetal size at birth of Australopithecus africanus and A. robustus, Frazer2 has calculated gestation periods to be 257 and 300 d, respectively. Calculations are based on the assumption of a constant foetal growth rate of 0.06 in higher primates. Regression analysis of gestation periods and birth weights in pongids and modern man (Table 1) indicates, however, that these two factors have a low correlation (r = 0.50, compared to r = 0.98 for the correlation between maternal and foetal (birth) weight of higher primates1). This indicates that among higher primates the foetal growth rate is anything but constant, and therefore estimates on gestation periods based on this rate and birth weight are useless.
Characterization of Carotenoid Pigments in Mature and Developing Kernels of Selected Yellow-Endosperm Sorghum Varieties

Sorghum is a critical source of food in the semiarid regions of sub-Saharan Africa and India and a potential source of dietary phytochemicals including carotenoids. The objective of this study was to determine the carotenoid profiles of sorghum cultivars, selected on the basis of their yellow-endosperm kernels, at various developmental stages. Following extraction from sorghum flours, carotenoids were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection. Total carotenoid content in fully matured yellow-endosperm sorghum kernels (0.112−0.315 mg/kg) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in yellow maize (1.152 mg/kg) at physiological maturity. Variation in total carotenoids and within individual carotenoid species was observed in fully mature sorghum cultivars. For developing kernels, large increases in carotenoid content occurred between 10 and 30 days after half bloom (DAHB), resulting in a peak accumulation between 6.06 and 28.53 μg of total carotenoids per thousand...
Pathophysiological mechanisms of headache in patients with HIV.

Background The pathophysiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is complex. The etiology of headache in the HIV population is often multifactorial, and attributing causality to specific pathophysiological mechanisms is challenging. Headaches can occur any time during the infection and may be primary (as in non-HIV-infected patients) or secondary (either from HIV directly or due to opportunistic disease). Discussion Direct HIV related headaches are due to the underlying viral pathophysiology. For example, acute meningitis can be seen during HIV-1 seroconversion. Headaches can occur during symptomatic HIV and also after an AIDS-defining illness. Late-stage HIV headache can occur without any pleocytosis. A correlation between viral load and neurological symptoms including headache has been suggested. There may be similar mechanisms involving migraine, tension-type headache, and HIV infection. Conclusion Secondary HIV headaches can be related to opportunistic infections, malignancy, medications used to treat HIV, and immune restoration inflammatory syndrome.
RESPIRATION AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN ESCHERICHIA COLI MEMBRANE-ENVELOPE FRAGMENTS : I. Oxidative Activities with Soluble Substrates

This paper describes experiments conducted with membranous and soluble fractions obtained from Escherichia coli that had been grown on succinate, malate, or enriched glucose media. Oxidase and dehydrogenase activities were studied with the following substrates: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced form (NADH), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (NADPH), succinate, malate, isocitrate, glutamate, pyruvate, and alpha-ketoglutarate. Respiration was virtually insensitive to poisons that are commonly used to inhibit mitochondrial systems, namely, rotenone, antimycin, and azide. Succinate dehydrogenase and NADH, NADPH, and succinate oxidases were primarily membrane-bound whereas malate, isocitrate, and NADH dehydrogenases were predominantly soluble. It was observed that E. coli malate dehydrogenase could be assayed with the dye 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol, but that porcine malate dehydrogenase activity could not be assayed, even in the presence of E. coli extracts. The characteristics of E. coli NADH dehydrogenase were shown to be markedly different from those of a mammalian enzyme. The enzyme activities for oxidation of Krebs cycle intermediates (malate, succinate, isocitrate) did not appear to be under coordinate genetic control.
Paid Search: Modeling Rank Dependent Behavior

Using disaggregated data from a Chinese search engine we jointly model ad rank and performance for hospitality related keyword searches. As a result of our modeling framework we can better determine the optimal keyword bidding strategy for an advertiser given the search engine's control over ad rank. Our approach removes rank bias in estimating keyword bidding performance. We then illustrate the impact of branded versus generic keyword searches, outlining profit maximizing keyword bidding.
Distributed photoacoustic system for cure monitoring of composites

In this paper we describe a laser ultrasonic system for real-time monitoring of the degree of cure of a graphite-epoxy composite part during manufacturing. The system is integrated with a Resin-Transfer Molding (RTM) machine, and contains (i) a fiberized laser ultrasonic source, and (ii) an embedded ultrasonic sensor based on an intrinsic fiber optic Sagnac interferometer. Bulk ultrasonic waves generated by the laser source are transmitted into the composite structure and are subsequently detected by the embedded ultrasonic sensor. The degree of cure can be obtained from measurements of ultrasonic velocity and attenuation in the composite part. The use of an optical switch in the fiber optic delivery system of the laser ultrasonic source allows ultrasonic generation at several locations of the composite part. In this paper we discuss the design of the laser ultrasonic source and the sensor optimized for cure monitoring applications, and their integration with the RTM mold. The results of ultrasonic measurements during manufacturing of a composite specimen are presented. Our results show that laser ultrasonics offer distinct advantages for manufacturing of modern composite structures including the ability to operate in a high temperature and high pressure environment and provide distributed sensing that can cover critical areas of a component.
Inverse method to sequentially estimate temperature-dependent thermal conductivity of cherry pomace during nonisothermal heating

Abstract Fruit and vegetables are a rich source of many bio-active compounds from which value-added nutraceuticals can be produced. The objective of this work was to estimate temperature-dependent thermal properties of cherry pomace. Differential scanning calorimetric was used to estimate the specific heat. Samples of tart cherry pomace at different moisture contents were canned and heated at 126.7 °C in a steam retort. Ordinary least squares and sequential estimation methods were used for estimating the parameters in MATLAB with Comsol. Thermal conductivity at 25 °C ( k 1 ) and 125 °C ( k 2 ) during 90 min heating for 70%, 41% and 25% MC were: 0.49 and 0.55; 0.20 and 0.39; and 0.15 and 0.28 W/m °C, respectively, with errors less than 3%. Results are useful for (a) processors desiring to use cherry pomace to make value-added by-products at elevated temperatures common in extrusion and other food drying methods; and (b) researchers desiring a convenient, rapid method to estimate thermal properties of thick and solid foods at elevated temperatures under dynamic conditions.
Studies of self-organizing placement algorithms for linear and finger lists

Abstract Various algorithms that use self-organization are presented for an NP-complete placement problem. The problem is to find the optimal placement of records in a linear finger list, where each access sequence begins at the previously accessed record. The only goal is to produce a good final list. The algorithms use a “cooling schedule” to produce the final static list, where reorganizations are progressively restricted. Empirical results show that the simplest such scheme produces the best results. Only constant extra storage was allowed; however, the results are very robust.
Strategies for the Control of Cryptosporidium parvum Infection in Calves

Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite that is now recognized as one of the leading causes of diarrhea in young calves. To date, there are no drugs or preventive measures available for the control of this disease. We have developed an oral vaccine that, when given to calves at birth, protects against experimental challenge with C. parvum. However, when field tested on a large dairy operation with heavy endemic C. parvum infection, the vaccine failed to provide protection. The difference in these results is most likely due to uncontrolled early (probably within hours of birth) exposure to C. parvum on the farm versus controlled exposure at 1 wk of age in the experimental trials. The successful control of C. parvum in the field may require vaccines that generate a rapid (within the first few days of life) cell-mediated immune response in the calf. Successful use of such a vaccine will also require improved hygiene and management practices to minimize the exposure of calves to C. parvum in the initial days of life, thus allowing time for protective immune responses to be generated. Careful attention to hygiene in the management of sick calves is also critical to minimize the spread of the parasite to other animals.
Why Propositions Cannot be Sets of Truth-supporting Circumstances

No semantic theory satisfying certain natural constraints can identify the semantic contents of sentences (the propositions they express), with sets of circumstances in which the sentences are true–no matter how fine-grained the circumstances are taken to be. An objection to the proof is shown to fail by virtue of conflating model-theoretic consequence between sentences with truth-conditional consequence between the semantic contents of sentences. The error underlines the impotence of distinguishing semantics, in the sense of a truth-based theory of logical consequence, and semantics, in the sense of a theory of meaning.
The role of palynology in paleoecological analyses of Tertiary coals

Abstract Pollen, spores, and other plant microfossils are important constituents of Tertiary coals, both as petrographic components (the maceral sporinite) and as distinctive indicators of the nature of the depositional environment in which the coal-forming peat accumulated. Palynological analyses, which have been conducted on Tertiary coals since the 1930's, play an increasingly important role in modern paleoecological analyses of coals. Among the most important factors controlling the petrographic composition and facies characteristics of coal deposits are the types and relative abundances of plants that composed the peat. At present, wetland environments in which peat accumulates (mires) range from marshes and bogs to forested swamps; each is inhabited by distinctive plant communities. These plant communities are associated with varied conditions of climate, water depth, chemistry, and nutrient supply, and the floras can be indicative of these conditions. In the Tertiary Period, plant communities of mires were also highly diverse and specialized (especially as compared with those of the Carboniferous). The dominant species in some Paleocene mire floras were gymnosperms, but continuing a trend begun in Late Cretaceous time, angiosperms became increasingly prominent through the Tertiary. The diverse: angiosperm-dominated mire floras produced coals that vary significantly in facies and hence in quality. Such contrasts are evident in contemporaneous coals from different paleolatitudes, as well as among, coals of different ages within the Tertiary, as exemplified by selected deposits in the western United. States. The palynofloras of these coals reflect the floristic composition of the plant communities of the ancient mires.
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANNELING OF TRYPTOPHAN IN NEUROSPORA CRASSA.

Abstract At least two distinct, metabolically active pools of tryptophan have been demonstrated in Neurospora crassa by supplying log phase cultures with [14C]indole and [12C]tryptophan simultaneously. Both indole and tryptophan are taken up as linear functions of growth and indole is converted to tryptophan as fast as it enters cells. Determinations of specific radioactivity of protein-tryptophan, 10% perchloric acid-soluble tryptophan and formylanthranilic acid (an intermediate of the tryptophan-anthranilic acid cycle) were made at various times before and after the disappearance of exogenous tryptophan. The specific radioactivity of the acid-soluble tryptophan was that expected from the rates of uptake of [14C]indole and [12C]tryptophan. Disparities in the specific radioactivities of tryptophan in protein and of formylanthranilic acid showed clearly that biosynthetically generated tryptophan was used preferentially for the synthesis of protein and that tryptophan of external origin was preferentially oxidized via reactions of the tryptophan cycle.
Trauma Leadership: Does Perception Drive Reality?

Introduction Leadership plays a key role in trauma team management and might affect the efficiency of patient care. Our hypothesis was that a positive relationship exists between the trauma team members' perception of leadership and the efficiency of the injured patient's initial evaluation. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study evaluating trauma attending leadership (TAL) over 5 months at a level 1 trauma center. After the completion of patient care, trauma team members evaluated the TAL's ability using a modified Campbell Leadership Descriptor Survey tool. Scores ranged from 18 (ineffective leader) to 72 (perfect score). Clinical efficiency was measured prospectively by recording the time needed to complete an advanced trauma life support (ATLS)-directed resuscitation. Assessment times across Leadership score groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p Results Seven attending physicians were included with a postfellowship experience ranging from ≤1 to 11 years. The average leadership score was 59.8 (range, 27–72). Leadership scores were divided into 3 groups post facto: low (18–45), medium (46–67), and high (68–72). The teams directed by surgeons with low scores took significantly longer than teams directed by surgeons with high scores to complete the secondary survey (14 ± 4 minutes in contrast to 11 ± 2 minutes, p Conclusion The trauma team's perception of leadership is associated positively with clinical efficiency. As such, more formal leadership training could potentially improve patient care and should be included in surgical education.
Facile removal of the N-indole-mesitylenesulfonyl protecting group using HF cleavage conditions

Nitrogen indole protection of the β-methyltryptophan side-chain residue is important for avoiding undesired side reactions during peptide synthesis. Of great importance is the choice of a side-chain protecting group for orthogonal peptide synthesis and its stability under a variety of chemical conditions required for synthesis of the four isomers of this unusual amino acid. We report here the successful use of the mesitylenesulfonyl (Mts) protecting group for β-methyltryptophan in the synthesis of melanotropin and CCK peptide analogues and the ready cleavage of this protecting group under HF conditions.
Reports of paternal alcoholism: Reliability across siblings☆

Recent studies of the correlates of having an alcoholic relative have relied heavily upon study participants' reports of the drinking behavior of their parents and other near relatives. These investigations have rarely attempted to validate the reports of familial alcohol problems or report on the reliability of information across other family members. The present study examined the reliability of reports of parental drinking behavior in a sample of 88 sibling pairs on versions of the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test adapted so that subjects endorsed items pertaining to their father's (F-SMAST) or mother's (M-SMAST) drinking behavior. Because of the relative infrequency of offspring reports of maternal problem drinking in this sample, only data from the F-SMAST were suited for analysis. Siblings' reports of specific paternal drinking consequences showed relatively low agreement on items requiring inference (e.g., the presence or absence of guilt) and relatively high agreement on items referring to specific behavioral acts or consequences (e.g., seeking help, being arrested, driving under the influence). Global judgments of paternal alcoholism and overall scores on the F-SMAST showed adequate levels of reliability. It is concluded that, although it is always desirable to validate offsprings' reports of relatives' drinking, such reports tend to agree with those of other siblings, and the use of these reports is reasonable when validation is impossible or unfeasible.
A simple engineering calibration for platinum resistance thermometers in the temperature range 4.2 K - 273 K

Abstract We describe how a simple two-point calibration of a platinum resistance thermometer can be used to deduce the resistance-temperature relationship in the range 4.2 K ⩽ T ⩽ 273 K. This relationship is established by comparing the unknown thermometer to two carefully calibrated platinum resistance thermometers. This technique produces an accuracy of (0.1 – 0.3) K. This accuracy should be adequate for many engineering applications.
Modeling the dynamic composition of engineered cartilage.

Abstract Mathematical models to describe extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and scaffold degradation in cell–polymer constructs for the design of engineered cartilage were developed and validated. The ECM deposition model characterized a product-inhibition mechanism in the concentration of cartilage molecules, collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAG). The scaffold degradation model used first-order kinetics to describe hydrolysis (not limited by diffusion) of biodegradable polyesters, polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid. Each model was fit to published accumulation and degradation data. As experimental validation, cell–polymer constructs ( n =24) and unseeded scaffolds ( n =24) were cultured in vitro. Biochemical assays for ECM content and measurements of scaffold mass were performed at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks ( n =8 per time point). The models demonstrated a strong fit with published data and experimental results ( R 2 =0.75 to 0.99) and predicted the temporal total construct mass with reasonable accuracy (30% RMS error). This approach can elucidate mechanisms governing accumulation/degradation and may be coupled with structure–function relationships to describe time-dependent changes in construct elastic properties.
Enhancing OLED Light Extraction with Polymer Microlens Arrays

The light extraction efficiency in organic light-emitting devices was enhanced using polymer microlens arrays fabricated by a soft lithography method. A maximum of 2.6-fold increase in efficiency was achieved in the top-emitting device geometry.
Theoretical and Experimental Upper Bounds on Interfacial Charge-Transfer Rate Constants between Semiconducting Solids and Outer-Sphere Redox Couples

Theoretical expressions for the charge-transfer rate constant at a semiconductor/liquid junction have been modified to include the effects of adiabaticity and the existence of a Helmholtz layer at the solid/liquid interface. These expressions have yielded an estimate of the maximum interfacial charge-transfer rate constant, at optimal exoergicity, for a semiconductor in contact with a random distribution of nonadsorbing, outer-sphere redox species. An experimental upper bound on this interfacial charge-transfer rate constant has been obtained through the determination of key energetic and kinetic properties for stable semiconductor electrodes in contact with outer-sphere redox species. For this purpose, n-Si/CH3OH−dimethylferrocenium−dimethylferrocene, n-GaAs/CH3CN−ferrocenium−ferrocene, and p-InP/CH3CN−cobaltocenium−cobaltocene contacts were investigated using a combination of current density-potential and differential capacitance-potential methods. The upper limits for the interfacial charge-transfer ra...
Adenosine: Potential modulator for vasovagal syncope

Abstract Objectives. This study examined the hypothesis that adenosine could provoke a vasovagal response in susceptible patients. Mechanisms of the vasovagal response were further explored by studying the adenosine-mediated reactions. Background. Increased sympathetic activity is frequently observed before vasovagal syncope. Recent studies have demonstrated that adenosine, in addition to its direct bradycardiac and vasodilatory effects, can increase sympathetic discharge by activating cardiovascular afferent nerves. Methods. The effects of adenosine and head-up tilt-table testing with or without isoproterenol were prospectively evaluated in 85 patients examined for syncope after negative results of electro-physiologic testing (51 men and 34 women, mean [± SD] age 61 ± 17 years). Adenosine bolus injections of 6 mg and 12 mg were sequentially administered to patients in the upright position. The same protocol was implemented in 14 normal control subjects (7 mean and 7 women, men [± SD] age 38 ± 10 years). Results. Transient hypertension or tachycardia was observed in 57 (67%) and 20 (24%) patients after administration of 6 mg and 12 mg of adenosine, respectively, during the immediate phase (first 15 s), suggesting direct sympathetic activation. Hypotension and reflex tachycardia were observed in all patients during the delayed phase (15 to 60 s after adenosine injection), suggesting baroreceptor unloading. A vasovagal response was induced in 22 (26%) and 29 (34%) patients after adenosine administration and during tilt-table testing. Inducibility of a vasovagal response by these two methods was comparable (p = 0.12). Of the control subjects, one (7%) had a vasovagal response after adenosine administration and one (7%) had a positive response during tilt-table testing. Conclusions. These observations support the idea that adenosine is an endogenous modulator of the cardiac excitatory afferent nerves. Sympathetic activation by adenosine can be direct (i.e., cardiac excitatory afferent nerves) and indirect (i.e., vasodilation and reflex sympathetic activation). Adenosine could be an important modulator in triggering a vasovagal response in susceptible patients during examination for syncope.
Wave-plate polarizing beam splitter based on a form-birefringent multilayer grating.

We have fabricated a novel device that acts as a quarter-wave plate at normal incidence and as a polarizing beam splitter at an angle of incidence of ?40 deg. The device is made from a multilayer SiO2/Si3N4 surface-relief zeroth-order one-dimensional grating with a period of 0.3 µm. The device is designed for an operating wavelength of 632.8??nm. We designed the device by using rigorous coupled-wave analysis and fabricated it by direct-write electron-beam lithography and reactive ion etching. Measurements confirmed the performance of the device as a wave plate and as a polarizing beam splitter.
Affective spectra, synchronization, and motion: Aspects of the emotional response to music

We propose three extensions of the theory developed by Juslin & Vastfjall (J&V). First, motion should be considered as an additional mechanism. Second, synchronization plays a role in eliciting emotion. And, third, the spectrum of musical affect or feelings is denser and broader than the spectrum of emotions, suggesting an expansion of the scope of the theory beyond emotions.
Measurement of Sn and In Solidification Undercooling and Lattice Expansion Using In Situ X-Ray Diffraction

The solidification behavior of two low-melting-point metals, Sn and In, on three substrates has been examined using in situ x-ray diffraction. Undercoolings of up to 56.1°C were observed for Sn solidified on graphite, which is a nonwetting substrate, while lower undercoolings were observed for Sn on Au/Ni/Cu (17.3°C) and on Cu (10.5°C). Indium behaved quite differently, showing undercoolings of less than 4°C on all three substrates. The lattice expansion/contraction behavior of Sn, In, and intermetallic compounds (IMCs) that formed during the reaction of Sn with Au/Ni/Cu surfaces were also measured during heating and cooling. Results showed anisotropic and nonlinear expansion of both Sn and In, with a contraction, rather than expansion, of the basal planes of In during heating. The principal IMC that formed between Sn and the Au/Ni/Cu surface was characterized as Cu6Sn5, having an average expansion coefficient of 13.6 × 10−6/°C, which is less than that of Sn or Cu.
Identification of a repressor of late gene expression within the AcMNPV genome

Viral replication and late gene expression of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) requires a series of late expression factors. We examined the AcMNPV genome for additional factors which affect late gene expression. During these investigations, a segment of the AcMNPV genome located immediately downstream to LEF-7 was found to possess a repressor activity. Elimination of this region resulted in greatly enhanced late gene expression. We were unable to link repressor activity to a single open reading frame, suggesting that a cis-acting element rather than a trans-acting factor is responsible for this phenomenon.
Ambiguities in surface nonlinear spectroscopy calculations

Recent molecular simulations of liquid interfaces yield surface sum-frequency vibrational spectra that can be highly sensitive to the seemingly-arbitrary choice of molecular center in the calculation method. We show that the ambiguity arises because widely-used approaches, focusing exclusively on electric-dipole contributions from the surface, neglect coordinate-dependent quadrupole-order contributions of comparable magnitude from the bulk. The correct calculation includes both surface and bulk responses. With a judicious choice of molecular center, however, it may be possible to minimize the bulk contribution, allowing the surface-only calculation to produce a reasonably accurate spectrum. We use water as an example to elucidate the problem.
Silver-Graphene Nanoribbon Composite Catalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Electrolyte

Silver-graphene nanoribbons (Ag-GNRs) were prepared from the chemical unzipping of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by reaction with Na/K alloy, Ag(O2CCH3) and then CH3OH. Ag-GNRs exhibited improved electrocatalytic ability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 0.1 M KOH as compared to the underlying GNR substrate alone and displayed an earlier onset and higher currents than a commercial Ag/Carbon (Ag/C) catalyst. The Ag-GNR hybrid demonstrates an outstanding tolerance to CH3OH crossover which exceeds that of the commercial benchmark, 20 % Pt/C.
The family and schizophrenia

There has been controversy about the role of family in the etiology and course of schizophrenia for almost 70 years. Psychoanalysts and family therapists have proposed theories about the development of schizophrenia that overtly blamed parents, and recently, expressed emotion (EE) research has been criticized as implicating families once again. However, the study of schizophrenia as a brain disorder has resulted in new understandings of the influence of the family. This article reviews recent research revealing a unique vulnerability to stress in persons with schizophrenia and suggesting that communication difficulties may be due to a shared genetic heritage. Advanced practice mental health nurses who have a solid foundation in neurobiology are ideally suited to help the person with schizophrenia and his or her family. Knowledge about the neurobiological basis of schizophrenia has become very sophisticated and complex, but that knowledge is nevertheless essential to understand the otherwise puzzling patterns of behavior shown by persons with schizophrenia.
Multiple Genes Are Required for Proper Insertion of Secretory Proteins into the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Yeast

Genes that function in translocation of secretory protein precursors into the ER have been identified by a genetic selection for mutant yeast cells that fail to translocate a signal peptide-cytosolic enzyme hybrid protein. The new mutants, sec62 and sec63, are thermosensitive for growth and accumulate a variety of soluble secretory and vacuolar precursors whose electrophoretic mobilities coincide with those of the corresponding in vitro translated polypeptides. Proteolytic sensitivity of precursor molecules in extracts of mutant cells confirms that polypeptide translocation is blocked. Some form of interaction among the SEC61 (Deshaies, R. J., and R. Schekman. 1987. J. Cell Biol. 105:633-645), SEC62 and SEC63 gene products is suggested by the observation that haploid cells containing any pair of the mutations are inviable at 24 degrees C and show a marked enhancement of the translocation defect. The translocation defects of two mutants (sec62 and sec63) have been reproduced in vitro. sec63 microsomes display low and thermolabile translocation activity for prepro-alpha-factor (pp alpha F) synthesized with a cytosol fraction from wild type yeast. These gene products may constitute part of the polypeptide recognition or translocation apparatus of the ER membrane. Pulse-chase analysis of the translocation-defective mutants demonstrates that insertion of pp alpha F into the ER can proceed posttranslationally.
Modeling Realistic Tool-Tissue Interactions with Haptic Feedback: A Learning-based Method

Surgical simulators present a safe, practical, and ethical method for surgical training. In order to enhance realism and provide the user with an immersive training experience, simulators should have the capability to provide haptic feedback to the user. High-fidelity surgical simulators also require accurate modeling of the interaction between surgical instruments and organs. Linear elasticity- based models are commonly used to simulate tool-tissue interaction due to computational considerations, although real soft tissues exhibit nonlinear viscoelastic behavior. In this paper, we use a learning algorithm to train a linear 2D mass-spring-damper system that behaves similarly to a high-fidelity nonlinear finite element (FE) model. The spring parameters are. trained off-line using data from an FE simulation of brain tissue deformation using simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation, a model-free optimization algorithm. The model is implemented in a real-time soft tissue simulator with haptic interaction provided through the PHANTOM Omni haptic device. Our model's response is significantly closer to the desired response of the FE model than that of a linear heuristic model.
Controversies regarding screening for prostate cancer

Unfortunately, the specificity of the PSA test is not as good as its sensitivity. Although PSA is not a perfect test, high PSA levels should be viewed as a risk factor, much like cholesterol in cardiovascular disease. There is no specific upper threshold of cholesterol level at which a risk of cardiovascular disease appears; rather, the relation appears to be linear. The same can be said of PSA; PSA has a higher PPV than a DRE, at 30–42% vs 4–11% [7].
Role of muscular contraction in the reflex vascular responses to stimulation of muscle afferents in the dog.

The effect of stimulation of somatic afferents from muscle was investigated in 24 anesthetized dogs. The carotid sinuses were isolated and kept at constant pressure, the vagi were cut, and the left iliac artery was isolated and perfused at constant flow. Muscle afferents were stimulated by either inserting electrodes into the muscles of the right thigh or stimulating the central end of the right femoral nerve. Muscle stimulation at 5 Hz decreased perfusion pressure in the iliac artery 76 ± 6 mm Hg (mean ± SE ); the decrease was not prevented by paralysis of the stimulated muscles, administration of atropine or antihistamines, or -receptor blockade. Muscle stimulation at 40 Hz increased perfusion pressure in the iliac artery 28 ± 3 mm Hg. This increase was prevented or changed to a depressor response by muscle paralysis. Similar effects were obtained with femoral nerve stimulation. Both depressor and pressor responses persisted after the leg had been skinned and the muscles had been separated from their tendons, but they were abolished by left sympathectomy. Thus, skeletal muscle contraction is necessary for activation of the muscle afferents which cause reflex vasoconstriction but not for activation of those which cause reflex vasodilatation.
Relation of interleukin-6 and vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 levels to functional decline in patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease

The aim of this study was to determine whether persistently high levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) or soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) are associated with faster functional decline compared to fluctuating or persistently low biomarker levels in 255 participants with peripheral arterial disease. Participants underwent baseline and ≥2 annual follow-up measures of IL-6 and sVCAM-1. Participants were categorized as follows: category 1, annual levels of IL-6 (or sVCAM-1) were in the lowest tertile for ≥3 study visits; category 3, annual levels of IL-6 (or sVCAM-1) were in the highest tertile for ≥3 visits. Category 2 levels of IL-6 (or sVCAM-1) did not meet criteria for group 1 or 3. Six-minute walking distance, fastest paced 4-m walking velocity, and the Short Physical Performance Battery were measured annually. Results were adjusted for age, gender, race, co-morbidities, statin use, physical activity, the ankle-brachial index, and other confounders. Across IL-6 categories, average annual decreases in 6-minute walking distance were -21.4 feet in category 1, -49.2 feet in category 2, and -76.8 feet in category 3 (p for trend = 0.013), and average annual decreases in Short Physical Performance Battery score were -0.18, -0.45, and -0.62, respectively (p for trend = 0.022). Similar associations of IL-6 categories with decrease in fastest paced walking velocity were observed (p for trend = 0.034). There were no significant associations of sVCAM-1 categories with functional decline. In conclusion, in participants with peripheral arterial disease, persistently high IL-6 levels are associated with faster functional decline compared to those with fluctuating or persistently low IL-6 levels.
Transverse and longitudinal optical forces of self-alignment in waveguides

We demonstrate novel transverse and longitudinal optical forces that facilitate self-alignment between two parts of a waveguide broken by an offset and a gap. We analyze two-dimensional configurations and extend the discussion to three-dimensional systems.