cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fully Biodegradable Magnetic Micro-Nanoparticles: A New Platform for Tissue Regeneration and Theranostic

Nowadays, magnetic materials are receiving special attention due to their potential applications in different fields and in particular in medicine. Magnetic micro-nano-particles have been progressively employed as support materials for enzyme immobilization, and have been used as drug-delivery vehicles, contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging as well as heat mediators for hyperthermia-based anti-cancer treatments and many other exciting biomedical applications. Magnetic materials have also attracted a big interest in the field of bone tissue regeneration because it has been demonstrated that magnetic nanoparticles have effect of osteoinduction even without external magnetic force. Therefore, one of the most big challenge in this field is the production of magnetic materials with good biocompatibility and biodegradability. In fact, the long-term effects in the human body of iron oxide (maghemite or magnetite), the most popular magnetic phase used in medicine and biotechnology, are not yet completely assessed. To this aim, in this work we developed an innovative biocompatible and bioresorbable superparamagnetic-like phase by doping nano-hydroxyapatite with Fe2+/Fe3+ ions (FeHA). Moreover the same magnetic nanoparticles were used as nano-particulate emulsifier for the preparation of hollow hybrid Fe-HA-poly(L-lactic) acid (PLLA) micro-nano-spheres. PLLA has been used because poly(α-hydroxy-esters) are the most frequently used synthetic polymers for biomedical applications owing to their biocompatibility, hydrolytic degradation process and proper mechanical properties. These micro-nanospheres could be used as new type of scaffold for hard tissue regeneration. In fact, spherical scaffold display several advantages respect to the monolithic counterpart e.g., (i) improving control over sustained delivery of therapeutic agents, signalling biomolecules and even pluripotent stem cells, (ii) serving as stimulus-sensitive delivery vehicles for triggered release, (iii) introducing porosity and/or improve the mechanical properties of bulk scaffolds by acting as porogen or reinforcement phase, (iv) supplying compartmentalized micro-reactors for dedicated biochemical processes, (v) functioning as cell delivery vehicle, and, finally, (vi) giving possibility of preparing injectable and/or mouldable formulations to be applied by using minimally invasive surgery. Moreover, the same magnetic materials could find applications in nanomedicine as a multifunctional carrier. Their magnetic functionality could be utilized to move them into the body towards target organs by an external magnetic field. Furthermore, the superparamagnetic feature of the nanoparticles could allow to tailor the release of the therapeutic agent by switching (on-off) the external magnetic field and/or to treat cancer cells by hyperthermia.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The Effect of Atrial Contraction on Left Ventricular Performance in Valvular Aortic Stenosis

The instantaneous response of the left ventricle to loss or recovery of effective atrial contraction was studied in 12 patients with valvular aortic stenosis by producing A-V dissociation by electrical pacing of the ventricles so that some ventricular contractions were preceded by an effective atrial contraction while others were not. A conventional hydraulic formula relating size of the aortic valve orifice, pressure gradient, and flow was used to estimate beat to beat stroke volume. A properly timed atrial contraction augmented left ventricular performance in all patients, increasing stroke volume index from 14 to 55% (mean, 27%) and stroke work from 17 to 85% (mean, 45%). The contribution of atrial contraction to integrated cardiac performance was studied in six of the same patients by comparing cardiac performance with right atrial pacing and right ventricular pacing. With right atrial pacing, each ventricular contraction was preceded by an atrial contraction, while with right ventricular pacing many ...
A novel biorthogonal wavelet network system for off-angle iris recognition

One important category of non-ideal conditions for iris recognition is off-angle iris images. Practically it is very difficult for images to be captured with no offset. It then becomes necessary to account for off angle information in order to maintain robust performance. A biorthogonal wavelet based iris recognition system, previously designed at our lab, is modified and demonstrated to perform off-angle iris recognition. Biorthogonal wavelet network (BWN) are developed and trained for each class. The non-ideal factors are adjusted by repositioning the BWN. To test, along with the real data, synthetic iris images are generated by using affine and geometric transforms of 0^o, 10^o and 20^@? experimentally collected images. The tests were carried out on the experimentally collected off-angle data and synthetically generated data for angles from 0^o to 60^@? with a resolution of 5^@?. This approach is shown to have less constraints than a transformation based iris recognition approach. Iris images off-angle by up to 42^@? for synthetic data and up to 45^@? for experimental data are successfully recognized.
Ranpirnase enhances efficacy of radiation on A549 human lung cancer xenografts of nude mice assessed by diffuse optical spectroscopies

Ranpirnase (ONC) induced a significant increase in blood flow and oxygen saturation, along with significant growth inhibition in NSCLC. ONC may be a promising drug for the treatment of NSCLC patients.
Luminescence tuning of organoboron quinolates through substituent variation at the 5-position of the quinolato moiety.

A series of organoboron quinolates with emission colors ranging from blue to red have been prepared. In comparison to the respective AlQ3 derivatives a distinct blue-shift of the emission is observed. Theoretical calculations serve to provide insight into the nature of the frontier orbitals and the effect of the substituents in the 5-position of the quinolate ligands on the relative HOMO and LUMO energy levels. An efficient new blue emitting material with a pinacolborane substituent has been identified.
High Voltage Technique for Nuclear Physics Studies

A description is given of experiments at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, during four years in which two electrostatic generators and several multiple-section high voltage tubes have been used for the production of high speed protons and deuterons, as required for studies of nuclear transmutations. A 1-meter diameter generator of the type designed by Van de Graaff reaches usable steady potentials up to 600 kilovolts (positive). A generator comprising concentric 1-meter and 2-meter shells, charging current 0.75 milliampere, reaches practical limitations at 1300 kilovolts (positive) in a special room of large size. Voltages below the maximum are steady to within several percent. Details of design and operation are discussed.
Age and sex differences in the locomotor effect of repeated methylphenidate in rats classified as high or low novelty responders

Rationale Rats displaying high levels of activity in an inescapable novel environment (high responders; HR) are more sensitive to the locomotor effect of stimulant drugs than rats displaying low levels of activity (low responders; LR).
Deformation and failure mechanisms of niobium and tantalum during tensile testing in uranium at 1473 K

It is well known that, when a higher-melting-point solid metal is exposed to the combination of a specific lower-melting-point liquid metal and stress, severe embrittlement can occur. This is known as liquid metal embrittlement (LME). Refractory metals with high melting points and good workability, such as the Group VB metals (V, Nb, and Ta) have been used to construct molds for casting other metals that have low melting points. One of these low-melting-point metals is U, which is used in nuclear power reactors as fuel. However, it was previously reported that severe degradation occurred when Ta was exposed to liquid U. The kinetics of the penetration of U into Ta under stress-free conditions were studied. It was found that, between 1433 K and 1623 K, despite the low solubility of U in Ta, the Ta matrix recrystallized into elongated grains, and U penetrated between the grains. The penetrated U existed in front of the transformed grains as a separate layer and along grain boundaries. For conditions in which stresses exist, it is expected that the penetration of liquid uranium could be further accelerated and thus embrittle the Ta matrix. There is no detailed study about the LME mechanisms of Groupmore » VB metals in liquid U. The authors have initiated a research activity to study the mechanisms of embrittlement of Nb and Ta by liquid uranium. Their initial results, as reported in this paper, indicate a significant difference between Nb and Ta when exposed to liquid U and subjected to tensile stress.« less
Sub-wavelength imaging of photo-induced refractive index pattern in chalcogenide glass films

Mapping of refractive index patterns with sub-wavelength resolution is achieved using Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM) in reflection mode. Imaging of index pattern is performed on surface gratings photo-imprinted in As2S3 films. The NSOM is adapted with a near infrared laser which wavelength (785 nm) is chosen to be within the transparency window of the glass film therefore allowing consistent measure of reflected light. Quantitative measurements of photo-induced index changes can then be obtained from knowledge of the initial film index. Images of gratings with a period of 0.5 micron are easily collected therefore demonstrating sub-wavelength spatial resolution. The technique permits to concurrently obtain a topographic image and index image of the gratings thereby permitting to quantify the extent of photodarkening and photoexpansion simultaneously. It is shown that relief gratings tend to vanish in films aged in air for several months however the index gratings remain.
Early anesthesia evaluation of the ambulatory surgical patient: does it really help?

Abstract Study Objective: To evaluate whether early, evaluation by the anesthesiologist is more beneficial for the ambulatory surgical patient than a day-of-surgery visit. Design: A randomized study evaluating patients with different surgical procedures. Setting: Ambulatory surgical outpatients at a university-affiliated integrated ambulatory surgical unit. Patients: Sixty-three ASA physical states I and II women scheduled to undergo elective dilatation and curettage or gynecologic laser surgery. Interventions: Approximately half of the patients received an early (1 to 7 days preoperative anesthesia evaluation, and half received a day-of-surgery evaluation. All patients underwent the surgical procedures with a standardized general anesthetic. Measurements and Main Results: The effect of an early versus a day-of-surgery anesthesia visit was evaluated with regard to patient anxiety levels; patient satisfaction with the surgical and anesthetic experience; operating room, recovery room, and ambulatory surgery unit time; anesthetic and analgesic requirements; and frequency of postoperative problems within 72 hours at home. There were no differences between the groups in demographic characteristics, anesthesia or analgesic requirements, degree of satisfaction with the ambulatory surgical experience, time spent in recovery room, or frequency of problems on postoperative follow-up. We were unable to demonstrate any differences between those patients seen early versus those seen on the day of surgery in anxiety levels preoperatively and postoperatively. Conclusions: Healthy ASA physical status I and II ambulatory surgical patients do not benefit from reducing preoperative anxiety by visiting the anesthesiologist prior to the day of surgery.
Solution ENDOR of the tri-t-butyl phenoxy radical: Nuclear relaxation mechanisms

Abstract ENDOR studies of the tri-t-butyl phenoxy radical in mineral oil in the temperature range 300–350 K have been carried out to assess the nuclear relaxation mechanisms. The temperature dependence of the ring α-proton intensities differs markedly from that of the t-butyl protons. The results are analyzed in terms of a multilevel model system containing two equivalent α protons and three equivalent β protons employing the full theory developed by Freed and his collaborators including coherence effects. The analysis indicates that the electron nuclear dipolar (END) mechanism is dominant for the ring α protons and that the α and β protons have distinctly different behavior vs temperature. To the extent that the nine t-butyl protons can be approximated by three methyl protons the results suggest that both END and modulation of isotropic hyperfine coupling mechanisms provide comparably important pathways for nuclear relaxation of such protons.
Variable elasticity of substitution in urban housing production

Abstract The notion that the elasticity of substitution in urban housing production should vary with changing intensities of land use seems to be realistic and theoretically viable. Hence the variable elasticity of substitution production function has been proposed by some authors. However, it suffers from a serious shortcoming that the elasticity of substitution should not exceed unity. To allow for flexibility in the range of the elasticity of substitution, we explore a general functional form for the housing production function, the weak disposability of inputs production function in particular. Our empirical findings, based on the Santa Clara County single-family housing data, provide evidence that this general function is a more accurate specification of urban housing production than the variable elasticity of substitution function.
Beyond the Tea Leaves : Futures Research and Terrorism

No one can predict the future. The study of futures research, however, offers insights that may assist in foreseeing certain trends that will affect future events. This article employs a modified version of one futures research methodology, cross-impact analysis, to study the interactions of four trends that will likely influence the future of international terrorism: the expanded use of the Internet on the international level, the effects of emerging ethnic and religious sensibilities, the growing economic gap between the rich and the poor, and the continued role of the United States as the world's predominant superpower.
Trophic ecology of the stomiid (Pisces: Stomiidae) fish assemblage of the eastern Gulf of Mexico: Strategies, selectivity and impact of a top mesopelagic predator group

The trophic ecology of the stomiid assemblage (Pisces, Stomiiformes, Stomiidae) in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, a region with physical and biological characteristics typical of oligotrophic low-latitude regimes, was investigated. Over 1400 specimens representing 69 species and 17 genera were examined. Four patterns of feeding were evident among the abundant stomiids: (1) myctophid predation; (2) zooplankton/small micronekton predation; (3) penaeidean shrimp predation; and (4) copepod/micronekton predation. One rare species preyed on cephalopods. Il was concluded that stomiids exhibited a high level of prey-selectivity, particularly considering the broad range of prey types available in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The absence of numerically dominant potential prey (e.g.Cyclothone spp., sternoptychids) in the diets of piscivorous stomiids is possibly a function of feeding periodicity coupled with stomiid vertical migration. Stomiids may feed at night in the upper 200 m on vertically migrating myctophids while disregarding co-occurring nonmigrating prey during the daytime. Integration of stomiid abundance and diet data suggests that: (1) stomiids are the dominant upper trophic-level predators of the Gulf of Mexico mesopelagial, (2) stomiids inflict the highest predation impact on myctophids in low-latitude midwater ecosystems, and (3) the historic use of predation-avoidance arguments to explain certain mesopelagic phenomena (e.g. vertical migration, ventral photophores) appears to be substantiated by estimates of stomiid predation-impact. The stomiids may serve as key trophic mediators in the transfer of energy from the mesopelagial to the bathyand benthopelagial.
Lysogeny of a blue-green alga, Plectonema boryanum

Abstract Evidence for lysogeny of a filamentous blue-green alga, Plectonema boryanum , is presented. A suspected lysogenic strain which carries phycovirus designated LPP-1D (Delaware strain) has been subcultured for four years. Viral neutralization tests show that LPP-1D is antigenically similar to LPP-1. Induction experiments of lysogenic Plectonema with an antibiotic, Mitomycin C, result in 100-fold increase in phycovirus titer 4–5 hr after treatment. Growth of lysogenic cultures with anti-phycovirus serum eliminates all free phycovirus in the culture. Ten days later, phycovirus is again present in the medium. LPP-1 appears to be a virulent strain while LPP-1D may be a temperate strain of the same type of phycovirus which has lysogenized Plectonema boryanum .
Selecting human chorionic gonadotropin immunoassays: consideration of cross-reacting molecules in first-trimester pregnancy serum and urine.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the variation in human chorionic gonadotropin results found with different commercial kits. Levels of human chorionic gonadotropin and related molecules were determined in pregnancy serum and urine and compared with the specificities of different laboratory, office, and home test kits. STUDY DESIGN: Total human chorionic gonadotropin (nicked + nonnicked), nonnicked human chorionic gonadotropin, free β subunit, and β core fragment were measured in 242 serum samples and 125 urine samples from early pregnancies. RESULTS: In serum, in the 2 weeks after the missed period when most pregnancy tests are performed, median levels of total, nonnicked, and β human chorionic gonadotropin (total + free β + β core) were similar (≤12% difference). Individual values, however, varied significantly. For nonnicked human chorionic gonadotropin, values ranged from 41 % to 145% and for β from 101 % to 145% of the total human chorionic gonadotropin level. In urine individual nonnicked values varied from CONCLUSIONS: Results from total, nonnicked, and β human chorionic gonadotropin kits are not necessarily interconvertible. Individual variations in levels of nicked human chorionic gonadotropin, free β and 2 core, and differences in their recognition by immunoassays causes discordant results.
Enhanced heavy metal immobilization by a bacterial-chitosan complex in soil

Soil contaminated with heavy metals (e.g., Pb2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) was treated with aminopoly-saccharide chitosan alone or a strain of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis to determine their effects on metal ion accumulations. Phosphatase and Chitosanase production were also assayed. The combined bacterial-chitosan treatment showed the greater accumulation of Zn2+ followed by Cu2+ as compared to single treatments, while Pb2+ did not show a marked accumulation by either single or combined treatments.
Women remittances and reproduction.

This study examined the impact of remittances of seasonal labor migrants from Jamaica to the US on reproduction and peasant socioeconomic development. The author argues that women use remittances to pay for the costs of reproduction and to meet basic living needs. Data were obtained from interviews direct observations marketing records and other sources of expenditure data. The sample includes 54 peasant households with at least 1 member who participated in the British West Indies Temporary Alien Labor Program (BWI/TALP); data was collected during 8 months in 1982 and 4 months in 1983. Data was collected among a control group of 89 households in 1983. Jamaica supplies 100% of workers for apple harvests and 80% of workers for sugar harvests. Migrants to the US obtain work from BWI/TALP. This report presents a description of the sender and receiver context farm productivity agricultural employment on Jamaican farms and education. Remittances from seasonal migrants are used by women to invest in the health nutrition and general well-being of their children. Remittances reinforce the current patterns of living and the familys ability to reproduce itself. Remittances do not result in capital formation. Status changes are not associated with womens economic activities but mens. Womens burden is increased. Women become in their partners absence farm managers who employ farm labor without improving their long-term socioeconomic position. Women are integrated into socioeconomic processes but are at the bottom of a hierarchical and contradictory structure of production.
Knowledge of and interest in genetic results among Parkinson disease patients and caregivers.

The purpose of the study is to investigate Parkinson disease (PD) patients’ and caregivers’ knowledge of and interest in genetic testing. Gaucher disease (GD) results from recessive mutations in glucocerebrosidase (GBA). Both heterozygote GBA carriers and GD patients are at greater risk for PD. Studies regarding knowledge of and interest in genetic testing have been limited and have not offered genetic results to participants. In this study, 353 PD patients and 180 caregivers were recruited to a PD genetic study. The association between GD, GBA mutations and PD was described to participants who reported their familiarity with genetic terms, answered questions on genetic concepts, and indicated their interest in knowing if they may have GD (two GBA mutations) and other genetic information that could impact their health. Ninety-three-percent of participants were interested in receiving GBA results; however, only 51.6 % of PD participants and 55.6 % of caregivers knew that “scientists have identified genes associated with a higher risk of developing PD.” PD patients may benefit from education and genetic counseling on the implications of genetic testing.
Rho and Rac Take Center Stage

Many features of cell behavior are regulated by Rho family GTPases, but the most profound effects of these proteins are on the actin cytoskeleton and it was these that first drew attention to this family of signaling proteins. Focusing on Rho and Rac, we will discuss how their effectors regulate the actin cytoskeleton. We will describe how the activity of Rho proteins is regulated downstream from growth factor receptors and cell adhesion molecules by guanine nucleotide exchange factors and GTPase activating proteins. Additionally, we will discuss how there is signaling crosstalk between family members and how various bacterial pathogens have developed strategies to manipulate Rho protein activity so as to enhance their own survival.
Bone Complications of Anticonvulsants

Anticonculsant drug-induced disorders in mineral and bone metabolism are apparently quite common. Current evidence indicates that these drugs derange bone metabolism, both through induction of increased hepatic catabolism of vitamin D and its biologically active products, as well as by direct effects on membrane cation transport systems. The significant clinical manifestions of the disorder include rickets with defective bone development, decreased bone mass with increased risk of pathological fracture and reductions in serum calcium levels which may predispose to increased seizure frequency. There is a broad range of clinical presentation with a number of factors -- drug dose, duration of therapy, vitamin D intake, amount of sunlight exposure, degree of physical activity and presence of other concurrent diseases -- which appear to determine the severity of the clinical manifestations. Current evidence indicates that appropriate vitamin D and calcium supplementation can significantly reduce the clinical manifestations of this disorder. All patients receiving chronic anticonvulsant drug therapy should be carefully evaluted for the presence of drug-induced osteomalacia and treated appropriately with vitamin D. This is especially important in those patients in whom the presence of multiple risk factors indicates an increased likelihood of deranged mineral metabolism.
23Na n.m.r. studies of partially neutralized poly(galacturonic acid)

Abstract The dependence of sodium ion binding to poly(galacturonic acid) on degree of neutralization has been determined by 23 Na n.m.r. and calculated using the Poisson-Boltzmann theory for the system without excess salt over the polyion concentration range 5–50 mM (monomer basis). The relative fraction of bound sodium ions depends on the polyion concentration and the degree of neutralization. The agreement between the experimental and calculated fraction bound is excellent for the lowest concentration at degree of neutralization greater than about 0.2 and for even the highest concentration at degree of neutralization greater than about 0.6.
Ten Suggestions To Help Implement Competency-Based Education

implementing co mpetency-based education can be made much easier if we observe several guidelines, suggests this writer. Although likely to be obvious to some, these 10 guidelines will serve to keep some serious concerns front and center.
Amantadine: neuromuscular blockade by suppression of ionic conductance of the acetylcholine receptor

Amantadine hydrochloride decreases the sensitivity of denervated mammalian muscle to iontophoretically applied acetylcholine. The drug depresses the amplitude of the end-plate current and reverses the slope of the relation between half-decay time and membrane potential suggesting that it alters the ionic conductance that is mediated by the acetylcholine receptor. Binding studies confirm that amantadine acts on the ion conductance modulator rather than the acetylcholine receptor.
Asymmetric volatility spillover in the Tokyo stock exchange

This paper examines volatility transfers between size-based stock indexes from the Tokyo Stock Exchange. We use a bivariate EGARCH model to test for volatility spillover effects between large- and small-cap stock indexes. We find an asymmetric volatility spillover from large-cap stock returns to small-cap returns, but not vice versa. We also find a small-firm January effect, but not a June seasonality, in either large-and small-cap stock returns. Instead, we find that the conditional correlation between large- and small-cap indexes is time-varying, showing a tendency to increase during the month of June.(JEL G12, G15)
Scattering of waves by a crack: Asymptotic expansion of the exact solution

Abstract We consider the steady state scattering of waves by a crack of finite width. Formal expressions for the large wavenumber expansion of the crack opening displacements are given. These expressions are valid for an arbitrary incident wave. Explicit expressions are given for incidence of a plane wave. For this example, we have analytically verified the geometrical theory of diffraction.
Thermal transient simulation tests of a sodium valve

Abstract The feasibility of thermal transient testing of sodium components using a fluid other than sodium is considered. Simulation of thermal transient conditions that may exist in the sodium system is considered to be, in general, achievable in a special test fixture, if the thermal and hydraulic conditions of the fluid to be used are properly selected. This feasibility is demonstrated for the 28 in. FFTF hot-leg isolation valve by introducing a high-speed gaseous nitrogen flow into an annulus formed by the valve body and a cylindrical pipe insert. The structural wall temperature distributions were estimated first for the sodium system, and the simulation was established by equating the transient heat transfer rates as a function of time at key locations in both real sodium and simulating nitrogen systems. Remarkably good simulation test results were achieved.
Thermophilic biofiltration of methanol and α-pinene

Biofiltration systems utilizing thermophilic (55 degrees C) bacteria were constructed and tested for the removal of methanol and alpha-pinene--two important volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the forest products industry. Thermophilic bacterial mixtures that can degrade both methanol and alpha-pinene were obtained via enrichment techniques. Two bench-scale thermophilic biofiltration systems (1085 and 1824 cm3) were used to examine compound removals at different residence times, with influent concentrations of 110 ppmv methanol and 15 ppmv alpha-pinene. At a residence time of 10.85 min, the smaller system had removal efficiencies of >98% for methanol, but only 23% for alpha-pinene. The larger system was operated with the same parameters to evaluate residence time and surfactant effects on compound removals. At a residence time of 18.24 min, both methanol and alpha-pinene removal rates were > or = 95%. However, a-pinene removal dropped to 26% at a residence time of 6.08 min; methanol removal was not affected. Subsequent addition of a surfactant mixture increased a-pinene removal to 94% at the shortest residence time. No residual alpha-pinene was detected with the support medium Celite R-635, indicating that the surfactant may increase mass transfer of alpha-pinene.
A kinematically complete measurement of the Coulomb dissociation of 8B

Abstract We present preliminary results of a kinematically complete measurement of the Coulomb dissociation of 83 MeV/u 8B on a Pb target. A dipole magnet separated the unreacted beam from the breakup fragments. We measured the Coulomb dissociation cross section at low relative energies in order to extract the astrophysical S factor for the 7Be(p, γ )8B reaction.
Pseudoparticle-antipseudoparticle configuration

A pseudoparticle-antipseudoparticle configuration is presented which is an exact solution to a global SU(2) conformally invariant theory: ${\mathfrak{L}}_{Q} = (\frac{1}{4}){F}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}^{a}{F}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}^{a}\ensuremath{-}(\frac{K}{12}){({A}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{a}{A}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{a})}^{2}$. Although this theory has no local gauge invariance, I present it as a model classical field theory which supports non-self-dual (nor anti-self-dual) solutions. As the coupling $K\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$, the solution has no limit. The Pontryagin index becomes the difference of two $\ensuremath{\delta}$ functions. The Euchdean action $I = \ensuremath{\int}{d}^{4}x(\frac{1}{4}){F}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}^{a}{F}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}^{a}$ varies from 0 to $16{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}$ as $K$ changes from $\ensuremath{\infty}$ to zero. The coupling $K$ describes the relative scale of the pseudoparticle and antipseudoparticle. Fermions are studied in the presence of this configuration which is neither self-dual nor anti-self-dual. No normalizable zero-eigenvalue modes of either chirality exist.
Tailoring DNA Structure To Increase Target Hybridization Kinetics on Surfaces

We report a method for increasing the rate of target hybridization on DNA-functionalized surfaces using a short internal complement DNA (sicDNA) strand. The sicDNA causes up to a 5-fold increase in association rate by inducing a conformational change that extends the DNA away from the surface, making it more available to bind target nucleic acids. The sicDNA-induced kinetic enhancement is a general phenomenon that occurred with all sequences and surfaces investigated. Additionally, the process is selective and can be used in multicomponent systems to controllably and orthogonally “turn on” specific sequences by the addition of the appropriate sicDNA. Finally, we show that sicDNA is compatible with systems used in gene regulation, intracellular detection, and microarrays, suggesting several potential therapeutic, diagnostic, and bioinformatic applications.
Kinetics of Aromatic Hydrocarbon Depuration by Oysters Impacted by the Amoco Cadiz Oil Spill

After oil spills, various species of filter-feeding bivalve molluscs have been shown t o absorb petroleum hydrocarbons from the water column and suspended particulate matter. There have been numerous published studies in which hydrocarbon concentrations in oil exposed bivalves have been measured both in the field and in the laboratory(for reviews see 1,2,3). Given the commercial value of such species as clams, oysters, and mussels, it is important to understand the kinetics of oil depuration from bivalve tissues with the goal of possible salvage of impacted animals and to understand the basic physiological processes involved.
New Insights into Tumor Microstructure Using Temporal Diffusion Spectroscopy

Magnetic resonance images (MRI) that depict rates of water diffusion in tissues can be used to characterize the cellularity of tumors and are valuable in assessing their early response to treatment. Water diffusion rates are sensitive to the cellular and molecular content of tissues and are affected by local microstructural changes associated with tumor development. However, conventional maps of water diffusion reflect the integrated effects of restrictions to free diffusion at multiple scales up to a specific limiting spatial dimension, typically several micrometers. Such measurements cannot distinguish effects caused by structural variations at a smaller scale. Variations in diffusion rates then largely reflect variations in the density of cells, and no information is available about changes on a subcellular scale. We report here our experiences using a new approach based on Oscillating Gradient Spin-Echo (OGSE) MRI methods that can differentiate the influence on water diffusion of structural changes on scales much smaller than the diameter of a single cell. MRIs of glioblastomas in rat brain in vivo show an increased contrast and spatial heterogeneity when diffusion measurements are selectively sensitized to shorter distance scales. These results show the benefit of OGSE methods for revealing microscopic variations in tumors in vivo and confirm that diffusion measurements depend on factors other than cellularity.
Crustal Structure in East Antarctica from Surface Wave Dispersion

Summary The structure of the Earth’s crust and the upper mantle in East Antarctica are investigated using the dispersion properties of both the Love and the Rayleigh waves. The group velocities of surface waves between 15 and 70 sec periods are measured over several paths crossing Antarctica from Sandwich Arc and Drake Passage to stations of Wilkes and Mirny. Theoretical dispersion curves are computed for various crust and upper mantle models. The structure that fits the Rayleigh and Love wave data equally well is charactized by a 42 km thick crust and low (7.85 km/sec) sub-Moho velocities. The average thickness of the ice layer over East Antarctica, between Princess Martha Coast and Wilkes Station, is determined to be about 3 km. The general problem of non-uniqueness in group velocity inversion is also discussed. The dispersive properties of seismic surface waves have been successfully utilized to determine the structure of the crust and the upper mantle in many regions of the world. In Antarctica, however, the use of the technique has been hindered by the general lack of earthquakes located so as to provide purely continental paths between the epicentres and the few Antarctic stations equipped with long period seismographs. In determining group velocities across the Antarctic continent, paths with considerable oceanic portions had to be used, and errors due to uncertainties in proper corrections for the oceanic fractions of the paths have been introduced. Furthermore, computed epicentral distances and travel times have been less reliable in the Antarctic area than in other continents where higher station density makes the determination of epicentres and origin times more accurate. In this study an attempt is made to construct a crustal-upper mantle model of East Antarctica that fits data chosen so as to minimize the problems described above. Surface waves from several earthquakes in the same region were analysed. The waves had traversed nearly identical and mostly continental paths. The oceancontinent boundary is well-defined in the area where these paths cross it. Both Love and Rayleigh waves were recorded. The number of cases used should reduce the errors resulting from random inaccuracies in epicentre determination ; though a
Pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy in a duplicated collecting system

Abstract Introduction and objective Duplex renal collecting system is a common congenital anomaly in the pediatric population. The superior moiety ureter is often associated with an ectopic insertion. A common site of insertion is the urethra, which results in continuous incontinence. A novel repair for this abnormality is a robotic assisted laparoscopic ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy with end to side anastomosis. This teaching video will demonstrate positioning and operative technique for this procedure. Patient and methods This is the case of a 5-year-old girl who presented with lifelong continuous urinary incontinence. Workup revealed a duplicated collecting system with a functional superior moiety and ectopic ureter inserting into the urethra. A laparoscopic ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy was performed using a robotic surgical system. Results After docking the robotic surgical system, the duplicated collecting system was identified and an ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy was performed. The patient tolerated the procedure well and the ultrasound on follow up revealed no residual hydronephrosis. Conclusion The accompanying teaching video shows appropriate positioning and operative technique for a robotic-assisted laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy. This innovative and minimally invasive technique is a safe and feasible approach to repair a duplex collecting system with an ectopic ureter in the pediatric population.
Outcomes of protocol-based and adaptation-based occupational therapy interventions for low-income elderly persons on a transitional unit.

OBJECTIVES The study objectives were to describe (a) adaptation trajectories of elderly persons treated on a transitional unit for deconditioning and tracked after their return to the community, (b) an individualized adaptation-based intervention provided to selected elderly persons in addition to protocol-based treatment for deconditioning, (c) goals and outcomes of these two interventions, and (d) contrasting perceptions of outcomes by elderly persons, their family members, and their therapists. METHOD A longitudinal qualitative design was used to track 8 participants from transitional unit to community. Data on the protocol-based intervention were obtained from chart review and therapist interviews. Data on the adaptation-based intervention were obtained from the Client-Centered Evaluation and Community Adaptive Planning Assessment, which were used for goal setting and problem solving. In the community, contrasting perspectives on outcomes were obtained from the participants, their family members, and their therapists through semistructured interviews. RESULTS Participants' adaptation trajectories revealed that half relocated to new living arrangements after discharge from the transitional unit. At the time of follow-up, 91% of the protocol-based goals and 100% of the adaptation-based goals had been met in some fashion, with modification in the goal or development of new solutions in some cases. Outcomes valued by the participants were returning to former occupations and relationships; family members valued getting quality care for the participant; and therapists valued improvement in strength, endurance, and increased independence in activities of daily living (ADL). CONCLUSION Findings support use of an individualized consultative intervention that addresses occupational performance areas and performance contexts combined with a protocol-based, hands-on intervention that addresses performance components and basic ADL for elderly persons with multiple chronic illnesses.
A Framework for Cosynthesis of Memory and Communication Architectures for MPSoC

Memory and communication architectures have a significant impact on the cost, performance, and time-to-market of complex multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) designs. The memory architecture dictates most of the data traffic flow in a design, which in turn influences the design of the communication architecture. Thus, there is a need to cosynthesize the memory and communication architectures to avoid making suboptimal design decisions. This is in contrast to traditional platform-based design approaches where memory and communication architectures are synthesized separately. In this paper, the authors propose an automated application-specific cosynthesis framework for memory and communication architecture (COSMECA) in MPSoC designs. The primary objective is to design a communication architecture having the least number of buses, which satisfies performance and memory-area constraints, while the secondary objective is to reduce the memory-area cost. Results of applying COSMECA to several industrial strength MPSoC applications from the networking domain indicate a saving of as much as 40% in number of buses and 29% in memory area compared to the traditional approach
Globalization and the politics of local and regional development: the question of convergenc

Globalization, and the increased exposure to international competition that it has supposedly induced, has led to expectations of institutional convergence in, among other things, local and regional development policy and the politics surrounding it. There have been changes in the United Kingdom, but not of the decentralizing, neo-liberalizing form anticipated. A comparison of the British with the very different, highly decentralized, American case seeks to shed light on this. Emphasis is placed on both the strongly embedded nature of institutions and on misunderstandings about the strength of the forces of globalization.
Influence of the Field and the Current Limit on Flash Sintering at Isothermal Furnace Temperatures

We report, for the first time, the observation of an incubation time for the onset of flash sintering in experiments carried out at isothermal furnace temperatures. The incubation time varies highly nonlinearly with the strength of the DC field, akin to a nucleation-like phenomenon. The setting of the maximum current at the power supply has a significant influence on the extent of densification. The hold time at these current settings has an influence on the grain size increasing it with time and the magnitude of the current setting. The experiments were carried out on 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia. In all instances the specimen temperatures during flash sintering, estimated from a previously validated blackbody radiation model remain well below the temperatures that would be required for conventional sintering of yttria-stabilized zirconia. Taken together these observations imply a nucleation of defect avalanche as a possible mechanism for flash sintering.
3. Factors Influencing Abstinence, Anticipation, and Delay of Sex Among Adolescent Boys in High-STI Prevalence Communities

Abstinence as a behaviour is a core element of pregnancy and STD prevention. However, little data exist on the behavioural, attitudinal, and family contexts of abstinence in adolescent boys. In this study, the authors examine differences between abstinent and sexually experienced boys in high STI communities and further examine differences in abstinent boys who anticipate sexual debut in the next year.
Racial Differences in Nitric Oxide–Mediated Vasodilator Response to Mental Stress in the Forearm Circulation

An abnormal hemodynamic response to stressful stimuli has been proposed as a mechanism involved in the higher prevalence of hypertension in blacks. Given the important role of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis, we investigated the possibility of racial differences in vascular NO activity during mental stress. To test this hypothesis, we compared the forearm blood flow (FBF) response to mental stress in 14 white and 12 black healthy subjects during intra-arterial infusion of either saline or NO synthesis inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 4 micromol/min). We also examined vascular responses of the two groups to intra-arterial infusion of sodium nitroprusside (0.8 to 3.2 microg/min), an exogenous NO donor. During saline infusion, the increase in FBF from baseline induced by mental stress was significantly higher in whites than in blacks (109+/-20% versus 58+/-8%; P=0.03). L-NMMA significantly reduced stress-induced increase in FBF in whites (from 109+/-20% to 54+/-11%; P=0.004) but not in blacks (from 58+/-8% to 42+/-10%; P=0.24); thus, the vasodilator effect of stress testing during L-NMMA was similar in whites and blacks (54+/-11% versus 42+/-10%; P=0.44). The vasodilator response to sodium nitroprusside was also lower in blacks than in whites (maximum flow, 6.9+/-2 versus 11.6+/-3.5 mL x min(-1) x dL(-1); P=0.001) and was not significantly modified by L-NMMA in either group. Our findings indicate that blacks have a reduced NO-dependent vasodilator activity during mental stress. This difference seems related to reduced sensitivity of smooth muscle to the vasodilator effect of NO and may play some role in the increased prevalence of hypertension and its complications in blacks.
Sampling at community level by using satellite imagery and geographical analysis

Problem Traditional random sampling at community level requires a list of every individual household that can be randomly selected in the study community. The longitudinal demographic surveillance systems often used as sampling frames are difficult to create in many resource-poor settings. Approach We used Google Earth imagery and geographical analysis software to develop a sampling frame. Every household structure within the catchment area was digitized and assigned coordinates. A random sample was then generated from the list of households. Local setting The sampling took place in Lilongwe, Malawi and formed a part of an investigation of the intensity of Plasmodium falciparum transmission in a multi-site Phase III trial of a candidate malaria vaccine. Relevant changes Creation of a complete list of household coordinates within the catchment area allowed us to generate a random sample representative of the population. Once the coordinates of the households in that sample had been entered into the hand-held receivers of a global positioning system device, the households could be accurately identified on the ground and approached. Lessons learnt In the development of a geographical sampling frame, the use of Google Earth satellite imagery and geographical software appeared to be an efficient alternative to the use of a demographic surveillance system. The use of a complete list of household coordinates reduced the time needed to locate households in the random sample. Our approach to generate a sampling frame is accurate, has utility beyond morbidity studies and appears to be a cost-effective option in resource-poor settings.
A Sybil-proof one-hop DHT

Decentralized systems, such as structured overlays, are subject to the Sybil attack, in which an adversary creates many false identities to increase its influence. This paper describes a one-hop distributed hash table which uses the social links between users to strongly resist the Sybil attack. The social network is assumed to be fast mixing, meaning that a random walk in the honest part of the network quickly approaches the uniform distribution. As in the related SybilLimit system [25], with a social network of n honest nodes and m honest edges, the protocol can tolerate up to o(n/ log n) attack edges (social links from honest nodes to compromised nodes). The routing tables contain O(√m log m) entries per node and are constructed efficiently by a distributed protocol. This is the first sublinear solution to this problem. Preliminary simulation results are presented to demonstrate the approach's effectiveness.