cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of costimulatory pathways in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system. T lymphocytes are thought to play a central role in the initiation and potentially in the propagation of this disease. Two signals are required for T-cell activation. The first signal consists of the interaction of the T-cell receptor with antigen presented by the MHC molecule on antigen-presenting cells. The second signal requires engagement of costimulatory receptors on T cells with their ligands on antigen-presenting cells. Several costimulatory pathways have been shown to play an important role in T-lymphocyte activation. Here we will review the current literature on the contribution of the B7-1/2-CD28/CTLA-4, inducible costimulatory molecule-B7h, programmed death pathway 1-programmed death pathway ligand 1/ligand 2, CD40-CD154, OX40-OX40 ligand, and CD137-CD137 ligand pathways to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and their potential roles as therapeutic targets.
Extremal Characterizations of the Schur Complement and Resulting Inequalities

Let \[ H=\pmatrix{H_{11}&H_{12}\cr H_{12}^*&H_{22}} \] be an $n\times n$ positive semidefinite matrix, where $H_{11}$ is $k\times k$ with $1 \le k < n$. The {\it generalized Schur complement} of $H_{11}$ in $H$ is defined as $$ S(H) = H_{22} - H_{12}^*H_{11}^{\dag}H_{12}, $$ where $H_{11}^{\dag}$ is the Moore\,--Penrose generalized inverse of $H_{11}$. It has the extremal characterizations \[ S(H) = \max\left\{W: H - \pmatrix{0_k & 0 \cr 0 & W\cr} \ge 0, W \hbox{ is } (n-k) \times (n-k) \hbox{ Hermitian} \right\} \] and\rule[-4.75pt]{0pt}{0pt} $$ S(H) = \min \left\{[Z|I_{n-k}] H [Z|I_{n-k}]^*: Z \ \hbox{ is } \ (n-k) \times k \right\}. $$ \noindent These characterizations are used to deduce many old and new inequalities for Schur complements of positive semidefinite matrices. In many cases, stronger statements and shorter proofs can be obtained using the extremal characterizations.
Diverse views of communication

Communication takes place when a signal produced by a sender influences the probabilistic response of the receiver. This definition brings to mind birds singing, moths wafting odors or fruit flies producing love songs. But what about neurons, bacteria, slime moulds and our own genes? The purpose of Sociobiology of Communication is to push the envelope of the definition of communication. Two themes run throughout. One is that communication takes place in many taxa and under many circumstances in which it has not previously been appreciated.
Performance of Series Solar-Assisted Heat Pump Systems in TECH House I

Etude experimentale des performances du chauffage solaire avec pompe a chaleur montee en serie de la maison experimentale TECH 1 de l'Universite du Tennessee
Fill factor related issues in hydrogenated amorphous Si solar cells

Abstract It is a fact that the fill factor ( FF ) decreases with decreasing μτ product, increasing illumination intensity, increasing absorber thickness, and long wavelength illumination in well-engineered hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells. The FF issues in the a-Si:H solar cell are not just a contact issue as in crystalline Si solar cell, but are more interesting and complicated issues that relate to the quality of materials and solar cell operating conditions. In past, a simple parameter of “collection length” or drift length, which is defined as μτE , was quite successful to explain the fact. In this article, we extensively study the collection length in terms of the internal electric field, which changes with the quality of material and operating condition. The Analysis of Microelectronic and Photonic Structures (AMPS) simulation shows that the decrease in fill factor is caused by photogenerated space charge trapped in the band-tail states rather than in defects when the defects are relatively small. This charge screens the applied field, reducing the internal field and the collection length, which reduce the FF . A voltage V s from the photogenerated space charge was introduced to describe the behavior. This voltage varies with light intensity for large valance band-tail width and low hole mobility a-Si:H absorbers. The simulation also found that the space charge in mid-gap states is small compared with that in the tails and can be ignored under normal solar-cell operating conditions. Experimentally, the photocapacitance measurement was used as a means to probe the space charge. The decrease of FF with the increasing light intensity can be qualitatively explained by the light intensity dependence of photocapacitance, the declining electric field, and the decreasing collection length.
A Teaching Life

This article invites the reader to explore teaching as a life—a way of being and doing that constructs who we are. Passages from Annie Dillard's The Writing Life begin a meditation on the ideals and realities of teaching and suggest that a teaching life can be constructed as an artist's life, with its freedom to invent a task and select materials and its necessity to take risk.
Boreal soil carbon dynamics under a changing climate: A model inversion approach

[1] Several fundamental but important factors controlling the feedback of boreal organic carbon (OC) to climate change were examined using a mechanistic model of soil OC dynamics, including the combined effects of temperature and moisture on the decomposition of OC and the factors controlling carbon quality and decomposition with depth. To estimate decomposition rates and evaluate their variations with depth, the model was inverted using a global optimization algorithm. Three sites with different drainage conditions that represent a broad diversity of boreal black spruce ecosystems were modeled. The comparison among the models with different depth patterns of decomposition rates (i.e., constant, linear, and exponential decrease) revealed that the model with constant inherent decomposition rates through the soil profile was able to fit the observed data in the most efficient way. There were also lower turnover times in the wettest site compared to the drier site even after accounting for moisture and temperature differences. Taken together, these results indicate that decomposition (especially for the wetter site) was not accurately represented with standard moisture and temperature controls and that other important protection mechanisms (e.g., limitation of O2, redox conditions, and permafrost) rather than low inherent decomposition rates are responsible for the recalcitrance of deep OC. The simulation results also showed that most of the soil CO2 efflux is generated from subsurface layers of OC because of the large OC stocks and optimal moisture conditions, suggesting that these deeper soil OC stocks are likely to be critically important to the future carbon dynamics.
The channel vocoder

The channel vocoder is described. This device achieves bandwidth compression greater than that of the bandpass compressor but less than that of the formant vocoder. To date it has been much more widely used than any other kind of vocoder. The channel vocoder exploits the insensitivity of the aural mechanism to phase, and only attempts to reproduce the short time power spectrum of the speech waveform. The spectral envelope of the speech is measured with a bank of filters and ascribed wholly to the vocal tract filter, while the excitation is estimated to be either a quasi-periodic pulse train, or noise. There are several methods of combining these extracted parameters to reconstruct the speech. Several configurations of the channel vocoder are described and the factors which affect the specification of design parameters for channel vocoders are considered.
Gamification for Behavior Change: Lessons from Developing a Social, Multiuser, Web-Tablet Based Prevention Game for Youths

Interest is growing in gamification, the use of game techniques and mechanics to engage and motivate. Future predictions suggest that this interest will continue to grow especially in the use of games to change individual behavior. However, applying gamification concepts and principles is challenging. Despite the growing interest, few gamification efforts have documented the challenges associated with the game development and application process. This article illustrates how gamification concepts and principles were applied to the development of an online, multiuser, substance abuse, and relationship violence prevention game for youths. We discuss challenges encountered during the efforts to develop and test a prototype version of the game and then present concrete and practical strategies for addressing these challenges. This article provides guidance for other researchers and practitioners who may want to gamify human service processes and use gamification techniques within a behavior change framework.
Electronic and magnetic properties of the fcc Fe(001) thin films: Fe/Cu(001) and Cu/Fe/Cu(001)

All-electron total-energy local-spin-density studies of the electronic and magnetic properties of fcc Fe(001) as overlayers or sandwiches with Cu(001) were undertaken in order to understand the following: (1) the surface (interface) magnetism of fcc Fe(001), (2) the effect of nonmagnetic Cu on the magnetization of Fe and (3) the effect of the reduced coordination number on the magnetic coupling of Fe layers near the surface and interface. From our systematic studies of (i) one and two layers of Fe on Cu(001) and (ii) one and five layers of Fe sandwiched by Cu, it is concluded that the Fe magnetic moment is enhanced on the surface (to 2.85${\mathrm{mu}}_{B}$) and the surface (interface) Fe layer is predicted to couple ferromagnetically to the subsurface (subinterface) Fe layer (in contrast to the antiferromagnetic behavior in the bulk fcc Fe). The effect of the nonmagnetic Cu overlayers decreases slightly (by 0.25${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$) the magnetic moments of Fe at the Fe/Cu interface from those of the free-standing surfaces, indicating the persistence of the two-dimensional magnetization at the interface. Magnetic hyperfine fields are compared among various magnetic states; the interface Fe atoms are found to experience a larger hyperfine field than the inner layers for the magnetic ground state due to the retention of antiferromagnetic coupling between Fe layers away from the interface. Electronic charge-density, work-function, and single-particle spectra are presented and discussed. The calculated energy dispersions agree well with a recent photoemission measurement by Onellian et al.
Therapeutic effects of progestins, androgens, and tibolone for menopausal symptoms

Therapeutic strategies using progestins, androgens, and synthetic steroids such as tibolone are based on the understanding that estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors are localized to reproductive target tissues, brain, and bone. Unfortunately, these sex steroid receptors are widely distributed and localized to other tissues, often resulting in unintended effects. Progestins at high doses have been shown to be effective at reducing hot flashes by approximately 80% to 90%. Side effects include weight gain, mastalgia, fluid retention, vaginal discharge, and dry mouth. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an adrenal-derived androgen, can be considered a prohormone that is peripherally converted to more potent androgens and estrogens. In studies with small numbers of subjects, DHEA has been reported to reduce vasomotor symptoms, increase sexual arousal, and improve cognitive performance. With regard to use of other androgens, there are no current testosterone preparations approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in menopausal women. In phase 3 trials, a testosterone transdermal matrix patch has been shown to be effective in treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in menopausal women on estrogen therapy. Tibolone, a synthetic steroid with estrogenic, androgenic, and progestational properties has been shown to be effective in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms and in preserving bone density, and it may provide positive effects on sexual function. The beneficial effects of these compounds in the menopausal woman for treatment of vasomotor symptoms, general well-being, cognitive deficits, bone loss, mood disorders, and sexual function are discussed. The overall clinical trial evidence for benefits and side effects also is presented.
Metal complexes based on an upper-rim calix[4]arene phosphine ligand

Abstract A new upper-rim phosphacalix[4]arene 5,17-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene ( 4 ) has been prepared starting from commercially available tert -butyl calix[4]arene. Treatment of 4 with (COD)PdMeCl and (COD)PtCl 2 gives polymeric phosphine-coordinated Pd(II) and Pt(II) species, respectively. 4 reacts with [(COD)RhCl] 2 to give a di-rhodium complex that is an active catalyst for the hydroformylation of 1-octene and styrene.
Carcinoma of the Prostate

IN the 12 years since the topic was last reviewed in the Journal,1 prostatic cancer has become the most common newly diagnosed cancer in men. It is the cause of death in more than 28,000 men per year, accounting for 11 percent of cancer deaths, third in men after lung and colon cancer.2 Important questions remain about the cause and prevention of prostatic cancer, but new advances permit earlier diagnosis and more accurate staging. Curative therapy is possible for localized disease with much less morbidity than previously. In advanced disease, androgen-deprivation therapy remains the mainstay of treatment. Biology and . . .
The crystal structure of Lu3S4: A new population wave structure

Abstract The monosulfide of lutetium loses lutetium preferentially upon vaporization in vacuo at 1750°C, and the quenched samples exhibit a new structure which is formed by an ordering of metal vacancies on the rock-salt type lattice.
Expansion of solar-terrestrial low-beta plasmoid

A magnetized plasma system confined inside a finite volume may expand (or contract) when its surrounding pressure changes. In this paper, two possible expanding processes of a low-beta plasmoid are discussed: (1) linear expansion and (2) expansion with fixed footpoints of field lines. The constant-zeta expansion, discussed in this paper, may maintain a low-beta plasmoid in a nearly force-free state during the expanding process. This simple model is applied to the magnetic clouds observed in the interplanetary space. The estimated scale size and expanding speed of the magnetic cloud are found to be in reasonable agreement with the observation. The energy conversion process is investigated: the free 'magnetic potential energy' stored in a magnetized system, which is pressed by external pressure, may be released to accelerate the plasma. The concept of a 'magnetic burst' is briefly discussed.
Model fitting to early childhood length and weight data from the fels longitudinal study of growth

Length and weight data from 3 months to 6 years of age from 466 participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study of Growth were used to fit the Jenss non-linear growth curve. Six (1%) of the Fels participants had extremely outlying values for length parameters, and 20 (4%) had outlying values for weight parameters. The general pattern in the outliers is for average or below average size in infancy, followed by unusually rapid growth or weight gain in childhood. This outlier pattern is associated with significantly higher mean stature or weight at 18 years of age. The results for the majority of the participants are similar to those found in 229 children from the Harvard Growth Study, except for the non-linear intercept for length and the linear intercept for weight. Significant sex differences have not previously been reported for Jenss parameters, perhaps because previous applications have used much smaller sample sizes.
Developmental delay in fetal aminopterin/methotrexate syndrome

Maternal exposures to aminopterin and methotrexate have been associated with a pattern of malformation which includes prenatal-onset growth deficiency, severe lack of ossification of the calvarium, hypoplastic supraorbital ridges, small, low-set ears, micrognathia, and limb abnormalities. We report on a patient whose mother received methotrexate during the first trimester of pregnancy and who, in addition to the structural anomalies typical of maternal methotrexate exposure, has significant developmental delay. This is the third patient exposed to folic acid antagonists with mental retardation, providing further evidence that developmental delay is one feature of fetal aminopterin-methotrexate syndrome. Therefore, it is recommended that formal developmental testing be performed in all patients prenatally exposed to methotrexate.
Arab uprisings and the changing frontiers of transnational citizenship: Voting from abroad in political transitions

Abstract The uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region beginning in December 2010 set in motion a series of political transitions. One of the most striking elements in the post-spring 2011 experiences of the countries affected has been not only the holding of elections, but also the expansion of expatriate voting (EV) rights to include out-of-country voting (OCV). A close examination of the processes through which the right to OCV was secured and the forms of its implementation reveals an intriguing parallel with the depth of the respective country transitions. This article explores the involvement of emigrant civil society in securing OCV rights and in the process of voting from abroad, thereby expanding our understanding of the role of such rights in the critical category of countries in transition. The cases reveal how the extension of the right to vote from abroad redraws political boundaries. However, they also make clear that expanding the physical boundaries of participatory nationality does not necessarily translate into more meaningful transnational citizenship.
Pinch Oscillations in Electron-Hole Plasmas. I. Theory

The Drummond---Ancker-Johnson magnetothermal pinch theory which describes the oscillations in electron-hole plasmas is extended. The theory is based on only two fundamental equations, the power-balance equation in the inner region of the pinch and the particle-conservation equation in the outer region of the pinch. By perturbing the two fundamental equations from their quasiequilibrium states, a dispersion relation is obtained which predicts oscillations in the electric field strength, provided specific conditions are satisfied. When the experimental dependencies of the frequency on current and time are incorporated into the equations, a theoretically determined inner current ${I}_{i}$ and outer temperature ${T}_{0}$ are obtained. These values of ${I}_{i}$ and ${T}_{0}$ are uniquely defined, and their behavior is consistent with the observed dependence of the oscillation amplitude on current and time. These results are also consistent with the known thermal conductance of InSb. The theory predicts that the pinch radius expands somewhat as time progresses. Although the theory invokes several simplifying assumptions, it agrees well with the observed properties of the pinch oscillations. On the basis of this agreement, it is concluded that the theory is basically correct.
UC Berkeley's NSF/ARPA/NASA digital libraries project

The UC Berkeley Electronic Environmental Library Project is a multi-disciplinary project funded under the NSF/NASA/ARPA Digital Libraries Initiative. The goal is to develop a massive, distributed, electronic, work-centered library of environmental information containing text, images, maps, sound, full-motion videos, numeric datasets, and hypertextual multimedia composite documents to support actual environmental planning decisions.By work-centered, we mean a digital library designed to support the work of the users, in this case, environmental planning. The users are from diverse organizations, 'united by their goal of environmental planning. This project is unusual among digital library research projects in this focus on information in support of public policymaking. The potential users and uses of the system are extremely varied and the applications are complex and of substantial practical significance.Our primary goals are to provide a coherent, content-based view of a diverse distributed collection which will scale to very large collections and large numbers of clients and servers, and to improve data acquisition technology. The project is addressing these problems by research focusing on:• New paradigms of user-system interaction;• Fully automated indexing and intelligent retrieval;• Data base technology to support electronic library applications;• A more effect protocol for client/server information retrieval;• Resources discovery and distributed search algorithms;• A communications-theoretic approach to document analysis;• Compression and communication for remote browsing;• New methods of user needs assessment and evaluation.The testbed consists of the diverse information types and media that are used in environmental planning. The data range from unprocessed sensor data through many levels of analysis and synthesis to policy recommendations and decision. The media include text, images, maps, and geo-referenced datasets, in paper and electronic forms. The initial focus has been water planning for the San Francisco Bay Delta; currently we are broadening our scope to other geographical areas. The target users are the participants in environmental planning employees of state agencies, but also people in local and federal agencies, environmental and industry groups, and the public.
Quantitation of bradykinin-induced microvascular leakage of FITC-Dextran in rat cremaster muscle

Abstract We studied the in vivo effects of bradykinin (BK) on transvascular movement of macromolecules in the rat cremaster muscle. The muscle was fashioned as a single layer, placed in a transparent chamber, and superfused with a bicarbonate buffer solution (pH 7.4, 35°). FITC-Dextran 150 (MW 150,000) was injected iv as a macromolecular tracer. The fluorescent tracer remained in the vascular compartment during control observations. BK (8 × 10−8 to 8 × 10−7M) was topically applied for periods of 5 min. Depending on the dose, leakage of FITC-Dextran 150 started 2–3 min after the application of BK. Discrete leakage sites were detected for a short period at the beginning of the response only. Subsequently, the entire interstitial space became fluorescent as the leakage lasted for several minutes. The preparation returned to control appearance after 40–60 min of continuous superfusion with bicarbonate buffer. Macromolecular leakage was observed in postcapillary venules ranging from 15 to 50 μm in diameter. Neither arterioles nor true capillaries showed leakage of the tracer. To better quantitate the effect of BK on macromolecular transport, the superfusate output was collected at 5-min intervals and analyzed by fluorometry to determine FITC-Dextran 150 concentration. After BK, fluorochrome concentration in the superfusate rose, peaked by 15–20 min, and returned to control levels following 60 min of washout. A direct dose-response relationship was found between BK concentration and clearance of FITC-Dextran 150. These data demonstrate the feasibility of quantitatively studying blood-tissue transport of macromolecules in vivo in skeletal muscle.
Template generation for pattern classification

A method for combining fuzzy morphological operations with fuzzy logic operations in a heterogeneous network structure is described. The first layer of the network would consist of template operations. The other layers would perform decision making. Such a network could be used to perform classification, image processing functions, and computer vision tasks. Generalized template operations are defmed using image algebra. It is shown that fuzzy morphological operations and linear operations can be obtained from the generalized operations by suitable choices of parameters. Training rules are described that can be used to "learn" the parameters of the generalized operations in a fashion similar to standard backpropagation. Thus, the network could learn linear or morphological operations, or a combination of the two.
RhoA mediates flow-induced endothelial sprouting in a 3-D tissue analogue of angiogenesis

Endothelial cells (ECs) integrate signals from the local microenvironment to guide their behaviour. RhoA is involved in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-driven angiogenesis, but its role in mechanotransduction during sprouting has not been established. Using dominant negative cell transfections in a microfluidic device that recapitulates angiogenic sprouting, we show that endothelial cells respond to interstitial flow in a RhoA-dependent manner while invading a 3-D extracellular matrix. Furthermore, RhoA regulates flow-induced, but not VEGF gradient-induced, tip cell filopodial extensions. Thus, RhoA pathways mediate mechanically-activated but not VEGF-induced endothelial morphogenesis.
Noninvasive detection of intimal xanthoma using combined ultrasound, strain rate and photoacoustic imaging.

Abstract Background and motivation The structure, composition and mechanics of carotid artery are good indicators of early progressive atherosclerotic lesions. The combination of three imaging modalities (ultrasound, strain rate and photoacoustic imaging) which could provide corroborative information about the named arterial properties could enhance the characterization of intimal xanthoma. Methods The experiments were performed using a New Zealand white rabbit model of atherosclerosis. The aorta excised from an atherosclerotic rabbit was scanned ex vivo using the three imaging techniques: (1) ultrasound imaging of the longitudinal section: standard ultrasound B-mode (74 Hz frame rate); (2) strain rate imaging: the artery was flushed with blood and a 1.5 Hz physiologic pulsation was induced, while the ultrasound data were recorded at higher frame rate (296 Hz); (3) photoacoustic imaging: the artery was irradiated with nanosecond pulsed laser light of low fluence in the 1210–1230 nm wavelength range and the photoacoustic data was recorded at 10 Hz frame rate. Post processing algorithms based on cross-correlation and optical absorption variation were implemented to derive strain rate and spectroscopic photoacoustic images, respectively. Results Based on the spatio-temporal variation in displacement of different regions within the arterial wall, strain rate imaging reveals differences in tissue mechanical properties. Additionally, spectroscopic photoacoustic imaging can spatially resolve the optical absorption properties of arterial tissue and identify the location of lipid pools. Conclusions The study demonstrates that ultrasound, strain rate and photoacoustic imaging can be used to simultaneously evaluate the structure, the mechanics and the composition of atherosclerotic lesions to improve the assessment of plaque vulnerability.
Analytic structure of vortex sheet dynamics. Part 1. Kelvin–Helmholtz instability

The instability of an initially flat vortex sheet to a sinusoidal perturbation of the vorticity is studied by means of high-order Taylor series in time t. All finite-amplitude corrections are retained at each order in t. Our analysis indicates that the sheet develops a curvature singularity at t = tc < ∞. The variation of tc with the amplitude a of the perturbation vorticity is in good agreement with the asymptotic results of Moore. When a is O(1), the Fourier coefficient of order n decays slightly faster than predicted by Moore. Extensions of the present prototype of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability to other layered flows, such as Rayleigh-Taylor instability, are indicated.
William Osler: A Life in Medicine

Preface: On Doing an Osler Autopsy 1. English Gentlemen with American Energy 2. Learning to See: Student Years 3. The Baby Professor 4. The Best Men: Philadelphia 5. Starting at Johns Hopkins 6. We All Worship Him 7. The Great American Doctor 8. Leaving America 9. A Delightful Life and Place 10. Sir William 11. All the Youth and Glory of the Country 12. Never Use a Crutch 13. Osler's Afterlife
Soothing the many-headed beast: improving the rendering process in the world of 3D animation

Today, one of the ubiquitous issues under discussion in 3D animation circles is the rendering process and the performance of rendering infrastructures. In the world of 3D animation, the rendering process translates the information in an animated scene to a sequence of images. Rendering is a complex, time consuming, and compute intensive task. Creating the most efficient rendering infrastructure and minimizing render times is important because small improvements for a single render node in a rendering infrastructure translate into major improvements in the overall performance of the infrastructure. As we work to improve and expand our current rendering infrastructure, we have closely studied the performance of different render node hardware and software. We discuss how we evaluated and found ways to improve the rendering process. In light of our experience at Ringling School, we will describe how we built a rendering infrastructure, including what features we found available and which ones mattered to us. Then we will give an empirical performance analysis of different hardware and software combinations for the render nodes. Lastly, we will wrap up with the lessons learned throughout the evaluation process and share the results we are experiencing.
Inhalation toxicity of methyl n-amyl ketone (2-heptanone) in rats and monkeys.

Abstract A subchronic inhalation study was conducted in which male rats and monkeys were exposed at 0 (controls), 131, or 1025 ppm methyl n -amyl ketone (MAK) for 10 months (6 hr/day, 5 days/week). Comprehensive cardiopulmonary, clinical chemistry, metabolism, and tissue distribution studies were performed. No statistically significant alterations of pulmonary function, electrocardiographic, or clinical chemistry parameters were observed. Methyl n -amyl ketone and methyl n -amyl alcohol were detected in urine and serum from monkeys exposed to MAK for 10 months. Inhaled MAK did not induce rat liver microsomal enzymes. Results of tissue distribution studies of [ 14 C]MAK in rats comparing ip and inhalation routes of exposure were similar, and preexposure to unlabeled MAK did not alter the tissue distribution compared to animals without prior exposure to MAK. Liver tissue had the highest level of radioactivity regardless of the route of administration; however, no liver pathology was observed. Urinary excretion accounted for 25% of the administered dose after 12 hr. In general, a lack of toxicity was noted in both species exposed to MAK.
Common gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric palliative care: nausea, vomiting, constipation, anorexia, cachexia.

Gastrointestinal symptoms are suffered commonly by children at the end of life. Diagnosis and management of these common symptoms include careful history and physical examination to assess for possible causes; treatment—pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic; and a discussion with patients and families of care goals. Aggressive management of these symptoms is essential to improving the quality of life for these children.
Characterization of Soot Particle Distribution in Conventional, Non-Premixed DI Diesel Flame Using a Multi-Step Phenomenological Soot Model

Numerical investigation of the soot particle distribution in a conventional, direct-injection (DI) diesel flame was performed. An available experiment from a heavy-duty, DI diesel engine under conventional injection conditions was selected as a benchmark. This experiment reproduced the operating conditions of similar experimental studies performed on an optically accessible engine of same class at the Sandia National Laboratories. The KIVA-3V code was used in the simulation, which features an improved multi-step phenomenological (MSP) soot model, a KH/RT spray breakup model, an extended Zel’dovich NO formation model, a “Shell” ignition model, a laminar-and-turbulent characteristic time combustion (CTC) model, a RNG k-e turbulence model, a piston-ring crevice model, a droplet wall impingement model, and a wall-temperature function heat transfer model. The prediction reinforces the diesel conceptual model put forth by Dec in many aspects, particularly regarding spatial correlations between the liquid-spray penetration, the fuel–vapor penetration, the flame structure, and the soot concentration distribution. It is observed that, while larger soot particles are located downstream in the fuel-rich “head vortex” zone, a thin layer of larger soot particles at a considerably lower mass concentration exists along the peripheral surfaces of the flame. This thin, soot particle layer might be a result of competition between surface growth and surface oxidation when younger particles flow outwards from the interior zone of combustion to the high-temperature surface of the flame plume. The details of soot-relevant quantities (e.g., particle size, number density, generic precursor, and acetylene concentrations) and reaction rates (e.g., soot inception, particle coagulation, surface growth, and oxidation) provide valuable insights into diesel soot formation and oxidation processes.
DRILL: a standardized radiology-teaching knowledge base

Traditionally, radiologists have collected and saved interesting cases in their film formats to teach medical students, residents, and physicians. These cases are classified according to various coding schemes, although current schemes alone are insufficient to meet today's educational needs. Teaching methods and cases also vary among institutions, along with the manner in which instructors present information to their students. In order to address this problem, the authors developed a standardized radiology teaching knowledge database known as the Digital Radiology Image Learning Library (DRILL). DRILL is a relational image knowledge database providing access to standard mammography cases in digital image format along with a pool of clinical and radiological information on a per-case basis. The development platform chosen is a standard Apple Macintosh-II computer and the Oracle database environment. The data entry and query interfaces are implemented in HyperCard. Images are stored on magnetic disk but could be stored on optical media. Since the personal computer platform was chosen, a wide variety of course building tools are available through which a teacher can construct a course, such as authoring and multi-media systems for building computer based courses, or word processors for writing course outlines tests. The interface also provides image conversion tools which convert images into PC-compatible formats.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Computerized structural design and analysis of continuous prestressed concrete box-girder bridges built by cantilever method of construction☆

Abstract A computer program for the design and analysis of a prestressed concrete box girder bridge built by the Cantilever method is presented. The method described herein replaces the costly and time-consuming manual calculations with an efficient digital computer program. The input for the algorithm is the description of the cross-section, the longitudinal profile, the sequence of segmental construction, the weight and dimensions of the form traveller and the temporary and permanent acting loads. The output consists of cross-section properties, section forces, prestressing requirements for working and ultimate load conditions including the acting stresses at each desired joint. The program offers great flexibility in the design of prestressed bridges built by this construction method. In addition to a brief description of the cantilever method, the use of the program is explained by designing the main span of a three span continuous bridge 750 ft long with a 330 ft center span. The example bridge has a two-cell box girder with the depth varying parabolically from 16 ft at the piers to 7 ft at mid span and abutments.
2,2,2‐Trichloro‐t‐butoxycarbonyl Chloride

[66270-36-8] C5H6Cl4O2 (MW 239.91) InChI = 1S/C5H6Cl4O2/c1-4(2,5(7,8)9)11-3(6)10/h1-2H3 InChIKey = GMELMFSDPDSXOZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (easily removable acid- and base-stable protecting group for nitrogen, including amino acids1 and nucleosides;2 protecting group for alcohols3, 4) Alternate Names: TCBOC-Cl. Physical Data: mp 30–32 °C; bp 77–81 °C/12 mmHg. Form Supplied in: colorless solid; commercially available. Preparative Method: from trichloro-t-butanol with Phosgene1 or triphosgene (Bis(trichloromethyl) Carbonate) (eq 1).5 (1) Handling, Storage, and Precautions: moisture sensitive.
Developing a Construct-Based Assessment to Examine Students' Analogical Reasoning around Physical Models in Earth Science.

In recent years, science education has placed increasing importance on learners' mastery of scientific reasoning. This growing emphasis presents a challenge for both developers and users of assessments. We report on our effort around the conceptualization, development, and testing the validity of an assessment of students' ability to reason around physical dynamic models in Earth Science. Building from the research literature on analogical mapping and informed by the current perspectives on learning progressions, we present a three-tiered construct describing the increasing sophistication of students' analogical reasoning around the correspondences and non-correspondences between models and the Earth System: at the level of entities (Level 1), configurations in space or relative motion of entities (Level 2), and the mechanism or cause for observed phenomena (Level 3). Grounded in a construct-centered design approach, we describe our process for developing assessments in order to examine and validate this construct, including how we selected topics and models, designed items, and developed outcome spaces. We present the specific example of one assessment centered on moon phases, which was administered to 164 8th and 9th grade Earth Science students as a pre/postmeasure. Two hundred ninety-four responses were analyzed using a Rasch modeling approach. Item difficulties and student proficiency scores were calculated and analyzed regarding their relative performance with respect to the three levels of the construct. The analysis results provided initial evidence in support of the construct as conceived, with students displaying a range of analogical reasoning spanning all three construct levels. It also identified problematic items that merit further examination. Overall, the assessment has provided us the opportunity to better describe and frame the cognitive uses of models by students during learning situations in Earth Science. Implications for instruction and future directions for research in this area are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 49: 713–743, 2012
Imaging of chronic sinusitis in adults: X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Two decades ago, otolaryngologists became aware that greater attention should be given to the area of the anterior ethmoid sinus. Before then, the maxillary sinus was the primary focus of attention. This was the site at which most surgical procedures were performed on patients with chronic sinusitis (Caldwell-Luc, nasal antrostomy, and irrigation procedures).’ A better understanding of the mucociliary clearance of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses underscores the shift in attention to the anterior ethmoid sinus.‘-’ Procto? believed that the seat of infectious disease in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses resided in the anterior ethmoid sinus. He suggested that disease in the anterior ethmoid sinus area was the cause of secondary inflammatory disease in the frontal and maxillary sinus. Messerklinge?, 6 was the first to use endoscopes to demonstrate the mucociliary pattern in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, thus confirming Proctor’s beliefs. Messerklinger’s use of telescopes led to the innovative surgical technique of functional endoscopic surgery. The key to most inflammatory sinus disease is the air passage lateral to the middle turbinate, the middle meatus, and the communication with the adjacent sinuses through their respective ostia (ostiomeatal complex) (Fig. 1).‘.4,” The role of mucociliary clearance as it relates to the ostiomeatal complex is less well defined than the major functions of the nasal passages. However, a complete understanding of this area and the pattern of mucociliary clearance is crucial. The ostiomeatal complex is composed of narrow channels and is subject to wide normal anatomic variation (Fig. 2). It contains the ostia needed not only for the drainage of the anterior ethmoid sinuses but also for the frontal and maxillary sinuses. These sinuses are therefore dependent on the integrity of the
Microstructure-based simulation of thermomechanical behavior of composite materials by object-oriented finite element analysis

Abstract While it is well recognized that microstructure controls the physical and mechanical properties of a material, the complexity of the microstructure often makes it difficult to simulate by analytical or numerical techniques. In this paper we present a relatively new approach to incorporate microstructures into finite element modeling using an object-oriented finite element technique. This technique combines microstructural data in the form of experimental or simulated microstructures, with fundamental material data (such as elastic modulus or coefficient of thermal expansion of the constituent phases) as a basis for understanding material behavior. The object-oriented technique is a radical departure from conventional finite element analysis, where a “unit-cell” model is used as the basis for predicting material behavior. Instead, the starting point of object-oriented finite element analysis is the actual microstructure of the material being investigated. In this paper, an introduction to the object-oriented finite element approach to microstructure-based modeling is provided with two examples: SiC particle-reinforced Al matrix composites and double-cemented WC particle-reinforced Co matrix composites. It will be shown that object-oriented finite element analysis is a unique tool that can be used to predict elastic and thermal constants of the composites, as well as salient effects of the microstructure on local stress state.
Nitrogen isotopic evidence for a poleward decrease in surface nitrate within the ice age Antarctic

Abstract Surface sediment diatom-bound δ 15 N along a latitudinal transect of 170°W shows a previously unobserved increase to the South of the Antarctic Polar Front. The southward δ 15 N increase is best explained by the combination of two changes toward the South, a decrease in the isotope effect of nitrate assimilation ( e ) and an increase in the degree of nitrate consumption, both associated with shoaling of the mixed layer into the seasonal ice zone (SIZ). New downcore records show high amplitude changes in diatom-bound δ 15 N during the last ice age, with intervals of higher δ 15 N, including the last glacial maximum, the transition between marine isotope stages 5 and 4, and marine isotope stage 6, while other intervals are similar in δ 15 N to interglacial sediments. Variation in the range of 0–3‰, as seen in previously published records, may be entirely due to changes in e . However, the observed magnitude of the change of 4–10‰ in the three new records and the locations of these records relative to the modern meridional gradient in mixed layer depth appear to require increased nitrate consumption to explain the high- δ 15 N intervals. The new sites are near the modern Southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current Front (SACCF), and one of the sites has been shown to be associated with sporadic summer sea ice during the LGM. As with other Antarctic sites, the available proxy data suggest that they were characterized by lower export production. Based on these and other observations, we propose that the weak southward nitrate decrease in the modern Antarctic surface was a fully developed “nutrient front” in the glacial Antarctic, associated with the SACCF. Both modern ocean and paleoceanographic work is needed to test this hypothesis, which would have major implications for atmospheric CO 2 .
Male Mating History and Body Size Influence Female Fecundity and Longevity of the Dengue Vector Aedes aegypti

Male reproductive success is dependent on insemination success and reproductive output. During mating, male mosquitoes transfer not just sperm, but also seminal fluid proteins that may have profound effects on mated female biology and behavior. In this study, we investigated the role of male body size and mating history on semen depletion, female longevity, and reproductive success in Aedes aegypti L. Small and large males were mated in rapid succession with up to five females. Our results indicate that large males had greater mating capacity than small males. A reduction in fecundity by >50% was observed in females that were fourth to mate with small males in comparison with females that mated earlier in sequence. For females mated to large males, this reduction became evident for females that mated fifth in sequence. No loss of fertility (measured as hatch rate) was observed in females that were third-fifth in mating sequence compared with females mated to virgin males. When females were maintained on a low-quality (5% sucrose) diet, those mated to virgin males had a greater longevity compared with females mated third in sequence. We conclude that small males experience more rapid seminal depletion than large males, and discuss the role of semen depletion in the mated female. Our results contribute toward a better understanding of the complexity of Ae. aegypti mating biology and provide refined estimates of mating capacity for genetic control efforts.
Reinforcement of dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP elastomers using organoclay fillers

Dynamically vulcanized EPDM/PP (ethylene-propylene-diene/polypropylene) elastomers reinforced with various amounts of organoclay were prepared using octylphenol-formaldehyde resin and stannous chloride dehydrate as vulcanizing agents. The effects of organoclay on vulcanization characteristics, rheological behavior, morphology, thermal stability and thermomechanical properties were studied. Experimental results showed that organoclay affected neither the vulcanization process nor the degree of vulcanization chemically. X-ray analysis revealed that these organoclay-filled thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) were intercalated. With respect to the mechanical properties, organoclay increased both the strength and degree of elongation of TPVs. The morphological observation of fractured surfaces suggested that organoclay acted as a nucleating agent in TPVs, improving their mechanical properties. However, adding organoclay reduced the thermal stability of TPVs by decomposing the swelling agents in the organoclay.
Optimality and adaptation in motion estimation by the blowfly visual system

This study reports experimental results on the visual system of the blowfly Calliphora vicina, in which the authors record analog signals from photoreceptors and action potentials from wide-field movement-sensitive cells. The photoreceptor data allow the authors to quantify how much information is present at the input to the visual brain. A mathematical analysis of the problem of movement detection with noisy inputs shows that it is very beneficial to adapt the computation to the statistics of the incoming signals. The experimental results suggest that the fly indeed adapts it computational strategy to a variety of statistical parameters of the input in ways predicted by the theory. Some examples of optimal processing and adaptation are presented.