cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TH-C-201C-09: Incorporating Prior Knowledge into Deformable Image Registration by Pre-Processing Image Intensity

Purpose: Automatic image intensity‐based deformable registration algorithms will generally fail when large uniform intensity regions are involved between the reference and target images. Therefore it is highly desirable to take advantage of prior anatomical information as additional constraint. The goal of this study was to implement a hybrid segmentation and intensity‐based deformable image registration algorithm that to address the problem of correspondence ambiguity. Method and Materials: The first step is for user to delineate volumes of interest (VOIs) either manually or automatically without the need to create point‐to‐point correspondence. Subsequently we calculate the 3D distance transformation of the surfaces of the corresponding VOIs. Then each voxel inside the ROI will be encoded and normalized to an intensity value by the distance transformation. Finally these converted intensity values will replace the original intensity at the corresponding voxel locations. An in‐house modified “Demons” algorithm was used to register the image intensity corrected image pairs. The resultant deformable transformation was used to propagate contours to validate the deformable registration. The correctness of the contours on the test images was reviewed to assess the improved accuracy of the new procedure. Results: We found that difficult cases in which the original intensity‐based registration failed had significant improvement not only for the segmented volume but also for the anatomy near the segmented volume. Examples of such case include a prostate case with large bladder deformation and cluttered image context; the registration accuracy was drastically improved near the user‐defined surfaces without affecting normal registration for distant structures. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that the procedure requires minimal user's intervention and is an effective method to incorporate prior knowledge in an image intensity‐based deformable image registration scheme. This can be considered a hybrid method that combines a simple segmentation procedure within an automated registration process.
Field resistance of transgenic russet burbank potato to effects of infection by potato virus X and potato virus Y

Transgenic Russet Burbank potato plants expressing the coat protein genes of potato virus X (PVX) and potato virus Y (PVY) were transplanted into the field after propagation in tissue culture. Virus resistance, plant growth and tuber yield were determined. Our results show that expression of PVX and PVY CP genes confer a very high level of resistance to PVX and PVY infection in clone 303, one of the four different transgenic potato clones tested. After inoculation with PVX and PVY, tuber yield of control Russet Burbank plants decreased, while the yield of clone 303 was unaffected. Four different uninoculated transgenic clones had tuber yields as high as control Russet Burbank. These results confirm that resistance to PVX and PVY is effective in the field and can prevent yield losses due to dual infection by these viruses.
Consideration of the Incomplete Block Design for Policy-Capturing Research

This article introduces and urges consideration of the incomplete block design for policy-capturing research. The authors compare incomplete block designs with full factorial and fractional factorial designs along several dimensions, including survey length, analysis limitations, and impact on study participants. An initial empirical investigation of an incomplete block design and a full factorial design is performed in a policy-capturing study of 183 job seekers. As predicted, the two designs generated equivalent results on the main effects and most interactions; however, the designs yielded divergent results on some interactions. Study participants who received the incomplete block design were more positive about the survey length and experienced less stress and exhaustion than those receiving the full design. The authors discuss how methodologists might examine and compare policy-capturing designs in future research.
Closure of the class of binary generalized linear models in some non‐standard settings

Summary. This paper considers fitting generalized linear models to binary data in non-standard settings such as case-control samples, studies with misclassified responses and misspecified models. We develop simple methods for fitting models to case-control data and show that a closure property holds for generalized linear models in the non-standard settings, i.e., if the responses follow a generalized linear model in the population of interest, then so will the observed response in the non-standard setting, but with a modified link function. These results imply that we can analyse data and study problems in the non-standard settings by using classical generalized linear model methods such as the iteratively reweighted least squares algorithm. Example data illustrate the results.
Diabetes Connect: African American Women’s Perceptions of the Community Health Worker Model for Diabetes Care

Community health worker (CHW) interventions have potential to improve diabetes outcomes and reduce health disparities. However, few studies have explored patient perspectives of peer-delivered diabetes programs. The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate possible benefits as well as risks of CHW-delivered peer support for diabetes from the perspectives of African American women living with type 2 diabetes in Jefferson County, Alabama. Four ninety-minute focus groups were conducted by a trained moderator with a written guide to facilitate discussion on the topic of CHWs and diabetes management. Participants were recruited from the diabetes education database at a safety-net hospital. Two independent reviewers performed content analysis to identify major themes using a combined deductive-inductive approach. There were 25 participants. Mean years with diabetes was 11.2 (range 6 months to 42 years). Participants were knowledgeable about methods for self-management but reported limited resources and stress as major barriers. Preferred CHW roles included liaison to the healthcare system and easily accessible information source. Participants preferred that the CHW be knowledgeable and have personal experience managing their own diabetes or assisting a family member with diabetes. Concerns regarding the CHW-model were possible breaches of confidentiality and privacy. The self-management strategies and barriers to management identified by participants were reflected in their preferred CHW roles and traits. These results suggest that African American women with diabetes in Alabama would support peer-led diabetes education that is community-based and socially and emotionally supportive.
International Subsystems: Stability and Polarity

One of the current controversies within international relations deals with the “stability” of bipolar as opposed to multipolar stratifications of world power. Morton Kaplan, in codifying the views of classical balance of power theorists, advances the view that multipolar systems are more stable than bipolar systems. Kenneth Waltz, sagely pointing to the relatively peaceful international arena since World War II, argues that a bipolar distribution of power can guarantee world stability. Many a priori arguments have been presented to buttress the Kaplan and Waltz hypotheses. In one of the most elaborate such formulations, the “interaction opportunity” hypothesis of Karl Deutsch and J. David Singer, the presence of stabilizing crosscutting alliances is postulated to be most likely within multipolar systems, which in turn are a function of the number of major powers and members of a system. In an attempt to bring the two opposing strands of theory into a larger framework, Richard Rosecrance more recently has suggested that bipolarity and multipolarity may each have their peculiar costs and benefits. Bipolarity, according to Rosecrance, is distinguished by (1) an absence of “peripheries,” such as areas for colonial expansion or neutral powers to woo; (2) all international behavior is highly politicized; (3) there are many crises; (4) changes in power confrontations are either significant or trivial, with no intervening shades of gray; (5) each pole is dominated by major powers highly motivated to expand their domains, willing even to incur brinksmanlike situations and hostility spirals; (6) no detente is possible. Multipolarity, on the other hand, is hypothesized to have (1) more interaction opportunities and thus less preoccupation (or obsession) with any one set of states; (2) fewer arms races; (3) more international conflicts; (4) the outcomes of international conflicts are harder to predict in advance; (5) changes in power confrontations have ambiguous consequences for the overall distribution of power. Rosecrance, therefore, urges a “bi-multipolar” arrangement that would combine the best features of both alternatives. The empirical questions and intriguing hypotheses so eloquently raised by Kaplan, Waltz, Deutsch, Singer, and Rosecrance have remained largely unexamined, however.
Porosity, surface area, and particle size effects of CaO reacting with SO2 at 1100° C

Calcium oxide (CaO) sorbents derived from calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were tested for their reactivity to gaseous sulfur dioxide (SO2) in a nitrogen atmosphere with a nominal 1100°C, entrained flow reactor and a solids residence time of 0.74 s. The research allowed for direct examination of the combined effect of porosity, particle size, and surface area upon CaO conversion to calcium sulfate, CaSO4. Conversion was inversely related to the 0.20 to 0.35 power of particle size for diameters ranging from 0.77 to 12.1 μm. Increased initial surface area from 7 to 62 m2g led to higher conversions at all particle sizes, eliminating the possibility of gas film diffusion control. The conversion for both sorbent types is proportional to initial porosity. Substantial expansion of the sorbents during reaction was shown by achieving conversion levels much greater than theoretically possible, given the initial sorbent porosity, the larger-volume product, and an assumed constant particle size. This is contrary to most modelling assumptions, in which the reaction is limited or cut off by pore filling or pore plugging of the sorbent volume.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a TAR-Binding Nuclear Factor from T Cells

The Tat protein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activates the expression of viral mRNA through a cis-acting element in the LTR termed TAR. TAR RNA forms a stable stem-loop struct...
Fieldnotes on the Vigilante Movement in Mindanao: A Mix of Self-Help and Formal Policing Networks

Based upon on-site field observations and interviews, this study explores village-level police and vigilante organizations in the Philippines. A typology of social control systems is presented. The varying degrees of group “formality,” “official authority,” and “independence” of several control systems are discussed. Attention is given to the way informal control systems link with more official government police networks, and with the larger village community. The research helps to clarify the “self-help” theory and several propositions regarding the behavior of law in a battle-ridden society.
Comparison of Student Performance in Paper-Based versus Computer-Based Testing

The author investigated the impact of assessment methods on student performance on accounting tests. Specifically, the author used analysis of variance to determine whether the use of computer-based tests instead of paper-based tests affects students' traditional test scores in accounting examinations. The author included 2 independent variables, student gender and student class, as covariates. The findings indicate that there was no significant difference in the values of the students' performance according to the 2 methods of assessment. The findings also revealed that neither student gender nor class was correlated to the test scores in either form of testing.
A Simple and Accurate Method of Calibrating X-Probes

This paper presents an improved method of calibrating hot-film X-probes in incompressible flow. The yaw response of a hot-film X-probe was investigated for different velocities and found to be strongly velocity dependent at low velocities. A simple relation was developed to correct for the variation of yaw response at low velocities. The method using the yaw correction is compared with the single-velocity yaw calibration method. The correction to the yaw response considerably improves accuracy at low velocities.
Al-Si alloy foam prepared by two step foaming method

Two basic methods can be used to fabricate aluminum foam. One is powder metallurgy route which can provide the near net shape casting containing aluminum foam core, and the other is melt foaming route which can prepare large scale aluminum foam plate directly. To combine the advantages of above two methods, the precursor was obtained through melt foaming route and then baked in a furnace like that of powder metallurgy method in this investigation. The test results indicated that the SiC and TiH2 particles after treatment in air could be dispersed in Al-Si matrix alloy melt and the precursors were obtained. The porosity and their pore diameter of the precursors decreased along with the temperature reducing as well as the magnesium or SiC particles adding. The density of Al-Si alloy foam decreased with the elevation of baking temperature and extension of heating time before collapse of foam block occurred. The foaming process parameters were seriously affected by the aluminum alloy composition.
3.1.1 COSYSMO: A Constructive Systems Engineering Cost Model Coming of Age

Building on the synergy between Systems Engineering and Software Engineering, the Center for Software Engineering (CSE) at the University of Southern California (USC), is in the process of developing a parametric model to estimate Systems Engineering costs. The goal of this model, called COSYSMO (Constructive Systems Engineering Cost Model), is to more accurately estimate the time and effort associated with performing the system engineering tasks defined by ISO/IEC 15288. This paper outlines the work accomplished thus far by USC, in collaboration with its Corporate Affiliates and the INCOSE Measurement Working Group, to develop the initial version of COSYSMO. This paper describes the development of the model, explains both its size and cost drivers, and outlines future steps that need to be taken to guarantee COSYSMO's successful adoption by the Systems Engineering community.
Practice-related functional activation changes in a working memory task.

The effects of practice on the functional anatomy of a visuospatial working memory (VSWM) task were studied using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Functional imaging was conducted as subjects completed a moderate (Experiment 1) or extensive (Experiment 2) amount of practice on a delayed-match-to-sample task. While improvement in task performance was seen with practice, the task's dependence upon VSWM did not change. Activations in frontal (inferior, middle, and precentral gyri and superior frontal sulcus), parietal (intra-parietal sulcus, inferior parietal lobule, and precuneus) and cingulate (anterior and posterior) regions were observed as were bilateral insular and occipital activations. With the exception of the posterior cingulate, practice produced activation decreases in these regions, thus providing little evidence for a re-organization of the functional neuroanatomy. Fewer regions passing statistical criteria were observed at the end of practice relative to early in practice. Regions that were lost were mostly posterior (occipital and precuneus) but also included the left middle frontal gyrus, left precentral gyrus, and right insula suggesting that a more precise VSWM functional map can be observed once processes specific to encountering a novel task are removed. Little further activation changes were observed after extensive practice. These results suggest, minimally, that practice effects should be considered so as to avoid incorrectly attributing functional activation to a cognitive process of interest. Further, these data show that the dynamics of functional change can be tracked while a task is being learned and as an important cognitive process becomes more skilled.
Nuclear power: Rasmussen on reactor safety: How nuclear power reactor risks are quantified; and nuclear sabotage, theft, shipping, and waste disposal risks put in perspective

Describes how nuclear power reactor risks are quantified; and nuclear sabotage, theft, shipping, and waste disposal risks put in perspective.
A family of design patterns for application-level gateways

Developers of communication software must confront recurring design challenges involving robustness, efficiency, and extensibility. Many of these challenges are independent of the application-specific requirements. Successful developers resolve these challenges by applying appropriate design patterns. However, these patterns have traditionallybeen locked in the minds of expert developers or buried within complex system source code. The primary contribution of this paper is to describe a family of design patterns that underly many object-oriented communication software systems. In addition to describing each pattern separately, the paper illustrates how knowledge of the relationships and trade-offs among patterns helps guide the construction of reusable communication software frameworks.
A method for the laboratory culture of the planktonic rotifer Keratella cochlearis (Gosse)

Procedures for the continuous laboratory culture of Keratella cochlearis in a defined medium and upon an algal food are described. Culturing success appears to be a function of food availability as well as composition. This availability requirement is satisfied by the use of test tubes and inverted titration plate concavities as culture vessels. The satisfactory culture medium contains an ammonia compound as a nitrogen source.
The modal breadth of consciousness

In this paper, I argue that the intentional structure of typical human conscious experience has “modal breadth”—that the contents of experience typically include alternate possibilities. I support this claim with analyses of conscious mental processes such as the perception of temporally extended events, persistent objects, and causality, and the experience of bodily agency. While modal breadth may not be strictly necessary for consciousness per se, it is essential to many cognitive processes that are pervasive and functionally important to normal human consciousness.
A broadband 1850-nm 40-Gb/s receiver based on four-wave mixing in silicon waveguides

We experimentally demonstrate a FWM-based receiver operating at long wavelengths. The scheme successfully demultiplexes a 1866-nm 40-Gb/s NRZ signal into 10-Gb/s tributaries while simultaneously wavelength-converting it to 1320 nm for photodetection.
Changes in the Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, fish community from 1970–2011

Abstract Many aquatic ecosystems experience concurrent anthropogenic stressors that can have complex impacts on fish communities. Limited data and temporal associations among environmental stressors may confound the ability to attribute community-level impacts to single or multiple stressors. Instead, quantitative description of temporal changes in fish communities may shed light on the cumulative and individual impacts of diverse stressors. Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, has experienced diverse anthropogenic stressors that have been inconsistently quantified over time. We used resampling and multivariate approaches to analyze long-term trawl data to describe how fish community patterns changed in Saginaw Bay from 1970–2011. Total, native, and moderately tolerant fish species richness generally increased from 1970–2011. Dynamic factor analysis and nonmetric multidimensional scaling revealed that fish community structure changed from 1970–2011 and that relative abundances of many fish species increased. In general, increases in richness and CPUE were correlated with decreases in total phosphorus, chl a , and water levels. In addition, breakpoint analyses revealed shifts in species richness in the mid-1980s and 1999. Temporal patterns are consistent with the hypothesis that the Saginaw Bay fish community has changed from one dominated by species tolerant of eutrophy to one with more sensitive species, likely a response to decreased phosphorous loading and resulting changes in water quality. More recently (1999–2011), richness and relative abundance of many fish species in Saginaw Bay declined, a pattern potentially reflective of larger food-web transitions in both Saginaw Bay and open Lake Huron.
Gliopodia extend the range of direct glia-neuron communication during the CNS development in Drosophila.

Abstract Midline glia are a source of cues for neuronal navigation and differentiation in the Drosophila CNS. Despite their importance, how glia and neurons communicate during the development is not fully understood. Here, we examined dynamic morphology of midline glia and assessed their direct cellular interactions with neurons within the embryonic CNS. Midline glia extend filopodia-like “gliopodia” from the onset of axogenesis through the near completion of embryonic neural development. The most abundant and stable within the commissures, gliopodia frequently contact neurites extending from the neuropil on either side of the midline. Misexpression of Rac1 N17 in midline glia not only reduces the number of gliopodia but also shifts the position of neuropils towards the midline. Midline-secreted signaling protein Slit accumulates along the surface of gliopodia. Mutant analysis supports the idea that gliopodia contribute to its presentation on neuronal surfaces at both the commissures and neuropils. We propose that gliopodia extend the range of direct glia–neuron communication during CNS development.
Microchimerism and Skin Disease: True-True Unrelated?

Microchimerism, the stable presence of foreign cells in an individual, may result from trafficking during pregnancy or from organ or hematopoietic transplantation, and has been hypothesized to cause autoimmunity and certain skin diseases. Yet microchimeric cells are found in normal individuals and may be important to tissue repair. Thus microchimerism may be common, and finding microchimeric cells in diseased as well as normal tissue may be a "true-true unrelated" situation.
Immunologic studies in a patient sensitive to tetracycline and penicillin.

The immune response of a patient with an atopic background who had a serum sickness-like reaction to penicillin and an anaphylactic reaction to tetracycline was investigated. Skin-sensitizing antibody to both penicillin and tetracycline was detected by direct skin tests and passive transfer tests. In addition, specific antibodies (7S and 19S) to penicillin were detected by hemagglutination. The patient's serum also induced hemagglutination with tetracycline but evidence for specificity in this reaction is lacking. Contamination of tetraycycline with penicillin was ruled out by bioassay and thin layer chromatography. The immunologic evidence presented indicates that the reactions to penicillin and to tetracycline were due to separate and independent antibody responses.
Poly(alkyl α-chloroacrylates). IV. Tacticity analysis from 300 MHz proton magnetic resonance spectra†

300 MHz proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was applied to the determination of triad structures of three poly(alkyl α-chloroacrylates) of widely varying stereoregularities. Assignments and quantitative analyses were made for all of the tetrad peaks in the backbone methylene resonance of poly(methyl α-chloroacrylate), poly(ethyl α-chloroacrylate), and poly(isopropyl α-chloroacrylate). In addition the methyl singlet peaks of poly(methyl α-chloroacrylate), the methyl triplet peaks of poly(ethyl α-chloroacrylate) which had not been amenable previously to resolution at 220 MHz, and the methyl doublet peaks of poly(isopropyl α-chloroacrylate) were resolved, and the triad values which were obtained from these pendant ester group resonances compared favorably with triad values calculated from experimental tetrad values. As a demonstration of the internal agreement of the triad and tetrad peaks assignments, statistical calculations of the stereochemical structures of the actic and syndiotactic polymers were generally described well or to a first approximation by random selection statistics (Bernoullian) while the stereochemical statistics of the moderately to highly isotactic polymers were consistent with a nonrandom statistical process (first-order Markovian), as expected.
Going for broke: Mortality salience increases risky decision making on the Iowa gambling task

Research on gambling, and risk taking in general, has focused primarily on approach-related motivations. The current study examined the avoidance of existential anxiety as a possible source of risky decision making and behaviour. The authors hypothesized that participants reminded of their own mortality would consequently make riskier decisions (and therefore perform more poorly) on the Iowa gambling task. Results confirmed this prediction. Implications of the finding that existential concerns undermine efficient decision making are considered.
Pneumococcal vaccination of children

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent cause of invasive bacterial infection in children younger than 2 years of age, reaching a peak incidence at 6 to 12 months of age. Pneumococci also cause many cases of pneumonia, sinusitis, and otitis media. Incidence rates of invasive infection in children with sickle cell disease, acquired or congenital splenectomy, or human immunodeficiency virus infection are 20- to 100-fold higher than are those of healthy children during the first 5 years of life. Other healthy children, such as those of American Indian, Native Alaskan, or African American descent, also have high rates of invasive infection, and those children enrolled in out-of-home care may have modestly increased risks. Pneumococcal polysaccharide polyvalent vaccines have been available for more than 2 decades but are limited in their usefulness for children because of their inability to induce protective antibody responses in children younger than 2 years of age and lack of immunologic memory. In contrast, pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccines induce presumptive protective responses in infants younger than 6 months, and immunologic memory further enhances responses after booster doses are given. Currently, a single heptavalent pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccine is licensed for use in the United States and is recommended for routine administration to all children, beginning at 2 months of age. It also is recommended for children between 24 and 59 months of age who are at high risk of acquiring invasive disease. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Socioeconomic and ecological correlates of bobcat harvest in Minnesota

Management of game animals requires understanding of factors that affect harvest levels. Although influenced by international law, bobcat (Lynx rufus) management is the responsibility of state or provincial agencies, and jurisdictional environmental, ecological, and regulatory differences may alter which variables influence harvest. Consequently, our understanding of the factors driving bobcat harvest should be at a scale similar to that at which they are managed. We associated 32 years of bobcat harvest data from Minnesota with socioeconomic (e.g., pelt prices, license sales) and ecological variables (e.g., prey abundance, bobcat-specific index of winter severity) to determine what variables most strongly influenced annual bobcat harvest. We constructed candidate negative binomial generalized linear models based on an information–theoretic approach and used quasi-likelihood Akaike's Information Criterion adjusted for small sample size to assess the relative performance of each model. Our best model suggested that annual bobcat harvest in Minnesota was positively related to the proportion of scent stations visited by bobcats and season length, and negatively related to the proportion of days when the maximum temperature did not exceed the bobcat's lower critical temperature. Our results differ from those of other studies examining factors influencing furbearer harvest that have suggested furbearer harvest is driven primarily by pelt price, and suggest that managers can influence the annual harvest of bobcats by changing season length. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Can Shale Safely Host U.S. Nuclear Waste

Even as cleanup efforts after Japan's Fukushima disaster offer a stark reminder of the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) stored at nuclear plants worldwide, the decision in 2009 to scrap Yucca Mountain as a permanent disposal site has dimmed hope for a repository for SNF and other high-level nuclear waste (HLW) in the United States anytime soon. About 70,000 metric tons of SNF are now in pool or dry cask storage at 75 sites across the United States [Government Accountability Office, 2012], and uncertainty about its fate is hobbling future development of nuclear power, increasing costs for utilities, and creating a liability for American taxpayers [Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future, 2012].
Vegetative life on Venus - Or investigations with algae which grow under pure CO2 in hot acid media and at elevated pressures

Experiments are described with algae grown in a new environment of pure CO2 under pressure and in an acidic nutrient medium at elevated temperatures. One species found in hot-springs was observed to grow. If the planet Venus has acidic polar seas as we suggest, they may harbor photosynthetic life.
Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Ultrathin Au/Pt Nanowires

We have reported the synthesis of Au25Pt75 and Au48Pt52 alloyed ultrathin nanowires with average widths of less than 3 nm via a wet chemistry approach at room temperature. Using a combination of techniques, including scanning transmission electron microscopy equipped with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, ultraviolet−visible spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopies, we identified the stoichiometry-dependent heterogeneous crystalline structures, as well as electronic structures with respect to the charge transfer between Pt and Au within both nanowires. In particular, we observed d-charge depletion at the Au site and the d-charge gain at the Pt site in Au48Pt52 nanowires, which accounted for its ferromagnetic magnetic behavior, in contrast to the paramagnetism and diamagnetism appearing respectively in bulk Pt and Au.
A new digital electronic caliper for measurement of coronary arterial stenosis: Comparison with visual estimates and computer-assisted measurements

Visual analysis of the severity of coronary stenosis is limited by observer variability. However, more complex techniques of proved accuracy are tedious and costly. Therefore, a new digital electronic caliper (DEC) was evaluated as a potentially more accurate, rapid and less costly alternative for measuring stenosis severity. Stenosis minimum diameter (Dmin) and percent diameter reduction ( %S) were measured from the screen of the cine projector using a DEC. These measurements were compared with visual estimates (VIS) by 4 experienced angiographers and with measurements made by a computer-assisted method (QCA) of proved accuracy. In routine cineangiograms from 7 patients, 10 lesions were significant (>50%S) and 8 were mild ( 50%) coronary stenoses, and it may be applied with improved accuracy in the evaluation of cineangiograms.
A CMOS dB-linear RF VGA for SAW-less WEDGE transmitters

A CMOS dB-linear RF variable gain amplifier (VGA) that can provide a variable gain of 25-dB is implemented. The 25-dB of this range is achieved by a dB-linear V-I converter, which includes current limiting circuitry to reduce the gain variation due to process and temperature at maximum and minimum output power levels. The circuits are designed in a 0.13-um RF CMOS process. The measurement results demonstrate −45 dBc ACLR, −165-dBc/Hz Rx-band noise at 5-dBm output power and 25-dB dynamic gain control range in UMTS band for WCDMA. The RF VGA consumes 30-mA of current at maximum gain from a 1.8-V supply.
Establishment of mouse as an animal model for study of diabetic cataracts: biochemical studies.

Aim The primary aim of this study was to understand the pathogenesis of diabetic cataracts at biochemical level in an animal model where lens aldose reductase (AR) activity is low, similar to that in the human lens. Methods Mouse, which is known to have low lens AR, was selected for these studies. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin. Biochemical changes in the lens were monitored in freshly isolated lenses with standard chromatographic, enzymatic and culture experiments described in the section on methods. Results The present studies provide evidence of significant biochemical changes associated with such cataract formation despite very low levels of aldose reductase. The level of glycated proteins increased to 9 mg/100 mg of total water-soluble lens protein in the diabetic lenses, as compared with the normal lenses where it was only about 1.3 mg/100 mg of total protein. Glutathione (GSH), the major antioxidant in the lens, decreased from 2.35 micro mol/g in the normal lenses to about 1.17 micro mol/g in the diabetic lenses. Malonadehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation, increased from 50 micro mol/100 g in the normal to 70 micro mol/100 g in the diabetic lens. The level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an indicator of the overall metabolic status of the tissue, also decreased from 962 +/- 154 nmol/g in the normal to 487 +/- 130 nmol/g in the diabetic lenses. The function of the Na+-K+ ATPase was also adversely affected in diabetes, as indicated by the ability of the lens to accumulate (86)rubidium ions against its concentration gradient. The transport activity, expressed as CL/CM, was 24 in the normal lens, whereas it was only 12 in the diabetic lens. The level of sorbitol in the diabetic lens was only in the micromolar region. Hence, it was considered osmotically insignificant. Conclusion Overall, the results suggest that induction of cataracts in diabetes can be related to multiple biochemical effects such as oxidative stress and glycation. Sorbitol accumulation in low aldose reductase situations, being minor, could, however, act synergistically with other factors.
Letter by McAuley et al Regarding Article, “Impact of Body Mass Index and the Metabolic Syndrome on the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Death in Middle-Aged Men”

To the Editor: We read with interest in the article by Arnlov et al1 that middle-aged men defined as overweight and obese by Body Mass Index (BMI), but without metabolic abnormalities, were at increased risk for death. Epidemiological studies are limited by the adjustments they make for potential confounders. The study in question included only 3 confounders: age, smoking, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Yet many …
DEVise and the JavaScreen : visualization on the web

DEVise is a general-purpose data visualization and exploration system capable of handling datasets from a variety of sources. Users create visual presentations, which they, or others, can dynamically explore to search for patterns in their data. The JavaScreen is a Java applet we have recently developed, which functions as a DEVise client. With it, users can explore visual presentation via the web, without having to actually install the DEVise software. Our paper covers three main areas: DEVise itself, including the fundamental DEVise model and adaptations required to support the JavaScreen; the JavaScreen and related software; and the use of DEVise and the JavaScreen in several applications.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
I Got My Life Back! Making a Case for Self Defense Training for Older Women with PTSD

The present case study explores the impact of a new treatment for assault-related PTSD in an older female veteran. We highlight the application of a non-traditional treatment (self defense training) for PTSD, the potential efficacy of this treatment for tackling the negative symptoms of PTSD and improving quality of life, and for addressing issues of personal safety and risk of re-victimization. We detail our process of evaluating an older adult for participation in this treatment and delineate our perspective on the clinical and social psychological impact of assault-related PTSD in older women.
Response of Selected Greenhouse Ornamental Plants to Alkalinity in Irrigation Water

ABSTRACT Tolerance to alkalinity was evaluated in rose ‘Pink Cupido,’ ivy geranium ‘Peppermint Candy,’ vinca ‘Apricot Delight,’ chrysanthemum ‘Miramar,’ hibiscus ‘Bimini Breeze’ and ‘Mango Breeze’ plants irrigated with solutions containing 0 to 10 mM sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). The minimum toxic threshold of NaHCO3 was established as a 10% decrease from the control in chlorophyll concentration (as determined by the SPAD index) and shoot dry mass, which were estimated by using regression models. The ranking for susceptibility to NaHCO3-induced chlorosis was: rose > hibiscus ‘Mango Breeze’ > ivy geranium > chrysanthemum > hibiscus ‘Bimini Breeze” > vinca, with toxic thresholds of 0.8, 2.1, 2.4, 3.2, 4.2, and 6.8 mM NaHCO3, respectively. The ranking for susceptibility to NaHCO3-induced shoot dry mass reduction was: rose > hibiscus ‘Mango Breeze’ ≈ ivy geranium ≈ chrysanthemum ≈ hibiscus ‘Bimini Breeze” > vinca, with toxic thresholds of 2.0, 7.3, > 10, > 10, > 10, > 10 mM NaHCO3, respectively.
The Mediating Influence of State Legislatures on the Linkage Between Interparty Competition and Welfare Policies.

Does interparty competition significantly influence the level of welfare expenditures in the American states? From a theoretical perspective, this would seem to be a plausible contention. Essentially, students of state politics have pointed to two basic arguments as underscoring its theoretical plausibility. First, it is argued that in highly competitive situations political parties compete for support of all groups in the society. They do so by supporting public policies which are beneficial to these groups. Since welfare expenditures are directly relevant to the interests of lower socioeconomic groups, it follows that to gain the support of these groups, political parties should support the expenditure of public monies in this area. This is to be contrasted with noncompetitive situations in which the majority party does not have to be greatly concerned with the interests of lower socioeconomic groups.' The second, complementary argument2 is based on the following interrelated assumptions: (1) that the degree of interparty competition can be thought of as an index of the degree to which politics is organized in the states; (2) that organized politics "lessens the difficulty of lower status groups in sorting out political actors and issues, thereby enabling them to promote their
Demographic and Health Status Differences Among People Aged 45 or Older With and Without Functional Difficulties Related to Increased Confusion or Memory Loss, 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

We examined the demographic and health characteristics of people aged 45 years or older in 21 states with self-reported increased confusion or memory loss (ICML) (n = 10,583) by whether or not they also reported functional difficulties related to ICML. We used data from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System optional module on impact of cognitive impairment. After adjusting for demographic differences, we found that respondents with ICML and functional difficulties were significantly more likely than those with ICML and no functional difficulties to report frequent poor physical health, frequent poor mental health, limited activity due to poor physical or mental health, and a need for more help. Further understanding of the implications for long-term services and supports is needed.
Daniel E. Berlyne (1924–1976): Two Decades Later:

In this remembrance, Berlyne's seminal ideas about collative motivation and its role in aesthetic phenomena are first briefly reviewed. It is noted that these ideas had not been developed into a fo...
Massive hemorrhage from a gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm with rupture into a pancreatic pseudocyst: an unusual complication of chronic pancreatitis

Massive hemorrhage from a gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm with rupture into a pancreatic pseudocyst: an unusual complication of chronic pancreatitis
Hypertension in pregnancy is associated with elevated homocysteine levels later in life.

Objective Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with an elevated cardiovascular disease risk. We examined whether women with a history of hypertension in pregnancy are more likely to have a high level of serum homocysteine decades after pregnancy. Study Design Serum homocysteine was measured at a mean age of 60 years in nulliparous women (n = 216), and women with a history of normotensive (n = 1825) or hypertensive (n = 401) pregnancies who participated in the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study. Relationships between homocysteine and pregnancy history were examined by linear and logistic regression, controlling for multiple covariates including personal and family history of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, tobacco use, and demographics. Results A history of hypertension in pregnancy, when compared with normotensive pregnancy, was associated with a 4.5% higher serum homocysteine level ( P = .015) and 1.60-fold increased odds of having an elevated homocysteine (95% confidence interval, 1.15–2.21; P = .005) after adjusting for potentially confounding covariates. In contrast, a history of normotensive pregnancy, as compared with nulliparity, was associated with a 6.1% lower serum homocysteine level ( P = .005) and a 0.49-fold reduced odds of elevated homocysteine levels (95% confidence interval, 0.32–0.74; P Conclusion Homocysteine levels decades after pregnancy are higher in women with a history of pregnancy hypertension, even after controlling for potential confounders. Thus, pregnancy history may prompt homocysteine assessment and risk modification in an attempt at primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Zeros of maps of Rn into Rn

An elementary proposition about curves is made use of to prove familiar theorems of Hirsch and Smale and of Swan and Sternberg by use of continuation methods. Other considerations are taken up.
Persistence of Diurnal Rhythmicity in Plasma ACTH Concentrations in Cortisol-Deficient Patients

The diurnal variation in plasma ACTH levels was studied in 6 addisonian patients under carefully controlled conditions of cortisol deficiency. Cortisol replacement therapy was gradually reduced until the total daily dose was 8.4 mg or less. Although there was no clinical evidence of adrenal insufficiency on this regimen, plasma and urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) were subnormal and plasma ACTH rose to high levels. In each patient, plasma ACTH levels were much higher at 6 am than at 6 pm. In 4 patients, the suboptimal cortisol dosage was rearranged so that it was given only at night. Despite the fact that plasma 17-OHCS levels were higher at 6 am than 6 pm, plasma ACTH concentrations were still higher at 6 AM in 3 of 4 patients. In patients recovering from prolonged pituitary-adrenal suppression, during a phase in which their plasma 17-OHCS were subnormal and plasma ACTH supernormal, a similar diurnal rhythm in plasma ACTH was observed. It is concluded that a diurnal rhythm in ACTH secretion pe...
Utilization of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid) by murine peritoneal macrophages

Abstract This study examined the metabolism of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3(n−6)) in casein-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages. Cells were incubated with [ 14 C]20:3(n−6) in the presence of 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or 0.025% bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the distribution and identity of membrane-bound and soluble products were determined. Approx. 70–80% of the [ 14 C]20:3(n−6) was recovered in membrane phospholipids. The distribution of radiolabel in individual cellular phospholipids revealed a time-dependent (6 vs. 16 h) increase in the percentage of radiolabel esterified to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Analysis of cellular total lipids following transmethylation indicated that approx. 4, 2 and 9% of the incorporated 20:3( n −6), respectively, had been desaturated and elongated into 20:4( n −6), 22:4( n −6) and 22:3( n −6). When cells prelabeled for 16 h were incubated in the presence of the divalent cation ionophore, A23187, or zymosan for 30–60 min, two radiolabeled metabolites were isolated in the incubation supernatant. These metabolites were identified as 12-hydroxy-8,10,14- and 15-hydroxy-8,11,13-eicosatrienoic acids, as determined by reverse-phase and normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The generation of monohydroxy fatty acids was notably absent in prelabeled quiescent cells and A23187-stimulated cells incubated with BW755C, a dual cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor. We conclude that casein-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages can extensively metabolize 20:3( n − 6) through Δ 5 desaturase, elongase and oxygenation reactions.
Probing flow velocity with silicon nanowire sensors.

We report our experimental efforts to quantify the impact of fluidic and ionic transport on the conductance level of silicon nanowire (SiNW) sensors configured as field effect transistors (FETs). Specifically, the conductance of SiNW FETs placed in a microfluidic channel was observed to change linearly with the flow velocity of electrolytic solutions. The direction of conductance change depends on the doping type of the SiNWs and their location inside the microfluidic channel, and the magnitude of the conductance change varies with the ionic strength and compositions of the electrolytic solution. Our quantitative analysis suggests that the flow velocity sensing is a consequence of the streaming potential that is generated by the movement of counterions inside the electrical double layer (EDL) of the silica substrate. The streaming potential, which varies with the flow velocity and the ionic properties of the electrolytic solution, acts in the same way as the charged analytes in affecting the conductance o...
Isolation and characterization of tetranucleotide microsatellites from the leatherback turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea )

The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is a globally endangered marine species. Numerous questions regarding life history and demographics that are of conservation interest remain and many of these can be addressed through the use of highly polymorphic nuclear markers. We describe primers and polymerase chain reaction conditions to amplify 19 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci from the leatherback turtle. The primers were tested on samples from 22 females that nested at Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Melbourne Beach, Florida, USA. The primers developed in this study yielded an average of 9.4 alleles per locus (range of 5–19) and an average observed heterozygosity of 0.84 (range 0.36–1.00). These markers should prove useful in supplementing existing markers for individual and population level analyses.