cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Security analysis for system operation using Bayes classifier

This paper proposes a Bayes classifier for security assessment in power systems. In power system security analysis, characterization of certain contingencies using voltage stability and load curtailment is a cumbersome and time-consuming process. Bayes classifier provides assessment of system security without complicated contingency analysis and can reduce the computational burden. Security status of a given feature vector can be determined by maximum a posteriori probability rule based on Bayes rule. The case study of WSCC system is presented to demonstrate the efficiency of this approach.
Expected maximum vertex valence in pairs of polygonal triangulations

Edge-flip distance between triangulations of polygons is equivalent to rotation distance between rooted binary trees. Both distances measure the extent of similarity of configurations. There are no known polynomial-time algorithms for computing edge-flip distance. The best known exact universal upper bounds on rotation distance arise from measuring the maximum total valence of a vertex in the corresponding triangulation pair obtained by a duality construction. Here we describe some properties of the distribution of maximum vertex valences of pairs of triangulations related to such upper bounds.
The Core and Pan-Genome of the Vibrionaceae

Species of the family Vibrionaceae are ubiquitous in marine environments and the family contains numerous important pathogens of humans and marine species. In order to find the core, accessory and pan-proteome of this family, we deduced the complete set of orthologs for eleven strains from this family. The core proteome consists of 1,882 groups of orthologs, which is 28% of the 6,629 orthologous groups in this family. The composition of the proteomes are reflective of the differing evolutionary trajectories followed by different strains to similar phenotypes.
The Mean Ventricular Fibrillation Cycle Length: A Potentially Useful Parameter for Programming Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

In programming the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), the ventricular tachycardia (VT) detection cycle length (CL) is based on the CL of the documented tachycardia but the ventricular fibrillation (VF) detection CL is set arbitrarily. Appropriate programming of VF detection may not only reduce the incidence of inappropriate ICD shocks for non-VF rhythms but can also avoid the fatal underdetection of VF. The mean VFCL may provide a useful parameter for optimal ICD programming for VF detection if it is reproducible. This study examined the intrapatient reproducibility and interpatient variation of the mean VFCL in 30 ICD patients (25 men and 5 women, mean age 63 +/- 13 years). A total of 210 VF episodes (7 +/- 4 per patient, range 3-17) induced by T-wave shocks (166) or AC (44) at the ICD implant (30 patients) and the predischarge test (12 of 30 patients) were analyzed. The mean VFCL was calculated from the stored V-V intervals in the ICDs. Although the mean VFCL varied significantly from 171 +/- 6 to 263 +/- 11 ms (P 0.05). The mean VFCL was not significantly different between patients with and without antiarrhythmic drugs (210 +/- 32 vs 210 +/- 23 ms, P > 0.05) and was correlated with the ventricular effective refractory period (r = 0.5, P < 0.05). The mean VFCL varies greatly among different patients but remains reproducible in an individual patient, suggesting that the mean VFCL may serve as a reference for ICD programming of VF detection.
Computer graphics education: Issues from multiple perspectives

Abstract Much of computer graphics today neglects the fact that there is a receiver of the information being presented. Therefore, teaching computer graphics must not be done with just a single focus. Rather, concepts related to hardware, software, design, color, and aesthetic issues must also be addressed. Further, students should be made aware of cultural and gender differences related to color, design, and information presentation. These issues must be addressed for the presentation not to get in the way of the message being presented.
How Significant is the Effect of Fault Interactions on Coverage-Based Fault Localizations?

The effectiveness of coverage-based fault localizations in the presence of multiple faults has been a major concern for the software testing research community. A commonly held belief is that the fault localization techniques based on coverage statistics are less effective in the presence of multiple faults and their performance deteriorates. The fault interference phenomenon refers to cases where the software under test contains multiple faults whose interactions hinder effective debugging. The immediate research question that arises is to what extent fault interactions are influential. This paper focuses on verifying the existence of fault interference phenomenon in programs developed in programming languages with object-oriented features. The paper then statistically measures the influence and significance of fault interactions on the performance of debugging based on coverage-based fault localizations. The result verifies that the fault interleaving phenomenon occurs. However, its impact on the performance of fault localizations is negligible.
Salvage of the modified nucleoside ribothymidine in cultured hamster embryo cells.

Abstract RNA turnover in hamster embryo cells results in the release of ribothymidine, a methylated nucleoside formed only on intact RNA. [ methyl - 3 H]Methionine ribothymidine polyphosphates and deoxyribothymidine polyphosphates are found in approximately equivalent amounts in the acid-soluble pool of hamster embryo cells. This observation is consistent with prior unexplained observations, in intact animals, that the methyl group of S -adenosyl methionine can be used for deoxythymidine synthesis. This is the only modified ribonucleoside known to be salvaged through pathways in normal cells. Several possible pathways for salvage were investigated.
The relationship between high and low trait psychological stress, serum testosterone, and serum cortisol

Psychological stress, as measured by the parameters of trait anxiety, hostility, and depression, was compared in the group of males age 30–55 with serum levels of testosterone. Those males who were classified as high psychological stress had significantly lower testosterone levels than did their low stress counterparts. However, comparison of their serum cortisol values revealed similar concentrations in both groups.
Probability Distribution of Statistical Energy Analysis Model Responses Due to Parameter Randomness

The Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) methodology has been widely used in aerospace, ship and automotive industry for high frequency noise analysis and acoustic designs. SEA models are treated here as baseline representations of a population of models for systems such as automotive vehicles. SEA responses from the population of all possible models for a vehicle have a random distribution because of the unavoidable uncertainty in the physical parameters due to fabrication imperfection, manufacturing and assembly variations. The random characteristics of the SEA responses can be described by the response probability distribution. In this work, SEA energy response probability distributions due to parameter randomness in a small neighborhood of nominal design values in frequency bands are proven through the Central Limit Theorem to be Gaussian for infinite number of design parameters. Mean squared sound pressure and velocity are directly proportional to SEA energy responses, their distributions are also shown to be Gaussian. In engineering applications, the number of design parameters is always finite for any SEA models. A Monte Carlo test and Statistical Hypothesis test on a simple 3-element SEA model show that the theoretical, infinite order, Gaussian distributions are good approximations for response distributions of a finite parameter SEA model.
78. Fornix and mammillary body volumes in individuals with schizophrenia

Bilateral volume reductions in the hippocampus and declarative memory impairment are both consistent findings among individuals with schizophrenia. The hippocampus and its primary inputs are involved in declarative memory formation. There is also evidence, though less conclusive, that the hippocampal efferent pathway and a primary synaptic target, i.e., the fornix and the mammillary bodies, play a role in learning and memory. Thus, memory deficits and associated abnormalities in various components of the medial temporal lobe system may be key characteristics of schizophrenia. MRI studies have examined hippocampal and parahippocampal volumes, but not the volumes of the fornix and the mammillary bodies in schizophrenics. Subjects included 44 individuals with DSM-IV schizophrenia and 44 normal controls for the volumetric analysis of the fornix. For a subset of the sample (20 patients and 26 normal controls), for whom the structures were clearly measurable, analysis of the mammillary bodies was also completed. Sixty contiguous 3 millimeter coronal slices were acquired on a 1.5 Tesla magnet. A new method was utilized to measure the width of the fornix and estimate the area of the mammillary bodies. Findings showed no differences in either of these measures of the fornix or mammillary bodies between schizophrenics and normal controls. We have found hippocampal and parahippocampal volume reductions in these individuals with schizophrenia (see Seidman et al., this issue). Thus, it appears that abnormalities are limited to those components of the “medial temporal lobe memory system.” Additional analyses will correlate brain volume and memory performance in these patients.
Neurocognitive Impairment is Associated with Lower Health Literacy Among Persons Living with HIV Infection

This study sought to determine the effects of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) on health literacy, which encompasses the ability to access, understand, appraise, and apply health-related information. Participants included 56 HIV seropositive individuals, 24 of whom met Frascati criteria for HAND, and 24 seronegative subjects who were comparable on age, education, ethnicity, and oral word reading. Each participant was administered a brief battery of well-validated measures of health literacy, including the Expanded Numeracy Scale (ENS), Newest Vital Sign (NVS), Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), and Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS). Results revealed significant omnibus differences on the ENS and NVS, which were driven by poorer performance in the HAND group. There were no significant differences on the REALM or the BHLS by HAND status. Among individuals with HAND, lower scores on the NVS were associated with greater severity of neurocognitive dysfunction (e.g., working memory and verbal fluency) and self-reported dependence in activities of daily living. These preliminary findings suggest that HAND hinders both fundamental (i.e., basic knowledge, such as numeracy) and critical (i.e., comprehension and application of healthcare information) health literacy capacities, and therefore may be an important factor in the prevalence of health illiteracy. Health literacy-focused intervention may play an important role in the treatment and health trajectories among persons living with HIV infection.
A low-cost calibration method for automated optical mensuration using a video camera

Automated optical mensuration gauges the acquired image of the inspected unit while assessing its actual size and shape. The mensuration requires the following preparations: (1) alignment of the video camera perpendicularly to the inspection table, and (2) calibration of the scale ratios of image acquisition, notably, the stretching ratio caused by signal conversion and the magnification ratio of optical coupling. This paper presents the unique two-stage calibration method. The first stage applies the parallelogram conservation property, a property very sensitive to misorientation, to test against the potential misalignment. Once detected, we adjust the misalignment towards orthogonal alignment using image patterns of the calibration template. Then, the second stage determines the scale ratios. The proposed calibration method is suitable for on-site applications, and its implementation cost is low. Sensitivity analysis and experimental results are reported.
Analysis of an algorithm for real time garbage collection

A real time garbage collection system avoids suspending the operations of a list processor for the long times that garbage collection normally requires by performing garbage collection on a second processor in parallel with list processing operations, or on a single processor time-shared with them. Algorithms for recovering discarded list structures in this manner are presented and analyzed to determine sufficient conditions under which the list processor never needs to wait on the collector. These techniques are shown to require at most twice as much processing power as regular garbage collectors, if they are used efficiently. The average behavior of the program is shown to be very nearly equal to the worst-case performance, so that the sufficient conditions are also suitable for measuring the typical behavior of the algorithm.
Computer-assisted instruction in libraries: guidelines for effective lesson design

Computer assisted instruction (CAI) is a powerful technology that librarians have been quick to discover. However, surprisingly little quality software exists for library applications. Librarians are faced by the necessity of designing their own software to support specific objectives. The design and production of CAI software involves numerous steps, which are discussed in this article.
Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and β2 integrins in C1q‐stimulated superoxide production by human neutrophils: An example of a general regulatory mechanism governing acute inflammation

Objective, To investigate the role of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and beta 2 integrins in the production of superoxide (O-2(-)) by C1q-stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Methods. PMN were pretreated with F(ab')(2) fragments of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that blocked or did not block beta 2 integrin-mediated adhesion. The cells were added to wells coated with C1q, and the production of O-2(-) was monitored kinetically as a color change due to reduction of cytochrome c, In some experiments, C1q was co-immobilized with purified ICAM-1, Results. Blocking mAb to the shared beta 2 integrin subunit, CD18, completely inhibited the O-2(-) response triggered by immobilized C1q, while blocking mAb to the alpha subunits of the beta 2 integrins each partially blocked the O-2(-) response. PMN treated with C1q were found to activate the beta 2 integrins lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 and CR3 for binding to ICAM-1. Co-immobilization of ICAM-1 with C1q cooperatively triggered O-2(-) production by PMN, Conclusion. beta 2 integrin binding to an ICAM provided an essential costimulatory signal for O-2(-) production triggered by C1q in PMN, Our findings suggest a model for PMN activation in which 2 stimuli are required for O-2(-) production: a first signal that also activates PMN beta 2 integrins, followed by a second, beta 2 integrin-mediated signal, which occurs physiologically upon PMN binding to ICAM-1, The requirement for this dual signal for PMN generation of O-2(-) would serve as a regulatory mechanism to limit the production of O-2(-) to a tissue environment where C1q, or some other stimulus, is colocalized with stromal cells bearing upregulated ICAM-1, This mechanism may explain why all tissues can express ICAM-1 and may explain in part why inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor alpha, a major physiologic stimulus of ICAM-1 up-regulation, are potent antiinflammatory agents
Deficient Repair of Particulate Hexavalent chromium-Induced DNA Double Strand Breaks Leads To Neoplastic Transformation

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a potent respiratory toxicant and carcinogen. The most carcinogenic forms of Cr(VI) are the particulate salts such as lead chromate, which deposit and persist in the respiratory tract after inhalation. We demonstrate here that particulate chromate induces DNA double strand breaks in human lung cells with 0.1, 0.5, and 1 microg/cm(2) lead chromate inducing 1.5, 2, and 5 relative increases in the percent of DNA in the comet tail, respectively. These lesions are repaired within 24 h and require Mre11 expression for their repair. Particulate chromate also caused Mre11 to co-localize with gamma-H2A.X and ATM. Failure to repair these breaks with Mre11-induced neoplastic transformation including loss of cell contact inhibition and anchorage-independent growth. A 5-day exposure to lead chromate induced loss of cell contact inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner with 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 microg/cm(2) lead chromate inducing 1, 78, and 103 foci in 20 dishes, respectively. These data indicate that Mre11 is critical to repairing particulate Cr(VI)-induced double strand breaks and preventing Cr(VI)-induced neoplastic transformation.
Design of an Accurate Auto-focusing Method by Using Elliptic Optical Apparatus

A novel auto-focusing measuring method by using elliptic mirror is proposed to improve detecting accuracy and miniaturize optical apparatus. The method is especially effective in machining and inspection for rough surface material, like solar cell.
Human liver triiodothyronine sulfotransferase: copurification with phenol sulfotransferases.

To ascertain whether triiodothyronine (T3) sulfotransferase coeluted with the known phenol sulfotransferases (PSTs) during purification, human liver thermostable PST, thermolabile PST, and T3 sulfo...
The double-step Newton method for polynomials with all real zeros

This note is a self-contained proof of an interesting property of the double-step Newton method, applied to the computation of the largest or smallest zero of a real polynomial with all real zeros. It deals with what occurs when the iterates overshoot the zero. Our proof technique seems more transparent than the one usually found in the literature, and may make future extensions of the theorem possible.
Horatio Oliver Ladd: A New England Conscience for New Mexico

The decades of the 1870's and 1880's were times of increasing social consciousness on the part of the churches of the United States. The Civil War had been concluded, and the expansion of the nation within its own borders was resumed. All of the religious bodies— Protestant, Jewish, and Roman Catholic—were called upon to perform a task which neither the government nor any organized secular group was prepared to do: integrate literally millions of immigrants into the American way of life.
US gene therapy in crisis

The recent death of a young man, Jesse Gelsinger, in a gene therapy experiment has sent shock waves throughout the US research community. This tragic event has raised new questions about the prospects for human gene therapy. And it has also reopened old controversies about how best to guide the development of this field.
The New York risk score for in-hospital and 30-day mortality for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background Simplified risk scores for coronary artery bypass graft surgery are frequently in lieu of more complicated statistical models and are valuable for informed consent and choice of intervention. Previous risk scores have been based on in-hospital mortality, but a substantial number of patients die within 30 days of the procedure. These deaths should also be accounted for, so we have developed a risk score based on in-hospital and 30-day mortality. Methods New York's Cardiac Surgery Reporting System was used to develop an in-hospital and 30-day logistic regression model for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 2009, and this model was converted into a simple linear risk score that provides estimated in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates for different values of the score. The accuracy of the risk score in predicting mortality was tested. This score was also validated by applying it to 2008 New York coronary artery bypass graft data. Subsequent analyses evaluated the ability of the risk score to predict complications and length of stay. Results The overall in-hospital and 30-day mortality rate for the 10,148 patients in the study was 1.79%. There are seven risk factors comprising the score, with risk factor scores ranging from 1 to 5, and the highest possible total score is 23. The score accurately predicted mortality in 2009 as well as in 2008, and was strongly correlated with complications and length of stay. Conclusions The risk score is a simple way of estimating short-term mortality that accurately predicts mortality in the year the model was developed as well as in the previous year. Perioperative complications and length of stay are also well predicted by the risk score.
Nonlinear High-Order Core Theory for Sandwich Plates with Orthotropic Phases

case of transversely loaded plates are produced for several typical sandwich configurations. These results are compared with the corresponding ones from the elasticity solution. Furthermore, the results using the classical sandwich model with and without shear are also presented. The comparison among these numerical results shows that the solution from the current theory is very close to that of the elasticity in terms of both the displacements and the transverse stress through the core. Observations in the current work suggest that this new high-order theory could have significant applications in studying the structural and failure behavior of sandwich plates.
Simultaneous uvulitis and epiglottitis in adults

The emergency physician must be aware of the varied ways in which epiglottitis can present. This report discusses two adult patients who presented with symptoms and signs indicative of uvulitis who were found to have associated epiglottitis. Neither patient reported respiratory difficulty but both experienced significant pain upon swallowing and were febrile with an enlarged, erythematous uvula. Management consisted of close observation and treatment with an intravenous antibiotic and corticosteroid. The emergency physician should consider the possibility of coexistent epiglottitis in the adult patient who presents with uvulitis.
Seven lysine isoaccepting tRNA's from polyoma virus-transformed cells.

Abstract Chromatography of lysyl-tRNA from polyoma virus-transformed mouse fibroblasts on benzoylated diethylaminoethyl cellulose gives four iso-accepting species. One of the isoacceptors is a major species in transformed cells but not in normal cells. In a reverse-phase chromatographic system, five isoacceptors are clearly resolved, one is poorly resolved, and one is observed only with difficulty. A comparison of the results of the two systems reveals a total of seven identifiable isoacceptors of lysyl-tRNA.
Serial assessment of glomerular filtration rate in lupus nephropathy

In patients with lupus nephropathy (LN), previous studies have shown that creatinine clearance (CCr) overestimates true glomerular filtration rate as measured by inulin clearance (CIn), and that among patients the degree of overestimation is highly variable. We sought to determine whether the discrepancy between CCr and CIn remains constant over time (months, years) in each individual patient, and therefore whether serial measurements of CCr reliably reflect the direction and magnitude of change in CIn. Twenty-five patients with LN underwent simultaneous determinations of CCr and CIn performed two to four (mean 3.3) times over three years. In a given patient, it was found that the ratio of CCr/CIn changed substantially over time (mean SD 0.16 with 95% confidence interval of 0.12 to 0.20). Thus, in about 32% of cases the ratio of CCr/CIn will vary more than +/- 16% from a previously measured value of CCr/CIn. Patients with both high and low values of CIn showed similar variability in CCR/CIn over time. Variability in CCr/CIn was found regardless of whether CIn was increasing, decreasing, or constant over time. In nearly one-half of all measurements of CCr, the corresponding change in CIn was directionally discordant. Iothalamate and technetium-DTPA renal clearances correlated highly with CIn (R2 = 0.99). We conclude that the discrepancy between CCr and CIn can vary greatly over time in an individual patient. Consequently, serial CCr does not accurately measure the direction or magnitude of change in glomerular filtration rate in lupus nephropathy.
Raman spectroscopy of metal complexes in zeolite cavities: Cause and removal of interfering photoemission

The major impediment to obtaining Raman spectra from zeolitic matrices is the high-background photoemission that obscures the vibrational spectra. The source of this photoemission arises from hydrocarbon impurities, which can be effectively removed by oxidation. Spontaneous Raman spectra from organometallic complexes in zeolite cavities can be readily observed under these conditions. A study of the pyridine vibrations of Cu(NC5H5)2+4 inside zeolite Y cavities is presented.
Erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume as a surrogate marker for 6‐thioguanine nucleotide concentration monitoring in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with azathioprine or 6‐mercaptopurine

Mean corpuscular volume may correlate with erythrocyte 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentrations in patients treated with azathioprine and 6-mercaptourine. We conducted a study of 166 patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine to determine the relationship between mean corpuscular volume and erythrocyte 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentrations, disease activity as measured by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (active disease 170), and leukopenia. Blood was submitted for mean corpuscular volume, whole blood 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentration, and leukocyte count. The mean +/- SD mean corpuscular volume during treatment was 94.7 +/- 6.6 fL and the mean +/- SD change in mean corpuscular volume was 7.5 +/- 6.3 fL. There were significant correlations between mean corpuscular volume and erythrocyte 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentration (r(s) = 0.33, p < 0.001) and between change from baseline in mean corpuscular volume and erythrocyte 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentration (r(s) = 0.26, p = 0.001). There was no correlation between Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores and mean corpuscular volume values (r(s) = 0.01, p = 0.94). The mean corpuscular volume values in 55 patients with active disease and 111 patients in remission were similar (95.1 vs. 94.5 fL, p = 0.57). There was a weak negative correlation between the mean corpuscular volume and the leukocyte count, (r(s) = -0.18, p = 0.022). In patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine, mean corpuscular volume and change from baseline in mean corpuscular volume correlated with erythrocyte 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentrations and negatively with leukocyte counts, but did not correlate with disease activity as measured by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire. Measurement of mean corpuscular volume is a simple and inexpensive alternative to measurement of 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentrations in patients treated with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine.
Platelet adherence to bioprosthetic cardiac valves

Tissue from porcine aortic bioprosthetic valves (Hancock) and bovine pericardial valves (Ionescu-Shiley) were incubated with platelets tagged with chromium-51. There was a significantly decreased platelet-collagen adhesion reaction in both porcine and bovine glutaraldehyde-treated valves compared with reactions in fresh porcine aortic valve and fresh bovine pericardium (p less than 0.001). There was no significant difference in the platelet-collagen reaction between porcine aortic valve and bovine pericardium, whether treated with glutaraldehyde or in the fresh state (p greater than 0.05). The addition of aspirin did not significantly decrease the platelet-collagen reaction on glutaraldehyde-treated or fresh valves (p greater than 0.05). Rinsing fresh valves in plasma appeared to offer more protection against platelet adhesion than rinsing them in saline solution (p less than 0.01). It is concluded that there is no difference in platelet adherence to porcine aortic valve or bovine pericardium and that glutaraldehyde, and perhaps plasma, offers a protective effect against platelet adhesion.
Metal-Switching and Self-Inclusion of Functional Cavitands

Cavitands bearing both eight (5) and two (13) metal-ligating carboxymethylphosphonate groups on their rims were synthesized by Arbuzov reaction of the corresponding bromoacetamido cavitands with trialkyl phosphites. These exist in the vase conformation in CDCl3 and are stabilized by a cyclic seam of hydrogen bonds. This structure was also found in the solid state for the octabromoacetamide 4a and diphosphonate cavitand 13 by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Cavitands 5 and 13 form caviplexes in CDCl3, CD2Cl2, and alcohol solutions with adamantane derivatives 15a,b, quinuclidine 15d, ammonium and phosphonium salts 14, and drugs like ibuprofen 15c, all of which are stable on the NMR time scale at 295 K. NMR spectroscopy reveals that at 223 K octaphosphonate 5b exists in two forms: the major C4-symmetrical compound is filled with solvent while the minor species shows intramolecular inclusion of a dialkoxyphosphoryl group. In methanol-d4 5 and 13 exist in a lower symmetry vase conformation with self-inclusion ...
Integrative Treatment of Reflux and Functional Dyspepsia in Children

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional dyspepsia (FD) are common problems in the pediatric population, with up to 7% of school-age children and up to 8% of adolescents suffering from epigastric pain, heartburn, and regurgitation. Reflux is defined as the passage of stomach contents into the esophagus, while GERD refers to reflux symptoms that are associated with symptoms or complications—such as pain, asthma, aspiration pneumonia, or chronic cough. FD, as defined by the Rome III classification, is a persistent upper abdominal pain or discomfort, not related to bowel movements, and without any organic cause, that is present for at least two months prior to diagnosis. Endoscopic examination is typically negative in FD, whereas patients with GERD may have evidence of esophagitis or gastritis either grossly or microscopically. Up to 70% of children with dyspepsia exhibit delayed gastric emptying. Treatment of GERD and FD requires an integrative approach that may include pharmacologic therapy, treating concurrent constipation, botanicals, mind body techniques, improving sleep hygiene, increasing physical activity, and traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
SU‐GG‐T‐209: A Novel Method for Further Analysis of IMRT QA

Purpose:IMRT QA is often performed with a commercial device that compares 2D intensity maps to determine if a field passes certain dose and position criteria. The effect of an intensity map error on 3D dosimetry and DVH is clinically relevant but often not considered in IMRT QA. We herein exam the 3D dosimetric impact of IMRT failures measured with a 2D IMRT QA tool. Methods and Materials: 22 IMRT plans had at least one field fail QA using MapCHECK 2, and these were further analyzed using in‐house software to perform a DVH analysis. The MapCHECK 2 passing criteria was 95% of measured points had to be within 5% of the planned dose and have a distance‐to‐agreement of 4mm. Software was installed in our treatment planning system, PlanUNC, that reads intensity maps measured with the MapCHECK 2 and creates DVHs for 3D dose analysis. The software allows for field segment adjustment of MLC positions to address field edge failures and modification of prescribed MUs to address detector points that failed QA. Results: Of the 22 plans that had a field fail initial QA with MapCHECK 2, it was determined that 16/22 and 3/22 plans were within 1% and 2% of the planned CTV and critical structure DVHs. 3/22 plans were found to have DVH differences greater than 2%, and MU values were therefore altered in the treatment plan. Conclusions: Further analysis following an initial IMRT QA with the MapCHECK 2 is often needed to address the 3D dosimetric effects of the measured plan. Software has been installed into PLUNC that allows for 3D analysis for IMRT QA. Our analysis shows that using the MapCHECK 2 passing criteria of dose within 5% and 4mm DTA is sufficient, since 19/22 plans failing this criteria are within 2% of the planned DVH.
Structural and dielectric properties of Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 thin films grown on thin Bi layer-coated Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates

Abstract In this work, the growth and study of dielectric properties of Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 (BST) thin films grown on thin Bi layer coated Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates, depending on thin Bi layer thickness is reported. The BST thin film (thickness 180 nm) grown on 10-nm-thick Bi layer exhibited more improved structural and dielectric properties than that grown on bare Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate. The 10-nm-thick Bi layer in optimum configuration was effective for the grain growth of BST phase and suppressed the formation of the oxygen-deficient layer at the interface between the BST thin film and bottom electrode, which resulted in an increase in dielectric constant and a decrease in leakage current density of the Pt/BST thin film/Pt capacitor.
Influence of Vessel Surfaces on the Nucleation of Protein Crystals

Treatment of vessel surfaces is common practice in many protein crystallization protocols. The research reported here shows that such treatments can have a significant effect on the resulting kinetics of protein crystallization. Untreated and silanized low-protein-binding polystyrene wells were used in batch isothermal crystallization experiments with the model protein lysozyme. An automated photomicroscopy apparatus was used to measure the induction time as a function of supersaturation, and the corresponding nucleation kinetics were determined and modeled using classical nucleation theory. The use of silanized wells led to a transition from homogeneous nucleation to heterogeneous nucleation that is not observed for the untreated polystyrene wells. The silanizing compounds are similar to those used in high-performance liquid chromatography stationary phases for protein separations. While the silanizing compounds beneficially modify the surface tension in the crystallization vessels, they also inadvertent...
A non-iterative greedy algorithm for multi-frame point correspondence

We present a framework for finding point correspondences in monocular image sequences over multiple frames. The general problem of multiframe point correspondence is NP hard for three or more frames. A polynomial time algorithm for a restriction of this problem is presented, and is used as the basis of proposed greedy algorithm for the general problem. The greedy nature of the proposed algorithm allows it to be used in real time systems for tracking and surveillance etc. In addition, the proposed algorithm deals with the problems of occlusion, missed detections, and false positives, by using a single noniterative greedy optimization scheme, and hence, reduces the complexity of the overall algorithm as compared to most existing approaches, where multiple heuristics are used for the same purpose. While most greedy algorithms for point tracking do not allow for entry and exit of points from the scene, this is not a limitation for the proposed algorithm. Experiments with real and synthetic data show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing techniques and is applicable in more general settings.
Use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for the study of corrosion protection by polymer coatings

A discussion of the requirements for hardware and software necessary for collection and analysis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data for polymer coated metals is presented. Most authors agree that a simple model can describe the frequency dependence of impedance spectra for polymer coated metals exposed to corrosive environments. The water uptake of the coating can be estimated from the time dependence of the coating capacitance C c, The pore resistance R po depends both on the resistivity ρ of the coating and the disbonded area A d. The polarization resistance R P of the corroding area under the coating and the corresponding capacitance C dl both depend on A d. The breakpoint frequency method is discussed in detail and the dependence of the breakpoint frequency f b on ρ and A d is derived. In addition to f b other parameters can be obtained which depend on the ratio A d/ρ or only on A d or ρ. Since these parameters can be obtained at frequencies exceeding 1 Hz without the need for an analysis of the impedance spectra in the entire frequency region, this approach is considered especially useful for corrosion monitoring. The concepts proposed for the analysis and interpretation of EIS data for polymer coated metals are illustrated using data for Al alloys, Mg and steel exposed to NaCl. For an alkyd coating on cold rolled steel the time dependence of A d and ρ during exposure to 0.5 m NaCl has been determined qualitatively using the modified breakpoint frequency method.
Conditioned olfactory aversion in the male Mongolian gerbil

Two experiments were conducted to investigate conditioned aversion to the odor of phenylacetic acid in the male Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). In Experiment 1, 60 subjects were exposed to a cotton swab coated with phenylacetic acid placed in the center of a 1-m-square open field for two 5-min sessions 48 h apart. Half of the subjects received an injection of LiCl immediately after Session 1, while the rest received saline. The LiCl subjects quickly learned to avoid the phenylacetic acid in Session 2, as demonstrated by significantly (p <.01) lower investigation time and frequency of approach, and longer latency to contact. In Experiment 2, 30 subjects were exposed to a clean cotton swab, and did not show any conditioned aversion. This research demonstrated that the conditioned aversion paradigm can be extended to olfactory aversion to phenylacetic acid in male gerbils.
Temperature and teleost immune functions

Low environmental temperatures are immunosuppressive for ectothermic vertebrates, such as teleosts. In particular the available data support the notion that, at least in channel catfish, virgin T cells, rather than memory T cells, B cells or accessory cells are particularly susceptible to the inhibitory influences of lower temperatures on adaptive immune responses. The probable mechanisms involved in such suppression in teleosts are reviewed, and considerations are offered regarding cause and effect relationships between such immunosuppression and the development of infectious diseases in fish.
Boundary conditions for diffusion in the pack-aluminizing of nickel

The surface compositions of nickel specimens coated for various lengths of time in aluminizing packs at 2000 F were studied, in order to obtain information about the kinetics of the pack-cementation process in the formation of aluminide coatings. The results obtained indicate that the surface compositions of the coated nickel specimens are independent of time, at least for time between 0.5 and 20 hrs. Another important observation is that the specimens gained weight during the coating process.
Characterization of isolated Fe-loaded rat hepatocytes prepared by collagenase perfusion

Hepatocytes from livers of rats loaded by Fe-dextran treatment were isolated by an in situ collagenase perfusion technique and evaluated for their biochemical, cytochemical, and morphological characteristics in cell culture. Iron loads 15 times higher than in normal rat liver cells isolated in the same way were retained in the preparations with 40% present as hemosiderin. A simple centrifugation-mathematical approach is described for the calculation of Fe content in the hepatocyte (95%) and reticuloendothelial (5%) fractions in the isolates. The cells were cultured for 22 h without loss of protein synthesis capability or significant changes in cell count, viability, endogenous glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) or Fe and were morphologically similar in most respects to unloaded (normal) hepatocytes similarly cultured. Studies are in progress to assess the utility of these preparations as a model for Fe mobilization from Fe-loaded animals.
Electron-energy-loss spectroscopy and ordered adsorbate layers on the Ni(100) surface

We have studied the lattice dynamics of ordered overlayers of adsorbate atoms on the (100) surface of an fcc crystal, with emphasis on contact with recent electron-energy-loss data on the $p(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ and $c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ overlayers of oxygen on the Ni(100) surface. This is done within a model that fits the bulk phonon spectrum of Ni with nearest-neighbor centralforce couplings, and extracts adsorbate-substrate force constants from ab initio calculations of potential-energy curves carried out by Upton and Goddard. We obtain a very good fit to the data, but only if we assume the $c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$ layer to be much closer to the surface than the $p(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)$, as suggested by Upton and Goddard. We have also applied the model to ordered overlayers of sulfur on the Ni(100) surface, and we provide theoretical energy-loss spectra for this case. Throughout the discussion an emphasis is placed on features in the energy-loss spectrum which lie below the maximum phonon frequency of the substrate.
Clonazepam and dopamine-related stereotyped behavior.

Abstract The effect of clonazepam on behavioral stereotypy induced by a number of dopaminergic agonists was investigated. Clonazepam inhibited levodopa- and amphetamine-induced behavior in guinea pigs but did not alter lergotrile- or apomorphine-induced stereotypy. The results suggest that clonazepam influences the central dopaminergic system through a direct effect of dopaminergic presynaptic mechanisms.
Finite element thermal-structural analyses of a cable-stiffened orbiting antenna

Finite element thermal-structural analyses of a cable-stiffened orbiting antenna are presented. The determination of prestresses in the antenna is described first. Heating and thermal analyses for orbiting space structures are then discussed briefly. Structural deformations and stresses are presented for three finite element structural analysis approaches: (1) small deflections, (2) stress-stiffening, and (3) large deflections. The accuracy of the three analysis approaches is evaluated for the orbiting antenna at different prestress levels.
CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE INDUCED CYSTITIS ALTERS NEUROTROPHIN AND RECEPTOR TYROSINE KINASE EXPRESSION IN PELVIC GANGLIA AND BLADDER

ABSTRACTPurpose: We examined neurotrophin and receptor tyrosine kinase (Trk) expression in the bladder and major pelvic ganglia (MPG) after cyclophosphamide induced cystitis in rats.Materials and Methods: The bladder and MPG were used in immunohistochemical studies, enzyme-linked immunoassays and Western blots for nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), TrkA and TrkB. Bladder postganglionic MPG cells were labeled by tracing techniques.Results: NGF and BDNF expression was decreased in the bladder of all rats after cystitis (p ≤0.001). NGF and BDNF expression was increased in the MPG in male rats with cystitis (p ≤0.01). Cells expressing TrkA and TrkB immunoreactivity (IR) increased 78% to 81% in the MPG in male rats with cystitis. TrkA-IR or TrkB-IR bladder postganglionic cells increased 50% to 74% with cystitis. Cystitis increased TrkA-IR 5 to 10-fold and TrkB-IR 10 to 12-fold in detrusor muscle. TrkA-IR and TrkB-IR were prominent in control urothelium but decreased with cysti...
Evaluating the Performance of Simultaneous Stepwise Confidence Intervals for the Difference between two Poisson Rates

We consider the problem of simultaneously estimating Poisson rate differences via applications of the Hsu and Berger stepwise confidence interval method (termed HBM), where comparisons to a common reference group are performed. We discuss continuity-corrected confidence intervals (CIs) and investigate the HBM performance with a moment-based CI, and uncorrected and corrected for continuity Wald and Pooled confidence intervals (CIs). Using simulations, we compare nine individual CIs in terms of coverage probability and the HBM with nine intervals in terms of family-wise error rate (FWER) and overall and local power. The simulations show that these statistical properties depend highly on parameter settings.
Spaced Retrieval Training: 26 Years of Growth

Clinicians frequently use spaced retrieval training (SRT) to assist people with memory loss in retention and recall functional information. The body of literature surrounding SRT has made valuable ...
7014 Assessment of the effect of experience and pathology interpretation on accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (eus fna).

Background: A learning curve exists for mastering endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). EUS identification, staging and biopsy of pancreatic mass lesions are probably the most technically demanding skills. Aims: To evaluate the effect of an 8 month learning phase on the diagnostic accuracy of EUS FNA in pancreatic masses and to assess the source of the varying diagnostic accuracy between initial and later procedures. Methods: Retrospective chart review identified 65 patients (pts) with pancreatic masses who underwent EUS FNA between 4/98 and 8/99, 23 of whom were endoscoped by 3 endosonographers without prior EUS FNA procedural experience. These 3 have their initial experience represented by 4/98-12/98 (group A) which also included a formal training period in 11/98, and their advanced experience by 1/99-8/99 (group B). The pts final diagnosis was determined using surgical pathology or clinical follow-up. Pathologists were also gaining experience in interpreting EUS FNA during this time period. A representative sample of 12 EUS FNA samples were reviewed by 3 blinded pathologists to determine the relative contribution of pathologist interpretation to varying accuracy of EUS FNA yield. Results: In group A, 10 of 12 pts had a malignant pancreatic mass; in group B, 9 of 11 pts had a malignancy. EUS FNA had sensitivity of 30%, specificity 100%, accuracy 42% (group A) compared to sensitivity 89% (p,0.000001), specificity 100% and accuracy 91% (p,0.000001) (group B). To determine why the accuracy of EUS FNA changed, pathologists reviewed 12 EUS FNA samples (8, group A; 4, group B), all with ultimately proven malignancy. In group A, failure to make the correct diagnosis was due to poor cellularity (inadequate specimen) in 50% and adequate specimens but inaccurate targeting in 25% (benign acinar material identified only). In group B, correct diagnosis was made in all cases, all specimens showed both adequate cellularity and accurate sampling. Overall, pathology review showed good correlation with original FNA interpretation; 6 ACA samples were all reinterpreted as ACA, 6 benign samples were reread as 4 benign, 1 suspicious, 1 non-diagnostic. Conclusion: The accuracy of EUS FNA in solid pancreas mass lesions improves with experience and training. EUS FNA inaccuracy during the initial learning phase is primarily due to inadequate specimens but also to inaccurate targeting. Pathology interpretation of EUS FNA specimens from pancreas masses is consistent.