cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid Operational Access and Maneuver Support platform for military logistics and operation planning in water environments

Logistical and combat operations in riverine, estuarine, and coastal environments remain a key military focus due to limited maneuverability, imperfect knowledge, and rapidly changing constraints. ...
Infection of dendritic cells by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

Dendritic cells (DCs) comprise the major antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of the host, uniquely programmed to stimulate immunologically naive T lymphocytes. Viruses that can target and disorder the function of these cells enjoy a selective advantage. The cellular receptor for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Lassa fever virus (LFV), and several other arenaviruses is α-dystroglycan (α-DG). Among cells of the immune system, CD11c+ and DEC-205+ DCs primarily and preferentially express α-DG. By selection, strains and variants of LCMV generated as quasi-species that bind α-DG with high affinity replicate in the majority of CD11c+ and DEC-205+ (>75%) DCs, causing a generalized immunosuppression, and establish a persistent infection. In contrast, viral strains and variants that bind with low affinity to α-DG display minimal replication in CD11c+ and DEC-205+ DCs (<10%), rarely replicate in the white pulp, and generate a robust anti-LCMV CTL response that clears the virus infection. Hence, receptor-virus interaction on DCs in vivo is an essential step in the initiation of virus-induced immunosuppression and viral persistence. Investigation into the mechanism of how virus-infected DCs cause immunosuppression reveals loss of MHC class II surface expression and costimulatory molecules on surface of such DCs. As a consequence DCs are unable to act as APCs, initiate immune responses, and have a defect in migration into the T cell area. These data indicate that LCMV infection influences DC maturation and migration, leading to decreased T cell stimulatory capacity of DCs, events essential for the initiation of immune responses. Because several other viruses known to cause immunosuppression (HIV, measles) interact with DCs, the observations noted here are likely a common selective mechanism by which viruses also are able to evade the host’s immune system.
Molecular Probes for Imaging Fibrosis and Fibrogenesis

Fibrosis, or the accumulation of extracellular matrix molecules that make up scar tissue, is a common result of chronic tissue injury. Advances in the clinical management of fibrotic diseases have been hampered by the low sensitivity and specificity of noninvasive early diagnostic options, lack of surrogate end points for use in clinical trials, and a paucity of noninvasive tools to assess fibrotic disease activity longitudinally. Hence, the development of new methods to image fibrosis and fibrogenesis is a large unmet clinical need. Herein, an overview of recent and selected molecular probes for imaging of fibrosis and fibrogenesis by magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and single photon emission computed tomography is provided.
SURMOF Induced Morphological Crystal Engineering of Substituted Benzamides

Well-established, self-assembled monolayers are further explored and extended to SURMOFs as basic template heterosurfaces by using a basic stranded HKUST metal–organic framework (MOF) as an example. The prepared SURMOF was used to study morphological crystal engineering of substituted benzamides. Prepared SURMOF substrates surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and confirmed through thin film X-ray diffraction. Here we proved that the MOF surface exhibited adsorption of the substituted benzamides nucleus during both nucleation and growth directed due to the weak supramolecular interactions. MOF induced nucleation was investigated and showed control over the substituted benzamides for morphological engineering. Hence the concept of MOF induced morphological crystal engineering is adapted to the field of morphology crystal engineering and showed the additional advantage of heterogeneous nucleation.
Visual Analytics for Automated Model Discovery.

A recent advancement in the machine learning community is the development of automated machine learning (autoML) systems, such as autoWeka or Google's Cloud AutoML, which automate the model selection and tuning process. However, while autoML tools give users access to arbitrarily complex models, they typically return those models with little context or explanation. Visual analytics can be helpful in giving a user of autoML insight into their data, and a more complete understanding of the models discovered by autoML, including differences between multiple models. In this work, we describe how visual analytics for automated model discovery differs from traditional visual analytics for machine learning. First, we propose an architecture based on an extension of existing visual analytics frameworks. Then we describe a prototype system Snowcat, developed according to the presented framework and architecture, that aids users in generating models for a diverse set of data and modeling tasks.
Integrative Materials Design of Three-Phase Mo-Si-B Alloys

Mo-Si-B alloys can offer higher temperature capability than Ni-base superalloys with proper balancing of the creep, ductility, and oxidation resistance through microstructure optimization. Mo-Si-B alloys are heterogeneous, containing both brittle and ductile phases and interfaces. Therefore, the phase fractions, their distributions, and their constitutive properties over the range of room temperature to maximum use temperature must be considered. This work addresses the optimization of mechanical properties for three-phase Mo-Si-B alloys. Three modeling tools are employed: microstructure generators to re-create statistically realistic microstructures, crystal viscoplasticity constitutive equations implemented for use with finite element solvers to capture microplasticity, and reduced-order models for evaluating important mechanical properties. In particular, the effects of microstructure on elastic modulus, yield strength, fatigue resistance, and susceptibility to brittle microcracking are considered. A novel reduced-order model is introduced for the evaluation of susceptibility to microcracking at phase interfaces. It is found that the Si content of the α-Mo phase is much more significant to the alloy’s balance of mechanical properties than the α-Mo volume fraction.
Automated intensity modulated treatment planning: The expedited constrained hierarchical optimization (ECHO) system.

Purpose To develop and implement a fully automated approach to intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment planning. Method The optimization algorithm is developed based on a hierarchical constrained optimization technique and is referred internally at our institution as expedited constrained hierarchical optimization (ECHO). Beamlet contributions to regions-of-interest are precomputed and captured in the influence matrix. Planning goals are of two classes: hard constraints that are strictly enforced from the first step (e.g., maximum dose to spinal cord), and desirable goals that are sequentially introduced in three constrained optimization problems (better planning target volume (PTV) coverage, lower organ at risk (OAR) doses, and smoother fluence map). After solving the optimization problems using external commercial optimization engines, the optimal fluence map is imported into an FDA-approved treatment planning system (TPS) for leaf sequencing and accurate full dose calculation. The dose-discrepancy between the optimization and TPS dose calculation is then calculated and incorporated into optimization by a novel dose correction loop technique using Lagrange multipliers. The correction loop incorporates the leaf sequencing and scattering effects into optimization to improve the plan quality and reduce the calculation time. The resultant optimal fluence map is again imported into TPS for leaf sequencing and final dose calculation for plan evaluation and delivery. The workflow is automated using application program interface (API) scripting, requiring user interaction solely to prepare the contours and beam arrangement prior to launching the ECHO plug-in from the TPS. For each site, parameters and objective functions are chosen to represent clinical priorities. The first site chosen for clinical implementation was metastatic paraspinal lesions treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). As a first step, 75 ECHO paraspinal plans were generated retrospectively and compared with clinically treated plans generated by planners using VMAT (volumetric modulated arc therapy) with 4 to 6 partial arcs. Subsequently, clinical deployment began in April, 2017. Results In retrospective study, ECHO plans were found to be dosimetrically superior with respect to tumor coverage, plan conformity, and OAR sparing. For example, the average PTV D95%, cord and esophagus max doses, and Paddick Conformity Index were improved, respectively, by 1%, 6%, 14%, and 15%, at a negligible 3% cost of the average skin D10cc dose. Conclusion Hierarchical constrained optimization is a powerful and flexible tool for automated IMRT treatment planning. The dosimetric correction step accurately accounts for detailed dosimetric multileaf collimator and scattering effects. The system produces high-quality, Pareto optimal plans and avoids the time-consuming trial-and-error planning process.
Advancing Empirical Science in Operations Management Research: A Clarion Call to Action

In this paper, we examine the rise of empirical operations management research in Manufacturing & Service Operations Management (M&SOM). We review 91 empirically focused papers published in M&SOM s...
Antenatal Corticosteroids for Pregnant Women at High Risk of Preterm Delivery with COVID-19 Infection: A Decision Analysis.

Objective Antenatal corticosteroids given prior to preterm deliveries reduce the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. However, steroid administration in the setting of a viral respiratory infection can worsen maternal outcomes. Therefore, the decision to administer corticosteroids must balance the neonatal benefits with the potential harm to the mother if she is infected with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to determine the gestational ages for which administering antenatal corticosteroids to women at high risk of preterm labor with concurrent COVID-19 infection results in improved combined maternal and infant outcomes. Study Design A decision-analytic model using TreeAge (2020) software was constructed for a theoretical cohort of hospitalized women with COVID-19 in the United States. All model inputs were derived from the literature. Outcomes included maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death, along with infant outcomes of death, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and neurodevelopmental delay. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were assessed from the maternal and infant perspectives. Sensitivity analyses were performed to determine if the results were robust over a range of assumptions. Results In our theoretical cohort of 10,000 women delivering between 24 and 33 weeks of gestation with COVID-19, corticosteroid administration resulted in 2,200 women admitted to the ICU and 110 maternal deaths. No antenatal corticosteroid use resulted in 1,500 ICU admissions and 75 maternal deaths. Overall, we found that corticosteroid administration resulted in higher combined QALYs up to 31 weeks of gestation in all hospitalized patients, and up to 29 weeks of gestation in ICU patients. Conclusion Administration of antenatal corticosteroids at less than 32 weeks of gestation for hospitalized patients and less than 30 weeks of gestation for patients admitted to the ICU resulted in higher combined maternal and infant outcomes compared with expectant management for women at high risk of preterm birth with COVID-19 infection. These results can guide clinicians in their counseling and management of these pregnant women. Key Points
Optimal Control Techniques for Heterogeneous UAV Swarms

Heterogeneous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) swarms offer unique opportunities for solving multi-robot missions, but also introduce novel implementation challenges. In our study, we develop Heterogeneous Decentralized Receding Horizon Control (HD-RHC) for swarm management in search & rescue missions. This new technique builds upon existing multiagent UAV work, but adds the capacity to manage a fleet of heterogeneous, diverse robot platforms that are equipped for different mission capabilities. Through high-fidelity simulation (AirSim), we derive an optimal controller, develop a method to find optimal weights for a specific mission focus, and provide a path to physical system validation. We analyze the efficiency and performance of HD-RHC controller, and discuss different ways this new method can be integrated into mission-management scenarios.
On Eshelby’s inclusion problem in nonlinear anisotropic elasticity

In this paper, the recent literature of finite eignestrains in nonlinear elastic solids is reviewed, and Eshelby’s inclusion problem at finite strains is revisited. The subtleties of the analysis o...
Terminal modification, sequence, length, and PIWI-protein identity determine piRNA stability.

Summary In animals, PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) silence transposons, fight viral infections, and regulate gene expression. piRNA biogenesis concludes with 3′ terminal trimming and 2′-O-methylation. Both trimming and methylation influence piRNA stability. Our biochemical data show that multiple mechanisms destabilize unmethylated mouse piRNAs, depending on whether the piRNA 5′ or 3′ sequence is complementary to a trigger RNA. Unlike target-directed degradation of microRNAs, complementarity-dependent destabilization of piRNAs in mice and flies is blocked by 3′ terminal 2′-O-methylation and does not require base pairing to both the piRNA seed and the 3′ sequence. In flies, 2′-O-methylation also protects small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) from complementarity-dependent destruction. By contrast, pre-piRNA trimming protects mouse piRNAs from a degradation pathway unaffected by trigger complementarity. In testis lysate and in vivo, internal or 3′ terminal uridine- or guanine-rich tracts accelerate pre-piRNA decay. Loss of both trimming and 2′-O-methylation causes the mouse piRNA pathway to collapse, demonstrating that these modifications collaborate to stabilize piRNAs.
The effects of CdS processing and glass substrates on the performance of CdTe solar cells

Cadmium sulfide films prepared by RF sputtering and close spaced sublimation (CSS) have been used for the fabrication of CdTe/CdS thin film solar cells on borosilicate glass substrates. The CdTe layer was prepared by CSS at high processing temperatures (600/spl deg/C). CdS films prepared by the chemical bath deposition process (CBD) were deposited on tin oxide coated soda lime glass substrates. For these devices the CSS CdTe films were prepared at low substrate temperatures (<550/spl deg/C). Devices prepared at low processing temperatures (CdTe-CSS/CdS-CBD) on soda lime glass substrates exhibited efficiencies in excess of 13% as measured under AM 1.5 conditions at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Metformin use among type 2 diabetics and risk of pancreatic cancer in a clinic-based case-control study.

A better understanding of the association between diabetes and pancreatic cancer (PC) may inform prevention and/or early detection strategies. Metformin has been associated with reduced risk of certain cancers, including PC, in some observational clinical studies. We assessed whether metformin use was associated with PC risk among those with type 2 diabetes (DM2), and whether metformin use modulated the association between DM2 and risk of PC. In total, 536 PC cases and 869 frequency-matched controls were recruited predominantly from University of California San Francisco medical clinics from 2006 to 2011. Eligible participants completed direct interviews using a structured risk factor questionnaire. The association between metformin use and PC risk was assessed using propensity score-weighted unconditional logistic regression methods in analyses restricted to diabetics and adjusted multivariable logistic models in the total study population. Ever use of metformin was not associated with PC risk in analyses restricted to DM2 (N = 170) participants (adjusted OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.61-1.68). In the total study population (N = 1,405) using nondiabetics as the referent group, PC risk was inversely associated with diabetes duration (ptrend < 0.001). Further, when DM2 participants were grouped by ever/never use of metformin and compared with nondiabetics, metformin use did not affect the association between DM2 and PC risk (never users: OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.78-2.67; ever users: OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.72-1.99). Results from our clinic-based case-control study suggest that metformin use is not associated with PC risk among those with DM2 and does not alter the association between DM2 and PC risk.
A Hybrid Network Architecture for Data Centers

In recent years, the concept of Big Data (BD) analytics has brought rapid changes to the way enterprises conduct business. Everyday more organizations are getting into the cloud of BD users. Due to an influx of data analytic projects, data centers and cloud-based service providers have experienced massive growth. A growth engulfed with impetuous increase of data and the rapid rise of Internet traffic has resulted in data centers facing new challenges. At the same time, service providers must meet the demands of cloud computing and emerging web applications. To fulfill those requirements, number of servers in a rack are increasing quickly with servers connected to high bandwidth switches. Present data center networks based on electrical packet switching have many disadvantages. Electrical links consume much power and have bottleneck issues. They are often not suitable to provide low latency at high throughput. A promising solution involves optical circuit switch links in the data center. Research in optical fibers has gained attention for providing high throughput, low latency, and incredibly low energy consumption. In this paper, we present a hybrid electrical and optical networking topology for data centers used in cloud computing and Big Data applications. Furthermore, we explain the reasons how the proposed architecture helps in improvements related to the performance of the data centers.
Is there a role for antibiotics in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Despite many advances in the understanding and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood. An infectious aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis has long been postulated but, even though many continue to believe that there is a ‘triggering agent for rheumatoid arthritis’, none has been identified. Currently, both sulfasalazine and minocycline have been shown to be effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and are being used increasingly. In the case of minocycline, it appears that its ability to inhibit metalloproteases is an important characteristic that may account for some or part of its action against rheumatoid arthritis. Whether the antibacterial effects of these drugs or others are important in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis continues to be investigated.
Control of vibratory networks with passive and regenerative systems

This paper considers the use of both passive and regenerative control technologies, for suppression of vibrations in externally-excited electromechanical networks. The physical constraints on passive and regenerative systems result in control-theoretic constraints on the feedback laws they can each respectively impose. For ideal regenerative systems, this constraint is less restrictive than that of passive systems, leading to an improvement in the performance achievable. However, non-ideal regenerative systems exhibit parasitic losses, which tighten the associated constraint on control feasibility. In this paper we consider the optimization of passive and regenerative feedback laws, in the context of constrained multi-objective LQG control. In this context, we develop techniques to determine how low the parasitic losses in a regenerative system have to be, in order for its optimal feasible performance to exceed that of an optimal passive system. We demonstrate the analysis on an example pertaining to stochastic vibration suppression.
Evaluating a Test of van Hiele Levels: A Response to Crowley and Wilson.

Test instruments are an important element of almost every study in mathematics education, and the test that is used obviously affects the results of the study. Yet often a test is assumed both valid and reliable, and neither its content nor its psychometric properties are given scrutiny. The analyses Crowley and Wilson have done with the Van Hiele Geometry Test are welcome. As Crowley notes, the Van Hiele Geometry Test (Usiskin, 1982) was developed by the CDASSG project in order to test the van Hiele theory. The items were written to correspond directly to statements from the van Hieles about characteristic behaviors students exhibit at each level. We were concerned that people seemed to be accepting the van Hiele theory without having given it a scientific test. Thus we attempted to answer two questions that are critical in any theory that purports to be scientific : (a) Is the theory descriptive, in the sense that a unique level can be assigned to each student; and if so (b) is the theory predictive, in the sense that the student's van Hiele level can be utilized to predict his or her performance in the traditional tenth-grade geometry course. The test has been more widely used than we would ever have imagined. Over 100 individuals have formally requested and received permission from us to duplicate it. The test has almost universally been used to determine van Hiele levels for a set of individuals. Occasionally the test has been employed as an instrument in a research study, and the van Hiele level found is used as an independent or dependent variable for further analysis. Most of the time, the test has been given to students about to take geometry in high school and is used as one device to help advise students and teachers regarding the type of course to take. Needless to say, the test was not devised for the last purpose. The rather wide usage of the Van Hiele Test indicates a perceived need for instruments that assess students in geometry, and there are few if any instruments to choose from. According to a recent NCTM publication (Braswell and Dodd, 1988), there are no mathematics tests available in the United States or Canada that assess geometry readiness.
The Draf III mucosal grafting technique: a prospective study.

Objective. The Draf III procedure is an advanced surgical option for frontal sinus disease refractory to endoscopic frontal sinusotomy and is used to expose the anterior limit of resection of the skull base during endoscopic management of anterior skull base tumors. Our objective was to evaluate outcomes of a strategy using mucosal grafts to decrease postoperative closure.Study Design. Prospective cohort.Setting. Tertiary care facility.Subjects and Methods. Patients requiring a Draf III procedure were prospectively enrolled in the study. Demographics, reason for the procedure, percentage graft viability, and complications were recorded. The primary outcome measure was anterior-posterior (AP) diameter at 3 months.Results. Mucosal grafting was performed during 29 Draf III procedures from 2008 to 2011. Twenty-seven patients (average age, 58 years) were available for measurement at 3 months (average postoperative follow-up, 15.4 months; range, 3–30 months). Reasons for the procedure included tumor (n = 14), c...
Genomic organization of the human PAX3 gene: DNA sequence analysis of the region disrupted in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

Abstract Mutations in the human PAX3 gene have previously been associated with two distinct diseases, Waardenburg syndrome and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. In this report we establish that the normal human PAX3 gene is encoded by 8 exons. Intron—exon boundary sequences were obtained for PAX3 exons 5, 6, 7, and 8 and together with previous work provide the complete genomic sequence organization for PAX3. Difficulties in obtaining overlapping genomic clone coverage of PAX3 were circumvented in part by RARE cleavage mapping, which showed that the entire PAX3 gene spans 100 kb of chromosome 2. Sequence analysis of the last intron of PAX3, which contains the previously mapped t(2;13)(q35;q14) translocation breakpoints of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, revealed the presence of a pair of inverted Alu repeats and a pair of inverted (GT) n -rich microsatellite repeats within a 5-kb region. This work establishes the complete structure of PAX3 and will permit high-resolution analyses of this locus for mutations associated with Waardenburg syndrome, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and other phenotypes for which PAX3 may be a candidate locus.
Beyond beach width: Steps toward identifying and integrating ecological envelopes with geomorphic features and datums for sandy beach ecosystems

Abstract Our understanding of ecological responses to climatic and anthropogenic forcing lags far behind that of physical or geomorphic responses for beach ecosystems. Reconciling geomorphic features of beaches with ecological features, such as intertidal zones and mobile biota that are not described by beach width alone, could help address this issue. First, although intertidal zones characterized by distinct groups of mobile burrowing animals are described for beaches, the locations and elevations of these zones do not coincide with standard shoreline datums. Second, intertidal zonation on beaches is extremely dynamic due to the combination of unstable sandy substrate and a highly mobile biota; shifting strongly with tides, waves, storms, and beach conditions. We propose that beach biota use ecological “envelopes” of cross-shore habitat to cope with constantly changing beach conditions. We estimated the extent of these “envelopes” for a variety of taxa on tidal to daily, semi-lunar and seasonal to annual time scales, using literature values on cross-shore animal movements and a field study of the positions of intertidal beds of two species of typical mid and upper shore beach invertebrates. Daily or tidal cross-shore movement varied most (1 m to 100 m) with daily “envelopes” covering 7% to 85% of the available beach width. Semi-lunar movement (12 m) and envelopes (28%) were relatively small, while estimated annual “envelopes” were large, averaging 61% of beach width. The large scope of annual ecological envelopes relative to beach widths reflects how intertidal animals escape seasonally extreme or episodically harsh conditions. Intertidal bed positions of a talitrid amphipod and an opheliid polychaete correlated well with selected beach features in our field study suggesting that incorporation of ecological envelopes in models of shoreline evolution may be feasible. Describing ecological zones in terms of more dynamic shoreline features, such as total water level (TWL) that incorporate wave setup and runup, may be particularly applicable to upper intertidal biota whose distributions closely followed the high tide strand line (HTS), a feature which tracks total water level (TWL). Developing a TWL approach may also provide new insights on habitat availability for beach nesting wildlife and coastal strand vegetation. Conservation of beach ecosystems could be enhanced by incorporating sufficient beach habitat to accommodate the dynamic ecological envelopes used by mobile intertidal invertebrates and wildlife.
Intraretinal Grafting Reveals Growth Requirements and Guidance Cues for Optic Axons in the Developing Avian Retina

Abstract To study environmental factors controlling the growth and navigation of optic axons in the eye, grafts of retinal, optic disc, optic tectum, and floor plate tissue were transplanted into organ-cultured embryonic chick or quail eyes. The growth of axons into and out of the graft was studied in cross sections of the cultured eyes and by DiI tracing in retinal whole mounts. Based on the location and trajectory of axons and based on the quantity of axons that entered and exited the grafts, several requirements for axonal navigation were established: (1) Axonal growth is restricted to an approximately 10-μm-thick layer at the vitreal surface of the retina. (2) The retinal neuroepithelium prior to axogenesis is nonpermissive for neurite outgrowth. This nonpermissive quality is transient and recedes peripherally as the differentiation of the retina progresses. (3) Embryonic axons are able to grow into neonatal and adult retinal grafts, demonstrating that older retina remains permissive for axonal growth. (4) The trajectory of axons into and from retinal grafts that had been rotated in their peripheral–central orientation showed that the retina has an inherent polarity that permits axon growth toward and away from the optic disc, but does not allow axon growth perpendicular to this direction. This centroperipheral cue operates locally rather than by long distance. (5) The optic disc provides an exit for the axons from the retina, but has no detectable neurotropic activity. Finally, optic axons from the host retina readily enter grafts of their target tissue, the optic tectum, but few axons are able to leave tectal transplants.
Sex differences in diencephalon serotonin transporter availability in major depression.

Background Major depression is more prevalent in women than men. The present study evaluated if previous findings that demonstrated decreased 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) transporter availability in depressed patients would be confirmed in a larger sample and also evaluated sex differences. Methods Depressed ( n = 32) and healthy subjects ( n = 32), including 16 pairs of women and men, participated in an iodine-123-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyltropane) ([ 123 I]β-CIT) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Participants were administered [ 123 I] β -CIT (225.7 ± 3.7 MBq) and imaged 23.0 ± 1.6 hours later. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance and a regression analysis of the main and interactive effects of age, sex, and depression. Results Overall, depressed patients demonstrated 12% lower diencephalon and no change in striatal or brainstem [ 123 I] β -CIT uptake. Significant age by sex, sex by depression, and age by sex by depression interactions were noted due to 22% lower diencephalon [ 123 I]β-CIT uptake in depressed women compared with less than a 1% decrease in depressed men. Conclusions As observed previously, diencephalon 5-HT transporter availability is decreased in depressed patients. However, the decrease appears to be sex-specific and age-dependent. These findings suggest that serotonergic mechanisms mediating depressed mood differ between men and women in an age-dependent manner and may explain why young women respond better to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants.
Line Narrowing Effect in Fully Resonant Four Wave Mixing Spectroscopy in Solids

We explain the utility of third-order nonlinear susceptibility, χ (3) (ω 2 ; ±ω 1 , \({\mp}\omega_{1}\), ω 2 ), for the observation of resonances with homogeneous widths from inhomogeneously broadened distributions in three-level systems related to Raman or two-photon allowed electronic transitions. The line narrowing and high resolution capabilities are demonstrated theoretically using a model for inhomogeneous distributions of transitions in which we regard an absorption spectrum as the composition of some inhomogeneously broadened substructures. The experimental methods to separate a signal having frequency ω 2 from ingoing beam at the same frequency are outlined.
How the serpin α1-proteinase inhibitor folds.

Serpins are remarkable and unique proteins in being able to spontaneously fold into a metastable conformation without the aid of a chaperone or prodomain. This metastable conformation is essential for inhibition of proteinases, so that massive serpin conformational change, driven by the favorable energetics of relaxation of the metastable conformation to the more stable one, can kinetically trap the proteinase-serpin acylenzyme intermediate. Failure to direct folding to the metastable conformation would lead to inactive, latent serpin. How serpins fold into such a metastable state is unknown. Using the ability of component peptides from the serpin α1PI to associate, we have now elucidated the pathway by which this serpin efficiently folds into its metastable state. In addition we have established the likely structure of the polymerogenic intermediate of the Z variant of α1PI.
The Reaction Of Fluorine And Chlorine Atoms With Formaldehyde And Deutero-Formaldehyde

The following reactions were studied by using infrared multiple photon dissociation to produce fluorine atoms, and infrared chemiluminescence to monitor the rate of reaction: Cl + H/sub 2/O ..-->.. HCl + HCO; F + H/sub 2/CO ..-->.. HF + HCO; Cl + D/sub 2/CO ..-->.. DCl + DCO; and F + D/sub 2/CO ..-->.. DF + DCO.
Structural defects and the shape of large fullerenes

Abstract Motivated by the recent experimental observation of nearly spherical multi-layer fullerenes, we investigate theoretically the role of thermally generated structural defects on the shape and stability of large fullerenes by equilibrium statistical mechanics methods. Low energy defects are generated via atom insertions and bond rotations and the resulting structures are relaxed using realistic atomic potentials. The lowest defect formation energies are about 1 eV. A free energy analysis shows that large fullerenes will contain a substantial number of such defects at high temperatures. The presence of these defects effectively spreads out the sharp “kinks” associated with the faceted ground state structure, leading to a more spherical cage of a uniform curvature.
Ca2+ and cAMP signaling pathways interact to increase the diuretic effect of serotonin in Malpighian tubules of the kissing bug. Focus on “Serotonin triggers cAMP- and PKA-1-mediated intracellular calcium waves in Malpighian tubules of Rhodnius prolixus”

it's been over two decades since a captivating search for what powers ion transport in the insect Malpighian tubule culminated in the discovery that the vacuolar-type H+ ATPase, and not the Na+-K+-ATPase, drives transepithelial transport of electrolytes ([8][1], [18][2]) and probably also organic
Three-dimensional image display in medicine

This article is a tutorial on the methods used to create three-dimensional (3-D) images for use in displaying patient anatomy. This new view into anatomy has developed over the last 10 years from the need of surgeons, radiation therapists, and radiologists to integrate the many images resulting from the recent growth in tomographic imaging including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT and MRI studies result in 30 to 100 images. 3-D imaging processes and integrates this image data volume and extracts more meaningful, derivative images via multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), shaded surface processing, or volumetric processing. MPR reslices the image volume to produce novel views of patient anatomy while retaining the image voxel intensities. Realistic shaded surface display of 3-D objects can involve extensive processing of the images to create computer representations of objects rendered into a displayable 3-D scene. Volumetric imaging combines the voxel processing of MPR with the techniques of tissue classification and surface shading to produce novel projections of the image data volume that allow automated creation of 3-D scenes without recourse to the complexities of object delineation. As the ultimate 3-D display, recent advances in computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) allow the fabrication of physical models of anatomy using computer-controlled milling machines. New technology that actually builds the model layer by layer from a liquid plastic offers the possibility of complete models with intact internal anatomy. The growth in 3-D is certain as hardware and software costs decrease and medical professionals find further applications for this technology.
A vision-based hybrid method for facial expression recognition

Facial expression is a very useful channel for intelligent human computer communication. In this paper we propose a hybrid method to recognize facial expression. Our main contributions in this study are: first, face region is detected by combing Adaboost, Skin color model and motion history image; second, feature points representing different facial expressions are separated using optical flow; third, a support vector machine classifier is used to classify these feature point's info (location, distance, angle); last, tests to explore the whole facial expression recognition process are conducted and the results are satisfactory.
mTOR signaling in epileptogenesis: too much of a good thing?

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a conserved serine/threonine protein kinase. It forms multiprotein complexes that couple extracellular signals (growth factors, nutrient availability, energy status, and stress) to cellular metabolic resources to balance anabolic and catabolic processes. In
Z-selective olefin metathesis processes catalyzed by a molybdenum hexaisopropylterphenoxide monopyrrolide complex.

The molybdenum-based monoaryloxide monopyrrolide (MAP) species, Mo(NAd)(CHCMe2Ph)(C4H4N)(HIPTO) (2a), which contains “small” imido (Ad = 1-adamantyl) and “large” aryloxide (HIPTO = O-2,6(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)C6H3) ligands, catalyzes Z-selective metathesis reactions as a consequence of intermediate metallacyclobutane species not being able to have an (anti) substituent pointing toward the HIPTO group. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of dicarbomethoxynorbornadiene (DCMNBD) with 2% 2a in toluene leads to >99% cis and >99% syndiotactic poly(DCMNBD), while ROMP of cyclooctene and 1,5-cyclooctadiene (300 equiv) with initiator 2a leads to poly(cyclooctene) and poly(cyclooctadiene) that have cis contents of >99%; all are previously unknown microstructures. Z-Selectivity is also observed in the metathesis of cis-4-octene and cis-3-hexene by initiator 2a to give cis-3-heptene.
On the psychological validity of story structure

Three expriments tested the psychological validity of the constituent units and sequencing rules of the Mandler and Johnson story grammar. If people's knowledge about stories reflects such a grammar, then it should have noticeable effects on their processing. The first experiment tested the effects of constituents structure on comprehension and recall by measuring reading and recall times of sentences within and across constituent boundaries. First sentences of constituents were slower to read and recall than second sentences. Various tests and a second experiment showed that these effects were due to story structure rather than to lexical overlap or semantic relatedness per se. The third experience tested the sequencing rules of the grammar by systematically moving constituents away from their normal positions, while at the same time providing them with surface markers to indicate the intended sequence of events. In all cases movements slowed reading time both at the place where the expected constituent was missing and at the place where it acutally occurred. Movements also results in more recall errors. The data support the position that people have incorporated knowledge about the canonical structure of stories which they use slurring processing.
Nonparametric Bayesian Multiple Imputation for Incomplete Categorical Variables in Large-Scale Assessment Surveys:

In many surveys, the data comprise a large number of categorical variables that suffer from item nonresponse. Standard methods for multiple imputation, like log-linear models or sequential regressi...
On key lesions and all that: a tribute to Paul Lohman

This paper is a tribute to Paul Lohman at the occasion of his retirement from the position of Professor in the Medical Faculty at the Leiden University in The Netherlands and as Director of its Department of Radiation Genetics and Chemical Mutagenesis. Paul's contributions to the science of genetic toxicology are discussed in the context of more recent insights as to how mammalian cells process DNA damage, and how this may lead to cancer and, possibly, aging. Starting with his work on the characterization of UV-induced DNA repair in cultured cells from xeroderma pigmentosum patients and the development of methodology for monitoring the removal of UV-induced lesions in human cells, the concept of the key lesion is introduced. Among the myriad of DNA lesions that can be induced in DNA as a consequence of exposure to a range of natural or synthetic mutagens, key lesions are the ones responsible for subsequent adverse effects, for example, because they give rise to mutation. The development of methods using immunofluorescence microscopy to detect and identify such key lesions and quantitate them at the single cell level, is one of the highlights of Paul's career. Based on the perceived need to evaluate mutational end points in vivo in relation to specific lesions identified by his immunofluorescence methods, Paul subsequently made crucial contributions to the development of the first transgenic mouse model to measure mutations in chromosomally integrated reporter genes. In parallel to his experimental work, Paul greatly contributed to genetic toxicology at the theoretical level by his work on the development and evaluation of methods for assessment or prediction of risks of exposure to environmental mutagens. Finally, Paul has served the discipline of genetic toxicology in a more administrative role in various ways, both locally as one of the founders of the Medical Genetics Center South-West Netherlands and internationally by playing a prominent role in organizations such as ICPEMC. Here, his numerous contributions to the journal Mutation Research, both as author on many papers and as Executive Managing Editor should not go unmentioned.
Prepayment dentistry and commercial insurance

Commercial insurers are well equipped in terms of capital, trained personnel, facili­ ties and experience to furnish a proved institution for the marketing of dental insurance. Because it is generally agreed that matters of economic security should be met with a variety of solutions, at the lowest level possible, with the desires of the public as a deciding factor, commer­ cial carriers must be included among those institutions that should provide dental coverage.
Dilution and Temperature Effects of Inert Addition on Soot Formation in Counterflow Diffusion Flames

Abstract —The isolated effects of fuel dilution and flame temperalure variation on soot formation have been investigated experimentally for counterflow dilTusion flames. The methodology of isolation through temperature adjustment involves changing the concentration of the fuel by diluting it with nitrogen, and then incrcasing the maximum temperature of the diluted flame back to that of the undiluted Rame by replacing a portion of the nitrogen in the oxidizer flow with an equal portion of argon. Soot quantities are determilied by using light-scattering and extinction techniques, flame temperatures by thermocouple measurements, and velocities by LDV mapping. Results on ethylene show that both temperature and dilution contribute to a reduction in the soot volume fraction and dilution accounts for a substantial amount of this reduction. I t is further found that the soot formation rate and specific surface area are linearly dependent on the initial fuel concentration, while the specific surtace growth rate is...
Pain Management and Accelerated Rehabilitation After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has historically shown excellent long-term outcomes and success. However, postoperative pain management and early patient mobilization still remain a challenge. Recent innovations in total joint replacement surgery have led to advancements not only in less invasive surgical techniques but in postoperative rehabilitation protocols and multimodal analgesia strategies as well. Expedited protocols require a multidisciplinary approach, including modified surgical exposures, pain and nausea management, aggressive physical therapy, and patient education. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative techniques of accelerated protocols for total knee arthroplasty are discussed.
The primacy of national security? American responses to the British financial crisis of 1949

The financial crisis of 1949 threatened to bankrupt Britain and destroy the American economic and political system constructed after 1945. The US government was unable to respond effectively to this challenge. Truman's administration was split, as the Treasury and State Departments advocated diametrically opposing responses. Only the secret British decision to devalue sterling, a judgement not shared with the Americans until much later, stopped Washington from offering aid packages to London that would have totally changed US postwar foreign, economic and strategic policies. Therefore, this episode questions the assertion that national security concerns dominated the American government in the early Cold War.
A Bidec t Table

Abstract Tables of Student-t distributions are essential in most statistical applications. Often several determinations are needed, each requiring an extreme tail area; however, few tables identify critical points beyond a tail area of .005. Some authors (Dayton and Schafer 1973; Federighi 1959) calculated critical points for tail areas of the form 5%/K. This is helpful—particularly in connection with multiple comparisons—but it leaves large gaps in the tabulation. Often a more extensive t table is needed to determine observed significance levels. Such a t table should include many tail areas (including conventional areas such as 5%, 2.5%, 1%) in a form conducive to rapid interpolation when needed. The tables presented do this for tail areas ≥10-4 for 1-10 df, and for tail areas ≥10-6 for 11 or more df. Eye interpolation will often suffice. Numerical discussion shows linear interpolation is almost certainly sufficient. Auxiliary tables for interpolation to 1/10 the tabulation interval are provided.
Direct variation of metal‐GaAs Schottky barrier height by the influence of interface S, Se, and Te

The electrical properties and interface chemistry of Schottky barrier contacts (Ag, Al, Au, Mn, Pd, and Ti) formed on n-type GaAs (100) surfaces that had prior exposure to elemental S, Se, and Te are compared to those of ideal (metal deposited onto a clean surface) contacts. The interface Fermi energy E i Fand interface chemistry during contact formation were investigated by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy; the accompanying Schottky barrier height φ R was measured by current-voltage and capacitance-voltage techniques. A substantial decrease in φ B (and correlated change in Ei F) for Al and Mn contacts is associated with a contact metal-chalcogen chemical reaction at the Schottky barrier interface, while some nonreactive noble metal-chalcogen interfaces have a φ B increase. By choice of contact metal and interface chalcogen a φ B range of > 0.6 eV is obtained (∼ 0.35 to 1.0 eV, which is > 40% of the GaAs band gap) via corresponding changes in Ei F.
Lost in Cyberspace: Navigating the Legal Issues of E-Commerce

Daily business transactions are effected by many aspects of the law, many unknowingly. When transactions occur in an e-commerce environment, merchants, consumers, and B2B should be concerned with protecting their interests when many of the parties involved are known only by a screen name, email address or website. Parties engaged in transactions through the Internet should be mindful that the same issues that arise in a brick and mortar environment exist in cyberspace; but protecting and enforcing the various rights a person may have in cyberspace is a different ballgame. In addition to the practical concerns of global and cyber commerce, many of business issues and practices are relatively untested in both the legislative and judicial branches of government. This article is a summary of the legal issues that can arise in the e-commerce.