cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Venous and arterial flow quantification are equally accurate and precise with parallel imaging compressed sensing 4D phase contrast MRI

Purpose: To evaluate the precision and accuracy of parallel-imaging compressed-sensing 4D phase contrast (PICS-4DPC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) venous flow quantification in children with patients referred for cardiac MRI at our children's hospital. Materials and Methods: With Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance, 22 consecutive patients without shunts underwent 4DPC as part of clinical cardiac MRI examinations. Flow measurements were obtained in the superior and inferior vena cava, ascending and descending aorta, and the pulmonary trunk. Conservation of flow to the upper, lower, and whole body was used as an internal physiologic control. The arterial and venous flow rates at each location were compared with paired t-tests and F-tests to assess relative accuracy and precision. Results: Arterial and venous flow measurements were strongly correlated with the upper (ρ = 0.89), lower (ρ = 0.96), and whole body (ρ = 0.97); net aortic and pulmonary trunk flow rates were also tightly correlated (ρ = 0.97). There was no significant difference in the value or precision of arterial and venous flow measurements in upper, lower, or whole body, although there was a trend toward improved precision with lower velocity-encoding settings. Conclusion: With PICS-4DPC MRI, the accuracy and precision of venous flow quantification are comparable to that of arterial flow quantification at velocity-encodings appropriate for arterial vessels. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1419–1426. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stability Analysis of CFTR via Tryptic Digestion

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by malfunctioning cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). When the flow of chloride ions through the CFTR channel becomes hindered or ceases, mucus begins to accumulate within the body causing a plethora of respiratory, digestive, and reproductive complications. From the 1,500 different CFTR mutations that exist, a genetic mutation resulting from the deletion of a phenylalanine residue at the 508 position (ΔF508) has been identified as the most common. For that reason, the ΔF508 mutation has become a target for initial treatment options. Due to the transmembrane nature of CFTR and a length of 1480 residues, the crystal structure and consequently the functionality of CFTR, are still vastly unknown. The objective of this research is to more thoroughly understand the relative stability of CFTR, the ΔF508 mutant and the treated ΔF508 mutant via limited tryptic digestion and the quantification of western blots. The ΔF508 mutant was treated with an energy source in which it typically binds (ATP), a non-hydrolysable ATP analogue (AMP-PNP), and with an available cystic fibrosis treatment option (lumacaftor/VX-809). To adequately represent both of the nucleotide binding domains (NBDs) in CFTR, antibodies 660 (IGg1) and 769 (IGg2b) were used. The quantification of results indicated that the induced stability of the AMP-PNP treated and ATP treated ΔF508 CFTR were significantly greater than the ΔF508 mutant alone, but not significantly greater than the VX-809 treated CFTR.
Floorplan design of VLSI circuits

In this paper we present two algorithms for the floorplan design problem. The algorithms are quite similar in spirit. They both use Polish expressions to represent floorplans and employ the search method of simulated annealing. The first algorithm is for the case where all modules are rectangular, and the second one is for the case where the modules are either rectangular or L-shaped. Our algorithms consider simultaneously the interconnection information as well as the area and shape information for the modules. Experimental results indicate that our algorithms perform well for many test problems.
Effects of 50,000 h of thermal aging on graphite/epoxy and graphite/polyimide composites

Thermal effects on tensile strengths of advanced composite systems have been determined for exposure times of 100 to 50,000 hours (5.7 years). Exposures were conducted at both ambient and reduced pressures at two temperatures for each composite. At the completion of the various aging periods, specimens were removed from the specially constructed aging furnaces, visually examined, and tensile tested at elevated temperature. After tensile testing, many of the thermal aging specimens were examined using a scanning electron microscope. Results of these studies are presented, and the changes in properties and the degradation mechanisms during high-temperature aging are discussed and illustrated using metallographic techniques.
The number of non-isomorphic models in quasi-varieties of semigroups

Define\( n_K (\lambda )\) tobe eitherω, or the number of non-isomorphic algebras in\(K\)] having cardinality λ, whichever cardinal is larger. It is proved here that if\(K\)] is a quasi-variety (universal Horn class) of semigroups, then\(n_K\) is one of four functions. Each of these functions satisfies:\(n_K (\omega ) = \omega\) or\(n_K (\omega ) = 2^\omega\). If\(n_K (\lambda )< 2^\lambda\) for some infinite λ then\(K\)] is a residually finitevariety.
Finite element analysis of flexible multibody systems with fuzzy parameters

Abstract A computational procedure is presented for predicting the dynamic response and evaluating the sensitivity coefficients of flexible multibody systems whose characteristics include fuzzy parameters. Time-histories of the possibility distributions of the response and the sensitivity coefficients are generated. These coefficients measure the sensitivity of the dynamic response to variations in the material, geometric and external force parameters of the system. The five key components of the procedure are: a) a corotational frame approach used in conjunction with a total Lagrangian formulation; b) beam and shell elements with the Cartesian coordinates of the nodes selected as degrees of freedom, and with continuous inter-element slopes; c) use of an approximate method of extension, based on the α-cut representation, called the ‘vertex method’ for generating the possibility distributions of the desired response quantities and their sensitivity coefficients; d) semi-explicit temporal integration technique for generating the dynamic response; and e) direct differentiation approach for evaluating the sensitivity coefficients. The effectiveness of the procedure and the usefulness of the fuzzy output are demonstrated through numerical examples, including an articulated space structure consisting of beams, shells and revolute joints.
Effects of Monoamine Reuptake Inhibitors in Assays of Acute Pain-Stimulated and Pain-Depressed Behavior in Rats

Abstract Pain is associated with stimulation of some behaviors (eg, withdrawal reflexes) but depression of many other behaviors (eg, feeding, locomotion, positively reinforced operant behavior). Drugs that block reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine are widely used to treat depression, and they have also emerged as useful drugs for treatment of pain. This study compared effects of selective and mixed-action inhibitors of serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine reuptake in assays of acute pain-stimulated and pain-depressed behavior. Intraperitoneal injection of dilute acid served as a noxious stimulus to stimulate a writhing response or depress intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) in Sprague Dawley rats. Selective reuptake inhibitors of serotonin (citalopram, clomipramine) and norepinephrine (nisoxetine, nortriptyline) and a mixed-action reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine (milnacipran) blocked acid-stimulated writhing but failed to block acid-induced depression of ICSS. Selective dopamine reuptake inhibitors (RTI-113 [3s-(4-chlorophenyl)tropane-2s-carboxylic acid phenyl ester hydrochloride], bupropion) and a triple reuptake inhibitor of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine (RTI-112 [3s-(3-methyl-4-chlorophenyl)tropane-2s-carboxylic acid methyl ester hydrochloride]) blocked both acid-stimulated writhing and acid-induced depression of ICSS, although these drugs also produced an abuse-related facilitation of ICSS in the absence of the noxious stimulus. These results support further consideration of dopamine reuptake inhibitors as candidate analgesics, although abuse liability remains a concern. Perspective Monoamine reuptake inhibitors are used to treat depression and some forms of pain. This study examined effects of monoamine reuptake inhibitors in a preclinical assay of pain-related behavioral depression. The results support further consideration of dopamine reuptake inhibitors as candidate analgesics under selected circumstances, although abuse liability remains a concern.
Hydroxyzine and shock in operant behavior of rats

A total of 25 shaped or unshaped water-deprived rats injected with either saline or hydroxyzine-hydrochloride performed on a barpressing task. Unavoidable shock was provided throughout the experimental procedure. Hydroxyzine rats outperformed their saline counterparts. Although there were no differences between the groups on the final shaping trial, the hydroxyzine rats maintained significantly higher levels of performance than the saline rats under shock conditions.
Superior myocardial preservation with modified UW solution after prolonged ischemia in the rat heart

Cardiac transplantation remains constrained by poor graft tolerance of prolonged cold ischemia. University of Wisconsin solution has remarkably extended ischemic preservation in pancreas, kidney, and liver transplantation. To assess its efficacy in cardiac preservation, modified University of Wisconsin solution flush and storage were tested against St. Thomas' cardioplegia flush and normal saline solution storage after six hours of ischemia at 0 degrees C in 46 isolated rat hearts. After ischemia, groups were compared before and after reperfusion. After ischemia but before reperfusion, University of Wisconsin solution hearts had significantly less tissue water (3.8%), superior tissue sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium profiles, and elevated adenosine and inosine levels, and tended toward better histological preservation. After reperfusion, University of Wisconsin solution more effectively preserved left ventricular compliance (75% versus 35% of baseline), developed pressure (71% versus 45% of baseline), histological integrity, and tissue potassium and calcium profiles than St. Thomas' solution. The University of Wisconsin solution provided superior preservation of systolic and diastolic ventricular function, tissue histology, tissue water, and tissue electrolytes than did St. Thomas' cardioplegia and normal saline solution storage in this experimental model, and might result in improved graft tolerance of ischemia in clinical cardiac transplantation.
A model of immediacy in the classroom

Teacher immediacy has been examined quite extensively in recent years with the encouraging results that it is a useful teaching strategy. Two things lacking in extant research on immediacy are evidence of a causal relationship between immediacy and learning, and an explanation of why immediacy may lead to learning. Two models of the immediacy‐learning relationship, based on extant research, were tested using path analysis with panel data collected over the period of a semester. An effort was made to explain the results using Keller's (1983, 1987) model of motivation, and to extend this explanation to other classroom communication variables.
Melanoma arising in a spinal nerve root: Case report

✓ Melanotic neoplasms of the spinal nerve root are rare but well-documented occurrences. The authors report the case of a 68-year-old woman with a malignant melanotic neoplasm containing premelanosomes and melanosomes and lacking a basal lamina. This tumor was found in a lumbar nerve root and is believed to represent an instance of a primary melanoma arising in a spinal nerve root. The differential diagnosis of pigmented lesions of spinal nerve root includes melanoma, pigmented nerve sheath tumor, blue nevus, melanotic clear-cell sarcoma, and meningeal melanocytoma. Surgeons should be aware of the potential for encountering unexpected malignant lesions involving spinal nerve roots.
Hand Monoparesis Due to Small Cortical Ischemic Stroke, Etiology, Prognosis and Medical Management: Case Report and Literature Review

We present the case of a 70-year-old male who presented to Cedars Sinai Emergency room with sudden onset of right hand weakness. Only a few cases of hand weakness due to a small cortical stroke have been previously reported. Brain MRI showed acute small, ischemic infarction in the left right precentral gyrus and CTA showed 75% stenosis at the origin of the left internal carotid. After discussing possible risks and benefits, he received IV rTPA and underwent subsequent carotid endarterectomy a few days later. Our paper highlights the importance of considering small cortical strokes in patients with sudden onset of hand weakness since these patients may benefit from IV administration of rTPA and early intervention to treat embolic source and prevent future ischemic events. J Med Cases. 2013;4(6):429-432 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc1283w
Joint Arthroplasty and Infection: Where Do We Stand?

With the field of orthopedic surgery making tremendous advances, no one arena has changed more dramatically then total joint arthroplasty. While this kind of surgery has improved quality of life for many patients, it is not without complications. When they do occur, these complications can be devastating and inflict immense burden on patients and the society. Currently, the rate of periprosthetic joint infection ranges from 0.25% to 2.0%. As the number of total joint arthroplasty procedures is expected to rise considerably, these percentages will impose a financial burden on the field of adult reconstruction. The purpose of our paper is to discuss preventative measures that can be taken to curtail infections, the proper diagnosis of such infections, and the appropriate treatment options.
Robust image-domain target tracking and recognition process under heavy urban background clutter conditions

Time-differencing process, with the help of image registration techniques, is useful for image-domain moving target detection under heavy clutter conditions. Time-differencing between two well-registered image frames can significantly suppress the heavy static background clutter, and thus improve moving target detection. However, we may still lose detection of a moving target from time to time under heavy clutter conditions (Pd < 100%), and also we may lose detection of a moving target when this target stops moving. For example, a moving vehicle will temporarily stop moving in front of a red light or a stop sign. In general, the performance of a conventional tracking process depends on the performance of the detection process. In this paper, we present our newly developed image-domain moving target tracking and process using an adaptive local target correlation tracker. Once we started to track a target, the correlation tracker can continue to track this target, no matter whether we can still detect this target in the future image frames or not. Both single and multiple target tracking capabilities using the correlation tracker have been developed. Furthermore, while continuing to track a moving vehicle, we apply a super-resolution image enhancement (SRIE) process developed at SAIC [1] to improve the vehicle resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for better automatic target recognition (ATR) or human/pilot-monitored recognition performance.
Increase in the Tight Junction Protein Claudin-1 in Intestinal Inflammation

Studies have shown a decrease in key tight junction (TJ) proteins such as ZO-1 and occludin in both inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and experimental models of inflammation. Our group has also shown an increase in claudin-1 in experimental colitis. IEC-18 cells were treated with increasing doses of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). The TJ was assessed by transepithelial resistance (TER), permeability, Western blot, PCR, and immunofluorescence. Mucosal samples from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), and without IBD (normal) were assayed for TJ proteins occludin and claudin-1 by Western blot and a ratio of claudin-1 to occludin (C:O) was calculated. IEC-18 cells had increased permeability, decreased TER and an increase in claudin-1 with TNFα treatment. In human specimens, there was a decrease in occludin and an increase in claudin-1 leading to a significant increase in the C:O ratio in diseased UC colon compared to non-diseased UC colon (P < 0.001) and normal colon (P < 0.01). In CD, the C:O ratio was similar in all CD tissue irrespective of disease status. Treatment of IEC-18 cells with TNFα, a key inflammatory cytokine in IBD, led to a significant increase in claudin-1 expression. There was a significant increase in the C:O ratio in diseased colon in UC compared to the healthy appearing UC colon and normal controls. The C:O ratio was unchanged in CD despite presence or abscence of gross disease. This suggests that there may be an underlying difference in the TJ between UC and CD.
Predictive Reliability Models for variable frequency drives based on application profiles

A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a system that can control speed, torque and position of AC motors. In process automation and motion control for various industrial and commercial applications such as cooling fans, pumps, belt conveyors, rotary kilns, and elevators, VFDs are used. Reliability of a VFD is application-dependent, as the magnitude and type of failure-governing stresses vary with each application. Understanding operating conditions and quantifying reliability under those conditions is essential for ensuring proper operation of VFD to meet the service life expectation of the customer. Analysis of field failures led to identification of failure governing stress factors. Researching technical literature on operational characteristics of VFD for various applications led to proper definition of a 24-hour worst-case use load profile. Using worst-case use load profile as baseline and by accelerating the usage rate, acceleration factor (AF usage) is determined. In addition, by using VFD's heat sink temperatures under both worst-case use load profile and accelerated test load profile and using Arrhenius Relationship, acceleration factor due to thermal stress (AF Thermal) is determined. The overall Acceleration Factor (AF) is a product of AF usage and AF thermal. A Reliability Demonstration Test (RDT) under accelerated conditions was performed to estimate Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and Life at which 10% of the population is expected to fail (L10) under worst case use load profile and also to establish life-stress relationship. This information aids in development of Predictive Reliability Models for VFDs for any application.
Estimation of the time-to-go parameter for air-to-air missiles

The design of optimal controllers for air-to-air missiles has been of much recent interest. Many control laws require a good estimate of the time-to-go (tgo) before intercept. This paper presents an algorithm for estimating time-to-go using the current relative position and velocity characteristics of the missile and target. By constructing an objective function representing teminal miss distance, one is able to obtain an iterative scheme for estimating tgo. Simulation studies using a smart target algorithm and this methodology have yielded good results that show improvement over conventional algorithms for estimating tgo. A comparative investigation of the methodology developed in this paper with other algorithms is presented.
Growth Habit Control of Epitaxial Lateral Overgrown InP by MOCVD

ELO growth of InP was investigated in metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system. We investigated several different SiO2 patterns and varied growth conditions to optimize the growth rate, coalescence behavior, and overall material quality of InP ELO layers. We achieved a fast coalesced epitaxial layer of InP over the SiO2, and continue to evaluate and optimize its quality for potential photonics device applications.
The weapon focus effect in child eyewitnesses

The present study investigated whether children would exhibit the weapon focus effect that has been demonstrated with adult eyewitnesses. Participants (4- and 5-year-olds, 7- and 8-year-olds, and adults) watched a videotape in which a target individual portraying one of two schema roles and holding either a weapon or a neutral object steals some money. Witnesses of all ages described the target's physical appearance less accurately if the target held an object that was inconsistent rather than consistent with his schema role. Additionally, there were age effects for both accuracy and amount of information reported. The results indicate that the weapon focus effect generalizes to child witnesses and that it probably occurs because weapons are inconsistent with an activated schema.
Aggression in closely related Malawi cichlids varies inversely with habitat complexity

Within the past 2 million years, the cichlids of Lake Malawi have diversified into well over 500 species resulting in one of the worlds largest lacustrine fish radiations. As a result, many of the habitats within the lake support a high diversity of species. In these highly species rich communities, male cichlids must acquire and defend a territory to successfully reproduce. Within the rock-dwelling cichlids of Lake Malawi (mbuna), this has resulted in the formation of polyspecific leks on the heterogeneous rocky benthos. Aggression is fairly common in these leks and has been tied not only to individual reproduction but to the larger phenomenon of community assembly and the maintenance of biological diversity. In this study, I examined the patterns of aggressive acts of four species within the mbuna genus Maylandia at two locations in the southern Lake Malawi. The number of aggressive acts of two sympatric species was examined at each location. At each site, one species defends territories over bedrock and the other over cobble. The number of aggressive acts across the four species was compared. The influence of habitat type on male aggression was examined and the targets of male aggression were identified to evaluate several hypotheses concerning the evolution of male aggression. The results show that aggression quantitatively varied among species, was largely directed towards heterospecifics, and was strongly influenced by habitat type. The aggressive behavior of one sympatric species pair, Maylandia benetos and Maylandia zebra, was observed under controlled laboratory conditions. Laboratory results support field observations: the bedrock associated species performed more aggressive acts and aggressive acts were directed equally at con- and heterospecifics. The results of this study suggest that habitat complexity plays a larger role in shaping aggressive behavior than other suggested factors such as competition for resources.
Binding and degradation of hyaluronan by human breast cancer cell lines expressing different forms of CD44 : correlation with invasive potential

In the present study, we examined a panel of human breast cancer cell lines with regard to their expression of CD44 and ability to bind and degrade hyaluronan. The cell lines expressed varying amounts of different molecular weight forms of CD44 (85-200 kDa) and, in general, those that expressed the greatest amounts of CD44 were the most invasive as judged by in vitro assays. In addition, the ability to bind and degrade hyaluronan was restricted to the cell lines expressing high levels of CD44, and both these functions were blocked by an antibody to CD44 (Hermes-1). Moreover, the rate of [3H]hyaluronan degradation was highly correlated with the amount of CD44 (r = 0.951, P < 0.0001), as well as with the invasive potential of the cells. Scatchard analysis of the [3H]hyaluronan binding of these cells revealed the existence of significant differences in both their binding capacity and their dissociation constant. To determine the source of this deviation, the different molecular weight forms of CD44 were partially separated by gel filtration chromatography. In all cell lines, the 85 kDa form was able to bind hyaluronan, although with different affinities. In contrast, not all of the high molecular weight forms of CD44 had this ability. These results illustrate the diversity of CD44 molecules in invasive tumor cells, and suggest that one of their major functions is to degrade hyaluronan.
Power Sharing in Dual-Wavelength Optically Pumped Midinfrared Laser

We present a study of dual-wavelength optically pumped midinfrared semiconductor lasers, in which the effects of several design parameters are analyzed. We observe that when the short wavelength waveguide mode overlaps the long wavelength gain region, photon re-absorption occurs, favoring long wavelength emission. We demonstrate high power output from a laser emitting at two wavelength bands.
Two Families of Chaperonin: Physiology and Mechanism

Chaperonins are large ring assemblies that assist protein folding to the native state by binding nonnative proteins in their central cavities and then, upon binding ATP, release the substrate protein into a now-encapsulated cavity to fold productively. Two families of such components have been identified: type I in mitochondria, chloroplasts, and the bacterial cytosol, which rely on a detachable “lid” structure for encapsulation, and type II in archaea and the eukaryotic cytosol, which contain a built-in protrusion structure. We discuss here a number of issues under current study. What is the range of substrates acted on by the two classes of chaperonin, in particular by GroEL in the bacterial cytoplasm and CCT in the eukaryotic cytosol, and are all these substrates subject to encapsulation? What are the determinants for substrate binding by the type II chaperonins? And is the encapsulated chaperonin cavity a passive container that prevents aggregation, or could it be playing an active role in polypeptide...
Finding Out About Grants: A Guide to Information Resources

For individuals and organizations who seek grant money, this guide details major information resources useful to identifying sources of financial sponsorship. It covers grants made by government agencies, by private foundations, and by business and industrial concerns, and should be of interest to persons seeking financial support for organizational or community projects, or individual scholarly endeavors. Excluded from this guide are general materials that review the history of charitable giving, or the role of philanthropy in society, as well as information sources devoted exclusively to scholarships and loans for undergraduate education.
Synergy between an antibody and CD8+ cells in eliminating an established tumor.

We investigated the effector mechanisms operating during the rejection of a transplantable solid lymphoma E.G7 (H-2b) which expresses the gene encoding chicken ovalbumin (OVA). Anti-OVA cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) completely and specifically protected animals from the onset of, but could not eradicate established, E.G7 tumors. The growth of the same lymphoma was also effectively prevented by the antibody GK1.5, whose target molecule, CD4, was expressed on E.G7 cells in vivo. Furthermore, GK1.5 was able to eradicate established solid E.G7 tumors. GK1.5-mediated tumor elimination was due to its antitumor activity, and not to the elimination of regulatory CD4+ cells, based on unimpaired tumor growth in the absence of GK1.5 in animals that genetically lack CD4 T cells. In vitro, GK1.5 did not kill tumor cells: complement activation or apoptosis induction were not evident. In vivo, GK1.5-mediated tumor regression did not depend on natural killer cells, but it absolutely required CD8+ cells and intact Fcgamma receptor. We conclude that, in the E.G7 model, the collaboration of antibody and CTL immunity was crucial for the successful immunotherapy of established tumors. The mechanism of this collaboration is discussed.
Mortgage Lending and Residential Integration in a Hypersegregated MSA: The Case of St Louis

Have mortgage lending reforms during the first half of the 1990s been associated with improvements in the home-ownership prospects of black residents? Have the spatial patterns of loan applications changed, to increase lending activity in lower-income tracts and to advance residential integration? This paper investigates changes in mortgage lending activity in the St Louis metropolitan area over the period 1990-94. Analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data suggests that the home-ownership prospects of black St Louis residents improved over that period, as a result of increases in loan application rates from blacks during the latter half of the period, and of steady improvements in loan approval rates for black applicants. Some increases were seen in the proportion of applications attracted to lower-income tracts. Black loan applicants became more likely to apply for a loan in a predominantly white tract. A detailed spatial analysis of loan application patterns suggests that trends towards great...
Developing top down proteomics to maximize proteome and sequence coverage from cells and tissues

Mass spectrometry based proteomics generally seeks to identify and characterize protein molecules with high accuracy and throughput. Recent speed and quality improvements to the independent steps of integrated platforms have removed many limitations to the robust implementation of top down proteomics (TDP) for proteins below 70 kDa. Improved intact protein separations coupled to high-performance instruments have increased the quality and number of protein and proteoform identifications. To date, TDP applications have shown >1000 protein identifications, expanding to an average of ∼3-4 more proteoforms for each protein detected. In the near future, increased fractionation power, new mass spectrometers and improvements in proteoform scoring will combine to accelerate the application and impact of TDP to this century's biomedical problems.
Enhancing relevance scoring with chronological term rank

We introduce a new relevance scoring technique that enhances existing relevance scoring schemes with term position information. This technique uses chronological term rank (CTR) which captures the positions of terms as they occur in the sequence of words in a document. CTR is both conceptually and computationally simple when compared to other approaches that use document structure information, such as term proximity, term order and document features. CTR works well when paired with Okapi BM25. We evaluate the performance of various combinations of CTR with Okapi BM25 in order to identify the most effective formula. We then compare the performance of the selected approach against the performance of existing methods such as Okapi BM25, pivoted length normalization and language models. Significant improvements are seen consistently across a variety of TREC data and topic sets, measured by the major retrieval performance metrics. This seems to be the first use of this statistic for relevance scoring. There is likely to be greater retrieval improvements possible using chronological term rank enhanced methods in future work.
Tensile stress in jets of viscoelastic fluids. II

A viscoelastic fluid jet is treated as a moving infinite string under slowly varying tension. When the system is subjected to a sinusoidal point vibration, the resulting wave form enables the tension to be determined along the jet. The total tension is composed of a surface reaction and an internal, decaying tension. The surface reaction may be calculated from the surface tension of the jet fluid and the radius of the jet. Data for 1.4 and 1.7% carboxymethylcellulose water solutions are presented for three different jet radii and for solution temperatures of 5, 25, and 35°C. It is found that the observed tensions approach the calculated surface reaction far from the nozzle. The rate of decay is a function of concentration and temperature. The internal tension for a 1.7% solution at 25°C. was observed to decay from about 8000 to 500 dynes/cm.2 in 200 milliseconds. Relaxation times of 0.27 sec. for 1.4% and 0.32 sec. for 1.7% solutions at 25°C. describe the internal tensile properties between 40 and 200 milliseconds after ejection.
Statistical tests of genetic association in the presence of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.

Background: While its importance is well recognized, it remains challenging to test genetic association in the presence of gene-gene (or gene-environment) interactions. A major technical difficulty lies in the fact that a general model of gene-gene interactions calls for the use of often a large number of parameters, leading to possibly reduced statistical power. An emerging theme of some recent work is to reduce the number of such parameters through dimension reduction. Wang et al. [2009] proposed such an approach based on the partial least squares (PLS) for dimension reduction. They compared their method with several others using simulated data, establishing that their PLS test performed best. Unfortunately, Wang et al. did not include in their evaluations several powerful tests just recently discovered for analyzing multiple SNPs in a candidate gene or region. Methods: In this paper, we first extend these tests to the current context to detect gene-gene interactions in the presence of nuisance parameters, then compare these tests with the PLS test using the simulated data of Wang et al. [2009]. Results: It is confirmed that some other tests can be more powerful than the PLS test, though there is no uniform winner. Some interesting, albeit not new, observations are also made: some of the new tests are more robust to the large number of parameters in a model and may thus perform well; on the other hand, even for a purely epistatic genetic model, some of the tests applied to a logistic main-effects model without any interaction terms may be superior to that based on a full model that explicitly accounts for gene-gene interactions. Conclusion: The proposed statistical tests are potentially useful in practice.
Image reconstruction from the phase or magnitude of its complex wavelet transform

This paper investigates the reconstruction of an image from the phase or magnitude of its complex wavelet transform (CWT). We view the CWT as an approximation to the analytic representation of some real wavelet coefficients and develop the conditions under which a ID signal is uniquely specified by its analytic phase or magnitude. Then, we extend the uniqueness conditions to multi- resolution and higher dimensions in order to match the situation of the CWT. In the development of the uniqueness conditions, we also gain some insights about the quality of reconstructed images and the geometrical structure of the CWT phase and magnitude representation. Our results for the CWT may also be applied to other localized phase and magnitude representations.
Nonapoptotic Death of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cells That Is Stimulated by Hsp90 and Inhibited by Calcineurin and Cmk2 in Response to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stresses

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress can trigger apoptosis and necrosis in many types of mammalian cells. Previous studies in yeast found little or no cell death in response to the ER stressor tunicamycin, but a recent study suggested widespread apoptosis-like death. Here we show that wild-type laboratory Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells responding to tunicamycin die by nonapoptotic mechanisms in low-osmolyte culture media and survive for long periods of time in standard synthetic media. Survival requires calcineurin, a Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, but none of its known targets. The Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Cmk2 was identified as an indirect target of calcineurin that suppresses death of calcineurin-deficient cells. Death of Cmk2- and/or calcineurin-deficient S. cerevisiae cells was preceded by accumulation of reactive oxygen species but was not associated with hallmarks of apoptosis and was not dependent on Mca1, Aif1, Nuc1, or other factors implicated in apoptosis-like death. Cmk2 and calcineurin also independently suppressed the death of S. cerevisiae cells responding to dithiothreitol or miconazole, a common azole-class antifungal drug. Though inhibitors of Hsp90 have been shown to diminish calcineurin signaling in S. cerevisiae and to synergistically inhibit growth in combination with azoles, they did not stimulate death of S. cerevisiae cells in combination with miconazole or tunicamycin, and instead they prevented the death of calcineurin- and Cmk2-deficient cells. These findings reveal a novel prodeath role for Hsp90 and antideath roles for calcineurin and Cmk2 that extend the life span of S. cerevisiae cells responding to both natural and clinical antifungal compounds.
Minimization of Linear Dependencies Through the Use of Phase Shifters

Two-dimensional scan design with a linear test pattern generator is a practical built-in self-test technique, but it suffers from linear dependencies, which reduce the fault coverage. To alleviate this problem, networks of xor gates known as phase shifters can be employed. Current techniques based on the empirical criterion of imposing large phase shift differences (channel separations) between successive scan chains cannot adequately remove the dependencies. In this paper, we present a method that addresses explicitly the minimization of linear dependencies through appropriate selection of phase shift values. The method is based on the criterion of minimizing the linear dependencies in each cone of the circuit under test, and is applicable to any type of linear test pattern generator, be it linear feedback shift register of the external- xor or internal-xor type, cellular automaton, etc. Experimental results demonstrate the effect of the approach in increasing fault coverage.
Detection of distributed sources using sensor arrays

In this paper, we consider the problem of detecting a random spatially distributed signal source by an array of sensors. We start with an approximate likelihood ratio (LR) detector and analyze its performance. Using the generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) approach, we then derive detectors under several assumptions on the available statistics. The performance of these detectors is evaluated, and the effect of the angular spread of the source is investigated. The detection performance behaves differently under different scenarios. We notice that the degrees of freedom (DOF) of the distributions of the detection statistics depend on both the signal angular spread and the number of data snapshots. Specifically, at a high SNR level and with small degrees of freedom, an increase of angular spread improves the detection performance. However, with large degrees of freedom, the increase of angular spread reduces detection performance. We provide a detailed discussion of the behavior of detection performance under various conditions. A comparison between the GLR detectors and conventional beamformer detectors is made by computer simulations. The results indicate that the GLR detectors perform better as the angular spread becomes large than that of the conventional beamformer detectors.
Can Shear-Wave Elastography be Used to Discriminate Obstructive Hydronephrosis from Nonobstructive Hydronephrosis in Children?

US shear-wave speed measurements did not enable discrimination of obstructive from unobstructive hydronephrosis in children, with dynamic renal scintigraphy as the reference standard.
Molecular basis for dramatic changes in cannabinoid CB1 G protein-coupled receptor activation upon single and double point mutations

There is considerable interest in determining the activation mechanism of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), one of the most important types of proteins for intercellular signaling. Recently, it was demonstrated for the cannabinoid CB1 GPCR, that a single mutation T210A could make CB1 completely inactive whereas T210I makes it essentially constitutively active. To obtain an understanding of this dramatic dependence of activity on mutation, we used first-principles-based methods to predict the ensemble of low-energy seven-helix conformations for the wild-type (WT) and mutants (T210A and T210I). We find that the transmembrane (TM) helix packings depend markedly on these mutations, leading for T210A to both TM3+TM6 and TM2+TM6 salt-bridge couplings in the cytoplasmic face that explains the inactivity of this mutant. In contrast T210I has no such couplings across the receptor explaining the ease in activating this mutant. WT has just the TM3+TM6 coupling, known to be broken upon GPCR activation. To test this hypothesis on activity, we predicted double mutants that would convert the inactive mutant to normal activity and then confirmed this experimentally. This CB1 activation mechanism, or one similar to it, is expected to play a role in other constitutively active GPCRs as well.
A survey about phacoemulsification incision thermal contraction incidence and causal relationships.

Purpose To ascertain the rate and related factors of phacoemulsification wound burns. Design Survey. Methods We conducted a survey of 523 ophthalmologists in Utah, Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Oregon. Results One hundred six doctors (20.3%) responded and provided data on 76,581 procedures and 75 wound burns (0.98/1000 procedures). Twenty-one wounds (28%) occurred during early sculpting, and 53 wounds (71%) occurred during fragment removal. Wound burns were found to be associated with surgical approach ( P = .003), phacoemulsification unit ( P = .007), and unit settings ( P Conclusion Wound burns continue to be a serious complication; however, advances in technology and surgical technique help.
Postglacial Geomorphic Evolution of a Segment of Cape Cod Bay and Adjacent Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Abstract High-resolution seismic reflection profiles and bottom sediment samples indicate that the seafloor south of Province-town Hook, Massachusetts, at a water depth of 3 to 20 meters, is formed of relict shoreline features. Much of this morphology was constructed during the late Wisconsin regression 13,500 years ago and the Holocene transgression that began less than 13,500 years ago and reached a depth of 8 meters 4500 years ago, 6 meters 4000 years ago, 2 meters 1500 years ago, and near its present level less than 1000 years ago. The morphology of the seafloor reflecting modern-day processes is restricted to a narrow inner zone, where depths are less than 3 meters, and the center of Cape Cod Bay, where depths are greater than about 20 meters. The shallow inner zone is a high-energy environment that is in constant change, particularly during storms from the west. These storms affect not only the inner zone but also the beaches and the bluffs backing the beaches. The center of Cape Cod Bay is a region...
The Rhetoric of Environmental Crime: Culpability, Prosecutorial Discretion, and Structural Reform

If there are lessons to be learned from the prosecution that followed the explosion of Consolidated Edison's asbestos-laden steam pipe in 1994, they are lessons about culpability, individual and institutional accountability, and prosecutorial discretion. Culpability, accountability and discretion are core issues in the burgeoning body of literature that challenges regulators' increased reliance on the criminal law to deter and punish environmental violations. The literature relies heavily on rhetoric, intuition and unarticulated assumptions to sustain the argument that criminal prosecutions should be disfavored because they place innocents at risk of being held strictly accountable for inadvertent and unavoidable technical violations. These arguments, in turn, lead to calls for reforming environmental criminal law by creating special substantive and evidentiary rules for environmental defendants. Oddly, none of the commentary endeavors to test hypotheses that are boldly presented as facts. This article, which introduces the initial phase of my large-scale empirical study of environmental crime, presents a starkly different view of the dynamics of environmental prosecutions. The article first explores the myth that environmental statutes allow felony convictions without regard to intent, and exposes the flawed legal premises on which calls for elevating culpability and proof requirements are based. It then reveals that critics' portrayal of prosecutorial discretion as a dangerous and unnecessary tool is based on surprisingly naive assumptions about the degree of clarity generally found in criminal law and the critical role that prosecutorial discretion plays in its enforcement. The last part of the article demonstrates that critics' proposals for structural reform are based on mistaken factual assumptions about the dynamics of environmental prosecutions, and presents empirical evidence that strongly rebuts key assumptions on which calls for reform are based.
Blinatumomab: Bridging the Gap in Adult Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who relapse after frontline therapy have extremely poor outcomes despite advances in chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Blinatumomab is a first-in-class bispecific T-cell engager that links T cells to tumor cells leading to T-cell activation and tumor cell lysis. In December 2014, the Food and Drug Administration approved blinatumomab for treatment of relapsed or refractory Philadelphia chromosome-negative precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In a phase II trial, blinatumomab produced response rates of 43%, and 40% of patients achieving a complete remission proceeded to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Early use of blinatumomab was complicated with adverse effects, including cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. Management strategies, including dexamethasone premedication and 2-step dose escalation during the first cycle of blinatumomab, have decreased the incidence and severity of these adverse effects. Blinatumomab currently is being studied for other B-cell malignancies and has the potential to benefit many patients with CD19+ malignancies in the future.
Is It Possible That This Patient is Asymptomatic? The Role of Multidetector CT Angiography in Detection of Ulcerated Plaques in Patients with Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis: Case Report.

SUMMARY Introduction Although intervention in patients with symptomatic carotid disease is generally accepted as beneficial, the management of asymptomatic disease is still controversial. We wanted to introduce and discuss treatment options in a patient with asymptomatic carotid stenosis and high embolic potential lesions of common and internal carotid artery detected by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Case Outline A 78-year-old female patient was admitted to our institution for diagnostics and surgical treatment of asymptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis. Upon admission, color duplex ultrasonography of the carotid arteries revealed the left common carotid artery (CCA) stenosis of 50% and the ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis of 60%, while the right CCA was narrowed by 60% and the ipsilateral ICA by 80%. Because of the left subclavian artery (LSA) occlusion, also described by ultrasonography, MDCT angiography was performed to assess arterial morphology for possible angioplasty. In addition to LSA occlusion, MDCT angiography surprisingly revealed significant left CCA (>80%) and ICA (>70%) narrowing by ulcerated plaques with high embolic potential. Surgical treatment of the left CCA and ICA was indicated and Dacron® tubular graft interposition was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged from the Institute on the third postoperative day. After the six-month follow-up the patient was doing well with well-preserved graft patency. Conclusion Although color duplex ultrasonography is reliable and safe imaging modality in carotid stenosis diagnosis, MDCT angiography plays a significant role in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis since plaques with high embolic potential could be detected, which, if left untreated, could have severe neurological ischemic consequences.