cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production of Biofuels from Synthesis Gas Using Microbial Catalysts

World energy consumption is expected to increase 44% in the next 20 years. Today, the main sources of energy are oil, coal, and natural gas, all fossil fuels. These fuels are unsustainable and contribute to environmental pollution. Biofuels are a promising source of sustainable energy. Feedstocks for biofuels used today such as grain starch are expensive and compete with food markets. Lignocellulosic biomass is abundant and readily available from a variety of sources, for example, energy crops and agricultural/industrial waste. Conversion of these materials to biofuels by microorganisms through direct hydrolysis and fermentation can be challenging. Alternatively, biomass can be converted to synthesis gas through gasification and transformed to fuels using chemical catalysts. Chemical conversion of synthesis gas components can be expensive and highly susceptible to catalyst poisoning, limiting biofuel yields. However, there are microorganisms that can convert the CO, H(2), and CO(2) in synthesis gas to fuels such as ethanol, butanol, and hydrogen. Biomass gasification-biosynthesis processing systems have shown promise as some companies have already been exploiting capable organisms for commercial purposes. The discovery of novel organisms capable of higher product yield, as well as metabolic engineering of existing microbial catalysts, makes this technology a viable option for reducing our dependency on fossil fuels.
Integrated Block-Processing and Design-Space Exploration in Temporal Partitioning for RTR Architectures

We present an automated temporal partitioning and design space exploration methodology that temporally partitions behavior specifications. We propose block-processing in the temporal partitioning framework for reducing the reconfiguration overhead for partitioned designs. Block-processing is a technique used traditionally in the area of parallel compilers, for increasing the computation speed by processing several inputs simultaneously. Block-processing technique has been integrated with task-level design space exploration to achieve designs that justify temporal partitioning of systems. An ILP-based methodology has been proposed to solve this problem. We present experimental results for the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT).
Signalling characteristics in satellite-aided land mobile communications

The feasibility of land mobile radio communications has been demonstrated by a large number of experiments with NASA's ATS satellites. Significant differences in the propagation characteristics of satellite and terrestrial mobile signal paths were observed in the experiments. Terrestrial paths are best in cities where they can provide frequency reuse and assure communication by bouncing signals around obstructions. Satellites may be best in thinly populated areas because they eliminate the need for many tower mounted relays. The satellite paths do not have the severe Rayleigh fading that limits the range and signal quality of terrestrial paths if the satellite is above approximately ten degrees elevation, a value easily achieved for the United States. The experiments verified that high quality voice communications and other functions, such as data transmission and vehicle position surveillance, are easily accomplished through geostationary satellites with vehicle transmitter power and antenna gain no different than those of terrestrial mobile communications.
Diatrizoate and dextran treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Many treatments have been proposed to manage sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The University of lowa has used a protocol of intravenous radiopaque contrast and volume expander for the last 10 years in the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. A retrospective analysis of these cases was performed to review the efficacy of this treatment with respect to the natural history of the disease, as reported in previous studies. Sixty-four percent of 39 cases showed audiometric improvement in their pure-tone averages, speech reception thresholds, and speech discriminations while receiving treatment. Forty-eight percent of these showed improvement after their first treatment doses. Eighty percent of patients who presented more than 7 days after the onset of their hearing loss showed audiometric improvement with treatment, whereas 71 percent of patients presenting before 7 days showed audiometric improvement. However, the patients who presented earlier showed more marked improvement. Speech discrimination with the W-22 word list was a predictor of early recovery. Patients with measurable speech discrimination scores on presentation uniformly improved with treatment, even if their pure-tone average was profound. Our findings were suggestive of a pathophysiologic mechanism for some cases of sensorineural hearing loss for which intravenous contrast is efficacious. Although our findings were far from conclusive in this uncontrolled study, these initial results support the use of these agents in a rigorous clinical trial
An efficient tree decomposition method for permanents and mixed discriminants

Abstract We present an efficient algorithm to compute permanents, mixed discriminants and hyperdeterminants of structured matrices and multidimensional arrays (tensors). We describe the sparsity structure of an array in terms of a graph, and we assume that its treewidth, denoted as ω, is small. Our algorithm requires O ˜ ( n 2 ω ) arithmetic operations to compute permanents, and O ˜ ( n 2 + n 3 ω ) for mixed discriminants and hyperdeterminants. We finally show that mixed volume computation continues to be hard under bounded treewidth assumptions.
Is There a Bubble in Saudi Real Estate? Evidence from the Stock Market

For most of the past decades, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has experienced rapid expansion, driven largely by increasing energy revenues, and growth-focused government policies. As the region’s population increases in size, and becomes wealthier and more urbanized, significant opportunities have developed in the housing sector, particularly as it pertains to the region’s burgeoning middle class, whose ranks are expanding faster than the economy itself. With all these factors, the paper proposes to analyze the real estate price data in Saudi Arabia, a country not suspected of experiencing a price bubble, but where restrictive landownership rights are similar with other countries in the GCC. The paper questions whether there is any evidence of a price bubble in real estate valuations in Saudi Arabia between 2002 and 2010.
Interrater Reliability of Videotaped Observational Gait-Analysis Assessments

The purpose of this study was to determine the interrater reliability of videotaped observational gait-analysis (VOGA) assessments. Fifty-four licensed physical therapists with varying amounts of clinical experience served as raters. Three patients with rheumatoid arthritis who demonstrated an abnormal gait pattern served as subjects for the videotape. The raters analyzed each patient's most severely involved knee during the four subphases of stance for the kinematic variables of knee flexion and genu valgum. Raters were asked to determine whether these variables were inadequate, normal, or excessive. The temporospatial variables analyzed throughout the entire gait cycle were cadence, step length, stride length, stance time, and step width. Generalized kappa coefficients ranged from .11 to .52. Intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) and (3,1) were slightly higher. Our results indicate that physical therapists' VOGA assessments are only slightly to moderately reliable and that improved interrater reliability of the assessments of physical therapists utilizing this technique is needed. Our data suggest that there is a need for greater standardization of gait-analysis training.
Two neuronal, nuclear-localized RNA binding proteins involved in synaptic transmission.

Abstract While there is evidence that distinct protein isoforms resulting from alternative pre-mRNA splicing play critical roles in neuronal development and function, little is known about molecules regulating alternative splicing in the nervous system. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for studying neuron/target communication, we report that unc-75 mutant animals display neuroanatomical and behavioral defects indicative of a role in modulating GABAergic and cholinergic neurotransmission but not neuronal development. We show that unc-75 encodes an RRM domain-containing RNA binding protein that is exclusively expressed in the nervous system and neurosecretory gland cells. UNC-75 protein, as well as a subset of related C. elegans RRM proteins, localizes to dynamic nuclear speckles; this localization pattern supports a role for the protein in pre-mRNA splicing. We found that human orthologs of UNC-75, whose splicing activity has recently been documented in vitro [1, 2], are expressed nearly exclusively in brain and when expressed in C. elegans , rescue unc-75 mutant phenotypes and localize to subnuclear puncta. Furthermore, we report that the subnuclear-localized EXC-7 protein, the C. elegans ortholog of the neuron-restricted Drosophila ELAV splicing factor, acts in parallel to UNC-75 to also affect cholinergic synaptic transmission. In conclusion, we identified a new neuronal, putative pre-mRNA splicing factor, UNC-75, and show that UNC-75, as well as the C. elegans homolog of ELAV, is required for the fine tuning of synaptic transmission. These findings thus provide a novel molecular link between pre-mRNA splicing and presynaptic function.
Response of mid-water common reed stands to water level variations and winter conditions in Lake Poygan, Wisconsin, USA

Abstract Because of wetland recession, common reed (Phragmites australis) stands in the Upper Winnebago Pool Lakes, Wisconsin, now mark the former outer margins of destroyed cattail (Typha spp.) marshes, occurring off shore in water up to 1.5 m deep. These mid-water common reed stands have experienced fragmentation and losses in area. This study examined the relation between changes in characteristics of common reed stands and some key environmental factors that may affect their success, especially those related to seasonal patterns in water level management and exposure to wind and severe winter temperatures. Individual patches (28–26,598 m2) within each common reed stand (6740–43,048 m2) were characterized with regard to stem densities (1–245 m−2) and water depths around the perimeter (0.10–1.52 m) and in the interior (0.22–1.30 m). Water-level cumulative frequency duration curves were used to quantify duration and continuity of exposure of common reed stands to various extreme water levels during 1986–1996, and we correlated these with annual percent changes in area derived from aerial photographs. Higher stem densities corresponded to larger patch size, greater historical stability, and less fragmentation. In addition, larger patches tended to be deeper, and covered a greater range of water depths. Conversely, more “ragged” patches tended to have lower maximum depths, both in the interior and on the perimeter, as well as smaller water level ranges. Overall, higher stem densities were associated with shallower water, though intermediate depths have experienced the greatest decline. Although combinations of extreme water levels and winter temperatures did not significantly predict annual changes in area of all common reed stands, these factors explained up to 75% of the variance in stands with the greatest loss. This indicates recent losses were caused by combined effects of extreme water levels and winter temperatures.
A Tree Growth Inhibiting Insulation for Power Cable

This paper describes a power cable insulation with a tree growth inhibiting additive that is nowommer commercially available for use by the electric utilities. The new insulating resin inhibits the growth of both electrical and water trees. A major cause of insulation failure is the progressive ive degradation process called treeing. There is general agreement that electrical and water trees cause insulation degradation leading to cable failure. This paper deals with a thermoplastic polyethylene insulating resin for use in power cable systems. Dodecanol is added to polyethylene to inhibit the growth of both electrical and water trees. The differences between electrical and water trees are reviewed. Test methods for evaluating insulating compositions for resistance to electrical and water tree growth are presented using small laboratory samples in accelerated tests. Data obtained in special model cables show the extent of migration of the dodecanol in accelerated tests. Test results on full sized commercial cables are discussed.
Hypercalcemia in carcinoma of prostate Its cure by

A case report of a patient with carcinoma of the prostate and hypercalcemia is presented. We believe this is the first such case documenting ectopic parathormone from this tumor. Resolution of the hypercalcemia followed orchiectomy.
Intense backward Raman lasers in CH 4 and H 2

The conversion efficiency of the first Stokes radiation generated by backward stimulated Raman scattering is measured in CH4 and H2 that are pumped by a third harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser in the 12-55-mJ energy range and in the 0.86-6.00-MPa pressure range. Our experimental results show that CH4 is a better Raman medium than H2 at moderate pressures (a few megapascals) to efficiently generate backward Raman lines.
Generalist-subspecialist communication for children with chronic conditions: a regional physician survey.

Objective. To identify target areas for interventions to improve communication between pediatric generalists (PCPs) and pediatric subspecialists (SPs) in the outpatient care of children with chronic conditions. Methods. We constructed a 4-page mailed questionnaire probing communication practices, opinions about the role of communication in care, and perceived barriers and facilitators to PCP-SP communication in the care of children with chronic conditions. In the spring of 2001, we surveyed all 495 New England SPs who were members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and/or SP societies and a random sample of 495 generalist AAP members in New England. Eligible were those actively providing outpatient care. Most items were rated on a 5-point scale. Results. Of those eligible, 48% (412/860) completed the questionnaire. Although 98% of respondents agreed that communication was important for good care, reported practices reflected large gaps in this area. Frequent receipt (>60% of the time) of communication about an initial referral was reported by only 28% of SPs. Barriers reported as most important involved inefficiencies in telephone contact, transcription delay, and failure to keep all providers informed when >1 specialist is involved. Important facilitators included letters or phone calls at or before the time of consultation, and clear and specific referral questions from PCPs. PCPs saw communication as more of a problem than did SPs (40% vs 28%), and reported several barriers as more important. Although 86% of respondents had access to e-mail in their practices, Conclusions. PCPs and SPs sharing care for children with chronic conditions are troubled by their frequent failure or inability to contact their colleagues by phone and letter. PCPs communicate less frequently than SPs yet perceive more problems with communication. Interventions to promote efficient contact between providers at or before the time of subspecialty visits can lead to improved coordination of care, which in turn may better meet the needs of families.
Ultrastructure of a Coccidium (Apicomplexa: Sporozoea: Coccidia) in Priapulus caudatus (Priapulida)1

Stages in the life cycle of a coccidium are described from the intestine of Priapulus caudatus Lamarck, 1816. Meronts, merozoites, microgamonts, microgametes, and walled and unwalled macrogametes were seen in intestinal cells. Meronts were about 8 μm long and 3–7 μm wide and produced up to seven merozoites. Free merozoites were about 9 μm long and 4 μm wide and contained about 43 subpellicular microtubules that terminated in the outer polar ring. Microgamonts were up to 23 μm long and 7 μm wide and usually were delimited by a single membrane. Microgametes were about 5 μm long, exclusive of the two flagella, about 2 μm wide, and contained a nucleus that was not uniformly dense. Macrogametes, about 6 μm in diameter, had a nucleus largely without dense chromatin. The oocyst wall formed around intracellular macrogametes to a thickness of 0.2–0.5 μm as thin, osmiophilic elements that became arranged in reticular and tubular layers. Wall-forming bodies were not seen, but fine filaments may participate in wall formation, as these were found between the outer membrane of the pellicle and the nearest wall elements. Microgametes and walled macrogametes were delivered to the lumen of the host intestine during apocrine secretion or excretion by the intestinal cells. Fertilization may occur in the intestinal lumen. Unsporulated ovoid oocysts, 18–27 μm long and 10–14 μm wide, with a 3 μm micropyle and a wall 0.6–0.7 μm thick, were passed from the host.
Examination of N-hydroxylation as a prerequisite mechanism of nitric oxide synthase inactivation.

Abstract l -N5-(1-Hydroxyiminoethyl)-ornithine ( l -NHIO) and l -N6-(1-hydroxyiminoethyl)-lysine ( l -NHIL) were synthesized and tested as potential intermediates in the mechanism-based inactivation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by l -N5-iminoethyl-ornithine ( l -NIO) and l -N6-iminoethyllysine ( l -NIL). Although these compounds were determined to be competitive inhibitors, mechanism-based inactivation was not observed.
NADP-isocitric dehydrogenase of gerbil adrenal mitochondria: Support of steroid hydroxylation

In gerbil adrenal cortex the activity of intramitochondrial NADP-linked isocitric dehydrogenase (IDH) is up to 10-fold greater than the NAD-linked IDH. The NADP-IDH, apparent Km 0.58 mM, Vmax 280 nmoles/min/mg mitochondrial protein, appears to be the major source of reducing equivalents to support adrenal mitochondrial steroid 11B- and 19-hydroxylation in this species.
Timed Emulsification Studies with Chicken Breast Muscle: Soluble and Insoluble Myofibrillar Proteins

Emulsion formation with chicken breast muscle was investigated using timed emulsification. High-salt soluble proteins (pH 7.0, 0.6M NaCl) extracted from previously washed muscle (pH 7.0, 0.05M NaCl) were removed from the aqueous phase as mixing time increased. Low- and high-salt exhaustively washed muscle, resuspended in either 0.15 or 0.6M NaCl, pH 7.0, still exhibited good emulsion properties. The pellet protein decreased (> 90%) as mixing time increased from 0 to 5 min. Addition of sodium pyrophosphate to 0.6M NaCl suspensions of 0.05M NaCl washed muscle resulted in an increase in solubility of myofibrillar proteins and a general improvement in emulsification properties. High-salt insoluble proteins may play an important role in emulsion formation.
Molecular Signature of High Yield (Growth) Influenza A Virus Reassortants Prepared as Candidate Vaccine Seeds

Background Human influenza virus isolates generally grow poorly in embryonated chicken eggs. Hence, gene reassortment of influenza A wild type (wt) viruses is performed with a highly egg adapted donor virus, A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8), to provide the high yield reassortant (HYR) viral ‘seeds’ for vaccine production. HYR must contain the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of wt virus and one to six ‘internal’ genes from PR8. Most studies of influenza wt and HYRs have focused on the HA gene. The main objective of this study is the identification of the molecular signature in all eight gene segments of influenza A HYR candidate vaccine seeds associated with high growth in ovo.
Problem-solving interactions of depressed women and their husbands

The problem-solving interactions of normal marital dyads were compared with those of two groups of couples in which the wife was clinically depressed. One group was experiencing marital distress; in the second group marital distress was minimal. Fifty-two couples were recruited and videotaped as they attempted to solve two salient relationship problems in two 10-min interactions. The interactions were coded by observers trained in the LIFE Coding System which specifies both verbal and nonverbal behaviors. Multivariate analyses compared the diagnostic groups on rates of behaviors and on the conditional responding of one spouse to the other. Depressed women exhibited significantly higher rates of depressive behavior than their husbands or either of the normal spouses. Depressed women also displayed less problem-solving behavior than their husbands, while both husbands and wives in couples with a depressed wife exhibited less self-disclosure than normal dyads. Sequential analyses suggested that depressive behavior is functional in reducing the spouses' aversive behavior. Additionally, it was found that couples with a depressed wife who were experiencing marital distress exhibited less facilitative behavior than all the other couples and had a greater reciprocity of facilitative behavior than did normals. The findings underscore the importance of marital interactions in depression.
Mechanism of stabilizing RuO2/Ta2N double layer thin film resistors

Abstract RuO 2 /Ta 2 N double layer thin film resistors (D-TFR) may be tuned to possess a near-zero temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) over a temperature range of 100–400°C. It has been shown by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), and cross-section transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) that a distinct layered structure along with an interfacial layer exists in the RuO 2 /Ta 2 N double layer thin film resistor. Chemically, the interfacial layer is a ruthenium tantalum nitro-oxide, although there is a composition gradient for each element as proven by the AES depth profiling. By inserting different intermediate barrier layers in between the two resistive layers, the effects of the ruthenium-rich interfacial layer was deduced to be decisive in determining the temperature coefficient of resistance tuning process. This leads to an understanding of the mechanism responsible for zero or near-zero TCR.
What Clinical Psychologists Know About Evidence-Based Practice: Familiarity With Online Resources and Research Methods

Evidence-based practice (EBP) requires that practitioners routinely access, appraise, and utilize thebest available research. We surveyed a representative sample of the Society of Clinical Psychology;549 psychologists (response rate546%) reported their frequency of engaging in EBP when offeringpsychological services, rated their current knowledge of 12 online research resources, and evaluatedtheir current knowledge of 12 research methods and designs. These psychologists reported, onaverage, using EBP in 73.1% of their psychological services. With the exception of PsycINFO andMEDLINE, clinical psychologists related low to moderate knowledge of online research resources.By contrast, these psychologists reported considerable knowledge of most research methods anddesigns, except for odds ratios and structural equation modeling. Psychologists’ theoretical orientation,clinical experience, and employment setting predicted knowledge of both online resources andresearch designs. We discuss the educational and practice ramiﬁcations of these results. & 2011 WileyPeriodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:1–11, 2011.Keywords: evidence-based practice; clinical psychology; clinical research; research designs; onlineresearch sources; online systems
Laboratory observations of rates and patterns of movement of continental margin benthic foraminifera

Living calcareous and agglutinated benthic foraminifera were collected from a water depth of 220 m on the Charleston Bump east of Charleston, South Carolina and maintained in aquaria at ambient bottom water temperatures of 12 °C and 1 atm in the laboratory. The rates and patterns of movement of two species, Cibicidoides pachyderma (Rzehak, 1886) (a calcareous foraminifer) and Ammodiscus anguillae Hoglund (1947) (an agglutinated foraminifer), are described and compared with published rates of movement for shallow- and deep-water taxa. Cibicidoides pachyderma and A. anguillae move laterally on a thin veneer of sediment in meandering patterns and both vertically and horizontally in thicker sediments with predominantly straighter patterns in the vertical plane. The recorded rates of movement at the substrate surface of C. pachyderma and A. anguillae vary from 1.0 to 23 and 1.0 to 20 mm/day, respectively. Within the sediment (~ 0.5 cm) A. anguillae moved with a rate varying between 1.0 and 10 mm/day. These rates are similar to rates for deep-sea foraminifera and to the slowest rates of shallow-water foraminifera. In the laboratory and in the absence of bioturbating organisms, both species moved in and out of sediments, suggesting that in nature they may be epifaunal and/or shallow infaunal taxa.
Ultra high speed short-range parallel transmission using millimeter-wave frequency band

Various technologies have been put to practical use for high-speed wireless communications systems. For short transmission distances, we have found that the application of spatial parallel transmission using a number of antenna arrays is particularly effective in microwave frequency bands. This report describes how we were able to raise channel capacity in short - distance communication considerably by utilizing parallel transmission over a 60-GHz band with its wide bandwidth on the basis of electromagnetic field analysis results. We also clarified the impact on channel capacity of antenna displacement that occurs when placing the antennas. Our results showed that the channel capacity obtained using 20 mm × 20 mm antenna arrays is more than 1,000 Gbit/s when the transmission distance is 1 mm and that channel capacity degradation is 5% when the antenna displacement is 1 mm. The degradation becomes smaller with longer transmission distances.
Les prélèvements mammaires en stéréotaxie : macrobiopsies avec aspiration et biopsies chirurgicales stéréotaxiques

Stereotactically-guided procedures for diagnosis of breast lesions can avoid a lot of surgical biopsies. Stereotactic guidance is used for vacuum-assisted core biopsies and for stereotactic breast biopsies. Technical details of the procedures are described, and the benefits and the limits of these methods are discussed. Indications for breast sampling are proposed according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessment categories.
Exercise advice by humans versus computers: maintenance effects at 18 months.

Objective An automated telehealth counseling system, aimed at inactive midlife and older adults, was shown previously to achieve 12-month physical activity levels similar to those attained by human advisors. This investigation evaluated the sustained 18-month impacts of the automated advisor compared with human advisors. Methods Following the end of the 12-month randomized, controlled trial, participants who had been randomized to either the human advisor (n = 73) or automated advisor (n = 75) arms were followed for an additional 6 months. During that period, human or automated advisor-initiated telephone contacts ceased and participants were encouraged to initiate contact with their advisor as deemed relevant. The primary outcome was moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), measured using the Stanford Physical Activity Recall and validated during the major trial via accelerometry. Results The two arms did not differ significantly in 18-month MVPA or the percentage of participants meeting national physical activity guidelines (ps >.50). No significant within-arm MVPA differences emerged between 12 and 18 months. Evaluation of the trajectory of physical activity change across the 18-month study period indicated that, for both arms, the greatest physical activity increases occurred during the first 6 months of intervention, followed by a relatively steady amount of physical activity across the remaining months. Conclusions The results provide evidence that an automated telehealth advice system can maintain physical activity increases at a level similar to that achieved by human advisors through 18 months. Given the accelerated use of mobile phones in developing countries, as well as industrialized nations, automated telehealth systems merit further evaluation.
Statistical Mechanics of Helium II near 1°K

It now seems probable that the roton excitations in helium II can be considered to be cooperative motions of small groups of atoms, the group as a whole being in an excited quantum state. This leads to a very literal interpretation of the two-fluid hypothesis, and suggests that the entropy of mixing of rotons and the unexcited atoms be calculated on the basis of the lattice theory of liquids. From this the thermodynamic properties of liquid helium are deduced, and the degeneracy of the roton energy level (giving the intrinsic entropy of the rotons) is obtained from the observed specific heat. The change in the thermodynamic properties of normal fluid (rotons) between 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and the \ensuremath{\lambda} point is discussed. Finally the peculiar properties of the coefficient of thermal expansion are considered in the light of the two-fluid hypothesis.
Silicon photonics: One-way photons in silicon

In the quest for on-chip optical isolation, scientists demonstrate non-reciprocal optical response based on a 'synthetic' magnetic field in an all-silicon platform. This may open directions to optical routing, on-chip lasers and integrated nanophotonic signal processing.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Therapies in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Do We Need a Better Mouse Trap?

For many patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), successful therapy remains elusive. Despite earlier diagnosis and extensive efforts to develop more effective therapies, the outcome remains poor, with less than 10% of patients with metastases surviving 5 years. 1 Complete resection of metastases can result in long-term survival in some individuals, while removal of the primary tumor in patients with disseminated disease has also been shown to improve survival in selected patients receiving systemic immunotherapy. 2 While cytokine-based immunotherapies with interleukin-2 or interferon-alfa are the mainstays of treatment, response rates are 15% to 20%, and long-term survival rates are 6% to 8%. Thus, the systemic treatment of this disease remains unsatisfactory, and the need for more effective therapies is urgent. The rationale for testing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in patients with advanced RCC is compelling. Multiple studies have documented that the overexpression of EGFR and its ligands epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF) in RCC occurs frequently. 3-6 Autocrine and paracrine signaling loops are associated with the development and progression of RCC metastases. 7,8 Most significantly for drug development decisions, EGFR signaling blockade decreases the proliferation of RCC cells in vitro and in vivo. 9,10 Current knowledge regarding the frequency of EGFR expression in human RCC and its successful manipulation in nonclinical human RCC models provides a sound basis for the clinical testing of EGFR inhibitors in RCC patients. However, results from clinical trials evaluating these agents to date have been unimpressive.
The Role of Culture and Meaning in Rational Choice

The Wason card selection and the Tversky & Kahneman frame anomaly are examined in the context of a probabilistic, constructivist biological model of decision-making. Rational choice requires that decision-makers understand the meaning of the choices they confront. In fact, the determination of meaning and the process of rational choice represent two sides the same coin. Further, perception, cognition and action are ill-posed problems. To solve these problems ‘missing data’ must be supplied by the brain. This data is acquired by both ontogenetic and phylogenetic processes. These evolutionary processes facilitate the determination of meaning and as a product of that process also facilitate the construction of rationality. Two interrelated brain systems involved in this construction process are examined: an emotional system that rapidly and non-consciously assigns reward expectancy values to objects in the environment and a sensory-motor system that participates in the discovery of more general information that facilitates environment/body interactions. Jointly, these systems help a naive agent to find ‘meaning in an unlabeled world’ and to predict the outcomes of future interactions with that world by supplying ‘background’ information, i.e., by supplying the missing data necessary for rational choice. This ‘background’ represents the imprint of the statistical structure of the world on the brain and, as such, embodies the individual’s Bayesian priors. Lack of sufficient background capacities can result in systematic judgment errors and seemingly irrational decisions. Complex culture is a key aspect of the environment that facilitates the construction of rationality, in part, by becoming internalized as background. Culture facilitates the creation of complex social constructs that contribute to cultural evolution, reduce uncertainty, and increase rationality; however, cultural evolution can get ahead of itself—potentially leading to background failure and errors in judgment and choice. Finally, it is not simply complexity or lack of hands-on experience that lead to error: an additional component that might be called semantic opacity is necessary.
The role of nanotechnology and nano and micro-electronics in monitoring and control of cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders

Nanotechnology has been broadly defined as the one for not only the creation of functional materials and devices as well as systems through control of matter at the scale of 1-100 nm, but also the exploitation of novel properties and phenomena at the same scale. Growing needs in the point-of-care (POC) that is an increasing market for improving patient's quality of life, are driving the development of nanotechnologies for diagnosis and treatment of various life threatening diseases. This paper addresses the recent development of nanodiagnostic sensors and nanotherapeutic devices with functionalized carbon nanotube and/or nanowire on a flexible organic thin film electronics to monitor and control of the three leading diseases namely 1) neurodegenerative diseases, 2) cardiovascular diseases, and 3) diabetes and metabolic diseases. The sensors developed include implantable and biocompatible devices, light weight wearable devices in wrist-watches, hats, shoes and clothes. The nanotherapeutics devices include nanobased drug delivery system. Many of these sensors are integrated with the wireless systems for the remote physiological monitoring. The author's research team has also developed a wireless neural probe using nanowires and nanotubes for monitoring and control of Parkinson's disease. Light weight and compact EEG, EOG and EMG monitoring system in a hat developed is capable of monitoring real time epileptic patients and patients with neurological and movement disorders using the Internet and cellular network. Physicians could be able to monitor these signals in realtime using portable computers or cell phones and will give early warning signal if these signals cross a pre-determined threshold level. In addition the potential impact of nanotechnology for applications in medicine is that, the devices can be designed to interact with cells and tissues at the molecular level, which allows high degree of functionality. Devices engineered at nanometer scale imply a controlled manipulation of individual molecules and atoms that can interact with the human body at sub-cellular level. The recent progress in microelectronics and nanosensors crates very powerful tools for the early detection and diagnosis. The nanowire integrated potassium and dopamine sensors are ideal for the monitoring and control of many cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. Selected movies illustrating the applications of nanodevices to patients will be shown at the talk.
Synthesis and Iron Sequestration Equilibria of Novel Exocyclic 3-Hydroxy-2-pyridinone Donor Group Siderophore Mimics

The synthesis of a novel class of exocyclic bis- and tris-3,2-hydroxypyridinone (HOPO) chelators built on N(2) and N(3) aza-macrocyclic scaffolds and the thermodynamic solution characterization of their complexes with Fe(III) are described. The chelators for this study were prepared by reaction of either piperazine or N,N',N''-1,4,7-triazacyclononane with a novel electrophilic HOPO iminium salt in good yields. Subsequent removal of the benzyl protecting groups using HBr/acetic acid gave bis-HOPO chelators N(2)(etLH)(2) and N(2)(prLH)(2), and tris-HOPO chelator N(3)(etLH)(3) in excellent yields. Solution thermodynamic characterization of their complexes with Fe(III) was accomplished using spectrophotometric, potentiometric, and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) methods. The pK(a)'s of N(2)(etLH)(2), N(2)(prLH)(2), and N(3)(etLH)(3), were determined spectrophotometrically and potentiometrically. The Fe(III) complex stability constants for the tetradentate N(2)(etLH)(2) and N(2)(prLH)(2), and hexadentate N(3)(etLH)(3), were measured by spectrophotometric and potentiometric titration, and by competition with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). N(3)(etLH)(3) forms a 1:1 complex with Fe(III) with log β(110) = 27.34 ± 0.04. N(2)(prLH)(2) forms a 3:2 L:Fe complex with Fe(III) where log β(230) = 60.46 ± 0.04 and log β(110) = 20.39 ± 0.02. While N(2)(etLH)(2) also forms a 3:2 L:Fe complex with Fe(III), solubility problems precluded determining log β(230); log β(110) was found to be 20.45 ± 0.04. The pFe values of 26.5 for N(3)(etLH)(3) and 24.78 for N(2)(prLH)(2) are comparable to other siderophore molecules used in the treatment of iron overload, suggesting that these hydroxypyridinone ligands may be useful in the development of new chelation therapy agents.
Measurement of Regional Tissue Bed Venous Weighted Oximetric Trends During Exercise by Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is limited to children able to tolerate the equipment. Modification of instrumentation to reduce invasiveness will open CPET to a wider population. Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) devices measure regional oxyhemoglobin saturation (rSO2). We aim to predict anaerobic threshold (AT) during CPET using multiorgan NIRS monitoring. Nineteen subjects were recruited. NIRS probes were placed on the forehead, para vertebral space, vastus lateralis, and deltoid muscle (rSO2 C, rSO2 R, rSO2 L and rSO2 A). rSO2 was recorded at six second intervals at rest, exercise, and through a five minute recovery period. The AT was computed using the v-slope method. AT was also predicted using NIRS data by identifying the inflection point of the rSO2 trends for all the four sites. AT can be estimated by the point of slope change of rSO2 R, rSO2 C and the four-site composite measure. Multisite NIRS monitoring of visceral organs is a potential predictor of AT. This allows for monitoring in all forms of exercise over a wide age range.
The role of social cognition in comprehension monitoring

Two studies were conducted to examine the effect of children's social cognitions on their ability to monitor their comprehension in the referential communication paradigm. Specifically, it was hypo thesized that children's beliefs about the intentions and cooperative- ness of speakers prevent them from accurately evaluating messages. In Experiment 1, it was found that children who were made aware of the possibility that speakers themselves (rather than simply their words) might refer to more than one referent, were significantly better able to detect referential ambiguity than were children who, as in traditional referential communication studies, assumed that speakers attempted to describe a single referent. In Experiment 2, it was found that children faced with potentially uncooperative or dishonest speakers, carefully examined the words of referential directions and therefore detected more problems with those directions than children faced with honest, if potentially incompetent speakers. The results a...
Surgical Intervention in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cancer: Metastasectomy and Cytoreductive Nephrectomy

For patients with metastatic renal cancer, prognostic factors defined in systemic therapy clinical trials stratify patients into good, intermediate, and poor risk groups with median survival varying from 4 to 13 months. These same factors also stratify patients whose renal cancers were initially resected completely and who then developed subsequent metastatic disease. Metastasectomy performed in low-risk patients was significantly associated with enhanced survival when compared with low-risk patients not undergoing metastasectomy. Two randomized, prospective clinical trials demonstrated a modest survival advantage of approximately 6 months for patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy followed by interferon alfa-2b. Once effective systemic agents are developed, both metastasectomy and cytoreductive nephrectomy will play greater roles in consolidating clinical responses.
Inter dataset variability compensation for speaker recognition

Recently satisfactory results have been obtained in NIST speaker recognition evaluations. These results are mainly due to accurate modeling of a very large development dataset provided by LDC. However, for many realistic scenarios the use of this development dataset is limited due to a dataset mismatch. In such cases, collection of a large enough dataset is infeasible. In this work we analyze the sources of degradation for a particular setup in the context of an i-vector PLDA system and conclude that the main source for degradation is an i-vector dataset shift. As a remedy, we introduce inter dataset variability compensation (IDVC) to explicitly compensate for dataset shift in the i-vector space. This is done using the nuisance attribute projection (NAP) method. Using IDVC we managed to reduce error dramatically by more than 50% for the domain mismatch setup.
A method for dynamic crack and shear band propagation with phantom nodes

A new method for modelling of arbitrary dynamic crack and shear band propagation is presented. We show that by a rearrangement of the extended finite element basis and the nodal degrees of freedom, the discontinuity can be described by superposed elements and phantom nodes. Cracks are treated by adding phantom nodes and superposing elements on the original mesh. Shear bands are treated by adding phantom degrees of freedom. The proposed method simplifies the treatment of element-by-element crack and shear band propagation in explicit methods. A quadrature method for 4-node quadrilaterals is proposed based on a single quadrature point and hourglass control. The proposed method provides consistent history variables because it does not use a subdomain integration scheme for the discontinuous integrand. Numerical examples for dynamic crack and shear band propagation are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RELATION OF BRIGHTNESS CONTRAST TO INDUCING STIMULUS OUTPUT.

Brightness contrast effects elicited by foveally viewed, briefly exposed, point stimuli were measured and related to a psychophysical measure of inducing stimulus output. It was found, even with inducing output held constant, that magnitude of contrast effect depended upon test stimulus illuminance and that contrast effects summated in a nonlinear fashion. Relevance of the findings to more complicated visual phenomena, such as Mach bands, is discussed.
Contrast agents in functional MR imaging

Contrast agents have greatly expanded the role of MR imaging (MRI) to allow assessment of physiologic, or "functional," parameters. Although activation mapping generally does not require contrast agents, other forms of functional MRI, including mapping of cerebral hemodynamics (eg, perfusion imaging), are best done with the use of contrast agents. Serial echo planar images are obtained after bolus injection of lanthanide chelates. Application of susceptibility contrast physics and standard tracer kinetic principles permits generation of relative cerebral blood volume maps. Deconvolution of cerebral blood flow and mean transit time parameters is also possible within technical limitations. By using diffusion and perfusion pulse sequences, an imaging correlate to the ischemic penumbra can be identified. Functional MRI perfusion imaging of intraaxial tumors is analogous to positron emission tomography for delineation of metabolic activity, yet may be even more sensitive to neovascularity and possesses improved image quality. Clinical applications include biopsy site selection and postirradiation follow-up. Further improvements in data analysis and map generation techniques may improve diagnostic accuracy and utility.
Alterations in bovine endothelial histidine decarboxylase activity following exposure to shearing stresses.

Abstract Endothelial cell injury produced by elevated intravascular stresses represents a causative factor in atherogenesis. Of the various hemodynamic stresses, those imposed by shear have been particularly implicated. Since it is well established that tissue histamine synthesis increases following various forms of injury, and since endothelial histamine synthesis is considerably greater than that of other wall components, the histidine decarboxylase (HD) activity of primary cultures of bovine endothelium following 1.5 hr exposure to various shearing stress intensities has been examined. Results indicate that with respect to paired, nonstressed control cultures, endothelial cell HD activity increases 2.8-, 2.3-, and 3.7-fold when subjected to mean shearing stresses of 2.8, 4.6, and 6.2 dynes/cm2, respectively. These data indicate endothelial histamine synthesis is extremely sensitive to shearing stress exposure, and suggest this enzyme system may represent an enzymatic coupler between hemodynamic stresses and subsequent permeability alterations.
Mineralization Potential of Electrospun PDO-Hydroxyapatite-Fibrinogen Blended Scaffolds

The current bone autograft procedure for cleft palate repair presents several disadvantages such as limited availability, additional invasive surgery, and donor site morbidity. The present preliminary study evaluates the mineralization potential of electrospun polydioxanone:nano-hydroxyapatite : fibrinogen (PDO : nHA : Fg) blended scaffolds in different simulated body fluids (SBF). Scaffolds were fabricated by blending PDO : nHA : Fg in the following percent by weight ratios: 100 : 0 : 0, 50 : 25 : 25, 50 : 50 : 0, 50 : 0 : 50, 0 : 0 : 100, and 0 : 50 : 50. Samples were immersed in (conventional (c), revised (r), ionic (i), and modified (m)) SBF for 5 and 14 days to induce mineralization. Scaffolds were characterized before and after mineralization via scanning electron microscopy, Alizarin Red-based assay, and modified burnout test. The addition of Fg resulted in scaffolds with smaller fiber diameters. Fg containing scaffolds also induced sheet-like mineralization while individual fiber mineralization was noticed in its absence. Mineralized electrospun Fg scaffolds without PDO were not mechanically stable after 5 days in SBF, but had superior mineralization capabilities which produced a thick bone-like mineral (BLM) layer throughout the scaffolds. 50 : 50 : 0 scaffolds incubated in either r-SBF for 5 days or c-SBF for 14 days produced scaffolds with high mineral content and individual-mineralized fibers. These mineralized scaffolds were still porous and will be further optimized as an effective bone substitute in future studies.