cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inference in optical interferometry: a quick review of modeling and imaging techniques

The problem of inference in optical interferometry, i.e. turning the on-sky data into meaningful astrophysics, is a difficult ill-posed problem. But in the last two decades, several exciting developments have taken place and novel algorithms have arisen; in imaging: multi-wavelength imaging, dynamical imaging, imaging on spheroids, and production of error bars on images; in model-fitting: new bootstrapping techniques and Bayesian model selection for model-fitting. Both the characterization of the data (likelihood) and of our expectation of the solution (regularization) have improved. Buzzword-sounding techniques such as Compressed Sensing, Machine Learning, ADMM, and GPU Computing are now finding practical applications. The recent algorithmic work by the Event Horizon Telescope team has also sparked interest in optical interferometry. This paper covers these topics in an attempt to predict what the future holds for inference in our field.
Chorioamnionitis and adverse outcomes in low-risk pregnancies: a population-based study.

To compare the composite neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes among low-risk pregnancies with versus without chorioamnionitis. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using U.S. Vital Statistic...
Anomaly detection in multimodal MRI identifies rare individual phenotypes among 20,000 brains

The UK Biobank (UKB) is a large-scale epidemiological study and its imaging component focuses on the pre-symptomatic participants. Given its large sample size, rare imaging phenotypes within this unique cohort are of interest, as they are often clinically relevant and could be informative for discovering new processes and mechanisms. Identifying these rare phenotypes is often referred to as "anomaly detection", or "outlier detection". However, anomaly detection in neuroimaging has usually been applied in a supervised or semi-supervised manner for clinically defined cohorts of relatively small size. There has been much less work using anomaly detection on large unlabeled cohorts like the UKB. Here we developed a two-level anomaly screening methodology to systematically identify anomalies from ~19,000 UKB subjects. The same method was also applied to ~1,000 young healthy subjects from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). In primary screening, using ventricular, white matter, and gray matter-based imaging phenotypes derived from multimodal MRI, every subject was parameterized with an anomaly score per phenotype to quantitate the degree of abnormality. These anomaly scores were highly robust. Anomaly score distributions of the UKB cohort were all more outlier-prone than the HCP cohort of young adults. The approach enabled the assessments of test-retest reliability via the anomaly scores, which ranged from excellent reliability for ventricular volume, white matter lesion volume, and fractional anisotropy, to good reliability for mean diffusivity and cortical thickness. In secondary screening, the anomalies due to data collection/processing errors were eliminated. A subgroup of the remaining anomalies were radiologically reviewed, and a substantial percentage of them (UKB: 90.1%; HCP: 42.9%) had various brain pathologies such as masses, cysts, white matter lesions, infarcts, encephalomalacia, or prominent sulci. The remaining anomalies of the subgroup had unexplained causes and would be interesting for follow-up. Finally, we show that anomaly detection applied to resting-state functional connectivity did not identify any reliable anomalies, which was attributed to the confounding effects of brain-wide signal variation. Together, this study establishes an unsupervised framework for investigating rare individual imaging phenotypes within large heterogeneous cohorts.
Radiation Oncology Program Directors' Attitudes Toward Twenty-Seven Discrete Palliative Care Skills.

Background: We evaluated radiation oncology residency program directors' attitudes toward discrete palliative care skills in effort to determine which skills should be prioritized in radiation onco...
Transient laminar forced convection to power-law fluids inside ducts resulting from a sudden change in wall temperature

The transient laminar forced convection to power-law fluids in thermally developing, hydrodynamically developed flow inside parallel-plate ducts and circular tubes resulting from a sudden change in wall temperature is studied. The generalized integral transform and the Laplace transform techniques are employed to develop approximate analytic solutions. The local Nusselt number and average fluid temperature are presented over the range of the dimensionless axial coordinate Z varying from 10−4 to 10−1 for several dimensionless times. Three different values of the power-law index are considered in the study includedn=1/3,n=1 andn=3 corresponding to, respectively, the pseudoplastic, Newtonian and dilatant fluids.
The Preparation and Activation of [sialyl-3H]Prothrombin

Abstract Bovine prothrombin with tritium incorporated into its sialic acid residues has been prepared by the method of Van Lenten and Ashwell ((1970) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 1889–1894). The resulting radiolabeled protein ([sialyl-3H]prothrombin) was electrophoretically indistinguishable from the untreated protein. The thrombin activity generated by factor Xa activation of [sialyl-3H]prothrombin was about 90 % of that obtained from nonlabeled prothrombin. The sole products of the reaction of thrombin with [sialyl-3H]prothrombin are intermediates 1 and 3. The products of the activation of [sialyl-3H]prothrombin with factor Xa are intermediates 1,2,3, and 4. Analysis of the carbohydrate distribution during activation suggests that about two-thirds of the sialic acid is present in intermediate 3, and about one-third of the sialic acid is attached to intermediate 1. Upon further activation, the carbohydrate which was attached to intermediate 1 is found in intermediate 2, and subsequently in α-thrombin. Intermediate 4 contains no sialic acid. Activation of [sialyl-3H]prothrombin in serum-thromboplastin produced intermediates identical in apparent molecular weight with those produced both upon activation in purified systems (Heldebrant, C. M., Butkowski, R. J., Bajaj, S. P., and Mann, K. G. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 7149–7163) and upon the activation of fluorescein-labeled prothrombin in serum-thromboplastin (Fass, D. N., and Mann, K. G. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 3280–3287). The sialic acid distribution during serum-thromboplastin activation was identical with that observed in purified systems. The radiolabeling procedure has also been successfully applied to the labeling of bovine intermediate 3, bovine factor X, and human prothrombin.
The Marketing/Finance Interface: Two Divergent and Complementary Views of the Firm

Abstract Economics is the mother discipline of both marketing and finance. In recent years, marketing researchers have largely looked to scholars in psychology and sociology for inspiration. The economic roots of marketing are sometimes forgotten. One way to recapture this lost heritage is by turning to the sister discipline of finance, an area of inquiry that has made great strides in terms of applying economic principles to business problems. The purpose of this special issue is to explore the interface between marketing and finance. The following essay provides an introduction to this issue. It also provides a background for thinking about the ways in which the two disciplines diverge and the ways in which they are complementary.
RET gene mutations (genotype and phenotype) of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma

The rapid technical advances in molecular biology and accelerating improvements in genomic and proteomic diagnostics have led to increasingly personalized strategies for cancer therapy. Such an approach integrates the genomic, proteomic, and molecular information unique to the individual to provide an accurate genetic diagnosis, molecular risk assessment, informed family counseling, therapeutic profiling, and early preventative management that best fits the particular needs of each patient. The discovery of mutations in the RET proto-oncogene resulting in variable onset and severity of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) was the first step in developing direct genetic testing for at-risk individuals. Patients with germline RET mutations may undergo risk assessment and appropriate intervention based on specific mutations. Moreover, family members of affected individuals receive counseling based on understanding of the genetic transmission of the disease. Increasingly, clinicians are able to make therapeutic choices guided by an informative biomarker code. Improvements in detection and management of patients with MEN2 resulting from understanding of the RET proto-oncogene are evidence of the benefits of personalized cancer medicine. This review describes the discovery of the RET proto-oncogene, the association between genotype and phenotype, and the role of mutation analysis on diagnosis and treatment of MEN2.
The Collapse of a Dumbbell Moving Under Its Mean Curvature

The collapse of a dumbbell moving under its mean curvature has attracted considerable attention. A new class of numerical algorithms has been developed recently that can follow hypersurfaces propagating with curvature-dependent speed in any number of space dimensions. The essential idea behind these algorithms is to view the propagating hypersurface as a particular level set of a higher dimensional function. The motion of this higher-dimensional function is described by a scalar Hamilton-Jacobi equation with parabolic right-hand-side. This equation may be easily solved using techniques borrowed from the solution to hyperbolic conservation laws. We demonstrate this technique applied to the problem of a dumbbell collapsing under its own mean curvature. Our results show the breaking of the handle, the developing singularity, and the collapse of the two separate sections.
Proline-rich tyrosine kinase regulates NF-κB and PPARγ to promote hypoxia-induced proliferative phenotype of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (1175.1)

Hypoxia stimulates pulmonary hypertension in part by increasing the proliferation of pulmonary vascular wall cells via sustained activation of MAP kinase ERK 1/2, NF-κB, and downregulation of PPARγ levels. However, the upstream signaling events that mediate NF-κB upregulation and PPARγ downregulation remain unknown. We examined the role of Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) in hypoxia-induced proliferation of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMC). Exposure of HPASMC to hypoxia (1% O2) for 72 hrs resulted in the activation of Pyk2. siRNA-mediated Pyk2 depletion or its pharmacological inhibition attenuated hypoxia-induced HPASMC proliferation. Pyk2 inhibition attenuated hypoxia-induced: 1) ERK 1/2 activation, 2) NF-κB transcriptional activity and 3) reductions in PPARγ mRNA levels. Conversely, siRNA-mediated PPARγ depletion enhanced, whereas PPARγ overexpression attenuated HPASMC Pyk2 activation. Exposing C57BL/6 mice to 10% O2 for 3 weeks reduced lung PPARγ but increased Pyk2 levels compar...
Review of the Research on Supernovae

In the 1928 April issue of Harper’s Magazine there appeared an article by George Ellery Hale, then Director of the Mount Wilson Observatory, which was entitled ‘The Possibilities of Large Telescopes’. The article starts out with the following sentence, “Like buried treasures, the outposts of the universe have beckoned to the adventurous since immemorial times.” It has been related that Mr Rockefeller read only this first sentence of the article and immediately called up Hale, offering to support any of his big plans financially. A few months later the International Education Board of the Rockefeller Foundation awarded the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena six million dollars for the construction of a new Astrophysical Observatory and Laboratory, to be conducted in close cooperation with the Mount Wilson Observatory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Hale’s plans for the new observatory envisaged the building of a 200-in. reflecting telescope and all necessary auxiliary apparatus and devices.
Ratio Imaging: Practical Considerations for Measuring Intracellular Ca2+ and pH in Living Cells

This chapter discusses the use of ratiometric fluorescent probes for measuring intracellular pH (pHi) and Cai(2+) concentration at the single cell level. The development of sensitive and stable probes for monitoring pHi and Cai(2+) in living cells has provided the scientists with invaluable tools for studying a multitude of cellular processes. These probes afford a noninvasive and semiquantitative assessment of pHi and Cai(2+), eliminating the need to impale cells with microelectrodes. The development and availability of membrane permeant Cai(2+)- and pH-specific fluorescent probes coupled to major advances in the technology and design of low-light-level charge-coupled devices geared toward biological applications, and improved microscope optics, have made it possible to visualize a two-dimensional fluorescence signal that is related to Cai(2+) and pHi. The chapter describes the basis for using dual excitation ratio imaging and tries to provide a framework for understanding and developing the technique for investigating the roles of Cai(2+) and pHi in cellular processes. The technique of quantitative ratio imaging for the measurement of pHi and Cai(2+) has revolutionized the field of cell physiology. Using the proper equipment and choosing the right dyes for the experimental needs should provide reliable and reproducible results. More importantly, the amount of data produced from each experiment, when analyzing pHi and Cai(2+) on an individual cell basis, yields valuable information on the heterogeneity of cellular responses.
Two-dimensional ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy of azides in ionic liquids reveals solute-specific solvation.

The stereochemistry and the reaction rates of bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reactions involving azides in ionic liquids are governed by solute–solvent interactions. Two-dimensional ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy (2D-IR) shows that the picosecond dynamics of inorganic azides are substantially slower than organic azides in a series of homologous imidazolium ionic liquids. In water, both organic and inorganic azides spectrally diffuse with a ∼2 ps time constant. In the aprotic solvent tetrahydrofuran, both kinds of azides spectrally diffuse on a timescale >5 ps. In ionic liquids, like 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]), organic azides spectrally diffuse with a 2–4 ps time constant, and inorganic azides spectrally diffuse with a >40 ps time constant. Such a striking difference suggests that neutral (organic) and charged (inorganic) azides are incorporated in the ionic liquids with different solvation structures.
Enforcement architecture and implementation model for group-centric Information Sharing

A fundamental requirement for Secure Information Sharing (SIS) is that protection needs to extend to clients. Trusted Computing Technology provides a hardware root of trust through the Trusted Platform Module. We present a super-distribution based enforcement architecture and implementation model for the group-centric SIS problem which is concerned with sharing information within a set of authorized users. With super-distribution, group subjects can encrypt objects once and distribute them via any means such as Email, USB flash drives, P2P, WWW, etc. Other authorized group subjects may access these objects without having to contact an authorization server to download the object. A Trusted Reference Monitor on client platforms faithfully enforces group policies.
Functional Interactions of Alcohol-sensitive Sites in the N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor M3 and M4 Domains

The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor is an important mediator of the behavioral effects of ethanol in the central nervous system. Previous studies have demonstrated sites in the third and fourth membrane-associated (M) domains of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor NR2A subunit that influence alcohol sensitivity and ion channel gating. We investigated whether two of these sites, Phe-637 in M3 and Met-823 in M4, interactively regulate the ethanol sensitivity of the receptor by testing dual substitution mutants at these positions. A majority of the mutations decreased steady-state glutamate EC50 values and maximal steady-state to peak current ratios (Iss/Ip), whereas only two mutations altered peak glutamate EC50 values. Steady-state glutamate EC50 values were correlated with maximal glutamate Iss/Ip values, suggesting that changes in glutamate potency were attributable to changes in desensitization. In addition, there was a significant interaction between the substituents at positions 637 and 823 with respect to glutamate potency and desensitization. IC50 values for ethanol among the mutants varied over the approximate range 100–325 mm. The sites in M3 and M4 significantly interacted in regulating ethanol sensitivity, although this was apparently dependent upon the presence of methionine in position 823. Molecular dynamics simulations of the NR2A subunit revealed possible binding sites for ethanol near both positions in the M domains. Consistent with this finding, the sum of the molecular volumes of the substituents at the two positions was not correlated with ethanol IC50 values. Thus, there is a functional interaction between Phe-637 and Met-823 with respect to glutamate potency, desensitization, and ethanol sensitivity, but the two positions do not appear to form a unitary site of alcohol action.
Linear Oligosiloxanes with Bis-(Trimethylsilyl-)amine Chain-terminating Groups

α,ω-Di-halogeno-oligosiloxanes react with sodium-bis-(trimethylsilyl-)amide to form α-bis-(trimethylsilyl-)amino-ω-halogeno-oligosiloxanes. These new compounds may be hydrolyzed to the corresponding bis-silylamino-substituted silanols or resulting disiloxanes; ammonolyses yield the corresponding silylamines or disilazanes. The structure of the prepared compounds was proved by 1H–NMR and IR spectra. α,ω;-Dihalogeno-oligosiloxane reagieren mit Natrium-bis-trimethylsilylamid unter Bildung von α-Bis-trimethylsilylamino-ω-halogenosiloxan. Diese geben bei der Hydrolyse die entsprechenden Silanole bzw. Siloxane, bei der Ammonolyse Silylamine bzw. Disilazane. Die Struktur der Verbindungen wurde durch 1H–NMR- und IR-Spektren bestatigt.
Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia of the thyroid: A case report and review of the literature

We present the clinical and histopathologic findings of a 38-year-old woman recently diagnosed with sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia of the thyroid (SMECE). This case is of particular interest because of its extremely aggressive clinical course. After total thyroidectomy, there was extensive bilateral thyroid lobe involvement with extension into perithyroidal soft tissues and the modified radical neck dissection contained 35 of 35 positive lymph nodes. This patient underwent 2 further surgeries; the first was a second right neck and supraclavicular surgery for lymph node metastases in which 8 of 11 were positive, followed a few months later by posterior neck surgery in which multiple lymph nodes were positive. Tumor was also documented by histological review from a right axillary lymph node. Imaging evidence of tumor in the lungs and liver was also present. Establishing the correct diagnosis of SMECE involves an awareness of the cyto- and histomorphologic features of this rare malignancy. As evidence that the biologic behavior of this neoplasm may well be more aggressive than previously considered, we briefly present the clinical and biologic course of this patient's neoplasm and a review of the literature.
Community- and School-Sponsored Program Participation and Academic Achievement in a Full-Service Community School.

Community schools represent a school reform approach that purports to address the multifaceted and intertwined challenges faced by poor urban communities and schools. The community school approach includes partnering with community organizations, making the school a community hub where services are provided during and outside of the school day, and targeting broad student, family, and community outcomes. This study examines one of the primary components of community schools, schooland community-sponsored extracurricular programming, and its relationship to academic achievement. The study was performed at an urban community school serving Grades 7 through 12. Descriptive analyses indicated high levels of participation and variation in participation, and academic achievement by demographic group. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that both school- and community-sponsored program participation were significant predictors of academic achievement. Implications of the results and future directions for research are discussed.
Fiber Glass - An Inorganic Insulation

In summing up the characteristics of fiber glass those which make it valuable for electrical insulation are: 1. Noninflammable and highly heat resistant. The operable temperature is limited only by the impregnant used, and there is a very definite temperature range between the operable temperature of organic fabrics and that of heat-resistant impregnants where glass is unique. 2. Exceptionally high tensile strength. 3. Nonhygroscopic. 4. Resists attack by moisture, acids, oils, and corrosive vapors. 5. Good thermal conductivity. 6. Excellent dielectric strength when impregnated. 7. High insulation resistance.
A monoclonal antibody identifies a glycoprotein complex involved in cell-substratum adhesion☆

Abstract The monoclonal antibody CSAT has been reported to perturb the adhesion of chick embryo cells to their substratum (Neff et al. [19]). Evidence is presented here that the antigen recognized by this monoclonal antibody is comprised of three membrane glycoproteins. The antigen is released from cells with non-ionic detergent and purified by monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography. When analysed by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions, the antigen resolves into three components of apparent molecular weights 16 0000 (band 1), 135 000 (band 2), and 110 000 (band 3). Following reduction of each component, bands 1 and 2 migrate at slightly lower apparent molecular weights, while band 3 migrates at a higher apparent molecular weight, suggesting that band 3 has an internal disulfide bond. All three bands differ from one another as determined by peptide mapping and by immunologic cross-reactivity. It is postulated that the three glycoproteins function as a complex that plays a central role in cell-substratum adhesion.
Linear dipole behavior in single CdSe-oligo(phenylene vinylene) nanostructures.

We report on linearly polarized absorption and emission from individual (4.3 nm) CdSe quantum dots whose surfaces are coordinated with monodisperse oligo-phenylene vinylene ligands. Shown previously to suppress quantum dot blinking, we demonstrate here that the electronic interaction of photoexcited ligands with the quantum dot core is manifested as a strong polarization anisotropy in absorption (M = 0.5), as well as distinct linear dipole emission patterns from the quantum dot core. Further, there is a correlation between the quantum dot emission moment and polarization orientation corresponding to the absorption maxima that is manifested as fluctuations in emission moment orientation in the X−Y plane. The observed polarization effects can be switched off by tuning the excitation away from the ligand absorption band. We propose a mechanism based on exciton dissociation from the photoexcited ligand, followed by the pinning of electrons at the quantum dot surface. The resulting Stark interaction is suffici...
Relativistic basis-set calculations for atoms with Fermi nuclei

Nuclei are frequently assumed to be spherically symmetric distributions of (positive) charge in atomic calculations. The Fermi distribution function ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{0}$/(1+${\mathit{e}}^{(\mathit{r}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{c})/\mathit{a}}$) models the nuclear ``skin'' in addition to the finite extension of the nuclear charge distribution. It is a popular choice when finite-difference methods are used in calculations of atomic structure because all derivatives of the corresponding potential-energy function are finite and continuous in the region 0r\ensuremath{\infty} when ag0. We investigate such ``Fermi nuclei'' in the context of relativistic basis-set calculations: We present upper limits on the Dirac-Fock and Dirac-Fock-Breit ground-state energies of heliumlike ions with Z=10,20,...,160; we also present a basis-set estimate of the Dirac-Fock energy of the neutral mercury atom.
Collagenase, its inhibitors, and decorin in the lower uterine segment in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: It is postulated that collagenase activity in the cervix and lower uterine segment is important for dilatation at the time of labor. If so, the enzyme must partially escape from control by inhibitors. A second hypothesis is that an elevated ratio of decorin (dermatan sulfate proteoglycan) to collagen may also contribute to the dilatation process. STUDY DESIGN: The activity of collagenase, its natural inhibitors (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and α 2 -macroglobulin), elastase, hydroxyproline (collagen), and decorin were quantified in biopsies of the lower uterine segment at term (not dilated) and during active labor. RESULTS: Collagenase concentration is 23 times higher in the cervix of patients in labor than at term. The sum of α 2 -macroglobulin plus tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 increased only twofold in labor, as did elastase. The ratio of decorin to collagen doubled. CONCLUSION: The imbalance caused by collagenase increasing much more than its inhibitors may contribute to collagen breakdown and dilatation. Neutrophils may be responsible for much of this increase of collagenase. The increased ratio of decorin to collagen supports the hypothesis that the interaction of these two components is important in dilatation.
Form factors of the hydrogen atom in excited states

An exact closed expression for the form factor (and hence the generalized oscillator strength) for bound-free transitions of the hydrogen atom in highly excited states is derived by use of the Coulomb Green's function. The calculated densities of the generalized oscillator strength of the excited hydrogen atom with an initial principal quantum number ${n}_{0}=10$ are 10.9(-5.0), 13.6(-4.0), 22.7(-3.0), 55.3(-2.0), 96.2(-1.0), 42.1(0.0), and 4.63(1.0) in ${\mathrm{Ry}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ near the ionization threshold [for $\frac{E}{I({n}_{0})}$ = 1.0001]. Here a figure in parentheses denotes the value of $\mathrm{ln}({n}_{0}^{2}{q}^{2})$, where $q$ is the magnitude of the momentum transfer, $E$ the excitation energy measured from the state ${n}_{0}$, and $I({n}_{0})$ the ionization potential. Using these results, we draw the Bethe surface, i.e., a three-dimensional plot of the density of the generalized oscillator strength as a function of $E$ and $\mathrm{ln}{q}^{2}$. This surface gives a quantitative understanding for the entirety of the inelastic process of this excited atom by charged particles. The validity of the binary-encounter theory is quantitatively discussed. The Born sections for excitations ${n}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{n}_{0}+1$, ${n}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{n}_{0}+2$, ${n}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2{n}_{0}$ transitions) and ionization are evaluated for the case of ${n}_{0}=10 \mathrm{and} 20$. Finally, an application of this form factor to the collisional of the highly excited atom with a molecule is briefly mentioned.
Parameter Estimation in Models of Cell Survival Using Scaled Time

Many individual samples are needed to measure cell survival following heating at multiple temperatures and multiple heating durations. For example, if eight time points are considered for each of seven treatment temperatures with three replicates at each condition, then 168 separate samples are needed. In addition, physical considerations may limit the number of points that can be measured, especially as treatment temperature increases and the heating duration decreases. For a reasonable sample size, there may be a limit to the treatment temperature as the time required to heat the culture to the target temperature becomes comparable to the treatment time. Then, using an isothermal analysis of the data introduces error and the temperature must be considered time varying, requiring estimates of the very parameters being sought. Conversely, for long treatment times, it may be difficult to insure that the temperature remains constant and that the temperature is the only modified experimental condition in the culture medium. These challenges typically lead to relatively small data sets. Furthermore, treating each temperature as a separate experiment leads to challenging statistical analysis of the data, as the few data points lead to difficulty in finding the confidence intervals of the parameters in a given model.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The Influence of Cloud-Base Temperature and Pressure on Droplet Concentration

Abstract Cloud-base temperature is an important, but often neglected, parameter in the activation of cloud drops. Other factors being equal, clouds with colder bases will activate more condensation nuclei than clouds having warmer bases. In a typical case, a decrease in cloud base temperature from +10°C to −10°C will result in approximately a one-third increase in the drop concentration. Variations in cloud base pressure, on the other hand, are relatively unimportant. The primary tool used in this evaluation is a detailed model of droplet activation and condensational growth which is significantly more efficient than previously reported models of this type. In addition, Squires” analytical expression for drop concentration is recast to permit direct evaluation of the influence of temperature and pressure.
APICAL HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY PRESENTING WITH SUSTAINED MONOMORPHIC VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC CHANGES SIMULATING CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND LEFT VENTRICULAR ANEURYSM

A 52-year-old male presented with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia as the initial manifestation of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The electrocardiogram during normal sinus rhythm showed a pattern of an old anterior wall myocardial infarction with aneurysm formation. Cardiac catheterization documented angiographically normal coronary arteries. Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was documented at cardiac catheterization and by echocardiogram and Doppler studies. Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia was reproducibly initiated and terminated during electrophysiological studies and antiarrhythmic drugs failed to control the tachycardia. At the time of implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator, left ventricular apical biopsy revealed pathologic findings characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
PATTERN FEND PROGRESSION OF DRAG USE AMONG HYPERACTIVES AND CONTROLS: A PROSPECTIVE SHORT‐TERM LONGITUDINAL STUDY

The pattern and progression in drug use across a 1-year interval was investigated for 54 hyperactives and 47 controls aged 13-18. Initiation and use rates between groups at Time 1 and Time 2 also were studied. Patterns of drug usage differed slightly between hyperactives and controls, with the hyperactives showing greater involvement with cigarettes. As well, the data for progression in use across the 1-year interval showed that hyperactives were by-and-large less predictable than controls in the progression of their drug use. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.
Implementing METS, MIX, and DC for Sustaining Digital Preservation at the University of Houston Libraries

The University of Houston Digital Library (UHDL) provides access to collections of digital materials related to the institutional memory of the university and to areas connected to its teaching, research, and cultural missions. Recently, a variety of image archives have been processed and preserved. This article demonstrates the development of preservation metadata strategies at UHDL and the preservation of Metadata Encoding Transmission Standard (METS) records generated from customized “7train” based on Dublin Core (DC) descriptive metadata and NISO Metadata for Images in XML Schema (MIX) technical metadata using two open-source software tools (JHOVE and 7train). We are able to produce complete METS records for digital objects preserved.
Differential Ras signaling via the antigen receptor and IL-2 receptor in primary T lymphocytes.

Abstract Ras can become activated via multiple distinct receptors in T lymphocytes. However, mechanistic studies of Ras signaling in normal T cells have been hampered by the lack of an efficient technology for gene transfer into resting post-thymic cells. We have overcome this limitation by utilizing adenoviral transduction of T cells from Coxsackie/adenovirus receptor transgenic mice. Unexpectedly, dominant negative Ras17N blocked activation of Ras and ERK in response to IL-2R engagement but not TCR/CD3 ligation. However, TCR-induced ERK activation was suppressed by inhibitors of PKC and PLC-γ. This first biochemical study of DN Ras in normal quiescent T cells reveals a striking contrast in Ras signaling via two receptors, and suggests that the principal mechanism of TCR-induced Ras activation in normal T cells may be distinct from that utilized in T-lineage tumor cell lines.
Integrating JSky into the Large Millimeter Telescope monitor and control system

The Large Millimeter Telescope monitor and control system (LMTMC) is an automatically generated software system that is implemented using XML and Java. One of the requirements of the system is catalog support. Rather than developing new catalog navigation techniques and building them into the automatically generated code, we chose to use JSky. JSky is a set of Java components providing catalog and image support for Astronomy. The JSky classes are extended to form new classes with additional capabilities that tighten the integration with the LMTMC system. Not only can users navigate local and web hosted catalogs, they can also direct output from catalogs into the control panels of the system eliminating error-prone typing or cut and paste operations. In addition, users can retrieve digital sky survey images from the catalogs, and superimpose scientific data on them to verify correct operation.
Ionic conductivity of Bi3BaO5.5 and Bi3 − xMxBaO5.5 − x2(M = Pb, Cd) solid solutions

Abstract The cubic γ-Bi 3 BaO 5.5 shows about half an order of magnitude higher ionic conductivity than that of the structurally distorted monoclinic β-phase. Solid solutions of the monoclinic isomorph Bi 3 − x M x BaO 5.5 − x 2 ( M = Pb , Cd ) have been prepared by solid state reactions. The increase of ionic conductivity in these substituted phases is ascribed to the combined effect of decreasing activation energy and increasing preexponential factor.
Oxygen Concentration Inside a Functioning Photosynthetic Cell

The excess oxygen concentration in the photosynthetic membranes of functioning oxygenic photosynthetic cells was estimated using classical diffusion theory combined with experimental data on oxygen production rates of cyanobacterial cells. The excess oxygen concentration within the plesiomorphic cyanobacterium Gloeobactor violaceus is only 0.025 μM, or four orders of magnitude lower than the oxygen concentration in air-saturated water. Such a low concentration suggests that the first oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria in solitary form could have evolved ∼2.8 billion years ago without special mechanisms to protect them against reactive oxygen species. These mechanisms instead could have been developed during the following ∼500 million years while the oxygen level in the Earth’s atmosphere was slowly rising. Excess oxygen concentrations within individual cells of the apomorphic cyanobacteria Synechocystis and Synechococcus are 0.064 and 0.25 μM, respectively. These numbers suggest that intramembrane and intracellular proteins in isolated oxygenic photosynthetic cells are not subjected to excessively high oxygen levels. The situation is different for closely packed colonies of photosynthetic cells. Calculations show that the excess concentration within colonies that are ∼40 μm or larger in diameter can be comparable to the oxygen concentration in air-saturated water, suggesting that species forming colonies require protection against reactive oxygen species even in the absence of oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere.
Laparoscopic-assisted and minilaparotomy approaches to colorectal diseases are similar in early outcome

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare laparoscopy with minilaparotomy approaches to colorectal diseases. METHOD: Outcomes after minilaparotomy and laparoscopy were prospectively compared for a 12-month period. RESULTS: Minilaparotomy was performed in 35 patients to achieve right colectomy (14), left colectomy (8), total colectomy (2), low anterior resection (6), abdominoperineal resection (2), colostomy (1), and ileal resection (1). Laparoscopic techniques were used in 52 patients to perform right colectomy (20), left colectomy (11), low anterior resection (5), abdominoperineal resection (7), total colectomy (3), ileal resection (1), colostomy (3), transverse colectomy (1), and colostomy closure (1). Mean operative times were 69 minutes for minilaparotomy (range, 33–180) and 173 minutes for laparoscopy (range, 60–300). Mean incision lengths were 12 (range, 8–18) cm and 8 (range, 0–25) cm; mean time to bowel movement was four (range, 1–7) days and 3-9 (range, 0–8) days; mean day of discharge was 6.9 (range, 3–15) days, and 6 (range, 1–15) days postoperatively, respectively. Laparoscopy procedures were completed in 39 of 52 patients (75 percent); mean time to bowel movement was 3-5 (range, 0–6) days, and mean day of discharge was 5.3 (range, 1–14) days (P=<0.005). CONCLUSION: The use of a small incision, whether by minilaparotomy or by laparoscopy, results in similar early return of function and discharge.
CHLOROPLAST DNA EVIDENCE FOR GENOME DIFFERENTIATION IN WILD POTATOES (SOLANUM SECT. PETOTA: SOLANACEAE)

Chloroplast DNA restriction site analysis has been used to test Hawkes's phylogenetic interpretations of the genomic data in Solanum sect. Petota. Hawkes hypothesized a diploid (2n = 24) origin of the tuber-bearing members of this group (subsection Potatoe) in Mexico and Central America (as a B genome) with later migrations and evolution to an A genome in South America, later followed by a return migration of the A genome to Mexico and Central America with A x B hybridizations and polyploidizations to produce ser. Longipedicellata (4x) and Demissa (6x). Our results provide partial support for this hypothesis by demonstrating the paraphyletic and primitive nature of the B genome species group, and the monophyletic and derived nature of all A genome and A x B genome species, including S. verrucosum, a hypothesized A genome progenitor of ser. Demissa. Thus, the Mexican and Central American polyploid species must have obtained their cytoplasm from the A genome. However, our results question the Stellata/Rotata hypothesis of Hawkes and the taxonomic placement of S. chomatophilum in ser. Conicibaccata.
Tracing the auditory pathways to electrophysiologically characterized neurons with HRP and Fos double-labeling technique

By combining HRP histochemistry with Fos immunocytochemistry, we demonstrate in this study that electrophysiologically characterized auditory neurons can be double-labeled with HRP and Fos after iontophoretic injection of HRP into the recording site. Neurons which projected fibers to the recording site were labeled with HRP and were Fos-like immunoreactive. This double-labeling technique in combination with electrophysiological recording offers the possibility to determine the fiber projections between sound-activated neurons which are identified either electrophysiologically and/or immunocytochemically.
A highly-sensitive plasma von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo) activity assay by flow cytometry.

Summary. Background: Assays of plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo) are essential for the laboratory diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) and for monitoring therapy. However, current manual or automated VWF:RCo assay methods have relatively poor operating characteristics. Our goal was to develop and validate a simple, accurate, specific and sensitive platelet-based VWF:RCo assay. Methods: Using green or red fluorochrome-labeled, fixed normal platelets and normal or patient plasma, ristocetin-dependent and VWF-mediated platelet aggregation was detected by flow cytometry. VWF:RCo activity was assayed as the number of double-positive events (green and red) among all green or red events, relative to the calibrator plasma signal (6–150% or IU dL−1), and reported as percent or IU dL−1. We tested plasma samples from normal donors (n = 51) and known VWD patients (type 1, n = 16; type 2, n = 17) based on clinical history, levels of plasma VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), VWF:RCo activity (manual platelet aggregometry/agglutination assay), factor (F) VIII activity and VWF multimer analysis. Results: For normal donors and type 1 VWD patients, VWF:RCo activity by flow cytometry vs. manual platelet aggregation correlated closely (R2 = 0.74), and VWF:RCo/VWF:Ag ratios did not differ significantly. In contrast, VWF:RCo/VWF:Ag ratios for type 2 VWD subtypes were significantly lower using VWF:RCo by flow cytometry vs. manual platelet aggregation assay (P < 0.01), especially for type 2A VWD patients. Conclusions: This new flow cytometry-based VWF:RCo assay is simple, accurate, specific and sensitive, particularly for type 2 VWD.
Balo concentric sclerosis in children: a case series.

Balo concentric sclerosis is a unique and rare phenomenon in demyelinating disease. Typically thought of as a subtype of multiple sclerosis, Balo concentric sclerosis is characterized pathologicall...
Design and Results of the Antiarrhythmics vs Implantable Defibrillators (AVID) Registry

Background—The Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators (AVID) Study compared treatment with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators versus antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). AVID maintained a Registry on all patients, randomized or not, with any VA or unexplained syncope who could be considered for either of the treatment strategies. Trial-eligible arrhythmias were the categories of VF cardiac arrest, Syncopal VT, and Symptomatic VT, below. Methods and Results—Of 5989 patients screened, 4595 were registered and 1016 were randomized. Mortality follow-up through 1996 was obtained on the 4219 Registry patients enrolled before 1997 through the National Death Index. Crude mortality rates (mean±SD, follow-up, 16.9±11.5 months) were: VF cardiac arrest, 17.0% (n=1399, 238 deaths); Syncopal VT, 21.2% (n=598, 127 deaths); Symptomatic VT, 15.8% (n=1065, 168 deaths); Stable (asymptomatic) VT, 19.7% (n=497, 98 deaths); VT/VF with transient/correctable cause,...
Heroism and the Supernatural in the African Epic Toward a Critical Analysis

This article is a critical analysis of the role and function of the supernatural in African epics. It is necessitated by the persistent misconception and misrepresentation of the African epic that ...
A 750-year fire history based on lake sediment records in central Yellowstone National Park, USA

A 750-year fire history was reconstructed for the Central Plateau of Yellowstone National Park from the deep-water sediments of five lakes. The charcoal record from a large lake provided a chronology of regional fires. Data from four small lakes were used to study local and extralocal fires. The co-occurrence of abundant charcoal and high magnetic-susceptibility values at the same stratigraphic level was used as evidence of a local catchment fire, and a charcoal peak without high magnetic susceptibility was ascribed to an extralocal fire or a local fire without a related erosion event. The fire history was compared with the dendrochronologic fire record for the last 450 years, and the close agreement provided the justification to extend the chronology back in time. Large areas of the region burned in AD 1988, c. 1700, c. 1560, and c. 1440. From c. 1220 to 1440 and c. 1700 to 1987, intermediate to small areas burned. The near-absence of fires in the twentieth century prior to the large fires of 1988 is evi...
Storm time phase space density radial profiles of energetic electrons for small and large K values: SCATHA results

Abstract Measurements of the radial gradient of the phase space density (PSD) at constant first and second invariants provide a test of whether storm time electron acceleration processes are dominated by inward radial transport of electrons or whether other processes must be considered. We used the detailed energetic electron angular and spectral data from the SCATHA satellite to determine the evolution of electron PSD radial profiles through a moderate magnetic storm (2 May 1986; Dst=−95 nT). We compared the changes that occur in the profiles in the storm recovery period to the pre-storm profiles for first invariant values M=200–2500 MeV/G and for K values of 0.055–0.65 Re√G over the L* range of ∼5.2–7.3 Re. The PSD radial profiles showed a range of features from peaked in L* at small K and M during the pre-storm period to those in the late storm recovery phase, that were flat, had negative slopes for small K and had peaks in the L*=5.2–6.5 range for intermediate to large K. There were significant differences in the radial profiles for small and intermediate K values at constant M. For example, during the recovery period the PSD profiles were flat or decreasing for K=0.06 and M>1200 MeV/G, while they were peaked near L*=5.75 for K>0.2. These results imply that radial diffusion is a reasonable explanation of the near-equatorial post-storm PSD enhancements for L*>5.2 for this storm but that either significant electron pitch angle transport, losses, and/or acceleration of off-equatorial mirroring electrons by waves play an important role in the evolution off-equator PSD profiles during the storm recovery.
Identification of Neuronal Nuclei (NeuN) as Fox-3, a New Member of the Fox-1 Gene Family of Splicing Factors

NeuN (neuronal nuclei) is a neuron-specific nuclear protein which is identified by immunoreactivity with a monoclonal antibody, anti-NeuN. Anti-NeuN has been used widely as a reliable tool to detect most postmitotic neuronal cell types in neuroscience, developmental biology, and stem cell research fields as well as diagnostic histopathology. To date, however, the identity of its antigen, NeuN itself, has been unknown. Here, we identify NeuN as the Fox-3 gene product by providing the following evidence: 1) Mass spectrometry analysis of anti-NeuN immunoreactive protein yields the Fox-3 amino acid sequence. 2) Recombinant Fox-3 is recognized by anti-NeuN. 3) Short hairpin RNAs targeting Fox-3 mRNA down-regulate NeuN expression. 4) Fox-3 expression is restricted to neural tissues. 5) Anti-Fox-3 immunostaining and anti-NeuN immunostaining overlap completely in neuronal nuclei. We also show that a protein cross-reactive with anti-NeuN is the synaptic vesicle protein, synapsin I. Anti-NeuN recognizes synapsin I in immunoblots with one order of magnitude lower affinity than Fox-3, and does not recognize synapsin I using immunohistology. Fox-3 (also called hexaribonucleotide-binding protein 3 and D11Bwg0517e) contains an RNA recognition motif and is classified as a member of the Fox-1 gene family that binds specifically to an RNA element, UGCAUG. We demonstrate that Fox-3 functions as a splicing regulator using neural cell-specific alternative splicing of the non-muscle myosin heavy chain II-B pre-mRNA as a model. Identification of NeuN as Fox-3 clarifies an important element of neurobiology research.