cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-resolution, 3D multi-TE 1 H MRSI using fast spatiospectral encoding and subspace imaging.

Purpose To develop a novel method to achieve fast, high-resolution, 3D multi-TE 1 H-MRSI of the brain. Methods A new multi-TE MRSI acquisition strategy was developed that integrates slab selective excitation with adiabatic refocusing for better volume coverage, rapid spatiospectral encoding, sparse multi-TE sampling, and interleaved water navigators for field mapping and calibration. Special data processing strategies were developed to interpolate the sparsely sampled data, remove nuisance signals, and reconstruct multi-TE spatiospectral distributions with high SNR. Phantom and in vivo experiments have been carried out to demonstrate the capability of the proposed method. Results The proposed acquisition can produce multi-TE 1 H-MRSI data with three TEs at a nominal spatial resolution of 3.4 × 3.4 × 5.3 mm3 in around 20 min. High-SNR brain metabolite spatiospectral reconstructions can be obtained from both a metabolite phantom and in vivo experiments by the proposed method. Conclusion High-resolution, 3D multi-TE 1 H-MRSI of the brain can be achieved within clinically feasible time. This capability, with further optimizations, could be translated to clinical applications and neuroscience studies where simultaneously mapping metabolites and neurotransmitters and TE-dependent molecular spectral changes are of interest.
A Posture Features Based Pedestrian Trajectory Prediction with LSTM

Accurately predicting the trajectory of pedestrians helps autonomous vehicles to drive safely. In this paper, a work of predicting the trajectory of pedestrians by considering their posture is described. Two seconds of historical data are used to predict the pedestrian's actions in the next second based on a long short-term memory approach. The purpose of this experiment is to estimate whether pedestrians will cross the road in a mid-block setting without crosswalks and what paths they will take. The scene of this experiment is located on a street near the campus of the University of California at Berkeley.
The Material World of Ancient Egypt

The Material World of Ancient Egypt examines the objects and artifacts, the representations in art, and the examples of documentation that together reveal the day-to-day physical substance of life in ancient Egypt. This book investigates how people dressed, what they ate, the houses they built, the games they played, and the tools they used, among many other aspects of daily life, paying great attention to the change and development of each area within the conservative Egyptian society. More than any other ancient civilization, the ancient Egyptians have left us with a wealth of evidence about their daily lives in the form of perishable objects, from leather sandals to feather fans, detailed depictions of trades and crafts on the walls of tombs, and a wide range of documentary evidence from temple inventories to personal laundry lists. Drawing on these diverse sources and richly illustrating his account with nearly one hundred images, William H. Peck illuminates the culture of the ancient Egyptians from the standpoint of the basic materials they employed to make life possible and perhaps even enjoyable.
Effect of high temperature bake on evolution of interfacial structure in Cu wire bonds and its impact on Cu/Al interfacial corrosion

Although Cu wire bonding has been successful and in high volume production in the industry, sporadic failure of ball bonds on Al pad due to interfacial corrosion has been reported. Different corrosion reactions have been proposed in the literature, but it is still not clear how these reactions could have occurred in the environment of green mold compounds whose contents of free chloride ions were at low ppm levels. In this paper, an experiment was performed to create cracks by bake at 300°C in the interface between Cu ball and Al pad to study the mechanism of interfacial corrosion. It was found that after autoclave test interfacial corrosion occurred only in the units where the Cu/Al interface was cracked. In those units where the Cu/Al interface was not cracked, autoclave test did not result in failure. Evolution of microstructure of inter-metallic compounds and formation of micro voids and cracks in the interface during bake is discussed. The theory of crevice corrosion is applied to explain how the IMC layer and Al pad get corroded in a relatively clean environment. Possible correlation of interfacial corrosion to sustained event of high current density or high voltage in packages is proposed.
A Meeting of the Minds: How Do Companies Distribute Knowledge and Workload Across Board Committees?

Corporate governance experts pay considerable attention to the composition of the full board of directors. And yet, much of the substantive work of the board is carried out by committee. While the nominating and governance committee, in consultation with the chairman or lead independent director, are responsible for recommending committee assignments, there is some degree of opacity to the process. In particular, it is not clear what consideration they give to the distribution of knowledge and workload across committee appointments. We examine this issue in greater detail, and ask: 1. How exactly do companies decide which directors to assign to each committee? 2. Do they intentionally create overlaps across committees to facilitate knowledge sharing, or do overlaps occur randomly? 3. Do leaders of the board monitor the “busyness” of individual directors? 4. How can the board ensure that the benefits of information sharing are not outweighed by excessive workload? The Closer Look series is a collection of short case studies through which we explore topics, issues, and controversies in corporate governance and executive leadership. In each study, we take a targeted look at a specific issue that is relevant to the current debate on governance and explain why it is so important. Larcker and Tayan are co-authors of the books Corporate Governance Matters and A Real Look at Real World Corporate Governance.
Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician, Anthony Everitt Caesar: Life of a Colossus, Adrian Gowdsworthy

I'd been browbeating and harassing Martin for days. He'd seen the new sequel to Star Wars, and I was wildly jealous—and wild to know the story's surprise ending. Finally, during a game of Stratego ...
Linear analysis of melt band formation by simple shear

[1] Recent experiments by Holtzman et al. [2003] demonstrate that partially molten aggregates of many mantle materials undergoing simple shear (from ∼100–500% strain) will spontaneously develop localized melt-rich bands. These bands develop at small strains but persist at low angles to the plane of shear (∼15–20°) even at large shear strains. The melt-rich bands also appear to form localized weak regions that act as strain guides for the solid matrix flow. These experiments provide an opportunity to test the equations governing flow in deformable porous media developed by McKenzie [1984] and others. Here we present linear analysis of these equations for a solid with a porosity weakening viscosity undergoing simple shear. This analysis calculates the growth in porosity of a plane wave perturbation that initiates at an angle θ0 to the plane of shear after some amount of finite strain. For a strain of 300%, the maximum growing melt band initiates at 16.8° (but rotates to ∼70° in the linear analysis). We also calculate the additional solid shear induced by the localized weak regions and show that it develops a sense of shear consistent with observations only for melt bands less that 45°. These two results suggest that only low angle bands are favored under shear, consistent with the observations. The linear analysis, however, does not allow the porosity growth and shear to interact which causes the initially low angle bands to be rotated to higher angles by the background simple shear. To follow the further development of the bands requires solutions of the full nonlinear equations. Nevertheless, the linear analysis provides useful insights into the development of the shear bands and suggests that the theory is useful for describing partially molten systems.
Cellular uptake of valine by lactating porcine mammary tissue.

The cellular uptake of branched-chain amino acids in mammary tissue is important for understanding their role in milk synthesis in the sow. This study characterized the kinetic properties and substrate specificity of the valine uptake system in the porcine mammary gland. Mammary tissue was collected from lactating sows at slaughter and tissue explants were incubated in media containing isosmotic salt and amino acids of interest, plus [ 3 H]valine tracer. Valine uptake was time-dependent and was dependent on the presence of sodium, as indicated by a reduction in uptake when sodium in the medium was replaced by choline. The valine transport system in porcine mammary tissue had a K m of 0.64 mM, a V max of 1.84 mmol-kg cell water -1 -30 min -1 , and a K d (diffusion constant) of 1.16 L-kg cell water -1 -30 min -1 . Valine uptake was inhibited by leucine and α-aminoisobutyric acid and by high concentrations of L-alanine, L-lysine, cyclo-leucine, L-glutamine, and L-methionine, but not by 2-(methyl-amino)-isobutyric acid. This transport system is the primary system responsible for uptake of valine, and probably other branched-chain amino acids, in lactating sow mammary tissue. Physiological concentrations of valine in the blood are below the K m of the specific valine transport system and well below the diffusion uptake capabilities. The kinetic parameters of this valine transport system should not be limiting to valine uptake for milk protein synthesis. However, competition of valine uptake with branched-chain amino acids, as well as with other amino acids, may affect valine uptake in lactating tissue.
Retinal microvascular changes and the risk of developing obesity: population-based cohort study.

Please cite this paper as: Shankar, Sabanayagam, Klein and Klein (2011). Retinal Microvascular Changes and the Risk of Developing Obesity: Population-based Cohort Study. Microcirculation18(8), 655–662. Abstract Background: Recent studies have hypothesized that endothelial and microvascular dysfunction may play a role in the development of obesity. Previous studies have shown that retinal microvascular changes are associated with diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, few prospective studies have examined the association between retinal microvascular changes and the risk of developing obesity. Methods: We examined n = 2089 nonobese subjects from a population-based cohort in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (aged 44–85 years, 49% women). Retinal arteriolar and venular diameters were measured from baseline retinal photographs. The main outcome-of-interest was 15-year incidence of obesity. Results: Retinal venular widening was positively associated with incident obesity over a 15-year follow-up period. This association was independent of age, gender, smoking, alcohol intake, education, physical activity, body mass index, serum cholesterol, and C-reactive protein levels. Compared with subjects with retinal venular diameter in the lowest tertile (referent), the multivariable relative risk (95% confidence interval) of obesity among subjects in the highest tertile was 1.68 (1.24–2.28); p-trend = 0.0005. In contrast, narrow retinal arterioles were not associated with obesity. Conclusions: In a population-based cohort, we found that wider retinal venules are positively associated with risk of developing obesity, suggesting a role for microvascular dysfunction in its etiology.
Systematic closed form modeling of hybrid parameter multiple body systems

Abstract Presented in this paper is a systematic approach to modeling non-holonomic hybrid parameter multiple body systems. The continuum bodies are represented with the postulates usually associated to the non-linear theories, the Timoshenko (like) beam theories, the higher order plate and shell theories, and the rational theories (e.g. rods) with intrinsic rotary inertia properties. The methodology is an extension of previous work. It is founded in variational principles, but uses vector algebra to eliminate tedium. The variational nature of the methodology allows rigorous equation formulation providing not only the complete non-linear hybrid differential equations, but also the boundary conditions. The methodology is formulated satisfying general non-holonomic constraints; it produces a minimal realization. The spatial dimensions of the continuua are not restricted and the inter-body connections are completely general. To demonstrate the application of the technique, a two-link elastic pendulum or manipulator is modeled. The algorithmic modeling steps are demonstrated. Numerical simulations are presented.
Cognitive Styles: What Are They?:

An attempt was made to determine whether the traits known as cognitive styles, which have been variously interpreted, could be brought under a single broad concept. An examination of the evidence showed that most of those traits could be related to the writer's structure of intellect, in one way or another. It is not yet clear whether they should be recognized as intellectual abilities or intellectual controls, or both. A few seem more identifiable with traits of interest or of temperament. It was suggested that the structure-of-intellect model could serve as a frame of reference for future research in this area.
Iterative harmonic balance for period-one rotating solution of parametric pendulum

In this study, an iterative method based on harmonic balance for the period-one rotation of parametrically excited pendulum is proposed. Based on the definition of the period-one rotating orbit, the exact form of the solution can be obtained using the Fourier series. An iterative harmonic balance process is proposed to estimate the coefficients in the exact solution form. The general formula for each iteration step is presented. The method is evaluated using two criteria, which are the system energy error and the global residual error. The performance of the proposed method is compared with the results from multiscale method and perturbation method. The numerical results obtained with the Dormand–Prince method (ODE45 in MATLAB©) are used as the baseline of the evaluation.
Registration of Eight Soybean Germplasm Lines Resistant to Soybean Rust

Soybean rust (SBR; caused by Sydow) is a threat to soybean [ (L.) Merr.] production worldwide. Although SBR has not caused widespread damage in North America, the crop is still threatened by the disease because most cultivars in production are susceptible. We backcrossed the SBR-resistance genes , , (Hyuuga), and into the maturity group (MG) II experimental line LD01-7323 and the MG IV cultivar LD00-3309 to develop Midwest-adapted soybean germplasm with SBR resistance. The backcross lines were tested for SBR resistance in greenhouse tests and for agronomic traits in multilocation field tests. The four MG II soybean germplasm lines LD10-30052 (Reg. No. GP-383, PI 668384), LD10-14321 (Reg. No. GP- 384, PI 668385), LD10-14284 (Reg. No. GP- 385, PI 668386), and LD09-16057 (Reg. No. GP- 386, PI 668387) and the four MG IV germplasm lines LD10-14205 (Reg. No. GP- 389, PI 668390), LD10-13091 (Reg. No. GP- 387, PI 668388), LD10-14274 (Reg. No. GP- 388, PI 668389), and 08RST5-10 (Reg. No. GP- 390, PI 668391) developed through these efforts were released by the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station in April 2012. The lines carry SBR resistance genes and are indistinguishable from the recurrent parents for morphological traits and, with only a few exceptions, are not significantly different than their recurrent parents for agronomic traits including seed yield. These lines should be useful to soybean breeders who wish to develop rust-resistant cultivars.
Poststress Block of Kappa Opioid Receptors Rescues Long-Term Potentiation of Inhibitory Synapses and Prevents Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking

Background Dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area of the brain are an important site of convergence of drugs and stress. We previously identified a form of long-term potentiation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synapses on these neurons (LTP GABA ). Our studies have shown that exposure to acute stress blocks this LTP and that reversal of the block of LTP GABA is correlated with prevention of stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to cold-water swim stress. Midbrain slices were prepared following stress, and whole-cell patch clamp recordings of inhibitory postsynaptic currents were performed from ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons. Antagonists of glucocorticoid receptors and kappa opioid receptors (κORs) were administered at varying time points after stress. Additionally, the ability of a kappa antagonist administered following stress to block forced swim stress–induced reinstatement of cocaine self-administration was tested. Results We found that an acute stressor blocks LTP GABA for 5 days after stress through a transient activation of glucocorticoid receptors and more lasting contribution of κORs. Even pharmacological block of κORs beginning 4 days after stress has occurred reversed the block of LTP GABA . Administration of a κORs antagonist following stress prevents reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior. Conclusions A brief stressor produces changes in the reward circuitry lasting several days. Our findings reveal roles for glucocorticoid receptors and κORs as mediators of the lasting effects of stress on synaptic plasticity. κORs antagonists reverse the neuroadaptations underlying stress-induced drug-seeking behavior and may be useful in the treatment of cocaine addiction.
Towards a bendable circuit model of the Casio SK-1 keyboard

The Casio SK-1 keyboard was introduced in 1985 and synthesizes sampled and built-in sounds via pulse-code modulation and additive ("harmonic") synthesis. Initially important as one of the first home keyboards with sampling capabilities, the SK-1 has become one of the most popular instruments for circuit bending, the process of creatively modifying or augmenting sound-producing electronic devices. I create a parameterized component-level software model of the analog circuitry of the Casio SK-1, with applications to archiving and preserving its historic sound, expanding its basic behavior through circuit-bent modifications and extensions, and providing circuit benders with a resource for informed bending. Throughout, special attention is paid to creating models in terms of the circuit's component values. The SK-1's Percussion, Bass, and Chord Filters are modeled and analyzed in continuous-time as transfer functions and discretized via the bilinear transform. The non-linear (including diodes and transistors) Envelope/Pitch Mixing Circuit and Melody Filter are analyzed with linearizing simplifications to elucidate design intent, and modeled as ordinary differential equations to capture their behavior accurately. A review of techniques for the numerical solution of ordinary differential equations follows. A model of the internal speaker's impulse response and estimated static non-linearity rounds out the project.
Technical Factors Contributing to Patellar Instability in TKA

Patellar instability (PI) after total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the more frequent complications following the procedure. It is nearly completely avoidable with attention to detail during the procedure and particularly at the time of trial reduction. PI may be the result of malalignment of any of the components, not just malalignment of the patellar component. Most patients do not present for TKR with PI. Therefore if PI is evident at the time of tiral reduction, a check for component malalignment should ALWAYS be carried out, and not an immediate default to lateral release. Preoperative PI increases the risk of postoperative PI. The surgeon must be prepared to do whatever is necessary to be certain that there is no PI when the surgery is finished. This can include lateral release, but in some cases, medialization of the tibial tubercle may be necessary. When PI is encountered in follow-up after TKR, a careful evaluation of component malalignment is essential, including rotational malalignment of the femoral or tibial components that might not be obvious of standard radiographs.
Duration Dependent Codebooks for Change Detection.

This paper describes a supervised system for pixel-level change detection for fixed, monocular surveillance cameras. Per-pixel intensity sequences are modeled by a class of Hidden Semi-Markov Models, Duration Dependent Hidden Markov Models (DDHMMs), to accurately account for stochastically periodic phenomena prevalent in real-world video. The per-pixel DDHMMs are used to assign discrete state labels to pixel intensity sequences which summarize the appearance and temporal statistics of the observations. State assignments are then used as a features for constructing per-pixel code books during a training phase to identify changes of interest in new video. The per-pixel intensity model is validated by showing superior predictive performance to pixel representations commonly used in change detection applications. A new data set is presented which contain dynamic, periodic backgrounds with larger time scale variability than previous data sets and the proposed method is compared to state-of-theart change detection methods using the new videos.
Kinetics modeling of shock-induced ignition in low-dilution CH4/O2 mixtures at high pressures and intermediate temperatures

Abstract An analytical study was conducted to supplement recent high-pressure shock tube measurements of CH 4 /O 2 ignition at elevated pressures (40–260 atm), low dilution levels (fuel plus oxidizer ≥30%), intermediate temperatures (1040–1500 K), and equivalence ratios as high as 6. A 38-species, 190-reaction kinetics model, based on the Gas Research Institute’s GRI-Mech 1.2 mechanism, was developed using additional reactions that are important in methane oxidation at lower temperatures. The detailed-model calculations agree well with the measured ignition delay times and reproduce the accelerated ignition trends seen in the data at higher pressures and lower temperatures. Although the expanded mechanism provides a large improvement relative to the original model over most of the conditions of this study, further improvement is still required at the highest CH 4 concentrations and lowest temperatures. Sensitivity and species flux analyses were used to identify the primary reactions and kinetics pathways for the conditions studied. In general, reactions involving HO 2 , CH 3 O 2 , and H 2 O 2 have increased importance at the conditions of this work relative to previous studies at lower pressures and higher temperatures. At a temperature of 1400 K and pressure of 100 atm, the primary ignition promoters are CH 3 + O 2 = O + CH 3 O and HO 2 + CH 3 = OH + CH 3 O. Methyl recombination to ethane is a primary termination reaction and is the major sink for CH 3 radicals. At 1100 K, 100 atm, the dominant chain-branching reactions become CH 3 O 2 + CH 3 = CH 3 O + CH 3 O and H 2 O 2 + M = OH + OH + M. These two reactions enhance the formation of H and OH radicals, explaining the accelerated ignition delay time characteristics at lower temperatures (19.0 kcal/mol activation energy at 1100 K versus 32.7 kcal/mol at 1400 K). A literature review indicated few measurements exist for many of the most influential rate coefficients, suggesting the need for further study in this area. This paper represents a first step toward understanding the kinetics of CH 4 ignition and oxidation at the extreme conditions of the shock tube experiments.
Prevention, but not cure, of autoimmune diabetes in a NOD.scid transfer model by FTY720 despite effective modulation of blood T cells

FTY720 modulates lymphocyte trafficking through blood (peripheral blood lymphocyte, PBL) and peripheral lymph nodes (PLN). Treatment with FTY720 causes retention of most blood lymphocytes in PLN. Long-term treatment can slow and/or prevent Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. B and T cells are both affected by FTY720 binding to sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1). However, little has been done to elucidate which T-cell subsets are differentially affected by FTY720 under healthy conditions, and how this affects disease pathogenesis in T1D. In healthy C57BL/6J (B6) mice, total CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets were diminished by FTY720, but recently activated and memory subsets were spared and constituted significantly higher percentage of remaining T cells in blood. FTY720 also lowered PBL counts in NOD mice, but less severely than in B6 mice. This is consistent with a different ratio of naive, activated, and memory cells in NOD mice compared to those in B6 mice, as well as al...
Communication Behaviors as Mediators: Examining Links Between Political Orientation, Political Communication, and Political Participation

This study reveals the mediation process of mass and interpersonal communication between antecedent political orientation variables and the outcome response variable of political participation. It provides insight into the direct and indirect effects of political communication on political behavior using an advanced social cognitive approach. The study explores the interrelations among political orientations, communication behaviors, and political participation using the theoretical framework of the Orientation 1–Stimulus–Orientation 2–Response model (Markus & Zajonc, 1985; McLeod, Kosicki, & McLeod, 2002). A structural equation model was built and supported by 2004 American National Election Survey data. After controlling for demographic variables, both political interest and need for cognition had direct effects on political media use, whereas political interest and need to evaluate had direct effects on interpersonal political discussion. These results suggest that need for cognition and need to evalua...
Interpretation of High-Resolution Gas Chromatography and High-Resolution Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry Data Acquired from Atmospheric Organic Aerosol Samples

Major chemical features of the solvent-soluble organic aerosol carbon fraction (i.e., carbon range C_8–C_(36)) are quantified and identified by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) and high-resolution gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (HRGC / MS). Through these methods, bulk characteristics of the atmospheric aerosol are denned and reveal information relating to seasonal variations and specific source contributions to the atmospheric organics complex mixture. Fine aerosol samples from West Los Angeles, CA show lowest monthly average ambient concentrations of the total extractable organic carbon fraction during summer (e.g., 2.03 μg/m^3) and highest levels during winter (e.g., 5.18 μg/m^3), when sampled at 6-day intervals over the 1982 annual cycle. Absolute concentrations of the complex solvent-soluble organic acid fraction also indicate a similar pattern where a summer minimum and winter maximum are observed. Molecular marker characterizations are performed for the suite of n-alkanes (C_(20)–C_(36)) and for n-alkanoic acids (C_8–C_(30)). Carbon preference index (CPI) values and carbon number maxima (C_(MAX)) are generated for both homologue series. Petroleum residues constitute the major contribution to the organic aerosol, as indicated throughout the entire annual cycle by the low CPI values (1.02–1.83) and by the predominant C_(MAX) (C_(25)) of the n-alkanes. A minor presence of vascular plant wax is also demonstrated by the n-alkane data, where the highest contributions of vascular plant waxes to the fine particulate carbonaceous aerosol fraction occur during late summer and early fall. Biogenic residues contribute the major resolved organic acids present based on the n-alkanoic acid homologue data.
Gas phase radiation chemistry of pentafluoroethyl iodine

Abstract The gamma radiolysis of gaseous C2F5I was studied at 50 torr (6.6 × 103 Pa) and 24°C, both pure and with added HI. In all, 17 products were formed in the radiolysis. For the pure system the major radiolytic products and their initial G values are I2 0.91; C2F4, 0.78; C3F8, 0.15; n-C4F10, 0.42; CF3I, 0.18; CF2ICF2I, 0.11; and CF3CFI2, 0.052. It was observed that the addition of approximately 5% HI sharply increased the G values of I2 (from 0.91 to 2.84) and the initial G value of CF3I (from 0.18 to 2.50), while decreasing other product yields by 50–100%. In addition, CF3H, C2F5H, CF2IH and H2 were also formed in the HI-added system. Results are discussed in terms of ionic fragmentation and ion-molecule chemistry of C2F5I, as observed in a parallel investigation, as well as postulated bond-rupture processes of neutral excited species and subsequent displacement and combination reactions.
The effects of instructional interventions related to street crossing and individuals with disabilities

Adequate street crossing skills reduce the risk of injury and increase the functional independence of individuals with disabilities. This paper reviews research involving instructional interventions for street crossings with individuals with disabilities. Eight studies were included. There was evidence individuals could be taught street crossings using classroom based interventions, roadside instruction, or virtual reality technology. Classroom based methods were successful when involving strategies which promoted generalization of skills. Task analysis found the steps involved in street crossing included: stopping at the curb, looking left and right, walking quickly, walking within the crosswalk, and continuing to look left and right. A variety of instructional strategies were used, but the small body of literature did not allow clear identification of superior strategies.
A microfabricated porous collagen-based scaffold as prototype for skin substitutes

An important element of artificial skin is a tissue scaffold that allows for fast host regeneration. We present a microfabrication strategy, based on gelling collagen-based components inside a microfluidic device, that produces well-controlled pore sizes inside the scaffold. This strategy can produce finely patterned tissue scaffolds of clinically relevant dimensions suitable for surgical handling. Compared to porous collagen-based sponges produced by lyophilization, microfabricated tissue scaffolds preserve the fibrous structure and ligand density of natural occurring collagen. A fibroblast migration assay revealed fast cellular migration through the pores, which is desired for rapid tissue ingrowth. Finally, we also demonstrate a strategy to use this microfabrication technique to build anatomically accurate, multi-component skin substitutes in a cost-effective manner.
Homozygosity by descent mapping of blood pressure in the Old Order Amish: evidence for sex specific genetic architecture

High blood pressure is a well established risk factor for morbidity and mortality acting through heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Genome wide scans have linked regions of nearly every human chromosome to blood pressure related traits. We have capitalized on beneficial qualities of the Old Order Amish of Lancaster, PA, a closed founder population with a relatively small number of founders, to perform a genome wide homozygosity by descent mapping scan. Each individual in the study has a non zero probability of consanguinity. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures are shown to have appreciable dominance variance components. Areas of two chromosomes were identified as suggestive of linkage to SBP and 5 areas to DBP in either the overall or sex specific analyses. The strongest evidence for linkage in the overall sample was to Chromosome 18q12 (LOD = 2.6 DBP). Sex specific analyses identified a linkage on Chromosome 4p12-14 (LOD in men only = 3.4 SBP). At Chromosome 2q32-33, an area where we previously reported significant evidence for linkage to DBP using a conventional identity by descent approach, the LOD was 1.4; however an appreciable sex effect was observed with men accounting for most of the linkage (LOD in men only = 2.6). These results add evidence to a sex specific genetic architecture to blood pressure related traits, particularly in regions of linkage on chromosome 2, 4 and 18.
Defining the Functional Boundaries of the Murine α1,3-Fucosyltransferase Fut7 Reveals a Remarkably Compact Locus

Fut7 encodes an α1,3-fucosyltransferase critical for biosynthesis of glycan ligands for all three selectins. Consistent with this function, Fut7 expression is limited to hematopoietic cells and high endothelial cells which express selectin ligands. Mechanisms that govern Fut7 expression are poorly defined. To begin to understand the molecular genetic basis for transcriptional regulation of Fut7, a transgenic, gain-of-function, genetic complementation approach in mice was used to define the “functional boundaries” of the murine Fut7 locus, defined here as any uninterupted stretch of genomic DNA that contains all cis-acting genetic elements essential for accurate physiologic expression. A 12.7-kb contiguous genomic interval, which lies completely between the highly conserved flanking Npdc1 and Abca2 loci on chromosome 2 and which contains the complete transcriptional unit plus ∼7.4 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site and ∼2 kb downstream of the transcriptional termination and polyadenylation sites, was used as a transgene (Tg) on a Fut7 null background. Tg+ mice exhibited restoration of Fut7 gene expression and physiologic levels of selectin ligand expression and function on neutrophils, activated T cells, and high endothelial cells and corrected the functional defects in these cells found in Fut7 null mice without leading to detectable expression of Fut7 in normally non-expressing tissues. These results demonstrate that all genetic information essential for appropriate and selective expression of Fut7 in diverse cell types and in response to distinct developmental signals is contained within this comparatively small genetic region.
Diffuse mesothelioma of the peritoneum: correlation between histological and clinical parameters and survival in 73 patients.

Summary There are few studies addressing survival of diffuse peritoneal mesotheliomas (DPM). In this study, survival data were obtained retrospectively from 73 patients treated with intended cytoreductive surgery for DPM, with a mean follow-up of 42 months. Mesotheliomas were classified as well differentiated papillary (WDPM, n = 2), multicystic (MCM, n = 4), and epithelioid mesotheliomas were subclassified as tubulopapillary (TPM, n = 27), solid/deciduoid (S/DM, n = 34), and or biphasic mesothelioma (BPM, n = 6). Invasion was characterised as absent (grade 0), into stroma (grade 1), into fat (grade 2), and into adjacent structures (grade 3). Peritoneal cancer index (PCI) and completeness of cytoreduction (CCR) were assessed surgically. There were no deaths in the WDPM, MCM, and epithelioid DPM with ≤ grade 1 invasion. There was a stepwise decrease in overall survival from invasive TPM, S/DM, and BPM ( p p = 0.01), incomplete CCR ( p p = 0.004), mitotic count (p p p = 0.013), depth of invasion ( p p = 0.002), and sarcomatoid growth ( p p = 0.0006), depth of invasion (p = 0.02), elevated CCR (CCR 2-3) ( p = 0.02), and presence of inflammatory stroma ( p = 0.04) were significant variables associated with decreased overall survival. DPM form a spectrum of indolent to highly aggressive tumours. Solid epithelioid/deciduoid tumours have a prognosis intermediate between biphasic mesotheliomas and invasive TPM. The presence and degree of invasion, sarcomatoid features, and inflammatory stroma are poor prognostic indicators.
Myocardial infarction in young vs old male rats: pathophysiologic changes

Young (90 days) and old (15 months) male, Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to an acute and massive myocardial infarct by giving them two injections of a large dose of isoproterenol. The animals were autopsied at sequential time intervals to ascertain the similarities or dissimilarities in the pathophysiologic events which attend acute myocardial infarction and repair in young vs old rats. Although the signs and severity of hypotensive shock appeared to be equal, mortality was higher in the old rats, especially during the acute necrosis phase. The older rats also manifested more severe and persistent congestive heart failure, i.e., hydrothorax. Serum enzymes (CPK, SGOT, SGPT, and LDH), lipids (triglycerides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol), glucose, and BUN levels manifested a dynamic rise and fall concomitant with the induced myocardial necrosis and repair phases with distinct differences in these metabolic changes between young and old rats. Despite initially higher circulating levels of corticosterone in the old vs young rats, the older animals manifested little or no increase in circulating corticosterone levels during the acute stress of myocardial infarction. This apparent lack of adrenocortical responsiveness was accentuated by the concomitant finding of greatly hypertrophied, hemorrhagic, and lipid-depleted adrenal glands in the old rats vs a dynamic increase in circulating corticosterone levels and alterations in the weight of adrenal and thymus glands of the young rats. During the myocardial repair phase, the young rats manifested extensive endocardial fibrosis whereas the old rats displayed little or no endocardial fibrosis but copous and persistent myocardial edema and ground substance in keeping with their higher concentration of cardiac hexosamine. The pathophysiologic course of events which attends myocardial necrosis and repair is quite different in young vs old rats and may be related to the degree of responsiveness of the pituitary-adrenal axis which changes with age.
A model for analysing lenders' perceived risk

Bank lending involves, in most cases, the risk that the borrower will not be able or willing to honour his obligations. The existence of default risk is an important factor in explaining the observed behaviour of lenders as demonstrated in the works of Jaffee and Modigliani (1969), Smith (1972), Azzi and Cox (1976), Jaffee and Russel (1976), and others. Lenders' behaviour in this case depends crucially on their subjective evaluation of the probability of default. Thus, to explain lending behaviour, knowledge of lenders' subjective information is generally unobservable; and empirical analysis of lending behaviour is, therefore, difficult. Furthermore, there is often reason to believe that subjective information may vary considerably from lender to lender or from transaction to transaction because of previous experience, personal relationships, etc.; and, hence, the role of subjective perceptions cannot be ignored. The purpose of this paper is to develop a model which facilitates inference about lenders' su...
Further Studies of Fermi Motion Effects in Lepton Scattering from Nuclear Targets

We have calculated the ratio of deep-inelastic structure functions of nuclear targets to the sum of free-neutron and - proton structure functions. The calculations incorporate structure-function fits which are based on quantum-chromodynamic considerations. This paper is an addendum to an earlier publication in which we calculated the Fermi-motion corrections using other fits to the nucleon structure functions.
The economical evaluation of decreases in working capital

Abstract With the advent of more effective computer and automated system, it is becoming possible to reduce working capital (inventories and accounts receivable) requirements. As a result, the need to economically evaluate possible reductions in working capital is becoming more frequent. The usual question is, does the reduction in working capital support the expenditure of additional capital? A method for answering this question appears to be omitted from the literature. Consequently, this paper provides an explicit method for the economic evaluation of decreases in working capital. This method uses minimum annual revenue requirements and cash flow calculations. It also provides a method for determining the yearly gross savings from a decrease in working capital.
Effect of gallopamil, a calcium channel blocker, on carbachol- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in sheep.

Abstract We compared the in vivo effectiveness of the calcium channel blockers, gallopamil and verapamil. in inhibiting carbachol- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in conscious sheep. In 13 sheep, specific lung resistance (SR L ) was measured before and after aerosol challenge with histamine (50 breaths; 5% solution) and carbachol (10 breaths; 2.5% solution), without and with pretreatment with intravenous and aerosolized gallopamil and verapamil. Histamine increased mean SR L by 213%. Intravenous (20 μg/kg) and aerosolized (5 mg) gallopamil markedly inhibited the histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. Mean SR L increased by 19% and 23%, respectively, whereas 2.5 mg of aerosolized gallopamil partly inhibited the histamine-induced response with SR L increasing by 115% ( p L by 380%. Pretreatment with 2.5 mg of aerosolized gallopamil had no effect on carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction, whereas intravenous and 5 mg of aerosolized gallopamil partly attenuated the carbachol response; mean SR L increased by 204% and 177%, respectively ( p
The Equatorial Undercurrent and TAO Sampling Bias from a Decade at SEA

AbstractThe NOAA Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) moored array has, for three decades, been a valuable resource for monitoring and forecasting El Nino–Southern Oscillation and understanding physical oceanographic as well as coupled processes in the tropical Pacific influencing global climate. Acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements by TAO moorings provide benchmarks for evaluating numerical simulations of subsurface circulation including the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC). Meanwhile, the Sea Education Association (SEA) has been collecting data during repeat cruises to the central equatorial Pacific Ocean (160°–126°W) throughout the past decade that provide useful cross validation and quantitative insight into the potential for stationary observing platforms such as TAO to incur sampling biases related to the strength of the EUC. This paper describes some essential sampling characteristics of the SEA dataset, compares SEA and TAO velocity measurements in the vicinity of the EUC, shares new insi...
What Can the Technical Writer of the past Teach the Technical Writer of Today

When in despair over the problems of presenting technical information, today's engineer, scientist, and technical writer can gain fresh inspiration by reading the classics of engineering literature. Major writers, including ancient and medieval authors as well as outstanding moderns like Ammann and Raymond, can teach us a lot about variations in form and approach and about appropriate use of rhythm and metaphor. Further, our great technical writers make us reconsider our contemporary notion of "objectivity" and its values.
Toxicity of chlorine to juvenile spot, Leiostomus Xanthurus

The sensitivity of juvenile spot, Leiostomus xanthurus, to total residual chlorine (TRC) in flowing sea-water was investigated. Incipient LC/sub 50/ bioassays, histopathology, avoidance tests and the combined effect of thermal stress and TRC were used to assess sensitivity. Estimated incipient LC/sub 50/ values were 0.12 mg l/sup -1/ TRC at 10/sup 0/C and 0.06 mg l/sup -1/ TRC at 15/sup 0/C. Histological examination of spot used in the incipient LC/sub 50/ bioassay at 15/sup 0/C and sacrificed while alive indicated pseudobranch and gill damage occurred in individuals exposed to a measured TRC concentration of 1.57 mg l/sup -1/. Spot exposed to lower concentrations of TRC, 0.02 to 0.06 mg l/sup -1/ at 15/sup 0/C and sacrificed alive showed no consistent tissue damage. Spot demonstrated temperature dependent avoidance responses to TRC. At 10/sup 0/C a concentration of 0.18 mg l/sup -1/ was required for significant (X/sup 2/, P less than 0.05) avoidance; at 15 and 20/sup 0/C, spot showed significant avoidance of TRC concentrations as low as 0.05 mg l/sup -1/. Simultaneous exposure of spot to thermal stress (5, 10 or 13/sup 0/C above the acclimation temperature of 15 C) at measured TRC concentrations of 0.05 to 0.07 and 0.34 tomore » 0.52 mg l/sup -1/ demonstrated a significant, (X/sup 2/ with Yates correction, P less than 0.05) increase in sensitivity to TRC with increased temperature and exposure times for some of the groups tested.« less
Effects of Hydration on the Properties of Protonated-Water−Nitric Acid Clusters

The uptake of nitric acid by protonated water (hydronium cation, H3O+) clusters and the characteristic structures of the resulting mixed aggregates, H+·(H2O)n·(HNO3)m, have been studied theoretically. As baseline simulations, B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) geometry optimizations and energy calculations for n = 1−9 and m = 0−1 have been employed. To establish the mechanism of nitric acid uptake by hydronium ion−water clusters, the energetics of the various reaction pathways involving H3O+·(H2O)n and HNO3 are evaluated. In the presence of hydronium ion−water clusters, protonated nitric acid forms by a charge exchange reaction involving H3O+ and HNO3. Successive hydration of H+·HNO3 is an energetically favorable phenomena resulting in the formation of the mixed clusters containing one nitric acid molecule. However, when the number of water ligands on the clusters is less than about five, water binds more strongly to protonated water aggregates than to the mixed clusters. Accordingly, water will preferentially react wit...
Characterization of Aortic Dissection: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

Evaluation of acute aortic dissection by computed tomography angiography provides detailed characterization of this disease beyond the Stanford classification. Recent publications based on large patient registries and other sources have identified morphological characteristics that impact patient prognosis, and advanced understanding of both the incidence and demographics of this disease. This article reviews the recent literature and discusses the importance of imaging findings, such as aortic/false lumen diameter, signs of organ malperfusion, false lumen thrombosis, and characterization of intimal tears. The associated entity acute intramural hematoma is discussed, as well as imaging features that predict adverse outcomes. Familiarity with these imaging characteristics maximizes the utility of radiographic evaluation in this disease.
Status Report On The W. M. Keck Observatory And Ten Meter Telescope

The W.M. Keck Observatory and Ten Meter Telescope is presently being constructed on the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii. We briefly describe the status of the project.
Performance of Spur Gears Considering Surface Roughness and Shear Thinning Lubricant

A model is developed for predicting the performance of spur gears with provision for surface roughness. For each point along the line of action, the contact of pinion and gear is replaced by that of two cylinders. The radii of cylinders, transmitted load, and contact stress are calculated, and lubricant film thickness is obtained using the load-sharing concept of Johnson et al. (1972, "A Simple Theory of Asperity Contact in Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication, " Wear, 19, pp. 91-108) To validate the analysis, the predicted film thickness and the friction coefficient are compared to published theoretical and experimental data. The model is capable of predicting the performance of gears with non-Newtonian lubricants-such as that of shear thinning lubricants-often used in gears. For this purpose, a correction factor for shear thinning film thickness introduced by Bair (2005, "Shear Thinning Correction for Rolling/Sliding Electrohydrodynamic Film Thickness, " Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng., Part J: J. Eng. Tribal., 219, pp. 1-6) has been employed. The results of a series of simulations presenting the effect of surface roughness on the friction coefficient are presented and discussed. The results help to establish the lubrication regime along the line of action of spur gears.