cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compression of VQM features for low bit-rate video quality monitoring

Reduced reference video quality assessment techniques provide a practical and convenient way of evaluating the quality of a processed video. In this paper, we propose a method to efficiently compress standardized VQM (Video Quality Model) [1] features to bit-rates that are small relative to the transmitted video. This is achieved through two stages of compression. In the first stage, we remove the redundancy in the features by only transmitting the necessary original video features at the lowest acceptable resolution for the calculation of the final VQM value. The second stage involves using the features of the processed video at the receiver as side-information for efficient entropy coding and reconstruction of the original video features. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach achieves high compression ratios of more than 30× with small error in the final VQM values.
An SOC-Based Battery Management System for Microgrids

This paper investigates modeling and control of a battery management system used in a microgrid for both grid-connected and autonomous modes. The paper has three salient contributions: 1) An aggregated battery circuit model with the open circuit voltage as a nonlinear function of the state of the charge (SOC) is derived and modeled in PSCAD. 2) Closed-loop feedback control strategies of the battery system are developed for the microgrid under both operation modes. At the grid-connected mode, power control is employed while at the autonomous mode, voltage and frequency control is employed for the battery to act as a synchronous generator by providing voltage and frequency support. 3) An upper level SOC based management system is also developed. Since SOC cannot be directly measured, an estimation scheme is derived based on power and voltage measurements from the battery. The overall management system is demonstrated to be effective by six case studies at different microgrid operation modes.
Use of Saturable Cores in Linear Differential Transformers

By proper design of windings and core, it is possible to operate a linear variable differential transformer with its core in a saturating condition. In this condition, its rectified output voltage is essentially independent of exciting current over a wide range thus avoiding the need for supply voltage regulation in many applications. Design considerations, performance characteristics and a means of reducing the variation of output with supply frequency are discussed.
Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes simulation of the heave performance of a two-body floating-point absorber wave energy system

Abstract This paper presents a recent numerical study conducted by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on a point absorber wave energy conversion (WEC) system using a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS)-based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. The device we studied was a two-body floating-point absorber (FPA) that operates predominantly in heave and generates energy from the relative motion between the two bodies. We performed a series of numerical simulation to analyze the hydrodynamic response and the power absorption performance of the system in regular waves. Overall, it was successful to use the RANS method to model the complex hydrodynamics interaction of the FPA system. We demonstrated the significance of the nonlinear effects, including viscous damping and wave overtopping. The study showed that the nonlinear effects could significantly decrease the power output and the motion of the FPA system, particularly in larger waves.
Perceptions of the Impact of Governors and Legislatures in the State Appropriations Process

ing the appropriations process while legislatures are characterized as less influential (Anton 1966: 34-5; Sharkansky 1968: 1231; and Howard 1973: 318). The introduction of the executive budget early in this century gave most governors the capacity to direct and control state financial matters (Schick 1971: 18). Although governors still dominate the appropriations process in many states, Rosenthal (1981: 206) believes that legislatures come to their budgetary tasks far better prepared now. This article provides a contemporary analysis of the impact of legislatures and governors in state appropriation decisions from the perspectives of two sets of administrators who work in close proximity to elected officials and the appropriations process. Appropriations are the most important policy enactments of state legislatures, and the state budget is usually the matter of greatest concern in any legislative session.1 Yet, the state appropriations process has rarely been studied in a comparative and systematic way (Sharkansky 1968). Using data from a 1982 survey, this article addresses the following questions: What factors affect the ability of the legislature to contend with the influence of the governor in the appropriations process, and what difference does it make to have the governor or the legislature as the dominant branch in appropriations? Our data derive from a mail survey2 of executive budget officers and legislative fiscal officers.3 Responses were received from forty-eight of the
A note on the equation of heat transfer

Abstract Liquids with properties βpv/cp ⪡ 1 and p2vκ/cpT ⪡ 1 are defined as “incompressible liquids”. The compression work in motion of incompressible liquid is negligibly small. The change in the internal energy of incompressible liquids with respect to the temperature is, however, proportional to cp. Motions of perfect gases in open systems under appropriate conditions and in closed systems with no net heat addition (or removal) are prescribed by the energy equation with cp as the appropriate specific heat. Otherwise, either no reduction is possible or both cp and cv may become the appropriate specific heats in the energy equation.
Upper and lower bounds for the shear stress in the Saint-Venant theory of flexure

Upper and lower bounds are derived for the shear stress as it is determined by Saint-Venant's theory of flexure, and used to establish the asymptotic character of the classical Strength of Materials formula in the limit of vanishing thickness.
Problems equivalent to rational Diophantine solvability

Muthemutics Research Group, Alubamu State University, Montgomery, Alabama 36195 Communicated by Walter Feit Received August 5, 1987 Under the hypothesis that rational Diophantine equations are unsolvable we classify a number of other problems as solvable or unsolvable, such as gV c h W for g E G, h E H algebraic groups, V, W subspaces, existence of monomorphisms and epimorphisms of modules and algebras, existence of submodules of various types.
Different Biochemical Properties Explain Why Two Equivalent Gα Subunit Mutants Cause Unrelated Diseases

There is an increasing number of disease-associated Gα mutations identified from genome-wide sequencing campaigns or targeted efforts. Albright's Hereditary Osteodystrophy (AHO) was the first inherited disease associated with loss-of-function mutations in a G protein (Gαs) and other studies revealed gain-of-function Gα mutations in cancer. Here we attempted to solve the apparent quandary posed by the fact that the same mutation in two different G proteins appeared associated with both AHO and cancer. We first confirmed the presence of an inherited Gαs-R265H mutation from a previously described clinical case report of AHO. This mutation is structurally analogous to Gαo-R243H, an oncogenic mutant with increased activity in vitro and in cells due to rapid nucleotide exchange. We found that, contrary to Gαo-R243H, Gαs-R265H activity is compromised due to greatly impaired nucleotide binding in vitro and in cells. We obtained equivalent results when comparing another AHO mutation in Gαs (D173N) with a counterpart cancer mutation in Gαo (D151N). Gαo-R243H binds nucleotides efficiently under steady-state conditions but releases GDP much faster than the WT protein, suggesting diminished affinity for the nucleotide. These results indicate that the same disease-linked mutation in two different G proteins affects a common biochemical feature (nucleotide affinity) but to a different grade depending on the G protein (mild decrease for Gαo and severe for Gαs). We conclude that Gαs-R265H has dramatically impaired nucleotide affinity leading to the loss-of-function in AHO whereas Gαo-R243H has a mild decrease in nucleotide affinity that causes rapid nucleotide turnover and subsequent hyperactivity in cancer.
A novel scanning method for large scan depth anterior segment OCT

A novel optical scanning method for an anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) system has been described. This method has been designed for imaging the entire anterior segment of the eye (from cornea to posterior surface of the crystalline lens) at a time. The ability to image the entire anterior segment is crucial in understanding the mechanism of human accommodation and the efficacy of accommodative intraocular lenses. In a conventional scanning system the beam is shined straight into the eye parallel to the optical axis. For anterior segment imaging, large lateral scan area leads to an increase in the angle of incidence on each of the four ocular surfaces. This causes significant reduction in signal reflected from regions further from the optical axis. This reduction combined with loss in signal due to coherence makes it difficult to image the entire anterior segment of the eye, where optical depth penetration of 10mm is required. To overcome this limitation, we have designed a new OCT scanning system, which achieves close to normal incidences across all the lateral locations on the ocular surfaces within a 6 mm clear aperture. This provides an increase in the amount of light scattered back to the system resulting in higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The scanning system consists of two different custom designed lenses, one of them optimized for cornea and the anterior surface of the crystalline lens, while the other for the posterior surface of the crystalline lens. Two semicircular halves of each lens were glued together to form a single optical system. To evaluate the performance of our design we constructed and imaged a model eye and compared it with images obtained by conventional telecentric scanning method. SNR improvement by a factor of 3.71 was observed for the front surface of the lens and 18.83 for the back surface of the lens.
Father’s Education: An Independent Marker of Risk for Preterm Birth

To explore the association between paternal education and preterm birth, taking into account maternal social and economic factors. We analyzed data from a population-based cross-sectional postpartum survey, linked with birth certificates, of women who gave birth in California from 1999 through 2005 (n = 21,712). Women whose infants’ fathers had not completed college had significantly higher odds of preterm birth than women whose infants’ fathers were college graduates, even after adjusting for maternal education and family income [OR (95% CI) = 1.26 (1.01–1.58)]. The effect of paternal education was greater among unmarried women than among married women. Paternal education may represent an important indicator of risk for preterm birth, reflecting social and/or economic factors not measured by maternal education or family income. Researchers and policy makers committed to understanding and reducing socioeconomic disparities in birth outcomes should consider paternal as well as maternal socioeconomic factors in their analyses and policy decisions.
Genetical Studies on Germination of Seed and Seedling Establishment for Breeding of Improved Rice Varieties Suitable for Direct Seeding Culture

For the introduction of low temperature germinability (LTG), seed longevity and accelerated coleoptile growth derived from foreign varieties to Japanese elite varieties to breed rice varieties for direct seeding culture in Japan, we tried to establish backcross breeding to introduce these traits with marker-assisted selection (MAS). The objectives of this study were to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for LTG and seed longevity using backcross inbred lines derived from a cross between a japonica variety Nipponbare and an indica variety Kasalath in order to facilitate MAS of these traits. Five putative QTLs controlling LTG were detected on chromosomes 2, 4 and 11. A putative QTL with a large seed longevity effect was detected on chromosome 9. We bred a near isogenic line for coleoptile growth by a backcross between Kitaibuki as the recurrent parent and Arroz da Terra as the donor parent to have more rapid coleoptile growth and higher seedling establishment rate than Kitaibuki. From the above experimental data, we conclude that backcross breeding with MAS is effective to introduce genes for adaptability to direct seeding from foreign varieties in Japanese rice breeding programs.
Pathogenesis of mouse viral leukemia.

Summary and conclusions1. Incidence of thymic leukemia in AK/Z mice injected as newborns with Gross leukemia virus(agent A) was 90% and the peak incidence of the disease occurred at 3-4 months of age. Incidence of leukemia in the controls was 73% with a peak occurrence at 8-12 months. 2. Thymuses from 52 sacrificed virus-injected AK/Z mice were examined at 13-72 days of age. No gross or microscopic abnormality was noted until about SO days, when multiple foci of medium to large lymphocytes appeared in the cortex. These foci rapidly became confluent and at about 70 days of age, the thymus was transformed into a lymphomatous tumor. 3. Bioassays of 22, 57-74 day old thymuses from virus-injected mice disclosed autonomous leukemic cells in 10. Correlation of microscopic and bioassay diagnosis of malignant transformation was somewhat below 100%. Some thymuses, which were judged to be leukemic “in situ”, were not transplantable. 4. Bioassays indicate the presence of virus in non-leukemic thymuses of virus-inject...
Incorporation of label from geraniol-14C into squalene, β-amyrin and β-sitosterol in germinating pea seeds

Abstract Label from geraniol- 14 C was incorporated into squalene, β-amyrin and sterol, principally β-sitosterol, to the extent of 0·41, 1·41 and 0·09 per cent respectively in germinating seeds of Pisum sativum . Modes of utilization of this substrate are discussed.
Self-report of extent of recovery and barriers to recovery after traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal study.

Abstract Powell JM, Machamer JE, Temkin NR, Dikmen SS. Self-report of extent of recovery and barriers to recovery after traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2001;82:1025-30. Objective: To examine the perspective of survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) regarding the extent and nature of their recovery over time. Design: Inception cohort, longitudinal study. Setting: Level I trauma center. Participants: One hundred fifty-seven consecutively hospitalized individuals with TBI (mean age, 36.1yr; 80% men) with a broad range of injury severity. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Participants reported the extent of their recovery and barriers to full recovery at 1, 6, and 12 months. Results: Participants reported a median return to normal at the 3 follow-up times of 65%, 80%, and 85%. After 1 month, self-reported extent of recovery correlated well with performance on the Glasgow Outcome Scale ( p p =.001 at 12mo). The major reported barrier to recovery was physical difficulties, which constituted over half of the concerns at all time periods. Report of physical-related concerns decreased significantly ( p =.002) over time whereas cognition-related concerns increased significantly ( p =.02). Conclusion: Brain injury survivors consider themselves to have greater recovery than previously reported by clinicians or family members, consider physical problems a significant factor in their recovery, and appear to become more aware of cognitive impairments over time. © 2001 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Ghost manifolds in slow–fast systems, with applications to unsteady fluid flow separation

Abstract Consider a structurally stable nonhyperbolic critical manifold in a nonautonomous dynamical system. Despite the lack of hyperbolicity and slow dynamics, sharp moving spikes can develop and move along this critical manifold. An important physical example of this phenomenon is moving separation behind a cylinder in accelerating crossflow. Using a combination of analytic and numerical methods, we uncover the geometric structure responsible for moving spikes. This structure, a ghost manifold, turns out to have a footprint on the critical manifold even though the two manifolds are separated by a boundary layer. We illustrate our results on analytical and numerical examples of off-wall fluid flow separation.
Intramolecular transposition by Tn10

Abstract Transposon Tn10 promotes the formation of a circular product containing only transposon sequences. We show that these circles result from an intramolecular transposition reaction in which all of the strand cleavage and ligation events have occurred but newly created transposon/target junctions have not undergone repair. The unligated strand termini at these junctions are those expected according to a simple model in which the target DNA is cleaved by a pair of staggered nicks 9 bp apart, transposon sequences are separated from flanking donor DNA by cleavage at the terminal nucleotides on both strands (at both ends) of the element, and 3′ transposon strand ends are ligated to 5′ target strand ends. The stability of the unligated junctions suggests that they are protected from cellular processing by transposase and/or host proteins. We propose that the nonreplicative nature of Tn10 transposition is determined by the efficiency with which the nontransferred transposon strand is separated from flanking donor DNA and by the nature of the protein-DNA complexes present at the strand transfer junctions.
Nonlocal polar elastic continua

Abstract A continuum theory of nonlocal polar bodies is developed. Both the micromorphic and the non-polar continuum theories are incorporated. The balance laws and jump conditions are given. By use of nonlocal thermodynamics and invariance under rigid motions, constitutive equations are obtained for the nonlinear micromorphic elastic solids. The special case, nonpolar, nonlocal elastic solids, is presented.
Gauge theories in the light-cone gauge.

A canonical formulation, using equal-time commutation rules for canonically conjugate operator-valued fields, is given for quantum electrodynamics and Yang-Mills theory in the light-cone gauge. A gauge-fixing term is used that avoids all operator constraints by providing a canonically conjugate momentum for every field component. The theory is embedded in a space in which the light-cone gauge condition and all of Maxwell's equations hold. Interaction picture fields and the photon and gluon propagators in the light-cone gauge are evaluated for two alternate representations of the longitudinal and timelike components of gauge fields. One representation makes use of the entire momentum space to represent these gauge field components as superpositions of ghost annihilation and creation operators. The other uses only ghost excitations with {ital k}{sub 3}{gt}0 for the longitudinal modes of {ital A}{sub {ital i}}, but restricts the gauge-fixing field to ghost excitations with {ital k}{sub 3}{lt}0. It is shown that the former mode leads to a formulation that corresponds to the principal-value (PV) prescription for the extra pole in this gauge, the latter to the Mandelstam-Leibbrandt (ML) prescription. Nevertheless the underlying theory for these two cases is identical. In particular, for QED both modes give identical time evolution, within a physicalmore » subspace in which constraints are implemented, as does QED in the Coulomb gauge. It is therefore concluded that canonical formulations of the light-cone gauge cannot be a basis for preferring the ML to the PV prescription for the extra pole at {ital k}{sub 0}={ital k}{sub 3} in the light-cone propagator.« less
A survey of compiler courses

This paper reports the results of a survey done by the author in Winter 1984. Several schools were surveyed regarding their compiler courses. Results about textbooks, source languages, programming languages, prerequisites among other things are described. A summary of results is given. A brief description of our plans for this course is included.
Further results on supernumary polylogarithmic ladders

With the help of the PARI computer program a number of matters left unresolved from previous work have now been settled. It will be recalled that a “ladder” is a rational sum of polylogarithms, with predetermined coefficients, of powers of a given algebraic base. The simplest bases considered are the roots in (0, 1) ofup +uq = 1 for various integersp andq.. They possess a number of “generic” results, together with some additional equations, termed “supernumary” for certain specific values ofp andq. In particular, ladders of the baseψ (see [1]) have been extended to the sixth order, and involve a new index, 60, found by the PARI program. The base from (p, q) = (11, 7) has an additional index 20, and this combines with earlier results to produce a valid ladder. The apparent “barren” feature of certain equations is now explained in terms of a need to work with a sufficient number of results. It is confirmed that the equation with (p, q) = (5, 3) indeed does not possess any supernumary results.
The Utilization of Evaluation Research: A Case Analysis.

Little systematic study has been undertaken concerning those factors that determine the impact of evaluation research findings on policy formulation. This article considers the major factors that shape an evaluation studys potential policy impact by examining 2 studies of the Community Mental Health Centers Program (CMHC) in various parts of the US. The primary goal of the program was to provide an effective alternative to the state mental hospital by creating services to treat people in their own communities. The program was to be administered by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Data used are a study of the CMHC program by the Ralph Nader-directed Center for the Study of Responsive Law and a 2nd one by the General Accounting Office (GAO). These studies represent 2 varieties of evaluation research differing in scope methodology and orientation. There were marked differences in the nature of the recommendations of the 2 studies. The GAO included concise recommendations stating where attention should be directed; the Nader report recommended broad fundamental changes with specific actions to take. NIMH officials and prominent psychiatrists fround the Nader recommendations irresponsible blatantly attacking and facetious. It is concluded that: 1) recommendations should all for incremental rather than global changes; 2) goals rather than specific courses of action should be recommended; 3) recommendations should flow directly from an appropriate amount of data in the report; 4) the researcher must be perceived as highly qualified 5) reports garner more attention in released at a time when a programs funding is about to lapse; 6) the report should avoid accusatory language; and 7) the researcher must mobilize the support of likely beneficiaries of the findings and reduce the level of resistance on the part of likely opponents.
Anxious School Refusers and Symptoms of PTSD in Abused Children

School refusal was assessed in 221 abused children based on parent responses to the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents—Revised (DICA-R). Twenty Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) items were selected based on correspondence with school refusal specifically and with symptoms identified in the literature. These items were subjected to principal components analysis, yielding a two-factor solution accounting for 40.1% of the variance. The factors, Anxious Symptoms and Misbehavior Problems, were elevated for school refusers in contrast to nonrefusers. A group of Anxious Refusers scored higher on parent-reported symptoms of PTSD. The utility of the CBCL items for screening and the elevated PTSD scores for Anxious Refusers are discussed in the context of working with children identified as victims of abuse.
Characterization of β-hydroxybutyrate transport in rat erythrocytes and thymocytes

Abstract A method was developed for study of β-hydroxybutyrate transport in erythrocytes and thymocytes. Critical to the method was a centrifugal separation of cells from medium which took advantage of β-hydroxybutyrate transport's temperature dependence and inhibition by phloretin and methylisobutylxanthine, all of which are demonstrated in this work. These properties suggested mediated transport, as did saturation kinetics and inhibition by several agents including pyruvate and α-cyanocinnamate. Most conclusive in this regard was a 2-fold preference for d- over l -β-hydroxybutyrate. Entry was not Na + dependent. It was stimulated by substitution of SO 4 2− for most of the Cl − . The equilibrium β-hydroxybutyrate space was much higher than the Cl − space of thymocytes, suggesting that β-hydroxybutyrate entry is not associated with net inward negative current and is not coupled to outward Cl − or inward K + movement (assuming that K + is at electrochemical equilibrium). Coupling to H + entry or OH − exit is compatible with the result. These findings are consistent with β-hydroxybutyrate entry by the carboxylate transport site which has been studied extensively with pyruvate and lactate as permeants. The Cl − /HCO 3 − exchange carrier did not appear to contribute significantly to β-hydroxybutyrate transport.
Intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracardiac extension: a single-institution experience.

Objective The aim of this study was to outline the surgical management and outcomes for patients diagnosed with intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracardiac extension at a single institution. Study Design This was a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracardiac extension between 2002–2008. Results Four patients were identified. The surgical approach in 3 (75%) patients was a single-stage operation. Four (100%) patients presented with cardiac symptoms: 3 (75%) with syncope and 1 (25%) with an abnormal electrocardiogram. Mean age at presentation was 48 years (range, 42–58 years). Complete resection of tumor was obtained in 1 (25%) patient and 3 (75%) patients experienced incomplete resection. Mean follow-up, including surveillance imaging, was 25.5 months (range, 8–57 months) and all 4 patients (100%) are currently free of recurrence. Conclusion Surgical excision remains an effective therapy for treating patients with benign metastasizing leiomyomatosis. Incomplete surgical resection may result in favorable response.
Twenty years experience in seawater reverse osmosis and how chemicals in pretreatment affect fouling of membranes

The author summarizes his twenty years experience in seawater reverse osmosis and describes effects of chemicals in pretreatment on bacterial and organic fouling of RO membranes.
THE RESIDENTIAL SEGREGATION OF AMERICAN INDIANS IN METROPOLITAN AREAS OF MICHIGAN

American Indian or Native American residential segregation is viewed within the general framework of ecological theory. According to theorists of human ecology, variation in segregation between gro...
Mars Biosignature - Detection Capabilities: A Method for Objective Comparison of In Situ Measurements and Sample Return

A Mars sample-return mission has been proposed within NASA's Mars Exploration Program. Studying Martian samples in laboratories on Earth could address many important issues in planetary science, but arguably none is as scientifically compelling as the question of whether biosignatures indicative of past or present life exist on that planet. It is reasonable to ask before embarking on a sample-return mission whether equivalent investigation of Martian biosignatures could be conducted in situ. This study presents an approach to (1)identifying an optimal instrument suite for in situ detection of biosignatures on Mars,and (2)comparing the projected confidence level of in situ detection in a 2026 timeframe to that of Earth-based analysis. We identify a set of candidate instruments, the development of which is projected to be achievable by 2026 well within a $200 million cost cap. Assuming that any biosignatures near the surface of Mars are similar to those of terrestrial life, we find that this instrument suite, if successfully developed and deployed, would enable in situ biosignature detection at essentially the same level of confidence as that of Earth-based analysis of the same samples. At a cost cap of half that amount,the confidence level of in situbiosignature detection analysis could reach about 90% that of Earth-based investigations.
Financial market liberalization and stock market efficiency: Evidence from the Athens Stock Exchange

Abstract This paper examines whether Greece's financial market liberalization efforts have had any effects on the efficient operation of its equity market, the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE). Several tests for structural change, market integration, and efficiency, suggest that the ASE was weak-form efficient and was operating as a random walk even before any market liberalization announcements were made. Furthermore, the political uncertainties of the 1990s did not increase return volatility in the ASE in the postliberalization period. Overall, the results suggest that foreign and domestic investors were mostly guided by fundamentals and thus could not systematically engage in profitable undertakings.
Biologic agents as biochemical modulators : pharmacologic basis for the interaction of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs and interferon

Biochemical modulation of cytotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic agents is one means of enhancing the activity and selectivity of antitumor drugs. Traditionally this approach has utilized detailed information regarding a particular enzymatic reaction or biochemical pathway to develop potential modulating agents. In contrast, the reported clinical therapeutic activity of IFN in combination with cytotoxic agents has prompted a reexamination of the biochemical actions of the cytokine. Interferon elicits a number of cellular actions that might contribute to its pharmacologic activity, including both direct antitumor effects and host-mediated actions. The best understood are those related to the cytotoxicity of the fluoropyrimidine antimetabolites and include enzymatic reactions involved in fluoropyrimidine metabolic activation, catabolism, and interaction with its target enzyme. However, even in this instance, a mechanistic association of a specific pharmacologic action with therapeutic activity remains to be determined. These studies demonstrate that cytokines and other biologic agents may exert specific biochemical modulations that augment (or potentially attenuate) the activity of the cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents.
Are the Banff 97 criteria for renal allograft biopsy specimen adequacy achievable in children

Are the Banff 97 criteria for renal allograft biopsy specimen adequacy achievable in children?
Interaction of cholesterol, cerebronic acid, valinomycin, and related compounds in monolayers of binary mixtures

Abstract Pressure—area isotherms and electron-microscope studies of thin-film mixtures of biologically important compounds shed light on interaction effects in biomembranes. At relatively low surface pressures most of the binary mixtures under study give isotherms at smaller areas than the calculated averages based on simple additivity of the component isotherms. This is a condensing or cooperative type of interaction in contrast to an expanding or interfering type of interaction. In spite of such cooperative interaction, a subsequent plateau in the isotherms for most mixtures demonstrates a squeezing out (collapse) of the weaker component. Generally the isotherms then rise steeply to final collapse at a pressure higher than that of the calculated average and frequently higher than that of the stronger component. The latter effect demonstrates considerable interaction. Electron micrographs of transferred films support the interaction indicated at collapse. A most unusual interaction effect is observed with an equimolar mixture of two widely different structures, cholesterol and cerebronic (2-hydroxytetracosanoic) acid. Relatively weak cooperative interaction is observed in the low pressure region. However, pronounced condensation takes place at intermediate pressures. Moreover, an inflection point at about 23 dynes per centimeter appears to be completely unrelated to the component isotherms which show no inflection in this region. No similar effect has been observed in a wide variety of mixed monolayer experiments. Thus marked interaction is indicated for the monolayer mixture of cholesterol and cerebronic acid. A plateau at 48 dynes per centimeter undoubtedly indicates the ejection of cholesterol. Electron micrographs of transferred samples demonstrate that the long flat ribbons of cholesterol and the tall narrow ridges of cerebronic acid have been altered by the interaction. Equimolar binary mixtures of cholesterol and valinomycin, cerebronic acid and valinomycin, and related compounds demonstrate different effects.
Designing mediation for context-aware applications

Many context-aware services make the assumption that the context they use is completely accurate. However, in reality, both sensed and interpreted context is often ambiguous. A challenge facing the development of realistic and deployable context-aware services, therefore, is the ability to handle ambiguous context. Although some of this ambiguity may be resolved using automatic techniques, we argue that correct handling of ambiguous context will often need to involve the user. We use the term mediation to refer to the dialogue that ensues between the user and the system. In this article, we describe an architecture that supports the building of context-aware services that assume context is ambiguous and allows for mediation of ambiguity by mobile users in aware environments. We present design guidelines that arise from supporting mediation over space and time, issues not present in the graphical user interface domain where mediation has typically been used in the past. We illustrate the use of our architecture and evaluate it through an example context-aware application, a word predictor system.
Quantitative Assay for Evaluating Immunocompetence and DNA Repair Capacity

Incorporation of radioactive thymidine into newly synthesized DNA is the basis of an assay frequently used to study immunosuppression in cancer patients. It has also been used to measure the amount of excision repair performed by non-replicating cells damaged by carcinogens. For human lymphocytes (and probably other cell types), these assays are unreliable as they are currently being performed. We report a modified assay that allows accurate comparisons of the immunocompetence and DNA repair capacity of different individuals. With this assay, cells can be studied in their autologous plasma and the role of biological response modifiers can be assessed.
Audiology in Developing Countries

Audiology in Developing Countries, edited by Bradley McPherson and Ron Brouillette, is an exceptionally comprehensive book about the state of audiology in developing countries. The book includes va...
SEASONAL PREVALENCE OF CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM TYPE C IN SEDIMENTS OF A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WETLAND

The prevalence of Clostridium botulinum type C (% of positive sediment samples) was determined in 10 marshes at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR), located in the Central Valley of California (USA), where avian botulism epizootics occur regularly. Fifty-two percent of 2,200 sediment samples collected over an 18-mo period contained C. botulinum type C (both neurotoxic and aneurotoxic) which was present throughout the year in all 10 marshes. The prevalence of C. botulinum type C was similar in marshes with either high or low botulism losses in the previous 5 yr. Marshes with avian botulism mortality during the study had similar prevalences as marshes with no mortality. However, the prevalence of C. botulinum type C was higher in marshes that remained flooded all year (permanent) compared with marshes that were drained in the spring and reflooded in the fall (seasonal). The prevalence of C. botulinum type C declined in seasonal marshes during the dry period. Similar declines did not occur in the perm...
National laryngopharyngectomy and reconstructive surgery survey.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To understand the various methods available to reconstruct total laryngopharyngectomy defects and to understand which, and to what degree, various factors influence the surgeon in choosing a particular reconstructive method. Methods: Otolaryngologists and plastic surgeons who perform head and neck reconstruction were surveyed regarding preference of laryngopharyngectomy reconstruction. Numerical and rank-order data was analyzed using T statistics and Fisher exact test. Results: Two hundred surveys were mailed and 72 physicians (36% response rate) provided data, with otolaryngologists comprising 54% of the respondents. Otolaryngologists were more likely to consider voice (P = .003) and swallowing (P = .02) outcomes compared to plastic surgeons. In contrast, plastic surgeons more often included cosmesis (P = .05) among those factors influencing their reconstructive choice. However, rank-order analysis demonstrated no statistical difference between plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists with respect to each factor. Conclusions: Our study sought to examine what motivates surgeons from several specialties to choose one reconstructive method over another for laryngopharyngeal defects. Otolaryngologists were more likely to consider voice and swallowing function in contrast to plastic surgeons, who more frequently included cosmesis as a factor. However, when physicians were asked to rank the importance of each of the eight factors from most to least important in influencing their reconstructive option, there was no statistical difference between plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists with respect to each factor. Further research is necessary to provide an evidence base for which reconstructive method offers the optimal functional restoration. Laryngoscope, 2009
Measurement and modeling of urban atmospheric PCB concentrations on a small (8 km) spatial scale

Abstract Atmospheric transport and deposition of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is an important problem for ecosystems around the world. Data from several monitoring networks demonstrate that atmospheric PCB concentrations are dramatically elevated in urban areas compared to rural or background regions, such that these urban emissions of PCBs support the regional and global transport and deposition of PCBs to more remote areas. Identifying and controlling the sources of urban atmospheric PCBs is thus essential in minimizing the regional and global transport and deposition of these compounds. From December 1999 to November 2000, gas-phase PCB concentrations were measured at two monitoring locations, ∼8 km apart, within the New York City metropolitan area, at Jersey City and Bayonne, NJ. Concentrations, congener patterns, and temporal patterns of PCBs differ dramatically at the two sites, suggesting that a significant source of atmospheric PCBs exists within 8 km of the Bayonne site, resulting in spikes in gas-phase PCB concentration at Bayonne that are not observed at Jersey City. The Regional Atmospheric Model System (RAMS) coupled with the Hybrid Particle and Concentration Transport model (HYPACT) was used to estimate that the PCB source near Bayonne emits a flux of ΣPCBs on the order of 100 g d−1. Extrapolation of this source magnitude to the area of New York City suggests that this urban area emits at least 300 kg yr−1 ΣPCBs to the regional atmosphere, similar in magnitude to the flow of ΣPCB out of the Upper Hudson River into the New York/New Jersey Harbor.
Semiautomatic registration of digital histopathology images to in vivo MR images in molded and unmolded prostates

Purpose To evaluate a semiautomatic software-based method of registering in vivo prostate MR images to digital histopathology images using two approaches: (i) in which the prostates were molded to simulate distortion due to the endorectal imaging coil before fixation, and (ii) in which the prostates were not molded. Materials and Methods T2-weighted MR images and digitized whole-mount histopathology images were acquired for 26 patients with biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy. Ten excised prostates were molded before fixation. A semiautomatic method was used to align MR images to histopathology. Percent overlap between MR and histopathology images, as well as distances between corresponding anatomical landmarks were calculated and used to evaluate the registration technique for molded and unmolded cases. Results The software successfully morphed histology-based prostate images into corresponding MR images. Percent overlap improved from 80.4 ± 5.8% before morphing to 99.7 ± 0.62% post morphing. Molded prostates had a smaller distance between landmarks (1.91 ± 0.75 mm) versus unmolded (2.34 ± 0.68 mm), P < 0.08. Conclusion Molding a prostate before fixation provided a better alignment of internal structures within the prostate, but this did not reach statistical significance. Software-based morphing allowed for nearly complete overlap between the pathology slides and the MR images. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:1223–1229. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fluid retention in cirrhosis: Pathophysiology and management

Accumulation of fluid as ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis. This is occurring in about 50% of patients within 10 years of the diagnosis of cirrhosis. It is a prognostic sign with 1-year and 5-year survival of 85% and 56%, respectively. The most acceptable theory for ascites formation is peripheral arterial vasodilation leading to underfilling of circulatory volume. This triggers the baroreceptor-mediated activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, sympathetic nervous system and nonosmotic release of vasopressin to restore circulatory integrity. The result is an avid sodium and water retention, identified as a preascitic state. This condition will evolve in overt fluid retention and ascites, as the liver disease progresses. Once ascites is present, most therapeutic modalities are directed on maintaining negative sodium balance, including salt restriction, bed rest and diuretics. Paracentesis and albumin infusion is applied to tense ascites. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is considered for refractory ascites. With worsening of liver disease, fluid retention is associated with other complications; such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. This is a primary infection of ascitic fluid caused by organisms originating from large intestinal normal flora. Diagnostic paracentesis and antibiotic therapy plus prophylactic regimen are mandatory. Hepatorenal syndrome is a state of functional renal failure in the setting of low cardiac output and impaired renal perfusion. Its management is based on drugs that restore normal renal blood flow through peripheral arterial and splanchnic vasoconstriction, renal vasodilation and/or plasma volume expansion. However, the definitive treatment is liver transplantation.
Long-Term Results of Endoscopic Versus Open Saphenous Vein Harvest for Lower Extremity Bypass

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic saphenous vein harvest (EVH) has been shown to lower wound infection rates and cost compared with conventional harvest, although long-term patency data are lacking. A small series of studies has recently suggested that patency is inferior to conventionally harvested vein technique, and we thus sought to explore this question by reviewing our cumulative experience with this technique. METHODS: The short- and long-term outcomes of all lower extremity bypasses (LEBPs) using saphenous vein at one institution over a period of 8.5 years were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 363 patients averaging 67 ± 24 to 100 years of age had undergone LEBP and had charts available for review. Of these 363 patients, 170 underwent EVH (90% using a noninsufflation technique) and 193 conventional (by means of continuous or skip incisions); 48% of patients reported tissue loss and no differences in indication for surgery were noted between groups. Mean follow-up was 35.1 (range: <1-105) months. Primary patency rates were worse in the EVH group as compared with conventional at six (63.3% ± 4.0% vs. 77.3% ± 3.3%), 12 (50.4% ± 4.2% vs. 73.7% ± 3.6%), and 36 (42.2% ± 4.5% vs. 59.1% ± 4.9%) months (all p < 0.001), although these differences were largely limited to patients with limb-threat and diabetes. However, limb salvage and survival, were identical between groups. Contrary to previous experience, there were no differences in length of stay or wound complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results of this study show an inferior long-term patency rate for endoscopically harvested saphenous vein after LEBP in our series as a whole, and do not confirm the short-term benefit previously shown in a selected cohort. These differences were, however, minimal or absent in patients with claudication or absence of diabetes, and EVH may continue to play a role in these cases.
Old Gay Men’s Bodies and Masculinities:

In the hierarchy of masculinities, old men and gay men are clearly subordinated. Many assume, therefore, that old gay men are doubly stigmatized; however, we argue that the picture is decidedly more complex. In this article, we explore the bodily experiences of aging through analysis of intensive interviews with 10 gay men who are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. We focus on the interpretations and strategies these gay men use to make sense of their aging bodies. We identify several themes relating to how these men think about their own bodies, the bodies of other gay men, and their place within gay communities. Their aging corporeal experiences allow us to examine ageist notions about aging and being old and to explore how this thinking, which valorizes youthfulness, shapes their aging experiences.
Mouse heat shock transcription factor 1 deficiency alters cardiac redox homeostasis and increases mitochondrial oxidative damage

In this study, using heat shock factor 1 (Hsf1) knockout mice as a model, we tested the hypothesis that HSF1-dependent regulation of heat shock proteins (Hsps) is required to maintain redox state and attenuate oxidative damage in the normal heart. Here we report that, in mice, HSF1 deficiency reduces cardiac expression of Hsp25, alphaB-crystallin and Hsp70, but not Hsp60 and Hsp90. Consistent with the downregulation of Hsp25, for example, a significantly lower glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfate (GSSG) ratio was associated with the decreased activity, but not protein content, of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Con sequently, superoxide was generated at a higher rate, and several mitochondrial proteins, including adenine nucleotide translocase 1 (ANT1), were more oxidized by HSF1 deficiency in vivo. Oxidative damage to ANT1 protein, a structural component of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), decreases its catalytic activity and increases MPTP opening, respectively. Taken together, our results indicate for the first time that constitutive expression of HSP chaperones requires HSF1 activity, and that such HSF1-dependent requirements are directly and functionally linked to maintain redox homeostasis and antioxidative defenses at normal (37 degrees C) temperature.