cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activity of allelic variants of Pi class human glutathione S-transferase toward chlorambucil.

Clinical efficacy of alkylating anticancer drugs, such as chlorambucil, is often limited by the emergence of drug resistant tumor cells. Increased glutathione (GSH) conjugation (inactivation) of alkylating anticancer drugs or their activated metabolites due to overexpression of the Pi class GSH S-transferase (hGSTP1-1) is believed to be an important mechanism in tumor cell resistance to alkylating agents. Interestingly, the hGSTP1 locus is polymorphic in human populations and involves amino acid residues in positions 104 (isoleucine or valine) and/or 113 (alanine or valine). Here, we report that the allelic variants of hGSTP1-1 significantly differ in their efficiency in catalyzing the GSH conjugation of chlorambucil. Catalytic efficiency of the hGSTP1-1(I104,A113) isoform toward chlorambucil was approximately 2.5-, 7.5- and 15-fold higher compared with I104,V113, V104,A113 and V104,V113 variants of hGSTP1-1, respectively. The results of the present study suggest that hGSTP1-1 polymorphism may be an important factor in GST-mediated tumor cell resistance to some alkylating agents.
Patterns of cerebral glucose metabolism detected with positron emission tomography differ in multiple system atrophy and olivopontocerebellar atrophy

We used positron emission tomography with { 18 F}fluorodeoxyglucose to study local cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (ICMRglc) in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy (sOPCA), and dominantly inherited olivopontocerebellar atrophy (dOPCA) in comparison with normal control subjects. In MSA, absolute ICMRglc was significantly decreased in the brainstem, cerebellum, putamen, thalamus, and cerebral cortex. In sOPCA, absolute ICMRglc was significantly decreased in the brainstem, cerebellum, putamen, thalamus, and cerebral cortex. In dOPCA, absolute ICMRglc was significantly decreased in the brainstem and cerebellum but not in the other structures
Recreation Specialization As an Indicator of Environmental Preference

Recreation specialization was examined as an underlying element of behavior that varies with the type and importance of environmental settings desired by recreationists. Subjects were backcountry hikers from three Intermountain West primitive areas who responded to a mailed questionnaire that assessed their level of hiking specialization and preferences for 38 environmental setting attributes. These attributes were representative of physical, social, and managerial settings. All three types of setting attributes exhibited significant relationships, with the degree of hiking specialization suggesting that specialization may be a useful concept for explaining developmental related changes in environmental perception. The results were interpreted as suggesting that current recreation management practices that focus on broad generalizations about recreation activities may be insensitive to the array of diversity sought by the recreating public.
Decisions about drug therapy—V. Models derived from diagnostic frequency patterns

Abstract This article is concerned with methodology for analysis of diagnostic frequency patterns in drug prescription data for purposes of understanding similarities and differences in clinical conceptions of actions of the drugs. Three different methods for analysis of such data are compared. The analyses reveal differences in clinical conceptions of drugs within the major classes, as well as between them. It is concluded that patterns of drug prescriptions can provide valuable insights into some of the finer shades of difference in clinical conceptions of the drug actions.
Increased phospholipid fatty acid remodeling in human and rat prostatic adenocarcinoma tissues.

AbstractPurpose: To study the mechanism of diminished arachidonic acid levels in malignant prostatic tissues.Materials and Methods: Benign and malignant prostate tissues were obtained from human radical prostatectomy specimens and from rats using Pollard's Lobund/Wistar rat prostate cancer model. Fatty acid composition and a variety of enzyme activities involved in maintaining phospholipid fatty acid composition were compared in malignant and benign prostatic tissues.Results: Decreased arachidonic acid levels, previously reported in human prostate cancer, were present in malignant rat as well as in human tissues. There were 21 percent and 26 percent decreases of arachidonic acid levels in the rat and human malignant tissues compared with benign tissues. Fatty acid desaturase activity was undetectable. Fatty acyl-CoA hydrolase and synthetase activities were not altered in the malignant tissues. However, there was a 2-fold increase in phospholipase A2 activity and a 4- to 12-fold increase in fatty acyl-CoA ...
Optogalvanic study of A Ne/O2 glow discharge

Abstract We present a partial mechanism for excitation and energy transfer in a Ne/O 2 dc discharge. Atomic and molecular concentrations are monitored via the optogalvanic effect. A resonant Penning ionization process is proposed for the production of O 2 + (a 4 Π u t , υ = 3). An optogalvanic signal, due to atomic oxygen, can be used to monitor oxygen at levels as low as 100 ppm.
Prevalence and clinical implications of abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism in advanced heart failure

Patients with advanced congestive heart failure are often severely ill and may experience substantial abnormalities in thyroid hormone metabolism. Thus, we examined this patient population to determine the prevalence and prognostic significance of altered thyroid hormone concentrations, the course of thyroid abnormalities in congestive heart failure survivors, and the potential relationship of thyroid abnormalities to overall metabolic rate. Our results indicate that thyroid hormone metabolism (ie, the triiodothyronine to reverse triiodothyronine ratio) is altered in a majority of patients with advanced congestive heart failure and is an independent predictor of mortality. Currently a study is underway that will provide further evidence for the mechanisms involved in congestive heart failure and abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism.
Compact optical correlator for machine vision with optically addressed bacteriorhodopsin spatial light modulator

We describe a compact optic correlator architecture which does not require a CCD camera to input the image to be interrogated. The white light illuminated image can be polarized and imaged directly onto a thin bacteriorhodopsin film which modulates the film's birefringence. Read out of this written information can be achieved using a low power diode or HeNe laser in order to put the image information onto a coherent wavefront. Architectures with the bR film in the input and Fourier plane are considered using performance measures such as the fidelity of feature identification and speed.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
IPM: A computer Interactive Project Management teaching tool

Abstract Project management deals with all phases of a project, from the initiation of the planning procedure to the physical completion of the entire effort. The process of teaching the quantitative approaches to project management (i.e. Critical-Path Method and Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is a fairly straightforward task that has been performed for many years. However, teaching the principles of project management is a different task altogether. The project management process involves a sequence of planning, decision making, follow-up activities and reevaluation followed by a repeat of the sequence. That is, in order to truly examine and teach the process of project management (i.e. not just the tools), it is necessary to view the activities in a dynamic projectlike environment. With this idea in mind, the Interactive Project Management game (IPM) was developed. IPM was created with the intent of teaching project management principles in a simulated project environment using the computer. This paper describes IPM, its characteristics and its capabilities, and includes an IPM gaming session.
A Scaled Hydraulic Model of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Discharge

: A scaled hydraulic model was used as a schematic representation of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (PBAPS) discharge into Conowingo Pond during critically low river flows. The model approximated flow and temperature patterns and the degree of recirculation are assessed. Under normal operation the effluent is carried downstream and dissipated within about two miles. However, during dry weather years, river inflows can decrease substantially, resulting in unknown recirculation of effluent and flow patterns in Conowingo Pond. This study was conducted to investigate and predict flow patterns in Conowingo Pond under critically dry weather conditions. A threshold river flow is also identified that indicates a measure of the river's ability to maintain downstream advection of the effluent. The study suggests a number of unexpected current patterns, potential recirculation of the effluent, and changes in the dilution of the effluent.
Limit Cycles of Higher Order Nonlinear Autonomous Systems

Abstract An analytic criterion for the establishment of the existence of the limit cycles in higher order nonlinear autonomous systems of soft-excitation type is presented. The same analytical criterion can be used to obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions in the parameter space for the asymptotic stability of the equilibrium point of these systems. Nonlinear autonomous systems of soft-excitation type are defined and a conjecture to identify these systems is given. Several illustrative examples of second- and third-order nonlinear autonomous systems are presented.
β-amyloid induction of gelatinase B secretion in cultured microglia: inhibition by dexamethasone and indomethacin

Since administration of anti-inflammatory drugs has been reported to possibly slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, an effort was made to define effector functions induced by beta-amyloid (A beta) which may be inhibited by these drugs. Rat microglia in culture were treated with various A beta fragments and gelatinase (GLase) activity was determined using gelatin-substrate zymography; the ability of indomethacin (INDO) and dexamethasone (DEX) to inhibit A beta-stimulated GLase, specifically matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), activity was also evaluated. A beta (1-38) and A beta (1-40) were effective in stimulating MMP-9 activity in a dose-dependent fashion. Co-treatment with INDO (50 microM) or DEX (100 nM) resulted in a 54% and 66% inhibition, respectively, of A beta (1-40)-stimulated MMP-9 production in microglia.
Image quality metrics for halftone images

In this paper, different factors that affect the quality of a halftone image are examined. We investigated the quality of constant-gray-level halftones, and also of more complex halftone images with various content and degree of detail. For the constant-gray-level halftones, it was examined how their visual appearance changes with variations in their power spectrum characteristics, and for the more complex halftone images we investigated how different quantitative quality metrics can describe the quality of these images. Since the ultimate judges of image quality are human viewers, the success of the quantitative metrics as quality measures for halftones was assessed by comparing their results with the results of a psychovisual test.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Complex Fano asymmetry parameters for helium L = 0, 1, 2 autoionizing levels excited by electron impact

Theoretical Fano q-parameters for He autoionizing states excited by electron impact are presented, as extracted from first- and second-order hybrid distorted-wave Born + R-matrix calculations. It is found that the q-parameters for (2s2)1S, (2p2)1D, and (2s2p)1P from the first-order calculations are essentially real quantities, while those from the second-order calculations are complex but with a real part similar to the first-order values. These findings are interpreted in terms of the relative phases of the first- and second-order amplitudes.
Application of Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Techniques to Distributed Satellite Systems

Four separate multidisciplinary design optimization techniques have been investigated for their applicability to the rapid conceptual design of distributed satellite systems. The four multidisciplinary design optimization techniques tested were Taguchi’ s method, simulated annealing, a pseudogradient search, and single-variable-axis exploration. Each multidisciplinary design optimization technique was applied to the problem of developing a systems architecture that minimizes a multicriterion metric (cost per image ) for the NASA Origins Terrestrial Planet Finder mission. The best solution obtained from each technique after evaluating only 7.3 ‐7.8% of all possible solutions was compared with the true optimal solution obtained from complete enumeration. It was found that although the simulated annealing, pseudogradient search, and single-variable-axis exploration algorithms all found the true optimal solution at least once over 10 trials, simulated annealing did so with the greatest degree of cone dence statistically. Although Taguchi’ s method was unable to e nd the optimal solution, this method did provide useful ancillary information that the other techniques did not provide.
Chemical mutagenesis testing in Drosophila. VI. Interlaboratory comparison of mutagenicity tests after treatment of larvae

Previous publications on the National Toxicology Program (NTP)-sponsored mutagenicity testing program in Drosophila dealt with evaluations of chemicals following adult treatment (feed, injection). The current paper deals with a comparison between the laboratories at Brown University (BRU) and the University of Wisconsin at Madison (UWM) regarding the response of larvae to treatment with chemicals in the sex-linked recessive lethal (SLRL) test and, where appropriate, the reciprocal translocation test as well. Dimethylnitro-samine (DMN) and dimethylbenz(a)anthracene were used first as reference mutagens. Six coded compounds were then evaluated regarding their repeatability in the two laboratories; the compounds were benzo(a)pyrene, 3-methylcholan-threne, coumarin, quinoline, formaldehyde, and 9-aminoacridine. It was concluded that at this time it would be imprudent to forgo larval treatment in cases where compounds proved negative after adult feeding. Accordingly, testing a series of 20 compounds negative after adult treatment is in progress.
Measuring physical density with X-ray computed tomography

X-ray computed tomography (CT) can quantify variations in material density. However, little practical information concerning accurate translation of CT numbers (an approximation of the material's linear attenuation coefficient) into mass density exists. We describe our development of this methodology. Issues addressed include the physics of mapping CT density to mass density; development and scanning of density standards; post-reconstruction filtering to reduce the effects of quantum noise; and segmentation of the object data from the surrounding medium. Examples of our use of this procedure in studying density gradients during powder pressing and firing are given.
Competition and the performance of hospital markets

This paper explores the relationship between competition and market performance for the primarily nonprofit industry, hospital services. A theoretical framework is adopted that assumes hospitals compete for physician affiliations on the basis of hospital price and resources provided. The model indicates that monopoly power leads to higher quality-adjusted hospital prices, resulting in a reduction in the level of hospital resources consumed. This reduction can occur through admissions, patient length of stay, or resources consumed per patient-day. A regression analysis reveals that all three are reduced as market concentration increases.
Age-related changes in neutral sphingomyelin-specific phospholipase C activity in striatum, hippocampus, and frontal cortex: Implication for sensitivity to stress and inflammation

Abstract Previous studies show the enrichment of mammalian brain with neutral sphingomyelin-specific phospholipase C (ceramide-phosphocholine phosphodiesterase, EC 3.1.4.12; N-Sase), a key enzyme of sphingolipid metabolism and sphingolipid-induced signaling. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the membrane-associated and cytosolic N-Sase activities in the brain regions associated with behavior (striatum, hippocampus, and frontal cortex). Results: Results showed higher membrane-associated N-Sase activity as compared to the N-Sase activity in the cytosolic fractions of all the evaluated brain regions. In the hippocampus, the N-Sase activity was significantly higher than in the striatum and cortex. In addition, age-related changes in the hippocampal N-Sase activities were profoundly higher than in the respective fractions isolated from the striatum and cortex. Age-related decreases in the hippocampal and striatal cytosolic N-Sase activities were accompanied by increases in the membrane N-Sase activities in those brain regions. There was a significant increase in the cortical membrane-associated N-Sase activity with age; however, to a much lesser extend than in other brain regions. The increase in the hippocampal membrane-associated N-Sase activity was accompanied by a higher expression of the inflammatory marker, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), with age. One of the important findings of the present study is the region-specific expression of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70). Frontal cortex showed lower hsp70 expression in both young and old age groups as compared to the striatal and hippocampal hsp70 levels which can contribute to the recently reported higher cortical sensitivity to oxidative stress. Conclusion: In conclusion (a) our results, for the first time to our knowledge, demonstrated the association between the N-Sase activity and the stress/inflammatory markers expression in the brain regions controlling behavior; (b) these findings suggest the role of N-Sase as a contributor to the increased stress and inflammatory sensitivity among the brain regions with age.
Theoretical Studies of the Alpha Decay of U 233

The alpha decay of a deformed odd-mass nucleus, ${\mathrm{U}}^{233}$, is treated by the use of numerical integration on an IBM-650 computer. The results of this treatment are compared with the theory of Bohr, Fr\"oman, and Mottelson.Approximate analytic methods are developed for predicting the intensities of the higher members of the ground rotational band.A comparison is made between the numerical integration and the experiments of Roberts, Dabbs, and Parker, in which they examine the angular distribution of alpha particles from aligned ${\mathrm{U}}^{233}$ nuclei.The results of the numerical integration of ${\mathrm{U}}^{233}$ are presented in matrices analogous to those of Fr\"oman, and numerical values of the functions are given for selected values of $r$.
Meeting of minds in a magnetic field

Geomagnetism of Baked Clays and Recent Sediments. Edited by K.M. Creer, P. Tucholka and C.E. Barton. Elsevier Scientific: 1983. Pp. 324. Dfl. 125, $53.25.
Signal relay during chemotaxis

The ability of cells to migrate in response to external cues, a process known as chemotaxis, is a fundamental phenomenon in biology. It is exhibited by a wide variety of cell types in the context of embryogenesis, angiogenesis, inflammation, wound healing and many other complex physiological processes. Here, we discuss the signals that control the directed migration of the social amoebae Dictyostelium discoideum both as single cells and in the context of group migration. This multi-cellular organism has served as an excellent model system to decipher amoeboid-like leukocyte migration and has played a key role in establishing signalling paradigms in the chemotaxis field. We envision that Dictyostelium will continue to bring forward basic knowledge as we seek to understand the mechanisms regulating group cell migration.
Reinterpretation of the Cedar Ridge section, Wind River Range, Wyoming: Implications for the glacial chronology of the Rocky Mountains

The Cedar Ridge stratigraphic section in the escarpment north of Bull Lake, Wind River Range, Wyoming, may be the most significant section of Quaternary sediments in the Rocky Mountains. This section contains a thick sequence of Bull Lake till, but its greater significance is as the type section or a reference section for the deposits of three pre–Bull Lake glaciations: Washakie Point (oldest), Cedar Ridge, and Sacagawea Ridge (reference section, type section at Dinwoody Lakes). However, after reexamining the tills, lake sediments, and buried soils in this section, we conclude that the stratigraphic record is best interpreted as the result of two glaciations, not the four of previous investigations. Buried soils are especially useful in deciphering the stratigraphy of this section through the contrast between well-developed interglacial soils and weakly developed interstadial soils. We conclude that only the Bull Lake and Sacagawea Ridge glaciations are represented by deposits in the Cedar Ridge section. Deposits formerly called Cedar Ridge are reinterpreted as representing an early stade of the Sacagawea Ridge glaciation. A paleomagnetic study reveals that all the sediments have normal polarity and thus are probably younger than the Brunhes-Matuyama boundary of ca. 770 ka. Although the deposits of the Cedar Ridge section have been correlated with moraines and terraces, this procedure should be done only by direct tracing or with the use of all available dating control. The best record of Quaternary glaciations in the area, however, is in the river terraces of glacial outwash origin in the Wind River basin, not the moraines and stratigraphic sections along the mountain front.
Lithium and valproic acid: parallels and contrasts in diverse signaling contexts

The introduction of lithium salts to treat bipolar disorder (BPD) revolutionized the therapy of psychiatric illnesses, but the pathogenesis of the disease and the mechanism of lithium action remain unknown. While several direct molecular targets of lithium have been identified, it is unknown which, if any, of these targets plays a role in the therapeutic response to lithium. Exposure to lithium evokes a wide spectrum of behavioral, physiological, and developmental responses in diverse organisms, and these effects have been exploited to explore the mechanisms of lithium action. Valproic acid (VPA), a widely used anticonvulsant, is also an effective therapy for BPD, and again its mechanism of action is not known, although new in vitro targets have been identified recently. In this review, the clinical, physiological, and developmental effects of lithium and VPA are summarized and recent work on direct targets for lithium and VPA is discussed in the context of these effects. We then describe some of the physiological effects common to the two drugs, in addition to treatment of BPD, and address signaling pathways that could be regulated by both lithium and VPA.
A wildland fire model with data assimilation

A wildfire model is formulated based on balance equations for energy and fuel, where the fuel loss due to combustion corresponds to the fuel reaction rate. The resulting coupled partial differential equations have coefficients that can be approximated from prior measurements of wildfires. An ensemble Kalman filter technique with regularization is then used to assimilate temperatures measured at selected points into running wildfire simulations. The assimilation technique is able to modify the simulations to track the measurements correctly even if the simulations were started with an erroneous ignition location that is quite far away from the correct one.
A collaborative Data Chat: Teaching summative assessment data use in pre-service teacher education

AbstractAs the quality of educational outputs has been problematized, accountability systems have driven reform based upon summative assessment data. These policies impact the ways that educators use data within schools and subsequently, how teacher education programs may adjust their curricula to teach data-driven decision-making to inform instruction. This study explores the outcomes of an instructional intervention that taught data understanding, comprehension, and data use with pre-service teacher candidates. The intervention was based on the premise that using data for professional purposes is becoming a necessary proficiency for teacher education graduates and that teacher education curricula must explicitly address that need. Pre-service teacher candidates participated in a Data Chat where they collaboratively analyzed standardized testing and end-of-course assessment data and structured instructional interventions based upon determined strengths and weakness areas in student learning. Data were co...
Frequency modulated (FM) radio band audio interference pre-compliance test

The FM band radio is one of the most common receivers found in todaypsilas automobile and is considered to be an important factor in consumerspsila ratings of vehicle quality and craftsmanship. As automotive electronics continue to evolve with new technology and mounting locations, suppliers and automakers must take care not to create interference conditions between these sensitive on-board receivers and potential sources of noise. Therefore a significant amount of resources are applied in electrical component, systems, and vehicle development to ensure good radio performance. The authors propose a pre-compliance test method that can be used during electronic component and electronic system development to detect and quantify such cases of interference. The test method can be performed prior to vehicle integration to allow for efficient and low cost solutions to potential issues.
A Search for the Oscillations of a ν μ Beam at the BNL AGS

We report on a sensitive search for neutrino oscillations. A pure ν μ beam of low energy was constructed at the Brookhaven AGS. The appearance of any ν μ in the beam would signify oscillations. To maximize sensitivity the energy of the neutrino beam was reduced to 150 MeV. The existing neutrino beam line and a 30T liquid scintillation calorimeter used in previous vp scattering experiments1 were utilized.
Signaling pathways coupling phenomena

Two radically different approaches are currently available to identify the signaling pathways that are significantly impacted in a given condition: enrichment analysis and impact analysis. These approaches calculate a p-value that aims to quantify the significance of the involvement of the given pathway in the condition under study. These p-values were thought to be inversely proportional to the likelihood of their respective pathways being involved in the given condition, and hence be independent. Here we show that various pathways can affect each other's p-values in significant ways. Thus, the significance of a given pathway in a given experiment has to be interpreted in the context of the other pathways that appear to be significant. In certain circumstances, pathways previously found to be significant with some of the existing methods may not be so. We hypothesize that the phenomenon is related to the amount of common genes between different pathways. Here we present results obtained by analyzing pathways obtained from the KEGG signaling pathways database. However, the same phenomenon is expected to influence the analysis of any pathways from any pathway repository.
Hepatic parenchymal transection with vascular staplers: a comparative analysis with the crush-clamp technique.

Abstract Background This retrospective study compares the safety and efficacy of hepatic parenchymal transection using vascular staplers (VS) and the crush-clamp (CC) technique. Methods Demographics, clinicopathologic data, treatments, and postoperative outcomes from patients who underwent VS or CC hepatic parenchymal transection were compared. Results From 1996–2006, 99 and 112 patients underwent hepatic transection with VS and CC, respectively. Compared to CC, VS transection was associated with less operative time (median 210 vs 275 minutes), blood loss (median 250 vs 500 mL), and postoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (29% vs 44%), all P P > .05. Conclusion Hepatic parenchymal transection with VS can be accomplished with similar safety and efficacy as CC transection.
Mood disorders and fertility in women: a critical review of the literature and implications for future research

A medline literature review of fertility and mood disorder articles published since 1980 was performed in order to critically review the literature regarding a relationship between mood disorders, fertility and infertility treatment. Previous studies suggests that mood disorders, both in the bipolar and unipolar spectrum, may be associated with decreased fertility rates. Most studies report that women seeking treatment for infertility have an increased rate of depressive symptoms and possibly major depression (none showed evaluated mood elevations). Many, but not all, studies found that depressive symptoms may decrease the success rate of fertility treatment. Treatments for infertility may independently influence mood through their effects on estrogen and progesterone, which have been shown to influence mood through their actions on serotonin. Studies are limited in scope and confounding variables are many, limiting the strength of the results. In conclusion, a range of existing studies suggests that fertility and mood disorders are related in a complex way. Future studies should use clinical interviews and standardized and validated measures to confirm the diagnosis of mood disorders and control for the variables of medication treatment, desire for children, frequency of sexual intercourse, age, FSH levels, menstrual cycle regularity in assessing an interrelationship between mood disorders and fertility.
Effect of Interfacial Layers on Wear Behavior of a Dental Glass‐Ceramic

Wear studies on a glass-ceramic dental restorative material were performed under two types of lubrication conditions with distilled water. In one set of experiments, the contact interface was continuously flushed with fresh water to remove the wear debris. In a second set of experiments, the water was not replaced during the testing period. Flushing resulted in a lower friction coefficient and more than twice the wear volume compared with the nonflushing condition. Examination of the worn surfaces in SEM confirmed the presence of an interfacial layer at the sliding interface for the nonflushing experiments. These results suggest that the specific conditions at the sliding interfaces and particularly the nature of interfacial layers must be considered when evaluating the tribological performance of ceramics and especially when the wear data from different studies are compared.
International issues: neurology in Bangladesh.

Ascending the steps of the Pink Palace, it is easy to imagine the land of the old Nawabs. Their dough-faced, proud faces, now confined to mere portraits, are still poised to overlook Old Dhaka. Below, on the Sadarghat, the palatial park is crowded with people of all ages: sellers, schoolchildren, rickshaw drivers, peddlers, beggars, artisans, businesswomen, and many people, it seems, without any business at all. Wrapped by this megacity of 20 million people, the Pink Palace is a reminder of the wealth once known to the Indian subcontinent and its capacity to build for the ages. Most of my neurology rotation in Bangladesh had been a reminder of its poverty: its crowded waiting rooms, its overworked doctors, and the end-stage pathology, previously beyond my imagination. Bangladesh is a young country, both by population and existence. When Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, it had both the highest population density and the highest fertility rate in the world.1 As one of the world's least developed countries, Bangladesh has an average life expectancy of approximately 60 years.2 The chances of dying between the ages of 15 and 60 years are more than 1 in 4.2 More than 50% of the population lives in poverty3 and approximately half of the population is literate.2 Health remains an important goal and instrument of development in this ever-growing nation. The strides Bangladesh has made in assessing, treating, and preventing neurologic disease, and promoting health in general, are worthy of emulation by all countries of all income levels. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) including BRAC (formerly, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) have begun the fight for disease prevention, head-on, through the education of 76,000 community health volunteers, nearly all women. These women teach basic sanitation and health strategies as well as sell essential drugs …
A Novel Membrane Process for RF MEMS Switches

A novel fabrication process for a fixed-fixed membrane structure in RF microelectromechanical-systems switches is implemented to alter the stress-distribution and deformation of the membrane and thus vary the required actuation force. This two-step process removes UV-light-exposed photoresist first by wet dissolution of a sacrificial photoresist layer and then by oxygen reactive ion etching. During wet release, the patterned but unexposed photoresist above the membrane helps prevent stiction. Further designs of photoresist-aided membranes are demonstrated to control the measured pull-down voltage level of the switches, which is consistent with the multiphysics simulation work.
A Simplex Armijo Downhill Algorithm for Optimizing Statistical Machine Translation Decoding Parameters

We propose a variation of simplex-downhill algorithm specifically customized for optimizing parameters in statistical machine translation (SMT) decoder for better end-user automatic evaluation metric scores for translations, such as versions of BLEU, TER and mixtures of them. Traditional simplex-downhill has the advantage of derivative-free computations of objective functions, yet still gives satisfactory searching directions in most scenarios. This is suitable for optimizing translation metrics as they are not differentiable in nature. On the other hand, Armijo algorithm usually performs line search efficiently given a searching direction. It is a deep hidden fact that an efficient line search method will change the iterations of simplex, and hence the searching trajectories. We propose to embed the Armijo inexact line search within the simplex-downhill algorithm. We show, in our experiments, the proposed algorithm improves over the widely-applied Minimum Error Rate training algorithm for optimizing machine translation parameters.
Legislative Actions Against Drunken Driving: An Assessment with Additional Evidence on the Open Container

With drunken driving as one of the major social problems of the 1980's, legislatures have attempted to resolve the issue through one, or all of three forms of legislation. First, the application of deterrence through more severe penalties has been tried in many states with little success. Second, under pressure from the federal government states have raised the legal minimum age limit for drinking in anticipation of decreases in the number of alcohol related traffic accidents and fatalities. The research on this solution also remains equivocal. Third, many states have passed open container laws in the anticipation of reductions in drunken driving. This final alternative has no research behind it and, thus, is a reaction based on faith. Because of lack of research on the open container, this study examines survey responses to both drunken driving and open container self-report questions. According to findings, the presence of an open container in a vehicle was strongly associated with both the experiences ...
Challenges and approaches in mixed signal RF testing

This paper describes the challenges and indicates possible approaches in RF testing, focusing on digital systems, analog subsystems, and integrated mixed-signal systems. The approaches to innovative test techniques to reduce dependence on external automatic test equipment and to mitigate the analog test issues lead to a proposed integrated framework to serve as basis for future test developments. The interdependence between simulation and test is identified to support the framework and eliminate unnecessary test.
Mapping the social and physical contexts of physical activity across adolescence using ecological momentary assessment

Background: Research has sought to understand how environmental factors influence adolescent physical activity, yet little is known about where and with whom adolescents are physically active.Purpose: This study used electronic ecological momentary assessment (e.EMA) to map the social and physical contexts of exercise and walking across adolescence. Differences in physical activity contexts by gender, grade in school, day of the week, and season were examined.Methods: Twice a year between 9th and 12th grade, 502 adolescents (51% female) of mixed ethnicity (55% White) participated in 4-day e.EMA intervals (Thursday-Sunday) where their primary activity (e.g., exercise, TV, homework), social company (e.g., friends, family, class), and physical location (e.g., home, school, outdoors) were assessed every 30 (±10) min during waking hours.Results: Overall, greater proportions of exercise and walking were reported with friends, outdoors, and at school. However, boys were more likely to report exercising and walking in outdoor locations than girls. Exercising with classmates, family, and at school decreased across high school. Walking with family, friends, and outdoors also decreased. On weekdays compared to weekends, students reported a greater proportion of their exercise and walking at school. Students were more likely to report exercising and walking outdoors in the fall and the spring than in the winter.Conclusion: e.EMA showed that the social and physical contexts of adolescent exercise and walking vary as a function of gender, grade in school, day of the week, and season. Understanding the contexts of physical activity during the high school years can be helpful in designing interventions during adolescence.
Biofilm Elimination on Intravascular Catheters: Important Considerations for the Infectious Disease Practitioner

The presence of biofilms on intravascular catheters and their role in catheter-related bloodstream infections is well accepted. The tolerance of catheter-associated biofilm organisms toward systemic antimicrobial treatments and the potential for development of antimicrobial resistance in the health care environment underscores the importance of alternative treatment strategies. Biofilms are microbial communities that exhibit unique characteristics that must be considered when evaluating the potential of biofilm prevention or control strategies. Because biofilm-associated infections do not respond consistently to therapeutically achievable concentrations of many antimicrobial agents, treatments that are more effective against slowly growing biofilm cells or combination treatments that can penetrate the biofilm matrix may be more effective. Alternative strategies that do not incorporate antimicrobial drugs have also been investigated. These approaches have the potential to prevent or eradicate biofilms on indwelling intravascular catheters and prevent or resolve catheter-related infections.
Quantitative Percutaneous Absorption and Cutaneous Distribution of Binary Mixtures of Phenol and para-Nitrophenol in Isolated Perfused Porcine Skin

Abstract Chemical exposure to skin remains an important route by which systemic toxicity may occur. However, chemicals are seldom contacted singly in neat form and generally are present as a mixture. A total of 56 8-hr isolated perfused porcine skin flap (IPPSF) topical experiments were used to study the percutaneous absorption and cutaneous distribution of binary mixtures (solute/solvent) of 14 C-labeled phenol vs p -nitrophenol (PNP) at two concentrations (4 μg/cm 2 vs 40 μg/cm 2 ) in two vehicles (acetone vs ethanol) under occluded vs nonoccluded dosing conditions. Pertinent comparisons were made to determine if dose, vehicle, or occlusion had a significant effect on absorption, localization of the test compounds, or total recoveries. Total recoveries were much greater in all cases for PNP than phenol. Absorption, penetration into tissues, and total recoveries of phenol were greater under occluded conditions than nonoccluded. Absorption and penetration of phenol into tissues were greater with ethanol than with acetone under nonoccluded conditions, but the opposite was observed under occluded conditions. Percentage of applied dose penetration into tissues was greater from low-dose phenol in acetone than high-dose, suggesting a fixed absorption rate. This was also seen for PNP, but only under occluded conditions. Neither phenol dose, vehicle, or occlusion had any significant effect on the labeled phenol seen in the stratum corneum or on time of peak flux, a finding which limits the usefulness of noninvasive stratum corneum sampling to assess topical penetration. There was greater absorption and penetration into tissues of PNP from acetone than from ethanol. PNP dose had a significant effect on time of peak dose, with low-dose PNP taking longer to reach its peak. Neither PNP dose, vehicle, nor occlusion had any significant effect on total recovery of labeled PNP. The results suggest that comparative absorption of phenol and PNP are vehicle-, occlusion-, and penetrant-dependent. These factors must be considered when comparing absorption data between studies. These findings suggest that single chemical data (the compound applied neat) is not predictive of even binary mixtures and that exposure conditions further modulate disposition.
Physical adsorption of polyvinyl pyrrolidone on carbon nanotubes under shear studied with dissipative particle dynamics simulations

Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) simulations were used to investigate the conformation of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) grafted on carbon nanotubes (CNT) and the physical adsorption of the PVP under shear flow. The behavior of PVP on the surface of CNTs was illustrated after the physical adsorption of PVP on the CNT reached equilibrium in an aqueous medium. It was found that PVP molecules prefer to adsorb on the CNT surface and to occupy an “island” area. To examine the structure of CNT-PVP under shear flow, equilibrium CNT-PVP particles were released into Couette and Poiseuille flows. Depending on the shear rate, the polymer could be in one of three configurations: adsorbed, shear-affected and separated. Additionally, the conformation of the polymer was influenced. Average values of the end-to-end distance and the radius of gyration were found to increase when the shear force increases.
Physiology of mating behavior in Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae): Chemoreception and male accessory gland fluids in female post-mating behavior

Studies on behavior of tephritid fruit flies have historically focused on the interaction of external stimuli such as temperature, semiochemicals, seasonality, etc., or the interactions of flies between and among species for an number of observed behaviors such as mating, pheromone calling and oviposition. While descriptive behaviors represent much of what we know about these pest species, less is known about the underlying physiological mechanisms which function in priming or modulation of the observed behaviors. In the Mediterranean fruit fly, virgin females are preferentially attracted to the volatile male pheromone over host fruit odors. This behavior switches as a result of mating. Factors from the male accessory gland have been shown to facilitate the switch suggesting a male role in modulation of female olfactory-driven behaviors. Other physiological factors are likely to further influence the degree to which female behaviors are influenced.
Apartheid, Palestine and South Africa: Shameful Violations of Human Rights Past and Present

Abraham, S.J. (2012). The Eternal War: A Psychological Perspective on the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Lanham: University Press of American, 144 pp. Field, S. (2012). Oral History, Community, and Displacement: Imagining Memories in Post-Apartheid South Africa . NY: Palgrave Macmillan, 221 pp. The two books under review, Abraham's The Eternal War: A Psychological Perspective on the Arab-Israeli Conflict , and Field's Oral History, Community, and Displacement , have as focus the victims of apartheid. Abraham includes the Palestinians as players in a complex historical conflict where they often have no voice, where Field discusses the application or oral history to address the impact of apartheid on displaced Capetown communities.
Techies, the Tea Party, and the Race to the Top: The Rise of the New Upper-Middle Class and Tensions in the Rightist Politics of Federal Education Reform

AbstractThe Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and their associated high-stakes testing are key parts of the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) initiative. There has been considerable resistance to both CCSS and related testing, particularly from conservative actors. This resistance suggests that CCSS has caused substantial tension within the conservative alliance that originally coalesced around No Child Left Behind (NCLB). This article examines the fracturing of the NCLB alliance in response to RTTT and CCSS.
Technical factors related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with situs inversus.

We read with great interest the recent column on difficult endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).1 Another area of difficult ERCP involves patients with situs inversus. We recently performed an ERCP on a 72-year-old man with a remote history of laparoscopic cholecystectomy who presented with progressively worsening abdominal pain, nausea, chills, and obstructive liver function tests. A magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed abdominal situs inversus, remote cholecystectomy, and dilation of the intra-hepatic biliary tree and common bile duct up to 1 cm with multiple filling defects up to 7.6 mm in size (Figure 1). These findings were confirmed on an ERCP (Figure 2) in which the patient was treated with sphincterotomy, stone removal, and stent placement (with subsequent successful removal of a proximally migrated stent). Figure 1 A magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showing abdominal situs inversus with levocardia and common bile duct dilation with filling defects. Figure 2 An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showing abdominal situs with plastic stent placement. Situs inversus is a rare, autosomal recessive condition that is often incidentally discovered. It may occur with dex-trocardia, levocardia, or situs ambiguous, the latter with either right or left isomerism, along with asplenia or polysplenia, respectively. ERCP in patients with situs inversus has rarely been reported, and there are different techniques that have been described. These include turning the duodenoscope 180° clockwise while in the stomach and again while in the second part of the duodenum.2 A similar technique involves turning the duodenoscope 180° clockwise in the stomach and using a rotating sphincterotome for cannulation.3 The above techniques do not alter the normal room setup, in which the patient is prone and the endoscopist is on his or her right. An alternative mirror-image method places the patient in the right lateral decubitus position, with the equipment behind him or her and with all endoscopic maneuvers performed inversely.4 Another approach entails placing the patient supine with the endoscopist to his or her left.5 In our experience, ERCP was successfully performed with the patient in the usual prone position, with the endoscopist on the patient’s right, using a 180° clockwise rotation as described above. When faced with a patient with situs inversus and a strong indication for ERCP, knowledge of the above techniques coupled with the endoscopist’s experience, comfort level, room setup vis a vis the use of monitored anesthesia care, and fluoroscopy equipment should all be considered in choosing an appropriate approach.