cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Su1470 Is There Additional Benefit in Using Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (CLE) Over Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) in Neoplasia Detection for Barrett's Esophagus (BE) Patients?

therapies with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are gaining momentum and acceptance as alternatives in the management of EM. Aims: Compare changes in treatment trends and evaluate disease eradication from 2000-2010. Methods: Treatment strategies for Barrett’s-associated EM lesions were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Decisions for treatment were based on standard histological Barrett’s sampling, staging EMRs of visible lesions and EUS in all patients, and/or CT or PET/CT. Barrett’s segment from surgical and endoscopic therapies were analyzed for: complete eradication of EM, residual dysplasia, treatment complications and disease status at follow-up. Results: Eighty one patients were included (median age of 65 yrs [29-83]; male ratio of 3.8). Forty eight patients had surgical resection; 6 patients were upgraded to surgery following staging EMRs for visible lesions (with no residual invasive component in 5 of these). Pre-surgical histological grades of EM were: HGD (n 4), IMC (n 25) and T1 mucosal carcinoma (n 19). The morbidity for esophagectomy was 29% with one in-hospital death (2%). Anastomotic stricture requiring dilatation occurred in 4 (8%) patients. The followup time for surgical patients ranged from 9 days to 8 yrs; all patients were cured of EM.Endoscopic treatment with curative intent was performed in 27 patients (80% requiring EMR followed by RFA). The pre-treatment EM grades for the endoscopy group included: HGD (n 13), IMC (n 11) and T1 mucosal carcinoma (n 3). Overall, follow-up for this cohort ranged from 11 days to 3 yrs. All patients were treated as day cases. A median of 2.4 RFA sessions were required. The rate of complete resolution for EM was 100% in the endoscopic group; 69% had complete eradication of Barrett’s. Six high risk surgical candidates, unsuitable for 1st-line endoscopy with curative intent, had endoscopic salvage treatment for EM lesions; followup available was from 0.2 to 1.8 yrs, with 4 patients still alive & undergoing treatment. Complications of endoscopy were a single arterial bleed (2%) following an EMR which was controlled by clipping; the patient required a blood transfusion. Conclusions: The addition of minimally-invasive endoscopic approaches to staging & therapy for Barrett’s-related EM has represented a safe & accurate means of triaging patients to appropriate therapies. Use of EMR & RFA is an effective & safe alternative to surgery in selected patients. However, close interdisciplinary collaboration of specialists in gastroenterology, surgery, & pathology is mandatory for optimum outcomes.
Channel-dependent complex absorbing potential for multi-channel scattering

Abstract An early study (J. Chem. Phys. 108 (1998) 1429) showed that the use of complex absorbing potential (CAP) can significantly reduce the reflection of wavefunction from the absorbing boundary over the standard negative imaginary potential, especially at low kinetic energies. In the present work, we further extend the use of CAP to multi-channel scattering by employing channel-dependent CAPs. Each of these CAPs is optimized for a specific open channel using an efficient time-independent propagation approach. Application to the prototype inelastic scattering of He+H2 demonstrated the accuracy and efficiency of the channel-dependent CAP for extracting state-to-state scattering information.
Somatic embryogenesis in cultured mature zygotic embryos of Abies balsamea

Embryo suspensor masses (ESMs) were induced by culture of isolated mature zygotic embryos of balsam fir [Abies balsamea (Mill.)] on media containing 10 μM cytokinin [6-(γ-γ-dimethylallylamino)purine (2iP), 6-benzyladenine (BA), or thidiazuron (TDZ)]. Once induced, ESMs proliferated on media containing 2iP, BA or TDZ (10 μM) or on 4.5 μM BA in combination with 10 μM naphthyl-1-acetic acid. When ESMs were transferred to media containing 5–80 μM abscisic acid, cotyledonary-stage embryos were formed. Embryos were readily germinated on medium lacking growth regulators.
Exercise awareness and barriers after spinal cord injury.

Exercise is an essential element in managing several of the non-communicable diseases after spinal cord injury (SCI). Awareness of the importance of prescribing a customized exercise program that meets the goals of persons with SCI should be highly considered in the rehabilitation community. The barriers of implementing specific exercise program as well as the factors that may mask the outcomes of regular exercise regimen need to be continuously addressed as a part of patients’ rehabilitation care. The focus of this editorial is to encourage the medical community to consider routine physical activity as one of the necessary vital signs that needs to be routinely checked in patients with SCI. Providing education tips, nutritional counseling and engaging in recreational programs may provide motivational route to the community of SCI. This may result in reinforcing active lifestyle in survivors with SCI as well as to reduce the impact of chronic life threatening medical disorders.
Improvement of assistive robot behavior by experience-based learning

Robots designed for assisting humans in their homes need to adapt to the changing requirements of daily life. This requires multimodal sensor systems as well as learning strategies for understanding new goals and for recognizing new objects. However, coping with changes is not limited to environmental sensing. In order to achieve full autonomy, the robots must adapt their behavior due to good and bad experiences made. Concepts and first results of modelling intelligent sensing and adaptive behavior in an artificial mind as well as of merging mind and machine are presented in this paper.
Microwave Spectra, Molecular Structure, and Electric Dipole Moment of 1,2-Dithiin

Abstract A pulsed-beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer was used to investigate the rotational spectrum of 1,2-dithia-3,5-cyclohexadiene in the range 8 to 18 GHz. The observed a -type transitions were fit to a Watson asymmetric top Hamiltonian, giving the following rotational constants for the normal isotopomer: A = 3326.362(2) MHz, B = 3102.842(2) MHz, C = 1756.0026(7) MHz. An electric dipole moment of μ total = μ a = 1.850(1) D was determined from Stark effect measurements. Observed nuclear spin statistical weights, an inertial defect of Δ = I c − I a − I b = −27.00685 uA 2 , and zero μ b and μ c electric dipole components show the molecule has C 2 symmetry which corresponds to a twisted conformation about the S−S bond. Spectral assignments were obtained for the singly substituted 34 S and two 13 C isotopomers in natural abundance. The moments of inertia of the four isotopomers were used to determine the following r s structural ring parameters: r (S−S) = 2.051(3) A, r (C−S) = 1.759(4) A, r (C=C) = 1.353(3) A, r (C−C) = 1.451(1) A, θ(SSC) = 98.7(2)°, θ(SCC) = 121.4(2)°, θ(CCC) = 124.2(2)°, φ(SSCC) = 41.2°, φ(SSCC) = 41.2°, φ(SCCC) = −0.3°, φ(CCCC) = 29.0°, and φ(CSSC) = 53.9°.
Mechanical And Thermal Properties Of Optical Materials - A Review

In selecting an optical material, the instrument designer's first consideration is optical properties, especially transmission region but also homogeneity, freedom from birefringence, perhaps refractive index and dispersion. Next in his hierarchy are the other physical properties: mechanical, thermal, and chemical (solubility, for example). In this review article, the several properties are listed, and data sources are given. No single compilation or handbook contains all the desired data, so many references are quoted. This review covers materials useful in the ultraviolet and esuecially the infrared spectral regions; it does not include the standard glasses used in the visible region.
Optical Resonance in Dielectric Micro-Sphere for Temperature Measurement

We describe the effect of Transverse Electric (TE) wave propagation in dielectric micro-spheres for optical resonances based on Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM). TE waves are characterized both theoretically and experimentally by considering the fact that the size parameter (pi times diameter divided by wavelength of light) of the micro-spheres is very large at optical wavelengths. Asymptotic expressions have been developed based on electromagnetic theory derivations at the large size parameter limits. The developed expressions for optical resonance condition of TE wave are very simple and can accurately characterize resonances in dielectric microspheres. The theoretical development is mathematically robust and significantly less complicated than existing approaches based on quantum physics presented in the literature. The theoretical result of size parameter for consecutive morphology dependent resonance (MDR) peaks are validated by experimental data obtained via this study using a tunable semiconductor laser and from the literature. The comparisons are shown to be very accurate for large size parameters. The quality factor of experimental resonance spectra observed in the laboratory is calculated approximately in the order of 104 which is sensitive enough to detect micro or nano level temperature changes in the surrounding medium. The sensitivity of the MDR temperature sensor is wavelength change of 10−9 meter for one degree centigrade change in temperature. This sensor could potentially be used for nano technology, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices, and biomedical applications.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Phenotypic diversity of the cellular 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-receptor interaction among different genera of New World primates.

High serum of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] concentrations and target organ resistance to the hormone are characteristic findings in some New World primates (platyrrhines). We examined the abilities of cultural dermal fibroblasts from individual platyrrhines of four different genera, Aotus, Alouatta, Pithecia, and Saguinus, to internalize and respond to 1,25-(OH)2D3 in an attempt to identify possible phenotypic heterogeneity in the l,25-(OH)2D3-receptor interaction among them. Results were compared to those from two Old World primates (catarrhines), Pan troglodytes and Pongo pygmaeus. Compared to catarrhine cells, cells from Alouatta, Pithecia, and Saguinus demonstrated 1) a 10-fold decrease in [3H] 1,25-(OH)2D3 internalization capacity; 2) a 2- to 5-fold increase in the apparent internalization constant [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3; and 3) a 3- to 15-fold increase in the 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentration required to elicit half-maximal induction of [3H]25-hydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylating activity (ED50; rank or...
Diffusion-controlled melting and re-solidification of metal micro layers on a reactive substrate

The paper offers a theoretical approach to a prediction of residue formation inherent to melting and subsequent solidification of micro layers of molten aluminum alloys. The residue formation follows a reactive flow of a portion of the melt that is removed by a surface tension action. The residue portion solidifies in situ. The phenomenon studied is associated with materials’ processing during controlled atmosphere brazing of aluminum. The model assumes that diffusion of Silicon, present in an Al+Si clad of a brazing sheet, has a twofold role. First, a solid state Si diffusion prior to melting and across the clad–core interface of a composite brazing sheet takes place and modifies alloys’ composition on both sides of the interface. Subsequently, Si diffusion within clad controls the melting process. Both processes are essential for clad residue formation. The approach advocated in this paper leads to a prediction of the residue formation through a modeling of the non-equilibrium diffusion-controlled melting. A heuristic interpretation of physical mechanisms was discussed and a related mathematical model devised. The model was solved numerically in terms of Si concentration distributions for a moving boundary problem and corroborated with empirical data. Empirical data were gathered using an experimental controlled atmosphere brazing facility. The results of the modeling and their corroboration with the experimental data indicate a strong dependence of residue formations on the pre-melting state of the clad, in particular on the grain size within Al-clad matrix. A good agreement between numerically predicted residue mass and experimental findings is documented in detail.
Effective embeddings into strong degree structures

We show that any partial order with a Σ3 enumeration can be effectively embedded into any partial order obtained by imposing a strong reducibility such as ≤tt on the c. e. sets. As a consequence, we obtain that the partial orders that result from imposing a strong reducibility on the sets in a level of the Ershov hiearchy below ω + 1 are co-embeddable.
Massage on experimental pain in healthy females: A randomized controlled trial:

This randomized controlled study evaluated the effect of massage on affect, relaxation, and experimental pain induced by electrical stimulation. Participants were 96 healthy women (M age = 20.13 ± 5.93 years; 84.4% White) randomly assigned to a 15-minute no-treatment control, guided imagery, massage or massage plus guided imagery condition. Multilevel piecewise modeling revealed no group differences in pain intensity, threshold, or tolerance. The two massage conditions generally reported decreased pain unpleasantness, lower unpleasant affect, maintenance of pleasant affect, and increased relaxation compared to the no-treatment condition. The results suggest that massage may alter immediate affective qualities in the context of pain.
Resonant above-threshold ionization at quantized laser intensities

J. Gao, Dong-Sheng Guo, and Yong-Shi Wu* Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801 Department of Physics, Southern University and AM revised manuscript received 23 February 1999; published 7 March 2000!
Proton Compton effect: A measurement of the electric and magnetic polarizabilities of the proton.

We have measured the Compton-scattering cross section on hydrogen at 60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 135\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} using monochromatic tagged photons spanning the energy between 32 and 72 MeV. These data, when analyzed with a low-energy expansion of the scattering cross-section formula, provides a determination of values for the electric and magnetic polarizabilities of the proton. We find, respectively, \ensuremath{\alpha}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}=(10.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{3}$ and \ensuremath{\beta}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}=(3.3\ensuremath{\mp}2.2\ensuremath{\mp}1.3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{3}$, assuming the model-independent constraint \ensuremath{\alpha}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}+\ensuremath{\beta}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}=14.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{3}$.
Comparison of a global-climate model simulation to a cloud-system resolving model simulation for long-term thin stratocumulus clouds

Abstract. A case of thin, warm marine-boundary-layer (MBL) clouds is simulated by a cloud-system resolving model (CSRM) and is compared to the same case of clouds simulated by a general circulation model (GCM). In this study, the simulation by the CSRM adopts higher resolutions which are generally used in large-eddy simulations (LES) and more advanced microphysics as compared to those by the GCM, enabling the CSRM-simulation to act as a benchmark to assess the simulation by the GCM. Explicitly simulated interactions among the surface latent heat (LH) fluxes, buoyancy fluxes, and cloud-top entrainment lead to the deepening-warming decoupling and thereby the transition from stratiform clouds to cumulus clouds in the CSRM. However, in the simulation by the GCM, these interactions are not resolved and thus the transition to cumulus clouds is not simulated. This leads to substantial differences in liquid water content (LWC) and radiation between simulations by the CSRM and the GCM. When stratocumulus clouds are dominant prior to the transition to cumulus clouds, interactions between supersaturation and cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) (controlling condensation) and those between rain evaporation and cloud-base instability (controlling cloud dynamics and thereby condensation) determine LWC and thus the radiation budget in the simulation by the CSRM. These interactions result in smaller condensation and thus smaller LWC and reflected solar radiation by clouds in the simulation by the CSRM than in the simulation by the GCM where these interactions are not resolved. The resolved interactions (associated with condensation and the transition to cumulus clouds) lead to better agreement between the CSRM-simulation and observation than that between the GCM-simulation and observation.
Research issues related to oral health expenditures and financing oral health care for the aging veteran.

This article was intended to stimulate research on the financing and cost of oral health care provided to older veterans. Such research is needed as increasing costs and gaps in health care coverage have awakened federal interests in developing national health insurance plans. Although the status of oral health care benefits under such plans remains unclear, plans approaching universal coverage will likely lead The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to compete with private providers for patients. Oral health care may be financed as a benefit under a VA-sponsored health plan or financed directly as an appropriation to VA medical centers. This article suggests that research is needed 1) to examine different methods of payment, or rate schedules, that may be used to reimburse providers for the cost of oral health care, 2) to calculate reimbursement rates, and 3) to determine profitability by comparing reimbursement rates with estimates of production costs. The need for such research is underscored by wide variations in operating costs of dental services at different VA medical centers. The cost of oral health care services may include not only the cost of providing dental services but also possible medical care cost "offsets," because patients with better oral health may also experience better overall health status requiring fewer medical services. Finally, the literature suggests that time costs play an important role in rationing care among patients with dental insurance. Studies should be conducted in VA to determine how waiting time, cost of travel, and appointment scheduling affect the use of outpatient dental care services. Key words: oral health; costs; financing; aging veterans. (Med Care 1995;33:NS90-NS105)
Gain-based Cell Delay Modeling

Conventional cell delay modeling approaches calculate the propagation delay and output transition time of a CMOS logic cell, which is subjected to a noisy input waveform, by approximating this noisy waveform with a saturated ramp signal and then utilizing cell library delay look-up tables to report the output timing information. Modeling the input waveform as a saturated ramp may however result in significant error in the timing parameters of interest because the actual output waveform can be very different from the one that is implied by a simple saturated ramp input. This paper therefore presents, gcdm, a gain-based cell delay modeling technique for accurate computation of the electrical output waveform of a CMOS logic cell under a noisy input waveform. The key contribution of gcdm is that it directly calculates the output waveform of the logic cell without the need to approximate the input waveform. In effect, gcdm requires a new pre-characterization process for each cell in the library, resulting in construction of a small-signal gain lookup table. This lookup table-based approach is compatible with the existing timing analysis tools. The high accuracy of our approach is confirmed by Spice simulations.
Photonic Crystal Nanocavities Positioned and Tuned for Cavity-QED

We use AFM nano-oxidation to spectrally tune photonic crystal (PC) cavity modes. This method can compensate for PC fabrication imperfections to restore polarization-undetermined photonic states useful for polarization-entangled quantum bits.
Temperature Dependent Current-Voltage Characteristics in Thin SiO2 Films

An analysis of the Fowler-Nordheim tunneling (FNT) theory and its application to temperature dependent current-voltage characteristics, of very thin films of SiO 2 on silicon, is presented. The final results are believed to provide the most complete examination of FN emission theory and predict the breakdown electric field in thin SiO 2 films. The role of the roughness, at the Si-SiO 2 interface, in determining the FNT current in these structures is also discussed.
Specificity determinants of acylaminoacyl‐peptide hydrolase

In an attempt to explore how specific features of the substrate's primary structure may affect the activity of rabbit muscle acylaminoacyl-peptide hydrolase (EC 3.4.19.1), a number of acetylated peptides containing specific amino acid replacements in specific positions were prepared and compared as substrates for the hydrolase. The principal variants were D-Ala, Pro, and positive charges (His, Arg, Lys); in addition, the effect of the length of the peptide was also investigated in a less systematic manner. The substrates were either prepared by direct acetylation of peptides, by extension of the N-terminus with acetylamino acids or acetylpeptides, activated as N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, or by isolation of the N-terminal peptides from naturally occurring acetylated proteins. It was found that D-Ala on either side of the bond to be cleaved (positions 1 and 2) completely inhibited the enzymatic activity, whereas acetylated peptides with D-Ala in positions 3 or 4 were as good substrates as those containing L-Ala. Peptides with Pro in positions 2 were also inactive, and most of the peptides with Pro in the third position were very poor substrates; only the peptide Ac-AAP gave reasonably high activity (30% of Ac-AAA), which was reduced to 1-2% if additional residues were present at the C-terminus (Ac-AAPA, Ac-AAPAA). The presence of a positive charge in positions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 gave strong reduction in hydrolase activity varying with the charge's distance from the N-terminus from 0 to 15-20% of the rates obtained with the reference peptides without positive charges.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Benign Osteolytic Lesions with Rib Fractures

We present a case in which, following exploratory thoracotomy for a benign lesion, the patient developed progressive osteolytic lesions visible on x-ray film. Because these might represent an undiagnosed malignancy, re-exploration was undertaken with the finding that these lesions were actual fractures with callous formation produced by the use of nonabsorbable suture material in the chest closure.
Patent foramen ovale

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common developmental anomaly that allows for the passage of blood and other substances from the venous to the arterial circulation. The study of PFO closure has been challenging due to widely available off-label closures performed outside the clinical trial setting. To date, no study has demonstrated benefit of closure using intention-to-treat analyses. Secondary and subpopulation analyses suggest that there is benefit to closure in patients with atrial septal aneurysms and/or substantial degrees of right-to-left shunting. This article reviews the history, associated technologies, and current data regarding PFO closure.
Risk stratification for knee osteoarthritis progression: a narrative review.

Summary Objective A narrative review describing the assessment of osteoarthritis (OA) progression, and more specifically the risk factors which assist in delineating strata of individuals at greatest risk for more rapid progression. Design A narrative review based on selected recent medical literature. Results With little currently available in the treatment of this disease, better understanding of responsive and valid endpoints is essential to identifying potential new interventions for treatment of OA. Efforts to stratify those at greatest risk for progression can use a number of systemic or local risk factors that may assist in delineating populations at greater risk for progression. Conclusions Current data suggests that stratification of risk is feasible to ascertain those at risk for rapid progression using a number of different metrics including knee alignment, meniscal damage, bone marrow lesions and late stage disease. Identifying persons at greatest risk for progression has important implications for clinical trial planning and can enhance study efficiency.
Test of right-left discrimination.

A test of right-left discrimination is described which may be useful for measuring this aspect of spatial perception in adults. Some of the test's statistical properties as well as empirical correlates are presented.
Molecular pathobiology of thyroid neoplasms.

Tumors of thyroid follicular cells provide a very interesting model to understand the development of human cancer. It is becoming apparent that distinct molecular events are associated with specific stages in a multistep tumorigenic process with good genotype/phenotype correlation. For instance, mutations of the gsp and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor genes are associated with benign hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules and adenomas while alterations of other specific genes, such as oncogenic tyrosine kinase alterations (RET/PTC, TRK) in papillary carcinoma and the newly discovered PAX8/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ rearrangement, are distinctive features of cancer. Although activating RAS mutations occur at all stages of thyroid tumorigenesis, evidence is accumulating that they may also play an important role in tumor progression, a role that is well documented for p53. Environmental factors (iodine deficiency, ionizing radiations) have been shown to play a crucial role in promoting the development of thyroid cancer, influencing both its genotypic and phenotypic features. It is possible that the follicular thyroid cell has unique ways to respond to DNA damage. Similarly to leukemia or sarcomas (and unlike most epithelial cancers), numerous specific rearrangements are being discovered in thyroid cancer suggesting preferential activation of DNA repair instead of cell death programs after environmentally induced genetic alterations.
1164 EFFECT OF EXTENDED MATERNAL STARVATION ON THE INTRAHEPATIC REGULATION OF METABOLISM IN NEWBORN DOGS

Hepatic metabolic intermediates from fasted newborn pups of 6 control and eight 5-day starved pregnant mothers (MCS) were studied between 0 and 24 hrs of age. In the MCS fetus, glycogen concentrations were significantly reduced (416vs526 μ mol/g)+ and uridinediphosphate glucose levels increased (0.196vs0.135) suggesting diminished fetal glycogen synthesis. After birth glycogen levels diminished at the same rate in the 2 groups being 197 and 304 at 24 hrs. Hepatic glucose concentrations were reduced in the MCS pups at 3 hrs (2.90vs5.97) reaching control levels at 6 and 9 hrs, again declining at 24 hrs (3.09vs5.29). Glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate concentrations after MCS were low in the fetus and throughout the 24 hrs. Tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediates tended to be low after 6 hrs in the MCS group; α-ketoglutarate levels being significantly reduced at 6 and 9 hrs, malate at 9 and 24 hrs, and citrate at 24 hrs. After birth, MCS resulted in significant lowering of hepatic ATP levels while energy charge was low only at 6 and 9 hrs. In addition the cytoplasmic NAD/NADH ratio was significantly more oxidized at 3 hrs in the MCS pups. Intrahepatic ammonia concentrations were significantly elevated at 0,6,9 and 24 hrs. CONCLUSION: Extended MCS results in 1)reduced fetal glycogen synthesis or augmented fetal glycogenolysis and 2)diminished hepatic energy production after birth in spite of enhanced net hepatic glycolytic flux as a result of phosphofructokinase activation by low levels of ATP, citrate and NADH. *Deceased +Mean
The Energy Budget in Tubular and Planar Type Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Studied Through Numerical Simulation

The energy budget in a tubular and a planar type solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is studied based on numerical simulation. By solving the discretized governing equations for flow, temperature, and mass fraction of gas species in the fuel cells, the detailed local parameters determining the local electromotive forces are obtained. The energy flows of electrical power, Joule heating, thermal energy from the entropy change of the electrochemical reaction, as well as the chemical reaction heat by reforming and shift reactions are delineated and compared for the two different types of SOFCs.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Sleep after spousal bereavement: A study of recovery from stress ☆

Abstract Aim : In this study, we compared repeated measures of electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep and subjective sleep quality in nondepressed, spousally bereaved elders and a healthy control group, in order to search for possible psychobiological correlates of bereavement not confounded by concurrent major depression. Method : Laboratory-based EEG sleep studies and measures of subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQ1]) were repeated at 3, 6, 11, 18, and 23 months after spousal bereavement in a study group of 27 elderly volunteers. Data were compared with similar measures from a control group of 27 nonbereaved subjects recorded on three occasions 1 year apart. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), using age as a covariate, examined effects due to time on selected variables in the bereaved group, as well as effects due to group, time, and group-by-time interactions in the experimental and control subjects. Results : Bereaved and control groups showed consistent differences over time in the phasic measures of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (higher in bereaved subjects during the first and third REM sleep periods), but were similar on all other EEG sleep measures over the 2 years of observation. The bereaved showed a small decline in the percentage of slow-wave sleep over 2 years, but measures of sleep efficiency, REM latency, and delta sleep ratio were stable and did not differ from values seen in control subjects. Bereaved and control subjects were also similar on subjective sleep quality. Conclusion : During successful adaptation to the loss of a spouse, and in the absence of major depression, spousal bereavement is associated with elevation in the phasic measures of REM sleep but does not appear to be associated with other physiologic sleep changes typical of major depression when studied at 3 to 23 months after the event. Although this observation does not preclude the possibility of significant sleep disturbance nearer the time of the event, it suggests that preservation of normal sleep following a major negative life event may be an important correlate of the resilience seen in successful aging. The elevation in REM density may provide a psychobiological correlate of bereavement not confounded by concurrent major depression.
Heme biosynthesis in mammalian systems: Evidence of a schiff base linkage between the pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate cofactor and a lysine residue in 5‐aminolevulinate synthase

5-Aminolevulinate synthase is the first enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway in nonplant higher eukaryotes. Murine erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase has been purified to homogeneity from an Escherichia coli overproducing strain, and the catalytic and spectroscopic properties of this recombinant enzyme were compared with those from nonrecombinant sources (Ferreira, G.C. & Dailey, H.A., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268, 584-590). 5-Aminolevulinate synthase is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme and is functional as a homodimer. The recombinant 5-aminolevulinate synthase holoenzyme was reduced with tritiated sodium borohydride and digested with trypsin. A single peptide contained the majority of the label. The tritiated peptide was isolated, and its amino acid sequence was determined; it corresponded to 15 amino acids around lysine 313, to which pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is bound. Significantly, the pyridoxyllysine peptide is conserved in all known cDNA-derived 5-aminolevulinate synthase sequences and is present in the C-terminal (catalytic) domain. Mutagenesis of the 5-aminolevulinate synthase residue, which is involved in the Schiff base linkage with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, from lysine to alanine or histidine abolished enzyme activity in the expressed protein.
Teleradiology system analysis using a discrete event-driven block-oriented network simulator

Performance evaluation and trade-off analysis are the central issues in the design of communication networks. Simulation plays an important role in computer-aided design and analysis of communication networks and related systems, allowing testing of numerous architectural configurations and fault scenarios. We are using the Block Oriented Network Simulator (BONeS, Comdisco, Foster City, CA) software package to perform discrete, event- driven Monte Carlo simulations in capacity planning, tradeoff analysis and evaluation of alternate architectures for a high-speed, high-resolution teleradiology project. A queuing network model of the teleradiology system has been devise, simulations executed and results analyzed. The wide area network link uses a switched, dial-up N X 56 kbps inverting multiplexer where the number of digital voice-grade lines (N) can vary from one (DS-0) through 24 (DS-1). The proposed goal of such a system is 200 films (2048 X 2048 X 12-bit) transferred between a remote and local site in an eight hour period with a mean delay time less than five minutes. It is found that: (1) the DS-1 service limit is around 100 films per eight hour period with a mean delay time of 412 +/- 39 seconds, short of the goal stipulated above; (2) compressed video teleconferencing can be run simultaneously with image data transfer over the DS-1 wide area network link without impacting the performance of the described teleradiology system; (3) there is little sense in upgrading to a higher bandwidth WAN link like DS-2 or DS-3 for the current system; and (4) the goal of transmitting 200 films in an eight hour period with a mean delay time less than five minutes can be achieved simply if the laser printer interface is updated from the current DR-11W interface to a much faster SCSI interface.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Numerical simulation of liquefied fuel spills: II. Instantaneous and continuous LNG spills on an unconfined water surface

A simple numerical model based on the shallow water equations in radial symmetry is used to simulate both instantaneous and continuous spills of liquefied natural gas (LNG) onto a water surface. Using the computed results, a study is made of the similarities and differences in the pool structure resulting from the two types of spills. For instantaneous spills a relation linear on a logarithmic plot is suggested between the maximum pool size and the spill volume. The effects of shear forces and surface cohesivity on the evolution of the spill are also examined.
Adaptive Combining of Wideband Array Data for Optimal Reception

A study of several closely related adaptive processors for array data has been completed. Processors were designed to converge approximately to a minimum-variance linear unbiased estimator of an unknown signal common to all elements of the array. Any spatial structure of the background noise is used by such a system to enhance the output signal-to-noise ratio. Possible areas of application include sonar, underwater communication, space communication, and seismology. The basic linear adaptive processor has variable coefficients adjusted by a rule similar to that for the minimization by the projection gradient method of a quadratic form which is subject to a linear constraint. Modifications of the basic adjustment procedure have been introduced to reduce system sensitivity to data anomalies, decrease computational requirements, and decrease memory requirements. Experimental evaluation of the adaptive array processors has been completed using data from an actual array of seismometers. Both transient recovery from initially poor processor coefficients and steady-state operation have been found quite satisfactory.
Myocardial Protection During Cardiotoxic Chemotherapy.

Over the last 20 years, the development of effective screening and treatment strategies has resulted in a 20% decline in cancer mortality, translating to an absolute increase of almost 1 400 000 cancer survivors in the United States.1 Currently, it is estimated that 60% of adults newly diagnosed with cancer will be alive 5 years later. The price to be paid for such success has varied from overt treatment toxicities (eg, bone marrow suppression) to toxicities that became obvious only with the passage of time (eg, secondary malignancies). Although cardiac complications of chemotherapy first rose to the forefront with the recognition in the 1970s of overt clinical heart failure (HF) in patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy, it took several decades for the full scope of toxicity to be truly appreciated. As cancer therapeutics have advanced, 3 points have become clear. First, cardiovascular toxicity is a widespread problem across many classes of cancer therapies. Second, it is critical to learn how to best monitor for, prevent, and treat cardiac complications of cancer therapy both to lower morbidity and mortality from the cardiac toxicity itself and to allow patients to receive their potentially life-saving/life-prolonging/palliative chemotherapy. This represents the concept of cardioprotection. Third, this is a field that at its very core is multidisciplinary, requiring the close collaboration of cardiologists and oncologists. The purpose of this article is to review the state-of-the-art evidence and to recommended practices to best protect patients against and treat patients with cardiac complications of chemotherapy with a focus on myocardial toxicity. A full review of the mechanisms of toxicity is beyond the scope of this article; however, a working understanding of the basic mechanisms yields important information about potential treatment strategies and the potential for myocardial recovery. Many antineoplastic drugs with broadly different mechanisms of action have cardiotoxic effects. These …
Interactive experiment planning to control knowledge-based simulation

The author presents an initial attempt to facilitate the design and execution of simulation experiments through the use of an interactive, opportunistic, hierarchical planner. The planner provides an orderly way to control the planning and execution of simulation experiments without overly restricting the user to a preestablished routine. In addition to planning the simulation and keeping track of its current state, the planner, through its graphical interface, can provide the simulator with a natural, coherent framework for its user interface. Examples are presented of the planner's graphical interface. >
Environmental and Endogenous Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Agonists Induce Bone Marrow B Cell Growth Arrest and Apoptosis: Interactions between Mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, 9-cis-Retinoic Acid, and 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2

The common commercial use of phthalate esters has resulted in significant human exposure to these bioactive compounds. The facts that phthalate ester metabolites, like endogenous PGs, are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists, and that PPARγ agonists induce lymphocyte apoptosis suggest that phthalate esters are immunosuppressants that could act together with PGs to modulate early B cell development. In this study we examined the effects of a metabolite of one environmental phthalate, mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP), and 15-deoxy-Δ 12,14 -PGJ 2 (15d-PGJ 2 ), on developing B cells. MEHP inhibited [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation by primary murine bone marrow B cells and a nontransformed murine pro/pre-B cell line (BU-11). Cotreatment with a retinoid X receptor α ligand, 9- cis -retinoic acid, decreased [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation synergistically, thereby implicating activation of a PPARγ-retinoid X receptor α complex. These results were similar to those obtained with the natural PPARγ ligand 15d-PGJ 2 . At moderate MEHP concentrations (25 or 100 μM for primary pro-B cells and a pro/pre-B cell line, respectively), inhibition of [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation resulted primarily from apoptosis induction, whereas at lower concentrations, the inhibition probably reflected growth arrest without apoptosis. Cotreatment of bone marrow B cells with 15d-PGJ 2 and MEHP significantly enhanced the inhibition of [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation seen with MEHP alone, potentially mimicking exposure in the bone marrow microenvironment where PG concentrations are high. Finally, MEHP- and 15d-PGJ 2 -induced death does not result from a decrease in NF-κB activation. These data demonstrate that environmental phthalates can cooperate with an endogenous ligand, 15d-PGJ 2 , to inhibit proliferation of and induce apoptosis in developing bone marrow B cells, potentially via PPARγ activation.
Gadolinium-conjugated dendrimer nanoclusters as a tumor-targeted T1 magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Contrast agents are increasingly being used in diagnostic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to help detect and characterize pathological abnormalities. In fact, it has been estimated that nearly 50% of all MR examinations already involve the use of MR contrast agents, with chelated gadolinium compounds being by far the most widely used.[1,2] Most clinically relevant Gd-based agents are small, non-targeted compounds that passively distribute into the intravascular and interstitial space.[3] However, there has recently been emerging interest in the development of paramagnetic contrast agents that are capable of probing the molecular profile of tissues via ligand targeting, enzymatic activity and multiplexing.[4,5] It is envisioned that these agents could be used to acquire a more specific clinical diagnosis and thus improve patient management.
Peer Relationship Problems and Disruptive Behavior Disorders

About half of all children with attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have significant problems with their peer relationships. These social difficulties appear to be related to a high rate of intrusive behavior, deficits in conversation and reciprocity, social–cognitive biases, and poor emotional regulation. Social skills interventions have been advocated to teach children and adolescents how to interact more successfully with their peers. To date, few studies have systematically evaluated social skills interventions for children with ADHD. However, studies with children and adolescents who are disruptive have pointed to serious limitations in the generalization of treatment effects to the natural environment and questionable changes in peer relationships as a result of these treatments. These limitations and potentially useful adjunctive and alternative treatment strategies are discussed, including careful attention to setting events, the strategic use of peers, and the impact of medications on...
Salmonella enterica Serotype Dublin Infection: an Emerging Infectious Disease for the Northeastern United States

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Dublin (S. enterica Dublin) emerged for the first time in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio in 1988. Since that time this host-adapted serotype has spread throughout the veal- and dairy beef-raising operations in the region; very few dairy farms have experienced clinical S. enterica Dublin infections. This study details the epidemiology of the outbreaks in cattle. During the period 1988 through 1995, nine New York and four Pennsylvania counties have been affected; 13 different locations were involved in New York, and 10 were involved in Pennsylvania. The morbidity and mortality and seasonal distribution of outbreaks, which totaled 35, is described. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolates revealed that many of the strains were resistant to a number of commonly used drugs. Clinical case details and pathology information are provided, with a caution to clinicians and microbiologists presented with suspect animals, i.e., most cases occurred in older calves, which is atypical for salmonellosis for this region (calves were 8 or more weeks old) and presented as pneumonia and septicemia rather than the primarily diarrheal syndrome that is more typically recognized for the region. The epidemiology of cases is analyzed through cluster analysis of bacterial isolates and their fatty acid methyl ester profiles; at least six clones appeared in the region during the study period. Results of the epidemiology analysis are used to support a hypothesis regarding the source of S. enterica Dublin for the region and its manner of dissemination.
Assessment of multimodality therapy use for extremity sarcoma in the United States.

Background Extremity sarcoma national guidelines offer several stage-specific treatment options; therefore, treatment approaches are not standardized. Our objectives were to examine multimodality treatment trends, practice patterns, and factors associated with neoadjuvant or postoperative adjuvant therapy utilization. Methods Using the National Cancer Data Base (2000–2009), treatment of non-metastatic extremity sarcoma was examined. Regression models were developed to identify factors associated with neoadjuvant or postoperative adjuvant therapy receipt and treatment sequence. Results Twenty-two thousand fifty-one patients underwent resection (stage I: 45.2%, stage II: 27.7%, stage III: 27.1%). Over 10 years, neoadjuvant radiation (6.4–11.6%, P < 0.001) and chemotherapy utilization (1.4–1.8%, P = 0.037) increased, while postoperative radiation (34.3–29.2%, P = 0.023) and trimodality therapy decreased (10.5–9.6%, P = 0.002). After adjusting for age, comorbidities, and histology, patients with large high-grade tumors treated at high-volume academic centers were more likely to receive neoadjuvant therapy (all P < 0.001). Postoperative chemotherapy utilization was associated with younger age, synovial histology, high grade, and surgical margins (all P < 0.001). Conclusions Utilization of neoadjuvant therapy for extremity sarcoma has increased over time. Practice patterns are not only related to tumor size, grade, histology, and margins but also hospital type. Opportunities remain to better define the most effective multimodality treatment for extremity sarcoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:395–404. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Empirical Evaluation of Embedded Link Quality

We present the results of extensive field experiments designed to evaluate the precise relationship between wireless link quality, radio power level, and transmission distance in outdoor embedded deployments. We focus on ZigBee networks, using Tmote Sky nodes, a popular commercial hardware platform for wireless sensor systems. The results are used to develop a piece-wise regression model suitable for pre-deployment link quality prediction. We characterize the contexts in which the model provides high accuracy, and discuss potential threats to validity.