cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LYSOSOMAL PROCESSING OF INTRACELLULAR PROTEIN IN RAT LIVER AND ITS GENERAL REGULATION BY AMINO ACIDS AND INSULIN

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses lysosomal processing of intracellular protein in rat liver, and its general regulation by amino acids and insulin. The total mass of liver protein has long been known to decrease rapidly during caloric restriction and to increase with refeeding. The first indication that the lysosomal system might be involved in deprivation-induced proteolysis came from earlier investigations on the osmotic properties of lysosomes. Electron microscopic studies of control cyclically perfused rat liver have revealed conspicuous changes in the lysosomal population. Proteolysis in perfused rat livers is extremely responsive to amino acids and is almost fully suppressed at physiological concentrations of plasma amino acids suggested to us that the autophagic changes observed earlier after 60 minutes control cyclic perfusion, during which amino acids normally reaccumulate, were less than maximal.
An Electrophoretic Method for Microstamping Biomolecule Gradients

We have developed a technique for producing patterned biomolecule gradients on glass substrates using microstamping. The technique uses a microfabricated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp with micrometer length features to transfer biomolecules to silane-derivatized substrates. The soaking solution for the stamp is subjected to an electric field to electrophoretically produce a gradient in solution and hence on the stamp. To test the efficacy of the procedure we tested substrates stamped with poly-D-lysine by fluorescently labeling the amine groups and measuring the fluorescence. It is possible to modify the steepness of the gradient using both voltage and electrode spacing, and the profile can be modeled using an isoelectric focusing model. Since gradients have been implicated in roles in guidance and patterning of neurons and other cell types, a flexible method to produce biomolecule gradients using microstamping may further extend the usefulness of microstamping to studies of cell patterning and guidance.
Function, Age-Related Expression and Molecular Characterization of PEDF, A Neurotrophic Serpin Secreted by Human RPE Cells

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a highly specialized neuroepithelium that develops in advance of and lies adjacent to the neural retina where it plays a critical role in retinal homeostasis. RPE cells are multifunctional in nature and have been compared to machropages (Elner et al., 1981, Young and Bok, 1969), oligodendrocytes (Steinberg and Wood, 1974), astrocytes (Immel and Steinberg, 1986), melanocytes (Feeny-Burns, 1980) and hepatocytes (Bok 1985). The unique geography of this singled-celled epithelial layer allows it to establish a definitive blood-retinal barrier (Cunha-Vaz 1979) and to function as a transporting ang absorbing epithelium (Miller and Steinberg 1982; Misfeldt et al., 1976). In the vertebrate retina, a closed, extracellular microenvironment exists that is bounded by the apical membrane of RPE cells distally and photoreceptor inner segments and Muller cell processes proximally. Tight junctions effectively isolates if from most larger blood components and it is thought that most of the IPM components are synthesized by surroundings cells. This highly specialized matrix constitutes a novel conduit for the transfort nutrients, metabolites or trophic factors between the two cell layers and also facilities intercellular communication. Thus, analysis of the IPM is of importance because it contributes to our understanding of essentials aspects of retinal development, homeostasis and visual function. RPE cells from a functional complex with photoreceptor neurons of the retina and interacts with them through IPM. Cultured RPE cells synthesize and secrete several trophic factors including a photoreceptor-survival promoting factor (PSPA) (Hewitt et al., 1990), PDGF (Campochairo 1988), FGF (Plouet 1988), TGF-α (Fassio et al., 1988) and TGF-β (Connor et al., 1988).
Use and Interpretation of Enteropathogen Multiplex Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests in Patients With Suspected Infectious Diarrhea

Acute diarrheal illness due to gastrointestinal infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and around the world. Determining the causative organism in a timely manner assists with patient care, identifying outbreaks, providing infection control, and administering antimicrobial therapy when indicated. Traditional diagnostic modalities based on culture and immunoassays are limited by their low sensitivity and long turnaround time. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for enteric pathogens allow for the syndromic testing of stool for multiple pathogens simultaneously and have higher sensitivity with a shorter turnaround time. However, by not isolating the organism, NAATs do not provide drug susceptibility or confirmatory identification. Furthermore, NAATs cannot distinguish between true infection and carrier states. Nevertheless, several studies have demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of multiplex NAATs by reducing the length of hospital stay and cost of isolation. Five platforms are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration that can detect different bacteria, parasites, and viruses. The sensitivity and specificity of each platform depends on the targeted pathogens and whether the tests are performed on fresh stool, frozen stool, or in transport media. Overall, these tests have high sensitivity and specificity of more than 90% when used in symptomatic patients. Thus, multiplex NAAT gastrointestinal platforms offer several advantages compared to traditional methods. However, the interpretation of the results requires acknowledging the limitations of the tests and exercising clinical judgment. More studies are needed to establish the cost-effectiveness of multiplex NAATs and their impact on antibiotic stewardship and clinical outcomes.
Incorporating livability into transportation asset management practices through bikeway quality networks

This paper describes a framework for implementing livability into transportation asset management practices. The framework focuses on improving the quality of bikeway networks as an important facto...
Crystal structure of the inhibitor-free form of the serine protease kallikrein-4.

Kallikrein 4 (KLK4) is a serine protease that is predominantly expressed in the prostate and is overexpressed in prostate cancer. As such, it has gained attention as an attractive target for prostate cancer therapeutics. Currently, only liganded structures of KLK4 exist in the Protein Data Bank. Until now, inferences about the subtle structural changes in KLK4 upon ligand binding have been made by comparison to other liganded forms, rather than to an apo form. In this study, an inhibitor-free form of KLK4 was crystallized. The crystals obtained belonged to space group P1, contained four molecules in the asymmetric unit and diffracted to 1.64 A resolution. Interestingly, a nonstandard rotamer of the specificity-determining residue Asp189 was observed in all chains. This model will provide a useful unliganded structure for the future structure-guided design of KLK4 inhibitors.
Fabrication of cellulose acetate-chitosan based flexible 3D scaffold-like porous membrane for supercapacitor applications with PVA gel electrolyte

The focus of this study was on the preparation of porous bio-based matrix with a view to fabricating the environment-friendly supercapacitors from two sustainable materials, cellulose acetate (CA) and chitosan (CS). The strategy used is, first preparing a tri-hybrid of rGO/NiO/Fe3O4 (rNF) particles followed by mixing it into CA/CS (CC), as prepared CC/rNF was then dipped into aniline. After the impregnation by aniline, the polymerization proceeded to get a CA/CS/PANI/rNF (CCPRNF) electrode. The prepared electrode shows excellent properties such as high conductivity (7.1 × 10–2 S/cm), an areal capacitance of 16.61 mF/cm2 at a scan rate of 5 mV/s and 88% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles. The symmetric device fabricated from 15% CCPRNF achieved areal capacitance of 5.5 mF/cm2 (scan rate 20 mV/s). Herein, we suggest a new approach for the construction of environment-friendly, flexible, conducting, 3D scaffold-like porous electrodes for supercapacitors using CA/CS through simple “phase inversion and in-situ polymerization method”. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Effective Management of Femur Fracture Using Damage Control Orthopedics Following Fat Embolism Syndrome.

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a rare event following a traumatic injury, and its pathophysiologic mechanism continues to be elusive. Fat embolism syndrome generally occurs when a bone marrow fat enters the bloodstream resulting in a cascade of inflammatory response, hyper-coagulation, and an array of symptoms that generally begin within 24-48 hours. FES early symptoms include petechial rash, shortness of breath, altered mental status, seizures, fever, and may result in decreased urine output. The common etiologies of a fat embolism include long bone fractures, mainly femoral and pelvic fractures. There are multiple management methods described in the literature to help prevent FES and other long bone fracture complications from occurring. Although not universally adopted, the damage control orthopedics (DCO) has been the major management option for patients with a long bone fracture. DCO is entertained by provisional immobilization of patients with long bone fractures and those who are considered severely traumatized patients (STP). Thus, immobilization can help minimize the traumatic effect and the subsequent second hit by performing non-life saving surgical procedures. In this case, a patient with a transverse femur fracture suffered disconcerting symptoms of fat embolism prior to definitive femur repair. Hence, damage control orthopedics was entertained with a postponement of his femur repair to facilitate stabilization. The use of damage control orthopedics was successful in this patient with no long term complications.
JALCA 115(5), 157-196, 2020

Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association April, 2020 Vol.CXV, No. 4 JALCA 115(4), 2020
Some Aspects of the Mineralogy of the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain

Studies of the mineralogy of the northern part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain indicate that the heavy mineral content of the Cretaceous and Cenozoic sediments consists basically of two suites, a restricted mineral suite characterized by very stable minerals, and a full suite consisting of a great variety of igneous and metamorphic minerals. The restricted suite occurs in the nonmarine sediments and the full suite in the marine deposits. The nonmarine Cretaceous deposits consist of kaolinite, with variable amounts of illite and its alteration products. Transition sediments like those of the Magothy formation contain kaolinite, illite, chloritic material and, occasionally, some montmorillonite. The marine sediments are characterized primarily by illite and montmorillonite. Thus, a limited heavy mineral suite and kaolinite are associated in nonmarine deposits, and a full suite and montmorillonite are found in marine sediments. On the basis of available data the conclusion is reached that the different heavy mineral and clay mineral suites are a result of different source areas for the marine and non-marine sediments. The suggestion is made that the formational concept cannot be employed with regard to the nonmarine sediments of the northern Coastal Plain but that, instead, a new concept be adopted based on depositional conditions within the framework of the control of the heavy and clay mineral assemblages.
The Politics of Pluralism: Debating Media Diversity in Australia, c.1976

In 1976, a Federal government inquiry into the Australian Broadcasting System received 621 submissions from members of the Australian public interested in the problems, politics and future of the A...
Pods as sails but not as boats: dispersal ecology of a habitat-restricted desert milkvetch.

PREMISE Adaptive seed dispersal mechanisms are fundamental to plant fitness, but dispersal advantage is scale-dependent. We tested the hypothesis that informed dispersal in response to an environmental cue enables dispersal by wind on a local scale for Astragalus holmgreniorum, a desert species restricted to swales and wash skirts with overland flow, but prevents longer-distance dispersal by water into unfavorable wash habitats. METHODS Pod biomechanics in A. holmgreniorum lead to major shape modifications with changes in moisture content. We performed laboratory experiments to examine the interaction of pod shape with wind and water, and conducted field experiments in A. holmgreniorum habitat evaluating the roles of wind, water, and seed predators on dispersal. RESULTS Dry pods exhibit a flattened crescent shape with partial dehiscence that facilitated wind dispersal by ground tumbling and seed scattering in laboratory experiments. Rain simulation experiments showed that even small precipitation events returned wetted pods to their cylindrical shape and opened the dorsal suture, exposing the seeds. In the field experiments, dry pods were moved locally by wind, whereas rain caused pod opening and washing out of seeds in place. Seed predators had minimal effect on pod movement. CONCLUSIONS Astragalus holmgreniorum exhibits pod structural remodeling in response to environmental change in a striking and novel demonstration of informed dispersal. Wind-driven movement of dry pods facilitates local seed dispersal, but rain causes pods to open and release seeds, ensuring that they are not transported out of suitable habitats and into active washes where they would be lost from the seed bank.
Genetic parameters, maternal ability and related selection criteria for unsupplemented Hereford range cows.

Data on 5,130 unsupplemented Hereford range cattle were used to evaluate genetic and phenotypic parameters of growth to 2 yr of age under extensive range conditions. From those data, records on 769 heifers saved as replacements were used to evaluate the relationship between growth and subsequent productivity expressed as most probable producing ability (MPPA). Variation in weight largely was due to the year effect. Also, age of dam, the interaction between age of dam and year and the regression on day of birth significantly affected weaning weight. Heritabilities among males and females, respectively, were: birth weight, .53 +/- .09 and .52 +/- .09; weaning weight, .05 +/- .03 and .18 +/- .05; 12-mo gain, .24 +/- .10 and .10 +/- .04; 20-mo gain, .62 +/- .18 and .29 +/- .08; 24-mo gain, .45 +/- .16 and .17 +/- .07. The traits evaluated may have been a response to nutritional stress as well as gainability. The genetic correlation between gain from weaning to 12 mo (a period of weight loss) and gain from 12 to 20 mo (greatest weight gain) was -.93 +/- .45. Metabolic processes favoring growth in a good nutritional environment may result in greater weight loss in a stressful nutritional environment. The genetic correlation between a heifer's gain from weaning to 12 mo and her subsequent MPPA was .47 +/- 28, whereas the correlation between gain from 12 to 20 mo and subsequent MPPA was -.55 +/- .23.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
T2-FLAIR mismatch in isocitrate dehydrogenase mutant astrocytomas: Variability and evolution

Objective To assess the predictive value of T2 appearance as a defining criterion of T2–fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch sign (T2FM), further characterize tumors that display the marker, and describe its radiographic evolution. Methods Records from 64 patients with astrocytomas were assessed for age at diagnosis, sex, tumor characteristics on pretreatment CT, MRI, and pathology, documentation of T2FM, treatment course, and temporal changes in tumor appearance. Cases were divided into those meeting classic criteria (homogenous T2, hyperintense FLAIR rim), those considered geographic (heterogeneous T2, hyperintense FLAIR rim), and those that were negative (no FLAIR rim). Groups were compared using χ2, estimate of effect, and qualitative analyses. Results Including geographic tumors increased T2FM sensitivity 30% among astrocytomas without decreased specificity for IDH mutation. Tumors with T2FM characteristics were more cystic, less enhancing, and affected younger patients. T2FM persisted in residual tumors following subtotal resection and disappeared with radiotherapy, persisted in 5/8 recurrent tumors that were originally T2FM-positive, and was identified in tumors with high-grade characteristics. T2FM was able to predict IDH mutation status on sequencing when antibody testing was negative. Conclusions The presence of a hyperintense FLAIR rim, regardless of T2 appearance, is a reliable indicator of IDH mutation among astrocytomas. Tumors with a FLAIR rim are more cystic and this may lend to their characteristic appearance on MRI. T2FM demonstrates distinctive temporal radiographic changes, may be seen in high-grade gliomas, and may be used in combination with other variables to strengthen prediction of IDH status.
Projection-based image restoration

We address the problem of noise smoothing in image restoration. We introduce several normed derivative constraints and compute their associated projectors. Several image-restoration algorithms that use these constraints, among others, are proposed. The issue of set closure is addressed, and it is shown that sets incorporating bounds on derivative norms are closed in L2.
A 12-year retrospective evaluation of anal pre-cancerous lesions and cancer in people living with HIV-1 infection in the Southeastern U.S

Anal cancer is rare in the general population in both genders in the US, but an increased incidence of anal cancer (AC) has been reported among people living with HIV-1 infection (PLWH) and little is known among the population in South US. In a retrospective study design, electronic health records from 2006 to 2018 were reviewed in a HIV clinical cohort at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Associations of demographic, sociodemographic, and HIV-clinical indicators were examined in univariate analyses between high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and AC cases and condition-free individuals. Factors for anal/rectal cytology screening tests among PLWH were also assessed over time. Ages at onset of anal cancer were compared with the general US population reported by the National Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. A total of 79 anal HSIL (96% men) and 43 cancer (100% men) patients were observed along with 4367 HSIL/cancer-free patients (75.9% men). HSIL (P < 0.0001) and AC (0.0001 < P < 0.01) were associated with being men who have sex with men (MSM). An incidence of 258 per 100,000 person-year was observed among this clinical cohort of PLWH. PLWH who were 45–54 years appeared to be at highest risk of AC (58.1%), as compared to those 55–64 years in the general population. Overall, 79% of PLWH anal cancers were diagnosed among those under 55 years (vs 39.5% in general population) indicating early onset of AC. In total 29.1% of HSIL and 44.2% of AC patients had not received an anal/rectal cytology examination 1 year prior to diagnosis. AC incidence among HIV-infected men was 161 times higher than general population with an earlier age of onset/diagnosis. Many patients with AC had missed screening opportunities that could potentially have captured neoplasia in pre-cancerous stages. AC-related screening guidelines need to be integrated into routine clinical care, especially among PLWH at highest risk such as MSM and those with lower CD4 counts.
Should Public Policy Center on Society’s Well-Being?

This article looks at the future of public policy in the US and proposes that our preoccupation with neoliberal values should be supplanted by the values of dignity, compassion, and well-being. It invokes the field of therapeutic jurisprudence as a frame for policy analysis and discusses a wide range of policy issues, including public budgets, workplace anti-bullying legislation, immigration policy, health care, and the minimum wage.
The role of memory in the Wisdom of Solomon

The theme of memory in the Wisdom of Solomon shows affinities with the conceptualization of memory in the ancient world generally. The book is written such that the more one has internalized the te...
Effectiveness of a quality improvement curriculum for medical students

Introduction : As health systems find ways to improve quality of care, medical training programs are finding opportunities to prepare learners on principles of quality improvement (QI). The impact of QI curricula for medical students as measured by student learning is not well delineated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a QI curriculum for senior medical students as measured by student knowledge and skills. Methods : This study was an observational study that involved a self-assessment and post-test Quality Improvement Knowledge Application Tool (QIKAT) for intervention and control students. A QI curriculum consisting of online modules, live discussions, independent readings and reflective writing, and participation in a mentored QI project was offered to fourth-year medical students completing an honor's elective (intervention group). Senior medical students who received the standard QI curriculum only were recruited as controls. Results : A total of 22 intervention students and 12 control students completed the self-assessment and QIKAT. At baseline, there was no difference between groups in self-reported prior exposure to QI principles. Students in the intervention group reported more comfort with their skills in QI overall and in 9 of the 12 domains (p<0.05). Additionally, intervention students performed better in each of the three case scenarios (p<0.01). Discussion : A brief QI curriculum for senior medical students results in improved comfort and knowledge with QI principles. The strengths of our curriculum include effective use of classroom time and faculty mentorship with reliance on pre-existing online modules and written resources. Additionally, the curriculum is easily expandable to larger groups of students and transferable to other institutions. Keywords: medical education-systems-based practice; medical education-practice-based learning; quality improvement (Published: 8 May 2015) Citation: Med Educ Online 2015, 20: 27133 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v20.27133
Return to play after nonoperative management for a severe type III acromioclavicular separation in the throwing shoulder of a collegiate pitcher

AbstractBackground. Treatment of type III acromioclavicular (AC) separations is controversial, especially in the dominant shoulder of a high-level throwing athlete. This case report describes the return to play after nonoperative management of a collegiate baseball pitcher with a severe type III AC separation in his throwing shoulder. Hypothesis/purpose. Case report of return to play with nonoperative management of a type III AC separation in the throwing shoulder of a collegiate pitcher. Study design. A case report of a single patient. Methods. Prospective data were recorded in the case of a collegiate pitcher who suffered an acute injury to the dominant shoulder, resulting in a severe type III AC separation. He was initially treated with a figure-of-8 brace and a sling. Postinjury, strengthening of the wrist, hand, and elbow began at 3½ weeks, and shoulder range of motion (ROM) and a periscapular strengthening program began at 6 weeks. At 2 months postinjury, a deformity was still present, but the athle...
Reconfigurable origami equiangular conical spiral antenna

This paper presents a balanced reconfigurable origami conical spiral antenna that can axially radiate at two states: (a) circularly polarized (AR<3 dB) from 1.85 GHz to 2.75 GHz, and (b) linearly polarized at 1.4 GHz and 3.7 GHz. This antenna can be applied to various wireless communications, such as, GPS, radars and satellites. The simulated realized gains of the two states are over 7 dB.
The chemokine CCL2 increases prostate tumor growth and bone metastasis through macrophage and osteoclast recruitment.

CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2, also known as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) has been demonstrated to recruit monocytes to tumor sites. Monocytes are capable of being differentiated into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and osteoclasts (OCs). TAMs have been shown to promote tumor growth in several cancer types. Osteoclasts have also been known to play an important role in cancer bone metastasis. To investigate the effects of CCL2 on tumorigenesis and its potential effects on bone metastasis of human prostate cancer, CCL2 was overexpressed into a luciferase-tagged human prostate cancer cell line PC-3. In vitro, the conditioned medium of CCL2 overexpressing PC-3luc cells (PC-3lucCCL2) was a potent chemoattractant for mouse monocytes in comparison to a conditioned medium from PC-3lucMock. In addition, CCL2 overexpression increased the growth of transplanted xenografts and increased the accumulation of macrophages in vivo. In a tumor dissemination model, PC-3lucCCL2 enhanced the growth of bone metastasis, which was associated with more functional OCs. Neutralizing antibodies targeting both human and mouse CCL2 inhibited the growth of PC-3luc, which was accompanied by a decrease in macrophage recruitment to the tumor. These findings suggest that CCL2 increases tumor growth and bone metastasis through recruitment of macrophages and OCs to the tumor site.
Bi‐Functional Mechanism in Degradation of Toxic Water Pollutants by Catalytic Amorphous Metals

The authors report on the high catalytic activity and bi-functional catalysis mechanism of amorphous metals in degrading AZO Dye, a toxic water pollutant and carcinogen. Aluminum-based metallic glass was found to completely degrade AZO dye at room temperature without any toxic by-products. The high catalytic activity originates from the simultaneous ionization of the transition metals, which act as electron donors for rapid degradation of AZO dye in an aqueous medium. The dye degradation rate and catalytic activity were characterized via UV–VIS absorption spectroscopy. The rate of dye degradation was significantly faster compared to state-of-the-art zero valent iron. The dye degradation mechanism was studied using Raman and IR spectroscopy combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Update and rationale for ongoing acute myocardial infarction trials: Combination therapy, facilitation, and myocardial preservation

Advancements in the treatment of myocardial infarction such as coronary care units, patient education, improved emergency response systems, and reperfusion therapy have reduced mortality. However, in an effort to further reduce the present rate by improving patency rates and microcirculatory perfusion, by better preserving myocardium, and/or treating shock more effectively, more research is under way to improve strategies now in place and to develop new, more effective ways to treat these patients.
Understanding the internal friction of a silicon micro-mechanical oscillator

In order to understand the consensus that mechanical loss of an oscillator increases as its size decreases, we studied the internal friction of a 1.5 μm thick micro-mechanical oscillator with laser Doppler vibrometry. We separated the loss due to attachment by studying mode shape dependence of different vibration modes, the loss due to defects generated during plasma etching by rapid thermal annealing, loss due to surface adsorbates by its post-anneal time dependence, loss due to surface roughness by sand-blasting of a macro-mechanical oscillator. We conclude that the near surface lattice defects caused by plasma etching and surface adsorbates are the main source of the observed internal friction at room temperature. While the loss caused by plasma etching can be annealed away, the effect associated with surface adsorbates will come back after annealing. We further studied the internal friction at low temperatures and by in situ laser-flash annealing. We found that the loss associated with the surface adsorbates is responsible for an internal friction peak at about 155 K. The reversible time dependence of internal friction at room temperature is attributed to the broad tail of the peak at 155 K.
The effect of material purity on the optical and scintillation properties of solution-grown trans-stilbene crystals

Abstract Large, 10 cm-size, single crystals of trans- stilbene were grown for the first time from solution by a temperature reduction technique. Their scintillation performance for fast neutron detection depended on the purity of the initial starting material. A light-yield-inhibitor-free starting material was specially synthesized and crystals from this material were compared to those grown from commercially available powders of trans -stilbene. The use of pure material made possible the growth of the large size crystals (>400 g) with excellent neutron–gamma discrimination performance, which are needed for use as a radiation detection material.
Optimization of two-dimensional photonic bandgap structures

Photonic band gap structures and their applications have gained a great deal of interest in recent years, with the primary focus on designing structures that have specific optical characteristics. However, little attention has been given to solving the inverse problem of determining the optimum photonic lattice given a desired output. In this paper, we address this need using optimization techniques to design two-dimensional photonic crystals to arbitrarily guide light in two dimensions. By switching the rods of this lattice on and off (rod or no rod), the optimization algorithm arrives at a solution (distribution of the rod in this lattice) that minimizes the cost function. The performance of the optimization is driven by the proper selection of both the cost function and optimization algorithm.
A generalization of Baire's category theorem

Abstract We prove a generalization of Baire's category theorem for chains or iterates of continuous functions between complete metric spaces.
Large-scale flip-chip power grid reduction with geometric templates

Realizable power grid reduction becomes key to efficient design and verification of nowadays large-scale power delivery networks (PDNs). Existing state-of-the-art realizable reduction techniques for interconnect circuits, such as TICER algorithm, can not be well suited for effective power grid reductions, since reducing the mesh-structured power grids by TICER's nodal elimination scheme may introduce excessive number of new edges in the reduced grids that can be even harder to solve than the original grid due to the drastically increased sparse matrix density. In this work, we present a novel geometric template based reduction technique for reducing large-scale flip-chip power grids. Our method first creates geometric template according to the original power grid topology and then performs novel iterative grid corrections to improve the accuracy by matching the electrical behaviors of the reduced template grid with the original grid. Our experimental results show that the proposed reduction method can reduce industrial power grid designs by up to 95% with very satisfactory solution quality.
Obsequies for an opinion masquerading as fact.

When a professional specialty organization accurately represents and promulgates the knowledge base of its membership while serving the community at large, it should be commended. However, when that group promotes information that might inadvertently mislead the community at large, let alone misrepresent the consensus of some of its leading researchers, it should be questioned. In a world where evidence has superseded opinion, our specialty has overlooked the best available scientific data and embraced a policy of disseminating information devoid of hard science. Let’s examine a single issue—the timing of treatment for Class II problems. Nearly 100% of my patients or their parents are computer literate, and most of these households have Internet access. So it is probably safe to say that, if they wanted to, these patients or their parents could access the American Association of Orthodontists’ public website for information pertaining to orthodontic treatment. What are some of the things that they would read if they set their browser to www.braces.org? First, they would learn that “Researchers are investigating the advantages of guiding jaw growth which, in some cases, may decrease a patient’s need for more involved procedures later on.” Surfing further into the site, in a section of frequently asked questions, the viewer is advised that “Some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if treated early. Waiting until all of the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult.” The visitor is also told that “By age 7, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth has occurred that the dentist or orthodontist can identify current problems, anticipate future problems and alleviate parent’s concerns if all seems normal.” For those who are not yet fully convinced about the benefits of early orthodontic examination or treatment,
Observations of Mine Seismicity in the Eastern Wasatch Plateau, Utah, U.S.A.: A Possible Case of Implosional Failure

In the summer of 1984, a three-dimensional, high-resolution microearthquake network was operated in the vicinity of two coal mines beneath Gentry Mountain in the eastern Wasatch Plateau, Utah. During a six-week period, approximately 3,000 seismic events were observed of which the majority were impulsive, higher frequency ( > 10 Hz), short duration ( < 2–3 sec) events probably associated with the caving of the roof from a longwall operation. In contrast, 234 of the largest located events appeared to occur predominantly beneath the mines to a depth of 2 to 3 km consistent with previous studies. The magnitudes of these events ranged from less than M c 0 to 1.6. In addition to the unusual depths of these latter events, an anomalous aspect displayed by the events was an apparent dilatational focal mechanism suggesting a non-double-couple, possibly implosional source. Implosional events have been observed in other studies of mine seismicity; however, the generally inadequate instrumental coverage of the focal sphere has cast some doubt on the validity of such mechanisms. Previously suggested source mechanisms for such implosional events have included tensional failure through strata collapse, and a shear-implosional displacement mechanism. Shear failure must be involved in the failure process of the Gentry Mountain implosional events as evidenced by well-defined shear waves in the observed seismograms. Simultaneous monitoring in the East Mountain coal mining area to the south by the University of Utah revealed typical shear failure events mixed with implosional events. The observed double-couple, reverse focal mechanisms at East Mountain were similar to mechanisms determined in previous studies and a composite focal mechanism determined in this study for a sequence outside the mining areas. This suggested that the shear events within the mining areas are being influenced by the regional tectonic stress field. Thus in addition to the seismic events associated with caving of the roof from the longwall operation, there appear to be at least two other types of mining-induced seismic events occurring in the eastern Wasatch Plateau, both submine in origin: (1) events characterized by apparent non-double-couple possibly implosional focal mechanisms and well-defined shear waves; and (2) shear events, which are indistinguishable from tectonic earthquakes and may be considered mining “triggered” earthquakes. The small mining-induced stress changes that occur beyond a few hundred meters from the mine workings suggest both types of seismic events are occurring on critically stressed, pre-existing zones of weakness. Topography, overburden, method of mining, and mine configuration also appear to be significant factors influencing the occurrence of the implosional submine events.
Trends in Ammonium Concentration in Precipitation and Atmospheric Ammonia Emissions at a Coastal Plain Site in North Carolina, U.S.A.

The temporal characteristics of annual volume-weighted average ammonium (NH4+) ion concentration in precipitation and local ammonia (NH3) emissions are investigated over the period 1982−1997 at Nat...
Similarity Analysis of Video Sequences Using an Artificial Neural Network

Comparison of video sequences is an important operation in many multimedia information systems. The similarity measure for comparison is typically based on some measure of correlation with the perceptual similarity (or difference) amongst the video sequences or with the similarity (or difference) in some measure of semantics associated with the video sequences. In content-based similarity analysis, the video data are expressed in terms of different features. Similarity matching is then performed by quantifying the feature relationships between the target video and query video shots, with either an individual feature or with a feature combination. In this study, two approaches are proposed for the similarity analysis of video shots. In the first approach, mosaic images are created from video shots, and the similarity analysis is done by determining the similarities amongst the mosaic images. In the second approach, key frames are extracted for each video shot and the similarity amongst video shots is determined by comparing the key frames of the video shots. The features extracted include image histograms, slopes, edges, and wavelets. Both individual features and feature combinations are used in similarity matching using an artificial neural network. The similarity rank of the query video shots is determined based on the values of the coefficients of determination and the mean absolute error. The study reported in this paper shows that the mosaic-based similarity analysis can be expected to yield a more reliable result, whereas the key frame-based similarity analysis could be potentially applied to a wider range of applications. The weighted non-linear feature combination is shown to yield better results than a single feature for video similarity analysis. The coefficient of determination is shown to be a better criterion than the mean absolute error in similarity matching analysis.
CDK1 Inhibition Targets the p53-NOXA-MCL1 Axis, Selectively Kills Embryonic Stem Cells, and Prevents Teratoma Formation

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have adopted an accelerated cell-cycle program with shortened gap phases and precocious expression of cell-cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). We examined the effect of CDK inhibition on the pathways regulating proliferation and survival of ESCs. We found that inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) leads to activation of the DNA damage response, nuclear p53 stabilization, activation of a subset of p53 target genes including NOXA, and negative regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein MCL1 in human and mouse ESCs, but not differentiated cells. We demonstrate that MCL1 is highly expressed in ESCs and loss of MCL1 leads to ESC death. Finally, we show that clinically relevant CDK1 inhibitors prevent formation of ESC-derived tumors and induce necrosis in established ESC-derived tumors. Our data demonstrate that ES cells are uniquely sensitive to CDK1 inhibition via a p53/NOXA/MCL1 pathway.
Intensity-modulated radiosurgery/radiotherapy using a micromultileaf collimator

Intensity modulation with inverse treatment planning for 3 clinical stereotactic radiotherapy cases were directly compared against forward planning techniques using beam modification by enhanced dynamic wedge. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) analysis demonstrated that a significant reduction in dose to neighboring critical structures can-be achieved through intensity modulation patterns determined from inverse planning, while a marginal change is achieved in the target volume dose uniformity. This study also demonstrates that the intensity modulated dose patterns generated from inverse planning may differ significantly from the intuitive beam modified patterns developed in the forward planning model. These results suggest that one advantage of intensity modulated radiosurgery/radiotherapy with inverse planning is the significant reduction in dose to normal tissue and critical structures, with its coincident implications for dose escalation studies.
Intensity-dependent ionization potentials for H and He in intense laser beams

Intensity-dependent ionization potentials for atomic hydrogen and helium in intense laser beams are computed using a theory published earlier. The transformation that yields intensity-dependent potentials is identical to one proposed by Kramers in 1948. Results are given in terms of a parameter that depends on both intensity and frequency of the incident radiation.
On the relations among different measures of visible and informational persistence.

Abstract We report research designed to accomplish two goals. We first consider the question, raised by Coltheart (1980) and others, of whether three measures of visible and informational persistence—performance in temporally integrating two successively presented stimuli, subjective rating of the degree to which two successively presented stimuli appear to constitute a single or a dual temporal event, and partial-report performance—all measure the same underlying mental entity. We answer this question using a superset of dissociation logic calledstate-trace analysis(Bamber, 1979), and within the context of a systematic empirical foundation consisting of seven closely related experiments. Our second goal is to extend and apply a theory to data acquired from our seven experiments and also to data reported by other investigators. This theory, which has been confirmed in a variety of paradigms (see Busey & Loftus, 1994) assumes that (1) the initial stages of the visual system act as a low-pass linear filter which operates on a stimulus temporal waveform to produce asensory response;(2) instantaneous rate of acquiring information from the stimulus is jointly proportional to sensory-response magnitude and proportion of as-yet-to-be-acquired stimulus information; (3) partial-report performance is determined by total amount of acquired information; (4) the probability that two events are perceived as contemporaneous is determined by the temporal correlation of their respective information-acquisition rate functions (which is similar to a suggestion by Dixon & Di Lollo, 1994); and (5) temporal integration is successful to the degree that the two temporal events are perceived as contemporaneous. This theory was highly successful in accounting for our and other investigators' temporal-integration and completeness-rating data, and was moderately successful in accounting for partial-report data. We discuss the degree to which our three persistence measures can be united within the context of our theory; we comment on the distinction between objective and subjective measures of visible persistence; and we address the decades-old question: “What is persistence good for?”
Testing the Validity of Preventing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome With Vitamin C After Distal Radius Fracture

Purpose The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends the use of vitamin C to prevent complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) for patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs). We hypothesized that the evidence for supporting this recommendation is weak, based on epidemiological principles of association and causality. The specific aim of this project was to test the validity of this recommendation. Methods We conducted a literature review to retrieve articles reporting on the use of vitamin C to prevent CRPS. Data collected included sample size, study design type, dose of vitamin C used, and outcome measures of association expressed as relative risk (RR) and odds ratio. We then applied Hill criteria to evaluate the relationship between vitamin C and CRPS. Results We obtained 225 articles from the database search. After the exclusion of duplicates, unrelated articles, editorial letters, and commentaries, we found 4 articles and 1 systematic review relevant to our topic. Six of the 9 Hill criteria were met, and an earlier meta-analysis showed a quantified reduction in CRPS risk. However, criteria like biological plausibility, specificity, and coherence were not met. Conclusions The number of causal/association criteria met was adequate to support the scientific premise of the effect of vitamin C in preventing CRPS after DRF. Furthermore, vitamin C administration is of relatively low cost and has few complications unless administered in large doses. Owing to sufficient epidemiological evidence availability, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommendation of vitamin C to prevent CRPS has practical merit. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic II.
Predicting System Usage from Intention and Past Use: Scale Issues in the Predictors

The objective of this study is to provide insights into how the predictive power for computer-recorded system usage can be improved. Based on 386 responses from actual users of an information system, we examine the predictive power for system usage according to the scales of the predictors used, namely, intention and past use. First, we show that the predictive power of intention can be significantly improved with the choice of an appropriate measure. However, even the desirable intention measure failed to explain two-thirds of the variance in system usage. Second, the results show that past use as measured by computer-recorded log data can significantly enhance our ability to predict system usage. Finally, when both intention and past use are controlled for, the explained variance in system usage is shown to vary widely from 20% to 73%, depending on the predictors' scales. Overall, our findings suggest that an accurate prediction of system usage requires a more rigorous approach than that often applied in information systems research.
Maximilian Salzmann. Ophthalmic pioneer and artist

Abstract In addition to being an outstanding scientist and ophthalmologist, Maximilian Salzmann was a talented artist. In the early 1900s Salzmann, known as one of the fathers of gonioscopy, made many drawing of the angle. The drawings were presumed to be lost after Salzmann's death in 1954. In this article, the story of the recovery of the first gonioscopic pictures is told, and six of Salzmann's drawings are reproduced.
A radioautographic comparison of glycerol-H3 and galactose-H3 uptake during intestinal glyceride synthesis.

Radioautography was used to compare the in vivo incorporation of glycerol-H3 and galactose-H3 in intestinal absorptive cells in relation to glyceride synthesis. Each labeled compound was injected, either singly or mixed with linoleic acid chyme, directly into ligated segments of rat upper jejunum. The segments were removed at 5 and 20 minutes and prepared for light and electron microscopic radioautography. Following glycerol-H3 and chyme injections, label is rapidly incorporated in the vicinity of newly formed fat droplets in the apical endoplasmic reticulum. Later, labeled droplets accumulate in dilated Golgi cisternae and intercellular spaces. Galactose label is initially found in the Golgi region and later in the apical cytoplasm. Glycerol labeling is considerably reduced in the cells when the fat is extracted prior to radioautography, or when glycerol alone is absorbed. Galactose labeling is not affected by these procedures. The results indicate a significant incorporation of glvcerol label into newly synthesized glycerides, as previously also shown for glucose label. Galactose label follows a different metabolic pathway not related to glyceride synthesis.