cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation therapy in patients with histiocytosis: management of diabetes insipidus and bone lesions

Abstract Patients with systemic histiocytosis (Letterer-Siwe Disease, Hand-Schuller-Christian Disease, and Eosinophilic Granuloma) were treated at our Center using combined modality therapy involving surgery, radiation therapy, and single or combination agent chemotherapy. The records of 148 patients were reviewed; 127 patients were evaluable with histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of disease classifiable to one of the above categories. Based on follow-up information with median follow-up time 8.5 years from diagnosis, a staging system was developed to classify patients according to severity of disease and prognosis. Children whose disease was diagnosed before they were 24 months of age, had a significantly worse prognosis than older children independent of number of systems involved, or number of bone lesions. Twenty-one patients were irradiated to the hypothalamus for attempted control of diabetes insipidus (D.I.); in 4 patients, complete reversal of symptoms and signs of DI occurred; they were able to discontinue pitressin for 2, 5, 5 and 25 years. Eighty-nine patients received radiation therapy in the course of their management to 380 fields for attempted control of bone lesions. In patients whose bone lesions were treated to doses ranging between 100 and 2000 rad, local control was achieved in 95% of courses. The absence of a dose-response curve in the radiocurability of local bone lesions reflects severity of other systems involvement, propensity for spontaneous resolution of lesions, and concomitant chemotherapy. Based on our analysis, radiation therapy is recommended, particularly for painful lesions and for large lesions of weight bearing bones and the axial skeleton. These data support the use of local radiation therapy in systemic histiocytosis for attempted control of diabetes insipidus, and in specific instances for control of painful or potentially debilating bone lesions.
Diagnosis and management of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster (formerly megabacteria).

Key to understanding Macrorhabdus ornithogaster is knowing what it is. When it was first described, it was recognized correctly as being a yeast. It stained with silver stains and the periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS), both of which stain fungi [1,2]. Because of its unusual long, slender shape, however, subsequent investigators could not demonstrate a nucleus or other typical eukaryotic organelles and concluded that it was a bacterium [3]. In 1990, Scanlan and Graham [4] published a paper that indicated that they had isolated the so-called ‘‘megabacterium’’ and that it was a facultative anaerobic and capnophilic bacterium that was sensitive to many antibiotics. The bacterium that they isolated, however, was smaller and more variable in size than the organisms in situ. Additionally, they did not characterize the organism by electron microscopy, they failed to show whether their isolate stained with PAS or silver stains, and they did not attempt to reproduce the disease by infecting budgerigars. Other investigators subsequently isolated similar bacteria from the proventriculus of the budgerigar and ostriches and assumed that these were the so-called ‘‘megabacteria’’ [5–7]. Additional work with these bacterial isolates led to the erroneous conclusion that the so-called ‘‘megabacteria’’ can infect mammals [8–11]. Realization that the so-called ‘‘megabacteria’’ were, in fact, a fungus came in several steps. Initially, not all investigators were able to grow a bacterium from the proventriculus of infected birds, even when large
Bariatric Surgery and Work-Up of the Massive Weight Loss Patient

Bariatric surgery remains the treatment of choice for the extremely obese patient, with an exponential growth in the number of procedures performed in response to the obesity epidemic. There are a variety of bariatric procedures available, which differ according to the method in which they achieve sustained weight loss. Plastic surgeons are beginning to see large numbers of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and who have sustained massive weight loss (MWL) for evaluation of complex and lengthy-body contouring procedures. Proper evaluation of the patient who has sustained MWL requires an understanding of the physiologic impact of different bariatric procedures with particular knowledge of potential long-term nutritional complications.
The laminin binding integrin α6β1 in prostate cancer perineural invasion

Metastasizing prostate tumor cells invade along nerves innervating the encapsulated human prostate gland in a process known as perineural invasion. The extracellular matrix laminin class of proteins line the neural route and tumor cells escaping from the gland express the laminin binding integrin alpha6beta1 as a prominent cell surface receptor. Integrin alpha6beta1 promotes aggressive disease and supports prostate tumor cell metastasis to bone. Laminins and their integrin receptors are necessary for the development and maintenance of the peripheral nervous system, indicating the potential role for integrin receptors in directing prostate tumor cell invasion on nerves during perineural invasion.
Comparison of salicylate-based poly(anhydride-esters) formed via melt-condensation versus solution polymerization

Salicylate-based poly(anhydride-esters) were synthesized via two different methods, melt-condensation and solution polymerization, and the resulting polymers were compared. Acetylsalicylic acid was used as a model compound to mimic the active polymer chain-ends during melt-condensation, and formed a low-molecular-weight (<1500) polymer when subjected to melt-condensation polymerization conditions. The polymers and model compounds were analyzed by NMR ((1)H and (13)C) and IR spectroscopies to elucidate the structures. Spectroscopic analysis revealed the formation of a thermodynamically stable salicylate ester via salicylate-anhydride rearrangement during melt-condensation polymerization, which did not occur during solution polymerization. The salicylate-based poly(anhydride-esters) undergo a thermodynamic rearrangement during melt-condensation polymerization that is not observed for solution polymerization.
Global Epidemiology of Pediatric Severe Sepsis: The Sepsis Prevalence, Outcomes, and Therapies Study

Rationale: Limited data exist about the international burden of severe sepsis in critically ill children. Objectives: To characterize the global prevalence, therapies, and outcomes of severe sepsis in pediatric intensive care units to better inform interventional trials. Methods: A point prevalence study was conducted on 5 days throughout 2013–2014 at 128 sites in 26 countries. Patients younger than 18 years of age with severe sepsis as defined by consensus criteria were included. Outcomes were severe sepsis point prevalence, therapies used, new or progressive multiorgan dysfunction, ventilator- and vasoactive-free days at Day 28, functional status, and mortality. Measurements and Main Results: Of 6,925 patients screened, 569 had severe sepsis (prevalence, 8.2%; 95% confidence interval, 7.6–8.9%). The patients’ median age was 3.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.7–11.0) years. The most frequent sites of infection were respiratory (40%) and bloodstream (19%). Common therapies included mechanical ventilation (74% of patients), vasoactive infusions (55%), and corticosteroids (45%). Hospital mortality was 25% and did not differ by age or between developed and resource-limited countries. Median ventilator-free days were 16 (IQR, 0–25), and vasoactive-free days were 23 (IQR, 12–28). Sixty-seven percent of patients had multiorgan dysfunction at sepsis recognition, with 30% subsequently developing new or progressive multiorgan dysfunction. Among survivors, 17% developed at least moderate disability. Sample sizes needed to detect a 5–10% absolute risk reduction in outcomes within interventional trials are estimated between 165 and 1,437 patients per group. Conclusions: Pediatric severe sepsis remains a burdensome public health problem, with prevalence, morbidity, and mortality rates similar to those reported in critically ill adult populations. International clinical trials targeting children with severe sepsis are warranted.
Sexual Orientation as Measured by Perceptual Dominance in Binocular Rivalry

Binocular rivalry is a perceptual phenomenon that occurs when two different images are presented, one in either eve, in a binocular viewing device. Past studies have indicated that people's perceptual reports in a binocular situation reflect their actual feelings, affinities, and dispositions. In this study, groups of self-identified heterosexual (straight) and homosexual (gay) men served as subjects. They were presented with a series of sexually contrasted pairs of slides (heterosexual content paired with homosexual content) in a binocular device. The pictures they viewed contained specific heterosexual or homosexual visual stimuli with respect to the sexual preferences of men. It was found that perceptual reports significantly corresponded to sexual preference, with gay men reporting images of men and straight men reporting images of women.
A study of the inability of subcellular fractions to elicit primary anti-H-2 cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Abstract An analysis was undertaken to understand the inability of H-2 containing plasma membranes and partially purified H-2 antigens incorporated into lipid vesicles to elicit primary anti-H-2 CTLs. It was found that in the presence of supernatants from concanavalin A stimulated spleen cells H-2 containing-subcellular fractions could elicit anti-H-2 CTLs. The result suggests that cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor cells are available for interaction with alloantigens within the subcellular fractions and that the defect is the inability of these H-2 antigen-containing subcellular fractions to stimulate T helper activity.
Analysis of the reliability of a new scale for housing quality

Abstract This article reports the results of a variance components investigation of the reliability of a new scale of measurement of the quality of a dwelling unit. A balanced incomplete block design was utilized. A method for selecting among competing unbiased estimators of the variance components is presented. These components furnish a measure of the stability of the new dwelling quality scale. The validity of this new scale was investigated by comparison with experienced housing inspectors' reports.
New lower bound formula from the local energy

A new formula to determine a lower bound to the ground-state energy of an electronic system is presented making use of the local energy. Two-electron atoms are considered and each lower bound is not only superior to the traditional lower bound, which is just the minimum of the local energy, but is also closer to the exact energy than the Hamiltonian expectation value that uses the same trial function. In this method, we have removed the restriction that the trial function be non-zero. Lower bound methods using the local energy have the advantage that the expectation value of the squared Hamiltonian or another potentially difficult integral does not have to be calculated as in many other lower bound methods. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Chorionic villus sampling in continuing pregnancies II. Cytogenetic reliability

Cytogenetic analysis was performed on 103 chorionic villus samples. Analysis of the 103 samples revealed six abnormalities. In three of the six the abnormalities were confirmed in fetal or neonatal tissue (47,XY, + 13; 46,XY, t(13q13q); 45,X). In three samples the abnormalities detected were not confirmed; in two of the three the abnormalities were detected only in long-term cultures, whereas in the other samples the abnormality was restricted to direct analysis of the villi after overnight incubation. Our initial experience leads us to conclude that certain abnormalities in chorionic villus sampling may not be indicative of fetal abnormalities; 45,X/46,XX or 45,X/46,XY mosaicism is such a complement. Discrepancies between cytogenetic analysis of intact villi processed soon after sampling and of cells grown in culture can be managed by adhering to several suggested guidelines and by liberal use of confirmatory amniocentesis.
Formation of Blue Oxidation Product from Psilocybin

Gilmour and O'Brien1 have reported that a blue colour develops when psilocybin (4-phosphoryl-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine) is incubated with a preparation of rat brain mitochondria. The colour is apparently not dependent on oxygen for its formation, is associated only with the particulate matter and cannot be brought into solution by treatment with various organic solvents, detergents, acid or alkali. The reaction is inhibited (80 per cent) by EDTA.
On the problems of smoothing and near-interpolation

In the first part of this paper we apply a saddle point theorem from convex analysis to show that various constrained minimization problems are equivalent to the problem of smoothing by spline functions. In particular, we show that near-interpolants are smoothing splines with weights that arise as Lagrange multipliers corresponding to the constraints in the problem of near-interpolation. In the second part of this paper we apply certain fixed point iterations to compute these weights. A similar iteration is applied to the computation of the smoothing parameter in the problem of smoothing.
Involvement of Amino Acid 36 in TM1 in Voltage Sensitivity in Mouse Na+/Glucose Cotransporter SGLT1

Human SGLT1 protein is an established sodium-glucose cotransporter. Despite widespread use of the mouse as a model organism, the mouse SGLT1 homologue has yet to be functionally characterized. Additionally, the crystal structure of a sugar transporter homologue, Vibrio SGLT, has recently been described, however, it offers limited information about the role of transmembrane segments outside of the core ligand binding domains. In particular, the amino acids in TM1 were not assigned in the structure. To examine the contribution of TM1 to the function of SGLT1, we have cloned and characterized the biophysical properties of SGLT1 from mouse, mSGLT1, and compared it to a clone containing an amino acid substitution in TM1, F36S. As predicted, both proteins formed functional Na+/sugar cotransporters, but F36S-mSGLT1 showed decreased rates of sugar uptake and decreased apparent affinities for both Na+ and sugar compared to mSGLT1. Analysis of pre-steady-state currents and comparison with the crystal structure of Vibrio SGLT provide plausible mechanisms to explain the differences in function of these two proteins. Our data suggest that amino acids in TM1, which are not involved in ligand binding and translocation pathways, significantly influence the functional properties of sodium-glucose carrier proteins.
CD8+ T lymphocytes are not required for murine resistance to human filarial parasites.

Mice are resistant to the establishment of infection with the nematode parasite Brugia malayi, an etiologic agent of human lymphatic filariasis. We have recently shown that T and B lymphocyte-deficient C.B.-17 scid/scid mice are permissive for infection with this parasite, whereas coisogenic C.B.-17+/+ mice are resistant. This observation suggests that T and B lymphocytes that comprise the antigen-specific immune system orchestrate murine resistance to B. malayi. In order to define the component of the antigen-specific immune response that is responsible for this resistance, we have tested the susceptibility of beta 2M-/- mice to infection with B. malayi L3 larvae. These mice are homozygous for insertional disruption of their B2m genes, which encode beta 2-microglobulin, the small subunit of the major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens. They do not express beta 2-microglobulin and, as a consequence, fail to express the class I major histocompatibility antigens, and they do not develop the CD8+ class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T cell subset. We find that these mice are completely resistant to B. malayi, indicating that the CD8+ T lymphocyte subset is not an obligate requirement for murine resistance to human filarial parasites.
The Special Needs of Children in Kinship Care

Summary Over the past decade, grandparents have increasingly been called upon to raise their children's children because of family disruption often due to parental abandonment, death, or incarceration. This can be stressful for the grandparents, who may not get the financial assistance received by traditional foster parents. This article presents data from a school-based comprehensive multi-generation program in East Harlem (New York City). It explores environmental stressors associated with children coming into kinship care, and the special developmental, behavioral and school problems they may present. The impact on the grandparent caregivers is discussed, focusing on health status and access to care.
Independence Distribution Preserving Covariance Structures for the Multivariate Linear Model

Consider the multivariate linear model for the random matrixYn×p~MN(XB,V??), whereBis the parameter matrix,Xis a model matrix, not necessarily of full rank, andV?? is annp×nppositive-definite dispersion matrix. This paper presents sufficient conditions on the positive-definite matrixVsuch that the statistics for testingH0:CB=0vsHa:CB?0have the same distribution as under the i.i.d. covariance structureI??.
Serum levels of the soluble low affinity receptor for IgE and soluble interleukin-2 receptor in childhood, and their relation to age, gender, atopy and allergic disease

Identifying immune factors associated with the development of atopy can enhance our understanding of the in vivo mechanisms involved and may have utility in paradigms designed to prevent disease. Two candidates sug-gested for such roles are the soluble low affinity receptor for IgE (sCD23) and the soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25). To assess serum levels of these factors blood samples were collected at birth and at age 6 in a large nonselected population from Tucson, AZ. Log mean sCD23 and sCD25 lev-els decreased from birth to age 6, (for sCD23 0. 60 ffi 0. 26pg/l, n=340 and 0. 53 + 0. 28pg/l, n=333 and for sCD25 1. 95 i 0. 14pM. n=304 and 1. 86 ffi 0. 20pM, n=327. for the two ages respectively. Anglo children had lower sCD23 levels at birth compared to Hispanic children (p < 0.01); no effect of gender was observed. Skin test reactivity at age 6 was directly related to sCD25 levels at age 6 (p=0.007) and even levels at birth showed a similar trend (p=0.06). These relations were distinct from any relation to total se-rum IgE. No relation was observed with sCD23 levels for either skin test re-activity or serum IgE. The prevalences of asthma, rhinitis and eczema by age 6 were unrelated to sCD25 or sCD23 levels. The results indicate that soluble CD23 and CD25 have higher levels at birth than later in childhood and that the development of skin test reactivity may be associated with reg-ulatory mechanisms involving sCD25, whereas sCD23 was not similarly implicated.
Gsn: a New Service Type for Integrated Services on the Internet *

Network services with deterministic guarantees are based on a worst-case description of user-generated traffic. When d esigning a policing and scheduling algorithm for guaranteed services on the Internet, accuracy of description of the traffic profile has to be traded with simplicity of implementation. The result of this trade off is often expressed as the number of token buckets required by the service along with the choice of their parameters. The GS type of service proposed b y the IETF uses two token bu ckets both for characterizing the traffic a nd for policing it. The choice of using only two token buckets is primarily driven b y policing costs. In this paper we propose a method that allows the number of token bu ckets used for characterizing the traffic to b e greater than what i s actually needed to police it. This means we can obtain an accurate profile of the traffic while keeping policing simple. The method consists of computing a profile of the traffic which involves a number of token buckets of the order of ten, and then doing the policing using only the first token bucket, plus another one which is chosen depending on the delay requirements of the receivers. This paper shows that with this s imple e nhancement we obtain a guaranteed service whose performance closely approaches the theoretical limits of services with deterministic guarantees.
Synthesis of covalent [14C]-labeled diarylsulfonylurea (DASU) inhibitors of the processing and release of IL-1

CP-452,759 and CP-470,947, two covalent [14C]-labeled diarylsulfonylurea (DASU) inhibitors of the processing and release of IL-1 from human monocytes, have been synthesized. The radiosyntheses utilize [14C]-labeled phosgene to prepare labeled isocyanates which are coupled with an epoxide sulfonamide to give the [14C]-DASUs. These tools should allow future studies aimed at purifying and identifying the DASU binding protein involved in the inhibition of the processing and release of IL-1 from human monocytes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of asymmetry on TCP performance

In this paper, we study the effects of network asymmetry on end-to-end TCP performance and suggest techniques to improve it. The networks investigated in this study include a wireless cable modem network and a packet radio network, both of which can form an important part of a mobile ad hoc network. In recent literature (e.g., [18]), asymmetry has been considered in terms of a mismatch in bandwidths in the two directions of a data transfer. We generalize this notion of bandwidth asymmetry to other aspects of asymmetry, such as latency and media-access, and packet error rate, which are common in wide-area wireless networks. Using a combination of experiments on real networks and simulation, we analyze TCP performance in such networks where the throughput achieved is not solely a function of the link and traffic characteristics in the direction of data transfer (the forward direction), but depends significantly on the reverse direction as well. We focus on bandwidth and latency asymmetries, and propose and evaluate several techniques to improve end-to-end performance. These include techniques to decrease the rate of acknowledgments on the constrained reverse channel (ack congestion control and ack filtering ), techniques to reduce source burstiness when acknowledgments are infrequent (TCP sender adaptation), and algorithms at the reverse bottleneck router to schedule data and acks differently from FIFO ( acks-first scheduling).
Thresholds for Safety Inspection Measurements Based on Control Charts

The rapid growth of air traffic density has long demanded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to design an effective safety inspection system. Well defined thresholds are essential to such an inspection system since they provide standards for both monitoring and regulating purposes. In this paper, we use control chart techniques to derive thresholds and standards for inspection measures, and to provide charts for monitoring them continuously. These thresholds charts play the same role as control charts do in statistical quality control for the monitoring of manufacturing processes. In quality control, the centerline of the chart indicates the target value and the control limits determine whether the process is out of control. In safety inspections, we view the centerline as the safety standard, and justify some properly chosen levels of control limits as meaningful thresholds. For FAA safety inspection surveillance results concerning air carriers, these thresholds are termed alert, advisory, expected, and informational. They provide a concrete measure of the inspection results in terms of the severity of potential flaws, and serve as a guideline for the general rating of the safety performance of each carrier. Furthermore, we can now use the so-called average run length to measure the effectiveness of the inspection system with the proposed thresholds. This approach is implemented on a dataset of an operational performance measure collected from ten air carriers over a period of 6 months. The results are very supportive.
Latino patients' preferences for medication information and pharmacy services

Abstrat Objectives To examine (1) Latino patients' language preferences for receiving verbal and written medication information in community pharmacies, (2) the types of problems and concerns Latino patients report about using their medications, and (3) the factors that Latino patients believe are important when choosing a community pharmacy. Methods Individuals were eligible to participate if they were 18 years of age or older, if they self-identified as being Latino, and if they or their children were currently taking prescription medications. All 93 participating individuals were interviewed in Spanish. Results The majority of patients did not always receive their prescription labels or written medication information in Spanish. Approximately 52% of the respondents preferred to receive verbal information in Spanish without an interpreter, and 21.5% preferred to receive it in Spanish with an interpreter. Most respondents (70%) preferred written information in Spanish, and 21.5% preferred written information in both Spanish and English. The most commonly reported problems were difficulty paying for medications, difficulty reading the English on the prescription labels, and adverse effects. Participants valued pharmacies with friendly and respectful employees. Conclusion Study participants reported many problems or concerns in using their medications, and the majority preferred receiving written and verbal information about their medication in Spanish. Pharmacies need to find better ways of providing services to the rapidly growing Latino population.
Distribution of binding energies of a water molecule in the water liquid-vapor interface

Distributions of binding energies of a water molecule in the water liquid-vapor interface are obtained on the basis of molecular simulation with the SPC/E model of water. These binding energies together with the observed interfacial density profile are used to test a minimally conditioned Gaussian quasi-chemical statistical thermodynamic theory. Binding energy distributions for water molecules in that interfacial region clearly exhibit a composite structure. A minimally conditioned Gaussian quasi-chemical model that is accurate for the free energy of bulk liquid water breaks down for water molecules in the liquid-vapor interfacial region. This breakdown is associated with the fact that this minimally conditioned Gaussian model would be inaccurate for the statistical thermodynamics of a dilute gas. Aggressive conditioning greatly improves the performance of that Gaussian quasi-chemical model. The analogy between the Gaussian quasi-chemical model and dielectric models of hydration free energies suggests that naive dielectric models without the conditioning features of quasi-chemical theory will be unreliable for these interfacial problems. Multi-Gaussian models that address the composite nature of the binding energy distributions observed in the interfacial region might provide a mechanism for correcting dielectric models for practical applications.
Percutaneous forceps extraction of retained biliary tract calculi

The experience of the authors with postoperative extraction of retained biliary calculi in 35 cases is presented. Successful removal of the stones was achieved in all patients without any significant complication. The advantage of the Mazzariello-type metal forceps as compared to the Burhenne method is emphasized and illustrative examples are presented. Specific guidelines for a successful application of various techniques of stone extraction are provided.
WE‐G‐103‐04: X‐Ray Scatter in Differential Phase‐Contrast Breast Imaging Using Gratings‐Based Interferometer

Purpose: To determine the x‐ray scatter content in differential phase‐contrast imaging of the breast using a gratings‐based interferometer. Methods: X‐ray scatter during small field‐of‐view (9.6×5‐cm) differential phase‐contrast breast imaging with a gratings‐based interferometer (25‐keV design) was determined using GEANT4 Monte Carlo (MC) toolkit. The duty‐cycles of source (G0), phase (G1) and analyzer (G2) gratings were 0.25, 0.5 and 0.5, respectively. All gratings were planar and fabricated from 0.675‐mm thick silicon wafers. MC estimated transmission efficiencies of the gratings in parallel‐beam geometry were validated with theoretical estimates. After validation, their transmission efficiencies were determined in cone‐beam geometry. Position‐independent estimates of scatter and primary photons at the detector plane were obtained with 2 to 8 cm thick adipose and fibroglandular breasts and without the breast in the x‐ray beam. The recorded x‐ray scatter was analyzed after classification as photons that underwent at least one Compton interaction (incoherent scatter) and as photons that underwent Rayleigh interaction alone (coherent scatter). While G2 is needed in practice, simulations were conducted without G2 to determine its role in scatter reduction. Results: In parallel‐beam geometry, Monte Carlo estimated transmission efficiencies showed good correspondence (r2>0.99) with theory. In cone‐beam geometry, the transmission efficiencies of G0, G1 and G2 gratings were 0.16, 0.7 and 0.25, respectively. Position‐independent estimates of scatter‐to‐primary ratio were 0.08 without the breast, and increased from 0.13 (0.15) to 0.25 (0.31) for 2 to 8 cm thick adipose (fibroglandular) breasts. Coherent scatter was the dominant contributor to total scatter with coherent‐to‐incoherent scatter ratio ranging from 1.65 (1.94) to 1.8 (2.04) for adipose (fibroglandular) breasts. The G2 grating reduced incoherent scatter by ∼5% to 24% for 2 to 8‐cm breasts. Conclusion: The 0.675‐mm thick silicon wafer contributed to ∼30% reduction in transmission efficiency for each grating. The G2 grating reduces the incoherent scatter at the detector plane. Supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants R01 CA128906 and R21 CA134128. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views of the NIH or NCI.
Reliable fabrication technologies for optical resonant filters

A reliable technology for optical resonant filters can be useful for optoelectronics technologies, optical communications systems, and biomedical applications. Positioning the resonance at a specific target wavelength is challenging because of the sensitivity of placing a narrow spectral filtering window to the error factors that are associated with the fabrication and characterization processes. We describe and prove experimentally two fabrication approaches to overcome this challenge.
The regenerative dialysis (REDY) sorbent system

SUMMARY: The concept of regenerating the spent hemodialysate instead of discarding it was first suggested by A. Johnson in 1966. Drs M. Maxwell and A. Gordon felt that development of the concept could provide information on uremic toxins and lead to a wearable artificial kidney. Suitable sorbents consisting of zirconium phosphate, hydrated zirconium oxide and carbon combined with urease were placed in a cartridge by Dr. L. Marantz. Uremic dogs were successfully maintained using this cartridge to regenerate the hemodialysate. After completion of human studies the system was placed on the market in 1973. Three major problems occurred in the first year of marketing: 1. Displacement of the urease by the liquid in the Cordis-Dow dialysers. 2. Deafness after use with an unrinsed dialyser. 3. Inactivation of the urease by copper in the water supply. They were resolved by emptying the Cordis-Dow dialyser, rinsing all dialyser before use and adding a scavenger layer to the cartridge. At first the major market for the REDY System was the home market. However, as this market shrank the major market became dialysis of the acute renal failure patient. After it was found that the eluant from the cartridge sometimes contained aluminium, the alumina in the zirconium layers was removed and the present cartridge no longed contributes aluminium to the dialysate but also can be used to remove aluminium from hemodialysate. Attempts have been made to use the system to develop a wearable kidney.
Association between 16S-23S Internal Transcribed Spacer Sequence Groups of Mycobacterium avium Complex and Pulmonary Disease

Organisms within the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) may have differential virulence. We compared 33 subjects with MAC pulmonary disease to 75 subjects with a single positive culture without disease. M. avium isolates were significantly more likely to be associated with MAC pulmonary disease (odds ratio = 5.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.25 to 22.73) than M. intracellulare.
Comparison of MLP and RBF neural networks using deviation signals for indirect adaptive control of a synchronous generator

This paper compares the performances of a multilayer perceptron neurocontroller and a radial basis function neurocontroller for backpropagation through time based indirect adaptive control of the synchronous generator. Also, the neurocontrollers are compared with the conventional controller for small as well as large disturbances to the power system.
On-shell faddeev equations: A democritean approach to the three-body problem

Coupling the mass-energy relationδE≧mc2 to the uncertainty relationδE δt ≧ ħ produces fluctuations in the number of particles at short distances and scatterings of particle pairs independent of any specific “interaction” mechanism. This observation allows the construction of a scattering theory in which there are only particles and the void, but particle number can change. We consider a system of three massive particles (hadrons) in the energy region below the first production threshold for a fourth hadron and above the first anomalous threshold for the presence of a fourth “virtual” hadron. The on-shell Faddeev equations, containing only two-particle scattering phases for positive two particle energies, provide a convergent, unitary, and readily soluble dynamics for this system. If any of the pairs can coalesce into a different particle with a rest energy less than the sum of the rest energies of the pair, the equations can be readily extended to describe 3-2 and 2–3 transitions involving this particle (coalescence, breakup) elastic scattering from it, and if there is more than one such particle 2-2 rearrangements. The three-body “bound state” requires a well defined analytic continuation. Features of more conventional calculations of three-nucleon problems which provide examples of this structure are discussed. Since only free particles occur in the theory, and the only failure of energy conservation is that required by the uncertainty principle for (free-particle) intermediate states, these one-variable equations might be extended to particles with the relativistic connection between mass, energy and momentum, and transitions in which the full rest energy of the particle which appears or disappears must be provided. The non-linear “crossed” theory for such particles has not been written down, but if the relativistic boundary condition model of Brayshaw is viewed as representing these crossed processes by a phenomenological core, then a crossed theory requiring the π to be a bound state of three π's might predict the π-π S-wave scattering length in theI=0 state in terms of the pion Compton wavelength (and hence the position and the width of theϱ) and will then show that theϱ in turn generates asingle ω resonance at about the right place. Implications are discussed.
How Verb Subcategorization Frequencies are Affected by Corpus Choice

The probabilistic relation between verbs and their arguments plays an important role in modern statistical parsers and supertaggers, and in psychological theories of language processing. But these probabilities are computed in very different ways by the two sets of researchers. Computational linguists compute verb subcategorization probabilities from large corpora while psycholinguists compute them from psychological studies (sentence production and completion tasks). Recent studies have found differences between corpus frequencies and psycholinguistic measures. We analyze subcategorization frequencies from four different corpora: psychological sentence production data (Connine et al. 1984), written text (Brown and WSJ), and telephone conversation data (Switchboard). We find two different sources for the differences. Discourse influence is a result of how verb use is affected by different discourse types such as narrative, connected discourse, and single sentence productions. Semantic influence is a result of different corpora using different senses of verbs, which have different subcategorization frequencies. We conclude that verb sense and discourse type play an important role in the frequencies observed in different experimental and corpus based sources of verb subcategorization frequencies.
A High-Carbohydrate, High-Fiber Meal Improves Endothelial Function in Adults With the Metabolic Syndrome

Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) using high-resolution ultrasound is a well-accepted, noninvasive bioassay for in vivo endothelium-generated nitric oxide (NO) in humans (1). Impaired NO generation characterizes the endothelial phenotype prone to the development of atherosclerosis and is linked to acute cardiovascular events. In several studies (2,3), endothelial dysfunction is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The postprandial state may be critical in the development of atherosclerosis (4). A single high-fat meal can induce endothelial dysfunction, whereas low-fat meals generally neither improve nor worsen FMD (5–8). The lack of a reported effect of low-fat meals on FMD may be attributable in part to insufficient dietary fiber in the meal. In particular, increased cereal fiber consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality (9–11) and lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (12) and may reduce systemic inflammation (13). We examined whether a high-carbohydrate meal, rich in cereal fiber, would improve brachial artery FMD in adults with the metabolic syndrome. For comparison, we also examined the impact of a low-carbohydrate, low-fiber meal. Twelve (9 women and 3 men: 44.7 ± 7.9 years of age, 98.9 ± 16.6 kg, 1.70 ± 0.07 m) nonsmoking, nondiabetic adults who met the International Diabetes Federation criteria for the metabolic syndrome participated in the study (14). Subjects were not taking medications to control blood lipids, blood …
The reasons we can share: An attack on the distinction between agent-relative and agent-neutral values

To later generations, much of the moral philosophy of the twentieth century will look like a struggle to escape from utilitarianism. We seem to succeed in disproving one utilitarian doctrine, only to find ourselves caught in the grip of another. I believe that this is because a basic feature of the consequentialist outlook still pervades and distorts our thinking: the view that the business of morality is to bring something about. Too often, the rest of us have pitched our protests as if we were merely objecting to the utilitarian account of what the moral agent ought to bring about or how he ought to do it. Deontological considerations have been characterized as “side constraints,” as if they were essentially restrictions on ways to realize ends. More importantly, moral philosophers have persistently assumed that the primal scene of morality is a scene in which someone does something to or for someone else. This is the same mistake that children make about another primal scene. The primal scene of morality, I will argue, is not one in which I do something to you or you do something to me, but one in which we do something together. The subject matter of morality is not what we should bring about, but how we should relate to one another. If only Rawls has succeeded in escaping utilitarianism, it is because only Rawls has fully grasped this point. His primal scene, the original position, is one in which a group of people must make a decision together. Their task is to find the reasons they can share.
Temporal representation and reasoning for workflow in engineering design change review

Workflow management, which is concerned with the coordination and control of business processes using information technology, has grown from its origins in document routing to include the automation of process logic in business process reengineering. Workflow also has a strong temporal aspect; activity sequencing, deadlines, routing conditions, and scheduling all involve the element of time. Temporal expert systems, which use knowledge-based constructs to represent and reason about time, can be used to enhance the capabilities of workflow software. This paper presents a temporal expert system workflow component for tracking engineering design changes. The authors use Allen's theory of temporal intervals in their model to enhance the decision-making, timing, and routing activities in a workflow application. They test the model using information from a "real-world" engineering design situation and suggest further research opportunities.
Research Synthesis: Adolescent Suicide and Substance Abuse in the United States, 1990–2002

The purpose of this research synthesis was to analyze the research conducted in the domain of adolescent suicide and substance abuse through studies in the United States between 1990 and 2002. A systematic examination for research focus, hypotheses, research and analytic design, sample, validity and reliability of instrumentation, variables and accompanying study outcomes, strengths, and limitations was conducted on 19 adolescent suicide studies. The Research Analysis Tool (RAT) developed by Moody, Wilson, Smyth, Schwartz, Tittle, and VanCott (1988) was used for data organization.
Regulation of Cell Size by Glucose Is Exerted via Repression of the CLN1 Promoter

Yeast cells are keenly sensitive to the availability and quality of nutrients. Addition of glucose to cells growing on a poorer carbon source elicits a cell cycle delay during G1 phase and a concomitant increase in the cell size. The signal is transduced through the RAS-cyclic AMP pathway. Using synchronized populations of G1 cells, we show that the increase in cell size required for budding depends upon CLN1 but not other G1 cyclins. This delay in cell cycle initiation is associated specifically with transcriptional repression of CLN1. CLN2 is not repressed. Repression of CLN1 is not limited to the first cycle following glucose addition but occurs in each cell cycle during growth on glucose. A 106-bp fragment of the CLN1 promoter containing the three MluI cell cycle box (MCB) core elements responsible for the majority of CLN1-associated upstream activation sequence activity is sufficient to confer glucose-induced repression on a heterologous reporter. A mutant CLN2 promoter that is rendered dependent upon its three MCB core elements due to inactivation of its Swi4-dependent cell cycle box (SCB) elements is also repressed by glucose. The response to glucose is partially suppressed by inactivation of SWI4, but not MBP1, which is consistent with the dependence of MCB core elements upon the SCB-binding transcription factor (SBF). We suggest that differential regulation of CLN1 and CLN2 by glucose results from differences in the capacity of SBF to activate transcription driven by SCB and MCB core elements. Finally, we show that transcriptional repression is sufficient to explain the cell cycle delay that occurs in response to glucose.
Dynamic Reduction of Power Systems Using a Simple Equivalent

Recently, a simple dynamic equivalent for a power system external area containing a group of coherent generators was proposed in the literature. This equivalent is based on a new concept of decomposition of generators and a two-level generator aggregation. With the knowledge of only the passive network model of the external area and the total inertia of the generators in this area, the parameters of this equivalent are determinable from a set of measurement data taken solely at a set of boundary buses which separates this area from the rest of the system. The formation of this equivalent, therefore, does not require any measurement data at the external area generators. This is an important feature of this equivalent. In this paper, the use of this equivalent is explained with illustration, and some interesting new results on its performance are presented with varying coherency tolerances and external area sizes
Role of Functional Imaging in the Management of Lymphoma

18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) -positron emission tomography (PET), and more recently PET/computed tomography (CT), is the most sensitive and specific imaging technique currently available for patients with lymphoma. Nevertheless, despite being increasingly used in pretreatment assessment, midtreatment evaluation of response, post-treatment restaging, and surveillance during follow-up of patients with lymphoma, its impact on clinical outcome in most clinical situations remains to be confirmed. PET/CT provides its greatest clinical benefit in the post-treatment evaluation of Hodgkin's lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; however, the role of metabolic imaging in other indications and in other histologies remains to be demonstrated. Ongoing risk-adapted studies will hopefully provide evidence for clinical improvement on the basis of altering treatment as a result of interim PET results. Efforts are ongoing to better standardize the conduct and interpretation of FDG-PET scans. FDG-PET has the potential to improve lymphoma patient management; however, its usefulness will likely vary by histology, stage, therapy, and clinical setting.
Physiological changes associated with senescence and abscission in mature citrus fruit induced by 5-chloro-3- methyl-4-nitro-1H-pyrazole and ethephon application

This research compares effects of the compound 5-chloro-3-methyl-4-nitro1H-pyrazole (CMNP), a plant growth regulator that selectively promotes abscission in mature citrus fruit (Citrus sinensis), and the ethylene-releasing agent ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid). Application of CMNP and ethephon to mature citrus fruit reduced fruit detachment force and changed peel color from green to orange. More total chlorophyll was extracted from flavedo in early season (November) than late season (January), and both compounds caused a similar reduction in chlorophyll. In contrast, total carotenoid content was similar in November and January. Both abscission compounds increased total carotenoids, but induction was greater in January, and CMNP was more effective in both months. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity increased after CMNP but not ethephon application. Electrolyte leakage increased 2 h after CMNP treatment, and total protein content was reduced by 50% after 72 h. Ethephon caused only minor changes in electrolyte leakage and total protein content. Inhibition of PLA2 activity with aristolochic acid did not reduce leakage but inhibited total protein loss and reduced visual peel damage associated with CMNP. Ultrastructural observations indicated decreased number, and length of starch grains 3 h after CMNP treatment. A transient increase in soluble sugars was measured 3 h after CMNP application. Ethephon had little effect on soluble sugar content and changes in starch grains. Collectively, the results indicate that CMNP and ethephon induced color change in peel and advanced mature fruit abscission. However, CMNP but not ethephon promoted other physiological changes associated with senescence.
Performance of normal-incidence molybdenum-yttrium multilayer-coated diffraction grating at a wavelength of 9 nm

The first experimental investigation of a normal-incidence Mo–Y multilayer-coated diffraction grating operating at a 9-nm wavelength is reported. The substrate is a replica of a concave holographic ion-etched blazed grating with 2400 grooves/mm and a 2-m radius of curvature. The measured peak efficiency in the −3 order is 2.7% at a wavelength of 8.79 nm. To our knowledge, this is the highest normal-incidence grating efficiency ever obtained in this wavelength region.