cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collective Dynamics of Kinesin-1 Motor Proteins Transporting a Common Load

Kinesin-1 is a motor protein essential to intracellular transport that converts the energy from ATP hydrolysis to directed movement along microtubules. Experimental and theoretical characterization of kinesin-1 has focused on single-molecule experiments. These experiments show that one motor is capable of transporting a cargo at speeds of about 1 μm/sec and maintaining contact with the microtubule for about 100 steps. In the cell, it is widely thought that several kinesin-1 motors cooperate to transport a cargo. Through a mechanistic model, we have extended the theoretical analysis of kinesin to describing transient and steady state behavior. A transient description is essential when studying collective behavior, as interaction between motors introduces time-varying loads. Herein, we interpret the kinesin motors as nonlinear, non-smooth oscillators and we employ metrics to characterize their cooperativity and to quantify their synchronization. These metrics are used to investigate the effect of the cargo linker stiffness, the load, and the difference in intrinsic velocity on the synchronization of two mechanically coupled motors.© 2007 ASME
Advanced image memory architecture

A workstation for radiographic images, known as the Arizona Viewing Console (AVC), was developed at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in the Department of Radiology. This workstation has been in use as a research tool to aid us in investigating how a radiologist interacts with a workstation, to determine which image processing features are required to aid the radiologist, to develop user interfaces and to support psychophysical and clinical studies. Results from these studies have show a need to increase the current image memory's available storage in order to accommodate high resolution images. The current triple-ported image memory can be allocated to store any number of images up to a combined total of 4 million pixels. Over the past couple of years, higher resolution images have become easier to generate with the advent of laser digitizers and computed radiology systems. As part of our research, a larger 32 million pixel image memory for AVC has been designed to replace the existing image memory.
Spectral composition of alphanumerics and reading performance on CRT displays

Reading rate legibility tests were conducted to provide data relating human performance to changes in the complex spatial frequencies of displayed alphanumerics resulting from changes in display focus or modulation transfer function. Human performance is thus quantized both with measured display parameters and the corresponding behavior of spatial frequency distributions of the displayed characters. A Sony Trinitron CRT monitor was used which exhibits aliasing in the same spatial frequency domain used to represent the alphanumerics. For alphanumerics subtending 0.3 degrees, the reading rate data exhibited asymptotic behavior at about 190 characters per minute thus indicating a critical bandwidth for legibility of about 2 cycles per character. Also, characteristic spatial frequency distributions were found to occur at this critical bandwidth. Despite the aliasing due to the Trinitron's aperture grille, the results were similar to those found with a monochrome CRT. These observations have profound effects on specifying resolution requirements for displaying text on CRT displays.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Universal optimality for selected crossover designs

Hedayat and Yang earlier proved that balanced uniform designs in the entire class of crossover designs based on t treatments, n subjects, and p = t periods are universally optimal when n ≤ t(t - 1)/2. Surprisingly, in the class of crossover designs with t treatments and p = t periods, a balanced uniform design may not be universally optimal if the number of subjects exceeds t(t - 1)/2. This article, among other results, shows that (a) a balanced uniform design is universally optimal in the entire class of crossover designs withp = t as long as n is not greater than t(t + 2)/2 and 3 ≤ t ≤ 12; (b) a balanced uniform design with n = 2t, t ≥ 3, and p =t is universally optimal in the entire class of crossover designs with n = 2t and p = t; and (c) for the case where p ≤ t, the design suggested by Stufken is universally optimal, thus completing Kushner's result that a Stufken design is universally optimal if n is divisible by t(p - 1).
The role of the Distal-less gene in the development and evolution of insect limbs.

Abstract Background Arthropod diversity is apparent in the variations in limb number, type, and position along the body axis. Among the insects, for example, butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) develop larval abdominal and caudal appendages (‘prolegs'), whereas flies (Diptera) do not. Comparative studies of the expression and regulation during development of limb-patterning genes, such as Distal-less (Dll) , may provide insights into arthropod evolution. Results We report the cloning of a Dll homolog from the butterfly Precis coenia, and present data showing that it is expressed in all developing limbs (except the mandible), including the prolegs; the relationship between Dll and wingless expression observed in Drosophila is conserved in Precis among all limbs. However, Dll is deployed in distinct spatial and temporal patterns within each limp type. Conclusion These data suggest that Dll function, suppressed in the abdomen early in insect evolution, has been derepressed in Lepidoptera, and also suggest that there is a common mechanism underlying the formation of all insect appendages. The limb-type-specific patterns of Dll expression (and its exclusion from the mandible) indicate that regulation of Dll expression may be critical to limb morphology, and are inconsistent with Dll functioning in a simple distal-to-proximal concentration gradient.
0.25-μm logic manufacturability using practical 2D optical proximity correction

Simplified 2-D Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) algorithms have been devised, calibrated and implemented on a state-of- the-art 0.25 micrometer random logic process in order to reduce metal line pullback on critical layers. The techniques used are rules-based, but are characterized by fast and robust data conversion algorithms, calibrations based on actual process data improvements in reticle manufacturability, and inspectability of the resultant OPC corrected reticles. Application to local interconnect and metal patterning has corrected fundamental yield-limiting mechanisms in these levels.
Teaching Ethics to Engineers: Ethical Decision Making Parallels the Engineering Design Process

In order to fulfill ABET requirements, Northern Arizona University’s Civil and Environmental engineering programs incorporate professional ethics in several of its engineering courses. This paper discusses an ethics module in a 3rd year engineering design course that focuses on the design process and technical writing. Engineering students early in their student careers generally possess good black/white critical thinking skills on technical issues. Engineering design is the first time students are exposed to “grey” or multiple possible solution technical problems. To identify and solve these problems, the engineering design process is used. Ethical problems are also “grey” problems and present similar challenges to students. Students need a practical tool for solving these ethical problems. The step-wise engineering design process was used as a model to demonstrate a similar process for ethical situations. The ethical decision making process of Martin and Schinzinger was adapted for parallelism to the design process and presented to students as a step-wise technique for identification of the pertinent ethical issues, relevant moral theories, possible outcomes and a final decision. Students had greatest difficulty identifying the broader, global issues presented in an ethical situation, but by the end of the module, were better able to not only identify the broader issues, but also to more comprehensively assess specific issues, generate solutions and a desired response to the issue.
Sociopolitical factors and Korea's future economic policies

Abstract A new set of forces will affect Korean economic policy formulation over the next decade. These are a product of the most significant change in Korea in the past generation of economic growth: the irreversible, rapid pace of urbanization. Urbanization has fostered the proliferation of a series of intermediary institutions between the family or clan and the state. These institutions are for the first time in Korea history autonomous of government, and are a growing force for pluralism in the society. The business conglomerates, the churches, labor unions, advocacy groups, the middle class, and even the political process (including splits on policy between the executive branch and government political party) will result in a context in which economic policy formulation will no longer be insulated. The result will be a process less economically efficient but more responsive to popular needs.
Control of enzymic programs and nucleotide pattern in cancer cells by acivicin and tiazofurin.

Abstract The mechanism of action of acivicin and tiazofurin was compared in hepatoma 3924A. The results were evaluated by assessing the impact of these drugs on primary targets, the activities of key enzymes, and on secondary and tertiary targets, the concentrations of pools of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides. 1. 1.|The action of acivicin entails inhibition and inactivation of the key enzymes of glutamine utilization in the biosynthesis of purines and pyrimidines. As a result, the GTP and CTP pools were markedly depleted, whereas those of ATP and UTP were unaffected. Acivicin also markedly decreased the concentrations of all 4 deoxynucleoside triphosphates. The nucleotide pools returned to normal or near normal range within 2 to 3 days after a single activation injection. The pharmacologic targets of acivicin in anti-cancer chemotherapy include prominently the activities of glutamine-utilizing enzymes and the pools of GTP and CTP and all 4 dNTP's. These biochemical targets also serve as indicators of acivicin action in cancer cells. 2. 2.|The action of tiazofurin in hepatoma cells entails the primary target, IMP dehydrogenase. The subsequent effects include marked enlargement of IMP and PRPP pools and depletion of the pools of GDP and GTP. The increased IMP concentration selectively inhibited the activities of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, but did not affect that of adenine the activity of AMP deaminase which permitted the channelling of AMP to IMP. An important indicator of tiazofurin action is the prolonged depletion of dGTP pools and similar but less pronounced declines in the pools of dCTP and dATPP. In contrast, dTTP pools were increased. The crucial biochemical targets and indicators of tiazofurin action in sensitive cancer cells include inhibition of IMP dehydrogenase, a decrease in the concentrations of GDP, GTP, dGTP, dCTP, dATP and a marked rise in the pools of IMP, PRPP and dTTP. 3. 3.|Measurements of the molecular targets and indicators of drug action should be helpful in identifying cancer cells and tissues sensitive or resistant to the action of acivicin or tiazofurin. Identification of the targets and indicators should also be helpful in the design of frequency of administration of the drugs in combatting animal and human neoplasia.
The Navier–Stokes–Voight model for image inpainting

In this paper we investigate the use of the 2D Navier-Stokes-Voight (NSV) model for use in algorithms and explore its limits in the context of image inpainting. We begin by giving a brief review of the work of Bertalmio et. al. in 2001 on exploiting an analogy between the image intensity function for the image inpainting problem and the stream function in 2D incompressible fluid. An approximate solution to the inpainting problem was then obtained by numerically approximating the steady state solution of the 2D Navier-Stokes vorticity transport equation, and simultaneously solving the Poisson problem between the vorticity and stream function, in the region to be inpainted. This elegant approach allows one to produce an approximate solution to the image inpainting problem by using techniques from computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Recently, the three-dimensional (3D) Navier-Stokes-Voight (NSV) model of viscoelastic fluid, was suggested by Cao, et. al. as an inviscid regularization to the 3D Navier-Stokes equations. We give some background on the NSV mathematical model, describe why it is a good candidate sub-grid-scale turbulence model, and propose this model as an alternative for image inpainting. We describe an implementation of inpainting use the NSV model, and present numerical results comparing the resulting images when using the NSE and NSV for inpainting. Our results show that the NSV model allows for a larger time step to converge to the steady state solution, yielding a more efficient numerical process when automating the inpainting process. We compare quality of the resulting images using subjective measure (human evaluation) and objected measure (by calculating the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), also known as peak signal-to-reconstructed measure). We also present some new theoretical results based on energy methods comparing the sufficient conditions for stability of the discretization scheme for the two model equations. These theoretical and numerical studies shed some light on what can be expected from this category of approach when automating the inpainting problem. CONTENTS
Metal-insulator transition in V 4 O 7 : Specific-heat measurements and interpretation

Specific heat data are presented for single-crystal platelets of ${\mathrm{V}}_{4}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ in the range 5--350 K encompassing both the antiferromagnetic and the metal-insulator transitions. The results, coupled with structural and NMR studies in the literature, suggest that magnetic exchange effects are largely responsible for the existence of cationic chains that are differentiated in charge, and for the metal-insulator transition in this compound.
Elongation of the repair configuration following flexor tendon repair

A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the status of repair and its relation to the incidence of tenolysis in 91 primary flexor tendon repairs in zone II of the hand in 39 patients. Forty-three flexor tendons were repaired by criss-cross technique and 48 flexor tendons by modified grasp technique. The median increase in the intramarker distance was 1.8 mm for the criss-cross technique and 0.6 mm for the modified grasp technique. Of the flexor tendons repaired by criss-cross technique, 18.5% required tenolysis compared to 6.2% in the group repaired by modified grasp technique. The incidence of tenolysis rose sharply when elongation at the repair site was more than 3 mm for the criss-cross technique and more than 1 mm for the modified grasp configurations. There is a direct correlation between the incidence of tenolysis and the amount of elongation of the repair area.
ENDOCRINE RELATIONSHIPS IN TURTLES EFFECTS OF SEASONS AND PITUITARY EXTRACTS ON THE THYROID1

WHEN THE normal thyroid of the turtle, Emys europaea, was studied (i) it as found that no substantial histological difference existed between this form and other vertebrates. Innervation of the gland is supplied by the vagus and the sympathetic. Seasonal changes alter the thyroid activity. Species which are relatively active during the winter, such as the English sparrow (2), the albino rat (3) and Anolis carolinensis from the environs of New Orleans (4), seem to have activated thyroids with little colloid storage during the coldest months, while in the spring and early summer such thyroids have low cuboidal epithelial cells and marked colloid storage except during normal ovulation (4). In contrast, animals which hibernate, such as the European species of Lacerta in Germany (5), the ground squirrel, Citellus (6), the bat and hedgehog (7, 8), and frogs (9, 10), show a reversal of this activity, the thyroid being inactive with low cuboidal epithelium and marked colloid storage, while in spring and early sum...
Optimizing the performance of lithium titanate spinel paired with activated carbon or iron phosphate

Here we describe a model for lithium titanate spinel paired with an activated carbon electrode: an asymmetric hybrid supercapacitor. The model is compared to experimental results. The performance of this system is compared to a lithium titanate spinel/lithium iron phosphate battery. The model is used to study the performance of these chemistries and to assist in cell optimization. A Ragone plot is generated for various cell designs in order to assess the ability of the chemistries to achieve the U.S. Department of Energy goals for hybrid-electric vehicles. The specific energy of a cell is maximized by optimizing the design for a fixed time of discharge. The thickness and porosity of both electrodes are varied, while holding constant the capacity ratio for the two electrodes, as well as the properties of the separator. The capacity ratio can also be optimized for each time of discharge. A 41% increase in specific power is seen when one optimizes the capacity ratio of a lithium titanate spinel/iron phosphate battery. The optimized designs derived here can be used as a starting point for battery manufacturers and to help decrease the time to commercialization.
Interactive effects of cocaine and gender on thymocytes: a study of in vivo repeated cocaine exposure.

Abstract This study used a mouse model including both sexes to assess the impact of repeatcocaine exposure on the differentiation and function of T cell in thymus. Cocaine hydrochloride in0.9% saline, 5 mg or 40 mg⧹kg, was administrated by i.p. injection to C57BL⧹6 mice for 10days. Thymocytes were obtained 24 h after the 10th injection. Repeat in vivo cocaine exposureinhibited the proliferation of T lymphocytes in response to Con-A and Con-A plus anti-CD28. Theproliferation induced by IL-2 in the Con-A stimulated T blasts was attenuated in cocaine treatedmice. These effects were seen at a lower cocaine dose in female mice. The total number ofthymocytes was reduced. Although the percentage of mature thymocytes (CD4 + CD8 − and CD4 − CD8 + cells) was not altered, the absolute cell numberswere attenuated. Both percentage and absolute cell number of immature thymocytes (CD4 + CD8 + ) decreased and the pre-mature (CD4 − CD8 − ) cellsincreased. CD28 and CD25 expression were attenuated in Con-A stimulated thymocytes of micetreated with cocaine at 40 mg⧹kg. Interleukin 2 production was not significantly altered,however, γ -IFN production was decreased by cocaine exposure at 40 mg⧹kg. Inconclusion, cocaine exerts inhibitory effects on the function of mature thymocytes, and on thedifferentiation of thymocytes. A gender difference in response to cocaine was noted in that femalemice were more sensitive to lower dose of cocaine exposure.
Influence of increased membrane cholesterol on membrane fluidity and cell function in human red blood cells

Cholesterol and phospholipid are the two major lipids of the red cell membrane. Cholesterol is insoluble in water but is solubilized by phospholipids both in membranes and in plasma lipoproteins. Morever, cholesterol exchanges between membranes and lipoproteins. An equilibrium partition is established based on the amount of cholesterol relative to phospholipid (C/PL) in these two compartments. Increases in the C/PL of red cell membranes have been studied under three conditions: First, spontaneous increases in vivo have been observed in the spur red cells of patients with severe liver disease; second, similar red cell changes in vivo have been induced by the administration of cholesterol-enriched diets to rodents and dogs; third, increases in membrane cholesterol have been induced in vitro by enriching the C/PL of the lipoprotein environment with cholesterol-phospholipid dispersions (liposomes) having a C/PL of greater than 1.0. In each case, there is a close relationship between the C/PL of the plasma environment and the C/PL of the red cell membrane. In vivo, the C/PL mole ratio of red cell membranes ranges from a normal value of 0.09--1.0 to values which approach but do not reach 2.0. In vitro, this ratio approaches 3.0. Cholesterol enrichment of red cell membranes directly influences membrane lipid fluidity, as assessed by the rotational diffusion of hydrophobic fluorescent probes such as diphenyl hexatriene (DPH). A close correlation exists between increases in red cell membrane C/PL and decreases in membrane fluidity over the range of membrane C/PL from 1.0 to 2.0; however, little further change in fluidity occurs when membrane C/PL is increased to 2.0--3.0. Cholesterol enrichment of red cell membranes is associated with the transformation of cell contour to one which is redundant and folded, and this is associated with a decrease in red cell filterability in vitro. Circulation in vivo in the presence of the spleen further modifies cell shape to a spiny, irregular (spur) form, and the survival of cholesterol-rich red cells is decreased in the presence of the spleen. Although active Na-K transport is not influenced by cholesterol enrichment of human red cells, several carrier-mediated transport pathways are inhibited. We have demonstrated this effect for the cotransport of Na + K and similar results have been obtained by others in studies of organic acid transport and the transport of small neutral molecules such as erythritol and glycerol. Thus, red cell membrane C/PL is sensitive to the C/PL of the plasma environment. Increasing membrane C/PL causes a decrease in membrane fluidity, and these changes are associated with a reduction in membrane permeability, a distortion of cell contour and filterability and a shortening of the survival of red cells in vivo.
Contrast during multiple schedules with different component response requirements

Positive and negative behavioral contrast were examined when pigeons were required to keypeck in one component and treadle press in the other component of a series of multiple schedules. The experimental conditions were constructed so that the positive and negative contrast groups were exposed to complementary conditions. Positive keypeck and negative treadle-press contrast occurred in all subjects. Positive treadle-press contrast seemed to depend on the order of schedule presentation. Only one subject exhibited strong negative keypeck contrast. The results indicate that symmetrical conditions are not sufficient to produce positive and negative contrast for a given response when topographically different responses are used in the components of a multiple schedule. The results are globally consistent with the competition theory of behavioral contrast.
Video stabilization of atmospheric turbulence distortion

We present a method to enhance the quality of a video sequence captured through a turbulent atmospheric medium, and give an estimate of the radiance of the distant scene, represented as a ``latent image,'' which is assumed to be static throughout the video. Due to atmospheric turbulence, temporal averaging produces a blurred version of the scene's radiance. We propose a method combining Sobolev gradient and Laplacian to stabilize the video sequence, and a latent image is further found utilizing the ``lucky region" method. The video sequence is stabilized while keeping sharp details, and the latent image shows more consistent straight edges. We analyze the well-posedness for the stabilizing PDE and the linear stability of the numerical scheme.
Densities, glass transition temperatures, and structural models resulting from extremely modified caesium and rubidium borate glasses

Abstract Densities and glass transition temperatures, T g , of a large number of rubidium and caesium borate glasses over an exceptionally wide range of alkali concentrations (from R = 0 to R = 4, where R is the molar ratio of alkali oxide to boron oxide) are reported. The resulting data indicate that the rubidium and caesium borates follow trends which are consonant with those of the lighter alkali borates reported earlier from this group and by others. The densities and T g s are further analyzed in terms of generalized structural models for each alkali family.
Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of ERK1/2 increases TNF-α production via Egr-1

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent activator of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production by macrophages. LPS stimulates the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 an...
Mothers' Attitudes Toward Adolescent Confidential Services: Development and Validation of Scales for Use in English- and Spanish-speaking Populations

Abstract Purpose To explore parental beliefs and attitudes about confidential services for their teenagers; and to develop an instrument to assess these beliefs and attitudes that could be used among English and Spanish speakers. The long-term goal is to use this research to better understand and evaluate interventions to improve parental knowledge and attitudes toward their adolescent's access and utilization of comprehensive confidential health services. Methods The instrument was developed using an extensive literature review and theoretical framework followed by qualitative data from focus groups and in-depth interviews. It was then pilot tested with a random sample of English- and Spanish-speaking parents and further revised. The final instrument was administered to a random sample of 1,000 mothers. The psychometric properties of the instrument were assessed for Spanish and English speakers. Results The instrument consisted of 12 scales. Most Cronbach alphas were >.70 for Spanish and English speakers. Fewer items for Spanish speakers "loaded" for the Responsibility and Communication scales. Parental Control of Health Information failed for Spanish speakers. Conclusions The Parental Attitudes of Adolescent Confidential Health Services Questionnaire (PAACS-Q) contains 12 scales and is a valid and reliable instrument to assess parental knowledge and attitudes toward confidential health services for adolescents among English speakers and all but one scale was applicable for Spanish speakers. More research is needed to understand key constructs with Spanish speakers.
Evidence for two different afferent pathways carrying stress-related information (noxious and amygdala stimulation) to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.

Abstract The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is an important nucleus involved in mediating amygdala-regulated endocrine effects. Since the anygdala is important in mediating the endocrine response to noxious somatosensory stimuli and olfactory stimulation, this experiment studies whether noxious input (tail pinch, TP) and stress-related input (amygdala stimulation, AmygS) will modulare BNST neuronal activity. One hundred and fifty-eight BNST neurons were studied following AmygS, TP and cutaneous stroke. AmygS was effective in 66% of BNST neurons and produced one of the following five responses: oligosynaptic excitation (43%), polysynaptic excitation (5%), time-locked inhibition (4%), generalized increase in firing rate (8%), or generalized decrease in firing rate (6%). TP produced an increase in firing rate in 27% of BNST neurons tested. Analysis of a contingency table constructed to determine the degree of correspondence between neurons responsive to AmygS and neurons responsive to TP showed that the distribution of reactivity to these stimuli in BNST neurons are independent of each other. This suggests that although AmygS and TP are both capable of altering the firing rate of BNST neurons, the pathways by which they reach BNST differ.
TU‐FF‐A4‐06: Motion Blurring Correction for a Cone Beam CT System with Image Decomposition and Deconvolution Method

Purpose: To improve the image resolution of a cone beam breast CT system by correcting the image blurring caused by gantry motion for a system works under continuous fluoroscopy acquisition mode. Method and Materials:Computer simulationmodels were built to simulate the effects on CT system resolution from different subcomponents, including the focal spot distribution and gantry motion. The system MTF results showed that image resolution degraded from the center towards the edge of the FOV, along the azimuthal direction. The major cause of this degradation was the gantry motion during continuous fluoroscopy acquisition. Azimuthal MTF results from computer simulation were used to generate a 2‐D MTF response function to model the system resolution property by fitting discrete data points into a set of 3rd order polynomials. To preserve the image resolution of CTimages on the radial direction, the original CTimages were converted from the Cartesian coordinates into a new orthogonal coordinate system by the following transformation: R = x 2 + y 2 T = (a tan ( y x ) + π) ⋅ R . For each radial position, the image data were de‐convolved with corresponding system MTF in frequency domain along the azimuthal direction (along T axis). CTImages were converted back to Cartesian coordinates after deconvolution by: x = R ⋅ cos ( T − π R ⋅ 180° π ) y = R ⋅ sin ( T − π R ⋅ 180° π ) Results: A full view 2D MTF function was generated from computer simulations. With the presented method, the azimuthal resolution of the CTimage was improved while the radial resolution was preserved. This method was applied to simulated phantom images and clinical breast CTimages, qualitative observations showed improved spatial resolution along azimuthal direction. Conclusion: The full view 2D MTF function proved to be sufficient to model the spatial resolution of a cone beam CT scanner, which is a non‐isotropic, shift‐variant system. The presented novel image decomposition and deconvolution method demonstrated the promising potential to correct for the spatial resolution degradation.
Minocycline‐Induced Hyperpigmentation of the Tongue: Successful Treatment with the Q‐Switched Ruby Laser

background. Minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation (MIH) is a benign condition that may persist for years despite abrogation of therapy. The Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) has been successful in removing such lesions from the skin. To date there is no documentation of QSRL or any laser being used to treat lingual hyperpigmentation associated with minocycline therapy. objective. Long-term follow-up results are reported for the use of QSRL to treat lingual hyperpigmentation. The literature is reviewed comparing the use of different laser systems on MIH. methods. A 26-year-old woman with pigment changes of the tongue and buccal mucosa due to long-term minocycline therapy was treated with four consecutive sessions with QSRL (694 nm, 20-nsec pulse duration, and 6.5 mm spot size) at 3.6–4.0 J/cm2. results. A 90% resolution was achieved after three treatments. After the final treatment the lesions were completely gone. There were no side effects reported. No new pigment was detected at follow-up. conclusion. Treatment with the QSRL is a safe and effective strategy for treating hyperpigmentation of the tongue associated with minocycline therapy.
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in DNA damage-response pathway: implications for radiation oncology.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) catalyzes the transfer of successive units of ADP-ribose moiety from NAD(+) covalently to itself and other nuclear acceptor proteins. PARP is a zinc finger-containing protein, allowing the enzyme to bind to either double- or single-strand DNA breaks without any apparent sequence preference. The catalytic activity of PARP is strictly dependent on the presence of strand breaks in DNA and is modulated by the level of automodification. Data from many studies show that PARP is involved in numerous biological functions, all of which are associated with the breaking and rejoining of DNA strands, and plays a pivotal role in DNA damage repair. Recent advances in apoptosis research identified PARP as one of the intracellular "death substrates" and demonstrated the involvement of polymerase in the execution of programmed cell death. This review summarizes the biological effects of PARP function that may have a potential for targeted sensitization of tumor cells to genotoxic agents and radiotherapy. Int. J. Cancer (Radiat. Oncol. Invest.) 90, 59-67 (2000).
Speculation on the evolution of insulin-dependent diabetes genes

A hypothesis about the evolution of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-susceptibility alleles is proposed. IDDM is known to be associated with two HLA-DR alleles, DR3 and DR4. DR3 is associated with IDDM in all ethnoracial groups including populations in which IDDM is rare, such as African and Asian populations, as well as whites in whom IDDM is common. However, in general, DR4 is associated with IDDM only in populations with white ancestry with high rates of IDDM. IDDM in American blacks illustrates the evolutionary patterns of the two diabetes alleles. The frequency of IDDM in American blacks relative to that in American whites (20% to 30%) approximates the frequency of the American black gene pool that is white-derived (also 20% to 30%), and DR4 is associated with IDDM in American blacks but not in African blacks. These data are consistent with the infusion of a dominant white-derived DR4-associated diabetes allele into the black gene pool. Recent studies of mitochondrial DNA suggest that modern humans evolved in Africa 200,000 to 300,000 years ago and that repeated migrations populated the world. The DR-population:IDDM-frequency relationships suggest that the DR3-associated diabetes allele evolved early (greater than or equal to 100,000 years ago) in Africa, whereas the DR4-associated diabetes allele evolved later (less than 15,000 years ago) in northern Europe. Recent data from studies of IDDM in families and populations which suggest that the DR4-associated allele has dominant characteristics and the DR3-associated allele has recessivelike characteristics fit into this hypothesis.
Identification of T lymphocytes and subsets in liver biopsy cores of acute viral hepatitis.

— The lymphocytic infiltrates were examined in 10 liver biopsy cores taken from nine cases of acute viral hepatitis (AVH), using cryostat sections. The cells were identified and characterized, using the monoclonal antibodies to T lymphocytes (OKT3), T helper cells (OKT4), and T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (OKT8) in an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Of the nine cases of AVH, three were type B, one was acute type A, with underlying chronic hepatitis type B, and the remaining five were non-A, non-B, with no serological markers. One of the patients with acute non-A, non-B hepatitis was biopsied twice with a 2-month interval due to clinical relapse. Both these biopsies were included in the study. The cellular infiltrates, both lobular and portal, were graded from 1 + to 4 + and evaluated by examining the histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The approximate percentage of each set of cells staining with different antibodies was estimated in each case. The predominant cells were found to be T lymphocytes in all nine cases of AVH; of the two subsets, T suppressor/cytotoxic cells formed the majority in all except one patient who had AVH type A superimposed on chronic B hepatitis.
THE EXTRACTION OF SELECTED ACTINIDES IN THE ( III) (IV) AND ( VI) OXIDATION STATES FROM HYDROCHLORIC ACID BY Oπ D( iB) CMPO: THE TRUEX-CHLORIDE PROCESS∗

ABSTRACT The extraction of tetravalent Th, Np, and Pu and hexavalent U from hydrochloric acid was studied using octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diiso-butylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxides, 0π D(iB)CMP0 or CMPO, dissolved in tetrachloroethylene (TCE). A 0·5 MCMPO solution in TCE was found to be an extremely effective extractant for the tetravalent actinides and U(VI) from moderate to concentrated HC1. Extractant dependencies of the distribution ratios of Th(IV), U(VI), and Pu(IV) were 3rd, 2nd, and 3rd power, respectively, indicating the following species: ThCl4’3CMPO, UO2Cl22CMP0, and PuCl4»3CMPO. The distribution ratios of a variety of non-actinide elements, including selected alkali, alkaline earths, Al, transition and post-transition metal ions were also measured from 2 Mand 6 M_ HC1. Based on the distribution ratios of tri-, tetra-, and hexavalent actinides from chloride media, a generic actinide extraction/recovery process was developed for the removal of actinides from chloride salt wastes. The process is called T...
Generalized linear modeling methods for selection component experiments.

Abstract A flexible method for conducting analyses of selection components is presented. The method uses generalized linear modeling techniques and extends work by Christiansen and Frydenberg on nested hypotheses about selection components. Resistant fitting methods are introduced to allow careful evaluation of the best fitting model. Quasi-likelihood methods are also discussed for the estimation and selection of models in the presence of overdispersed data. Examples are presented for each of the steps in the analysis of selection components.
EMI repair in pulse doppler radar

The electromagnetic spectrum traditionally used by radar systems is under pressure from the growing global need for wireless communications services. Additional factors, such as the technology shift towards high duty-cycle solid-state transmitters and phased arrays using uniformly illuminated transmit apertures, are making the radar-to-radar electromagnetic interference problem more important than ever before. Such high-level electromagnetic interference (EMI) to radar can result in degraded performance, and for modern high-performance pulse doppler radars the problem is aggravated by the need to use coherent dwells of many pulses for coherent suppression of strong clutter returns. Just a few high-level EMI returns can severely desensitize the radar across many range cells in the pulse repetition interval (PRI) and even result in complete loss of information due to receiver saturation effects. This paper will describe a simple doppler repair technique for effectively reconstructing lost data within a pulse doppler radar coherent dwell and thus preserve clutter suppression and sensitivity in a severe EMI environment.
A low-complexity differential space-time transmission scheme for large numbers of receive antennas

We propose a new unitary matrix code for differential space-time modulation that is useful for two transmit antennas and a large number of receive antennas. We optimize the design of this code with respect to the Euclidean distance criterion. To reduce decoding complexity, we derive two suboptimal low-complexity receivers that allow individual data symbols in the code to be sequentially decoded. Simulation results show that the new codes outperform some existing codes, and that the low-complexity receivers approach the performance of maximum-likelihood decoding in the high-rate, large-array regime.
Application of Artificial Immune System Algorithm to Electromagnetics Problems

This paper investigates the use of clonal selection principles based on our immune system for optimization applications in electromagnetics. This concept is based on our immune system's ability to respond to an antigen and produce a pool of anti-body secreting cells. In addition to the common implementations of this algorithm where the a-nity maturation and cloning principles of clonal selection principles are used, we utilize memory and the cross-over concepts that are common to other bio-inspired methods. The performance of the algorithm is investigated for well known mathematical test functions and its potential is demonstrated in the context of the design of a radar absorbing material and a planar phased array antenna with speciflc radiation and null characteristics. Classical optimization techniques typically require an initial estimate reasonably close to the flnal result in order to avoid stagnation at a local optimum point. They also tend to be computationally intensive as they require analytical calculations such as derivatives. Nature provides heuristic optimization methods that rely on the techniques devised by difierent species over thousands of years for survival and can be utilized in engineering applications. Some of these optimizations are utilized for survival by difierent species. These approaches tend to be agent based as they can simultaneously sample the optimization space for a certain number of randomly inspired possibilities, with each iteration adding more intelligence to the heuristic search steps involved. Some examples of nature inspired optimization techniques are the genetic algorithm (GA) (1), particle swarm optimization (PSO) (2), ant colony optimization (ACO) (3), and the artiflcial immune system (AIS) (4), which is the main focus of this paper.
Supporting educational software design with knowledge-rich tools

As educational software becomes more complex and multimedia more pervasive, authoring tools become increasingly central to the construction of instructional applications. Moreover, the importance of creating tools that encourage effective instructional design is now widely recognized. In response to this, researchers are creating sophisticated tools that not only support the mechanics of software design but embody models of pedagogy as well, which has led to efforts in designing specialized authoring environments around specific instructional frameworks. To better support the design process, such tools must possess knowledge of the domain and of the kinds of tasks suited to that domain. This paper reports preliminary work in augmenting a specialized authoring tool with task and domain knowledge. The tool supports the design of a specific class of Goal-Based Scenarios that emphasizes investigation. The extension to this tool represents and applies knowledge of investigations, in terms of both their structure and the objects that typically appear in them.
Do Siblings Matter Independent of Both Parents and Friends? Sympathy as a Mediator Between Sibling Relationship Quality and Adolescent Outcomes

The study explored whether sibling affection and hostility were longitudinally associated with adolescents' prosocial, externalizing, and depressive behaviors, after controlling for parent–child and best friend relationship quality. Sympathy was examined as a possible mediator. Three hundred and eight randomly selected families completed Waves 3, 4, and 5 of the Flourishing Families Project. Multiple group comparison via structural equation modeling compared differences between girls and boys. Sibling affection (T3) was positively associated with adolescents' sympathy (T4) and prosocial behavior (T5). Sibling hostility (T3) was positively associated with adolescents' depression (T5) and externalizing behavior (T5) (for boys only), even after controlling for parent and friend relationships. Discussion focuses on the unique role of the sibling relationship on adolescent development.
Demographic predictors of leukotriene antagonist monotherapy among children with persistent asthma.

Objective To describe the children with persistent asthma receiving non-preferred controller therapy in the form of leukotriene receptor antagonist monotherapy (LTRAM). Study design In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed 2007-2009 South Carolina Medicaid data of children aged 2- to 18 years with persistent asthma, defined by Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS). Those without either LTRAM or inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were excluded. With multivariable logistic regression modeling, we compared the outcome of LTRAM with the primary predictor of age and adjusted for covariates of race, sex, HEDIS class, rurality, and disease severity. We also used negative binomial regression to compare outcomes of albuterol and oral steroid claims, outpatient and emergency department visits, and hospitalizations with predictors of LTRAM vs ICS therapy. Results A total of 19 512 patients with asthma aged 2- to 18-years were studied: 2658 (13.6%) without controllers were excluded, 2508 (12.9%) received LTRAM, and 14 346 (73.5%) received ICS. Age, race, rurality, and HEDIS classification were all significantly associated with LTRAM (all P P Conclusions Children 5- to 13-years of age, rural children, and Caucasian children were more likely to receive LTRAM. Uncovering provider rationale and practices as well as patient influences on this prescribing pattern may be helpful in optimizing asthma controller therapy.
High Prevalence of Obesity in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL): Implications for Differentiating Agents in APL and Metabolic Syndrome

Background Between January 1999 and December 2008, 469 patients treated for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were included in this single-institution study. Methods We performed a case-control analysis to study the rate of obesity among patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and non-APL AML. Results A total of 81% of APL patients analyzed were obese compared with 41.7% in the non-APL group (p 30 was seen in 57% of APL patients compared with 31% for the non-APL group (p = 0.01). Neither obesity nor the chemotherapy dosing based on ideal body weight affected survival. Conclusions Our findings generate the hypothesis that APL and metabolic syndromes may share a common pathogenic pathway via retinoic acid receptors (RARs), the ligand-controlled transcription factors that function as heterodimers with retinoid X receptors (RXRs) to regulate cell growth and survival. If this link is confirmed in larger studies, our data will instigate further studies using RXR and RAR modulators as a preventive strategy among obese individuals.
Nanostructured optics and optoelectronics for dense interconnects

Nanophotonic structures in dielectrics and metals, and quantum well structures in germanium, promise future combined optics, optoelectronics and electronics. Design challenges and approaches for optical devices and recent progress in nanostructured optoelectronics are summarized.
National quality campaigns: who benefits?

Background The use of national quality campaigns to foster evidence-based hospital practices is increasing. Because campaigns typically do not limit access to their resources, they may influence non-enrolled hospitals as well. Objective To examine the relative impact of a national campaign, the Door-to-Balloon (D2B) Alliance, on enrolled and non-enrolled hospitals. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we compared the use of D2B Alliance resources (eg, webinars, online community, mentor network), changes in the use of strategies recommended by the D2B Alliance, and perceived impact of the D2B Alliance between hospitals that enrolled in the D2B Alliance (n=264) and hospitals that declined enrolment (n=101). Results More than half (53.2%) of non-enrolled hospitals reported using at least some of the resources made available by the D2B Alliance to improve door-to-balloon times. This compared with 83.5% of enrolled hospitals reporting that they used D2B Alliance resources (p Conclusions This research suggests that national quality campaigns with open access to campaign resources may have substantial spillover effects on non-enrolled hospitals.
An alternative integral equation for propagation over irregular terrain, 2

An integral equation for cauculating the attenuation of radio waves propagating over irregular terrain is rederived. The integral equation is applied to three terrain profiles, and the solutions are compared with solutions obtained by using classical methods such as the residue series and diffraction theory.