cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of interconnected nonlinear delay differential equations inW 2 (1)

Our main interest in this paper is the resolution of the problem of controllability of interconnected nonlinear delay systems in function space, from which hopefully the existence of an optimal control law can be deduced later. We insist that each subsystem be controlled by its own variables while taking into account the interacting effects. This is the recent basic insight of [13] on ordinary differential systems. Controllability is deduced for the composite system from the assumption of controllability of each free subsystem and a growth condition of the interconnecting structure. Conditions for a free system’s controllability are given. One application is presented. The insight it provides for the growth of global economy has important policy implications.
Binding and internalization of lysosomal enzymes by primary cultures of rat glia

Highly purified cultures of rat astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were examined for their ability to bind and internalize lysosomal enzymes. Astrocytes displayed a saturable uptake of beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase. The uptake was specifically inhibited by mannose-6-phosphate but not by several other sugars or sugar phosphates, indicating that the process was mediated by mannose-6-phosphate receptors. When cells were allowed to take up 125I-beta-glucosidase for 1 hr at 37 degrees C and subcellular organelles were isolated, the enzyme was shown to comigrate with a lysosomal organelle marker enzyme, suggesting that the enzyme was targeted to lysosomes. Astrocyte receptors were probed directly by binding of 125I labeled beta-glucosidase to astrocyte membranes at 4 degrees C. Binding was saturable and competitively inhibited by mannose-6-phosphate. In contrast to the astrocytes, cultured oligodendrocytes showed no specific binding or uptake of the lysosomal enzymes. Immunocytochemical staining of mixed glial cultures supported the biochemical data; only the astrocytes stained positive with anti-mannose-6-phosphate receptor antibodies.
Nature, Reality, and the Sacred : A Meditation in Science and Religion

. Many scientists now recognize the participation of the knower in the known. Not many admit, however, that scientists rely upon intuitions about reality commonly attributed to philosophy and religion: that sensory experience relates us to an order in nature congruent with our minds and of value congruent with our fulfilled being. Nature has disclosed itself to scientists—albeit fragmentarily—as power, life, order, and unity or meaning. In science these remain limit questions, raised but unanswered. In the unity of these qualities, assumed by science, the sacred begins to appear. Addressing the limit questions, not only of scientific but of human experience, is the province of philosophy and religion.
Analytical approximations and Padé approximants for Volterra's population model

In this paper, an analytic approximation for Volterra's model for population growth of a species in a closed system is presented. The nonlinear integro-differential model includes an integral term that characterizes accumulated toxicity on the species in addition to the terms of the logistic equation. The series solution method and the decomposition method are implemented independently to the model and to a related ODE. The Pade approximants, that often show superior performance over series approximations, are effectively used in the analysis to capture the essential behavior of the population u(t) of identical individuals.
University of California, San Francisco International Nursing Network for HIV/AIDS Research

Aim: The University of California, San Francisco International Nursing Network for HIV/AIDS Research (the Network) is an international group of nurse scientists dedicated to research and education for the purpose of improving HIV/AIDS nursing care around the world. This article describes the evolution of the Network, as well as its structure, achievements and challenges. Background: Although HIV/AIDS has been around for over 25 years, millions of people are still affected by the disease every year. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reported that in 2005, there were 38.6 million people living with HIV around the world. In many parts of the developed and developing world, nurses are the primary caregivers for people living with HIV/AIDS, and they need up-to-date information about the daily management of the disease. The Network was established to respond to the need of HIV/AIDS nurses for relevant information to inform clinical care. The Network’s main activity is a series of international multi-site collaborative research studies. Past studies have addressed issues such as medication adherence, symptom management and self-care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Network also hosts semi-annual meetings as well as a biannual international nursing science conference. Conclusion: The Network’s flexible structure has proven to be one of its greatest assets, as well as a challenge. Although the Network faces challenges, it has proven to be a useful framework for conducting international collaborative activities related to HIV/AIDS and nursing science.
Endogenous Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP) is not Involved in the Initial Increase in Pulmonary Blood Flow due to Oxygen Ventilation in Fetal Lambs 1754

We previously demonstrated that exogenously administered calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent vasodilator peptide, decreased pulmonary arterial pressure and increased pulmonary blood flow in fetal sheep. To evaluate whether this peptide plays a role in the rapid increase of pulmonary blood flow during the feto-neonatal transition, we studied 12 near-term fetal sheep and examined how CGRP-receptor blockade affects the increase of pulmonary blood flow due to in-utero oxygen ventilation. During fetal surgery, catheters were inserted into the left pulmonary artery (LPA) to administer drugs and into the main pulmonary and carotid arteries to measure pressures. A tracheal tube was inserted, and an ultrasonic flow transducer was placed around the LPA to measure flow continuously. In-utero ventilation was performed twice in each fetus over 15 min with 100% oxygen: 5 fetuses for the control and 7 for the CGRP-receptor blockade studies. In the control studies, we repeated an in-utero ventilation twice and statistically compared LPA blood flow and other hemodynamic variables at 0, 5, 10, and 15 min after ventilation. There were no significant differences between the first and second ventilations: the peak LPA blood flow was 845 ± 309 and 898± 406 ml/min* 100gm lung weight, respectively. In the CGRP-receptor blockade studies, one ventilation was done during infusion of CGRP8-37, the CGRP-receptor antagonist, into the LPA and the other was done during vehicle infusion. CGRP8-37 was infused from 15 min prior to onset of ventilation until 15 min after (mean: 531 μg/kg), and the receptor blockade was confirmed by injecting agonist, CGRP (mean 0.54 μg). There were no significant differences at 0, 5, and 10 min, but LPA blood flow was significantly lower with CGRP8-37 infusion at 15 min: the peak LPA blood flow was 978 ± 306 ml/min with CGRP8-37 infusion and 1120 ± 418 ml/min* 100gm lung weight with vehicle. These data suggest that CGRP is not involved in the initial increase of pulmonary blood flow during the transition, but may have some role in maintaining the high pulmonary blood flow after 15 min.
Photoconductivity in YbTe and YbSe

Abstract Measurement of the photoconductivity in single crystals of YbTe and YbSe indicate that the long wavelength absorption peaks at approximately 2.05 eV and 1.85 eV, respectively, result in a conductive process.
Association of serotonin transporter promoter gene polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) with depression in Costa Rican schizophrenic patients

Depression and suicidal behavior are frequently observed in patients with schizophrenia. The serotonin transporter protein regulates serotonergic signaling at synapses and is encoded by a single ge...
Common Reed Phragmites australis: Control and Effects Upon Biodiversity in Freshwater Nontidal Wetlands

Phragmites australis (common reed) has expanded in many wetland habitats. Its ability to exclude other plant species has led to both control and eradication programs. This study examined two control methods-herbicide application or a herbicide-burning combination-for their efficacy and ability to restore plant biodiversity in non-tidal wetlands. Two Phragmites-dominated sites received the herbicide glyphosate. One of these sites was burned following herbicide application. Plant and soil macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity were evaluated pre-treatment and every year for four years post-treatment using belt transects. The growth of Phragmites propagules-seeds, rhizomes, and rooted shoots-was examined in the greenhouse and under bare, burned, or vegetated soil conditions. Both control programs greatly reduced Phragmites abundance and increased plant biodiversity. Plant re-growth was quicker on the herbicide-buns site, with presumably a more rapid return to wetland function. Re-growth at both sites depended upon a pre-existing, diverse soil seed bank. There were no directed changes in soil macroinvertebrate abundance or diversity and they appeared unaffected by changes in the plant community. Phragmites seeds survived only on bare soils, while buried rhizomes survived under all soil conditions. This suggests natural seeding of disturbed soils and inadvertent human planting of rhizomes as likely avenues for Phragmites colonization. Herbicide control, with or without burning, can reduce Phragmites abundance and increase plant biodiversity temporarily. These changes do not necessarily lead to a more diverse animal community. Moreover, unless Phragmites is eradicated and further human disturbance is prohibited, it will likely eventually re-establish dominance.
A Vignette-based Method for Improving Cybersecurity Talent Management through Cyber Defense Competition Design

The preliminary findings are reported from a four-year study of cybersecurity competency assessment and development achieved through the design of cyber defense competitions. The first year of the study focused on identifying the abilities that should indicate aptitude to perform well in the areas of operational security testing and advanced threat response. A recently developed method for Job Performance Modeling (JPM) is applied which uses vignettes -- critical incident stories -- to guide the elicitation of a holistic description of mission-critical roles grounded in the latest tactics, techniques and protocols defining the current state-of-the-art, or ground truth, in cyber defense. Implications are drawn for design of scoring engines and achievement of game balance in cyber defense competitions as a talent management system.
Self-Consistent, Free Energy Based Approximation To Calculate pH Dependent Electrostatic Effects in Proteins

A constrained variational approach is used to derive self-consistent equations for determining the optimal, pH dependent charge state of all the protonatable groups in a protein. The approach uses a screened Coulomb potential (SCP) with a sigmoidal, distance dependent dielectric screening function for calculating the interaction energies between the charges in a protein. In addition, a formula is derived from the integral Born equation, using radially dependent permittivities, for calculating the electrostatic free energy of transferring a charged group from pure solvent to a protein in a dilute solution. The relationship between the approach and the Lorentz−Debye−Sack theory of polar solvation is outlined, and the method has been applied to calculate the pK's of the titratable groups in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, hen egg white lysozyme, ribonuclease A, and ribonuclease T1. The results are compared to recent calculations of pH dependent properties of these proteins that used the finite differenc...
Androgen and FSH synergistically stimulate lipoprotein degradation and utilization by ovary granulosa cells

Androgen can directly modulate the induction of steroidogenic enzymes by FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in ovary granulosa cells. In studies of its mechanism of action, we examined the androgen effect on granulosa cell interaction with lipoproteins, the physiologic source of cholesterol. After granulosa cells were cultured for 48 hours with and without androgen and/or FSH, the cells were incubated for 24 hours with 125I-lipoproteins [human high density lipoprotein (HDL), rat HDL, or human low density lipoprotein (LDL)]. The media were then analyzed for lipoprotein protein coat degradation products (mainly 125I-monoiodotyrosine) and progestin [mainly 20α-dihydroprogesterone (20α-DHP)]. In the absence of FSH and androgen, 2 × 105 granulosa cells degraded basal levels of all three lipoproteins, but produced no measurable 20α-DHP. The addition of 10−7 M androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), or 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) had no effect on lipoprotein protein degradation or 20α-DHP production. FSH alone stimulated lipoprotein protein degradation by 50 to 300% while the addition of androgen synergistically augmented the FSH-stimulated 20α-DHP production as well as protein coat degradation of all three lipoproteins. DHT and T were both effective, indicating that androgens themselves, and not estrogen products, were responsible for the effect on lipoprotein protein degradation and 20α-DHP production. The addition of a 10-fold excess cyproterone acetate (an anti-androgen) inhibited the effect of T, suggesting that the action of T was mediated by the granulosa cell androgen receptor. Androgen and FSH also synergistically stimulated the production of 3H-progestin when the granulosa cells were incubated with either 3H-cholesterol ester core labeled human HDL or similarly labeled human LDL. This report demonstrates that androgen, in combination with FSH, augments the steroidogenic pathway of the granulosa cell from the degradation of lipoprotein and utilization of the cholesterol ester core, to the production of progestin product.
Ab initio molecular dynamics study of cis–trans photoisomerization in ethylene

Abstract We have used ab initio multi-electronic state molecular dynamics to study the photoinduced cis–trans isomerization of ethylene. The initial motion on the excited state is a stretching of the CC bond and the photoisomerization begins within ∼50 fs of optical excitation. Quenching to the ground electronic state is found to be ultrafast and proceeds from an ionic state via a conical intersection. Accessing the conical intersection requires pyramidalization of one of the methylene groups and this can happen only after energy is funneled from the twisting mode into the pyramidalization mode.
New sorbents for hydrogen storage by hydrogen spillover – a review

The utilization of hydrogen as an energy source or carrier for fuel-cell powered vehicles is limited by the lack of a safe and effective hydrogen storage system. Recent advances in the application of hydrogen spillover for hydrogen storage have provided a promising route for hydrogen storage. An overview of the progress made on hydrogen storage by spillover at ambient temperature on various adsorbents, including carbons, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and other nanostructured materials, is given in this review. New techniques for facilitating hydrogen spillover that were developed in our laboratory are discussed, along with future directions.
Optimization of the nonlinear convergence rate of the SIMPLER Picard algorithm for steady incompressible internal flows through enforcement of continuity projections

We discuss the performance optimization of the Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure-Linked Equations—Revised (SIMPLER) Picard algorithm for steady incompressible internal flows. We discuss the nonlinear convergence of the Picard iteration as a function of the pressure and scalar potential continuity projections stemming from the SIMPLER algorithm, for three example problems. In particular, we discuss the choice of under-relaxation method, and choice of under-relaxation factors; the choice of the projection algorithm; and the required tolerance for the linear solve of the generalized Poisson equations for the pressure and scalar potential equations that arise from the projection operations. We conclude that the convergence of the nonlinear Picard iteration can be effectively controlled by the optimal enforcement of the continuity projections. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding the rapist's mind

topic. The motivations and psychology of the rapist. purpose. To provide a framework of sexual perversions so that the motives and psychology of rapists can be better understood. source. Analytic literature. conclusion. Unconscious motives leading to rape appear related to issues of control, power, and dominance.
A black raspberry extract inhibits proliferation and regulates apoptosis in cervical cancer cells

Objective Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer worldwide, and it remains a challenge to manage preinvasive and invasive lesions. Food-based cancer prevention entities, such as black raspberries and their derivatives, have demonstrated a marked ability to inhibit preclinical models of epithelial cancer cell growth and tumor formation. Here, we extend the role of black raspberry-mediated chemoprevention to that of cervical carcinogenesis.
Selective Rep-Cap gene amplification as a mechanism for high-titer recombinant AAV production from stable cell lines.

Gene transfer vectors based on adeno-associated virus mediate high-level, stable gene expression in a variety of postmitotic tissues; thus, there is interest in developing improved production systems. We previously described the generation of rAAV producer cell lines that, upon infection with adenovirus, yielded biologically active rAAV particles. In these studies we show that the adenovirus multiplicity of infection (m.o.i.) is a critical variable for efficient production of cell line-derived rAAV and can affect yields by over 200-fold. Moreover, a threshold level of adenovirus was found necessary for high-titer vector production. To define the possible factors responsible for adenovirus m.o.i.-dependent rAAV yields, we analyzed rep and cap expression as a function of adenovirus m.o.i. High-level AAV capsid protein synthesis was observed in rAAV producer cells at adenovirus m.o.i. ≥10. This prompted us to analyze the rep-cap copy number following adenovirus infection. We documented robust episomal DNA amplification (100-fold) of integrated rep-cap sequences. Interestingly, no amplification of rep-cap sequences was observed when the sequences (in plasmid form) were transfected into adenovirus-infected HeLa cells. These data suggest that adenovirus-dependent rep-cap gene amplification is a critical process responsible for efficient rAAV synthesis in stable cell lines.
Methods for assessing sleep in children with autism spectrum disorders: A review

Abstract A literature review completed by Bauer and Blunden (2008) determined that compared to objective measures, subjective assessments of sleep for typically developing children (e.g., parental reports) were of limited utility. No comparable literature review has been undertaken to determine whether subjective measures are appropriate for assessing sleep in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Such a review is necessary as children with ASD have more sleep problems than typically developing children and children's sleep difficulties can negatively affect the child and other family members. It is, therefore, important to have measures of sleep for children with ASD that can reliably detect sleep problems and track improvements in sleep. This literature review described frequently used measures of children's sleep and evaluated their utility for assessing sleep in children with ASD. It was determined that, with the exception of sleep latency, parents’ reports of children's sleep are not consistently associated with objective measures of children's sleep. This was true for single-item parent-reports and for a widely used multi-item parent-report measure of children's sleep. Limitations of objective sleep measures (e.g., polysomnography, actigraphy), including the inability of children with ASD to tolerate such methods, are described.
Electrolysis of HBr using molten, alkali-bromide electrolytes

Abstract The electrolytic oxidation of HBr was investigated using molten alkali-bromide salts in a porous scaffold of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), with porous Pt electrodes. Despite a relatively thick (1.0 mm) and dense (35% porous) YSZ scaffold, a total cell impedance of less than 3 Ωcm2 was achieved with NaBr at 1033 K. The open-circuit potentials also agreed with theoretical potentials for the reaction H2 + Br2 = 2HBr. Lower operating temperatures were made possible by using a eutectic mixture of alkali bromides, (Li0.56K0.19Cs0.25)Br. The electrolyte losses for the (Li0.56K0.19Cs0.25)Br electrolyte, determined from the ohmic component of the impedance spectra, were less than 1.5 Ωcm2 at 673 and 773 K, similar to the value found for NaBr at 1033 K, indicating that the ionic conductivities of the alkali bromides are high so long as the salts are molten. However, the electrode losses were dependent on temperature, decreasing from 18.1 Ωcm2 to 3.0 Ωcm2 in going from 673 to 773 K. Implications of these results for recycling HBr in hydrocarbon bromination reactions are discussed.
Alternate realizations of four-terminal and three-terminal negative-impedance inverters

Six additional nullator-norator equivalent representations of the negative-impedance inverter are presented, along with their transistorized realizations.
Religion and world change : Violence and terrorism versus peace

Our article portrays religion as a double-edged sword that can both encourage and discourage world change, and can facilitate both violent and peaceful activism. The article demonstrates how the meaning system approach to religion can shed light on the complicated relationship between religion and world change by illuminating the meaning of world change and the means to achieve it, inherent differences across religious groups, the complexity and malleability of religious meaning systems, and processes that can facilitate either the status quo or violent and peaceful activism. The article discusses context and personality variables that may determine whether religion supports world change and either violent or peaceful activism. It recommends intensive collaboration between researchers, policy-makers, and religious leaders in the contexts of national and international conflicts and religious terrorism.
Raman spectra of rubidium dihydrogen arsenate in its paraelectric phase

Abstract The Raman spectra of RbH 2 AsO 4 , are presented as a function of temperature for the paraelectric phase and are used to investigate the molecular structure of this phase and to investigate the coupled proton—phonon mode responsible for the onset of the ferroelectric phase.
Risk of Fetal Mortality After Exposure to Listeria monocytogenes Based on Dose‐Response Data from Pregnant Guinea Pigs and Primates

One-third of the annual cases of listeriosis in the United States occur during pregnancy and can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn. Previous risk assessments completed by the Food and Drug Administration/the Food Safety Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (FDA/USDA/CDC) (1) and Food and Agricultural Organization/the World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) (2) were based on dose-response data from mice. Recent animal studies using nonhuman primates (3,4) and guinea pigs (5) have both estimated LD 50 s of approximately 10 7 Listeria monocytogenes colony forming units (cfu). The FAO/WHO (2) estimated a human LD 50 of 1.9 × 10 6 cfu based on data from a pregnant woman consuming contaminated soft cheese. We reevaluated risk based on dose-response curves from pregnant rhesus monkeys and guinea pigs. Using standard risk assessment methodology including hazard identification, exposure assessment, hazard characterization, and risk characterization, risk was calculated based on the new dose-response information. To compare models, we looked at mortality rate per serving at predicted doses ranging from 10 -4 to 10 12 L. monocytogenes cfu. Based on a serving of 10 6 L. monocytogenes cfu, the primate model predicts a death rate of 5.9 x 10- 1 compared to the FDA/USDA/CDC (fig. IV-12) (1) predicted rate of 1.3 x 10 -7 . Based on the guinea pig and primate models, the mortality rate calculated by the FDA/USDA/CDC (1) is underestimated for this susceptible population.
Vascular Accidents in Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

Four cases of acute angle closure glaucoma with different types of ocular vascular accidents are presented: one case of optic nerve head ischemia; two cases of central retinal vein occlusion, and one case of vitreous hemorrhage. One of the patients had vitreous hemorrhage following the lowering of intraocular pressure in acute angle closure glaucoma. The possible predisposition to ocular vascular accidents of patients with poor hematologic and cardiovascular status is discussed.
Visualization Of Complex Data

data sets. To fully utilize the results of costly computations and measurements effective visualizationmethods are required to interpret the data), 2, 3 Prior methods based on contour plots, mesh sur-faces, or titled structures are not adequate. Structure modeling does not have the capacity neededfor display and interpretation; data interpretation is more complex than every day vision. The usermay wish to visualize a nebulous 3D region, data without distinct surfaces or structures, or a regionburied inside a larger structure, or interrelate 3D regions in different data sets.Optical modeling has been used to visualize and interpret data in a variety of application areas.The optical model of a data set is based on mapping each data value into a color and attenuation.A wide range of visualization methods are feasible. Solids, shaded surfaces, translucent regions, andtextured volume can be formed by simply changing the parameter maps. Invisible numbers are ex-pressed in terms of visible entities.Harris presents a flexible one component optical model.4. 5 Data values are expressed as voxellightness. The 3D data volume is projected onto the image plane; voxel values behind each imagepixel are summed along a ray perpendicular to the plane. A weighting function along the projectingrays is used to display selected depths in full brightness with other depths displayed dimly for ref-erence. In some cases a weighting function is used to display a structure (i.e., a value range) in fullbrightness with the remaining voxels displayed dimly. This option is very effective when used withstero or animated rotation. Yokoa combines semi -transparent imaging with binocular stereo to dis-play biomedical tissue sections.6Lenz also uses a single component model, except that each projected pixel values is an expo-nential function of the data sum along the ray.7. 8 A gradient filter is used to enhance borders or re-gions of rapid change. Hahne and Tiede use an approach similar to Harris; in some cases a data
Tissue-specific Regulation of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Expression during Embryonic Development

We used solution hybridization, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblot analyses to examine the developmental expression of chicken m2 (cm2), cm3, and cm4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) mRNA and protein in embryonic and post-hatched chick heart and retina in order to correlate developmental expression patterns with known physiological events. cm2 is the predominant mAChR subtype expressed in chick heart. cm3 and cm4 protein and mRNA expression is very low in chick heart, and cm3 expression is highest early in development. The decrease in cm3 expression correlates well with the developmental decrease in mAChR-mediated activation of phospholipase C. cm4 is the predominant mAChR subtype expressed in chick retina. The expression of both cm4 protein and mRNA is highest early in development and decreases as development progresses. cm2 and cm3 mAChR are expressed at approximately equivalent levels and have similar patterns of expression. The cm2 and cm3 protein levels increase throughout development, while cm2 and cm3 mRNA levels peak at embryonic day 15 and then decrease after hatching. Our data indicate that the three mAChR subtypes are differentially regulated in chick heart and retina and that the patterns of expression of mAChR may be important in the development and physiology of these tissues.
Cost-Effectiveness of Alternative Surveillance Strategies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Cirrhosis

Background & Aims The increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States has significant health and economic consequences. Ultrasound (US) surveillance is recommended for patients with cirrhosis because of their high risk of HCC and improving treatment outcomes for small tumors. We assessed the costs, clinical benefits, and cost effectiveness of US surveillance and alternative strategies for HCC in cirrhosis using a computer-based state transition model with parameters derived from available literature. Methods Our model compared a policy of no surveillance with 6 surveillance strategies in cirrhotic patients ages 50 years and older in the United States: (1) annual US, (2) semiannual US, (3) semiannual US with α-fetoprotein, (4) annual computed tomography (CT), (5) semiannual CT, and (6) annual magnetic resonance imaging. The number of screening tests needed to detect one small HCC, cost per treated HCC, lifetime costs, quality-adjusted life expectancy, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated. Results Semiannual US surveillance for HCC in cirrhosis increased quality-adjusted life expectancy by 8.6 months on average, but extended it nearly 3.5 years in patients with small treated tumors. Semiannual US surveillance had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $30,700 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, and was more cost effective than the alternative surveillance strategies using a threshold of $50,000 per QALY gained. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for the combined α-fetoprotein/US and annual CT strategies exceeded $50,000/QALY unless the sensitivity and specificity of US decreased to less than 65% and 60%, respectively. Conclusions Semiannual US surveillance for HCC in cirrhotic patients improves clinical outcomes at a reasonable cost.
III. On the very idea of a form of life

Drawing on writers as diverse as Saul Kripke, Stanley Cavell, G. E. M. Anscombe, Jonathan Lear, and Bernard Williams, I offer an interpretation of Wittgenstein's key notion of a form of life that explains why Wittgenstein was so enigmatic about it. Then, I show how Hilary Putnam's criticism of Wittgenstein's philosophy of mathematics and Richard Rorty's support of (what he takes to be) Wittgenstein's legacy in the philosophy of mind both require mistaken assumptions about Wittgenstein's idea of a form of life. Finally, I consider the extent to which the idea of a form of life is subject to Donald Davidson's critique of the idea of a conceptual scheme.
The public's image of urban parks: Past amenity, present ambivalance, uncertain future

Abstract There is little systematic information about the public's use and perception of natural settings in cities, yet such information would be extremely useful to managers, planners, and people who use urban sites for recreation and leisure. This research reports two studies which focused on the public's ‘image’ of urban parks. The contributions of these studies include the definition and measurement of image, analysis of relationships between image and behavior, an intervention to change the public's image, and application of research results to park management and planning needs. Results from surveys of residents living near parks in three New England cities reveal that park image is a substantial and consistent predictor of an individual's decision to use a park, and that the descriptive component of image (knowledge of the park) can be improved significantly by a mailed brochure. This process of understanding the needs, interests and concerns of park users can improve the opportunities for urban recreation and can enhance the public's image and use of urban parks.
Breathing vibrations of a partially filled cylindrical tank - linear theory.

Hydrodynamic theory for breathing vibrations of a partially filled, cylindrical tank, giving natural frequencies of liquid sloshing as well as pressure distribution
The Proper Treatment of Coronal Mass Ejection Brightness: A New Methodology and Implications for Observations

With the complement of coronagraphs and imagers in the SECCHI suite, we will follow a coronal mass ejection (CME) continuously from the Sun to Earth for the first time. The comparison, however, of the CME emission among the various instruments is not as easy as one might think. This is because the telescopes record the Thomson-scattered emission from the CME plasma, which has a rather sensitive dependence on the geometry between the observer and the scattering material. Here we describe the proper treatment of the Thomson-scattered emission, compare the CME brightness over a large range of elongation angles, and discuss the implications for existing and future white-light coronagraph observations.
Stochastic PERT networks as models of cognition: Derivation of the mean, variance, and distribution of reaction time using Order-of-Processing (OP) diagrams

Abstract It is frequently assumed that the mental activity which leads to a given response is made up of separable components or processes. One or more of the processes are assumed to contribute to the time required to respond. Computation of the mean, variance, and distribution of the reaction time is relatively straightforward when all processes are arranged in series or parallel. However, such is not the case when the processes have complex arrangements. A solution to a useful special case of the above problem is proposed. Specifically, it is shown that simple computations yield closed form expressions for the mean, variance, and distribution of reaction time when the processes can be arranged in a stochastic PERT network and when the durations of individual processes are sums of mutually independent, exponentially distributed random variables. The method of solution relies on the construction of an Order-of-Processing (OP) diagram from the original PERT network representation of behavior.
Stimulation-associated changes in frog neuromuscular junctions. A quantitative ultrastructural comparison of rapid-frozen and chemically fixed nerve terminals.

Abstract The ultrastructural effects of stimulation and subsequent rest were measured in frog neuro-muscular junctions preserved by rapid-freezing and freeze-substitution, a method that minimizes fixation-associated membrane rearrangements. The effects were compared to those measured in junctions preserved by aldehyde fixation in order to identify artifacts attributable to the method of preservation. Effects of stimulation previously observed in tissue preserved by aldehyde fixation were evident in both the rapid-frozen and aldehyde-fixed neuromuscular junctions in the present study. Synaptic vesicles were reduced in number and cisternal profiles were increased. However, the sizes and shapes of the cisternae differed with the method of preservation. In addition, it was found that mitochondria underwent a change in shape with stimulation. This was accompanied by swelling in the fixed preparations, but not in the rapid-frozen ones. Fixation after stimulation also produced swelling of the nerve terminals, a stimulation-associated change not evident in preparations that were preserved by rapid-freezing. After stimulation and 60 min of rest, nerve terminals showed recovery towards control morphology, evidence that the effects of the stimulation parameters used in the study were reversible. This study, utilizing rapid-frozen material, confirms previous reports based on chemically fixed tissue that stimulation reduces the number of synaptic vesicles and increases the number of cisternae. The findings are in accord with the hypotheses of exocytotic neurotransmitter release and local recycling of synaptic membrane. In addition, the study emphasizes that accurate quantitative assessments of membrane redistribution in active secretory systems cannot depend on chemically fixed tissues. It also shows that mitochondria are susceptible to radical distortion by aldehyde fixatives, and that the degree of susceptibility differs with the physiological state of the tissue.
A mutual primal-dual linear programming algorithm

A new primal-dual linear programming algorithm is exhibited. A proof is given that optimal solutions to both primal and dual problems (when such solutions exist) are found in a finite number of steps by this algorithm. A numerical example is included to illustrate the method.
Individual Differences in Young Children's Pretend Play with Mother and Sibling: Links to Relationships and Understanding of Other People's Feelings and Beliefs

50 33-month-old children were observed at home with their siblings and mothers. Observational measures of pretend play, observer ratings of the child's, mother's, and sibling's behavior, and measures of family discourse about feelings were collected. At 40 months each child was assessed on Bartsch and Wellman's false beliefs task and Denham's affective perspective taking task. Results revealed individual differences in the amount and sophistication of young children's social pretend play and suggested that these individual differences are related to experiences in the relationships that young children have with their mothers and siblings. Results also indicated that early social pretend play was significantly related to the child's developing understanding of other people's feelings and beliefs. The data are interpreted as providing support for the notion that early experience in social pretense is associated with children's mastery of the relation between mental life and real life. The importance of considering the relationship context of social pretense is also discussed.
Neighborhood Context and Neighboring Ties

This article analyzes whether neighborhood context or environment in Seattle influences dimensions of social ties among neighbors, independent of the individual attributes of residents such as home-ownership and socio-economic status. Three dimensions of neighbor ties are examined: interaction, organizing collectively, and knowing about neighbors. A number of environmental attributes are considered, including the age of the housing, residential stability, levels of affluence, the presence of blacks and foreign born, the concentration of commercial areas (heterogeneous land use), and the degree of upkeep in the area. While many are correlated with neighbor ties, few have a strong relationship with neighbor ties when individual attributes are controlled statistically. We find, in addition, that the importance of context varies with the type of neighbor tie. We discuss the implications of these findings for formulating a contextual theory of neighborhood life.
Distinguishing neurogenic from non-neurogenic detrusor overactivity: a urodynamic assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with and without Parkinson's disease.

Objectives. To examine the urodynamic (UDS) attributes of detrusor overactivity (DO) in patients with Parkinson’s disease in comparison to DO in men without neurologic disease, in whom DO is presumably outlet obstruction induced. Methods. The UDS database was reviewed for three groups of patients: group 1, men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and no known neurologic condition with DO (n 22); group 2, men with Parkinson’s disease and LUTS (n 39); and group 3, women with Parkinson’s disease and LUTS (n 18). Statistical analysis was used to compare the UDS parameters and diagnoses among the groups and to test for associations between Parkinson’s disease duration, Hoehn and Yahr score, and UDS findings. Results. Patients with Parkinson’s disease had a significantly lower median volume at first detrusor contraction than those with non-neurogenic DO. The percentage of group 1 patients with urge incontinence was significantly lower than that found in the other two groups (9.1% versus 53.8% and 55.6%, P 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). No statistically significant correlation between the duration or severity of Parkinson’s disease and UDS parameters was found. Conclusions. Men with non-neurogenic LUTS are less likely to have urge incontinence on UDS than either men or women with Parkinson’s disease. DO owing to Parkinson’s disease occurs earlier during filling compared with non-neurogenic DO, especially in women. The duration and severity of Parkinson’s disease are not predictive of the nature or severity of UDS abnormalities. UROLOGY 62: 651–655, 2003. © 2003 Elsevier Inc.
Angiotensin II Receptor Subtypes in the Skeletal Muscle Vasculature of Patients With Severe Congestive Heart Failure

Background—Vascular remodeling occurs in the skeletal muscle of patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF); this remodeling is mediated in part by increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system. Animal models suggest that in the vasculature, angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2-R) expression may be upregulated in pathological states associated with vascular remodeling. The therapeutic effects of an AT1-R antagonist may, therefore, be in part due to increased plasma angiotensin II levels, which stimulate AT2-R. However, whether AT2-R is expressed in the skeletal muscle vasculature of patients with severe CHF is unknown. Methods and Results—The steady-state transcript levels of the AT1-R and AT2-R genes were analyzed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in RNA samples prepared from the skeletal muscle of 12 patients with severe CHF (VO2<10 mL · kg−1 · min−1) and 5 age-matched healthy subjects who underwent vastus lateralis biopsies. Human fetal skeletal muscle RNA served as a posi...
The Meaning and Morality of Lolita

Etude du theme pedagogique omnipresent dans le roman de V. Nabokov, «Lolita», qui peut etre lu comme l'education sentimentale du personnage masculin : Humbert Humbert. Developpant une sensualite extatique a travers sa prose et une conception esthetique de son desir sexuel qui transforme sa pedophilie en oeuvre d'art, le narrateur deguise la realite de son obsession sous l'illusion d'un monde onirique et d'un mode altere de la conscience, menaces par la mort et la finitude humaine. Soulignant la dimension morale et tragique de l'ouvrage qui aboutit a l'auto-condamnation du personnage, l'A. defend une approche ethique du roman qui presente le mal a visage humain et revendique une elevation morale
Development of a high resolution image guided microirradiator (microIGRT)

Small animal in vivo anatomical (microCT and microMRI) and functional (microSPECT and microPET) imaging has fostered the development of radiopharmaceuticals and fundamental cancer research. Similar advances in the fields of radiobiology, radiotherapy planning, radiosensitizers, and radiation therapy are anticipated if dedicated small animal micro-conformal irradiation instruments are developed. We are presenting the design of a small animal image guided microirradiator (microIGRT) based on a high resolution microCT for anatomical imaging and treatment planning and a submillimeter focal spot orthovoltage source for high resolution conformal microirradiation. Each of the subsystems, the microCT and the microirradiator (microRT), have separate gantries which are placed in a coaxial instrument architecture. The on board microCT subsystem is a cone beam imaging tomographic scanner designed using a micro focus x-ray source and a flat panel amorphous silicon detector. The microRT subsystem was designed using an orthovoltage 320kVp x-ray source. Each subsystem is sequentially operated and a motorized animal bed transfers the small animal from the microCT imaging subsystem to the microRT subsystem. Treatment planning is performed during the transfer of the small animal by using an in house developed treatment planning. In this article, we report the design of the system and simulations performed to test the performance of our design.
Phase variation of Ag43 in Escherichia coli: Dam-dependent methylation abrogates OxyR binding and OxyR-mediated repression of transcription.

It has been shown previously that phase variation of the outer membrane protein Antigen43 (Ag43) of Escherichia coli requires the DNA-methylating enzyme deoxyadenosine methyltransferase (Dam) and the global regulator OxyR. In this study, we analysed the regulation of the Ag43 encoding gene (agn) using isolates containing a fusion of the agn regulatory region to the reporter gene lacZ. Our results indicate that phase variation of Ag43 is regulated at the level of transcription. Repression of agn′–lacZ transcription required OxyR, whereas activation required Dam. The regulatory region of agn contains three GATC sequences, which are target sites for Dam-dependent methylation. In vivo, the methylation state of these GATC sequences correlated with the transcription state of agn′–lacZ. These GATC sequences were not protected from Dam-dependent methylation in an oxyR background, suggesting that OxyR binding results in Dam-dependent methylation protection in OFF cells. In vitro, both oxidized OxyR and OxyR(C199S), which is locked in the reduced conformation, bound to the agn regulatory region, but methylation of the three GATC sequences abrogated this binding. In vivo, OxyR(C199S) was sufficient to repress Ag43 transcription. Our data support a model in which OxyR-mediated repression of transcription is alleviated by methylation of three GATC sequences in its binding site. In addition, we show that, in an oxyR background, Dam was still required for full activation, suggesting that the model concerning the role of Dam in agn regulation is incomplete. These results show that Dam-dependent phase variation in E. coli is not limited to the previously identified regulatory system of the family of pap-like fimbrial operons.
Microwave Processing of Aluminum-Silicon Carbide Cermets

Electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range has been utilized for the fabrication of SiC particulates-reinforced aluminum matrix cermets. Powder mixtures with compositions ranging from 70 wt% Al - 30wt% SiC to 100 wt% Al were placed and processed under protective nitrogen atmosphere in a 750 W multimode cavity operating at 2.45 GHz. Temperatures larger than 800°C have been achieved in a time varying with the mixture composition. Microstructures and some physical properties of the composites are presented.