cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypoplastic epiglottis in a non-syndromic child: A rare anomaly with serious consequences

Hypoplasia of the epiglottis is a rarely reported anomaly. These patients may have complex malformations or are totally asymptomatic. We herewith present the case of a 26-month-old infant who was repeatedly treated for severe aspiration pneumonias that didn’t resolve with gastrostomy. The role of epiglottis in protecting the airway is an unsolved question. The long-term evolution of hypoplasic epiglottis cases is also not known. The presentation and the evolution in cases of epiglottic anomalies vary a lot to deduce a trend. Close specialized follow-up is needed to answer these questions and to optimize these patients’ prognosis.
A novel integrated model combining Cellular Automata and Phase Field methods for microstructure evolution during solidification of multi-component and multi-phase alloys

Abstract A novel numerical model is developed by integrating Cellular Automata (CA) and Phase Field (PF) methods to predict the dendrite growth of multi-component and multi-phase alloys during the solidification process. The micro-scale CA model is built to track dendrite growth and associated mass redistribution, while the 1D PF model reformulated in a polar coordinate system is used to calculate the growth kinetics for the CA interface cells. The integrated CAPF model can take advantage of the high computational efficiency of the CA model and the comprehensive physical background of the PF model. The model has been validated against an analytical model and then applied to the cases of casting and laser welding processes. Good quantitative agreement is obtained between the simulated results and the experiments.
Stimulation-produced analgesia and suppression of behavior in the rat

Electrical stimulation of brain sites close to the cerebral aqueduct and third ventricle, which produces analgesia, can also produce a strong suppression of behavior. Unlike analgesia, the suppression was insensitive to naloxone blockade, and could be obtained independently of analgesia by stimulation at sites in the dorsal periaqueductal gray. This suggests the presence of an endogenous tranquilizing system in the midbrain of the rat, which may play a role in recuperative behaviors following a painful experience.
Ligand reactions of manganese carbonylisocyanide complexes with amines

Abstract The complex, cis-Mn(CO)4(CNCH3)+2, I, reacts rapidly with excess CH3NH2 at 25° to form the carbamoyl complex fac-Mn(CO)3(CONHCH3)(CNCH3)2, II. On standing, the carbamoyl complex slowly disappears and the chelated amidinium complex, (OC)4 MnC(NHCH 3 )N(CH 3 )C (NHCH3)+, VI, may be isolated. On reaction with bases such as CH3NH2 or (C2H5)3N, complex VI is deprotonated to give (OC)4 MnC(=NCH 3 )N(CH 3 )C (NHCH3), V.`Passage of VI through a silica gel chromatography column leads to some rearrangement and the isolation of cis-Mn(CO)4(CNCH3)[C(NHCH3)2]+, III, which is an isomer of VI containing CNCH3 and monodentate amidinium ligands. When treated with base. III is rapidly converted to the chelated form, V. The complex, mer-Mn(CO)3(CNCH3)+3, VII, reacts rapidly in neat n-BuNH2 to give the carbamoyl complex Mn(CO)2(CNCH3)3(CONHR) (VIII, R = Bu) and no further reaction occurs. At lower concentrations of amine, VIII does not form, but in a slow reaction the chelated amidinium complex, mer-(OC)3(CH3NC) MnC(NHCH 3 )N(CH 3 )C (NHCH3)+, IX, is produced. The isomer of VII, fac-Mn(CO)3(CNCH3)+3, has also been prepared and it appears to react with CH3NH2 giving an amidinium complex which was too unstable to be isolated. Factors affecting the relative reactivities of CO and CNCH3 ligands with amines are discussed.
A Mutant of Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis Initiation Factor eIF4EK119A Has an Increased Binding Affinity for both m7G Cap Analogues and eIF4G Peptides

The eukaryotic multisubunit initiation factor eIF4F is an essential component of the translational machinery. Recognition of the cap structure of mRNA, m7GpppN, where N is any nucleotide, by eIF4E is required for initiation of translation. Here we compare the equilibrium and thermodynamic binding characteristics of wild-type eIF4E and a high-affinity mutant, eIF4EK119A, with those of cap analogues and eIF4G peptides. The temperature-dependent Kd values for cap analogues were markedly lower, indicating tighter binding, with the eIF4EK119A mutant compared with wild-type eIF4E. Although interactions with cap analogues were found to be enthalpically driven, entropic contributions were also significant. Moreover, the binding affinities of eIF4G peptides were 2−4-fold tighter for eIF4EK119A than for eIF4Ewt. These results demonstrate that the binding affinity for both the mRNA cap and eIF4G peptides can be simultaneously altered by point mutations distant from either binding site. Entropic contributions to bind...
Quantitation of alkylamino side chains coupled to agarose beads

Abstract Agarose, after activation with cyanogen bromide, was derivatised with various diamines. Activation was carried out most conveniently in alkaline phosphate buffer. After conversion of free functional groups to chromophoric groups, direct spectral analyses indicated much greater incorporation (213 ± 15 (SD, n = 6) μmoles/ml packed gel) of amines of various sizes than previously reported (1.5–10 μmoles/ml gel). Agarose coupled with [ 14 C]spermine (sp act. 0.2 μCi/mmole) showed incorporation of 177 and 190 μmoles/ml of gel for radiometric and spectral analysis, respectively. Elemental analyses of the activated gel before and after coupling with the amine gave an incorporation of 121 μmoles/ml gel from the difference and 324 μmoles/ml gel from the total nitrogen content, assuming the loss of one atom and no atoms of nitrogen, respectively, during coupling. Thus, the high incorporation of amines into the matrix is observed in three independent methods.
Information flow control in cloud computing

Cloud computing is an emerging computing paradigm where computing resources are provided as services over Internet while residing in a large data center. Even though it enables us to dynamically provide servers with the ability to address a wide range of needs, this paradigm brings forth many new challenges for the data security and access control as users outsource their sensitive data to clouds, which are beyond the same trusted domain as data owners. A fundamental problem is the existence of insecure information flows due to the fact that a service provider can access multiple virtual machines in clouds. Sensitive information may be leaked to unauthorized customers and such critical information flows could raise conflict-of-interest issues in cloud computing. In this paper, we propose an approach to enforce the information flow policies at Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) layer in a cloud computing environment. Especially, we adopt Chinese Wall policies to address the problems of insecure information flow. We implement a proof-of-concept prototype system based on Eucalyptus open source packages to show the feasibility of our approach. This system facilitates the cloud management modules to resolve the conflict-of-interest issues for service providers in clouds.
Keeping One's Cool: Trait Anger, Hostile Thoughts, and the Recruitment of Limited Capacity Control

A regulatory perspective on trait anger suggests that low-trait-anger individuals may recruit limited-capacity cognitive control resources following the activation of hostile thoughts. Because no prior studies directly examine such processes, the present studies seek to do so. Study 1 reveals that a simple word-evaluation paradigm can be used to examine individual differences in hostile reactivity, in that high-trait-anger individuals display more pronounced tendencies to evaluate words negatively following a hostile prime. Studies 2-4 examine a cognitive control account of such findings. Study 2 finds that time-limiting evaluations eliminate trait-linked differences in evaluative priming. Studies 3 and 4 find that low-trait-anger individuals display deficits on a secondary task immediately following the activation of a hostile thought. All studies, then, converge on the link between low trait anger and the spontaneous recruitment of limited-capacity cognitive control resources following hostile primes.
Collection evaluation: a foundation for collection development

– Proposes encouraging librarians to be more informed about the value of collection evaluations., – Three examples of collection evaluation methods (user‐centered evaluation, physical assessment, and specific subject support) are explored., – Many strategies are available for evaluating collections, regardless of the kind of library or size of the collection. Evaluation allows librarians a more thorough knowledge of what already exists, what may be needed, and whether collection development goals are being achieved., – Methods of meaningful collection evaluation are shared so that librarians may create an evaluation that will provide useful information to them in their library setting. Implications for successful future collection management, financial resource management, and effective format selection are discussed., – Discussion that includes the “assessment of specific subject support” and “assessing and building specific subject collections” encourages librarians to recognize their major and minor collections, creatively assess those collection areas, and involve techniques or individuals who might guide them to specific subject materials.
Is the business cycle characterized by deterministic chaos

Abstract Tests are conducted on U.S. macroeconomic data for the presence of low-dimensional deterministic chaos, where ‘deterministic chaos’ is defined as in Grandmont's (1985) Walras-Bowley lecture or in Brock (1986). The idea is to test for evidence of endogenous instability causing the business cycle. Low-order autoregressions are hard to reject with our methods. Evidence of chaos is weak but our tests may be too weak to detect it. Evidence of nonlinearity is present in employment 1950-I to 1983-IV, unemployment 1949-I to 1982-IV, monthly post-war industrial production, and pig iron production 1877–1937.
Angle-Resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of in Situ Deposited Li on MoS2(0002)†

A contrasting behavior in alkali/MoS2 composites is demonstrated between a reductive reconstruction in the Li/MoS2 system and previously reported pure electron transfer in Cs/MoS2. The interaction of in situ cleaved 2H−MoS2(0002) with Li was investigated using angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS). The high-resolution XPS in the core level regions revealed that the deposited Li reduced MoS2(0002) into Li2S/Mo(II)S via the reaction 2Li + MoS2 → Li2S + MoS, evidenced by the binding energies and the stoichiometry of Mo, S, and Li. The ARXPS data of the Li 1s, Mo 3d, and S 2p core levels further indicated that the deposited Li together with the reduced MoS2 surface formed a highly disordered surface region, which extended approximately 12 A deep into the MoS2 bulk. The valence band XPS also revealed a clearly different interaction of Li with MoS2 from that of Cs. The supravalence electron density of states in Li/MoS2 appeared at ca. 0.3 eV above the MoS2 valence band maximum (VBM), whereas t...
Zonal change in the properties of magnesite brick after service in the roof of an open-hearth furnace

The coefficients of expansion of original magnesite brick and also of all zones formed in it during service in an open-hearth roof are practically equal. These real data constitute further proof of the benefit of examining and clarifying the complex ideas connected with the mechanism of wear of basic refractories with change in coefficients of expansion of the working zone owing to saturation by iron oxide. Destruction (scaling) of magnesite brick in the roof occurs mainly as a result of thermal strains developing as a result of the presence of temperature gradients in the brick. The melt of iron oxide may here play a cementing role, filling the thermal cracks that are formed. This is indicated by the existence of high strength properties of the hot zone of the used magnesite brick compared with the unchanged zone (a three-fold increase in compressive strength and a reduction in porosity from 21 to 6%).
Cocaine accumulates in dopamine‐rich regions of primate brain after I.V. Administration: Comparison with mazindol distribution

Pharmacological and neurochemical evidence suggest that brain dopamine systems, and the dopamine transporter in particular, contribute significantly to the behavioral effects and reinforcing properties of cocaine. The first objective of this study was to determine whether the brain distribution of cocaine supports these conclusions. A high resolution neuroanatomical map of cocaine disposition in brain after i.v. administration was developed. [3H]Cocaine ([3H](-)-cocaine) was administered to squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) at a trace dose (0.001 mg/kg) and at doses at or above the threshold for producing behavioral effects (0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg). After 15 min, ex vivo autoradiography revealed the highest accumulation of [3H]cocaine in dopamine-rich brain regions, including the caudate nucleus, putamen, and nucleus accumbens/olfactory tubercle. The norepinephrine-rich locus coeruleus, the hippocampus, and amygdala also accumulated large quantities of [3H]cocaine. Moderately high levels were found in the stria terminalis, medial septum, substantia nigra, and other regions. Lowest levels were found in the cerebellum. A high and positive correlation was established for the brain distribution of [3H]cocaine administered at trace or at behaviorally relevant doses (r: 0.94; P < 0.001). To determine whether radioactivity represented [3H]cocaine or its metabolic products, tissue extracts from brain regions with high levels of cocaine were subjected to thin layer chromatography using two solvent systems. In caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, cortex, and hippocampus, radioactivity comigrated with standard [3H]cocaine. In substantia nigra, less than 70% of the radioactivity comigrated with [3H]cocaine, suggesting that cocaine metabolites are generated more rapidly in the substantia nigra than in other brain regions. The second objective was to determine the brain distribution of mazindol, a potent norepinephrine and dopamine transport inhibitor with low abuse liability in humans. The disposition of intravenously administered [3H]mazindol in brain (0.001 mg/kg, 0.007 mg/kg) was surveyed by ex vivo autoradiography. In sharp contrast to [3H]cocaine distribution, the highest accumulation of [3H]mazindol was localized in the norepinephrine-rich pineal gland, discrete regions of the hypothalamus (paraventricular nucleus, supraoptic nucleus), and the locus coeruleus. Moderately high levels were detected in the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, and other regions. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) Although dopamine-rich brain regions are principal targets of cocaine after i.v. administration to the nonhuman primate, other prominent targets of cocaine (locus coeruleus, hippocampus, and amygdala) may contribute to the acute and chronic effects of cocaine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
On teaching women's studies in Hungary

Abstract The author taught Women's Studies courses for 2 years in Hungary. In the beginning she thought it would be a simple matter, but as she and her students explored the differences in experience in Hungary and the United States, she realized that there were profound epistemological differences. She explores some of those differences here. Evidence presented is taken from student writings and discussions and from oral history interviews.
Eight Lessons from Moneyball : The High Cost of Ignoring Evidence-Based Corrections

Abstract Michael Lewis's book, Moneyball, documents the effective use of evidence-based practices by Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics. Lewis shows how Beane's reliance on theoretically relevant statistics and on a scientific approach to baseball allowed him to achieve winning seasons despite being burdened by severe budget constraints. His approach spurred much antagonism in the baseball community because it challenged many long-standing, but ultimately unsupported, practices. In this context, Moneyball provides a useful conduit through which to assess why many correctional agencies are ineffective in the services they provide. In fact, the points of comparison between baseball and correctional practices are striking and warrant careful illumination. Toward this end, we specify eight lessons that corrections can learn from Moneyball and evidence-based baseball.
Investigation of pool spreading and vaporization behavior in medium-scale LNG tests

Abstract A failure of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker can occur due to collision or rupture in loading/unloading lines resulting in spillage of LNG on water. Upon release, a spreading liquid can form a pool with rapid vaporization leading to the formation of a flammable vapor cloud. Safety analysis for the protection of public and property involves the determination of consequences of such accidental releases. To address this complex pool spreading and vaporization phenomenon of LNG, an investigation is performed based on the experimental tests that were conducted by the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC) in 2007. The 2007 tests are a part of medium-scale experiments carried out at the Brayton Fire Training Field (BFTF), College Station. The dataset represents a semi-continuous spill on water, where LNG is released on a confined area of water for a specified duration of time. The pool spreading and vaporization behavior are validated using empirical models, which involved determination of pool spreading parameters and vaporization rates with respect to time. Knowledge of the pool diameter, pool height and spreading rate are found to be important in calculating the vaporization rates of the liquid pool. The paper also presents a method to determine the vaporization mass flux of LNG using water temperature data that is recorded in the experiment. The vaporization rates are observed to be high initially and tend to decrease once the pool stopped spreading. The results of the analysis indicated that a vaporization mass flux that is varying with time is required for accurate determination of the vaporization rate. Based on the data analysis, sources of uncertainties in the experimental data were identified to arise from ice formation and vapor blocking.
(R)- and (S)-N-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)-3,4-epoxybutylamine. New 4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl synthons for the synthesis of hypusine reagents and (R)-6- and (S)-7-hydroxyspermidine

Abstract The synthesis and application of the chiral reagents (R)- and (S)-N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-3,4-epoxybutylamine is described for the first time. These 4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl synthons are successfully employed in the assembly of two hydroxylated triamines, (R)-6- and (S)-7-hydroxyspermidine, and a previously described hypusine reagent, (2S,9R)-11-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-7-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-2-[(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)amino]-9-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-7-azaundecanoic acid, useful for solution- and solid-phase peptide synthesis.
Genetic variation and decreased risk for obesity in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Aim: To investigate the effects of variation in the leptin [LEP (19A>G)] and melanocortin-4 receptor [MC4R (V103I)] genes on obesity-related traits in 13 405 African-American (AA) and white participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Methods: We tested the association between the single-locus and multilocus genotypes and obesity-related measures [body mass index (BMI), body weight (BW), waist–hip ratio, waist circumference and leptin levels], adjusted for age, physical activity level, smoking status, diabetic status, prevalence of coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Results: AA and white female carriers of the MC4R I103 allele exhibited significantly lower BW than non-carriers of this allele (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). AA female carriers of both the LEP A19 allele and the MC4R I103 allele were 63% [odds ratio (OR) = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.18–0.78)] less likely to be obese, and white female carriers of the same two alleles were 46% [OR = 0.54, 95% CI (0.32–0.91)] less likely to be obese, than non-carriers of the variant alleles. Female carriers of both the LEP A19 and MC4R I103 alleles had significantly lower BW (p < 0.05), BMI (p < 0.05) and plasma leptin (p < 0.01) than the non-carriers of both the alleles. Carriers of the two variant alleles had lower BMI over the 9-year course of the ARIC study and significantly lower weight gain from age 25 years. No significant joint effect of these two variants was observed in males. Conclusion: These results suggest that variation within the LEP and MC4R genes is associated with reduced risk for obesity in females.
Improved denoising approach using higher-order statistics

We presented a method to reduce noise in signals using a higher-order, correlation-based approach. This paper examines the differences between hard and soft thresholds using the higher-order method, and the use of different wavelets in the denoising algorithm. Using a detection algorithm derived from third-order statistics, we determined if a wavelet coefficient was either mostly noise or mostly signal based on third-order statistics. We found that hard thresholding worked best when compared to soft thresholding but there is the possibility of improvement using soft thresholding.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE FRONTAL EYE FIELD TO GAZE SHIFTS IN THE HEAD-UNRESTRAINED RHESUS MONKEY: NEURONAL ACTIVITY

Abstract The frontal eye field (FEF) has a strong influence on saccadic eye movements with the head restrained. With the head unrestrained, eye saccades combine with head movements to produce large gaze shifts, and microstimulation of the FEF evokes both eye and head movements. To test whether the dorsomedial FEF provides commands for the entire gaze shift or its separate eye and head components, we recorded extracellular single-unit activity in monkeys trained to make large head-unrestrained gaze shifts. We recorded 80 units active during gaze shifts, and closely examined 26 of these that discharged a burst of action potentials that preceded horizontal gaze movements. These units were movement or visuomovement related and most exhibited open movement fields with respect to amplitude. To reveal the relations of burst parameters to gaze, eye, and/or head movement metrics, we used behavioral dissociations of gaze, eye, and head movements and linear regression analyses. The burst number of spikes (NOS) was strongly correlated with movement amplitude and burst temporal parameters were strongly correlated with movement temporal metrics for eight gaze-related burst neurons and five saccade-related burst neurons . For the remaining 13 neurons, the NOS was strongly correlated with the head movement amplitude, but burst temporal parameters were most strongly correlated with eye movement temporal metrics ( head–eye-related burst neurons , HEBNs). These results suggest that FEF units do not encode a command for the unified gaze shift only; instead, different units may carry signals related to the overall gaze shift or its eye and/or head components. Moreover, the HEBNs exhibit bursts whose magnitude and timing may encode a head displacement signal and a signal that influences the timing of the eye saccade, thereby serving as a mechanism for coordinating the eye and head movements of a gaze shift.
Design and testing of a refractive reshaping system

For many illumination applications, it is desirable for a laser beam to have a uniform irradiance distribution across its diameter. Refractive and reflective systems for reshaping a laser beam profile have been proposed and discussed for many years. One of the refractive systems consisting of two plano-aspherical lenses operates with high efficiency. Recently, a prototype of this two aspherical lens reshaping system has been made from CaF2. The performance of the prototype is presented in this paper. The optical design and analysis of this system also are discussed.
Effects of Castration and Hormone Replacement in Fully Adult Male Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatto)

A group of 4 fully adult male rhesus monkeys each paired with 2 female partners, making 8 paired combinations, were studied over a 3-year period during 1135 mating tests each of 1-hr duration. Within 4 weeks of castration there was a significant decline in the mean number of ejaculations and intromissions per test although individual differences were marked and ejaculation persisted for between 5 and 109 weeks in different pairs. In contrast, the effect of castration on the males-mounting behavior was less marked and very gradual. Testosterone replacement (2.0 mg/day) was effective in restoring mounting and intromission but did not fully restore ejaculations to intact levels. In addition to any central effects on motivation, it is thought that testosterone influences peripheral mechanisms responsible for ejaculation. (Endocrinology 95: 150, 1974)
Synthesis and antiplatelet activity of DMP 757 analogs

A series of novel cyclic peptides related to DMP 757 bearing heterocyclic and otherwise modified linking moieties were prepared by solution-phase methods. Synthetic methods for the preparation of linking groups and cyclic peptides are presented. In vitro data for the purpose of QSAR is discussed.
An experimental study of information and mixed-strategy play in the three-person matching-pennies game

Recent experiments on mixed-strategy play in experimental games reject the hypothesis that subjects play a mixed strategy even when that strategy is the unique Nash equilibrium prediction. However, in a three-person matching-pennies game played with perfect monitoring and complete payoff information, we cannot reject the hypothesis that subjects play the mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium. Given this support for mixed-strategy play, we then consider two qualitatively different learning theories (sophisticated Bayesian and naive Bayesian) which predict that the amount of information given to subjects will determine whether they can learn to play the predicted mixed strategies. We reject the hypothesis that subjects play the symmetric mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium when they do not have complete payoff information. This finding suggests that players did not use sophisticated Bayesian learning to reach the mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium.
Extending the limits of the Ross procedure

Background The potential for growth and the proven long-term durability of the native pulmonary valve make it ideal for replacement of the diseased aortic valve, especially in growing children. The use of the autologous pulmonary valve can be further extended to patients with complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and to neonates and infants. Methods Between June 1993 and May 1995, 35 patients underwent the Ross procedure at our center. Of these, 15 (43%) had complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and 7 (20%) were infants, including 3 neonates. The autologous pulmonary valve was implanted as a root replacement with coronary reimplantation in all patients. Additional left ventricular outflow tract procedures performed were ventricular myectomy in 7 patients and a Konno type aortoventriculoplasty in 11 patients. Results There was one early death in a patient with borderline hypoplastic left heart syndrome. At a median follow-up of 9 months (range, 0.2 to 22 months) there were no late deaths or reinterventions. The autologous pulmonary valve function was excellent, with 1 (2.8%) patient having moderate insufficiency. Conclusions Autologous pulmonary valve is an excellent option for aortic valve replacement in all age groups. Its use can be readily extended to neonates, infants, and patients with complex left ventricular obstruction requiring additional left ventricular outflow tract procedures.
Costs and benefits of political ideology: The case of economic self-stereotyping and stereotype threat

Abstract Across two experiments, the cognitive salience of a stigmatized ingroup identity harmed self-evaluation and elicited stereotype-consistent behavior to the degree that participants endorsed the political status quo. In Experiment 1, ethnic identity salience caused Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong to evaluate their own labor as meriting less pay if they were high in social dominance orientation but more pay if they were low in social dominance orientation. In Experiment 2, gender identity salience caused women in the US to evaluate their work on a logic task (but not a verbal task) as meriting less pay if they were politically conservative but more pay if they were politically liberal—a pattern mirrored in task performance. Depending on the degree to which the political status quo is accepted or rejected, findings suggest that members of stigmatized groups can be either implicit participants in their own subjugation or agents of change.
The continued movement for open access to peer-reviewed literature.

Purpose To provide a current overview of the movement for open access to the peer review literature. Design Perspective. Methods Literature review of recent advances in the open access movement with a personal viewpoint of the nuances of the movement. Results The open access movement is complex, with many different constituents. The idealists for the open access movement are seeking open access to the literature but also to the data that constitute the research within the manuscript. The business model of the traditional subscription journal is being scrutinized in relation to the surge in the number of open access journals. Within this environment authors should beware predatory practices. More government and funding agencies are mandating open access to their funded research. This open access movement will continue to be disruptive until a business model ensures continuity of the scientific record. A flood of open access articles that might enrich, but also might pollute or confuse, the medical literature has altered the filtering mechanism provided by the traditional peer review system. At some point there may be a shake-out, with some literature being lost in cyberspace. Conclusions The open access movement is maturing and must be embraced in some format. The challenge is to establish a sustainable financial business model that will permit the use of digital technology but yet not endanger the decades-old traditional publication model and peer review system. Authors seem to be slower in adopting open access than the idealists in the movement.
Frontier Research in Metamaterials: Characterizations, Applications and Design Paradigms

This plenary-talk paper summarizes recent advances in the research of metamaterials, by presenting several representative results developed of UCLA antenna lab. With the aid of a powerful computational engine using finite different time domain (FDTD) technique, various composite materials are designed, analyzed, and developed to have different material responses. Despite the broad terminologies referred in recent publications, these novel materials are defined as metamaterials for their unique features that do not exist in the nature. The metamaterials are applied to a broad range of applications, including optics, antennas, artificial surfaces, etc; with their usefulness validated by both simulation and experimental results
A 5.42nW/kB retention power logic-compatible embedded DRAM with 2T dual-Vt gain cell for low power sensing applications

A logic-compatible 2T dual-Vt embedded DRAM (eDRAM) is proposed for ultra-small sensing systems to achieve 8× longer retention time, 5× lower refresh power and 30% reduced area compared with the lowest power eDRAM previously reported. With an area-efficient single inverter sensing scheme designed for R/W speed compatibility with ultra-low power processors, 58% array efficiency is maintained for memories as small as 2kb and for as few as 32 bits per bitline.
Sciatic nerve regeneration across gaps within silicone chambers: Long-term effects of NGF and consideration of axonal branching

Abstract We examined whether the short-term beneficial effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) upon regeneration are sustained over a prolonged period of time across 8mm gaps within silicone chambers. Rat sciatic nerve regeneration both with and without NGF was examined after 10 weeks. Myelinated counts from the regenerated sciatic and distal tributary nerves were correlated to the numbers of motor and sensory neurons retrogradely labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) applied distal to the regenerated segment. Regenerated sciatic and sural nerves were examined ultrastructurally for morphological analysis. Both regenerated groups by 10 weeks achieved essentially complete counts of myelinated axons in the distal tributary nerves and the regenerated segment of the sciatic nerve compared to the uninjured controls. There were similar numbers of retrogradely labeled sensory and motor neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and lumbar spinal cord of both groups and, surprisingly, of the uninjured normal control group. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated no difference in the distribution of axonal diameters or myelin thickness between the regenerated groups. In evaluating regeneration in experimental silicone chamber models, it is important to determine such parameters as the percentage of neurons that grow across the gap and the incidence of axonal sprouting. One can then make accurate assessments of experimental perturbations and predict whether they improve the naturally occurring regeneration through chambers. These results must ultimately be compared with equivalent determinations in the uninjured nerve. At 10 weeks there was essentially complete regeneration of both the NGF and control regenerative groups. The efficiency of regeneration in this model concealed any potentially beneficial effect of NGF; therefore, the suitability of this model for the long-term study of regeneration is limited.
Is a spate of suicides a cluster

Kirch and Lester (1986a, 1986b) reported that suicides from the Golden Gate Bridge in California did not show any temporal clustering, wlde a series of suicides in England using suffocation did show temporal clustering. Goldney (1986) reported a "spate" of suicides, eleven patients who had jumped to their deaths at a hospital in Australia during a four-year period. We tested whether (1) H,: these suicides form a Poisson process with a mean arrival rate given by the sample mean or (2) H,: there is evidence for clustering. The mean of the 10 waiting times was 0.1987 events per 30-day time period. We designed a test with two parameters No and L as follows. Let Z = number of sample values I L. Note that Z has a binomial distribution with parameters N and p = 1 exp[-mear~'~L]. We reject H, in favor of H, if Z r No. The patients had 3 waiting times 5 3 0 days and 4 times 6 0 days. The probabilities associated with these values are .26 and .43, respectively, so we cannot reject the null hypothesis of a Poisson distribution. This spate of suicides then showed no evidence of clustering.
Haemodynamic Effects of β-Blockers

The pharmacological effects of β- blockers have been well documented but there is still no clear picture of the integrated systemic haemodynamic response to adrenoceptor blockade. This response is reviewed and the changes in systemic vascular resistance in hypertensive patients and during exercise are analysed.
CORRELATIONS IN MULTI-LOCUS GENETIC SYSTEMS: A MATHEMATICAL MODEL

A spin model with parallels to a multi-locus genetic model is presented which makes it possible to calculate the correlation between allelic states at any two loci in a population at equilibrium. The main features are: (1) The decay of correlation with distance may be expressed essentially as a linear combination of two exponentials, one of which dominates when the two loci are sufficiently far apart. (2) The correlation between two loci a specified distance apart is increased as the number of loci in the entire system increases. The results are compared with those of other theoretical models and discussed in the light of available experimental data. Possible ways of generalizing the model are outlined. However, additional experimental data is clearly needed to indicate the genetic relevance of work of this nature.
Traveler's Health Information on the Internet

Traveling can increase the chances of the traveler becoming ill. An important part of the planning for any trip should include preventive measures for ensuring the traveler's good health and preparing for potential health concerns. Pretrip planning is essential to remaining healthy while away from home. Health risks vary according to the destination, itinerary, duration of the trip, and the medical history of the traveler. Most travel-related diseases can be prevented or minimized with proper planning. Internet resources provide assistance in preparing for a healthy trip as well as providing information on how the traveler can treat illness that occurs during travel.
Measurement of cardiac troponin T is an effective method for predicting complications among emergency department patients with chest pain

Abstract Study Objectives: To determine the test performance characteristics of serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) measurement for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and to determine the ability of cTnT to stratify emergency department patients with chest pain into high- and low-risk groups for cardiac complications. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study with convenience sampling in a tertiary care, urban ED. The study sample comprised 667 patients presenting to the ED with a complaint of chest pain or other symptoms suggesting acute ischemic coronary syndrome (AICS). Patients were assigned to different blood sampling protocols for cTnT therapy on the basis of their ECG at presentation: nondiagnostic for AMI at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours after ED presentation; or ECG diagnostic for AMI at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 18, and 24 hours after ED presentation. Results: Of 667 patients, 34 had AMI diagnosed within 24 hours of ED arrival. Using a .2 μg/L discrimination level for cTnT, sensitivity for AMI within 24 hours of ED arrival was 97% (95% confidence interval, 91.4% to 99.9%), and specificity was 92% (89.8%-94.1%). When the effects of age, race, sex, and creatine kinase–MB isoenzyme subunit test results were controlled, a patient with cTnT of .2 μg/L or greater was 3.5 (1.4 to 9.1) times more likely to have a cardiac complication within 60 days of ED arrival than a patient with a cTnT value below .2 μg/L. Conclusion: Measurement of cTnT will accurately identify myo cardial necrosis in patients presenting to the ED with possible AICS. Elevated cTnT values identify patients at increased risk of cardiac complications. [Sayre MR, Kaufmann KH, Chen I-W, Sperling M, Sidman RD, Diercks DB, Liu T, Gibler WB: Measurement of cardiac troponin T is an effective method for predicting complications among emergency department patients with chest pain. Ann Emerg Med May 1998;31:539-549.]
Task Space Regions: A framework for pose-constrained manipulation planning

We present a manipulation planning framework that allows robots to plan in the presence of constraints on end-effector pose, as well as other common constraints. The framework has three main components: constraint representation, constraint-satisfaction strategies, and a general planning algorithm. These components come together to create an efficient and probabilistically complete manipulation planning algorithm called the Constrained BiDirectional Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT) - CBiRRT2. The underpinning of our framework for pose constraints is our Task Space Regions (TSRs) representation. TSRs are intuitive to specify, can be efficiently sampled, and the distance to a TSR can be evaluated very quickly, making them ideal for sampling-based planning. Most importantly, TSRs are a general representation of pose constraints that can fully describe many practical tasks. For more complex tasks, such as manipulating articulated objects, TSRs can be chained together to create more complex end-effector pose constraints. TSRs can also be intersected, a property that we use to plan with pose uncertainty. We provide a detailed description of our framework, prove probabilistic completeness for our planning approach, and describe several real-world example problems that illustrate the efficiency and versatility of the TSR framework.
AFNI: software for analysis and visualization of functional magnetic resonance neuroimages

A package of computer programs for analysis and visualization of three-dimensional human brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) results is described. The software can color overlay neural activation maps onto higher resolution anatomical scans. Slices in each cardinal plane can be viewed simultaneously. Manual placement of markers on anatomical landmarks allows transformation of anatomical and functional scans into stereotaxic (Talairach-Tournoux) coordinates. The techniques for automatically generating transformed functional data sets from manually labeled anatomical data sets are described. Facilities are provided for several types of statistical analyses of multiple 3D functional data sets. The programs are written in ANSI C and Motif 1.2 to run on Unix workstations.
Vision for vehicle guidance using two road cues

An autonomous vehicle must be able to find and maintain visual contact with a negotiable path (a road) in front of it. Presents a strategy for road tracking that uses two road cues in order to maintain better visual contract with a road than could be achieved with either cue alone. Also, using two cues to find the road, it is possible to study the ability of a system to recover when contradictory evidence exists concerning the location of the road in front of the vehicle. The two cues used are the road surface shading and its boundaries. The road surface properties captured in an image are modeled by bi-variate polynomial surface patches of up to second order. The road boundaries, and other line-like features of a road, are modeled by line segments fit to image edges. The surface patches and line segments that model the road in one image are used along with knowledge of the vehicle's motion to predict the appearance of the road in a subsequent image. At each image frame the models are updated to take into account new aspects of the road's appearance. >
Debate-guidelines for control of glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) have not yet worked.

Abstract Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) have become a focus of concern in many countries because options for antimicrobial therapy of GRE infection are limited. Several guidelines for the control and prevention of GRE colonization and infection have been developed for healthcare settings, and occasional journal articles now report “control” (usually relative reduction of incidence or prevalence rate rather than elimination) of GRE infections. Yet, rates of infection and colonization with GRE continue to climb in many parts of the world, showing that true control has not been achieved. Programmes to control GRE will be effective only when they (1) are less expensive to implement; (2) are shown to be cost-effective despite the fact that they merely reduce prevalence levels rather than eradicating the problem; (3) do not require almost perfect implementation to be effective; (4) are shown to be sustainable; (5) are shown to work in acute-care settings other than selected academic centres; and (6) are shown to work in non-acute care settings. Until then, it is clear that guidelines for control of GRE have not worked. New guidelines that truly control GRE must be developed, and this must be done quickly.
Simulation of bistatic scattering for assessing the application of existing communication satellites to remote sensing of rough surfaces

Communications and navigation satellites may be used as the transmitter sources for bistatic scattering measurements of the Earth's surface. In specific, the GPS satellite constellation is of great interest as these satellites provide multiple incidence angles and operate at L-band frequencies appropriate for remote sensing of soil moisture and ocean surfaces. Inherent in GPS signal is a pseudo noise phase modulation used for ranging and source identification. The ranging capability of GPS signal allows for the implementation of multistatic radar system in a rather straightforward manner. Using a sensitive receiver with a narrow beam that is directed at the ground on an airborne platform, the bistatic signals reflected from the surface can be range gates and measured from which the bistatic scattering coefficients can be retrieved. To examine the feasibility of such multistatic radar measurement of surfaces a sensitivity analysis on system parameters such as receiver, bandwidth, noise figures, antenna beamwidth, orientation, and altitude, as well as bistatic scattering properties of rough surfaces, is carried out in this paper. Rough surface bistatic calculations are performed using a Monte Carlo simulation of rough surfaces of known surface statistics in conjunction with an iterative physical optics approach. It is shown that the signal strength at the receiver is independent of antenna beamwidth (for narrow-beam antennas) and height above the ground and is proportional to the bistatic scattering coefficient of the surface and square of the wavelength.
Crater or kettle? A geophysical study

Roseau Lake in northwestern Minnesota occupies a conspicuous, circular depression in a level plain of glacial drift. A detailed gravity survey of the lake was made to determine if the Precambrian bed rock under the thin cover of glacial drift exhibited the low-density, fractured character of an impact crater or if the feature was confined solely to the drift. Although a sharp local gravity minimum was found in the vicinity, it is displaced to the northwest in association with a positive magnetic anomaly. Roseau Lake therefore is interpreted to be an exceptionally large glacial kettle.
Airway smooth muscle: new targets for asthma pharmacotherapy

Asthma, a chronic disease increasing in prevalence worldwide, is characterised by reversible airway obstruction, airway inflammation and airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell hyperplasia. The traditional view of ASM in asthma, as a regulator of bronchomotor tone, is rapidly changing. New evidence suggests that ASM cells also play an important role in the perpetuation of airway inflammation and airway remodelling. This review discusses the synthetic function of ASM cells, defined as the ability to secrete cytokines, chemokines and growth factors and express surface receptors that are important for cell adhesion and leukocyte activation. Finally, the efficacy of established asthma therapies in modifying the synthetic function of ASM cells are compared and novel targets for pharmacological intervention are discussed.
Off-line routing with small queues on a mesh-connected processor array

Presents efficient and simple algorithm for offline routing that uses very small queues. Our main result is that there exists an off-line algorithm for permutation routing on the n*n mesh-connected processor array, that takes 2.2 n+5 steps, and uses queues of size not more than 14. The algorithm uses novel and interesting techniques, and the bound on the queue size is smaller than those of known algorithms with the same time complexity. >