cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Irrational fear of AIDS associated with suicidal behavior

This article concerns patients who have an irrational conviction that they have AIDS, despite medical evidence to the contrary, and who, despite medical reassurance, go on to complete suicide or make serious suicide attempts. Patients with such irrational convictions often develop this symptom complex in the setting of extramarital affairs and subsequent feelings of guilt and shame. Two case reports are presented, one of completed suicide and one of serious attempted suicide. Both patients were on inpatient chemical dependency wards at the time of their suicidal acts. A comparison is made to syphilophobia. The literature on the irrational fear of AIDS and syphilophobia is reviewed. Although such cases are not common and suicidality among such patients is not common, it is helpful for clinicians to be aware of the potential risk for serious suicidal acts in patients who develop this irrational belief system.
Floor Accelerations in Yielding Special Moment Resisting Frame Structures

Severe damage to acceleration sensitive nonstructural components in recent earthquakes has resulted in unprecedented losses. Recent research has been aimed at increasing the understanding of accele...
Xerotomographic diagnosis of central bronchogenic carcinoma.

Xerotomography was used to examine 14 patients with substantial pulmonary opacities, in whom the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma had been suspected. Xerotomography was valuable because it provided excellent delineation of the tracheobronchial tree, which assisted in differentiation of benign from malignant lesions. Malignancy was suggested by: 1) amputation, 2) eccentric narrowing of the bronchus, 3) irregularity of the bronchial wall, 4) presence of an intraluminal mass. Mediastinal and hilar node enlargement could also be assessed. The use of these criteria allowed a correct preoperative diagnosis in 12 of 14 patients. Due to the high radiation dosage, this method is not suitable for use as a screening procedure.
Structured p-facility location problems on the line solvable in polynomial time

In this paper we give an O(pn^2) algorithm for solving the p-facility location problem on the line when the cost of serving any customer is a unimodal function of the location of the serving facilities. One application of our model is a generalization of the economic lot-sizing problem with backlogging allowed.
Gradient echo (GRASS) MR imaging in cervical radiculopathy

Limited flip angle (LFA), gradient echo imaging was performed in 130 patients for evaluation of cervical radicular complaints. The LFA study was compared with myelography, CT myelography, and surgical results. Image quality was considered good or excellent for 128 patients. The use of a 10 degrees flip angle with a TR of 75 msec and TE of 12.3 msec consistently provided good contrast and signal-to-noise ratio, giving a CT myelographic effect. The use of both axial and sagittal LFA images was important for optimal detection of extradural defects and for distinction of herniated disk versus osteophyte. There was excellent correlation between the MR and surgical findings. Our results suggest that MR imaging is the initial procedure of choice for the evaluation of suspected cervical radiculopathy.
Video anatomy: cutting video volume for profile

This work takes a new aspect view to profile a video volume to a video track as a digest for video preview. Our projected video profile contains both spatial and temporal information inclusively in a 2D image scroll that is continuous, compact, scalable, and indexing to each frame. To profile various types of video clips, we investigate the global flow field under all camera actions, and propose a uniformed scheme that uses a sampling line to cut the video volume across the major optical flow field. The resulting profile obtains an intrinsic scene space less influenced by the camera actions, and can be displayed in a video track to guide the access to video frames, and facilitate video browsing, editing, and retrieval.
Improbability of nonconvergence in a cubic root-finding method

Etude de la structure de l'ensemble des conditions initiales pour lesquelles la convergence n'a pas lieu
Tribology of Coated Tools in High-Speed Machining: A Tool Wear and “Equivalent Toolface” Geometry Based Study

Predicting tool-wear (and thereby, tool-life) and selecting proper coated tools along with appropriate tool geometry still remains a major concern for industries trying to achieve increased productivity using automated machining processes. This study is focused upon aggressive high-speed rough turning of AISI 1045 steel. The wear patterns in different coated tools (one mono-layer PVD and two multi-layer CVD coatings) are correlated to changes in nominal tool geometry. This study focuses on the role of tooling geometry (inclination and rake angles) and their importance in dictating the behavior, performance, and wear of coated tools. Using an ‘equivalent toolface’ (ET) model, this study correlates the nominal tool geometry to an equivalent geometry, thereby introducing a new methodology for characterizing the complex effects of multilayer coatings in terms of simple effective tool geometry. The ET approach provides a new angle for understanding the tribological effects of coatings in machining.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Quantized Casimir force.

We investigate the Casimir effect between two-dimensional electron systems driven to the quantum Hall regime by a strong perpendicular magnetic field. In the large-separation ($d$) limit where retardation effects are essential, we find (i) that the Casimir force is quantized in units of $3\ensuremath{\hbar}c{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}/8{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}{d}^{4}$ and (ii) that the force is repulsive for mirrors with the same type of carrier and attractive for mirrors with opposite types of carrier. The sign of the Casimir force is therefore electrically tunable in ambipolar materials such as graphene. The Casimir force is suppressed when one mirror is a charge-neutral graphene system in a filling factor $\ensuremath{\nu}=0$ quantum Hall state.
THE EFFECT OF PARENTERAL FAT EMULSIONS (PFE) ON TISSUE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION, THE MAJOR URINARY METABOLITES OF E PROSTAGLANDINS (PGEM) AND LUNG HISTOLOGY

The essential fatty acids (EFA) are incorporated into biological membranes and serve as prostaglandin (PCS) precursors. Plasma, RBC and tissues were analyzed in 2 neonates receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for the first 11 weeks and in 3 controls fed breast milk (1) or formula (2). TPN included intralipid (IL-50% of which is linoleic acid) 1-4 gms/kg/24 hrs. Analysis of phospholipids, cholesterol esters, free fatty acids and triglycerides by TLC and GLC revealed that: (1) plasma, RBC and tissues from infants receiving IL contained higher levels of linoleic acid compared with controls (p< 0.001); (2) the higher polyenoic acid derivatives of linoleic acid, Δ-8,11,14 eicosatrienoic and arachidonic acids were lower in infants receiving IL (p<0.001); (3) the sum of the FA belonging to the linoleic acid series were similar in both groups. PGEM levels were lower in infants receiving iL (p<0.01) as compared with controls. Histological examination of lung tissues from both infants receiving IL revealed numerous globules of sudanophilic material in septal capillaries and in the cytoplasm of septal macrophages. Plasma lipid content was not elevated. Both infants required assisted ventilation. Further study is needed to evaluate the effects of PFE on biomembranes, PCS biosynthesis, lung capillary RBC investment and gas exchange.
Greenhouse Gas Emission from Contrasting Management Scenarios in the Northern Corn Belt

The agricultural sector is a small but significant contributor to the overall anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and a major contributor of N 2 O emission in the United States. Land management practices or systems that reduce GHG emission would aid in slowing climate change. We measured the emission of CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O from three management scenarios: business as usual (BAU), maximum C sequestration (MAXC), and optimum greenhouse gas benefits (OGGB). The BAU scenario was chisel or moldboard plowed, fertilized, in a 2-yr rotation (corn [Zea mays L.]-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]). The MAXC and OGGB scenarios were strip tilled in a 4-yr rotation (corn-soybean-wheat [Triticum aestivum L.]/alfalfa [Medicago sativa L.]-alfalfa). The MAXC received fertilizer inputs but the OGGB scenario was not fertilized. Nitrous oxide, CO 2 , and CH 4 emissions were collected using vented static chambers. Carbon dioxide flux increased briefly following tillage, but the impact of tillage was negligible when CO 2 flux was integrated across an entire year. The soil tended to be neutral to a slight CH 4 sink under these managements scenarios. The N 2 O flux during spring thaw accounted for up to 65% of its annual emission, compared with 6% or less due to application ofN fertilizer. Annual cumulative emissions of CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O did not vary significantly among these three management scenarios. Reducing tillage and increasing the length of the crop rotation did not appreciably change GHG emissions. Strategies that reduce N 2 O flux during spring thaw could reduce annual N 2 O emission.
The Truth N' Trauma Project: Addressing Community Violence Through a Youth-Led, Trauma-Informed and Restorative Framework

This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of a youth violence prevention and intervention program on Chicago’s south side. Forty-four high school-age youth from violence-exposed urban communities participated in a nine-month, multidisciplinary, after-school program aimed at supporting their development and positively impacting their communities. Restorative practice principles informed planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program. The youth developed skills in leadership, trauma-informed practice, documentary production, theatre, and participatory action research. This paper discusses the program, an initial evaluation of its impact, and potential practice and research implications.
Severe insulin-induced hypoglycemia in the spiny dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias).

Abstract The effect of a single intraaortic infusion of mammalian insulin on plasma glucose was studied in the spiny dogfish shark ( Squalus acanthias ). Insulin was administered, and blood samples were collected, from an indwelling cannula placed in the dorsal aorta via the anterior mesenteric artery. Plasma glucose was estimated by the glucose oxidase method. Control plasma glucose levels were 37.4 ± 2.5 mg% at time-zero, increased gradually to 45.9 ± 4.4 mg% by 4 days after the infusion of the hormone-free carrier solution, and to 58.1 ± 5.5 mg% by Day 6 when sampling was terminated. The time-zero plasma glucose levels of the dogfish that received 0.5 IU/kg body wt insulin were 46.5 ± 3.2 mg%, declined to 10.2 ± 1.3 mg% by 24 hr after the infusion, and then returned to approximately the time-zero levels by Day 4. The initial plasma glycose levels of the animals that received 50 IU/kg body wt insulin were 38.6 ± 2.6 mg%. The levels fell to 2.1 ± 0.6 mg% by Day 3 and then increased slowly to approximately the time-zero levels between Days 13 and 14 after the treatment. The lowest plasma glucose levels in individual dogfish occurred either on Day 2 or 3 and averaged 1.4 ± 0.3 mg%. No convulsions or other symptoms were observed in the insulin-treated animals. The results indicate that both the magnitude and the duration of the hypoglycemia were dependent on the dose of insulin infused. In addition, the observations that the dogfish were able to tolerate the virutal absence of circulating glucose for extended periods suggest that glucose is not an essential source of energy in this species.
Neutral bimetallic nickel(II) phenoxyiminato catalysts for highly branched polyethylenes and ethylene-norbornene copolymerizations

The synthesis and characterization of novel bimetallic, neutrally charged dinickel 2,7-diimino-1,8-dioxynaphthalene polymerization catalysts is reported. Ethylene polymerizations as well as ethylene-co-norbornene copolymerizations display increased catalytic activity, methyl branch formation, and comonomer enchainment selectivity versus the monometallic analogues. Furthermore, these systems turn over in the absence of cocatalyst under mild conditions.
Estrogen-induced morphologic changes in monolayer cultures of immature chick oviduct.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was added to monolayer cultures of immature chick oviduct. Within 2–3 days after adding DES to the medium, the predominant cell tvpe began to change from fibroblast-like to epi,thelioid. This change was associated with increased DNA synthesis in the cultures. The similarity between the changes in in vitro morphology and the pi-oliferative response of oviduct epithelial cells of immature chicks to in vivo administration of DES is noted. (Endocrinology 81: 1422, 1967)
Some observations on substituted 5-aminothiatriazoles

Die IR-Spektren der sogenannten Thiocarbamylazide lassen mit Wahrscheinlichkeit auf Thiatriazole schliessen. Der Mechanismus der Umlagerung zu substituierten Thiazolen wurde aufgeklart.
On the state of the art: risk communication to the public

Abstract This paper reviews the state of the art on risk communication to the public, with an emphasis on summarizing relevant empirical findings. In particular, the paper reviews empirical results regarding the format of risk communication messages, the use of risk comparisons, audience differences, and the use of mental models as an aid in crafting effective risk communication messages. Later sections discuss the issue of credibility and trust in risk communication, and the use of stakeholder participation processes — important areas in which not as much rigorous empirical information is available. Due to the breadth of the topic, the paper is not intended to be a comprehensive review, but rather an overview of the voluminous literature in this area.
Brief history of curvature

The trace of the stress-energy tensor of the cosmological fluid, proportional to the Ricci scalar curvature in general relativity, is determined on cosmic scales for times ranging from the inflationary epoch to the present day in the expanding Universe. The post-inflationary epoch and the thermal history of the relativistic fluid, in particular the QCD transition from asymptotic freedom to confinement and the electroweak phase transition, leave significant imprints on the scalar curvature. These imprints can be of either sign and are orders of magnitude larger than the values that would be obtained by naively extrapolating the pressureless matter of the present epoch back into the radiation-dominated epoch.
Isolation of a Liver-Specific Promoter for Human Growth Hormone Receptor Gene

The biological actions of growth hormone (GH) are mediated through the growth hormone receptor (GHR). The GHR gene is expressed in a tissue specific manner and multiple variants (VI to V8) of GHR mRNA have been detected in human tissues. To understand the regulation of GHR gene expression, a human genomic clone containing the 5’-untranslated region (5’UTR) of the V1, V4, V7 and V8 exons of the GHR was isolated. The 2 kilobase (kb) 5’ upstream sequence of the V1 specific UTR has promoter activity in transient transfection assays of the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. The exclusive expression of the V1 variant in adult liver, and the lack of expression of the other variants in this tissue, suggests that the V1 5’UTR represents the liver specific 5’ noncoding exon for the human GHR gene. The data are consistent with the first isolation of a liver specific promoter for human GHR.
Monitoring the Wet-Heat Inactivation Dynamics of Single Spores of Bacillus Species by Using Raman Tweezers, Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy, and Nucleic Acid Dye Fluorescence Microscopy

Dynamic processes during wet-heat treatment of individual spores of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus subtilis at 80 to 90°C were investigated using dual-trap Raman spectroscopy, differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, and nucleic acid stain (SYTO 16) fluorescence microscopy. During spore wet-heat treatment, while the spores' 1:1 chelate of Ca(2+) with dipicolinic acid (CaDPA) was released rapidly at a highly variable time T(lag), the levels of spore nucleic acids remained nearly unchanged, and the T(lag) times for individual spores from the same preparation were increased somewhat as spore levels of CaDPA increased. The brightness of the spores' DIC image decreased by ~50% in parallel with CaDPA release, and there was no spore cortex hydrolysis observed. The lateral diameters of the spores' DIC image and SYTO 16 fluorescence image also decreased in parallel with CaDPA release. The SYTO 16 fluorescence intensity began to increase during wet-heat treatment at a time before T(lag) and reached maximum at a time slightly later than T(release). However, the fluorescence intensities of wet-heat-inactivated spores were ~15-fold lower than those of nutrient-germinated spores, and this low SYTO 16 fluorescence intensity may be due in part to the low permeability of the dormant spores' inner membranes to SYTO 16 and in part to nucleic acid denaturation during the wet-heat treatment.
The heat resistance of bacterial spores due to their partial dehydration by reverse osmosis

The ability of bacterial spores to withstand heat is known to be associated with a lowering of their water content. This partial dehydration is considered to be produced by reverse osmosis, with the pressure being applied by the cortex as it is growing. Experiments show that the cortex is capable of supplying the pressure.
Educational factors contributing to cochlear implant benefit in children

Abstract Background: Factors contributing to auditory, speech, language and reading outcomes in children with prelingual deafness after 4 to 6 years of multichannel cochlear implant use were examined. The effects of child, family and implant characteristics were controlled to identify the educational factors most conducive to maximum implant benefit. Methods: One hundred eighty-one 8- and 9-year-old children from across North America who were implanted by age 5 were administered a comprehensive battery of outcome measures of speech perception, speech production, language and reading tests. A series of multiple regression analyses determined the amount of variance in each outcome accounted for first by child and family characteristics, then by implant characteristics and finally by educational variables, such as communication mode, amount of therapy and classroom placement. Results: Characteristics of the child (primarily nonverbal IQ) and the family accounted for approximately 20% of the variance in post-implant outcome. An additional 24% was accounted for by implant characteristics and 12% by educational variables, particularly oral communication mode. Conclusions: Providing the child with the most up-to-date processing strategy with a well-fitted map, and an emphasis on speech and auditory skill development in their educational program can make a significant difference in the overall benefit children obtain from cochlear implantation.
Abstract 526: Overexpression of chromosome 3q26-29 miRNAs in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The amplification of the distal portion of chromosome 3q in lung cancer is a major signature of neoplastic transformation, particularly in the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung. A number of potential drivers in the 3q amplicon have been identified and are proposed to contribute to the development of lung SCC. miRNAs have emerged as a new class of small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and might act as integral parts of the molecular architecture of oncogene and tumor suppressor networks in human cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). miR 1224-5p, 1248 and 944 are located at 3q amplicon and overexpressed in 50%, 26% and 53% of 30 primary SCCs when compared to normal tissues. The overexpression of these miRNAs was further validated in 237 TCGA lung SCC samples compared with 35 normal tissues (p=0.007, 1.18E-16 and 7.71E-20, respectively). The expression of the three miRNAs was higher in lung SCC compared to lung adenocarcinomas (p=8.19E-05, 1.04E-33 and 3.37E-95, respectively), suggesting unique roles of these miRNAs in the lung SCC development. Using miRNA mRNA target prediction tools (miRANDA and TargetScan) and in the combination with a literature search, we found RUNX1T1 and SMAD4 were candidate tumor suppressor gene target for miRNA-1224-5p and miRNA-1248. Downregulation of RUNX1T1 and SMAD4 were confirmed in TCGA lung SCC dataset. Using real-time RT-PCR, we found that the same three miRNAs 1224-5p, 1248 and 944 are overexpressed in 3q amplified lung SCC cell lines H520 and HCC95. When miRNA inhibitors were used to repress the expression of miR-1224-5p or miR-1248 in H520, we found that RUNX1T1 and SMAD4 protein expression levels were increased, suggesting that these tumor suppressor genes are regulated by miR-1224-5p or miR-1248. Lastly, knockdown of miR-1224-5p or miR-1248 using miRNA inhibitors led to 35-60% growth inhibition in H520 and HCC95 cells. Together, these results indicate potential roles for miR-1245-5p and 1248 in regulating cell proliferation by directly targeting tumor suppressor genes RUNX1T1 or SMAD4 in lung SCC. This work provides, for the first time, evidence for overexpression of miRNAs at the 3q26-29 amplicon that might be implicated in the oncogenesis of lung SCC. The work is supported by the NIH Grant R01 CA102353 to PPM and Lung Cancer Research Foundation grant (2011) to JQ. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Jun Qian, Xiangming Ji, Yong Zou, Megan Hoeksema, Heidi Chen, Pierre P. Massion. Overexpression of chromosome 3q26-29 miRNAs in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 526. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-526
A methodological framework for integrating computational fluid dynamics and ecological models applied to juvenile freshwater mussel dispersal in the Upper Mississippi River.

Interdisciplinary research in hydraulics and ecology for river management and restoration must integrate processes that occur over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, which presents a challenge to ecohydraulics modelers. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are being more widely used to determine flow fields for ecohydraulics applications. In the Upper Mississippi River (UMR), the mussel dynamics model was developed as a tool for management and conservation of freshwater mussels (Unionidae), which are benthic organisms, imperiled in North America, that are inextricably linked with the hydraulics of river flow. We updated the juvenile dispersal component of the mussel dynamics model by using stochastic Lagrangian particle tracking in a three dimensional flow field output from CFD models of reaches in the UMR. We developed a methodological framework to integrate hydrodynamic data with the mussel dynamics model, and we demonstrate the use of the juvenile dispersal model employed within the methodological framework in two reaches of the UMR. The method was used to test the hypothesis that impoundment affects the relationship of some hydraulic parameters with juvenile settling distribution. Simulation results were consistent with this hypothesis, and the relationships of bed shear stress and Froude number with juvenile settling were altered by impoundment most likely through effects on local hydraulics. The methodological framework is robust, integrates Eulerian and Lagrangian reference frameworks, and incorporates processes over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales, from watershed scale hydrologic processes (decades), to reach scale (km) processes that occur over hours or days, and turbulent processes on spatial scales of meter to millimeter and times scales of seconds. The methods are presently being used to assess the impacts of pre- and early post-settlement processes on mussel distributions, including the effects of bed shear stress, and the sensitivity of the location of the host fish when juveniles excyst, on juvenile settling distribution.
TEMPERATURE CYCLING EFFECTS ON BACTERIAL GROWTH. 1. Pseudomonas fluorescens

SUMMARY –Although temperatures occurring in nature are constantly fluctuating, virtually all research involving temperature effects on organisms has been carried out at constant temperatures. An investigation was made to determine the effect mild cycling of temperature has on certain species of bacteria. The effect of constant and cycled-up or cycled-down temperatures was determined for Pseudomonas fluorescens. A thermal gradient-bar proved to be a rapid, efficient method for determining these effects, affording a wide range of temperatures with only a few degrees difference between two consecutive temperatures. Cycling effects appeared to be dependent upon the organism and whether or not the temperature was above or below the optimum growth temperature. In general, the cycled-down growth responses appear to be greater than those for the cycled-up responses. At temperatures both above and below the optimum, the cycled-down organisms produced greater growth responses than the cycled-up organisms. The constant values are only a small amount greater than the cycled-down values.
Tumor Localizing Agents VIII: Radidiodinated Phenylalanine Analogs

Use of the currently available l-selenomethionine-75Se for external pancreatic photoscanning is limited by the long biological half-life of the amino acid and the dense radiations arising from high liver concentrations of the compound. The present study was initiated in an effort to find superior pancreas-specific photoscanning agents. The approach presented here is based upon the previously established specificity of natural amino acids for pancreatic tissue. In the anticipation that this specificity might extend to other radiolabeled synthetic amino acids, ortho-, meta-, and para-iodophenylalanine-125I and the corresponding acetylated derivatives were synthesized for tissue distribution analysis. All three iodophenylalanine-125I isomers showed a specificity for pancreatic tissue in mice but not in dogs. Acetylation of the radioiodinated amino acids caused no qualitative changes in the tissue distribution results in either species.
Skin Substitutes: Already Done, or Just the Beginning?

It has been almost 30 years since the first cell-based skin substitute became commercially available. This was a paradigm-shifting moment and an excellent example of translation, moving from a vision to a product that became available to many patients. Reminiscent of that early success story, today one may think that skin substitutes are something of the past—a solved problem. Michael and colleagues exemplify a new era of skin tissue engineering by using laser-assisted bioprinting to create skin constructs consisting of 40 layers of human cells on a collagen matrix. Major burns require large grafts that are able to reproduce the native skin’s protective, storage, and temperature-control functions. The authors reasoned that achieving such properties would entail three-dimensional (3D) patterning of the different cell types and extracellular matrix (ECM) components that form skin in a 3D configuration that closely mimics the skin’s morphology. Michael et al. used a laser to print 20 layers of fibroblasts and 20 layers of keratinocytes on a collagen (ECM) matrix. These constructs were implanted by using a dorsal skin-fold chamber in nude mice. After 11 days, the grafts integrated with the neighboring tissue. Analysis of the excised grafts revealed a dense, stratified, skin-like tissue that was rich in keratinocytes (epidermis) topping layers of elongated fibroblasts. These fibroblasts were also able to produce collagen (dermis). Small blood vessels could be found in the skin constructs as well. The skin substitute was grafted into mice, so it is currently limited by its small size (6-mm disc). This would need to be scaled up to accommodate major burn injuries in humans. The authors also did not see any large blood vessels or differentiation of most keratinocytes within the graft, suggesting that longer implantation times may be needed in future studies. Still, the study by Michael et al. demonstrates that bioprinting techniques show great potential in easing the path to the manufacture of large, but precise, 3D living structures such as skin. For decades, this has been one of the bottlenecks of turning early lab-scale successes in tissue engineering into products for masses. S. Michael et al., Tissue engineered skin substitutes created by laser-assisted bioprinting form skin-like structures in the dorsal skin fold chamber in mice. PLoS One 8 , e57741 (2013). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0057741
Improvement of coverage and utilization of EmOC services in southwestern Bangladesh

The Government of Bangladesh has implemented safe motherhood programs throughout the country supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) aimed at reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of the interventions on the UN emergency obstetric care (EmOC) process indicators in Khulna division Bangladesh. Of the 71 government health facilities in Khulna division 32 were providing comprehensive and 20 were providing basic EmOC services. Another 4 facilities were providing comprehensive or basic EmOC services during the first three-quarters but became non-functional during the last quarter. EmOC data from January to December 2002 were collected from all these 56 facilities to determine the levels of EmOC process indicators relative to the UN guidelines and compared with baseline data from 1998 to 1999. There were 1.04 and 0.64 comprehensive and basic EmOC facilities respectively per 500000 population. When compared with the baseline data the coverage of comprehensive EmOC services was substantially increased from 0.23 to 1.04 per 500000 population which achieves the minimum UN standards but the coverage of basic EmOC services remained the same. The data also showed that compared with the baseline survey the proportion of births at the EmOC facilities increased 119% from 5.3% to 11.7% (p < 0.001) met need increased 141% from 11.1% to 26.6% (p < 0.001) and cesarean section as a proportion of all expected births increased 151% from 0.5% to 1.3% (p < 0.001) while the overall case fatality rate (CFR) decreased by 51% (p < 0.001). With the exception of coverage of basic EmOC after the interventions there was significant improvement in all the EmOC process indicators in Khulna division. However most of the process indicators are still far from the minimum recommended UN standards. Recommendations: Efforts should continue to keep the EmOC facilities functional 24/7 while increasing the number of basic EmOC facilities and improving utilization of services to reach the minimum UN standards. Community mobilization should be directed to understand the danger signs and utilization of services at functional facilities when necessary. Further research to identify the factors influencing utilization of EmOC services and continuous monitoring and periodical assessment of the process indicators are recommended to evaluate the overall situation from time to time. (authors)
Materials issues in the layers required for integrated magneto-optical isolators

The development of integrated optical isolators is critical to the functional integration of optical devices and systems. This work will primarily elucidate a methodology to grow, by a semiconductor compatible process, the critical active material in monolithically integrated magneto-optical isolators; yttrium iron garnet (YIG: Y3Fe5O12). Reactive radio frequency (RF) sputtering was used to grow YIG on MgO, which is a promising buffer layer material for optical devices. The chemical, structural, optical, magneto-optical and magnetic properties of the resulting films have been studied by various techniques including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Faraday rotation measurements and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Low forward powers (lower limit of 12.3 W/cm2) grew YIG nuclei in an amorphous matrix and the number of these nuclei increased with increasing forward power. At powers exceeding 19W/cm2 film cracking occurred. The films with YIG had strong in-plane magnetizations with small coercive fields. Optical cladding layers compatible with YIG films have been grown through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and thin film permanent magnets for biasing have been grown and optimized.
Temporal planning with continuous change

We present ZENO, a least commitment planner that handles actions occurring over extended intervals of time. Deadline goals, metric preconditions, metric effects, and continuous change are supported. Simultaneous actions are allowed when their effects do not interfere. Unlike most planners that deal with complex languages, the ZENO planning algorithm is sound and complete. The running code is a complete implementation of the formal algorithm, capable of solving simple problems (i.e., those involving less than a dozen steps).
High Yield Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nano‐Scale Zirconia and YTZP

Many techniques exist to synthesize zirconia and YTZP with a nano-scale particle size, but a recently developed hydrothermal precipitation procedure has shown promise in producing high-yield quantities of well-dispersed 8–10 nm zirconia and YTZP. Using bicine as a complexing agent, a homogeneous solution of zirconyl nitrate and yttrium nitrate is formed; after hydrothermal treatment, 8–10 nm tetragonal zirconia or YTZP particles are precipitated. With the modified hydrothermal procedure, powder yield was increased to 100 g of powder per liter of reactant solution without significantly changing the powder characteristics. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were used to verify that the tetragonal phase was formed in the 1YTZP composition. Complementary particle size measurements were made using dynamic light scattering, BET nitrogen adsorption, and X-ray diffraction; differences in measured particle size are discussed, and all three techniques verify the 8–10 nm particle diameter. Particle morphology and impurity content were measured with transmission electron spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence, respectively. To overcome the increased likelihood of agglomeration that accompanies the increased synthesis, wash solutions of deionized water, bicine, and oxalic acid were compared, and the particle–particle interactions of nano-YTZP in these wash solutions and in ethanol are modeled with modified DLVO theory. The results show that yttria leaching is prevented and dispersion is promoted by laundering with a solution of oxalic acid and dispersing into deionized water, both adjusted to a pH value of 9.
Do state breastfeeding laws in the USA promote breast feeding

Objectives Despite the passage of state laws promoting breast feeding, a formal evaluation has not yet been conducted to test whether and/or what type of laws may increase breast feeding. The enactment of breastfeeding laws in different states in the USA creates a natural experiment. We examined the impact of state breastfeeding laws on breastfeeding initiation and duration as well as on disparities in these infant feeding practices. Methods Using data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, we conducted differences-in-differences models to examine breastfeeding status before and after the institution of laws between 2000 and 2008 among 326 263 mothers from 32 states in the USA. For each mother, we coded the presence of two types of state breastfeeding laws. Mothers reported whether they ever breast fed or pumped breast milk (breastfeeding initiation) and, if so, how long they continued. We defined breastfeeding duration as continuing to breast feed for ≥4 weeks. Results Breastfeeding initiation was 1.7 percentage points higher in states with new laws to provide break time and private space for breastfeeding employees (p=0.01), particularly among Hispanic mothers (adjusted coefficient 0.058). While there was no overall effect of laws permitting mothers to breast feed in any location, among Black mothers we observed increases in breastfeeding initiation (adjusted coefficient 0.056). Effects on breastfeeding duration were in the same direction, but slightly weaker. Conclusions State laws that support breast feeding appear to increase breastfeeding rates. Most of these gains were observed among Hispanic and Black women and women of lower educational attainment suggesting that such state laws may help reduce disparities in breast feeding.
Yield formation in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

Seven varieties of common buckwheat were tested in field experiments under two levels of nitrogen fertilisation (0 and 50 kg N ha-1) during the period 1998-2000. The objective of the experiments was to evaluate the influence of varieties, fertilisation andyear on the formation of yield components in common buckwheat and to evaluate the relationships between the individual components. As was observed, a compensatory ability exists among the particular yield components. An increase in stand density reduces branching and the number of inflorescences per plant. The number of flowers in the raceme is influenced by the mean day temperature during the period from flower bud formation to the beginning of flowering (r = -0.98, P < 0.01). Rainfall during flowering negatively influenced the number of achenes per plant. The high number of flowers reduced seed setting and negatively influenced the yield due to competition for assimilates. The high number of achenes per plant was linked to lower weight (r = -0.33, P < ...
Using Digital Photography to Examine Grazing in Montane Meadows

Abstract Cattle ( Bos taurus ) numbers on national forests are allocated based on allotment grazing capacity, but spatial patterns of timing and density at smaller scales are difficult to assess. However, it is often in meadows or riparian areas that grazing may affect hydrology, biodiversity, and other important ecosystem characteristics. To explore real-time animal presence in montane meadows we distributed 18 digital cameras across nine sites in the Sierra National Forest, California. Our objectives were to document seasonal and diurnal presence of both cattle and mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ), identify the effects of three fencing treatments on animal distribution, and test digital photography as a tool for documenting cattle presence. We recorded 409 399 images during daylight hours for two grazing seasons, and we identified 5 084 and 24 482 cattle “marks” (instances of animal occurrence) in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Deer presence was much lower, with 331 marks in 2006 and 598 in 2007. Morning cattle presence was highest before 0800 hours both years (13.7% and 15.4% of total marks for 2006 and 2007, respectively). Marks decreased until 1100 hours and then increased around 1400 hours and remained relatively stable until 1900 hours. Marks then rose precipitously, with > 20% of total marks recorded after 1900 hours both years. Deer presence was less than 10% per hour until 1800 hours, when > 20% of total marks were recorded after this time both years. Among treatments, cattle marks were highest outside fences at partially fenced meadows, and deer were highest within completely fenced meadows. Our experience suggests that cameras are not viable tools for meadow monitoring due to variation captured within meadows and the time and effort involved in image processing and review.
Estimation of randomly sampled sinusoids in additive noise

A solution to the problem of estimating the frequencies, amplitudes and phases of the underlying sinusoidal components is offered for signals consisting of real sinusoids in additive white noise. In order to obtain the data required for frequency estimation, uniform sample points from the randomly spaced samples are first interpolated with the aid of the singular value decomposition. One can then estimate the line spectrum of the underlying sinusoidal signal using principal component, autoregressive modeling and determine the amplitudes and phases through linear least squares. This method is shown by simulation to compare favorably to modern frequency estimators and the Cramer-Rao lower bound. >
MSXmin: a modular multicast ATM packet switch with low delay and hardware complexity

We propose and analyze the architecture for a large-scale high-speed multicast switch called MSXmin. The hardware complexity of MSXmin is O(N log/sup 2/ N) which compares favorably with existing architectures. Further, the internal latency of the MSXmin is O(log/sup 2/ N) bits. While it is superior to the existing architectures in terms of the hardware complexity and the internal latency, it is comparable to other multicast switches in terms of the header overhead and translation table complexity. MSXmin is output buffered and based on the group knockout principle. Moreover, MSXmin is a dual-bit-controlled tree-based switch.
Multidimensional real time visualization on personal computers

This case study describes a low-cost, high-performance visualization tool based on the IBM PC. Characteristics of scientific and engineering visualization and requirements for real time analysis are discussed. Application programming without coding by use of flowgraphs is also presented.
Permafrost degradation and methane: low risk of biogeochemical climate- warming feedback

Climate change and permafrost thaw have been suggested to increase high latitude methane emissions that could potentially represent a strong feedback to the climate system. Using an integrated earth-system model framework, we examine the degradation of near-surface permafrost, temporal dynamics of inundation (lakes and wetlands) induced by hydro-climatic change, subsequent methane emission, and potential climate feedback. We find that increases in atmospheric CH4 and its radiative forcing, which result from the thawed, inundated emission sources, are small, particularly when weighed against human emissions. The additional warming, across the range of climate policy and uncertainties in the climate-system response, would be no greater than 0.1 C by 2100. Further, for this temperature feedback to be doubled (to approximately 0.2 C) by 2100, at least a 25-fold increase in the methane emission that results from the estimated permafrost degradation would be required. Overall, this biogeochemical global climate-warming feedback is relatively small whether or not humans choose to constrain global emissions.
Pyogranulomatous Encephalitis Associated with an Unidentified Sarcocystis Neurona-Like Organism in a Horse

Acknowledgements. We gratefully acknowledge the assis3. Katz JB, Eernisse KA, Landgraf JG, Schmitt BJ: 1996, Improved tance of Diane Davis, Barbara Kesl, Anton Stalzer, Dennis diagnostic interpretation of unpaired sera submitted for vesicular Johannes, Nancy Platter, and Suzette Anderson in all aspects stomatitis virus serodiagnosis. Proc Annu Meet Am Assoc Vet of this study. Lab Diagn 39:57. 4. Katz JB, Shafer AL, Eernisse KA: 1995, Construction and insect References larval expression of recombinant vesicular stomatitis nucleocapsid protein and its use in competitive ELISA. J Virol Methods 1. Carbrey EA: 1984, Laboratory diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis. 54:145-157. Proc Int Conf Vesicular Stomatitis 1984:446456. 5. Vernon SD, Webb PA: 1985, Recent vesicular stomatitis virus 2. Gelata JN, Holbrook AA: 1961, Vesicular stomatitis patterns infection detected by immunoglobulin M antibody capture enofcomplement-fixing and serum-neutralizing antibodies in serum zyme-linked immunosorbent assay. J Clin Microbiol 22:582of convalescent cattle and horses. Am J Vet Res 22:713-719. 586.
Optimum linear combination strategy for an N-channel polarization-sensitive imaging or vision system

The optimum linear combination channels for an N-receptor polarization-sensitive imaging or vision system are found by using a principal-components analysis. The channels that are derived are optimum in the sense that their information contents are uncorrelated when considered over the ensemble of possible polarization signals. For a two-receptor system, the optimum channels are shown to be the sum and the difference of the outputs of the individual receptors. As a corollary, the optimal arrangement of the two receptors is shown to be a mosaic of identical, orthogonally aligned linear polarization analyzers. The implications of these results on the development of a representational scheme for polarization information are discussed.
Line drawings from volume data

Renderings of volumetric data have become an important data analysis tool for applications ranging from medicine to scientific simulation. We propose a volumetric drawing system that directly extracts sparse linear features, such as silhouettes and suggestive contours, using a temporally coherent seed-and-traverse framework. In contrast to previous methods based on isosurfaces or nonrefractive transparency, producing these drawings requires examining an asymptotically smaller subset of the data, leading to efficiency on large data sets. In addition, the resulting imagery is often more comprehensible than standard rendering styles, since it focuses attention on important features in the data. We test our algorithms on datasets up to 5123, demonstrating interactive extraction and rendering of line drawings in a variety of drawing styles.
The Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network

The Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network was formed by the Museum of Science in partnership with the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Exploratorium through a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation in the fall of 2005. Over the course of its first two years the NISE Net focused on developing prototype informal educational materials to engage the public in learning about nanoscale science and technology. Now the NISE Net if focusing on building the network and disseminating materials and knowledge broadly to facilitate capacity building, partnering, and getting nano education activities for the public to happen in over 100 sites nationwide. NanoDays in 2008 from March 29 through April 6 has been developed to focus these efforts.
A Quantitative Analysis of the Variables Affecting the Repertoire of T Cell Specificities Recognized after Vaccinia Virus Infection

Many components contribute to immunodominance in the response to a complex virus, but their relative importance is unclear. This was addressed using vaccinia virus and HLA-A*0201 as the model system. A comprehensive analysis of 18 viral proteins recognized by CD8 + T cell responses demonstrated that approximately one-fortieth of all possible 9- to 10-mer peptides were high-affinity HLA-A*0201 binders. Peptide immunization and T cell recognition data generated from 90 peptides indicated that about one-half of the binders were capable of eliciting T cell responses, and that one-seventh of immunogenic peptides are generated by natural processing. Based on these results, we estimate that vaccinia virus encodes ∼150 dominant and subdominant epitopes restricted in by HLA-A*0201. However, of all these potential epitopes, only 15 are immunodominant and actually recognized in vivo during vaccinia virus infection of HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice. Neither peptide-binding affinity, nor complex stability, nor TCR avidity, nor amount of processed epitope appeared to strictly correlate with immunodominance status. Additional experiments suggested that vaccinia infection impairs the development of responses directed against subdominant epitopes. This suggested that additional factors, including immunoregulatory mechanisms, restrict the repertoire of T cell specificities after vaccinia infection by a factor of at least 10.