cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and structural characterization of 1-mesityl-1,3-dihydro-imidazole-2-selone and bis(1-mesitylimidazol-2-yl)diselenide: experimental evidence that the selone is more stable than the selenol tautomer.

1-Mesityl-1,3-dihydro-imidazole-2-selone, (seimMes)H, may be obtained from 1-mesitylimidazole via (i) deprotonation with BunLi, (ii) treatment with elemental selenium, and (iii) addition of HCl(aq). Structural characterization of (seimMes)H by X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the compound exists as the selone rather than selenol tautomer, a result that is in accord with DFT calculations. Solutions of (seimMes)H are oxidized by air to give bis(1-mesitylimidazol-2-yl)diselenide, (seimMes)2. A corresponding investigation of (seimMe)H demonstrates that, in contrast to a previous report, the selenium analogue of methimazole exists in the selone form with a structure analogous to that of methimazole. 1H and 77Se NMR studies demonstrate that the (seimR) groups of the selone (seimR)H and diselenide (seimR)2 undergo facile exchange on the NMR time scale.
On the Asymmetric Growth Behavior of Intermetallic Compound Layers During Extended Reflow of Sn-Rich Alloy on Cu

When solder interconnects are fabricated, a Sn-based alloy is melted between two substrates with metallization layers, such as Cu or Ni. From the reaction between Sn and Cu, a Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compound (IMC) layer is formed at the solder/Cu interfaces. The morphology of the IMC layer greatly influences the mechanical behavior of the solder joint. Here, we report on the characterization of a novel, asymmetric growth behavior of IMC layers in Sn-3.9Ag-0.7Cu solder joints, based on gravity-induced spalling of the IMC.
Characterization of a new subfamily of class I genes in the H-2 complex of the mouse.

A previously undescribed subfamily of mouse class I MHC genes, consisting of two to three members, has been identified. The structure and organization of one of these, Mb1, has been determined. Mb1, consists of five exons with open reading frames and potentially encodes a class I-like transmembrane protein. In the genome, Mb1 is linked to the H-2 complex, mapping telomeric to Qa. However, this gene has low (ca. 60%) nucleotide identity with other class I sequences and is no more related to mouse class I genes than to class I genes from other species. Mb1 transcripts have not been found in a variety of adult tissues or cell lines, suggesting that, if Mb1 is expressed, its expression is highly regulated. From DNA sequence identity and intron-exon organization, Mb1 appears to be a primordial gene which antedates mouse speciation and which has evolved independently of the rest of the class I gene family. Examination of various species of wild mice demonstrates the presence of a discrete Mb1 subfamily over long evolutionary periods of time.
The relationships of hypocholesterolemia to cytokine concentrations and mortality in critically ill patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Background: Decreased concentrations of total cholesterol, lipoproteins, and lipoprotein cholesterols occur early in the course of critical illness. Low cholesterol concentrations correlate with high concentrations of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10, and may be due to decreased synthesis or increased catabolism of cholesterol. Low cholesterol concentrations have been associated clinically with several adverse outcomes, including the development of nosocomial infections. The study was performed to test the hypothesis that a low cholesterol concentration predicts mortality and secondarily predicts the development of organ dysfunction in critical surgical illness. Methods: A prospective study was undertaken of 215 patients admitted to a university surgical ICU with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Serial blood samples were collected within 24 h of admission, as well as on the morning of days 2, 4, and 7 of the ICU stay for as long as the patients were in the ICU. Demographic dat...
Position Sensorless Control of Non-Salient PMSM from Very Low Speed to High Speed for Low Cost Applications

This paper presents the behavior and performance of a non-salient permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) using speed and position estimation from very low speed to very high speeds at different torque levels. A sensorless method relying on back-EMF estimation and based on compensating the position error between the machine and controller dq frames has been found to be the most promising through simulation studies. The method is verified experimentally using a digital signal processor implementation for 2-quadrant operation. The position of the shaft at standstill is determined using an alignment sequence. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the impact of the position estimation error on the machine torque is presented. The implementation and associated analysis prove that the selected algorithm is highly suitable for position sensorless PMSM drives coupled to passive loads, with a decrease of less than 1% in the output torque compared to drives using a position encoder. This paper also proposes a low cost solution for 4-quadrant operation using only one Hall effect sensor.
Phencyclidine-Induced Social Withdrawal Results from Deficient Stimulation of Cannabinoid CB 1 Receptors: Implications for Schizophrenia

The neuronal mechanisms underlying social withdrawal, one of the core negative symptoms of schizophrenia, are not well understood. Recent studies suggest an involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and, in particular, of negative symptoms. We used biochemical, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches to investigate the role played by the endocannabinoid system in social withdrawal induced by sub-chronic administration of phencyclidine (PCP). Pharmacological enhancement of endocannabinoid levels via systemic administration of URB597, an inhibitor of endocannabinoid degradation, reversed social withdrawal in PCP-treated rats via stimulation of CB1 receptors, but reduced social interaction in control animals through activation of a cannabinoid/vanilloid-sensitive receptor. In addition, the potent CB agonist CP55,940 reversed PCP-induced social withdrawal in a CB1-dependent manner, whereas pharmacological blockade of CB1 receptors by either AM251 or SR141716 reduced the time spent in social interaction in control animals. PCP-induced social withdrawal was accompanied by a decrease of anandamide (AEA) levels in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, and these deficits were reversed by URB597. As CB1 receptors are predominantly expressed on GABAergic interneurons containing the anxiogenic peptide cholecystokinin (CCK), we also examined whether the PCP-induced social withdrawal resulted from deficient CB1-mediated modulation of CCK transmission. The selective CCK2 antagonist LY225910 blocked both PCP- and AM251-induced social withdrawal, but not URB597 effect in control rats. Taken together, these findings indicate that AEA-mediated activation of CB1 receptors is crucial for social interaction, and that PCP-induced social withdrawal results from deficient endocannabinoid transmission.
Optimal mapping of neural-network learning on message-passing multicomputers

A minimization of learning-algorithm completion time is sought in the present optimal-mapping study of the learning process in multilayer feed-forward artificial neural networks (ANNs) for message-passing multicomputers. A novel approximation algorithm for mappings of this kind is derived from observations of the dominance of a parallel ANN algorithm over its communication time. Attention is given to both static and dynamic mapping schemes for systems with static and dynamic background workloads, as well as to experimental results obtained for simulated mappings on multicomputers with dynamic background workloads.
Effects of Electric Fields on Slow Crack Growth in Glass

Electrical de fields applied through electrodes on either side of a slow-running crack in soda-lime-silica glass resulted in a deviation of the crack plane and in delayed deceleration, arrest, and healing. In some cases crack closure occurred while still under load. Resumption of propagation resumed gradually upon removal of the field. It is suggested that the effects involve displacement of the dilated negatively charged zone at the crack tip, while healing is effected by reformation of bonds between the crack surfaces.
Dynamic testing of knowledge bases using the heuristic testing approach

Abstract How to develop knowledge-based and expert systems today is becoming more and more well understood; how to test these systems still poses some challenges. There has been considerable progress in developing techniques for static testing of these systems, checking for problems via formal examination methods; but there has been almost no work on dynamic testing , testing the systems under operating conditions. A novel approach for the dynamic testing of expert system rule bases is presented. This approach, Heuristic Testing , is based on the idea of first testing systems for disastrous safety and integrity problems before testing for primary functions and other classes of problems, and a prioritized series of 10 classes of faults are identified. The Heuristic Testing approach is intended to assure software reliability rather than simply find defects; the reliability is based on the 10 fault clones called compotent reliability. General procedures for conceptualizing and generating test cases were developed for all fault classes, including a Generic Testing Method for generating key test-case values. One of the classes, error-metric, illustrates how complexity-metrics, now used for predicting conventional software problems, could be developed for expert system rule bases. Two key themes are automation (automatically generating test cases) and fix-as-you-go testing (fixing a problem before continuing to test). The overall approach may be generalizable to static rule base testing, to testing of other expert system components, to testing of other nonconventional systems such as neural network and object-oriented systems, and even to conventional software.
Realistic radiative fermion mass hierarchy in nonsupersymmetric SO(10)

A nonsupersymmetric grand unified theory can exhibit a 'radiative fermion mass hierarchy', in which the heavier quarks and leptons get mass at tree level and the lighter ones get mass from loop diagrams. Recently the first predictive model of this type was proposed. Here it is analyzed numerically and it is shown to give an excellent fit to the quark and lepton masses and mixings, including the CP violating phase {delta}{sub CKM}. A relation between the neutrino angle {theta}{sub 13} and the atmospheric neutrino angle is obtained.
453 EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE ON EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR EXCRETION

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a growth promoting factor known to accelerate proliferation and to stimulate growth in multiple tissues, but no disease state associated with a deficiency, excess, or changing pattern of EGF excretion has been identified. To study the influence of growth hormone (GH) deficiency and GH administration on EGF excretion, we measured urinary EGF in normal children and GH deficient children prior to GH therapy, after 4 days of GH (0.08 U/kg BID) and after 2, 6, and 12 months of therapy (0.08 U/kg TIW). Data are shown below: We conclude that GH deficient children have lower EGF excretion as compared to normals prior to treatment and that it increases after treatment. This effect is not immediate, but after 2 months EGF excretion was higher in children on GH than in controls, suggesting that growth hormone influences EGF excretion.
Design and fabrication of optical MEMS using a four-level planarized surface-micromachined polycrystalline silicon process

This paper describes the design and fabrication of optical microelectromechanical systems devices using the Sandia Ultra-planar Multi-level MEMS Technology fabrication process. This state-of-the-art process, offered by Sandia National Laboratories, provides unique and very advantageous features which make it ideal for optical devices such as micromirrors. This enabling process permits the development of micromirror devices with near-ideal characteristics which have previously been unrealizable in standard polysilicon processes. This paper describes many of these characteristics such as elevated address electrodes, various address wiring techniques, planarized mirror surfaces using Chemical Mechanical Polishing, unique post-process metallization, and the best active surface area to date.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Evaluation of Antispasmodic and Related Activity in the Intact Dog

This is a report of the development of a method designed to assess concomitantly in the intact dog the antispasmodic activity of a compound, its effect on salivation, pupil size, heart rate, urinary activity, gastric acidity, gastric volume, blood pressure, and respiration. In the method the Me50 value of the anti-spasmodic is obtained graphically by plotting the response to each of three (or more) different postantispasmodic doses of metha-choline chloride in terms of percent of the response to preanti-spasmodic dose(s) of methacholine. Such an Me50 value was obtained for each of three different parameters: motility of the digestive tract, motility of the urinary tract, and salivary secretory activity. The effects on other parameters which lend themselves to less exacting measurements are evaluated with considerably less precision. By supplying a means for comparing the effects of an antispasmodic compound on each of these three parameters under identical circumstances, the method makes possible the determination of the relative side-effect liability of that compound with respect to dryness of the mouth and urinary retention. Since the relative side-effect liability, expressed as a ratio, differs from one side effect to another and from compound to compound, the method provides an indication of the acceptability or usefulness of the compound.
Multi-task Learning for Bayesian Matrix Factorization

Data sparsity is a big challenge for collaborative filtering. This problem becomes more serious if the dataset is newly created and has even fewer ratings. By sharing knowledge among different datasets, multi-task learning is a promising technique to address this issue. Most prior work methods directly share objects (users or items) across different datasets. However, object identities and correspondences may not be known in many cases. We extend the previous work of Bayesian matrix factorization with Dirichlet process mixture into a multi-task learning approach by sharing latent parameters among different tasks. Our method does not require object identities and thus is more widely applicable. The proposed model is fully non-parametric in that the dimension of latent feature vectors is automatically determined. Inference is performed using the variational Bayesian algorithm, which is much faster than Gibbs sampling used by most other related Bayesian methods.
Does Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Influence Cardiovascular Risk Independent of Weight Gain and Obesity? an Update of the Epidemiologic Evidence

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contain high amounts of nutrient-deficient calories in the form of rapidly digestible carbohydrates. Substantial evidence links SSB consumption to an increased risk for obesity and weight gain, which is hypothesized to result from incomplete compensatory reductions in energy intake at subsequent meals after beverage consumption. Higher levels of SSB consumption have also been associated with unfavorable levels of several other traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as impaired glucose metabolism, hypertension, dyslipidemia, as well as a higher incidence of coronary heart disease. Although the excess obesity that results from SSB consumption likely contributes elevated risk for the development of a variety of adverse health conditions, epidemiologic evidence is emerging indicating that the relationship between SSB consumption and the incidence of cardiovascular disease events and several traditional cardiovascular risk factors is not fully explained by conventional mediators, including obesity. This review summarizes the current epidemiologic evidence from population-based and epidemiologic cohort studies that both supports and refutes the adverse impact of SSB consumption on cardiovascular health that may occur independently of obesity and weight gain.
Low flow regime measurements with an automatic pulse tracer velocimeter (APTV) in heterogeneous aquatic environments

Abstract Cost-effective velocity measurements at lab and field scales are required for understanding and modeling the flow characteristics in aquatic environments such as constructed wetlands, coastal marshes, lakes and reservoirs. This paper presents a new measurement device—the automatic pulse tracer velocimeter (APTV) that is designed to measure water velocities for low flow regimes (0.2–5.0 cm s −1 ) in heterogeneous aquatic environments using NaCl pulse tracer measurements. Hydraulic data collected in a laboratory-scale flume and field-scale constructed wetland were analyzed to determine velocity, directional flow and dispersion coefficients measured by using a cross-type and arc-type APTV. Acoustic Doppler velocimeters (ADVs) were used to collect calibration measurements in a hydraulic flume to gain fundamental understanding in support of field experiments. To test the effects of vegetation, four scenarios of laboratory-scale tests having both submerged and emergent artificial vegetation were conducted in a flume including; (1) no artificial vegetation (NAV), (2) submerged artificial vegetation (SAV) (3) emergent artificial vegetation (EAV), and (4) mix artificial vegetation (MAV). Directional flow detection and simulated storm event flow tests were conducted using an arc-type APTV data in the flume to gain perspectives of APTV performance in variable flow conditions. Cross-type APTV pulse data were eventually analyzed to determine dispersion coefficients based on the tracer curves. Finally APTVs were tested alongside an ADV for a three-day duration in a constructed wetland nearby the Everglades, Florida. Operating advantages of the APTV compared to other similar sensors were summarized in the end to enhance the application potential. Results indicate that APTVs are ideal device for affordable measurements of velocities in a 0.2–4.5 cm s −1 range with the prediction of both velocity field, direction and dispersion coefficients, and capable of autonomous deployment and control in a sensor network.
Special cultural events: do they attract leisure tourists?

Abstract Within the casual tourist market – is there potential for cultural tourism? This article compares economic (expenditure) and demographic data for casual (leisure) visitors to Orlando with those who attended a cultural exhibition in Orlando. The groups differed as to their expenditure patterns and demographic factors. The exhibition attendees had higher incomes, were older, and were better educated. The ability of a “cultural experience” to tap a large casual tourist market appears limited.
Fetal, neonatal and infant death and their relationship to best gestational age for delivery at term: Is 39 weeks best for everyone?

Recent recommendations have stated that ‘non-medically indicated delivery before 39 weeks gestation should be avoided.’ The current work examines much of the published national data used as a foundation for those recommendations, which are based on stated improvements to fetal, neonatal and infant mortality as well as neonatal morbidity. In this work, each of these factors is analyzed, with a specific aim to delineate the role of week of gestation along with other possible confounding variables affecting outcome, and to explain several methodological shortcomings that have characterized the research up to now. The analysis suggests that delaying delivery until 39 weeks would increase fetal deaths and have little or no influence on neonatal and infant deaths. Further, confounding factors that effect both neonatal and maternal morbidity have not been adequately examined. Decisions aimed at optimizing perinatal outcomes require simultaneous consideration of multiple, complex, inter-related dynamic factors and would be highly unlikely to be optimized with a simple recommendation such as ‘avoidance of delivery before 39 weeks.’ It is the aim of this work to encourage current stakeholders to recognize the need to re-examine this issue, with an understanding that an individualized approach to decisions regarding the timing of delivery at term is essential. Proper analysis of current and future data will likely point to a different approach that is clearly away from the same recommendation for all.
Food additives (natural and synthetic)

Food additives can be divided into the following categories: intentional, unintentional, contaminants, and those resulting from food processing procedures. Representative food additives from each category are discussed, with special attention being paid to the status of those suspected or proven to be toxic to humans. In addition, certain chemical components of food and methods for testing food additives are considered. Areas requiring additional testing include saccharin, cooking procedures, especially charcoal broiling, and hydrozines in mushrooms. The more recent developments in test procedures, including in vitro test methods, the transplacental exposure route, the use of maximal tolerated dose, and the initiation--promotion sequence, are evaluated.
Visual Attention Is Not Enough: Individual Differences in Statistical Word-Referent Learning in Infants

Recent evidence shows that infants can learn words and referents by aggregating ambiguous information across situations to discern the underlying word-referent mappings. Here, we use an individual difference approach to understand the role of different kinds of attentional processes in this learning: 12- and 14-month-old infants participated in a cross-situational word-referent learning task in which the learning trials were ordered to create local novelty effects, effects that should not alter the statistical evidence for the underlying correspondences. The main dependent measures were derived from frame-by-frame analyses of eye gaze direction. The fine- grained dynamics of looking behavior implicates different attentional processes that may compete with or support statistical learning. The discussion considers the role of attention in binding heard words to seen objects, individual differences in attention and vocabulary development, and the relation between macro-level theories of word learning and the...
Rapid evaluation of the durability of cortical neural implants using accelerated aging with reactive oxygen species.

Objective. A challenge for implementing high bandwidth cortical brain–machine interface devices in patients is the limited functional lifespan of implanted recording electrodes. Development of implant technology currently requires extensive non-clinical testing to demonstrate device performance. However, testing the durability of the implants in vivo is time-consuming and expensive. Validated in vitro methodologies may reduce the need for extensive testing in animal models. Approach. Here we describe an in vitro platform for rapid evaluation of implant stability. We designed a reactive accelerated aging (RAA) protocol that employs elevated temperature and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to create a harsh aging environment. Commercially available microelectrode arrays (MEAs) were placed in a solution of hydrogen peroxide at 87 °C for a period of 7 days. We monitored changes to the implants with scanning electron microscopy and broad spectrum electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (1 Hz–1 MHz) and correlated the physical changes with impedance data to identify markers associated with implant failure. Main results. RAA produced a diverse range of effects on the structural integrity and electrochemical properties of electrodes. Temperature and ROS appeared to have different effects on structural elements, with increased temperature causing insulation loss from the electrode microwires, and ROS concentration correlating with tungsten metal dissolution. All array types experienced impedance declines, consistent with published literature showing chronic (>30 days) declines in array impedance in vivo. Impedance change was greatest at frequencies <10 Hz, and smallest at frequencies 1 kHz and above. Though electrode performance is traditionally characterized by impedance at 1 kHz, our results indicate that an impedance change at 1 kHz is not a reliable predictive marker of implant degradation or failure. Significance. ROS, which are known to be present in vivo, can create structural damage and change electrical properties of MEAs. Broad-spectrum electrical impedance spectroscopy demonstrates increased sensitivity to electrode damage compared with single-frequency measurements. RAA can be a useful tool to simulate worst-case in vivo damage resulting from chronic electrode implantation, simplifying the device development lifecycle.
VALUES IN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: A METHODOLOGICAL ISSUE*

SUMMARY This paper examines the problem of selection of variables which are to be considered important when theories or hypotheses concerning social and economic behavior are formulated. It is argued that while considerable precision is utilized in deriving conclusions from economic models, the degree of precision used in selecting the variables included in the model is very much less. The problems involved in constructing a theory of hypothesis building are discussed. The meaning of analyses where ‘casual empiricism’ has been used to select decision variables is examined and criticized. Possible approaches to the problem of interpretation of analytical results in such cases are outlined. The paper does not contain a proposal for a theory of theory construction, but merely calls attention to some of the problems involved in formulation of hypotheses in positive social sciences such as economics.
Interleukin 6 and Apolipoprotein E as Predictors of Acute Brain Dysfunction and Survival in Critical Care Patients

Delirium is an acute confusional state occurring in up to 80% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients1 and has been associated with poor outcomes including difficulty weaning from the ventilator2, longer ICU length of stay (LOS)3, longer hospital LOS4, higher mortality rates5, increased dependence upon discharge from the hospital6, worse recovery one year after ICU admission6 and a 31% higher cost of hospital care7. There are no biomarkers able to predict ICU delirium and biological mechanisms responsible for delirium development remain obscure. In the absence of a clear understanding of the process which leads to delirium, it remains difficult to reduce its occurrence or design effective therapeutic interventions. Most evidence supports a role for prolonged inflammation as a potential mechanism of delirium development. Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels have been associated with delirium in general ICU patients with a variety of diagnoses; however this evidence is conflicting as some studies have not found this association8,9. Apolipoprotein E genotype (APOE) has a role in neurodegenerative disorders, possibly by modulating neuroinflammatory responses10. Recent literature suggests APOE genotype may be implicated in the development of ICU delirium with APOE 4 allele increasing frequency and duration of delirium11–13, however others have found no association with delirium or more general cognitive impairment14–17. Importantly, methodological differences may explain the inconsistent results of these studies and these relationships have not been explored in the context of apolipoprotein E protein (apoE) isoform or level. There are known apoE isoform specific effects on inflammation with apoE4 promoting stronger inflammatory response and increased neurotoxicity in animal18–21 and cell models22,23. An increase in apoE, or apoE 4, may promote a stronger inflammatory response, delirium presence or longer delirium duration. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between inflammatory markers, apoE protein, APOE genotype and delirium presence, delirium duration, and outcome in ICU patients.
The conversion of centrioles to centrosomes: essential coupling of duplication with segregation

Centrioles are self-reproducing organelles that form the core structure of centrosomes or microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs). However, whether duplication and MTOC organization reflect innate activities of centrioles or activities acquired conditionally is unclear. In this paper, we show that newly formed full-length centrioles had no inherent capacity to duplicate or to organize pericentriolar material (PCM) but acquired both after mitosis through a Plk1-dependent modification that occurred in early mitosis. Modified centrioles initiated PCM recruitment in G1 and segregated equally in mitosis through association with spindle poles. Conversely, unmodified centrioles segregated randomly unless passively tethered to modified centrioles. Strikingly, duplication occurred only in centrioles that were both modified and disengaged, whereas unmodified centrioles, engaged or not, were “infertile,” indicating that engagement specifically blocks modified centrioles from reduplication. These two requirements, centriole modification and disengagement, fully exclude unlimited duplication in one cell cycle. We thus uncovered a Plk1-dependent mechanism whereby duplication and segregation are coupled to maintain centriole homeostasis.
Flagellar length control system: testing a simple model based on intraflagellar transport and turnover

Flagellar length regulation provides a simple model system for addressing the general problem of organelle size control. Based on a systems-level analysis of flagellar dynamics, we have proposed a mechanism for flagellar length control in which length is set by the balance of continuous flagellar assembly and disassembly. The model proposes that the assembly rate is length dependent due to the inherent length dependence of intraflagellar transport, whereas disassembly is length independent, such that the two rates can only reach a balance point at a single length. In this report, we test this theoretical model by using three different measurements: 1) the quantity of intraflagellar transport machinery as a function of length, 2) the variation of flagellar length as a function of flagellar number, and 3) the rate of flagellar growth as a function of length. We find that the quantity of intraflagellar transport machinery is independent of length, that flagellar length is a decreasing function of flagellar number, and that flagellar growth rate in regenerating flagella depends on length and not on the time since regeneration began. These results are consistent with the balance-point model for length control. The three strategies used here are not limited to flagella and can in principle be adapted to probe size control systems for any organelle.
Low Body Mass Index in Demented Outpatients

In order to determine the association between dementia and low body weight in outpatients, Body Mass Index (BMI) was evaluated prospectively in 346 frail elderly outpatients presenting for comprehensive geriatric assessment. Patients were categorized into four groups (cognitively intact, dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT), other dementia, and patients with depressive symptoms). Patients were assessed for severity of dementia by the Clinical Dementia Rating scale. Differences between groups for various clinical parameters were evaluated using an analysis of variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Patients with dementia, regardless of etiologic type or severity, and patients with depressive symptoms had BMI's greater than or equal to 10% lower than the cognitively intact patients. BMI was positively correlated with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) but not Activities of Daily Living (ADL) or Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score. Low BMI was not associated with increased physical illness. In fact, in the subset of patients with DAT, lower BMI correlated with significantly lesser amounts of comorbid physical illness. Finally, compared to cognitively intact outpatients, patients with DAT appeared to be physically healthier despite their having a lower BMI. These results suggest an association between dementia and low BMI. On the other hand, the presence of comorbid physical illness, a common focus of evaluation in these patients, was not more common in those patients with lower BMI's.
Studies of Pecvd and Ozone CVD Deposition Rate, Uniformity and Step Coverage

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been used to deposit films such as silicon, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, tungsten, silicide, copper and titanium nitride in the semiconductor industry. The reaction driving forces for CVD are typically temperature for thermal CVD, plasma ionization for plasma enhanced CVD, or atomic oxygen for ozone CVD. In the recent years, plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD) and ozone CVD have found extensive applications in the semiconductor industry, due to the higher deposition rate and lower deposition temperature. For example, PECVD and ozone CVD are used to deposit almost all dielectric films such as silicon oxide and silicon nitride on a wafer. The dielectric films on wafers serve as insulating layers between conducting metal layers and as passivation layer on top of semiconductor devices.
Optimal discrete bit loading for DMT-based DSL systems with equal-length loops

This letter examines a discrete bit-loading problem of upstream and downstream for discrete multitone digital subscriber lines with echo cancellation. Both far-end crosstalk and near-end crosstalk are taken into account. An optimal discrete bit-loading algorithm is developed when the loop lengths of all same-service users in a common binder are the same. Simulation results show that the optimal algorithm achieves a substantially higher data rate than existing suboptimal schemes
Mechanisms of deep brain stimulation: excitation or inhibition

There is little debate that deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been an effective tool in the treatment of Parkinson's disease as well as other movement disorders. There remains however, considerable debate concerning the mechanism(s) underlying its beneficial effect. The comparable effect of stimulation to ablation in the thalamus on tremor, and in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) on the motor signs associated with PD, have led many investigators to conclude that DBS acts to suppress neuronal activity, decreasing output from the stimulated site. There are, however, data that do not support this argument. Microdialysis studies in GPi showed increased levels of glutamate during STN stimulation, suggesting activation of glutamatergic output from the STN to the GPi. Studies in parkinsonian primates have demonstrated increased mean discharge rates of neurons in GPi during chronic stimulation in STN, and GPi stimulation in humans has been associated with a suppression of neuronal activity in the thalamus. Contrary to what one would expect if stimulation inhibits output from the stimulated structure, stimulation in GPe has been demonstrated to improve bradykinesia. Although arguments for increased output from the stimulated structure seem to conflict with the hypothesis that stimulation acts to inhibit neuronal activity, it is possible to explain these observations through a common mechanism, e.g. activation of fiber pathways. Based on this mechanism, the effect of stimulation on cellular activity in the stimulated site would be increased or decreased dependent on the neurotransmitter of the afferent fibers projecting to that site. However, in addition to activation of afferent fibers, projection axons from neurons in the stimulated structure, also readily excitable by electrical stimulation, would also be tonically activated and discharge independently of the soma, thereby increasing output from the structure during extracellular stimulation. Thus, although high frequency stimulation may inhibit neurons via activation of inhibitory afferents, the output from that structure may be increased as the result of activation of axonal elements leaving the target structure. This hypothesis would explain the present experimental results, is consistent with excitability profiles of neuronal elements based on their biophysical properties, and fits with more recent models emphasizing the role of altered patterns of neuronal activity in the development of hypokinetic and hyperkinetic movement disorders.
Spinal epidural abscess: The nurse's role in early detection and intervention

Spinal epidural abscess occurs rarely but is a neurosurgical emergency because of its potential for causing rapidly progressive spinal cord compression and irreversible paralysis. Astute monitoring by the critical care nurse may improve patient outcome through early detection and intervention.
Packet dropping policies for ATM and IP networks

Selective packet dropping policies have been used to reduce congestion and transmission of traffic that would inevitably be retransmitted. For data applications using best-effort services, packet dropping policies (PDPs) are congestion management mechanisms implemented at each intermediate node that decide, reactively or proactively, to drop packets to reduce congestion and free up precious buffer space. While the primary goal of PDPs is to avoid or combat congestion, the individual PDP designs can significantly affect application throughput, network utilization, performance fairness, and synchronization problems with multiple transmission control protocol (TCP) connections. Scalability and simplicity are also important design issues. This article surveys the most important selective packet dropping policies that have been designed for best-effort traffic in ATM and IP networks, providing a comprehensive comparison between the different mechanisms.
Case report of a patient with Klinefelter syndrome treated with testosterone injections presenting with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has been described as a pentad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), fluctuating neurologic signs, renal impairment and fever. Guidelines for treating patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS), the most common chromosome aneuploidy, include testosterone replacement. We present the first case of adult with KS who presented with TTP after treatment with intramuscular testosterone injection. Whetheror not the presentation is an association or coincidence is unknown, though in this report, we summarize the current understanding of testosterone supplementation in patients with KS. Original articles, case reports and reviews were obtained using a MEDLINE search between 1948 and 2013. Retrospective studies have concluded that in patients with KS there was an increased incidence of hematologic malignances with erythrocytosis being the only consistently documented hematologic abnormality associated with testosterone supplementation. A randomized, placebo-controlled study is needed to access the long-term effects of testosterone treatment in patients with KS.
Murine APC activation in the xenogeneic MLC.

Purified human T cells proliferate in response to direct and indirect presentation of human alloantigens. However, until recently it was believed that human T cells could respond only indirectly to murine xenoantigens. We recently used the mixed leucocyte culture (M LC) to demonstrate that purified human T cells proliferate in response to direct presentation of murine xenoantigens by murine antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the presence of human cytokines. We suggested that cytokines might function poorly across species barriers. In this study, we demonstrate that although proliferation occurs in the presence of exogenously added cytokines, the precursor frequency of responding human T cells is much lower in a xenogeneic than in an allogeneic MLC. We demonstrate that human T cells also proliferate in response to murine APC in the presence of murine cytokines, and murine cytokines augment the proliferative response seen in a human anti-human MLC, ruling out the possibility that an absolute cytokinc incompatibility exists between these species. We show that exogenously added human IL-1 causes maximal proliferation of human T cells in response to murine xenoantigens only when added early in the culture. We further demonstrate that murine APC preincubatcd in human rIL-1, and washed extensively, prior to use as stimulating cells, cause human T-cell proliferation without the need for exogenously added cytokines. Finally, we noted that during interactions of human T cells and murine APC, little to no IL-1 is produced, whereas after the addition of exogenous IL-1, a marked increase in the production of IL-1 is seen. These data suggest that during interactions between human T cells and murine APC, the murine cells do not receive adequate stimulation to produce sufficient costimulatory signals to allow proliferation of the human T cells.
The Biology of Vampyrophrya pelagica (Chatton & Lwoff, 1930), a Histophagous Apostome Ciliate Associated with Marine Calanoid Copepods

. The histophagous apostome. l'ampyrophrya pelagica, occurs on calanoid copepods in North Carolina. Its life cycle has two pathways: one when the copepod host is injured; the other when the host is ingested by an invertebrate predator. The ciliate, immediately after encysting on a copepod. metamorphoses to a feeding stage. When its host is injured or ingested by a predator, it excysts enters the wound and ingests the host's cytoplasm. In the single-host life cycle, after feeding, the ciliate encysts within the cadaver; in the two-host life cycle, after feeding it encysts upon a substrate. Encysted cells divide into 2–32 migratory tomites. Freed tomites are motionless in the water column until the water is disturbed, at which time they spring in the direction of any vibration, which many times results from a feeding copepod. Tomites select specific hosts, since not all species of copepods are infested. We hypothesize that the single-host life cycle yields many tomites that heavily infest hosts at random, and passage through the predator (two-host life cycle) results in fewer, but more widely dispersed tomites that are released continuously. The two-host life cycle is facultative for the individual, but may be obligate for the continuation of the species.
Prostate specific G protein coupled receptor is associated with prostate cancer prognosis and affects cancer cell proliferation and invasion

There is limited information about the clinical and biological significance of prostate specific G protein coupled receptor (PSGR) in prostate cancer (PCa) initiation and progression. Here, we evaluated the expression of PSGR protein, studied its diagnostic and prognostic value in PCa, and also explored its role in cancer cell growth and invasion. The expression of PSGR in paired adjacent normal prostate, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and PCa were determined by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays constructed from 150 radical prostatectomy specimens. The effects of PSGR on PCa cell growth and invasion were investigated using human PCa cell lines. Membranous and cytoplasmic PSGR staining was observed at luminal epithelial cells of prostate. PSGR protein expression was significantly higher in PIN compared to normal prostate. Interestingly, the expression of PSGR decreased as PIN progressed to PCa. Low PSGR expression in PCa was associated with high Gleason score, and poor overall survival. Activated PSGR increased cancer cell invasive ability, but retarded cell growth. PSGR did not affect mTOR activity, but suppressed P70 S6 kinase activity. PSGR may participate in PCa progression through affecting cell proliferation and invasion. High expression of PSGR in PIN may implicate its role in early neoplastic transformation of PCa. Low expression of PSGR in PCa may serve as a potential indicator for poor prognosis.
CALF MUSCLE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA AND PEAK OXYGEN UPTAKE AND WORK RATE IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

It is often assumed that the inherent peak muscle metabolic capacity scales in direct proportion to muscle cross-sectional area and is the same in small and large animals (A. V. Hill. Sci. Prog. 38: 208-230, 1950). We wondered whether this relationship between size and function was true during the period of growth and development in humans. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine calf muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in 20 children (6-11 yr old, 11 boys) and in 18 adults (23-42 yr old, 10 men). Progressive cycle ergometer exercise was performed to determine peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and work rate (WRpeak). The scaling factor (determined by allometric analysis) relating maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) to muscle CSA for the whole sample population was 1.04 +/- 0.12 (SE), but the scaling factor relating WRpeak to muscle CSA was significantly greater (1.37 +/- 0.12). Consistent with this, VO2max/CSA was not affected by body weight, but the WRpeak/CSA increased as a function of weight both in males (P < 0.005) and females (P < 0.05). No differences in VO2max/CSA were found between children and adults. WRpeak/CSA was significantly higher in adults compared with children (P < 0.05). It appears that the inherent peak muscle metabolic capacity is smaller in children than in adults. Moreover, the coupling of muscle capacity with whole body metabolic rate changes during growth in humans.
The Mechanical Behavior of Double Network Elastomers

Abstract It was found that at low residual strains, the modulus of double network rubbers can be less than that of an isotropic elastomer of equal crosslink density. At higher residual strains, the...
Is the Stanford Dependency Representation Semantic

The Stanford Dependencies are a deep syntactic representation that are widely used for semantic tasks, like Recognizing Textual Entailment. But do they capture all of the semantic information a meaning representation ought to convey? This paper explores this question by investigating the feasibility of mapping Stanford dependency parses to Hobbsian Logical Form, a practical, event-theoretic semantic representation, using only a set of deterministic rules. Although we find that such a mapping is possible in a large number of cases, we also find cases for which such a mapping seems to require information beyond what the Stanford Dependencies encode. These cases shed light on the kinds of semantic information that are and are not present in the Stanford Dependencies.