cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4642: RNA interference reveals tumor promoting roles of integrin alpha 6 (ITGA6) in hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer related mortality. The incidence and mortality rates of HCC are two times higher in Latinos than in the general population in the US and are the highest in Latinos from the South Texas region. The genetic and epigenetic events associated with the increased incidence of HCC in this population are still unclear. Increasing evidence suggests that integrins are one of the most important receptors for cell metastasis including integrin α6β1 and α6β4. However, few studies have focused on the function of integrin alpha 6 (ITGA6) in the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC. We aim to investigate the expression and potential roles of ITGA6 in HCC. Materials and Methods: Paired HCC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected for RNA sequencing. ITGA6 RNA and protein expression levels were evaluated by RNA sequencing, RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. HCC cell lines (SNU398 and Huh7) were transiently transfected with two ITGA6siRNAs and stably transfected with an ITGA6 shRNA lentivector. These cell lines were used for assays testing the effects of ITGA6 knockdown on HCC cell proliferation, migration and anchorage independent growth. Results: Analysis of RNA sequencing data indicated that the expression of ITGA6 increased 4-fold in HCC tumor tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, which was validated by RT-qPCR. Western blotting also confirmed increased expression of ITGA6 in the tumor tissues. The knockdown of ITGA6 by siRNAs and shRNA was confirmed with Western blot and qRT-PCR. ITGA6 knockdown significantly decreased proliferation, migration and anchorage independent growth of HCC cell lines. Conclusions: ITGA6 is upregulated in HCC tumors in Latinos patients. ITGA6 may play a malignant-promoting role in HCC cells. Our studies provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive HCC progression and potential therapeutic targets for treating patients with HCC including South Texas Latino patients. Citation Format: Guixi Zheng, Carla Zeballos, Hakim Bouamar, Matyas Cserhati, Francisco G Cigarroa, Lu-zhe Sun. RNA interference reveals tumor promoting roles of integrin alpha 6 (ITGA6) in hepatocellular carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4642.
Safety and Nonproliferation Aspect of Advanced Small Modular Reactor

Safety is a national responsibility of each State or nation having capability of designing a reactor core for nuclear power plants, and international standards and approaches to safety promote consistency, help to provide assurance that nuclear- and radiation-related technologies are used safely, and facilitate national and international technical cooperation between government regulatory and industry of each nation with nuclear power capabilities as well as international trade.
Separating Truth from Alternative Facts: 37 Years of Guns, Murder, and Violence Across the US

Background Gun violence remains a significant public health problem that is both understudied and underfunded, and plagued by inadequate or inaccessible data sources. Over the years, numerous trauma centers have attempted to use local registries to study single-institutional trends, however, this approach limits generalizability to our national epidemic. In fact, even easily accessible, health-centered data from the CDC lack national relevance because they are limited to those enrolled states only. We sought to examine how publicly available law enforcement data from all 50 states might complement our understanding of circumstances and demographics surrounding national firearm death and help forge the first step in partnering law enforcement with trauma centers. Methods All homicide that occurred in the US during a 37-year period ending in 2016 was analyzed. Primary data files were obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and comprised the database. Data analyzed included homicide type, situation, circumstance, firearm type, and demographic characteristics of victims and offenders. The proportion of firearm-related homicide was stratified by year and compared over time using simple linear regression. Results There were 485,288 incidents of firearm homicide analyzed (64% of 752,935 total homicides). Most victims were male (85%), black (53%), and a mean age of 33 years; offenders were predominantly male (67%), black (39%), and a mean age of 30 years. Fifty-four percent of all homicide involved a single victim and single offender, followed by a single victim and unknown offender(s) (31%); 4% of firearm homicide had multiple victims. Overall, handguns, shotguns, and rifles accounted for 76%, 7%, and 5% of all firearm homicide, respectively; 11% had no firearm type listed and Conclusions Gun violence represents an ongoing public health concern, with the proportion of firearm homicide steadily and significantly increasing from 1980 to 2016. Homicide data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation can serve to supplement trauma registry data by helping to define gun violence patterns. However, stronger partnerships between local law enforcement agencies and trauma centers are necessary to better characterize firearm type and resultant injury patterns, direct prevention efforts and firearm policy, and reduce gun-related deaths.
SLC‐based AiP for Phased Array Applications

The increasing capabilities of high‐speed silicon technologies have made millimeter‐wave frequencies attractive for low‐cost applications. This chapter focuses on large‐array antenna‐in‐package (AiP) designs based on surface laminar circuit (SLC) technology at 28 and 94 GHz. It investigates antenna designs considering both manufacturability and the general performance requirements and presents a 30.5‐GHz antenna design and associated characterization results. The antenna design is based on SLC technology and supports both horizontal and vertical polarizations to enable realization of a large phased‐array module with multiple simultaneous beams for 5G applications. The chapter provides information on the AiP portion of the first reported SiGe‐based scalable phased‐array module to illustrate the challenges and initial solutions. Millimeter‐wave scaled phased arrays support many antenna elements. Phased‐array scaling is advantageous because it provides a path for supporting antenna arrays with a larger number of elements than a single integrated circuit can support.
Moral distress and burnout in caring for older adults during medical school training

Moral distress is a reason for burnout in healthcare professionals, but the clinical settings in which moral distress is most often experienced by medical students, and whether moral distress is associated with burnout and career choices in medical students is unknown. We assessed moral distress in medical students while caring for older patients, and examined associations with burnout and interest in geriatrics. A cross-sectional survey study of second-, third-, and fourth-year medical students at an American medical school. The survey described 12 potentially morally distressing clinical scenarios involving older adult patients. Students reported if they encountered each scenario, and whether they experienced moral distress, graded on a 1–10 scale. We conducted a principal axis factor analysis to assess the dimensionality of the survey scenarios. A composite moral distress score was calculated as the sum of moral distress scores across all 12 scenarios. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Abbreviated Burnout Inventory, and interest in geriatrics was rated on a 7-point Likert scale. Two-hundred and nine students responded (47%), of whom 90% (188/209) reported moral distress in response to ≥1 scenario with a median (IQR) score of 6 (4–7). Factor analysis suggested a unidimensional factor structure of the 12 survey questions that reliably measured individual distress (Cronbach alpha = 0.78). Those in the highest tertile of composite moral distress scores were more likely to be burnt out (51%) than those in the middle tertile of scores (34%), or lowest tertile of scores (31%) (p = 0.02). There was a trend towards greater interest in geriatrics among those in the higher tertiles of composite moral distress scores (16% lowest tertile, 20% middle tertile, 25% highest tertile, p-for-tend = 0.21). Respondents suggested that moral distress might be mitigated with didactic sessions in inpatient geriatric care, and debriefing sessions with peers and faculty on the inpatient clerkships on medicine, neurology, and surgery, where students most often reported experiencing moral distress. Moral distress is highly prevalent among medical students while caring for older patients, and associated with burnout. Incorporating geriatrics education and debriefing sessions into inpatient clerkships could alleviate medical student moral distress and burnout.
Atomically dispersed metal–nitrogen–carbon catalysts for fuel cells: advances in catalyst design, electrode performance, and durability improvement

The urgent need to address the high-cost issue of proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technologies, particularly for transportation applications, drives the development of simultaneously highly active and durable platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts and electrodes. The past decade has witnessed remarkable progress in exploring PGM-free cathode catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to overcome sluggish kinetics and catalyst instability in acids. Among others, scientists have identified the newly emerging atomically dispersed transition metal (M: Fe, Co, or/and Mn) and nitrogen co-doped carbon (M-N-C) catalysts as the most promising alternative to PGM catalysts. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of significant breakthroughs, remaining challenges, and perspectives regarding the M-N-C catalysts in terms of catalyst activity, stability, and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) performance. A variety of novel synthetic strategies demonstrated effectiveness in improving intrinsic activity, increasing active site density, and attaining optimal porous structures of catalysts. Rationally designing and engineering the coordination environment of single metal MNx sites and their local structures are crucial for enhancing intrinsic activity. Increasing the site density relies on the innovative strategies of restricting the migration and agglomeration of single metal sites into metallic clusters. Relevant understandings provide the correlations among the nature of active sites, nanostructures, and catalytic activity of M-N-C catalysts at the atomic scale through a combination of experimentation and theory. Current knowledge of the transferring catalytic properties of M-N-C catalysts to MEA performance is limited. Rationally designing morphologic features of M-N-C catalysts play a vital role in boosting electrode performance through exposing more accessible active sites, realizing uniform ionomer distribution, and facilitating mass/proton transports. We outline future research directions concerning the comprehensive evaluation of M-N-C catalysts in MEAs. The most considerable challenge of current M-N-C catalysts is the unsatisfied stability and rapid performance degradation in MEAs. Therefore, we further discuss practical methods and strategies to mitigate catalyst and electrode degradation, which is fundamentally essential to make M-N-C catalysts viable in PEMFC technologies.
Patterns in progression from early stage melanoma to late stage melanoma: Implications for survivorship follow up.

e24055Background: Despite an encouraging 99% five-year survival in patients diagnosed with early-stage melanoma, a higher proportion of fatal melanomas initially present with thin ( < 1mm) rather t...
The Impact of Psychopathology, Social Adversity and Stress-relevant DNAm on Prospective Risk for Post-traumatic Stress: A Machine Learning Approach

Abstract Background A range of factors have been identified that contribute to greater incidence, severity, and prolonged course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including: comorbid and/or prior psychopathology; social adversity such as low socioeconomic position, perceived discrimination, and isolation; and biological factors such as genomic variation at glucocorticoid receptor regulatory network (GRRN) genes. This complex etiology and clinical course make identification of people at higher risk of PTSD challenging. Here we leverage machine learning (ML) approaches to identify a core set of factors that may together predispose persons to PTSD. Methods We used multiple ML approaches to assess the relationship among DNA methylation (DNAm) at GRRN genes, prior psychopathology, social adversity, and prospective risk for PTS severity (PTSS). Results ML models predicted prospective risk of PTSS with high accuracy. The Gradient Boost approach was the top-performing model with mean absolute error of 0.135, mean square error of 0.047, root mean square error of 0.217, and R2 of 95.29%. Prior PTSS ranked highest in predicting the prospective risk of PTSS, accounting for >88% of the prediction. The top ranked GRRN CpG site was cg05616442, in AKT1, and the top ranked social adversity feature was loneliness. Conclusion Multiple factors including prior PTSS, social adversity, and DNAm play a role in predicting prospective risk of PTSS. ML models identified factors accounting for increased PTSS risk with high accuracy, which may help to target risk factors that reduce the likelihood or course of PTSD, potentially pointing to approaches that can lead to early intervention.
Clinical techniques in veterinary dermatology: regional anaesthesia of the canine and feline distal limb.

Background Local anaesthesia for procedures involving the distal limb are a useful component of balanced protocols to achieve effective procedural analgesia for patients. A ring block is an effective and straightforward technique. Hypothesis/objective To review and describe the ring block technique for local anaesthesia of the canine and feline distal limb. Animals Images of hospitalized patients were used. These photographs were obtained with owner permission. Results The clinical technique for the ring block of the canine or feline distal limb is described. Conclusions and clinical importance The ring block can be implemented simply and successfully for a variety of procedures involving the distal limb to provide effective analgesia.
Planktonic Relationships! Authentic STEM Connections Through Partnership Between University of Southern California’s Marine Researchers and Los Angeles Unified Elementary School Students

Plankton here, plankton there, phytoplankton everywhere! This was the messaging behind the pleasantly planktonic programming that sought to introduce fifth grade students to the work of marine and environmental biology researchers at the University of Southern California. A classroom of 29 fifth grade students from Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary toured the research labs on campus. They learned more about how research is conducted at the university level, and what specifically these labs focus on within the study of marine phytoplankton and cnidarians (corals and anemones), which students were able to view under the microscope and in aquariums. These lab tours provided the students with valuable context for conducting scientific research in the real world, bridging the gap between the information they learn in school and where this research data is generated.
Land use intensification destabilizes stream microbial biodiversity and decreases metabolic efficiency

Abstract Urbanization and agricultural intensification can transform landscapes. Changes in land-use can lead to increases in storm runoff and nutrient loadings which can impair the health and function of stream ecosystems. Microorganisms are an integral component of stream ecosystems. Due to the sensitivity of microorganisms to perturbations, changes in hydrology and water chemistry may alter microbial activity and structure. These shifts in microbial community dynamics may alter stream metabolism and water quality, potentially impacting higher trophic levels. Here we examine the effects of land-use and associated changes in water chemistry on sediment microbial communities by studying the West Run Watershed (WRW) a mixed-land-use system in West Virginia, USA. Streams were sampled throughout the growing season at six sites within the WRW spanning different levels of land use intensification. The proportion of land impacted by agricultural and urban development was positively correlated with temporal variation in stream sediment microbial community composition (adj R2 = 0.65), suggesting development can destabilize microbial communities. Moreover, streams in developed watersheds had an increased metabolic quotient (20–50% higher), this indicates that microorganisms have greater respiration per unit biomass and signifies reduced metabolic efficiency. Further, our results suggest that land use associated changes in water chemistry alter microbial function both directly and indirectly via changes in microbial community composition and biomass. Taken together our results suggest that highly developed watersheds with elevated conductivity, metal ion concentration, and pH impose stress on microbial communities resulting in reduced microbial efficiency and elevated respiration.
Muslim conquest and institutional formation

Abstract Recent studies suggest that Muslim military conquest (632–1100 CE) generated an institutional equilibrium with deleterious long-run political economy effects. This equilibrium was predicated on mamluk institutions: the use of elite slave soldiers (mamluks) and non-hereditary property rights over agricultural lands to compensate them (iqta). This paper evaluates this historical narrative by exploring the accuracy of its initial step. Using a difference-in-differences strategy, I show that conquest changed institutions in conquered territories. I then provide suggestive evidence that the presence and efficacy of mamluk institutions affected this institutional configuration and that leaders survived longer in power during the conquest period.
Riding the slow wave: Exploring the role of entrained low-frequency oscillations in memory formation

Neural oscillations are proposed to support a variety of behaviors, including long-term memory, yet their functional significance remains an active area of research. Here, we explore a potential functional role of low-frequency cortical oscillations in episodic memory formation. Recent theories suggest that low-frequency oscillations orchestrate rhythmic attentional sampling of the environment by dynamically modulating neural excitability across time. When these oscillations entrain to low-frequency rhythms present in the environment, such as speech or music, the brain can build temporal predictions about the onset of relevant events so that these events can be more efficiently processed. Building upon this literature, we propose that entrained low-frequency oscillations may similarly influence the temporal dynamics of episodic memory by rhythmically modulating encoding across time (mnemonic sampling). Central to this proposal is the phenomenon of cross-frequency phase-amplitude coupling, whereby the amplitudes of faster (higher frequency) rhythms, such as gamma oscillations, couple to the phase of slower (lower-frequency) rhythms entrained to environmental stimuli. By imposing temporal structure on higher-frequency oscillatory activity previously linked to memory formation, entrained low-frequency oscillations could dynamically orchestrate memory formation and optimize encoding at specific moments in time. We discuss prior experimental and theoretical work relevant to this proposal.
A grammar of Togo Kan (Dogon language family, Mali)

Reference grammar of Togo Kan, a Dogon language of Mali, including one sample text. Other texts are in a separate document, "Togo Kan (Dogon) texts"
Type-2 innate lymphoid cells facilitate antigen-induced CD4+ TH2 cell immune response that exacerbates chronic allergic asthma (HYP7P.291)

Type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and acquired CD4+TH2 and TH17 cells were shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic asthma; however, their relative roles in mounting antigen recall response that exacerbate chronic allergic asthma remain elusive. Here we reported that repeated OVA re-challenge induced significant increases of eosinophil, not neutrophil accumulation and serum OVA specific IgE and IgG1 in rested mice that previously developed allergic asthma. Subsequent analysis revealed that these rested mice with allergic asthma preferentially mounted elevated OVA specific CD4+TH2 cell response against intranasal OVA re-challenge, while the frequency of lung OVA specific TH17 cells or ILC2s remained constant. While ILC2s and TH17 cells developed normally, STAT6 KO mice that lacked TH2 cell compartment or mice ablated of CD4+ T cells failed to mount allergic recall response to OVA re-challenge. Notably, we observed that cocultured ILC2s could greatly enhance TH2 cytokine production by OVA specific TH2 cells after OVA stimulation ex vivo. Indeed, mice co-transferred with ILC2s and OVA specific TH2 cells exhibited significantly increased inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia, compared to those transferred with ILC2s or TH2 cells alone. Collectively, our results suggest that antigen re-exposures preferentially induce lung resident TH2 cells to mount antigen recall immune response that can be enhanced by ILC2s to exacerbate allergic inflammation
Penetrance and Expressivity of the Chromosome 9p Melanoma Susceptibility Locus (MLM)

A susceptibility locus for familial melanoma has been localized to the short arm of chromosome 9. Penetrance of melanoma was estimated by calculating the Kaplan-Meier function and fitting a log normal hazard function in 124 gene carriers in three 9p-linked kindreds. The penetrance of the gene for melanoma was estimated to be 53% by age 80. Additionally, nevus counts, skin type, and sun exposure histories were gathered for 119 individuals in two kindreds. Gene carriers were found to have higher nevus counts and nevus densities than non-gene carriers. Among gene carriers, individuals with melanoma were found to have more sun exposure within each skin type than gene carriers without melanoma. These analyses suggest that the 9p melanoma susceptibility is related to total number of nevi and that it interacts with other genetic and environmental factors to produce melanoma.
Hypovascular renal neoplasms. Diagnostic considerations.

Abstract We successfully have used nephrotomography as a further diagnostic test to rule out the possibility that an avascular renal mass, demonstrated initially by selective renal angiography, represents an avascular solid renal tumor. The important diagnostic sign is the visualization of a definite thickening of the tumor wall on good-quality nephrotomographic studies. Most of these solid avascular tumors have proved to be papillary adenocarcinoma. Other diagnostic tests, such as cyst puncture, are excellent studies but simplicity, safety, and accuracy (with adequate examinations) are important considerations. A renal cyst may be diagnosed with confidence by using good-quality nephrotomographic studies without the necessity for renal angiography.
Parameter estimation in the three-point perspective projection problem in computer vision

A mathematical solution to parameter estimation in the 3-D perspective projection problem is presented. In this paper, the Bairstow method and the direct solution method, which can solve the roots of a fourth order polynomial equation, are used to evaluate the three-point perspective pose estimation problem. When the known triangle size increases, the error will also increase. To avoid this numerical error, the round-off error generated from the computation process needs to be reduced. Most of the roundoff errors came from the cosines law which was used to obtain the perspective projection points' polynomial equation. Here, the authors developed a new method to solve this problem directly without using sinusoidal functions. The evaluation results and advantages are included in a summary.
Functional and genomic changes induced by alveolar transmigration in human neutrophils.

Although the accumulation of neutrophils in the lungs and airways is common to many inflammatory lung diseases, including acute lung injury, the alterations that neutrophils undergo as they leave t...
Nonlinear analysis of dynamic binding in affinity capillary electrophoresis demonstrated for inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin

The stability of the molecular host-guest inclusion complexes of beta-cyclodextrin with benzoate and four different hydroxybenzoates is investigated. For the measurement of the binding constants an experimental method is devised that is based on affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) with indirect UV absorbance detection. We derive an explicit equation for effective mobilities in ACE experiments without violation of rigorous mass balance. This equation is employed in the nonlinear least-squares analyses of the experimental data yielding binding constants of 48+/-2 M(-1) for benzoate, 299+/-38 M(-1) for 2-hydroxybenzoate, 37+/-1 M(-1) for 3-hydroxybenzoate, 228+/-9 M(-1) for 4-hydroxybenzoate, and 895+/-110 M(-1) in the case of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate.
Mechanisms of etomidate potentiation of GABAA receptor-gated currents in cultured postnatal hippocampal neurons

The effect of etomidate, an imidazole general anesthetic, on GABAA receptor function was studied in cultured hippocampal neurons. At a clinically relevant concentration of 4.1 microM, etomidate shifts the GABA dose response to the left (ED50 shift from 10.2 to 5.2 microM), with no change in the maximum current evoked by saturating concentrations of GABA. At a higher concentration of 82 microM, etomidate directly induces current in the absence of GABA. Etomidate selectively increases the amplitude and prolongs the duration of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents without significant effects on miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. The combined effects of etomidate on miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitude and duration enhance the total charge transfer by 280% during a spontaneous synaptic event. Analysis of single channels opened by GABA indicates that 8.2 microM etomidate increases the probability of channels being open 13-fold and increases the effective channel open time two-fold. Given the present understanding of central inhibitory synapses, the effect of etomidate on channel kinetics is most likely to be the predominant mechanism which influences the synaptic function. In addition, etomidate, through its modulation of both channel kinetics and open probability, is likely to have a large impact on extrasynaptic GABAA receptor function.
A Boron-Substituted Analogue of the Shvo Hydrogenation Catalyst: Catalytic Hydroboration of Aldehydes, Imines, and Ketones

The boron-substituted hydroxycycylopentadienyl ruthenium hydride [2,5-Ph2-3,4-Tol2(η5-C4COBpin)Ru(CO)2H] (Bpin = 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane) 5 was synthesized by the addition of pinacolborane to ruthenium dimer [2,5-Ph2-3,4-Tol2(η5-C4CO)Ru(CO)2]2 4. Complex 5 reacts with aldehydes both stoichiometrically and catalytically, providing hydroboration products under mild reaction conditions. A Hammett correlation plot of para-substituted benzaldehydes provided a ρ value of +0.91. Catalytic hydroboration of aryl imines provided high yields of the corresponding amines. The hydroboration of aryl ketones, however, required strongly electron-withdrawing substituents to induce hydroboration in reasonable reaction times.
Practical method for radioactivity distribution analysis in small-animal PET cancer studies

We present a practical method for radioactivity distribution analysis in small-animal tumors and organs using positron emission tomography imaging with a calibrated source of known activity and size in the field of view. We reconstruct the imaged mouse together with a source under the same conditions, using an iterative method, Maximum likelihood expectation-maximization with system modeling, capable of delivering high-resolution images. Corrections for the ratios of geometrical efficiencies, radioisotope decay in time and photon attenuation are included in the algorithm. We demonstrate reconstruction results for the amount of radioactivity within the scanned mouse in a sample study of osteolytic and osteoblastic bone metastasis from prostate cancer xenografts. Data acquisition was performed on the small-animal PET system, which was tested with different radioactive sources, phantoms and animals to achieve high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Our method uses high-resolution images to determine the volume of organ or tumor and the amount of their radioactivity has the possibility of saving time, effort and the necessity to sacrifice animals. This method has utility for prognosis and quantitative analysis in small-animal cancer studies, and will enhance the assessment of characteristics of tumor growth, identifying metastases, and potentially determining the effectiveness of cancer treatment. The possible application for this technique could be useful for the organ radioactivity dosimetry studies.
Neutron effects in high-power GaAs laser diodes

The radiation response of broad-area GaAs quantum-well laser diodes and arrays that emit up to 2 W from a 100- mu m to 150- mu m region at the front facet was tested. Results at neutron fluence levels up to 10/sup 15/ n/cm/sup 2/ are reported. The lasing threshold currents of these high-power GaAs laser diodes and arrays increased less than 40% after exposure to 10/sup 14/ n/cm/sup 2/. Threshold current rose by 100% to 250%, and a possible increased susceptibility to facet damage was observed at 10/sup 15/ n/cm/sup 2/. The results indicate that the mechanisms for degradation are the same as those observed for the older semiconductor laser technologies. >
Neurophysiologic assessment of mucopolysaccharidosis III.

Abstract Objective To describe finding of various neurophysiologic tests in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis III (MPS III) early in the disease course. Methods Patients were evaluated with flash visual evoked potentials (VEP), brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), electroencephalography (EEG), and nerve conduction studies (NCS) before they underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Results Thirteen children underwent at least one neurophysiologic test before HSCT. The mean age at testing was 2.7 years. Ten of 11 (91%) patients had a normal flash VEP, and all 9 who had BAEP had normal central conduction. EEG was normal in 7/13 (54%), with the others showing diffuse slowing. NCS was normal in 10/11 (91%) patients. Conclusions Despite extensive central nervous system involvement in MPS III, flash VEP and BAEP are almost always normal. EEG is often abnormal early in the disease. Significance This is the first report of neurophysiologic tests in a large series of MPS III patients.
Off-axis electron holography of patterned magnetic nanostructures.

Summary Magnetization reversal processes in lithographically patterned magnetic elements that have lateral dimensions of 70‐ 500 nm, thicknesses of 3‐30 nm and a wide range of shapes and layer sequences have been followed in situ using off-axis electron holography in the transmission electron microscope. This technique allows domain structures within individual elements and the magnetic interactions between them to be quantified at close to the nanometre scale. The behaviour of 30 nm-thick Co elements was compared with that of 10 nm-thick Ni and Co elements, as well as with Co/Au/Ni trilayers. The hysteresis loops of individual elements were determined directly from the measured holographic phase images. The reproducibility of an element’s domain structure in successive cycles was found to be affected by the out-of-plane component of the applied magnetic field and by the exact details of its initial magnetic state. Close proximity to adjacent elements led to strong intercell coupling, and remanent states with the inplane magnetic field removed included domain structures such as solenoidal (vortex) states that were never observed during hysteresis cycling. Narrow rectangular bars reversed without the formation of end domains, whereas closely separated magnetic layers within individual elements were observed to couple to each other during field reversal.
Exposure-Induced Charge Distribution Effects On The Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) Of Electrooptic Spatial Light Modulators

The theoretical resolution of an electrooptic spatial light modulator [such as the Pockels Readout Optical Modulator (PROM)] is a function of the electrostatic field distribution arising from stored point charges located within the active electrooptic crystal layer. The Fourier transform of the voltage distribution (which can be directly related to the modulation transfer function) is expressed as a function of the charge location within the electrooptic crystal. In addition, the resultant analytic expression contains the dielectric constants of the blocking layers and electrooptic crystal, and the thicknesses of the three layers. This formulation allows the effects of charge trapping within the bulk of the electrooptic crystal to be modeled. In particular, the low spatial frequency response decreases linearly and the high spatial frequency response decreases exponentially with the distance of the point charge from the dielectric blocking layer/electrooptic crystal interface. Thus the overall sensitivity and resolution are degraded strongly by charge storage in the bulk away from the interface. Utilizing superposition, this formulation can be readily extended to accommodate arbitrary charge distributions arising from different exposure parameters. The spatial frequency response of the PROM is calculated for both analytic (exponential hole/gaussian electron) and iterative (exposure-induced charge transport) continuous charge distributions. The limiting form of the high spatial frequency response is shown to be independent of the particular distribution of volume charge. The implications of these results for device design and operation are discussed.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Electrodeposition and Thermoelectric Characterization of Bismuth Telluride Nanowires

+20/20 and 20/10 mM concentration ratios. The polarization plots predicted that combined solutions exhibit more noble reduction potentials than individual solutions. Optimized deposition potentials were obtained from the combined electrolyte polarization plots. An anomalous codeposition behavior caused an increase in Te concentration for depositions in the kinetic region of bismuth telluride; otherwise, decreasing Te concentrations with increased deposition potentials was observed from a composition analysis. X-ray diffraction showed a dominant 110 orientation for nanowires at low deposition potentials. n-Type nanowires were obtained from both electrolytes, while p-type nanowires were only obtained from the 20/10 electrolyte for low Te 30% concentrations. An intrinsic to extrinsic transition was observed for nanowires deposited from the 20/10 electrolyte. The highest measured Seebeck coefficient was 318.7 and 117 V/K for n- and p-type nanowires, respectively. The Seebeck coefficient dependence on the resistivity and composition of the nanowires is discussed.
Anticholesterol Antibodies and Plaque Formation

Immunization of rabbits with a protein-free formulation consisting of liposomes containing 71% cholesterol and lipid A induced cholesterol antibodies in rabbits fed a diet containing 0.5% and 1.0% cholesterol. Elevation in plasma cholesterol levels was significantly less in immunized than in nonimmunized rabbits. Immunization also resulted in a marked decrease in the risk of developing atherosclerosis as determined by analysis of aortic atherosclerosis by quantitative histological examination and fatty streaks by automated morphometric probability-of-occurrence mapping.
Blazing a web CMS trail at the University of Delaware

For the past year, a campus-wide team has been investigating the adoption of a Web Content Management System (CMS) for the University of Delaware. Because the University's web contains thousands of pages maintained by hundreds of people, it will benefit from a CMS that can provide consistency, clear institutional branding, and attractive, effective pages.For those new to CMS projects, this paper describes how to begin an evaluation. Perhaps the most important realization is that selecting software can only happen after you have a clear picture of who your users are and what they want from their websites. Trying to choose a CMS without this understanding can lead to wasted time and money and a potentially failed project. A user-centered approach will yield the best results; we'll suggest ways to interact with those who contribute to the web on your campus.The paper will also discuss how to evaluate available CMS systems and choose from over 900 offerings, how to decide between commercial and open source products, how to keep the project moving, and how to devise a plan for implementation.We will show some of the resources that are available to provide information for designing and carrying out a CMS project - from books to web sites to listservs. There is a rich body of knowledge that can be tapped to turn what seems like a daunting project into a successful undertaking.
A Rapidly Moving Shell in the Orion Nebula

A well-resolved elliptical shell in the inner Orion Nebula has been investigated by monochromatic imaging plus high- and low-resolution spectroscopy. We find that it is of low ionization and the two bright ends are moving at -39 and -49 km/s with respect to OMC-1. There is no central object, even in the infrared J bandpass although H2 emission indicates a possible association with the nearby very young pre-main-sequence star J&W 352, which is one of the youngest pre-main-sequence stars in the inner Orion Nebula. Many of the characteristics of this object (low ionization, blue shift) are like those of the Herbig-Haro objects, although the symmetric form would make it an unusual member of that class.
Performance, Stress, and Health: Overall Reaction

(1994). Performance, Stress, and Health: Overall Reaction. Quest: Vol. 46, The Academy Papers No. 27. Physical Activity and Stress, pp. 123-135.
1H NMR spectroscopic studies of the conformational isomers of pyrrolidinofullerenes

Mixed bis-adduct derivatives of C 60 containing a pyrrolidine and a malonate methano group were synthesized. Three regioisomers, the e', the trans-2, and the trans-3, were isolated and characterized. In-depth NMR studies of these methano-pyrrolidinofullerenes showed that the nitrogen inversion on the pyrrolidine moiety is not a fast event in the 1 H NMR time scale as previously regarded. Solvent effects, variable temperature experiments, and protonation of the pyrrolidine nitrogen are addressed.
Chemoimmunotherapy of disseminated malignant melanoma with DTIC‐BCG, transfer factor + melphalan

The experimental synergism of melphalan with DTIC and the ability of transfer factor to improve immunocompetence were the basis of an attempt to improve therapeutic results in disseminated malignant melanoma. Sixty-four evaluable patients with disseminated malignant melanoma were treated in a 21-day cycle as follows: DTIC 250 mg/M2 intravenously days 1 to 5, Connaught BCG 6 X 10(8) organisms on days 7, 12, and 17 by scarification, and transfer factor 1 unit (10(9) lymphocytes equivalent, from immunocompetent relatives of patients) subcutaneously on day 12, with or without L-PAM 30 mg/M2 on day 1. Twenty-nine patients received L-PAM and 35 did not. Remission rates of 17% and 23%, respectively, occurred in these groups. An additional 15 patients received DTIC-BCG and three doses of transfer factor on days 7, 12, and 17 and had a remission rate of 20%. Remission duration and survival were compared to historical controls of 111 patients treated with DTIC and 89 treated with DTIC-BCG. Median survival on DTIC-BCG-Transfer Factor was seven months compared to four months for DTIC (P = .003) but did not differ from DTIC-BCG. Addition of L-PAM did not improve remission duration or survival compared to DTIC-BCG but enhanced myelosuppression and immunosuppression. A 60% increase in delayed type hypersensitivity to recall antigens occurred in this study compared to 34% with DTIC-BCG (P = .005). Prognosis and immunocompetence were not directly related. In summary, in this study, (1) transfer factor therapy did not enhance the clinical effects of DTIC-BCG, although it augmented delayed type hypersensitivity to recall antigens; and (2) L-PAM was not additive to DTIC in the treatment of disseminated malignant melanoma and may have abrogated the effect of immunotherapy.
Computers that care: investigating the effects of orientation of emotion exhibited by an embodied computer agent

Embodied computer agents are becoming an increasingly popular human-computer interaction technique. Often, these agents are programmed with the capacity for emotional expression. This dissertation investigates the psychological effect of emotion in agents upon users. In particular, two types of emotion were evaluated: self-oriented emotion and other-oriented, empathic emotion. Empathic emotion was found to lead to more positive ratings of the agent by users, consistent with the hypothesis that empathic emotion is inferred to reflect caring for the user. No such effect was found for the presence of self-oriented emotion. Experiment 1 compared an agent exhibiting both self-oriented and empathic emotion to an agent exhibiting self-oriented emotion only in a 2 (empathic emotion: absent vs. present) by 2 (gender dyad: male vs. female) between-subjects experiment (N = 48). Significant main effects demonstrated that the presence of empathic emotion increased users' ratings of the agent's likability, trustworthiness, and caring. In addition, caring was found to be a significant mediator of the effect of empathic emotion on both likability and trustworthiness. To ensure that the effects of empathic emotion were not due to emotion more generally, and to investigate the potential moderating effect of self-oriented emotion, Experiment 2 additionally investigated the effect of self-oriented emotion in a 2 (self-oriented emotion: absent vs. present) by 2 (empathic emotion: absent vs. present) by 2 (gender dyad: male vs. female) between-subjects experiment (N = 96). Empathic emotion was found to have a significant effect on the agent's likability, trustworthiness, and perceived caring, as well as on the user's felt support, independent of the presence of self-oriented emotion. The presence of self-oriented emotion was found to have no such effects. Implications for the design of embodied computer agents are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.
Paradigmatic Classification of Family Therapy Theories

This review proposes a method for classifying theories of family therapy in terms of the ideal categories from which they derive. Establishing the relationship between a family-system theory and a more general world view facilitates the identification of unique aspects of theory and lays the groundwork for a theoretically consistent integration of therapy and research.
Motion of inertial observers through negative energy.

Recent research has indicated that negative energy fluxes due to quantum coherence effects obey uncertainty-principle-type inequalities of the form $|\ensuremath{\Delta}E|\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\lesssim}1$. Here $|\ensuremath{\Delta}E|$ is the magnitude of the negative energy which is transmitted on a time scale $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\tau}$. Our main focus in this paper is on negative energy fluxes which are produced by the motion of observers through static negative energy regions. We find that although a quantum inequality appears to be satisfied for radially moving geodesic observers in two- and four-dimensional black hole spacetimes, an observer orbiting close to a black hole will see a constant negative energy flux. In addition, we show that inertial observers moving slowly through the Casimir vacuum can achieve arbitrarily large violations of the inequality. It seems likely that, in general, these types of negative energy fluxes are not constrained by inequalities on the magnitude and duration of the flux. We construct a model of a nongravitational stress-energy detector, which is rapidly switched on and off, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of such a detector.
Far‐Red Organic Fluorophores Contain a Fluorescent Impurity

Far-red organic fluorophores commonly used in traditional and super-resolution localization microscopy are found to contain a fluorescent impurity with green excitation and near-red emission. This near-red fluorescent impurity can interfere with some multi-color STORM/PALM measurements in live cells and produce subtle artifacts in chemically fixed cells. We additionally describe alternatives to avoid artifacts in super-resolution localization microscopy.
Advances in characterization of molecular hyperpolarizabilities

Several classes of organic compounds have been synthesized at IBM's Almaden Research Center, and their nonlinear optical properties measured. Within each class, substitution of different donor and acceptor groups has led to definitive conclusions regarding the relative merits of particular moieties.
Information management approach and support to decision-making

Abstract Linkages exist between the information management approach and support of the organizational decision-making process. The premise of this article is that utilization of the advanced forms of the information management approach is better suited to supporting the decision-making process. The research reported here confirms that subject program managers desire information management approaches that support rather than replace their own judgment. Organizational requirements most desired by managers from their data system support are highlighted. However, there are fundamental differences between the views of the top level managers and their operational managers.
Optical Characterization of Bio-assembled Hybrid Nanostructures

Biological systems exemplify the utilization of highly specific recognition processes with a diverse set of building blocks for the synthesis and assembly of precisely defined nanomaterials. Consequently, these specialized biological processes and components are appealing for materials synthesis and have included the use of oligonucleotides, proteins, viruses, and antibodies as the primary organizational element. As a result, we present a peptide for gold reduction and synthesis, antibody recognition, and the antibody mediated assembly of gold/QDot nanostructures through a network of antibody-epitope and streptavidin/biotin interfaces. Optically, these structures exhibited increased quenching of fluorescence dependent on the number of attached gold particles. This was furthermore confirmed and consistent with theoretical calculations of exciton-energy transfer processes involving mixed numbers of gold particles per quantum dot.
The Habit Cough Syndrome and Its Variations

Involuntary cough without an identified underlying organic reason has been given various names and recommended treatments. Current experience suggests that “habit cough” best describes this entity. Suggestion therapy in its various forms is the treatment of choice. Successful therapy is directed at demonstrating to the patient that he/she has the ability to resist the urge to cough. Attempts at medical treatment or use of placebo therapy, even with the suggestion that the “medicine” will stop the cough, are generally not successful. Continued symptoms for years can occur in the absence of suggestion therapy. Sustained relapse after suggestion therapy is uncommon.