cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analyzing Human Models that Adapt Online

Predictive human models often need to adapt their parameters online from human data. This raises previously ignored safety-related questions for robots relying on these models such as what the model could learn online and how quickly could it learn it. For instance, when will the robot have a confident estimate in a nearby human’s goal? Or, what parameter initializations guarantee that the robot can learn the human’s preferences in a finite number of observations? To answer such analysis questions, our key idea is to model the robot’s learning algorithm as a dynamical system where the state is the current model parameter estimate and the control is the human data the robot observes. This enables us to leverage tools from reachability analysis and optimal control to compute the set of hypotheses the robot could learn in finite time, as well as the worst and best-case time it takes to learn them. We demonstrate the utility of our analysis tool in four human-robot domains, including autonomous driving and indoor navigation.
Differential impact of Kv8.2 loss on rod and cone signaling and degeneration.

Heteromeric Kv2.1/Kv8.2 channels are voltage-gated potassium channels localized to the photoreceptor inner segment. They carry IKx, which is largely responsible for setting the photoreceptor resting membrane potential. Mutations in Kv8.2 result in childhood-onset Cone Dystrophy with Supernormal Rod Response (CDSRR). We generated a Kv8.2 knockout (KO) mouse and examined retinal signaling and photoreceptor degeneration to gain deeper insight into the complex phenotypes of this disease. Using electroretinograms we show that there were delayed or reduced signaling from rods depending on the intensity of the light stimulus, consistent with reduced capacity for light-evoked changes in membrane potential. The delayed response was not seen ex vivo where extracellular potassium levels were controlled by the perfusion buffer, so we propose the in vivo alteration is influenced by genotype-associated ionic imbalance. We observed mild retinal degeneration. Signaling from cones was reduced but there was no loss of cone density. Loss of Kv8.2 altered responses to flickering light with responses attenuated at high frequencies and altered in shape at low frequencies. The Kv8.2 KO line on an all-cone retina background had reduced cone-driven ERG b wave amplitudes and underwent degeneration. Altogether, we provide insight into how a deficit in the dark current affects the health and function of photoreceptors.
A priori error analysis of high-order LL* (FOSLL*) finite element methods

Abstract A number of non-standard finite element methods have been proposed in recent years, each of which derives from a specific class of PDE-constrained norm minimization problems. The most notable examples are L L ⁎ methods. In this work, we argue that all high-order methods in this class should be expected to deliver substandard uniform h-refinement convergence rates. In fact, one may not even see rates proportional to the polynomial order p > 1 when the exact solution is a constant function. We show that the convergence rate is limited by the regularity of an extraneous Lagrange multiplier variable which naturally appears via a saddle-point analysis. In turn, limited convergence rates appear because the regularity of this Lagrange multiplier is determined, in part, by the geometry of the domain. Numerical experiments support our conclusions.
Generative Adversarial Networks for Creating Synthetic Free-Text Medical Data: A Proposal for Collaborative Research and Re-use of Machine Learning Models

Restrictions in sharing Patient Health Identifiers (PHI) limit cross-organizational re-use of free-text medical data. We leverage Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) to produce synthetic unstructured free-text medical data with low re-identification risk, and assess the suitability of these datasets to replicate machine learning models. We trained GAN models using unstructured free-text laboratory messages pertaining to salmonella, and identified the most accurate models for creating synthetic datasets that reflect the informational characteristics of the original dataset. Natural Language Generation metrics comparing the real and synthetic datasets demonstrated high similarity. Decision models generated using these datasets reported high performance metrics. There was no statistically significant difference in performance measures reported by models trained using real and synthetic datasets. Our results inform the use of GAN models to generate synthetic unstructured free-text data with limited re-identification risk, and use of this data to enable collaborative research and re-use of machine learning models.
A Block Coordinate Descent Optimizer for Classification Problems Exploiting Convexity.

Second-order optimizers hold intriguing potential for deep learning, but suffer from increased cost and sensitivity to the non-convexity of the loss surface as compared to gradient-based approaches. We introduce a coordinate descent method to train deep neural networks for classification tasks that exploits global convexity of the cross-entropy loss in the weights of the linear layer. Our hybrid Newton/Gradient Descent (NGD) method is consistent with the interpretation of hidden layers as providing an adaptive basis and the linear layer as providing an optimal fit of the basis to data. By alternating between a second-order method to find globally optimal parameters for the linear layer and gradient descent to train the hidden layers, we ensure an optimal fit of the adaptive basis to data throughout training. The size of the Hessian in the second-order step scales only with the number weights in the linear layer and not the depth and width of the hidden layers; furthermore, the approach is applicable to arbitrary hidden layer architecture. Previous work applying this adaptive basis perspective to regression problems demonstrated significant improvements in accuracy at reduced training cost, and this work can be viewed as an extension of this approach to classification problems. We first prove that the resulting Hessian matrix is symmetric semi-definite, and that the Newton step realizes a global minimizer. By studying classification of manufactured two-dimensional point cloud data, we demonstrate both an improvement in validation error and a striking qualitative difference in the basis functions encoded in the hidden layer when trained using NGD. Application to image classification benchmarks for both dense and convolutional architectures reveals improved training accuracy, suggesting possible gains of second-order methods over gradient descent.
The dynamic evolution of swelling in nickel concentrated solid solution alloys through in situ property monitoring

Abstract Defects and microstructural features spanning the atomic level to the microscale play deterministic roles in the expressed properties of materials. Yet studies of material evolution in response to environmental stimuli most often correlate resulting performance with one dominant microstructural feature only. Here, the dynamic evolution of swelling in a series of Ni-based concentrated solid solution alloys under high-temperature irradiation exposure is observed using continuous, in situ measurements of thermoelastic properties in bulk specimens. Unlike traditional evaluation techniques which account only for volumetric porosity identified using electron microscopy, direct property evaluation provides an integrated response across all defect length scales. In particular, the evolution in elastic properties during swelling is found to depend significantly on the entire size spectrum of defects, from the nano- to meso-scales, some of which are not resolvable in imaging. Observed changes in thermal transport properties depend sensitively on the partitioning of electronic and lattice thermal conductivity. This emerging class of in situ experiments, which directly measure integrated performance in relevant conditions, provides unique insight into material dynamics otherwise unavailable using traditional methods.
Latino Children's Obesity Risk Varies by Place of Birth: Findings from New York City Public School Youth, 2006-2017.

Introduction: Research showing that place of birth (POB) predicts excess weight gain and obesity risk among Latino adults has not prompted similar research in Latino children, although childhood is...
Multimodal Virtual Point 3D Detection

Lidar-based sensing drives current autonomous vehicles. Despite rapid progress, current Lidar sensors still lag two decades behind traditional color cameras in terms of resolution and cost. For autonomous driving, this means that large objects close to the sensors are easily visible, but far-away or small objects comprise only one measurement or two. This is an issue, especially when these objects turn out to be driving hazards. On the other hand, these same objects are clearly visible in onboard RGB sensors. In this work, we present an approach to seamlessly fuse RGB sensors into Lidar-based 3D recognition. Our approach takes a set of 2D detections to generate dense 3D virtual points to augment an otherwise sparse 3D point cloud. These virtual points naturally integrate into any standard Lidar-based 3D detectors along with regular Lidar measurements. The resulting multi-modal detector is simple and effective. Experimental results on the large-scale nuScenes dataset show that our framework improves a strong CenterPoint baseline by a significant 6.6 mAP, and outperforms competing fusion approaches. Code and more visualizations are available at https://tianweiy.github.io/mvp/
Three-Dimensional Velocity Measurement Using a Dual Axis Millimeter-Wave Interferometric Radar

In this work, a method for directly measuring target velocity in three dimensions using a dual axis correlation interferometric radar is presented. Recent advances have shown that the measurement of a target's angular velocity is possible by correlating the signals measured at spatially diverse aperture locations. By utilizing multiple orthogonal baselines and using conventional Doppler velocity methods to obtain radial velocity, a full 3-D velocity vector can be obtained using only three receive antennas and a single transmitter, without the need for tracking. A 41.8-GHz dual axis interferometric radar with a 7.26λ antenna baseline is presented along with measurements of a target moving parallel to the plane of the radar array, and of a target moving with components of both radial and tangential velocity. These experiments achieved total velocity root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of 41.01 mm · s⁻¹ (10.5%) for a target moving along a plane parallel to the array, and 45.07 mm · s⁻¹ (13.5%) for a target moving with components of radial and tangential motion relative to the array; estimated trajectory angle RMSEs of 10.42° and 5.11° were achieved for each experiment.
Inverse Reinforcement Learning in a Continuous State Space with Formal Guarantees

Inverse Reinforcement Learning (IRL) is the problem of finding a reward function which describes observed/known expert behavior. The IRL setting is remarkably useful for automated control, in situations where the reward function is difficult to specify manually or as a means to extract agent preference. In this work, we provide a new IRL algorithm for the continuous state space setting with unknown transition dynamics by modeling the system using a basis of orthonormal functions. Moreover, we provide a proof of correctness and formal guarantees on the sample and time complexity of our algorithm. Finally, we present synthetic experiments to corroborate our theoretical guarantees.
Millimeter wave radar sensor for automotive intelligent cruise control (ICC)

An all-weather automotive MMW radar sensor is described that uses an FMCW radar design capable of acquiring and tracking all obstacles in its field of view. Design tradeoffs are discussed and radar sensor test results are presented along with the applicability of the radar to collision warning systems.
Financial Crises and Labor: Does Tight Money Loosen Labor Rights?

Summary Despite copious research on financial crises, many of their effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we examine how financial crises affect collective labor rights. We posit that the economic effects of these crises likely undermine the protection of collective labor rights. To test these propositions, we examine the impact of financial crises on collective labor rights in 46 developing countries from 1985 through 2002. We find that crises are detrimental to labor rights practices while having no significant effect on labor rights laws, and that their effect persists for up to five years after the crisis subsides. Our analysis thus suggests that financial crises pose a challenge to supporters of labor rights, as they are pivotal events that call into question the balance that exists between the state, capital, and labor, and that labor loses power in both the short and medium terms.
An L-G and SPNG based model for brain biometrics

This paper presents a brain based biometrics methodology using local global (L-G) and stochastic Petri net (SPN) graphs. In particular, today's most used lying detection systems (polygraph) are based on blood pressure under certain psychological conditions and have been proven inadequate and inaccurate for determining if a person is saying the truth or not. The main reason behind this inaccuracy is the psychological conditions under the test is contacting. Innocent persons with psychological fear to police or FBI agents may inappropriately react during the test producing false alarms, while at the same time guilty persons with acting capabilities may be lying and pass the test. Here in this paper we present a methodology based on fMRI and the way that the brain cells or brain regions interact regarding thinking and/or executing certain tasks. More specifically, fMRI provides color images for the active regions of the brain during thinking and/or performing certain tasks. These region-images are extracted and geometrically (topologically) are associated with the L-G graphs. Then using SPN graphs we represent their functionality. Thus, comparing the L-G and SPN graphs extracted from the candidate fMRI images to a set of "correct" generic L-G and SPN graph models available in an L-G/SPN graph database offers a more accurate measurement of the truth of false answers during the test. The main reason about the accuracy is that a liar will be detected because he/she will try to "think" how to avoid the truth.
Thermal Stability and Energy Efficiency in Wine Storage Spaces: Ridge Winery, Lytton Springs, Healdsburg, California

Publisher Summary The chapter investigates the dynamic thermal performance of a winery building designed by Architects Freebairn-Smith & Crane. The objective is to evaluate the effect of the building fabric (particularly the straw bale wall construction) in moderating the impact of climatic variation on the internal environment, in order to assess the need for auxiliary heating or cooling in the different areas of the building to achieve the thermal stability required particularly in the barrel storage room. A comparison is made with a fully serviced reference building. A dynamic thermal performance program (SERI-RES) was used to construct a five-zone thermo-dynamic model of the building. An hourly weather data file for a whole year has been constructed using temperature data for Healdsburg. A base case model was built on the information derived from drawings received from the architects. The model was then varied in a series of runs designed to test possible improvements.
Benzoquinone-induced inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II.

5531 Previous publications by other groups have suggested that benzene metabolites function as DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) poisons in isolated enzyme systems and in intact cells (Biochemistry 43: 7563–74, 2005; Chem Res Toxicol 18: 761–70, 2005). We now provide experimental evidence to indicate that a variety of quinones including 1,4 benzoquinone (BQ) function to both poison topo II and inhibit catalytic activity of the enzyme. BQ was found to induce topo II-mediated cleavage (linearization) and strand passage (relaxation) of supercoiled pBR322 at concentrations as low as 2 μM. These same results were obtained using 5–20 μM 1,2- and 1,4-napthoquinones, and 200-1000 μM 1,4 hydroquinone (HQ). Preincubation with 500 μM DTT and GSH prevented both DNA cleavage and inhibition of strand passage whereas addition of EDTA prior to denaturation with SDS only prevented DNA cleavage. These results suggested that these quinones inhibited topo II catalytic activity (strand passage) through reaction with sulfhydryl groups on topo II cysteines. Using a fluorescent maleimide compound, Thio-Glo-1 (TG), to label cysteine sulhydryl groups (SH) on purified topo IIα, we confirmed that BQ and the napthoquinones prevented topo II SH group labeling. Using leukemia K562 cells and an etoposide-resistant K/VP.5 clone containing reduced topo II levels, 2–3 fold cross resistance to both BQ and HQ was observed. In contrast, there was no cross resistance to a synthetic vitamin K quinone analog, compound 5, which is known to target Cdc25 phosphatases. Depletion of intracellular GSH with BSO potentiated antiproliferative effects of BQ and HQ but not compound 5. In addition, oxidative stress (as assessed by dichlorofluorescein fluoresecence) was induced by BQ but not by compound 5 in K562 cells. Finally, formation of BQ-induced topo II-DNA covalent complexes were reduced in K/VP.5 compared to K562 cells. Together results confirm that BQ targets topo II in cells and is capable of both poisoning topo II to induce strand breaks and inhibiting its catalytic activity through interaction with enzyme SH groups. These results have important implications for better understanding the basis for benzene-induced leukemogenesis. Support: RO1 CA90787
Electronic and steric influence of trans axial base on the stereoelectronic properties of cobalamins

Density functional theory (DFT) has been applied to investigate the relationship between steric and electronic properties of the trans axial base and energetics of Co−C bond cleavage in models of coenzyme B12. By using structurally reliable six-coordinate models, B-[CoIII(corrin)]-R+, it was shown that for a given base (B) the energy of homolytic cobalt−carbon bond cleavage correctly follows the Co−CR bond lengthening. For a given axial ligand (R) the dissociation energy is very weakly dependent on the trans axial base and correlates with its basicity. Analysis of the five-coordinate homolysis products, B-[CoII(corrin)]+, shows that the CoII−NB bond length is in the range of ∼2.2 A, slightly shorter in comparison to six-coordinate analogues, while five-coordinate heterolysis products, B-[CoIII(corrin)]+2, have the CoIII−NB bond significantly shorter ∼1.9 A. This noticeable difference suggests that controlling the Co−NB bond length could be an effective way to promote biologically important homolysis of th...
Fujita type exponent for fully nonlinear parabolic equations and existence results

Abstract In this paper, we prove that a class of parabolic equations involving a second order fully nonlinear uniformly elliptic operator has a Fujita type exponent. These exponents are related with an eigenvalue problem in all R N and play the same role in blow-up theorems as the classical p ⁎ = 1 + 2 / N introduced by Fujita for the Laplacian. We also obtain some associated existence results.
THE ENVIRONMENT CREATED BY AN OPEN-AIR SOLID ROCKET PROPELLANT FIRE

Abstract A 91 kg (200 lbm) block of aluminized solid rocket propellant was burned in open air to simulate an accidental propellant fire. A suite of remote optical instruments measured the temperature and radiative properties of the plume. Solid molybdenum calorimeters provided data for heat flux estimates. Various refractory oxide and metallic witness samples placed in the fire provided temperature benchmarks and insight into how such samples may be dispersed by the fire. A thermochemical analysis assessed the overall energy balance. The results indicate that temperatures reached 3000±100 K and heat fluxes reached 200±80 W/cm2 under the propellant, which burned for 120 s, creating a severe environment.
Médecin sans Frontières?: The European Dissemination of John of Burgundy's Plague Treatise

(2005). Medecin sans Frontieres?: The European Dissemination of John of Burgundy's Plague Treatise. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews: Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 19-30.
Commentary: Opening access to the medical record calls for other reforms

The medical record has evolved from clinician notes to self and then colleagues1 into instruments for other uses, such as accountability and billing. When they became electronic, it became easier to produce longer notes. Records often contain redundant copied elements from earlier notes and irrelevant information, sometimes intended to support better reimbursement. When clinicians write, they seldom consider patients as readers and often use technical jargon and opaque expressions. Giving patients and caregivers access to bloated and complex notes seems unlikely to meet their needs. But results of yearly Mayo Clinic patient surveys are consistent with the findings reported by Walker and colleagues …
Robustadials. 2. Total synthesis of the bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane structure proposed for robustadials A and B

Synthese de diformyl-6',8' dimethoxy-5',7' dimethyl-4,4 isobutyl-4' spiro [bicyclo [3.2.0] heptane-3:2'-chromanne] (A) a partir de trimethoxy-1,3,5 benzene. Etude RX du derive dibromo-6',8' de A. Le compose A ne correspond pas au robustadial A
Intertidal community structure and oceanographic patterns around Santa Cruz Island, CA, USA

Recent studies suggest that nearshore oceanographic conditions can have important effects on the structure of benthic communities. On Santa Cruz Island (SCI), CA, USA there is a persistent difference in mean annual sea surface temperature (SST) around the island due to its location at the confluence of opposing cold and warm ocean current systems. Over the course of a 4-year study (1997–2001) seawater nutrient and chl-a concentrations, algal tissue C:N ratios, recruitment and growth of filter-feeders (barnacles and mussels), and intertidal community structure were measured at six intertidal sites around the island. There were strong associations between remotely sensed SST and patterns of community structure. Macrophyte abundance was highest at sites with persistently low SST, while recruitment, abundance, and growth of filter-feeding invertebrates were strongly, positively correlated with SST. The cold-water sites were associated with higher nutrient concentrations and lower algal C:N ratios, particularly in the winter months. Values of chl-a were generally low and variable among sites, and were not correlated with the predominant SST gradient. Recruitment of barnacles and mussels was positively correlated with adult abundance across all sites. While detailed experimental studies are needed to further evaluate the mechanisms underlying community dynamics, these results indicate that the confluence of cold- and warm-water masses around SCI may determine the contrasting patterns of intertidal community structure.
Stochastic boundary elements for two-dimensional potential flow in non-homogeneous media

Abstract A stochastic boundary element formulation is presented for the treatment of two-dimensional problems of steady-state potential flow in non-homogeneous media that involve a random operator in the governing differential equation. The randomness is introduced through the material parameter of the domain which is described as a non-homogeneous random field. The random field is discretized into a set of correlated random variables and a perturbation is applied to the differential equation of the problem. This leads to differential equations for the unknown potential and its first- and second-order derivatives, respectively, evaluated at the mathematical expectations of the random variables resulting from the discretization of the random field. An approximate method is applied for the solution of these equations by expressing the potential and its derivatives as a sum of functions of descending order. These solutions are introduced into the differential equations and upon equating similar order terms, a sequence of Poisson's equations is obtained for each order. A transformation of the correlated random variables into an uncorrelated set is performed to reduce the number of numerical operations by retaining a small number of transformed random variables. The resulting equations are solved using the boundary element method to obtain the unknown boundary values of the potentials and their respective first- and second-order derivatives which are then used to compute the desired response statistics. Quadratic, conforming boundary elements are used in the boundary integration and four-node quadrilateral cells are used in the domain integration. Strongly singular terms of the boundary element matrices are obtained indirectly by applying a state of uniform unit potential over the entire contour of the object. The singular domain integrals are calculated analytically. Direct solution techniques are used to calculate the response variables and their derivatives, respectively. A number of example problems are presented and the results are compared with those obtained from Monte Carlo simulations. A good agreement of the results is observed.
Empirical Bayes estimation of the scale parameter in Pareto distribution

Abstract Let f(x⫫θ) = αθαx−(α+1)I(x>θ) be the pdf of a Pareto distribution with known shape parameter α>0, and unknown scale parameter θ. Let {(Xi, θi)} be a sequence of independent random pairs, where Xi's are independent with pdf f(x⫫αi), and θi are iid according to an unknown distribution G in a class G of distributions whose supports are included in an interval (0, m), where m is a positive finite number. Under some assumption on the class G and squared error loss, at (n + 1)th stage we construct a sequence of empirical Bayes estimators of θn+1 based on the past n independent observations X1,…, Xn and the present observation Xn+1. This empirical Bayes estimator is shown to be asymptotically optimal with rate of convergence O(n−1/2). It is also exhibited that this convergence rate cannot be improved beyond n−1/2 for the priors in class G .
Specific heat of spin-glass Au—1 at.% Fe below 30 K

The spin-glass contribution to the specific heat shows positive curvature at the lowest temperatures, leading to a region linearly dependent on temperature which extrapolates back to a positive temperature intercept. A plot of (spin-glass specific heat divided by temperature) versus temperature shows a "knee" at the spin-glass freezing temperature. These two findings are similar to recent results on the spin-glass CuMn but contrary to previous conclusions on the AuFe system. At the highest temperatures the specific heat of the alloy is less than that of pure gold.
On the internal friction in omega forming alloys

Abstract A theoretical model is given for the two internal friction peaks found in omega forming alloys. Third-order coupling between the applied wave and two quasi-static waves associated with omega heterophase fluctuations is found to be sufficient to cause the observed internal friction. Strong third-order coupling is predicted by the symmetry change associated with the transition. The two peaks which have been observed are postulated to result from the growth (decay) anisotropy of an omega embryo. The relaxation time is strongly temperature dependent as thermal activation is required for jumps between the stable and metastable states. The activation energy for the low temperature peak is predicted to be 1 6 the value of the high temperature peak in agreement with experiment. The model predicts that the internal friction should become very large as the athermal omega phase boundary is approached. The calculated value of the internal friction is found to be roughly an order of magnitude higher than the measured value.
An Evaluation of an Aftermarket Local Exhaust Ventilation Device for Suppressing Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust from Powered Saws

The objective of this study was to quantify the respirable dust and respirable silica exposures of roofing workers using an electric-powered circular saw with an aftermarket local exhaust ventilation attachment to cut concrete roofing tiles. The study was conducted to determine whether the local exhaust ventilation attachment was able to control respirable dust and respirable silica exposure below occupational exposure limits (OELs). Time-integrated filter samples and direct reading respirable dust concentrations were evaluated. The local exhaust ventilation consisted of a shroud attached to the cutting plane of the saw; the shroud was then connected to a small electric axial fan, which is intended to collect dust at the point of generation. All sampling was conducted with the control in use.Roofers are defined as those individuals who only lay tiles. Cutters/roofers are defined as those workers who operate the powered saw to cut tiles and also lay tiles. Respirable dust from this evaluation ranged from 0...
Filipin/sterol complexes in fertilized and unfertilized sea urchin egg membranes.

Abstract Sea urchin (Arbacia punctulata) eggs and zygotes were treated with filipin in an effort to examine changes in membrane sterols at fertilization. The plasma membrane of treated unfertilized eggs possessed numerous filipin/sterol complexes, while fewer complexes were associated with membranes delimiting cortical granules, demonstrating that the plasmalemma is relatively rich in β-hydroxysterols in comparison to cortical granule membrane. Following fusion with the plasmalemma, membrane formerly delimiting cortical granules underwent a dramatic alteration in sterol composition, as indicated by a rapid increase in the number of filipin/sterol complexes. In contrast, portions of the zygote plasma membrane, derived from the plasmalemma of the unfertilized egg, displayed little or no change in filipin/sterol composition. Other than regions of the plasma membrane engaged in endocytosis, the plasmalemma of the zygote possessed a homogeneous distribution of filipin/sterol complexes and appeared similar to that of the unfertilized egg. These results demonstrate that following its fusion with the egg plasmalemma, membranes, formerly delimiting cortical granules, undergo a dramatic alteration in sterol composition. Changes in the localization of filipin/sterol complexes are discussed in reference to alterations in egg plasmalemmal function at fertilization.
Sa1618 EUS-Guided Translumenal Drainage of Pancreatic Fluid Collections Using a Novel Single-Step Access Device (NAVIX ™). Preliminary Experience

trended higher for all time points than NMI but did not reach statistical significance. SFI computed on all subbands was lowest for NM vs. NM and higher in NM vs. TPI, indicating differences in the structure and spatial distribution of the EGFR signal. Conclusion: In vivo imaging of vessels is a promising technique to characterize targeted receptors in colorectal cancer. Images can be interpreted both qualitatively and quantitatively to differentiate normal vs tumor. Further developments on the FNPA delivery may allow for a multifunctional imaging and treatment agent.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography Demonstrates Vascular Healing of Carotid and Vertebral Artery Dissections

Background and Purpose Dissection of the carotid and vertebral arteries is most accurately diagnosed with conventional angiography. MR techniques are sensitive for detecting the abnormalities associated with dissection but may lack specificity. We hypothesized that MR may be useful for serial monitoring of dissection and may therefore guide therapy. Methods All patients with angiographically proven carotid and/or vertebral artery dissection from July 1994 to June 1996 were followed for a median duration of 10.5 months. Of these 29 patients (44 vessels), 18 were concurrently evaluated with MR, and a target group of 9 patients (17 vessels) was prospectively followed with MR at 3-month intervals. Results In the 18 patients with both imaging studies at baseline, angiography revealed 30 dissected vessels while MR detected 27 (90%). In the target group of 9 patients, initial MR identified 15 of the 17 dissections diagnosed with angiography. Serial MR revealed complete healing in 5 vessels, improvement in 6 vessels, no change in 4 vessels, and worsening in 2 vessels. The radiographic features most likely to resolve were stenosis and mural hematoma, while occlusion and luminal irregularity tended to persist. Late ischemic events occurred in 2 patients, both with persistent MR evidence of dissection, one while subtherapeutic on warfarin therapy and the other occurring 1 week after warfarin was discontinued. Conclusions MR is a reliable noninvasive method for following the vascular response to treatment and may guide the course of a clinical trial comparing medical therapies for carotid and vertebral artery dissection.
Development of fluorescent fiber optic single-polymer membrane sensors for simultaneous ratiometric detection of oxygen and carbon dioxide in biological systems

Oxygen- and carbon dioxide-sensitive fluorescent indicators are incorporated into a polymeric membrane for their detection by ratiometric fluorescence measurements. Oxygen is measured by fluorescent quenching of Ruthenium, and Platinum dyes. Carbon dioxide is monitored by tracking the change in the fluorescence emission spectrum of a pH indicator dye as the gas diffuses through the polymer membrane and interacts with the dye. The detection principle is the pH change induced in the membrane due to the influx of carbon dioxide. The indicator dye studied is HPTS. The polymer membranes are made of silicone or polystyrene.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A high capacity Alphavirus heterologous gene delivery system.

Abstract A novel replication competent Sindbis virus based gene delivery vector has been developed for the introduction of genetic cargo into cell lines in vitro and potentially, animal models in vivo. This delivery system expands the previous uses of Sindbis virus as a gene delivery system in that no replicons are required and the resulting cargo containing virus particles are infectious. The heterologous vector is based on a morphological mutant in C, Ser180/Gly183 which produces larger than the normal size T = 4 virus particles of 70 nm in size. This mutant produced particles up to 205 nm in size equal to a triangulation number of 36. It was postulated that because the Ser180/Gly183 mutant was capable of assembling such large particles, that increasing the size of the RNA genome incorporated into this mutant capsid protein would favor the assembly of larger than T = 4 wild type sized virions. The first generation prototype larger vehicle, described here, carries a ~ 18 kb cDNA insert, however it is conceivable that RNA as large as 32 kb could be transcribed and packaged. The large variant produces a high virus titer of ~ 109 pfu/ml from either mammalian or insect cells in culture. Multiple passages of the virus show no loss of the inserted genetic material.
Electron impact excitation of the OI λ 1172.6 Å multiplet

Abstract We have measured the cross section for the dissociative excitation of the OI (2p 41 D − 3s' 3 D°, λ 1172.6 A ) multiplet transition by electron impact on O2. At 100 eV we find a cross section value of ≈1.56 × 10−22 cm2 ± 30% and an OI λ 1173 A/OI λ 989 A branching ratio of ≈1.3 × 10−4 ± 35%. This branching ratio value is ≈15% lower than the recent measurement by Morrison [Morrison, M. D. (1985) Planet. Space Sci. 33, 135] in an oxygen discharge lamp, and approximately twice that calculated by Garstang [Garstang, R. H. (1961) Proc. Camb. phil. Soc.57, 115]. Hence, all of these results indicate that the λ 1173 A branch from the OI(3s'3D°) state is not large enough to account for the discrepancy between the predicted and observed OI λ 989 A intensity in the Earth's upper atmosphere.
Transesophageal echocardiography in the intensive care unit: Impact on diagnosis and decision‐making

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is widely used in the management of patients in intensive care units. The present study assesses the specific value of this technique in various categories of these patients. We reviewed 113 studies performed in 100 such patients for: suspected aortic dissection (25), suspected endocarditis (33), source of emboli assessment (19), hemodynamic instability (15), and miscellaneous (21). TEE provided diagnostic information in all patients with aortic dissection, in 53% of the cases with hemodynamic instability, in 50% of the cases with septic states with high likelihood of endocarditis, and in 29% of the cases where the question was the source of emboli. When the clinical probability for endocarditis was low, all transesophageal echocardiograms performed in septic patients were negative. The information provided by TEE was considered crucial in one-third of the positive cases; in about one-half of these special cases, the results were instrumental for further surgical management. There were no significant side effects related to the procedure. TEE is easily performed in the intensive care unit setting and yields useful information in almost half of the cases. Special benefit is expected in suspected aortic disease, hemodynamic instability, suspected endocarditis, and embolic events. The overall yield as screening procedure in febrile patients is low.
A Fourier–Chebyshev spectral collocation method for simulating flow past spheres and spheroids

An accurate Fourier-Chebyshev spectral collocation method has been developed for simulating flow past prolate spheroids. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are transformed to the prolate spheroidal co-ordinate system and discretized on an orthogonal body fitted mesh. The infinite flow domain is truncated to a finite extent and a Chebyshev discretization is used in the wall-normal direction. The azimuthal direction is periodic and a conventional Fourier expansion is used in this direction. The other wall-tangential direction requires special treatment and a restricted Fourier expansion that satisfies the parity conditions across the poles is used. Issues including spatial and temporal discretization, efficient inversion of the pressure Poisson equation, outflow boundary condition and stability restriction at the pole are discussed. The solver has been validated primarily by simulating steady and unsteady flow past a sphere at various Reynolds numbers
Studies of particulate iodoproteins in the rat thyroid.

Rat thyroid homogenates in 0.25M sucrose were separated into soluble and particulate fractions by centrifugation at 106 Xg. The PBI of the supernatant was precipitated with Zn(OH)2. The labeling of both particulate and soluble PBI reached a maximum 24 hr after the injection of 131I into iodine-sufficient (Purina Chow-fed) rats. Maximal thyroidal accumulation of PB131I occurred 4-24 hr after 131I administration in iodine-sufficient rats, and was again simultaneous in the 2 fractions. In Purina-fed rats, particulate PB131I accounted for over 50% of total PB131I 30 sec after 13lI injection and for 10% 11/2 min later; thereafter, this percentage declined farther, but gradually rose again to 20% 40 days after the administration of 131I. Isotopic equilibrium studies and stable iodine measurements indicated that in iodine-sufficient rats 10-12% of the thyroid's PBI is particulate. Injection of graded doses of propylthiouracil (PTU) (dose range: 0.01-10 mg/day for 6 days) led to a diminution of the labeling of th...
Amino sugars and basic amino acids in epiphyseal plates of normal and aminoacetonitrile-treated rabbits

Abstract The content of basic amino acids and amino sugars has been determined in epiphyseal plates of aminoacetonitrile-treated and normal rabbits. Significant decrease of galactosamine has been observed in the experimental tissue. No appreciable differences have been found in the basic amino acid content of experimental and control animals.
Components of an effective transitional residential program for homeless mentally ill clients

Review of clinical records of 228 former clients of a Transitional Residential Program for severely, persistently mental ill homeless persons was conducted to examine Program results for completers and noncompleters. Of the 228 clients, 110 (48.3%) completed the Program: they became psychiatrically stabilized, found secure housing, and began receiving disability pensions. Completers participated in significantly more activities than noncompleters. Psychiatric diagnosis was unrelated to successful Program completion. Individuals who left against advice had significantly fewer previous hospitalizations.
Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative measures to further reduce spinal infections.

Background: The rate of postoperative spinal infections varies from 0.4% to 3.5%. Although the introduction of additional preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative methods of prophylaxis should further reduce spinal infection rates, these measures will not succeed unless surgeons are well informed of their availability, utility, and efficacy. This study provides a review of several preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative methods of prophylaxis that could minimize the risk of postoperative spinal infections. Various preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative measures could further reduce the risk of spinal infections. Preoperative prophylaxis against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus could utilize (1) nasal cultures and Bactroban ointment (mupirocin), and (2) multiple prophylactic preoperative applications of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) 4% to the skin. Intraoperative prophylactic measures should not only include the routine use of an antibiotic administered within 60 min of the incision, but should also include copious intraoperative irrigation [normal saline (NS) and/or NS with an antibiotic]. Intraoperatively, instrumentation coated with antibiotics, and/or the topical application of antibiotics may further reduce the infection risk. Whether postoperative infections are reduced with the continued use of antibiotic prophylaxis remains controversial. Other postoperative measures may include utilization of a silver (AgNO3)-impregnated dressing (Silverlon dressing) and the continued use of bed baths with CHG 4%. The introduction of multiple preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative modalities in addition to standardized prophylaxis may further contribute to reducing postoperative spinal infections.
SNS magnetism reflectometer: basic design and neutron guide optimization using Monte Carlo simulations

In this contribution, we summarize the optimization of the neutron guide optics of the Magnetism Reflectometer, which is currently under construction at the Spallation Neutron Source. The guide system consists of a straight source tube, a polygonal curved multi-channel bender, and a converging guide section. The bender will be essential for high-energy neutron and g-ray background suppression, while the converging guide will focus the neutron beam onto the sample. Monte Carlo (MC) numerical methods were used to optimize the guide performance. The flux on sample and detector count rates were systematically determined for various guide configurations. The impact of guide imperfections like surface waviness and misalignment of sections are also studied.
SERUM-ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH ATAXIA-TELANGIECTASIA

Abstract The serum-α-fetoprotein concentrations of twenty patients with ataxia-telangiectasia, one hundred and forty-nine normal children and adults, fifteen siblings and eleven parents of patients with ataxia-telangiectasia, and fifty-four patients with other immunodeficiency states were measured using a sensitive double-antibody radioimmunoassay. All serum-α-fetoprotein concentrations in patients with ataxia-telangiectasia studied were above 30 ng. per ml. (range 44-2800 ng. per ml.). None of the siblings or parents of patients with ataxia-telangiectasia or patients with various other immunodeficiency diseases had α-fetoprotein levels above 30 ng. per ml. Thus ataxia-telangiectasia seems to be unique among the major immunodeficiency diseases in its association with a raised α-fetoprotein level. The synthesis of this fetal pro tein of hepatic origin by patients with ataxia telangiectasia sud=ggests that liver is not fully developed in these patients. These findings support the hypothesis that a primary abnormality of patients with ataxia-telangiectasia is a defect in tissue differenciation. This abnormality may be due to a defective interaction between the entodermal and mesodermal germ lines, an interaction that seems to be required for the differentiation of gut-associated organs such as the thymus and liver.
Solvent Systems for Intracarotid 1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) Infusion

The agent, 1,3-bis(3-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), when given by arterial infusion for brain tumor chemotherapy is usually dissolved in an alcohol/saline solution. The authors compared the osmolality of and drug recovery from solvent systems of alcohol/saline, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/water, and dextrose/water. Recovery of drug was adequate from all solvent systems, although variability of drug recovery from the alcohol/saline and DMSO/water systems was greater than from the dextrose/water system. The alcohol/saline system was significantly hyperosmolar. The alcohol/saline and DMSO/water solvent systems offer no advantage over the dextrose/water system and may be associated with significant disadvantages.
Sulfur in peat-forming systems of the Okefenokee Swamp and Florida Everglades: origins of sulfur in coal

Abstract Six sulfur forms were investigated in profiles of freshwater- and marine-derived peat-forming systems of the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia and Everglades Swamp, Florida. Total sulfur levels of 0.1–10% were found, thus indicating a major incorporation of sulfur in the very early stages of coal formation. The quantities of hydrogen sulfide and elemental sulfur observed appeared to be indicative of whether marine or freshwater conditions prevailed at the site of deposition. Carbon-bonded sulfur accounted for 70% of the total sulfur in the freshwater peat and 50% of the total sulfur in the marine peat. Over 15% of the total sulfur was in pyritic combination in the marine environment, while levels of pyrite in the freshwater peats were an order of magnitude lower. An ester-sulfate fraction represented 25% of the total sulfur in both freshwater and marine peats. The levels of sulfur forms in the peat profiles are compared to those observed in living plants and to various coals; levels of pyrite and organic sulfur in the peat are similar to those found by other investigators in freshwater-derived and marine-derived coals.
Arthroscopic Treatment of Bucket-Handle Labral Tear and Acetabular Fracture

Traumatic hip dislocations are associated with chondral and labral pathology as well as loose bodies that can be incarcerated in the joint. These types of injury often lead to traumatic arthritis. In some cases an osseo-labral fragment may become incarcerated in the joint that is not readily visualized preoperatively. In place of open surgery, hip arthroscopy permits a technique to remove loose bodies and repair labral tears to restore joint congruity and achieve fracture reduction and fixation.
Design and Operation of Manufacturing Systems: A Controls-based Synthesis

The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of research in manufacturing systelns analysis by the author and his co-workers. This research is based on concepts from control and systems engineering. Several conjectures are presented. The key roles of observers in analysis and of information in control are discussed.