cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INFRARED STUDIES OF THE CRYSTALLINITY OF ION-IMPLANTED Si.

Abstract The crystallinity of ion-implanted silicon has been investigated using ion mass and ion fluence dependences of divacancy formation as measured by the characteristic 1.8 μ absorption band. Room temperature, nonchanneled implants of 400-keV B11, Zn64, and Sb121 ions were performed to maximum fluences of 1014 ions/crn2 for Sb and Zn and to 2 × 1015 ions/cm2 for B. The results are interpreted on the basis of ion energy spent in atomic processes per unit volume, e, within the implanted layer. For e ≤ 1019 keV/cm3 the energy to form a divacancy (1.5 ± 0.5 keV) is nearly ion independent. Maxima appear in the divacancy densities at ∼1013 Sb ions/cm2 and ∼2 × 1013 Zn ions/cm2 where e ≤ 1020 keV/cm3. The divacancy density for B implantation did not exhibit a distinct maximum at E = 1020 keV/cm3, but continued to increase with fluence. The B results are attributed to defect motion because divacancies are observed beyond the calculated depth for energy deposition after a high fluence B implant. In addition t...
Perception of shape-at-a-slant in the young infant

In a recent study using recovery from habituation to index discrimination, the authors were unable to replicate Bower’s shape-constancy findings. Since our habituation figures were steeply slanted, infants may have been unable to process their shape characteristics (real or proximal). To determine whether this was the case, two groups of 12-week-old infants were each habituated to one of the slanted figures used in the previous study and were then exposed to a new shape at the same slant. Significant recovery to the altered shape in both groups relative to a no-change control group indicated that the shape properties of the slanted objects had indeed been discriminated.
Effects of Inhaled Overload Particle Concentrations on Alveolar Macrophage (AM) Clearance Responses: The Roles of High Particle Burden and Inflammation

Chronic dust overloading of the lungs is linked with macrophage-mediated particle clearance deficits. Two of the most important macrophage clearance functions are phagocytosis and cell motility or chemotaxis. In the current study we postulated that macrophage functional deficits are a response to both high particle burdens (Morrow overload theory—Morrow, 1988,1992; Oberdoerster, 1992) as well as the influence of overload-induced pulmonary inflammatory responses. To test this hypothesis, we carried out short-term (3 day) and longer-term (4 week) inhalation studies with titanium dioxide (TiO2) and carbonyl iron (CI) particles, particulates which are considered to be low toxicity, low solubility dusts. CD rats were exposed to aerosol concentrations ranging from 5 to 250 mg m~. In the 3 day study, rats were exposed to aerosols of TiO2 particles (MMAD = 0.7 \im) at 0, 95 (median burden—MB) or 243 mg m~ (high burden—HB). The lungs of sham and dust exposed rats were then lavaged at 0, 24 h, 48 h or 8 days postexposure. The results showed that TiO2 produced dose-dependent transient inflammatory responses with > 95% of MB and HB recovered AM containing TiO2 particles immediately after exposure. AM chemotaxis in vitro was increased over sham controls in the MB group, but cell migration in the HB group was decreased compared to sham when measured against the 5 urn but not the 8 \im pore-sized filters, indicating that the 5 Urn pores prevented some of the HB AM from migrating through the filter. In vitro phagocytosis of carbonyl iron particles by MB and HB AM was depressed relative to controls in a dose-dependent manner. In the 4 week study, rats were exposed to 5, 50 or 250 mg m~ of TiO2 or CI particles and evaluated through 6 months postexposure. Exposures to 250 mg m~ CI or TiO2 produced an inhibition of clearance and > 98% of lavaged AM from all groups contained particles. Pulmonary inflammatory responses were measured in the high dose groups (30-50% PMNs through 3 months, 15% through 6 months) but were < 10% PMNs in the 50 mg m~ group. In vitro phagocytosis by AM exposed to 50 and 250 mg m~ were depressed relative to 0 and 5 mg m~ AM through a period of 3 months postexposure, while the in vitro phagocytic responses of AM exposed to 50 and 250 mg m~ CI particles were decreased only through 1 month postexposure. Chemotactic responses were slightly decreased in AM exposed to 50 mgm" TiO2 or CI
Torsion of an elastic space containing an axially symmetric narrow cavity

By the method of singular integral equations, we solve the axially symmetric problem of torsion for an elastic space containing a smooth cavity. We obtain the stress distributions and their maximum values at the edges of cavities of various shapes. We also compute the stress concentration factors on the surfaces of axially symmetric cavities in the entire range of values of the radii of rounding of their tips under the conditions of torsion of the elastic body. The numerical results are obtained for cavities of different configurations.
Construction of a map of the short arm of human chromosome 6

Abstract Four DNA sequences that reveal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) on the short arm of human chromosome 6 have been identified. Two of these sequences were isolated from recombinant DNA libraries enriched for DNA from human chromosome 6, one was isolated as a subclone from a human DNA segment having homology to an HLA class I sequence, and one was isolated by virtue of its homology to part of the insulin gene. Genetic linkage was determined among these four polymorphic sequences and several genes known to be on chromosome 6: glyoxylase I (GLO1), HLA-DR alpha, HLA-DQ alpha, and HLA-B. Additionally, two of the four RFLPs were regionally localized by using 53 deletion cell lines that had been typed for HLA-A, -B, and -DR, and for glyoxylase I. A genetic map of the short arm of chromosome 6 has been constructed on the basis of linkage studies with the eight markers. The map spans a minimum of 60 recombinational units and will be useful in the study of HLA-associated diseases.
Retinoid regulation of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene in liver.

Abstract The cytosolic PEPCK gene is a model gene for assessing retinoid regulation of liver-specific genes encoding enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism. In vivo, we have demonstrated that the PEPCK gene is inhibited by vitamin A deficiency. Specifically, under conditions of food deprivation, induction of the PEPCK gene is inhibited in the vitamin A deficient mouse. Inhibition of the PEPCK gene by vitamin A deficiency is reversed by all- trans or 9- cis retinoic acid (RA) treatment. In a transgenic mouse model, a −460 and −355 bp PEPCK promoter fragment confers susceptibility to inhibition by vitamin A deficiency and responsiveness to all- trans RA treatment. However, there is a differential effect of 9- cis RA on the PEPCK promoter; the −460 fragment confers responsiveness to 9- cis RA, but the −355 fragment does not. Taken together, these results indicate that the PEPCK retinoic acid response element (RARE)1 is required for 9- cis RA induction—but not all- trans RA induction—of the PEPCK gene. In order to determine if vitamin A deficiency alters specific localized expression of the PEPCK gene in the periportal cells of the liver, the effect of vitamin A status on PEPCK localization in the liver was also measured. The PEPCK transgenes were expressed specifically in the periportal region of the liver acinus and although vitamin A deficiency caused a decrease in PEPCK transgene mRNA levels in periportal cells, it did not alter the periportal cell-specific pattern of expression. Retinoid treatment induced PEPCK transgene mRNA levels in the same population of cells, however, the −355 bp PEPCK promoter fragment did not respond to 9- cis RA treatment. In order to determine the nuclear transcription factor(s) responsible for retinoid regulation of the PEPCK gene in the liver, we investigated retinoic acid receptor (RAR)α and β and the retinoid X receptor (RXR)α—the major retinoid receptors in liver—in terms of expression and the ability of the receptors to bind the PEPCK RAREs. Vitamin A deficiency significantly decreased hepatic RARβ, but not RARα or RXRα mRNA levels. In situ hybridization showed that RARα, RARβ and RXRα mRNAs were localized in the periportal region, however, immunohistochemistry showed that RARα and RXRα were distributed evenly across the liver acinus, whereas only RARβ levels were higher in periportal cells. The binding of nuclear receptors to PEPCK RARE1, RARE2 and RARE3 indicates a complex pattern of retinoid receptor and orphan nuclear receptor binding.
Bacterially mediated precipitation in marine stromatolites.

Stromatolites are laminated, lithified (CaCO3) sedimentary deposits formed by precipitation and/or sediment accretion by cyanobacterial-bacterial mat communities. Stromatolites have been associated with these communities as far back as the Precambrian era some 2+ billion years ago. The means by which microbial communities mediate the precipitation processes have remained unclear, and are the subject of considerable debate and speculation. Two alternative explanations for microbially mediated precipitation include: (i) cyanobacterial photosynthesis increases pH in a system supersaturated in respect of CaCO3, resulting in CaCO3 precipitation and then laminated lithification, and (ii) decomposition of cyanobacterial extracellular organic matter (e.g. sheaths, mucilage and organic acids) by microheterotrophs leads to release of organic-bound Ca2+ ions and CaCO3 precipitation. We evaluated these explanations by examining metabolically active, lithifying stromatolitic mat communities from Highborne Cay, Bahamas, using microautoradiography. Microautoradiographic detection of 14CO2 fixation and 3H organic matter (D-glucose and an amino acid mixture) utilization by photosynthetically active cyanobacteria and microheterotrophs, combined with community-level uptake experiments, indicate that bacteria, rather than cyanobacteria are the dominant sites of CaCO3 deposition. In the oligotrophic waters in which stromatolites exist, microheterotrophs are reliant on the photosynthetic community as a main source of organic matter. Therefore, autotrophic production indirectly controls microbially mediated precipitation and stromatolite formation in these shallow marine environments.
Anisotropy and birefringence in molecular crystals

For complex molecular systems, overlapping modes can interfere with identification. One can isolate different modes by using aligned systems and polarization sensitive measurements. Here we demonstrate the anisotropic and birefringence behavior of sucrose and oxalic acid crystals. The molecular alignment of the crystal allows the determination of which modes are dipole coupled to the THz field.
Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in children - comparative analysis of clinical picture.

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of the study was comparative analysis of clinical picture and prevalence of pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in children. Material and Methods The study involved 332 children hospitalized in the 3rd Department of Paediatric, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital – Research Institute, due to pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae – group I or Chlamydophila pneumonia – group II. Results Over 2003-2009 period there were 1870 children hospitalized due to pneumonia, of which in 332 (17.8%) the Mycoplasma pneumoniae and/or Chlamydophila pneumoniae etiology was confirmed. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae , and mixed infection was diagnosed in 198 (10.6%), 102 (5.5%), and 32 (1.7%) children, respectively. The dominant clinical feature in both groups was cough, observed in 186 (93.9%) and 88 (86.3%) children, respectively. Further, reddening of the throat, rhinitis, shortness of breath, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, skin lesions and dyspepsia were also observed. The frequency of specific clinical features in both groups was similar. Statistical relationship (p≤0.05) was observed only in case of skin lesions. In chest x-ray there was no statistical link as for analyzed changes. Interstitial inflammatory changes were most frequently observed. Conclusions Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae are significant etiological factors in pneumonia in children, and as such they should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis of pneumonia in children. The clinical picture of pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae is hardly specific, with basic labs and chest x-ray of little help in differentiation of infection etiology.
An estimate of particulates in the vicinity of a Shuttle orbiter due to meteoroid impact

An estimate of the magnitude of released particles in the vicinity of a a Shuttle (STS) Orbiter due to meteoroid impact has been completed. A calculation of the number of particles existing as surface contamination and released by such impacts has been performed. In addition, two estimates of the creation of new particles due to meteoroid cratering (backsplash) have been obtained. In each case, the total number of particles per day as a function of size without regard to velocity, as a function of velocity without regard to size, and as a joint distribution in size and velocity has been calculated.
Three-Dimensional Force Flow Paths and Reinforcement Design in Concrete via Stress-Dependent Truss-Continuum Topology Optimization

AbstractStrut-and-tie models (STMs) are widely used by RC designers. However, selection of a viable model is a challenging task, especially in complex three-dimensional (3D) design domains with irregular cutouts, which are common in building cores and shear walls. Therefore, topology optimization has been promoted as a means of automating the development of minimum strain energy STMs, which can lead to improved structural behavior. Current drawbacks of such methods are that solutions may be difficult to construct and may fail to properly account for tensile stresses resulting from force spreading. A two-dimensional hybrid truss-continuum topology optimization scheme was recently developed to overcome these challenges with the goal of reconfiguring traditional reinforcement layouts to automatically follow principal tensile stresses, reducing cracking at service loads and increasing strength and ductility at an ultimate limit state. That work is generalized and extended herein to 3D domains and mechanics mo...
CO2 Storage and Utilization in Tight Hydrocarbon-bearing Formations: A Case Study of the Bakken Formation in the Williston Basin☆

Abstract Little work has been done to examine the ability of tight hydrocarbon-bearing formations to serve as targets for CO 2 storage and utilization. The Bakken Formation is one of the largest tight oil formations in North America. Laboratory experiments using Bakken rocks and fluids, evaluation of reservoir characterization data, and geomodeling activities were conducted to understand the potential for CO 2 utilization and storage in tight oil formations. Results suggest that tight oil formations may serve as targets for geologic storage of CO 2 and that the injection of CO 2 may be effective in enhancing the productivity of oil from those formations.
Self-derogating consequences of sex-based preferential selection: The moderating role of initial self-confidence

Abstract One hundred and twenty undergraduates (60 male and 60 female) served as leaders for a one-way communication task. They were selected for the leadership position on the basis of merit or preferential selection. Among those selected preferentially, one group was given no information, another group was given positive information, and a third group was given negative information about their task-related leadership ability. As expected, when selected preferentially and provided with no ability information, males did not differ in self-views but females were far more negative in self-views than those selected on the basis of merit. However, when provided with positive information about task-related ability women selected preferentially did not differ in self-view from those selected on the basis of merit, and when provided with negative information about task-related ability men selected preferentially did evidence more negative self-views then those selected on the basis of merit. Measures of self-view included evaluations of performance, perceptions of general leadership ability, and desire to persist in the leadership role. The findings lend support to the idea that confidence in task-related ability is an important determinant of reactions to preferential selection. Implications of these findings, both theoretical and practical, are discussed.
Estimation of Adhesion Hysteresis at Polymer/Oxide Interfaces Using Rolling Contact Mechanics

The rolling of a cylinder on a flat plate can be viewed as the propagation of two cracksone closing at the advancing edge and the other opening at the trailing edge. The difference of adhesion in these two regions, i.e. the adhesion hysteresis, depends on the nonequilibrium interfacial processes in an elastic system. This rolling contact geometry was used to study the effects of dispersion forces and specific interactions on interfacial adhesion hysteresis. In order to accomplish this objective, hemicylindrical elastomers of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)both unmodified and plasma oxidizedwere rolled on thin PDMS films bonded to silicon wafers. Plasma oxidation generates a silica-like surface on PDMS elastomer, which interacts with PDMS molecules via hydrogen-bonding forces. The adhesion hysteresis in the latter case is large and depends significantly on the molecular weight of the grafted polymer, whereas the hysteresis is rather negligible for purely dispersive systems. These results are interpreted in ter...
SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE AND RATES OF PERSONAL VIOLENCE IN THE USA

Summary.-Mean SAT Verbal and Mathematics scores for the continental states of the USA in 1980 were negatively associated with homicide rates and, less reliably, positively associated with suicide rates. Lester (1993a) found no ecological associations between the average intelligence of students in French Departments and the suicide rates of these departments. To explore this association in the United States, suicide and homicide rates of the continental states of the USA in 1980 (Lester, 1993b) were correlated with the mean Scholastic Aptitude Test Verbal and Mathematics scores of students in the states.' Suicide rates were not significantly associated with mean SAT Verbal or Mathematics scores (Pearson rs = 0.19 and 0.18, respectively); however, more detailed analyses indicated that the positive associations were significant for males' suicide rates (rs = 0.24 and 0.24) and for urban suicide rates (rs = 0.29 and 0.28). Homicide rates were negatively associated with mean SAT Verbal and Mathematics scores (rs = -0.32 and -0.36). These negative associations were found for both males' and females' homicide rates and for both urban and rural homicide rates, but only for white homicide rates. Thus, the present analysis has indicated that homicide rates may be lower in states where students' scholastic performance is better and that suicide rates may be higher in such states, at least in some groups.
SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURE OF TETRAIRIDIUM CLUSTERS ON TIO2 POWDER: CHARACTERIZATION BY INFRARED AND EXTENDED X-RAY ABSORPTION FINE STRUCTURE SPECTROSCOPIES

Site-isolated [Ir4(CO)12] on the surface of TiO2 powder (calcined at 200 or 400 °C) was prepared by deposition of [Ir4(CO)12] from n-hexane solution and, alternatively, by reductive carbonylation of TiO2-supported [Ir(CO)2(acac)] in the presence of CO at 1 atm and 100 °C. The preparation of the supported clusters and their subsequent decarbonylation by treatment in He or H2 were characterized by infrared (IR) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies. The first-shell Ir−Ir coordination number representing the supported iridium carbonyl clusters was found to be 3.0 ± 0.3, with an Ir−Ir bond distance of 2.68 ± 0.03 A, consistent with X-ray diffraction data characterizing crystalline [Ir4(CO)12]. Decarbonylation in He at 300 °C gave TiO2-supported clusters retaining the tetrahedral Ir4 frame of the precursor [Ir4(CO)12], with an Ir−Ir first-shell coordination number of 3.0 ± 0.3. In contrast, decarbonylation of TiO2-supported [Ir4(CO)12] in H2 at 300 °C led to (nonuniform) aggregate...
Taking on the Big Issues and Climbing the Mountains Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities in Asia

At the 2007 International System Dynamics Society Conference, Professor Jay Forrester posed a challenge: “We need books addressed to the public that are understandable, relevant, important and dramatic”. We need to overcome the “constraints of academe” that inhibit path-breaking work. We need to address “the big issues”. We need to march “upward from the present aimless plateau and start climbing the mountains ahead”. This was a message that was intended to inspire and empower, not to criticize. Responding to Professor Forrester’s challenge, this paper first describes the work of three inspiring role models, Dennis Meadows, Junko Edahiro and John Sterman. They have demonstrated how books can have an impact on people’s lives, how “big issues” can be addressed, how the constraints of academe can be overcome and how mountains can be scaled. Second, it offers grounds for optimism about the future of system dynamics modeling in Asia, gained from my sojourn at the National University of Singapore. Third, it describes three “mountains ahead” to be scaled and highlights the work of individuals who have already begun the journey.
Contrasting Effects of Cyclosporine and Rapamycin in De Novo Generation of Alloantigen-Specific Regulatory T Cells

The outcome of T-cell-mediated responses, immunity or tolerance, critically depends on the balance of cytopathic versus regulatory T (T(reg)) cells. In the creation of stable tolerance to MHC incompatible allografts, reducing the unusually large mass of donor-reactive cytopathic T effector (T(eff)) cells via apoptosis is often required. Cyclosporine (CsA) blocks activation-induced cell death (AICD) of T(eff) cells, and is detrimental to tolerance induction by costimulation blockade, whereas Rapamycin (RPM) preserves AICD, and augments the potential of costimulation blockade to create tolerance. While differences between CsA and RPM in influencing apoptosis of activated graft-destructive T(eff) cells are apparent, their effects on graft-protective T(reg) cells remain enigmatic. Moreover, it is unclear whether tolerizing regimens foster conversion of naive peripheral T cells into alloantigen-specific T(reg) cells for graft protection. Here we show, using reporter mice for T(reg) marker Foxp3, that RPM promotes de novo conversion of alloantigen-specific T(reg) cells, whereas CsA completely inhibits this process. Upon transfer, in vivo converted T(reg) cells potently suppress the rejection of donor but not third party skin grafts. Thus, the differential effects of RPM and CsA on T(eff) and T(reg) cells favor the use of RPM in shifting the balance of aggressive to protective type alloimmunity.
Patterns and Timing of Recurrence After Temozolomide-Based Chemoradiation for Glioblastoma

Purpose To determine recurrence patterns of glioblastoma treated with temozolomide-based chemoradiation. Methods Pretreatment and serial posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging scans of 54 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Central recurrence ( i.e., local progression) and the development of new ( i.e., interval appearance of discrete enhancing lesion) in-field, marginal, and distant recurrences were assessed, with the pattern of recurrence of individual lesions defined relative to the 95% isodose line (D 95 ). Distant recurrences were defined as lesions completely outside D 95 , marginal recurrences crossed D 95 , and in-field recurrences were completely inside D 95 . Results At a median follow-up of 17 months, 39 of 54 (72%) patients developed recurrent glioblastoma. Among these 39 patients, central recurrence occurred in 80% (at a median of 7 months from diagnosis); new in-field recurrence developed in 33% (at a median of 14 months); marginal recurrences developed in 15% (at a median of 18 months); and distant recurrences developed in 20% (at a median of 11 months). The actuarial rates of central, new in-field, marginal, distant, and any new recurrences at 1-year were 46%, 15%, 3%, 14%, and 25% respectively, whereas at 2 years, the rates were 68%, 60%, 32%, 28%, and 66%, reflecting an increasing probability of new lesions developing at later time points. Ten patients developed subependymal recurrences, of whom 7 developed multiple subependymal lesions. Conclusions Whereas central recurrence of glioblastoma treated with radiation and temozolomide predominates and persists over time, new in-field, marginal, and distant recurrences commonly develop, particularly at later time points in patients with longer survival.
Deletion of Serum Amyloid A3 Improves High Fat High Sucrose Diet-Induced Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Hyperlipidemia in Female Mice

Serum amyloid A (SAA) increases in response to acute inflammatory stimuli and is modestly and chronically elevated in obesity. SAA3, an inducible form of SAA, is highly expressed in adipose tissue in obese mice where it promotes monocyte chemotaxis, providing a mechanism for the macrophage accumulation that occurs with adipose tissue expansion in obesity. Humans do not express functional SAA3 protein, but instead express SAA1 and SAA2 in hepatic as well as extrahepatic tissues, making it difficult to distinguish between liver and adipose tissue-specific SAA effects. SAA3 does not circulate in plasma, but may exert local effects that impact systemic inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that SAA3 contributes to chronic systemic inflammation and adipose tissue macrophage accumulation in obesity using mice deficient for Saa3 (Saa3−/−). Mice were rendered obese by feeding a pro-inflammatory high fat, high sucrose diet with added cholesterol (HFHSC). Both male and female Saa3−/− mice gained less weight on the HFHSC diet compared to Saa3+/+ littermate controls, with no differences in body composition or resting metabolism. Female Saa3−/− mice, but not males, had reduced HFHSC diet-induced adipose tissue inflammation and macrophage content. Both male and female Saa3−/− mice had reduced liver Saa1 and Saa2 expression in association with reduced plasma SAA. Additionally, female Saa3−/− mice, but not males, showed improved plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein profiles, with no changes in glucose metabolism. Taken together, these results suggest that the absence of Saa3 attenuates liver-specific SAA (i.e., SAA1/2) secretion into plasma and blunts weight gain induced by an obesogenic diet. Furthermore, adipose tissue-specific inflammation and macrophage accumulation are attenuated in female Saa3−/− mice, suggesting a novel sexually dimorphic role for this protein. These results also suggest that Saa3 influences liver-specific SAA1/2 expression, and that SAA3 could play a larger role in the acute phase response than previously thought.
Solvent entrainment in and flocculation of asphaltenic aggregates probed by small-angle neutron scattering.

While small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has proven to be very useful for deducing the sizes and masses of asphaltenic aggregates in solution, care must be taken to account for solvation effects within the aggregates so as to not err in the characterization of these important systems. SANS measurements were performed on solutions of asphaltenes dispersed in deuterated solvents in which a broad spectrum of solute and solvent chemical compositions was represented. Fits to the scattering intensity curves were performed using the Guinier approximation, the Ornstein−Zernike (or Zimm) model, a mass-fractal model, and a polydisperse cylinder model. The mass-fractal model provided apparent fractal dimensions (2.2−3) for the aggregates that generally decreased with increasing aggregate size, indicating increased surface roughness for larger aggregates. The polydisperse cylinder model provided typical values of the particle thicknesses from 5 to 32 A, the average particle radius from 25 to 125 A, and ∼30% radius...
Effects of stenting on coronary artery dynamics

Stents have dramatically improved the treatment of coronary artery disease. In this paper, we presents a method to extract the dynamic geometry of the coronary artery before and after stenting by tracking the 3-D vessel segment in biplane angiograms. By this technique, the effects of stenting on the 3-D coronary dynamics can be studied in vivo and quantitatively.
Media violence, gun control, and public policy

Public concern with the national level of violence is discussed, and the complexity of the issue delineated. Research findings in two key areas of the topic, media violence and availability of firearms, are examined, as is their applicability to public policy efforts and recommendations for the prevention of violence. An approach that combines efforts to counteract media violence with those aimed at effective gun control is outlined in terms of bringing about changes in attitudes toward violence and firearm possession.
Isotope Effects in Complex Scattering Lengths for He Collisions With Molecular Hydrogen

We examine the effect of theoretically varying the collision-system reduced mass in collisions of He with vibrationally excited molecular hydrogen and observe zero-energy resonances for select atomic ``hydrogen'' masses less than 1 u or a ``helium'' mass of $1.95$ u. Complex scattering lengths, state-to-state vibrational quenching cross sections, and a low-energy elastic scattering resonance are all studied as a function of collision-system reduced mass. Experimental observations of these phenomena in the cold and ultracold regimes for collisions of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ with ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, HD, HT, and DT should be feasible in the near future.
Using tactile and visual sensing with a robotic hand

Most robotic hands are either sensorless or lack the ability to accurately and robustly report position and force information relating to contact. This paper describes a robotic hand system that uses a limited set of native-joint position and force sensing along with custom-designed tactile sensors and real-time vision modules to accurately compute finger contacts and applied forces for grasping tasks. Three experiments are described: integration of real-time visual trackers in conjunction with internal strain gauge sensing to correctly localize and compute finger forces, determination of contact points on the inner and outer links of a finger through tactile sensing and visual sensing, and determination of vertical displacement by tactile sensing for a grasping task.
Establishment of an Invasive Plant Species (Conium maculatum) in Contaminated Roadside Soil in Cook County, Illinois

Abstract Interactions between environmental variables in anthropogenically disturbed environments and physiological traits of invasive species may help explain reasons for invasive species' establishment in new areas. Here we analyze how soil contamination along roadsides may influence the establishment of Conium maculatum (poison hemlock) in Cook County, IL, USA. We combine analyses that: (1) characterize the soil and measure concentrations of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) where Conium is growing; (2) assess the genetic diversity and structure of individuals among nine known populations; and (3) test for tolerance to heavy metals and evidence for local soil growth advantage with greenhouse establishment experiments. We found elevated levels of metals and PAHs in the soil where Conium was growing. Specifically, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were found at elevated levels relative to U.S. EPA ecological contamination thresholds. In a greenhouse study we found that Coni...
Partnerships and photographs: Community conceptions of Keweenaw National Historical Park

Geographers have a long tradition of using photographs to investigate landscape meaning. I conducted photo‐elicitation research with community members residing in and around one of the National Par...
Scalable and Reliable Location Services through Decentralized Replication

One of the critical challenges for service oriented computing systems is the capability to guarantee scalable and reliable service provision. This paper presents Reliable GeoGrid, a decentralized service computing architecture based on geographical location aware overlay network for supporting reliable and scalable mobile information delivery services. The reliable GeoGrid approach offers two distinct features. First, we develop a distributed replication scheme, aiming at providing scalable and reliable processing of location service requests in decentralized pervasive computing environments. Our replica management operates on a network of heterogeneous nodes and utilizes a shortcut-based optimization to increase the resilience of the system against node failures and network failures. Second, we devise a dynamic load balancing technique that exploits the service processing capabilities of replicas to scale the system in anticipation of unexpected workload changes and node failures by taking into account of node heterogeneity, network proximity, and changing workload at each node. Our experimental evaluation shows that the reliable GeoGrid architecture is highly scalable under changing service workloads with moving hotspots and highly reliable in the presence of both individual node failures and massive node failures.
Intramedullary Abscess of the Spinal Cord in the Setting of Patent Foramen Ovale

Background Intramedullary abscess of the spinal cord is a rare entity, especially in the setting of an intracardiac shunt, which, to our knowledge, has not been described in the literature. Here we present a case of an intramedullary spinal cord abscess in a patient with a patent foramen ovale. Methods The article includes a chart review and description of a clinical case presentation. Results A 59-year-old man was admitted with rapidly progressive quadriparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated a large intramedullary mass extending from the level of C3 to C7. The patient was taken to the operating room for biopsy and surgical evacuation of the mass. Intraoperative pathology was consistent with abscess, and subsequent cultures grew Streptococcus viridans . On further workup, the patient was found to have a patent foramen ovale with right-to-left flow. Postoperatively, the strength improved significantly in all extremities with residual weakness. Conclusion This is the first published case of an intramedullary spinal cord abscess in the setting of an intracardiac right-to-left shunt. Although intramedullary spinal cord abscess is rare, there are certain predisposing conditions that increase the risk of its occurrence.
Mobilization of the Escherichia coli Plasmid ColE1 (Colicin E1) and ColE1 Vectors Used in Recombinant DNA Experiments

The Escherichia coli Co1E1 plasmid, which codes for production of colicin E1, is inherently nontransferable (nonconjugative) by bacterial mating. Co1E1 can be transmitted at mating by a process called mobilization if Co1E1 is coresident with a transfer plasmid. Mobilization is governed in part by a Co1E1 gene called mob. Co1E1 is mob+. Several Co1E1 derivatives employed in recombinant DNA experiments, notably pBR313 and pBR322, are mob-. These cloning vehicles are mobilized at markedly reduced frequency relative to Co1E1. E. coli K12 carrying either pBR313 or pBR322 represents a useful host vector system for recombinant DNA experiments and affords a significant degree of biological containment.
BETTER GUN ENFORCEMENT, LESS CRIME

Research Summary: Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which for the past several years has been the major federal initiative to combat gun violence, includes several elements (such as gun locks and other efforts to reduce gun availability) that research suggests are likely to have at best modest effects on gun crime. In general, enforcement activities targeted at the “demand side” of the underground gun market currently enjoy stronger empirical support. However much of PSN's budget has been devoted to increasing the severity of punishment, such as by federaliz-ing gun cases, which seems to be less effective than targeted street-level enforcement designed to increase the probability of punishment for gun carrying or use in crime. Policy Implications: PSN and other enforcement activities could be made more effective by redirecting resources toward activities such as targeted patrols against illegal gun carrying. Given the substantial social costs of gun violence, an efficiency argument can also be made for increasing funding beyond previous levels.
PROPERTIES OF STREAM INTERACTIONS AT ONE AU DURING 1995 - 2004

A stream interaction region (SIR) forms when a fast solar stream overtakes a slow stream, leading to structure that evolves as an SIR moves away from the Sun. Based on Wind (1995 – 2004) and ACE (1998 – 2004) in situ observations, we have conducted a comprehensive survey of SIRs at one AU, including a separate assessment of the longer-lasting corotating interaction regions (CIRs) that recur on more than one solar rotation. In all there are 196 CIRs, accounting for about 54% of the 365 SIRs. The largest proportion of CIRs to SIRs (64%) appears in 1999, and the smallest proportion (49%) is in 2002. Over the ten years, the annual number of SIR events varies little, from 32 up to 45. On average, the occurrence rate of shocks at SIRs at one AU is about 24%. Seventy percent of the SIRs with shocks have only forward shocks, more than twice the percentage of SIRs with only reverse shocks. This preponderance of forward shocks is consistent with the deflections of forward and reverse shocks relative to the ecliptic plane. In order to help address the effect of SIRs and CIRs on geomagnetic activity, we determine the solar-cycle variation of the event duration, scale size, the change in velocity from slow stream to fast stream, and the solar-cycle variation of the maximum magnetic field, peak total perpendicular pressure, and other properties. These statistics also provide a baseline for future studies at other heliocentric distances and for validating heliospheric models.
Impact of age on procedural and 1-year outcome in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: a report from the NHLBI Dynamic Registry.

Abstract Background Older age has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). As PCI technology evolves and the US population becomes proportionally older, assessment of PCI in older age groups is essential. Methods From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Dynamic Registry, 4620 PCI-treated patients (1997 to 1999) were studied. Differences in clinical presentation, treatment strategy, and inhospital and 1-year outcomes were compared between patient age groups: younger ( Results Older and elderly patients had more cardiac and comorbid noncardiac conditions and more extensive and complex arteriosclerosis, including stenoses in bypass grafts. Stent use was similar as age increased (72% vs 73% vs 73%), as was the use of IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists (29% vs 26% vs 28%). Rates of successful treatment of all attempted lesions were 93%, 92%, and 89%, respectively. Adjusted relative risks of inhospital death (1.0 vs 2.91 vs 3.64) and myocardial infarction (1.0 vs 1.35 vs 2.57) increased by age group, as did 1-year mortality rates (1.0 vs 1.87 vs 3.02). However, the relative magnitude of excess mortality rates at 1 year was comparable to that observed by age in the US general population. Age was not associated with 1-year risk of myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass grafting. Conclusions Although new technologies may allow for treatment of complex disease in older and elderly patients with comorbid disease, the increased procedural risk remains substantial in these patients. After PCI, the long-term relative risk of death is similar to that expected among persons of similar ages in the general population.
Depth of principal mass anomalies contributing to the earth's geoidal undulations and gravity anomalies∗

Abstract To help decipher the distribution of the principal mass anomalies within the earth, an analysis is made of the earth's potential field by simultaneously considering both gravity and geoid anomalies. Ancillary knowledge about the earth from astronomical, angular momentum, seismological, and plate tectonic studies aids in deciding between deep or broad shallow‐mass anomalies as the causative source of certain potential field anomalies. The geoid (or gravity) anomaly for an individual gravity potential field feature as a function of increasing spatial resolution (decreasing wavelength) is obtained by accumulating stepwise the contributions of spherical harmonic coefficients for each degree and order for any selected location. This is equivalent to displaying the spectral content of an anomaly. The ratio of gravity to geoid (g/N) for each individual harmonic degree is independent of the harmonic coefficient values, being determined only by the degree and values for normal gravity and the earth's radi...
Gender differences in the rates of exposure to stressful life events and sensitivity to their depressogenic effects.

OBJECTIVE: Women are at greater risk for major depression than men. The authors sought to determine whether the gender difference in prevalence for major depression was due to more frequent exposure to stressful life events and/or greater sensitivity to their depressogenic effects. METHOD: Male-male, female-female, and male-female twin pairs from a popu-lation-based registry were personally interviewed. Each interview assessed the occurrence, to the nearest month, of 18 personal and social network classes of stressful life events and episode onsets of major depression. Standard logistic regression analyses were conducted for the same-sex pairs, and each female twin in the opposite-sex pairs was compared with her male co-twin by using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Women consistently reported higher rates of housing problems, loss of confidant, crises and problems getting along with individuals in their proximal network, and illness of individuals within their distal network. In both the same-se...
Supersonic Breakaway Separation Past an Adiabatic Wavy Wall

Triple-deck free interactions for breakaway separation are computed for flow past an adiabatic wavy wall. These solutions depend on a phase shift, which positions the breakaway separation relative to the wavy wall. The downstream shear layer slope of the breakaway separation is largely unaffected by the wavy wall
Pattern formation in a suspension of swimming microorganisms: equations and stability theory

A model for collective movement and pattern formation in layered suspensions of negatively geotactic micro-organisms is presented. The motility of the organism is described by an average upward swimming speed U and a diffusivity tensor D. It is shown that the equilibrium suspension is unstable to infinitesimal perturbations when either the layer depth or the mean concentration of the organisms exceeds a critical value. For deep layers the maximum growth rate determines a preferred pattern size explicitly in terms of U and D. The results are compared with observations of patterns formed by the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis.
Results of prevention of REStenosis with tranilast and its outcomes (PRESTO) trial

Background—Restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a major problem affecting 15% to 30% of patients after stent placement. No oral agent has shown a beneficial effect on restenosis or on associated major adverse cardiovascular events. In limited trials, the oral agent tranilast has been shown to decrease the frequency of angiographic restenosis after PCI. Methods and Results—In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of tranilast (300 and 450 mg BID for 1 or 3 months), 11 484 patients were enrolled. Enrollment and drug were initiated within 4 hours after successful PCI of at least 1 vessel. The primary end point was the first occurrence of death, myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization within 9 months and was 15.8% in the placebo group and 15.5% to 16.1% in the tranilast groups (P0.77 to 0.81). Myocardial infarction was the only component of major adverse cardiovascular events to show some evidence of a reduction with tranilast (450 mg BID for 3 months): 1.1% versus 1.8% with placebo (P0.061 for intent-to-treat population). The primary reason for not completing treatment was 1 hepatic laboratory test abnormality (11.4% versus 0.2% with placebo, P0.01). In the angiographic substudy composed of 2018 patients, minimal lumen diameter (MLD) was measured by quantitative coronary angiography. At follow-up, MLD was 1.760.77 mm in the placebo group, which was not different from MLD in the tranilast groups (1.72 to 1.780.76 to 80 mm, P0.49 to 0.89). In a subset of these patients (n1107), intravascular ultrasound was performed at follow-up. Plaque volume was not different between the placebo and tranilast groups (39.3 versus 37.5 to 46.1 mm 3 , respectively; P0.16 to 0.72). Conclusions—Tranilast does not improve the quantitative measures of restenosis (angiographic and intravascular ultrasound) or its clinical sequelae. (Circulation. 2002;106:1243-1250.)
Treatment of heroin addicts using buprenorphine.

Thirty-nine opioid-dependent outpatients were treated with the partial agonist buprenorphine at 2 to 6 mg/day for 1 month. Treatment retention was good (72%), and illicit opioid use decreased from 50% overall to 17% for those who remained in treatment. Precipitated withdrawal symptoms were mild and related to dose of buprenorphine. At the end of this month, 28 subjects were abruptly discontinued from buprenorphine and given the antagonist naltrexone. Withdrawal symptoms from buprenorphine were quite mild, and naltrexone was initiated in 20 patients (51 % of total or 71 % of those 28 completing 30 days on buprenorphine), but only 4 patients (10% overall) were successfully maintained on naltrexone for at least 2 weeks.
Use of frameless neuronavigation for bedside placement of external ventricular catheters

Neuronavigation for placement of ventricular catheters has been described. At our institution, electromagnetic neuronavigation is frequently utilized for difficult ventricular catheter placement. In patients who develop a trapped ventricle as a result of an intraparenchymal or intraventricular mass lesion, successful catheter placement may be difficult, as the location and trajectory are unfamiliar. The authors report their experience using electromagnetic neuronavigation for bedside placement of external ventricular catheters in patients with trapped ventricles. The technique for bedside placement of external ventricular catheters utilizing electromagnetic neuronavigation is reviewed. The benefits of this technique and those patients in whom it may be most useful are discussed. Utilization of bedside electromagnetic neuronavigation for placement of difficult external ventricular catheters into trapped ventricles is an option for accurate navigated catheter placement. Bedside electromagnetic neuronavigation offers accurate catheter placement in awake patients. This technique may be utilized in patients with high perioperative risk factors as it does not require general anesthesia. The procedure is well tolerated as it does not require rigid head fixation.