cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal cyclic scheduling of multistage continuous multiproduct plants

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of optimizing cyclic schedules of multiproduct continuous plants that consist of a sequence of stages each involving one production line that are interconnected by storage tanks. The problem involves a combinatorial part (sequencing of products) and a continuous part (duration of production runs and inventory levels). The problem is formulated as a large scale mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) model that involves nondifferentiabilities in the inventory levels for the storage tanks. Binary variables and mixed-integer constraints are used to remove these nondifferentiabilities. A solution method based on variants of the generalized Benders decomposition and outer approximation is proposed for this scheduling problem. The method consists of an MINLP subproblem in which cycle times and inventory levels are optimized for a fixed sequence, and an MILP master problem that determines the optimal sequence of production. Examples are presented to compare the proposed decomposition method with the direct solution of the MINLP using an augmented penalty version of the outer-approximation method. The results show that the computational requirements can be greatly reduced in problems involving several hundred 0–1 variables, and several thousand continuous variables and constraints.
Activation of β-catenin and Akt pathways by Twist are critical for the maintenance of EMT associated cancer stem cell-like characters

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) not only confers tumor cells with a distinct advantage for metastatic dissemination, but also it provides those cells with cancer stem cell-like characters for proliferation and drug resistance. However, the molecular mechanism for maintenance of these stem cell-like traits remains unclear. In this study, we induced EMT in breast cancer MCF7 and cervical cancer Hela cells with expression of Twist, a key transcriptional factor of EMT. The morphological changes associated with EMT were analyzed by immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting. The stem cell-like traits associated with EMT were determined by tumorsphere-formation and expression of ALDH1 and CD44 in these cells. The activation of β-catenin and Akt pathways was examined by Western blotting and luciferase assays. We found that expression of Twist induced a morphological change associated with EMT. We also found that the cancer stem cell-like traits, such as tumorsphere formation, expression of ALDH1 and CD44, were significantly elevated in Twist-overexpressing cells. Interestingly, we showed that β-catenin and Akt pathways were activated in these Twist-overexpressing cells. Activation of β-catenin correlated with the expression of CD44. Knockdown of β-catenin expression and inhibition of the Akt pathway greatly suppressed the expression of CD44. Our results indicate that activation of β-catenin and Akt pathways are required for the sustention of EMT-associated stem cell-like traits.
Dietary fat and fiber differentially alter intracellular second messengers during tumor devolopment in rat colon

factorial design with two types of fat (corn oil or fish oil), two types of fiber (cellulose or pectin), two injected subgroups (with or without azoxymethane (AOM), and two time points (15 and 37 weeks). At the final time point (37 weeks) there were an additional 20 rats per diet in each of the carcinogen-treated groups for tumor analyses only (n = 80), for a total of 240 animals in the entire study. At each time point (15 and 37 weeks), 80 rats were killed and colonic mucosa obtained for DAG, ceramide and PLC-yl assays. At the first time point (15 weeks), there was no microscopic evidence of tumors. At the final time point (37 weeks), fish oil resulted in a lower proportion of animals with adenocarcinomas relative to corn oil feeding (56.1% versus 69.6%, P < 0.05). There was no significant main effect of fiber on the percentage of animals with tumors. At 15 weeks post-injection, AOM injected animals fed corn oil-containing diets had a significantly (P < 0.001) higher DAG mass and steady-state levels of PLC-yl compared with AOM-injected animals fed fish oil and saline injected rats on all diets. Animals fed corn oil diets also had a significantly {P < 0.01) elevated mucosal ceramide mass compared with fish oil fed animals. Moreover, rats injected with AOM had a significantly (P < 0.02) elevated colonic mucosal DAG/ceramide ratio versus saline injected animals. In contrast, dietary fiber had no effect on any of the parameters measured at 15 weeks. However, at 37 weeks post-injection, dietary fiber significantly altered DAG (P < 0.02), and PLC-yl expression (P < 0.05) in the absence of an effect on tumor incidence. These data demonstrate that the ability of dietary fish oil to reduce experimental colon carcinogenesis may be mediated by changes in colonic intracellular mediators during the initial stages of tumorigenesis .
Socio-political dimensions of CCS deployment through the lens of social network analysis

Abstract The Socio-Political Evaluation of Energy Deployment (SPEED) framework was proposed to improve understanding of energy technology deployment. It was intended to help energy policy-makers develop and implement more effective strategies to accelerate the deployment of emerging energy technologies. The theoretical underpinnings lie in the fields of sustainability science, political science, and risk perception. Part of the objectives of the SPEED framework are to identify the dominant socio-political influences on energy technology decisions and examine how policy can facilitate a societal response to climate change by contributing insights to stakeholders. The focus is at the state level because it is at the state level that emergent energy technologies are sited, permitted, and built. The purpose of this study was to examine the structure of communication about carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology from the perspective of individuals actively involved in decisions that affect deployment and diffusion. We use density of function-system networks to examine differences between states and categories stakeholders. The information is used to inform the discussion of the current structure of communication and how it might present either barriers or opportunities for CCS innovation. Five function systems are used, each divided into benefits (positive) or risks (negative) associated with CCS: Economic benefit (ECP), economic risk (ECN), environmental benefit (ENP), environmental risk (ENN), health and safety benefit (HLP), health and safety risk (HLN), political benefit (POP), political risk (PON), technical benefit (TEP), and technical risk (TEN). An additional category of CCS statements that could not be definitively assigned to one of these categories was included as an ‘other’ category (OTP and OTN). Networks were constructed for all stakeholders, each state, and each stakeholder type based on ties of shared intensity of communication about the particular frame. From these networks, density measurements were calculated and reported. In the case studies presented here, technical risk dominates communication about CCS at the state level. The economic, technical, and political system functions appear to present the greatest barrier due to largely negative communication. This study focuses on how the development of shared meaning creates ties between individuals in a CCS policy network.
The Cladistic Race Concept: A Defense

Many contemporary race scholars reject the biological reality of race.Elsewhere I have argued that they have been too quick to do so. Part ofthe reason is that they have overlooked the possibility that races canbe defined cladistically. Since the publication of the cladistic raceconcept, a number of questions and objections have been raised. My aimin this paper is to address these objections.
Binomial Sequential Classification Sampling Plans for Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) Management: Robustness Varying with Tally Thresholds of Aphids in Sample Units

Binomial sequential classification sampling plans were developed for use in classifying populations of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), below or above a mean intervention-threshold density ( >miT ) for management decision making. Based on 4 yr of field data from summer and fall populations on wheat and barley in the northwestern United States, the proportion of tillers with no more than T (tally threshold) aphids ( PT ) was related to mean aphid density (m) with an empirical model in the form of In[-In( PT )] = a + b ln( m ) and the negative binomial distribution. Three mean intervention threshold ( mIT ) values (one, five, and 10 aphids per tiller) with a series of T values were used to satisfy needs for control of aphid populations varying in density at different crop stages. The sampling plans were evaluated using operating characteristic and average sample number functions computed using the empirical PT − m model or the negative binomial distribution model. The robustness of the sampling plans improved with increasing T values. When using empty tillers ( T = 0), the resulting sampling plans were not robust for all mIT values considered. Based on the operating characteristic and average sample number functions, the recommended T values for use are 2-4 for crops at stages before the end of booting given mIT = 1, 15-25 for crops at stages before heading given mIT = 5, and 20-40 for crops at stages after heading or flowering given mIT = 10. Sampling stop lines for each mIT and T are provided along with a discussion of their application to sampling aphid populations in the field.
Fatigue of Intermetallic Compounds

The fatigue behavior of intermetallic compounds is reviewed. The effects of long range order, stoichiometry, test temperature and test environment on crack initiations high cycle fatigue lives and crack growth rates are emphasized. In the case of Ni3Al+B stoichiometry affects high cycle lives largely through the influence of aluminum on ductility and notch sensitivity. High cycle fatigue behavior of Fe3Al is dependent upon stoichiometry and temperature in a complex way which is connected with the formation of superlattice dislocations and with phase changes during high temperature exposure. Oxygen and hydrogen are shown to be detrimental to high cycle fatigue and crack growth in several compounds.
Novel approaches in optical imaging and visualization of early cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment

Ultrathin, flexible endoscopes are being developed for imaging cancer in previously inaccessible regions of the body, allowing image-guided biopsy and laser diagnostics/therapeutics. Cancer diagnosis at high sensitivity/specificity is achieved with optical tomography microscopes.
Effects of internet path selection on video-QoE

This paper presents large scale Internet measurements to understand and improve the effects of Internet path selection on perceived video quality. We systematically study a large number of Internet paths between popular video destinations and clients to create an empirical understanding of location, persistence and recurrence of failures. We map these failures to perceptual quality by reconstructing video clips obtained from the trace to quantify both the perceptual degradations from these failures as well as the fraction of such failures that can be recovered.We then investigate ways to recover from QoE degradation by choosing one-hop detour paths that preserve application specific policies. We seek simple, scalable path selection strategies without the need for background path monitoring or apriori path knowledge of any kind. To do this, we deployed five measurement overlays: one each in the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and two spread across the globe. We used these to stream IP-traces of a variety of clips between source-destination pairs while probing alternate paths for an entire week. Our results indicate that a source can recover from upto 90% of the degradations by attempting to restore QoE with any five randomly chosen nodes in an overlay. We argue that our results are robust across datasets.Finally, we design and implement a prototype packet forwarding module called source initiated frame restoration (SIFR). We deployed SIFR on PlanetLab nodes, and compared the performance of SIFR with the default Internet routing. We show that SIFR outperforms IP-path selection by providing higher on-screen perceptual quality.
Absence of neuron‐associated microtubule proteins in the rat C‐6 glioma cell line. A comparative immunoblot and imrnunohistochemical study

Three neuron-associated microtubule proteins, Class III beta-tubulin isotype, MAP-2, and tau, were evaluated in a comparative immunoblot and immunohistochemical study of the rat C-6 glioma cell line maintained for up to 31 days in vitro. Western blots on whole SDS extracts of cells grown: (i) as monolayers on plastic dishes (for 13 and 16 days); (ii) as monolayers on poly-D-lysine coated glass coverslips (for 3, 7, and 11 days); and (iii) as explants on Gelfoam matrices (for 10, 30, and 31 days) were probed with monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) specific for the above-mentioned microtubule proteins. For these and all other markers employed, immunoperoxidase histochemistry was performed only on the matrix cultures. The immunoblot experiments demonstrated that the Class III beta-tubulin isotype, MAP2, and tau were not expressed by the C-6 cell line in any of the culture conditions, nor were they found by immunohistochemistry. In contrast, explants from all culture conditions were positive for glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein and for a universal anti-beta-tubulin isotype MoAb by immunoblotting, as well as by immunohistochemistry in Gelfoam matrix cultures maintained in an organ culture system. Both sets of experiments indicate that these markers are not altered under three different conditions of growth over a one-month period in vitro. The expression of GFA protein and the absence of detectable levels of Class III beta-tubulin, MAP2, and tau are in keeping with the astrocytic phenotype of the C-6 cell line.
Employment Change Among Married Parents of Children With Special Health Care Needs

Over one in five households with children has at least one child with a special health care need (CSHCN). Child health caregiving can bleed into paid work time. This research analyzes what factors influence work decisions (who reduces work and by how much) in married-couple families with CSHCN. This article uses data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to examine the specifics of changes in parental work status and a comparison of family/work trade-offs made by parents in families with and without a CSHCN. Results indicate that mothers are more likely to experience negative work changes than fathers. Both mothers and fathers with CSHCN are more likely to report missing work than parents of children without special health care needs. Overall, when children receive treatment in a primary care practice that serves as a medical home, parents are less likely to experience negative employment changes.
Detection of underground target using ultra-wideband borehole radar and SAR image formation

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) has recently evaluated a commercially available borehole radar to detect targets hidden underground. The goal of the experiment is to demonstrate the feasibility of the borehole radar coupled with ARL's signal and image processing techniques to penetrate various geophysical media for target detection. In this paper, we briefly describe the commercial ultra-wideband borehole radar used in the experiment. A conventional technique to provide the attenuation and velocity maps of the underground area between two holes is called tomography . It requires separate probes for the transmitter and the receiver for the measurement, and generally is more time consuming and laborious. Another technique known as reflection is also widely used. In this mode, the transmitter and receiver travel together as one single unit in one hole to measure the reflection data from surrounding clutter and underground targets. Although this mode is much simpler to operate than tomography, the resulting image has inferior resolution in the cross-range (depth) direction. In our experiment we employ this reflection mode, where a small cylindrical metal target is placed in one hole while the radar (both transmitter and receiver) travels in another hole to measure the target return. To improve the poor cross-range resolution associated with the reflection raw data image, we apply the backprojection image formation algorithm that is commonly used in synthetic aperture radar to form high resolution 2D images. We present the resulting images of background (without target) and with target, and show that the underground target can be easily detected using change detection technique. This paper also compares the measured data with the electromagnetic model prediction of the same target.
Blame Attribution as a Moderator of Perceptions of Sexual Orientation—Based Hate Crimes

Blame attribution is a valuable mechanism explaining decision making. However, present literature mainly employs blame attribution as a dependent variable. The shortcoming of this fact is that blame attribution offers a potentially valuable explanatory mechanism for decision making. The authors designed two studies to investigate blame attribution as a moderator of sentencing decisions in sexual orientation-based hate crimes. Study 1 showed that mock jurors punished perpetrators of hate crimes more severely than a control condition. Also, degree of victim blame influenced punitive decision making. In Study 2, mock jurors extended findings that perpetrators of hate crimes are more harshly punished than those of other types of crimes. Victim and perpetrator blame failed to moderate decision making in this more complex scenario. Results are discussed in relation to hate crimes definitions and attribution theory.
Orientational photorefractive effect in photosensitive-dye doped nematic liquid crystals

Theoretical analysis of photorefractivity in dye-doped nematic liquid crystal film is discussed. Analytical solutions of refractive index distribution and the first order diffraction efficiency are presented. The relationship between the diffraction efficiency and the applied DC voltage shows very good agreement to the experimental result in photorefractive region.
Gold Retention and Subsequent Mortality in Strains of Chickens Resistant and Susceptible to Lymphoid Leukosis or Marek’s Disease

Abstract A correlation between mortality from gold injections and resistance to the avian leukosis complex was observed in five strains of chickens selected by two investigators for resistance or susceptibility, but not in three other strains similarly selected by another investigator. Gold retention in these five strains of chickens generally was similar to mercury retention from phenylmercuric acetate injections. Within a selection program, these resistant chickens previously found to retain larger amounts of mercury also retained larger amounts of gold. The retention of gold was greater (P
Zidovudine phosphorylation after short‐term and long‐term therapy with zidovudine in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Background Resistance of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to zidovudine (AZT) has been associated with mutations in the viral reverse transcriptase gene. However, recent studies suggest that host cellular factors such as a decreased thymidine kinase activity or an increased cellular P-glycoprotein expression may be important. This study compared concentrations of zidovudine monophosphate, zidovudine diphosphate, and zidovudine triphosphate with P-glycoprotein expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients receiving long-term (> 18 months) and short-term (<2 months) zidovudine treatment. Methods Ten subjects in the short-term group and 11 subjects in the long-term group with CD4 counts between 300 and 500 received a single oral dose of zidovudine (200 mg) after a 24-hour washout period. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. Intracellular nucleotide concentrations were measured by a combined HPLC-radioimmunoassay method, and P-glycoprotein expression was determined by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis with use of the monoclonal mouse antibody MRK-16. Results Zidovudine monophosphate was the predominant compound, accounting for 73.4% ± 7.1% (SD) of the total phosphates in the long-term treatment group and 74.2% ± 15.0% (SD) in the short-term group. Zidovudine diphosphate accounted for 13.3% ± 3.3% (SD) in the long-term group and 12.5% ± 6.6% (SD) in the short-term group. Zidovudine triphosphate accounted for 13.4% ± 4.1% (SD) in the long-term group and 13.5% ± 8.3% (SD) in the short-term group. Mean peak concentrations for the active zidovudine triphosphate were 0.04 ± 0.02 (SD) pmol/106 cells in both groups. Comparison of the individual zidovudine phosphate concentrations and P-glycoprotein expression revealed no significant difference in the two patient populations. Conclusions These data suggest that intracellular phosphorylation does not change over time and that zidovudine does not select for P-glycoprotein expressing cells. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 60, 168–176; doi:
Mantle anisotropy in the Pacific Ocean

Abstract Following Hess' (1964) suggestion of the existence of anisotropy of compressional wave velocity in the mantle, measurements have been made in a number of locations in the North and South Pacific to determine the existence and amount of the anisotropy. First results showed that, north of Hawaii, the east-west velocity was 8% higher than the north-south velocity, and west of California the eastwest velocity was 4% higher. A geographical variability in velocity of the same order of magnitude as the anisotropic variation requires that measurements all be taken at the same location, and makes statistical studies of existing scattered data of marginal value. Later results of work in the eastern equatorial Pacific indicate a small anisotropic term with maximum velocity southeast-northwest, perpendicular to the axis of the East Pacific Rise in the area of survey. Additional measurements were made in the northern part of the North Pacific in 1970. Because of the small magnitude of the time differences being measured, field surveys require close control of errors and careful selection of survey sites for smooth topography and subdued structure. A method of survey using only a single ship to accomplish these results has been developed.
Film reviews and the public's perceptions of stereotypes: Movie critics' discourse about the siege

This paper investigates the public discourse surrounding the representation of cultural and ethnic groups in U.S. entertainment media by examining movie reviews of a specific film. It examines the types of arguments and support that popular film critics used in their evaluations of the 1998 action film The Siege. The film was publicly criticized by activist groups before its release and reviewers found it necessary to address the issue of whether the film contained stereotypes or could contribute to prejudicial understandings in their evaluations of the film. Three types of arguments that consistently appeared in the reviews’ evaluations of the film are described and explored: the film's relationship to real‐world events, the intentions of the film's creators, and the constraints of the genre. Implications of the consistent use of these criteria for audiences’ decisions to see the film, their evaluations of the film, and their understanding of the role of the media in maintaining or challenging racism and...
When does clinical equipoise cease to exist?: Commentary on an article by Ujash Sheth, BHSc, et al.: "Poor citation of prior evidence in hip fracture trials".

The study by Sheth et al. examines the citation rates for published studies comparing internal fixation with arthroplasty for the treatment of hip fractures, and the authors report an overall citation rate of only 56% even when a five-year lag in publication is granted. More importantly, Sheth et al. provide the results of a cumulative meta-analysis of twelve studies revealing “a stable estimate of at least a 60% reduction in risk of revision with arthroplasty” present after the fifth study, performed in the year 2000. On the basis of the provided information, at least one, and possibly more, of the trials began enrolling patients after the year 2000. As a result, the authors ultimately question “the continued exposure of patients to interventions that have proved to be less effective,” calling into question the timing of the existence of clinical equipoise in the treatment of hip fractures. The foundation of all research rests in the clinical question, which serves as the first and most important step in the design of a potential trial. Once a question is posed, the next logical step involves a thorough review of the existing literature to …
Erb's Explanation for the Tendon Reflexes: Links Between Science and the Clinic

Objective: To determine whether 19th-century experimental neurophysiological concepts directly influenced Erb's initial explanation for the deep tendon reflexes (DTRs). Background: There is extensive literature on the discovery of the clinical utility of the DTRs on the one hand and on the development of 19th-century experimental neurophysiological concepts and early scientific concepts of reflexology on the other. While it seems logical to assume that Erb's 1875 discovery of the clinical utility of the DTRs and his initial interpretation of the physiological meaning of heightened DTRs were grounded in some of these scientific concepts, the important link between the clinical and scientific realm has not, to our knowledge, been the subject of previous analysis. Methods: Review of the 19th-century neurophysiological literature and translation of seminal manuscripts written by Erb in the years 1875 and 1876. Results: The concepts of spinal inhibition and reflex action arose from 19th-century neurophysiological experimentation. Erb first described the term Patellarsehnenreflex (patellar tendon reflex) in 1875, and his publications reveal clear insight into several fundamental scientific concepts, including spinal inhibition, the reflex arc, distinct motor and sensory neurons, and an excitomotor system in the spinal gray matter. Conclusion: While Erb's initial description and interpretation of the DTRs may be regarded as a fortuitous discovery by a keen clinical observer, on another level his observations were not made in isolation, but were based on his knowledge of the physiological work of the preceding decades.
Late Pleistocene carbonate stratigraphy on Ontong-Java Plateau in the western equatorial Pacific

Abstract Late Pleistocene carbonate cycles on Ontong-Java Plateau are characterized by maxima during deglaciations (deglacial preservation spikes) and by minima during transitions from interglacial to glacial conditions (ice growth dissolution spikes). Superimposed on these short-period fluctuations there is a long-term oscillation of carbonate contents with a period of nearly 400 ky, the Brunhes Dissolution Cycle. Dissolution-related sand fraction profiles (> 63 μ m) indicate that the lysocline was at a water depth of about 3.6 km during deglacial transitions, and that it rose up to 2.6 km during the stages of ice growth. A fluctuation of the lysocline by 1 km can account for more than half of the total amplitude of the observed carbonate cycles, assuming a linear increase in carbonate dissolution rates with increasing water depth below the lysocline and a constant CCD. A shoaling of the lysocline during ice buildup may result from downward transfer of metabolic CO 2 from intermediate waters to greater depths in the water column. Enhanced carbonate dissolution below 2.6 km increases alkalinity in deep waters. predisposing the system toward reducing atmospheric CO 2 partial pressure during a subsequent period.
Hyper-entangled states

Abstract Entangled states are key ingredients to the new field of quantum information, including quantum dense coding, teleportation, and computation. However, only a relatively small class of entangled states has been investigated experimentally, or even discussed extensively. In particular, efforts to date have focused on two particles entangled in a single degree of freedom, for example polarization, or energy, or momentum direction. Novel phase-matching arrangements in spontaneous parametric down-conversion allow the preparation of pairs of photons that are simultaneously entangled in all of these. We shall call such a multiply-entangled state ‚hyper-entangled‘. In addition, an even more general state–-a non-maximally entangled state–-should be realizable, in which the amplitudes of the contributing terms are not equal.
Fermion number fractionization and the Witten index — A new approach

Abstract States with a fractional fermion number have been discovered in various field theory models. Mathematically, the fermion number is related to the spectral asymmetry of the pertinent Dirac hamiltonian, and several different techniques for its evaluation have been developed. On the other hand, recently it has been established that the Witten index for supersymmetric quantum field theories yields a novel method for the evaluation of an index for a Dirac operator. We show that these two approaches are mathematically equivalent, and we demonstrate how supersymmetry can be used to obtain the fermion number.
A study of some factors associated with endodontic “flare-ups”

A study was undertaken by the TS others were broken during transit, as a result of improper packing; and in some instances x-ray films were not submitted. Thus, in the accompanying tables the total numbers of cases in various categories are not identical.
Defining the next generation of enabling technology for exploratory analysis and multiresolution modeling

Multi-resolution/multiple-perspective modeling (MRMPM) is a powerful methodology for developing flexible, adaptive models that can be applied in diverse areas of study. It is useful for addressing the needs of decision makers at different organizational levels, as well as of users who think about phenomenological processes at varied levels of resolution or from different points of view. The desire for MRMPM has many implications for modeling environments. We discuss attractive attributes of modeling environments and how they enable MRMPM.
Ontology-based image classification using neural networks

Technology in the field of digital media generates huge amounts of non-textual information that proves to be very difficult to index. The key problem in achieving efficient and user-friendly retrieval in the domain of multimedia images is the development of a search mechanism to guarantee delivery of minimal irrelevant information (high precision) while insuring that relevant information is not overlooked (high recall). To provide more accurate search results we propose a system that examines the relationships among objects in images to help achieve a more detailed understanding of the content and meaning of individual images. We solve the problem of creating a meaning based index structure through the design and implementation of a concept-based model using domain dependent ontologies. The system converts objects to their meaning by identifying appropriate concepts that both describe and identify images. The system poses the ability to automatically select concepts using a disambiguation algorithm that prune irrelevant concepts and allows relevant ones to associate with images. The system uses a neural network to successfully identify objects present in images. Once identified by the neural network, the objects are fed into the domain-dependent ontologies for high precision classification of the image based on its contents.
929-65 Mechanisms of Hyperenhancement by Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging are Related to Injured Myocardial Mass in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

The extent of injured myocardium is directly related to infarct size after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Myocardial hyperenhancement during ultrafast contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) reflects ischemic injury and its mechanism; extracellular volume expansion with or without washout impairment may be related to the magnitude of ischemic injury; edema formation with or without cell death. To investigate the relationship between the extent of myocardial injury and the mechanism of myocardial hyperenhancement by CEMRI we studied 19 patients after AMI. Spoiled GRASS, TR = 6.5 ms, TE = 2.3 ms, 4 short-axis images were analyzed, and the ratio of signal intensity in myocardium to blood from injured (IN) and normal (NL) regions was obtained at 50 secs, 160 secs and 600 secs. after I.V contrast (gadoteridol 0.1 mmol/kg). Percent injured myocardial mass was calculated as the ratio of hyperenhanced myocardium to total LV mass by planimetry. Patients were divided into two groups according to the mechanism of signal hyperenhancement. Group 1 (N = 9) was defined by a parallel upwards displacement (ANOVA p l 0.002) of the injured myocardiumlblood ratio over time relative to normal myocardium consistent with pure extracellular expansion. Group 2 (N = 111 had upwards displacement (ANOVA p l 0,001) with significant slope (ANOVA p l 0.001) consistent with impaired washout (see Figure). Injured mass was greater in Group 2 (31.9 ± 6.4%) than in Group 1(15.9 ± 5.0%, P l 0.001). In conclusion, the mechanism of myocardial hyperenhancement is related to the extent of ischemic injury after AMI, with greater injury associated with the presence of washout impairment. suggesting cell death. These relationships may be explored to assess myocardial viability after AMI by CEMRI. Download : Download high-res image (62KB) Download : Download full-size image
Low birthweight and risk of mild mental retardation by ages 5 and 9 to 11.

Summary. This prospective analysis assessed the risk of mild mental retardation (MMR) associated with low birthweight (LBW) in the Child Health and Development Studies. Scores of 50–70 on the Raven Progressive Matrices, a relatively culture-free test of cognitive functioning, were used to categorise MMR. At the age of 5,13.8% of the 195 children with birthweights less than 2500 g (LBW) were MMR, whilst 4.2% of the 2293 children with normal birthweights (>2955 grams) were MMR. After adjusting for confounders (maternal age, race, education, prenatal alcohol use, maternal conditions, and congenital anomalies), the relative risk of MMR for LBW was 3.4 (95% CI 1.2–5.4). For children aged 9–11, 7.7% of 194 LBW children were MMR, compared with 6.2% of the 2546 with normal birthweights; the adjusted relative risk for LBW was 1.2 (95% CI 0.7–2.0). Although a strong association between LBW and MMR was observed for both blacks and non-blacks at the age of 5, the association between birthweight and MMR was apparent only for blacks in the cohort of children aged 9–11. These findings suggest that race, a marker for environmental factors which were not measured in this study, may modify the LBW and MMR relationship.
The Continuing Significance of Ethnic Resources: Korean-Owned Banks in Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC

Mirroring the geographic expansion of the Korean population and Korean-owned businesses beyond long-established enclaves, Korean-owned banks can increasingly be found in areas where the presence of mainstream banks is more visible and competition is potentially stronger. Yet, despite competition, Korean banks continue to expand and thrive. By focusing on the recent development of Korean banking in Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC, this article explores the role of ethnic resources in the expansion of Korean banking outside their protected market. Findings suggest that ethnic resources and ties to ethnic enclaves are still important in supporting the ethnic economy in environments characterised by weaker ties and increasing competition by mainstream businesses.
Spectroscopic and kinetic studies of a new metastable species in the photooxidation of gaseous formaldehyde

Abstract Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been employed to study the mechanism of formaldehyde photooxidation in dilute gaseous mixtures of Cl 2 and CH 2 O (ppm level) and H 2 , O 2 , and N 2 ( P T ≈ 700 Torr), temperature, 25 ± 2°C. Infrared absorption bands due to a new metastable compound were observed in addition to those of the expected products: HCl, HCO 2 H, CO, and H 2 O 2 . The transient species was tentatively identified as hydroperoxy-hydroxy-methane (HO 2 CH 2 OH), which was presumably formed through the reaction, HO 2 + O 2 CH 2 OH → HO 2 CH 2 OH + O 2 .
Solid State Chemistry of Proteins: I. Glass Transition Behavior in Freeze Dried Disaccharide Formulations of Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

ABSTRACT Although freeze dried formulations are commonly characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), a protein‐rich system behaves as a “strong glass”, and the glass transition temperature, T g , cannot be directly determined by DSC. A strong glass means a small heat capacity change at T g , ▵ C p , and a very broad glass transition region, or a large ▵ T g . However, direct experimental evidence for a small ▵ C p and a large ▵ T g have been lacking. Here, we utilize extrapolation of thermal analysis data in protein:disaccharide mixtures to evaluate T g , ▵ T g , and ▵ C p for “pure” human growth hormone (hGH) from low to moderate residual water. We find that ▵ T g is indeed large and ▵ C p is very small. Also, the T g for pure hGH decreases from a value of about 136°C when dry to around 25°C at 12% water. This glass transition is not the onset of mobility within the protein molecule but rather signals onset of whole molecule rotation and translation. We also observe complex pre‐ T g thermal events in the DSC data, which are interpreted as consequences of relaxation events, largely due to the disaccharide, and are characteristic of freeze dried systems having a broad distribution of relaxing substatesand the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 96: 2765–2776, 2007
Are you immunodeficient

In their Rostrum monograph, Casanova et al consider the problems of definition and classification of primary immunodeficiencies (PIs). They begin with a standard and straightforward premise: ‘‘immunodeficiency is a failure to achieve immune function to provide efficient, selflimited host defense against the biotic and abiotic environment while preserving tolerance to self.’’ The challenge to practitioners is to translate this axiom into principles that answer specific clinical and academic needs. One essential message of Casanova et al is to consider the susceptibility to infection limited to one or a few pathogens and having Mendelian inheritance to be within the spectrum of PI, regardless of the immunologic phenotype. They further argue that in light of this, academic and clinical needs will best be met by a classification system on the basis of clinical phenotype, in contrast to the classic, or perhaps traditional, system on the basis of immunologic phenotype. According to their scheme, Casanova et al distinguish conventional and unconventional immunodeficiencies as those that do or do not have clearly defined immunologic phenotypes, respectively. The authors consider these to be end points of a spectrum rather than dichotomous. They further state there has ‘‘never been a fully satisfactory classification of PID.’’ However, it is worth discussing whether any single system on the basis of clinical phenotype or immunologic phenotype could ever be so. Regardless of how we might classify their diseases, immunodeficient patients come to clinical attention predominantly as a result of a predisposition to infection. This predisposition is manifested in one or more of the clinical dimensions of infection: the inherent virulence of the
Maternal mortality in developing countries.

The author challenges the recent claims of Thuriaux and Lamotte that hospital-based statistics of maternal mortality overestimate national maternal mortality since maternal deaths are more likely to be recorded than births. It is argued instead that the key issue is the level of coverage of births by health institutions. If such coverage is low as it is in most African countries (average of 34%) the population-based maternal mortality ratio will also be low since it is calculated as the product of institutional maternal mortality ratio and obstetric coverage by institutions assuming that coverage of maternal deaths is 100%. The lower the proportion of births covered by institutions the more uncertain this estimate. Obstetric coverage in Niger increased from 26% in 1980 to 39% in 1982. Thus even though the number of maternal deaths in health facilities increased from 373 to 484 in this period the institutional maternal mortality ratio decreased from 519 to 420/100000 live births. On the other hand maternal mortality estimated on the basis of expected births increased from 135 to 166. It is likely that the increased coverage of institutional births also improved recording of maternal deaths. Thus it is misleading to use absolute number of deaths if changes in obstetric coverage are not taken into account.
Assessing the Performance of Affordable Loans: Implications for Research and Policy

In recent years, mortgage originators, government-sponsored enterprises, and others have changed underwriting guidelines to make borrowing more affordable to traditionally underserved populations such as low-income and minority households. Unfortunately, there is anxiety about the performance of these affordable loans. The key concern stems from the fear that affordable loans may be riskier than other loan products. This article reviews the research evidence and explores two types of reasons for the conflicting nature of that evidence. These reasons include the practices of the institutions involved in mortgage lending and methodological considerations. Implications for research and policy are derived from the review.
Radiation absorbed dose to the basal ganglia from dopamine transporter radioligand 18F-FPCIT.

Our previous dosimetry studies have demonstrated that for dopaminergic radiotracers, 18F-FDOPA and 18F-FPCIT, the urinary bladder is the critical organ. As these tracers accumulate in the basal ganglia (BG) with high affinity and long residence times, radiation dose to the BG may become significant, especially in normal control subjects. We have performed dynamic PET measurements using 18F-FPCIT in 16 normal adult subjects to determine if in fact the BG, although not a whole organ, but a well-defined substructure, receives the highest dose. Regions of interest were drawn over left and right BG structures. Resultant time-activity curves were generated and used to determine residence times for dosimetry calculations. S-factors were computed using the MIRDOSE3 nodule model for each caudate and putamen. For 18F-FPCIT, BG dose ranged from 0.029 to 0.069 mGy/MBq. In half of all subjects, BG dose exceeded 85% of the published critical organ (bladder) dose, and in three of those, the BG dose exceeded that for the bladder. The BG can become the dose-limiting organ in studies using dopamine transporter ligands. For some normal subjects studied with F-18 or long half-life radionuclide, the BG may exceed bladder dose and become the critical structure.
Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Cutaneous Melanoma

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of melanoma. The risk of local-regional recurrence after surgery alone for locally advanced melanoma is relatively high. The risk is usually related to metastatic regional nodes and, occasionally, to unfavorable findings at the primary site, such as in-transit metastases. The likelihood of a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) exceeds 20 % for melanomas >2 mm thick and 20 % or more of patients with a positive SLNB will have residual positive nodes on completion node dissection. Patients with positive regional nodes have approximately a 20 % or higher risk of regional relapse after surgery alone, particularly if multiple nodes are involved and/or extracapsular extension is present. Postoperative adjuvant RT results in local-regional control rates of 85–90 % or higher in high-risk patients with a modest risk of complications. The impact of adjuvant RT on survival is likely minimal.
Benthic Metabolism and Nutrient Cycling Along an Estuarine Salinity Gradient

Benthic metabolism and nutrient exchange across the sediment-water interface were examined over an annual cycle at four sites along a freshwater to marine transect in the Parker River-Plum Island Sound estuary in northeastern Massachusetts, U.S. Sediment organic carbon content was highest at the freshwater site (10.3%) and decreased along the salinity gradient to 0.2% in the sandy sediments at the marine end of the estuary. C:N ratios were highest in the mid estuary (23:1) and lowest near the sea (11:1). Chlorophyll a in the surface sediments was high along the entire length of the estuary (39–57 mg chlorophyll a m−2) but especially so in the sandy marine sediments (172 mg chlorophyll a m−2). Chlorophyll a to phaeophytin ratios suggested most chlorophyll is detrital, except at the sandy marine site. Porewater sulfide values varied seasonally and between sites, reflecting both changes in sulfate availability as overlying water salinity changed and sediment metabolism. Patterns of sediment redox potential followed those of sulfide. Porewater profiles of inorganic N and P reflected strong seasonal patterns in remineralization, accumulation, and release. Highest porewater NH4 + values were found in upper and mid estuarine sediments, occasionally exceeding 1 mM N. Porewater nitrate was frequently absent, except in the sandy marine sediments where concentrations of 8 μM were often observed. Annual average respiration was lowest at the marine site (13 mmol O2 m−2 d−1 and 21 mmol TCO2 m−2 d−1) and highest in the mid estuary (130 mmol O2 m−2 d−1 and 170 mmol TCO2 m−2 d−1) where clam densities were also high. N2O and CH4 fluxes were low at all stations throughout the year: Over the course, of a year, sediments varied from being sources to sinks of dissolved organic C and N, with the overall spatial pattern related closely to sediment organic content. There was little correlation between PO4 3− flux and metabolism, which we attribute to geochemical processes. At the two sites having the lowest salinities, PO4 3− flux was directed into the sediments. On average, between 22% and 32% of total system metabolism was attributable to the benthos. The mid estuary site was an exception, as benthic metabolism accounted for 95% of the total, which is attributable to high densities of filter-feeding clams. Benthic remineralization supplied from less than 1% to over 190% of the N requirements and 0% to 21% of the P requirements of primary producers in this system. Estimates of denitrification calculated from stoichiometry of C and N fluxes ranged from 0% for the upper and mid estuary site to 35% for the freshwater site to 100% of sediment organic N remineralization at the marine site. We hypothesize that low values in the upper and mid estuary are attributable to enhanced NH4 + fluxes during summer due to desorption of exchangeable ammonium from rising porewater salinity. NH4 + desorption during summer may be a mechanism that maintains high rates of pelagic primary production at a time of low inorganic N inputs from the watershed.