cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WE-C-110-05: The Influence of Beam Filtration and Collimation on CT Number Accuracy in the ACR CT Accreditation Process

Purpose: The ACR accreditation process requires the submission of images of the 200 mm ACR phantom to evaluate CT number accuracy using the institution's adult abdomen protocol. Difficulties in obtaining CT numbers that fall within the allowed limits may be due to the use of a protocol designed for a body significantly larger than the phantom. We show that adjusting the sFOV to a size appropriate for the phantom significantly shifts the CT numbers toward the expected values. We also show that consistent with the hypothesis that an over‐correction for scatter results in the increased CT numbers, a reduced collimation, where less scatter correction is required for reconstruction, also shifts the CT numbers in the right direction. Methods: The ACR Gammex phantom was scanned on a 64‐slice GE LightSpeed‐VCT scanner with various bowtie filters, beam collimation and sFOV using our institution`s routine adult abdomen protocol. Results: Our results show that the CT numbers for water and polyethylene fall well outside the required range if we rigidly adhere to scanning the ACR phantom with the standard protocol. The observed inaccuracy in reported CT numbers is believed to originate from over‐corrections due to scatter contributions and beam hardening effects as the phantom is significantly smaller than a typical adult abdomen. CT number accuracy was improved when a small bowtie filter was used instead of the large one. The CT number dropped to 4.02 HU for water and to −87.32 for polyethylene. CT number accuracy further improved when scanning the phantom with a 20 mm beam collimation instead of 40 mm. Conclusions: In performing the ACR image quality assessment task, the employment of a bowtie filter consistent with the size of the phantom resulted in a significant improvement in achieving the CT number accuracy requirements of the ACR.
The role of mathematical models in understanding pattern formation in developmental biology.

In a Wall Street Journal article published on April 5, 2013, E. O. Wilson attempted to make the case that biologists do not really need to learn any mathematics—whenever they run into difficulty with numerical issues, they can find a technician (aka mathematician) to help them out of their difficulty. He formalizes this in Wilsons Principle No. 1: “It is far easier for scientists to acquire needed collaboration from mathematicians and statisticians than it is for mathematicians and statisticians to find scientists able to make use of their equations.” This reflects a complete misunderstanding of the role of mathematics in all sciences throughout history. To Wilson, mathematics is mere number crunching, but as Galileo said long ago, “The laws of Nature are written in the language of mathematics $$\ldots $$ the symbols are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without whose help it is impossible to comprehend a single word.” Mathematics has moved beyond the geometry-based model of Galileo’s time, and in a rebuttal to Wilson, E. Frenkel has pointed out the role of mathematics in synthesizing the general principles in science (Both point and counter-point are available in Wilson and Frenkel in Notices Am Math Soc 60(7):837–838, 2013). We will take this a step further and show how mathematics has been used to make new and experimentally verified discoveries in developmental biology and how mathematics is essential for understanding a problem that has puzzled experimentalists for decades—that of how organisms can scale in size. Mathematical analysis alone cannot “solve” these problems since the validation lies at the molecular level, but conversely, a growing number of questions in biology cannot be solved without mathematical analysis and modeling. Herein, we discuss a few examples of the productive intercourse between mathematics and biology.
A Simple Proof of a Basic Result in Nonexpected Utility Theory

Abstract A shorter and more intuitive proof is given of Dekel′s implicit expected utility representation of a preference ordering satisfying the betweenness property. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number D81.
ACCURACY OF LINEARLY REFERENCED DATA BY USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Distance accuracy issues are identified that should be considered when linear referencing procedures based on geographic information system (GIS) technology are applied to map objects and events to highway networks. One of the most pressing issues is that of consistency among GIS functions to compute surface distances. Several GIS packages are compared using two sets of points: National Geodetic Survey geodetic control points for which independent estimates of distance were available and virtual points for measuring the effect of increasing distance between points. Results show a wide discrepancy in distances measured, and tools are provided to identify two groups of GIS packages: those that use a variable radius ellipsoidal model of the surface of the earth and those that use a less flattened, possibly spherical model of the earth's surface. The accuracy associated with distance measurements varies according to the model of the earth's surface used. Thus, transportation agencies need to be aware of their...
Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices Among Men and Women in Rural and Nonrural Areas of the United States, 1999

Background Previous studies have suggested that men and women in rural areas are less likely than those in urban areas to receive routine cancer screening. Methods We examined the colorectal cancer screening practices of men (n = 23,565) and women (n = 37,847) aged > or = 50 years living in rural areas and other areas of the United States using data from the 1999 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Geographic areas of residence were classified as rural areas and small towns, suburban areas and small metropolitan areas, and larger metropolitan areas using US Department of Agriculture (USDA) urban/rural continuum codes. Results The estimated median response rate across states was 55.2%. Approximately 16.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 15.3% to 17.2%) of persons aged > or = 50 years who resided in rural areas had received a fecal occult blood test in the past year, compared with 22.0% of those living in the larger metropolitan areas (95% CI = 21.4% to 22.7%). About 28.2% (95% CI = 27.1% to 29.4%) of those who resided in rural areas had received a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the past 5 years, compared with 35.2% of those in the larger metropolitan areas (95% CI = 34.5% to 36.0%). Conclusions These results underscore the need for continued efforts to increase colorectal cancer screening in the United States. Special efforts may be required to increase screening in rural areas.
Setting Snail2's pace during EMT

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process in both development and cancer progression. The transcription factor Elf5 is now reported as an upstream regulator of the key EMT inducer Snail2, and is shown to regulate the earliest known rewiring events required for tumour cell invasiveness and metastasis.
The effect of cations on the heat stability of a halophilic nitrate reductase.

Abstract 1. 1. Nitrate reductase was partially purified from extracts of an extremely halophilic bacterium. The temperature optimum of nitrate reductase activity was a function of both the concentration and the specific cation present in the assay mixture. Maximal activity was found at 85 °C in the presence of 4.27 M NaCl, 73 °C in the presence of 2 M KCl and 56 °C in the presence of 0.5 mM MgCl 2 . 2. 2. At suboptimal NaCl concentrations (0.17 M), 0.5 mM MgCl 2 enhanced nitrate reductase activity whereas at 4.27 M NaCl, 0.5 mM MgCl 2 was inhibitory.
Human antibody responses to outer envelope antigens of Porphyromonas gingivalis serotypes.

Immunological studies examining the homogeneity of the major antigenic components of P. gingivalis have suggested 3 serotypes and have indicated a limited distribution of the serotypes in an individual patient. These studies prompted us to define the immunodominant antigens and distribution of immune responses to P. gingivalis serotypes. Serum IgG antibody levels in periodontitis patients in the present study were most frequently elevated above the normal subjects when tested against P. gingivalis serotype A (i.e., 33277). Nearly 1/3 of the patients showed significantly elevated antibody to multiple serotypes of the P. gingivalis apparently resulting from cross-reacting antigens. We determined distinctive differences among outer envelope protein and antigen patterns obtained from the three serotypes. Moreover, the results identified considerable similarities in the qualitative and quantitative antigen response patterns among patients to a particular serotype. There was a strong positive correlation between IgG antibody levels (ELISA) and the total level of reactivity determined in the immunoblots, as well as a positive correlation to the proportion of antibody to particular antigens. These findings suggest that responses to these antigens comprised a major portion of the response to the intact microorganism. Additionally, the detection of antibody to particular antigen bands was indicative of early responses to each of the P. gingivalis serotypes. The results of our study indicate that a subpopulation of periodontitis patients develop an extensive serum antibody response often to multiple serotypes of P. gingivalis and may define a patient population with a P. gingivalis disease. Finally, our results indicate a more consistent antigenic composition for P. gingivalis which may enhance the potential for strategies to immunologically interfere with disease caused by this microorganism.
Allosteric opening of the polypeptide-binding site when an Hsp70 binds ATP.

The 70-kilodalton (kDa) heat-shock proteins (Hsp70s) are ubiquitous molecular chaperones essential for cellular protein folding and proteostasis. Each Hsp70 has two functional domains: a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD), which binds and hydrolyzes ATP, and a substrate-binding domain (SBD), which binds extended polypeptides. NBD and SBD interact little when in the presence of ADP; however, ATP binding allosterically couples the polypeptide- and ATP-binding sites. ATP binding promotes polypeptide release; polypeptide rebinding stimulates ATP hydrolysis. This allosteric coupling is poorly understood. Here we present the crystal structure of an intact ATP-bound Hsp70 from Escherichia coli at 1.96-A resolution. The ATP-bound NBD adopts a unique conformation, forming extensive interfaces with an SBD that has changed radically, having its α-helical lid displaced and the polypeptide-binding channel of its β-subdomain restructured. These conformational changes, together with our biochemical assays, provide a structural explanation for allosteric coupling in Hsp70 activity.
Reciprocal Regulation of Angiotensin Receptor-activated Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinases by β-Arrestins 1 and 2

Abstract β-Arrestin2 not only plays essential roles in seven membrane-spanning receptor desensitization and internalization but also functions as a signal transducer in mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades. Here we show that the angiotensin II type 1A receptor-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in HEK-293 cells is increased when the cellular level of β-arrestin1 is down-regulated by RNA interference but is decreased or eliminated when the cellular level of β-arrestin2 is diminished. Such reciprocal effects of down-regulated levels of β-arrestins 1 and 2 are primarily due to differences in the ability of the two forms of β-arrestins to directly mediate ERK activation. These results are the first to demonstrate reciprocal activity of β-arrestin isoforms on a signaling pathway and suggest that physiological levels of β-arrestin1 may act as “dominant-negative” inhibitors of β-arrestin2-mediated ERK activation.
Transient heat conduction at low Biot numbers: A supplement to Heisler's charts

Abstract Charts for trasient heat conduction in a cylinder of infinite length, an infinite flat plate, and a sphere are presented for a range of Biot numbers ( 1 100 to 1 1000 ) relevant to problems which involve cooling by natural convection. These charts may be easily combined to solve for temperature histories of different bodies, including cylinders of finite length. Analyses of the minute temperature gradient within finite cylinders for the range of Biot numbers studied and the accuracy of a simplified solution, the lumped capacity analysis, are presented in tables for the infinite plate and infinite cylinder; these solutions can be combined to solve for cylinders of finite length.
A time-series biclustering algorithm for revealing co-regulated genes

Although existing bicluster algorithms claimed to be able to discover co-regulated genes under a subset of given experiment conditions, they ignore the inherent sequential relationship between crucial time points and thus are not applicable to analyze time-series gene expression data. A simple and effective deletion-based algorithm, using the mean squared residue score as a measure, was developed to bicluster time-series gene expression data. While enforcing a threshold value for the score, the algorithm alternately eliminates genes and time points according to their correlation to the bicluster. To ensure the time locality, only the starting and ending points in the time interval are eligible for deletion. As a result, the number of genes and the length of time interval are simultaneously maximized. Our experimental results shown that the proposed method is capable of identifying co-regulated genes characterized by partial time-course data that previous methods failed to discover.
Strategic Incentives in Teams: Implications of Returns to Scale

This article demonstrates the critical relationship between the characteristics of the production function and the strategic incentives in a team. Equilibrium effort increases in team size when substitutability is low relative to returns to scale. Effort levels are actually strategic complements when returns to scale exceed the substitutability of members' effort. Moreover, even with equal shares the well-known problem is determined by returns to scale and becomes worse as returns increase. While a target scheme can support the optimal output level as an equilibrium, it does not completely deter free riding. A team member will accommodate shirking by increasing their own effort within a remarkably large �accommodation zone� where the additional effort cost is less than the bonus. This accommodation of shirking by others exists for different returns to scale and even for very low levels of substitutability.
Design and Implementation of an Implantable Goniometer

A design for an implantable goniometer is presented with potential application in control of neural prostheses. Joint angle is detected magnetically utilizing a linear Hall-effect device and two permanent magnets. The transducer was evaluated in bench tests to determine its response along three orthogonal axes. A preliminary version of the system was then evaluated on a dog cadaver limb. An improved version was bench tested on a plastic model of the human knee. Finally, a fully implantable unit with transcutaneous transmission of power and joint angle information was evaluated in a chronic dog. Silicone elastomers and surface primers, used in the implant packaging, provide biocompatibility and protection against corrosion. While long-term performance studies remain to be done with respect to implanted calibration and drift, the results from this study demonstrate the feasibility of a chronic implanted goniometer system.
Mivacurium: A Novel, Short-Acting, Nondepolarizing Muscle Relaxant

Summary Mivacurium is the shortest-acting, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent available. Its advantages include a short duration of action and rapid metabolism by plasma cholinesterase. It can be used to facilitate intubation within 2 minutes and, even after administration of large doses, can be antagonized within 15 minutes. Its propensity to cause histamine release is the same as that of atracurium, and may be decreased by using either smaller doses or slower administration of the relaxant. Because of its short duration of action, it is very well suited for administration by infusion. Because the drug has noncumulative pharmacodynamic properties, recovery occurs at the same rate after long-term administration as it does after a single dose of the relaxant. Although spontaneous recovery from mivacurium-induced neuromuscular block occurs quickly, pharmacological antagonism of residual block is also possible to shorten the time to complete recovery. Metabolism of mivacurium is rapid in all patients except for those that are homozygous for the atypical cholinesterase gene. In patients with diminished cholinesterase activity its duration of action, although lengthened, remains relatively brief. As pharmacological antagonism is not necessary in all patients, the decreased incidence of nausea and vomiting in the outpatient setting may be advantageous. Given these characteristics, mivacurium should continue to find its place among the other available relaxants that are currently in daily use.
A small alvarezsaurid from the eastern Gobi Desert offers insight into evolutionary patterns in the Alvarezsauroidea

ABSTRACT A partial postcranial skeleton of a small alvarezsaurid from the Late Cretaceous of the Mongolian eastern Gobi Desert locality of Khugenetslavkant represents the first reported articulated theropod material from that locality. The specimen is recognized as the holotype of a new taxon herein named Albinykus baatar, gen. et sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis places Albinykus within Alvarezsauridae as the sister taxon of Shuvuuia, another Late Cretaceous Mongolian taxon from the slightly younger Djadokhta Formation. The complete coossification of the proximal tarsals with the tibia, and of the distal tarsals and proximal metatarsals, present in Albinykus are previously unknown in Alvarezsauridae. Extensive fusion is consistent with histological data from the tibia indicating that the individual was a subadult. These results are striking given that Albinykus is among the smallest known non-avian dinosaurs with a body mass no greater than 1 kg and ranks among the smallest known alvarezsaurids. Alvarezsaur...
Treatment choices of 119 patients with hemifacial spasm over 11 years

A retrospective study of patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) was performed in order to determine long-term treatment choices: local botulinum toxin, type A, injections, oral pharmacologic agents, and surgery (neurosurgical decompression of the seventh nerve at the brainstem level and upper eyelid blepharoplasty). Of 119 patients with diagnosed hemifacial spasm in the Oculoplastics Division of the Department of UMD - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ from September, 1983, to June 1, 1994, 108 were initially treated with 735 botulinum toxin injections. Forty-seven of the 108 patients (43.5%) initially treated at our institution received 459 injections for a median treatment period of 59 months per patient. Eight patients (7.4%) continued treated elsewhere and four other patients were injected at our institution until their death from other causes. Twenty-two patients (20.4%) were lost to followup after receiving 117 injections. Five patients (4.6%) had spontaneous resolution of their condition after botulinum toxin therapy and nine patients (8.3%) chose not to receive any additional injections or other treatment. Thirteen patients (12.0%) did not respond adequately to botulinum injections and 10 such patients obtained relief from treatments other than botulinum toxin: oral pharmacologic agents (two patients), neurosurgical decompression of the seventh nerve (two patients), and upper eyelid blepharoplasty (one patient). In addition to botulinum injections, 15 patients required adjunctive minor tranquilizers and/or antiseizure medications. Botulinum A toxin is an excellent long-term treatment of hemifacial spasm. This condition may occasionally spontaneously resolve after botulinum therapy.
Patterns of dye coupling in lumbar motor nuclei of the rat.

Gap junctions exist on motoneurons of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) and the dorsolateral nucleus (DLN), both sexually dimorphic motor nuclei in the lumbar spinal cord of the rat. In addition, messenger RNA for gap junction proteins is expressed in motoneurons of the retrodorsolateral nucleus (RDLN), a nondimorphic spinal motor nucleus that innervates a muscle of the foot. Gap junctions on SNB and DLN motoneurons are androgen sensitive; the number and size of gap junctions decrease following castration, a change that can be reversed with exogenous testosterone replacement. In contrast, RDLN gap junction mRNA levels remain constant throughout hormone manipulation. In this study, dye coupling was used to examine patterns of gap junction-mediated connectivity in these three lumbar spinal motor nuclei. Injection of dye into single motoneurons resulted in spatially extensive labeling of neighboring cells in all three nuclei; significantly more coupling was observed in the sexually dimorphic nuclei than in the RDLN. Dye-coupled clusters of cells included motoneurons and interneurons; coupling was bilateral in the SNB. Treatment with oleamide, a gap junction blocker, completely attenuated labeling. In all nuclei, androgen manipulation did not alter the number, identity, or distribution of coupled cells. Thus, sexually dimorphic nuclei in the spinal cord exhibit greater dye coupling than do nondimorphic populations, and the patterns of connectivity are insensitive to androgen despite modification of their number and size. J. Comp. Neurol. 454:34–41, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Alkali Extraction of Starch from Corn Flour

The alkali steeping process was tested for extraction of starch from degerminated yellow corn flour. The effect of three process parameters, alkali concentration (0.1 and 0.4%), steep temperature (25 and 55°C) and steep time (30 and 90min) were evaluated for their effect on yield, protein and sodium contents of starch. Two-level full factorial design was used to investigate the process. The experimental results indicated that starch yield increased with increasing steep temperature and at low alkali concentration. All main effects and interactions were found to have significant effect on protein content in the extracted starch. The sodium content of the starch was effected by the three main effects and the three two-factor interaction effects. Conditions were identified that simultaneously produced a high starch yield, low protein and sodium contents were 0.1% alkali steep at 55°C for 30 min.
Nutritional Education for Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease

Abstract Nutrition education is a major treatment consideration in risk factor reduction associated with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Because PVD is typically associated with elderly persons with multiple health problems and long established dietary habits, nutrition intervention may be a complex undertaking. A nutrition education program for patients with PVD utilized patient participation in goal setting and provided practical “how to” guidelines tailored to the patient's individual needs. Patients (n=18), nurses (n=2) and a nutritionist collaborated in an 18 month intervention. The objectives of the intervention were for patients to make positive changes in dietary behaviors. Specific patient goals included cholesterol and saturated fat intake reduction, balanced with increased mono and poly un-saturated fats, complex carbohydrates and fiber, and weight loss. Thirteen of the 18 patients achieved their goal.
Blood Injection Intracerebral Hemorrhage Pig Model

The autologous blood injection ICH model has been used successfully in pigs. The larger brain volume and well-developed white matter in the pig brain (in contrast to the rat and the mouse) is good for studies of white matter injury after ICH. Swine provides an excellent model for the study of edema formation, white matter brain damage and hematoma resolution process. Of the non-primate mammals, pigs have a cardiovascular system which is most similar to humans. In this chapter, we present a step-by-step procedure to produce ICH by injecting autologous whole blood.
Flecainide acetate treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Dose-response studies

The dose-response relations for efficacy and tolerance of the antiarrhythmic drug flecainide acetate were studied in 28 patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (Group 1) and 45 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or flutter (Group 2). Recurrent symptomatic tachycardia was documented with use of transtelephonic electrocardiographic recording. Patients received flecainide in doses of 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg twice daily and placebo for 1 month treatment periods. Among 14 patients in Group 1 who qualified for efficacy analysis, 4 (29%) had no tachycardia while taking placebo. The number with no tachycardia increased with progressively larger flecainide doses; with the 150 mg twice daily dose, 12 (86%) of 14 patients had no tachycardia (p
Motion estimation using spatio-temporal contextual information

Motion estimation is an important and computationally intensive task in video coding applications. Block-matching-based fast algorithms reduce the computational complexity of motion estimation at the expense of accuracy. An analysis of computation and performance trade-offs in motion estimation algorithms helps in choosing a suitable algorithm for video/visual communication applications. Fast motion estimation algorithms often assume a monotonic error surface in order to speed up the computations involved in motion estimation. The argument against this assumption is that the search might be trapped in local minima resulting in inaccurate motion estimates. The paper investigates state-of-the-art techniques for block-based motion estimation and presents an approach to improving the performance of block-based motion estimation algorithms. Specifically, the paper suggests a simple scheme that includes spatio-temporal neighborhood information for obtaining better estimates of the motion vectors. The paper also investigates the effects of the monotonic error surface assumption and suggests a remedy to reduce its impact on the motion field estimates. The presented experiments demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
RAHelp: An Online Intervention for Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective To test an intervention for improving self-management in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using an online, cognitive–behavioral, self-management group program (RAHelp), with weekly telephone support. Methods A 2-group, randomized study design was used to compare an intervention for RA versus a waiting-list control condition. The intervention used a secure web site (RAHelp.org) to provide a 10-week program with weekly educational modules for improving self-efficacy in self-management of RA, plus tools for group interaction. Weekly telephone contacts were made to encourage use of program tools and apply newly learned skills. A nationwide convenience sample of 106 adult participants (mean age 50 years, 93% women) was recruited primarily through online advertisements. Main outcome measures included the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (affective, physical, role, social, and pain/symptom components), Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Quality of Life Scale (QLS), Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology, Social Provisions Scale, and University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale 3. Results Group differences with large and moderate effect sizes (ES) were found immediately postintervention for self-efficacy (ASES; ES 0.92, P = 0.00001) and quality of life (QLS; ES 0.66, P = 0.003), respectively. At 9 months postintervention, differences in self-efficacy (ASES; ES 0.92, P = 0.00001) and quality of life (QLS; ES 0.71, P = 0.004) remained robust. Conclusion RAHelp appears to have beneficial effects in terms of self-efficacy and quality of life among individuals with RA who are willing to use an online service format.
Soil Property Changes during Conversion from Perennial Vegetation to Annual Cropping

resources by placing highly erodible land into perennial vegetation for 10 yr. Similar programs have been used Management practices for conversion of land supporting perennial historically in the USA to control erosion (e.g., soil vegetation to crop production are needed. Effect of haying (hayed bank program) and influence grain supplies. Programs or not hayed), cropping (annual crop with no-tillage, minimum tillage, or conventional tillage, and no-tilled perennial crop), and N fertiliza- encouraging producers to plant perennial vegetation on
Assembly of copolymer functionalized nanoparticles: a Monte Carlo simulation study

Functionalizing nanoparticles with copolymer ligands is an attractive method to tailor the assembly of the nanoparticles. We use Monte Carlo simulation to demonstrate how the monomer sequence in the grafted copolymers is a tuning parameter to control assembly of nanoparticles, and the shapes, sizes and structures of the assembled nanoclusters. We have studied spherical nanoparticles grafted with AB copolymers with alternating or diblock sequences, and a range of monomer chemistries by varying strengths of like-monomer (A–A and/or B–B) attractive interactions in the presence of either relatively strong or negligible unlike-monomer (A–B) repulsive interaction. In the presence of negligible A–B repulsions the alternating sequence produces nanoclusters that are relatively isotropic regardless of whether A–A or B–B monomers are attractive, while the diblock sequence produces nanoclusters that are smaller and more compact when the block closer to the surface (A–A) is attractive and larger loosely held together clusters when the outer block (B–B) is attractive. In the presence of strong A–B repulsions the alternating sequence leads to either particle dispersion or smaller clusters than those at negligible A–B repulsions; for the diblock sequence strong and negligible A–B repulsions exhibit similar cluster characteristics. Additionally, diblock copolymer grafted particles tend to assemble into anisotropic shapes despite the isotropic grafting of the copolymer chains on the particle surface. Particle size and graft length balance enthalpic gain and entropic losses coming from inter-grafted particle contacts and/or inter- and intra-grafted chain contacts within the same grafted particle, and in turn dictates the shape and size of the cluster. For constant graft length and when A–A attractions are stronger than B–B attractions, diblock copolymer grafted particles form long “caterpillar-like” structures with large particle diameters, and short nanowires with small particle diameters. In the dilute concentration regime a small increase in the particle concentration does not change the cluster characteristics confirming that the structure within a cluster is primarily governed by the copolymer functionalization imparting a “valency” to the nanoparticle “atom”. This work illustrates how copolymer functionalization and tuning the grafted copolymer sequence could be an exciting new route experimentalists can take to tailor self-assembly of nanoparticles into target nanostructures.
Discount Latin American(ist) Intellectuals

Any settling of scores about the state and role of intellectuals in the west has to factor in the function of Latin American writers and the subset of pseudo-intellectuals called “Latin Americanists” of the second half of the twentieth century. The score is not even, since the university-bound misrepresent the actual development of intellectual thought in the southern hemisphere. The ideas and ubiquity of Mario Vargas Llosa are a necessary point of departure to calibrate properly the real importance of those views.
Quantitative studies of urinary excretion of chlorpromazine metabolites in chronically-dosed psychiatric patients.

A method was developed for the routine assay of conjugated and unconjugated chlorpromazine metabolites in human urine. The method could be adapted to excretion studies of related drugs, e.g., other phenothiazines and imipramine derivatives. The unconjugated drug metabolites were extracted from alkaline urine into dichloromethane and assayed spectroscopically in 50 per cent sulfuric acid at 530 mμ. The conjugated chlorpromazine metabolites were determined after passing a sample of urine through an ion-exchange resin to remove the unconjugated metabolites and contaminating endogenous urinary constituents. The eluate was made up to 50 per cent sulfuric acid content, and drug metabolites estimated spectroscopically at 550 mμ. The total urinary drug excretion of 15 chronic mental patients receiving chlorpromazine in doses of 100 to 1400 mg. per day, varied from 21.1 to 70 per cent of the daily dose. The conjugated drug metabolites formed the major fraction of urinary metabolites. The ratio of conjugated to unconjugated drug metabolites ranged from 2.1 to 11.
Fast low power translation lookaside buffers using hierarchical NAND match lines

Translation lookaside buffers (TLB) are an essential component to speed up virtual to physical address translation in modern microprocessors. Here, hierarchical NAND content addressable memory (CAM) match lines are used to achieve low power. Simulations on a 65 nm foundry process show single-cycle accesses with a clock to physical address output delay of 168 ps. For large (16MB) page sizes the match line energy is reduced up to 81% compared to NOR match lines.
KNIGHT/spl trade/: a real time surveillance system for multiple and non-overlapping cameras

In this paper, we present a wide area surveillance system that detects, tracks and classifies moving objects across multiple cameras. At the single camera level, tracking is performed using a voting based approach that utilizes color and shape cues to establish correspondence. The system uses the single camera tracking results along with the relationship between camera field of view (FOV) boundaries to establish correspondence between views of the same object in multiple cameras. To this end, a novel approach is described to find the relationships between the FOV lines of cameras. The proposed approach combines tracking in cameras with overlapping and/or non-overlapping FOVs in a unified framework, without requiring explicit calibration. The proposed algorithm has been implemented in a real time system. The system uses a client-server architecture and runs at 10 Hz with three cameras.
Variable-range hopping of spin and lattice polarons: Coulomb correlation effects

We study electrical conductivity due to nonadiabatic bound polaron hopping in disordered solids with wide distributions of the localized electron energies and polaron shifts, taking into account the Coulomb correlation effects. By means of the percolation theory we demonstrate that in such materials a hard polaron gap does not manifest itself while the soft Coulomb gap persists at low temperatures. As a result, the variable-range polaron hopping conductivity $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ as a function of temperature $T$ obeys the stretched-exponent law $\mathrm{ln}(\ensuremath{\sigma}∕{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0})=\ensuremath{-}{(\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{T}∕T)}^{p}$, where $p=4∕7\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}(3∕5)$ for three-dimensional (two-dimensional) case. It differs from the standard Shklovskii-Efros law for which $p=1∕2$. In addition, parameter $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{T}$ is shown to depend on the dispersion of the polaron shift distribution. Therefore, in the case of spin polarons it decreases with the application of an external magnetic field, thus leading to giant negative magnetoresistance in the variable-range hopping regime where for paramagnetic materials $p=5∕7\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}(4∕5)$.
Extremum seeking control based integration of MPPT and degradation detection for photovoltaic arrays

Regarding the reduction of the cost of energy (COE) for photovoltaic (PV) systems, two important issues are maximizing the efficiency of power generation and fault diagnosis. This study presents an integrated framework that achieves both maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control and diagnosis of change in internal resistance simultaneously. An extremum seeking control (ESC) strategy is developed to maximize the power output of the PV array by regulating the voltage input to the DC-DC converter. Simulation results show that the ESC can achieve MPPT with periodic dither signals such as sinusoidal or square-wave signals. The degraded PV cells often demonstrate certain change of internal resistance, i.e. increase in the series resistance and decrease in the shunt resistance. The change of these internal resistances can induce the change of transient behavior of the dithered output remarkably for square wave dithering, which is validated with simulation study. The ESC with square-wave dithering can thus provides the dual benefits of MPPT and degradation detection simultaneously. Furthermore, simulation study on the PV modules under partial shading, though the P-V characteristic has changed, the proposed option is to pick the optimal regions to narrow down the ESC searching intervals and thus can locate the global maximum power point faster.
The influence of cardiorespiratory fitness on strategic, behavioral, and electrophysiological indices of arithmetic cognition in preadolescent children

The current study investigated the influence of cardiorespiratory fitness on arithmetic cognition in forty 9-10 year old children. Measures included a standardized mathematics achievement test to assess conceptual and computational knowledge, self-reported strategy selection, and an experimental arithmetic verification task (including small and large addition problems), which afforded the measurement of event-related brain potentials (ERPs). No differences in math achievement were observed as a function of fitness level, but all children performed better on math concepts relative to math computation. Higher fit children reported using retrieval more often to solve large arithmetic problems, relative to lower fit children. During the arithmetic verification task, higher fit children exhibited superior performance for large problems, as evidenced by greater d’ scores, while all children exhibited decreased accuracy and longer reaction time for large relative to small problems, and incorrect relative to correct solutions. On the electrophysiological level, modulations of early (P1, N170) and late ERP components (P3, N400) were observed as a function of problem size and solution correctness. Higher fit children exhibited selective modulations for N170, P3 and N400 amplitude relative to lower fit children, suggesting that fitness influences symbolic encoding, attentional resource allocation and semantic processing during arithmetic tasks. The current study contributes to the fitness-cognition literature by demonstrating that the benefits of cardiorespiratory fitness extend to arithmetic cognition, which has important implications for the educational environment and the context of learning.
Development of a wearable haptic display for situation awareness in altered-gravity environment: some initial findings

Efforts are under way to develop a wearable haptic display that can impart directional information on a user's back for situation awareness. To date, two studies have been conducted aboard the NASA KC-135A reduced gravity aircraft to investigate the perception of tactile information in altered-gravity environments. This paper reports our results on perceived loudness of vibrotactile stimulation under different gravity conditions. Subjects compared seven fixed-frequency varying-amplitude vibrations in 1.8-g to a reference vibration delivered in zero-g using the method of constant stimuli. Our results show that the points of subjective equality (PSE) measured in 1.8-g are essentially the same as the intensity of the reference signal delivered in zero-g. The difference between PSE and the reference is less than the difference threshold (DL) measured in 1.8-g. We also found that the displacements (measured with an accelerometer) produced by our tactors in one-g and zero-g conditions are the same using identical driving waveforms. Our data suggest that the perceived loudness of vibrotactile stimuli remains the same in altered-gravity environments. However, a user's ability to interpret vibrotactile signals in zero-g environment may be hampered by increased cognitive load due to the need to continuously monitor the position and movement of one's body.
Alterations in the nocturnal sleep cycle resulting from LSD

Abstract 1. 1. Thirty-six LSD doses of 0.08–0.73 μg/kg (6–40 μg total dose) were administered orally to humans either just prior to sleep or 1 h after onset of sleep. All night EEGs and EOGs were recorded on control nights, on nights when LSD was administered, and frequently on nights following those in which the drug was given. 2. 2. On 21 nights following administration of LSD a prolongation of either the first or second REMS period was observed. Additional alterations were: (a) occurrence of brief REMS bursts interrupting phases of SWS; (b) general curtailment of REMS periods subsequent to a prolonged REMS period; (c) increased body movements and arousals frequently occurring in relation to REMS. 3. 3. Certain neurophysiological similarities during LSD induced awake hallucinatory activity and “dreaming” sleep (REMS) are reviewed. The possible relationship of LSD neuropharmacological action to the hypothetical neurohumoral mechanism underlying REMS is considered.
Differences in Psychiatric Comorbidities Among Adolescents with Eating Disorders by Sexual Orientation

implemented only after a patient failed to meet weight gain goals or complete meals. This showed delayed supervision of an average of four days as well as higher weights and improved overnight bradycardia for those who received supervision when compared to those who did not. The goal of this study was to standardize meal supervision beginning at admission and reexamine variables. Methods: A chart review was conducted of all patients placed on the Eating Disorders Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for a seven month period during 2011 to achieve a comparable group size to the previous chart review cohort. All patients admitted to the CPG received standard protocol supervision by trained staff for each meal during hospitalization. The data compared 54 patients from this time frame (Phase II) to 49 patients from the 2008-2009 cohort (Phase I) for differences in weight gain, (LOS), electrolyte abnormalities, and liquid caloric supplementation. Results: The mean age of participants was 17.4 years for Phase I unsupervised, 17.8 for Phase I supervised, and 14.8 for Phase II (p < .0001). Phase I supervised patients had the longest LOS with a mean of 9.8 days (p 1⁄4 .02). Phase I non-supervised and Phase II patients had comparable LOS at 5.9 and 6.7 days, respectively. Maximum LOS was comparable between the three groups with 23 days for Phase I supervised, 22 days for Phase I non-supervised, and 20 days for Phase II. No significant difference in liquid caloric supplementation use, rate of weight gain, rate of change for overnight heart rate, or mean percent of days in which goal weight gain was achieved or laboratory values we noted. Conclusions: Notably, the effect of improved weight gain and overnight bradycardia seen in the Phase I chart review is not present. There is, however, a compelling difference in length of stay between those who received delayed meal supervision and either those who did not require meal supervision or who received meal supervision throughout hospitalization. Our findings suggest that meal supervision beginning at admission for all patients may shorten LOS and decrease health care costs. Sources of Support: Boston Children’s Hospital Clinical Research Program.
The folio issues of the Forsters’ Characteres Generum Plantarum (1775 and 1776): a census of copies

The Characteres Generum Plantarum of Johann Reinhold Forster and Georg Forster was the principal printed botanical work emanating from James Cook's second voyage of 1772–1775. The printing most frequently encountered is a 31.2 cm quarto dated 1776 that was probably run off in several hundred copies. A single 1775 quarto was recently discovered. Also produced was a well-known but very rare 47.5 cm folio. In this first-ever census of folio copies, two dated 1775 and 14 dated 1776 are verified; their locations, descriptions, and provenances are detailed herein.
The fragile X syndrome-autism comorbidity: what do we really know?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common comorbid condition in people with fragile X syndrome (FXS). It has been assumed that ASD symptoms reflect the same underlying psychological and neurobiological impairments in both FXS and nonsyndromic ASD, which has led to the claim that targeted pharmaceutical treatments that are efficacious for core symptoms of FXS are likely to be beneficial for nonsyndromic ASD as well. In contrast, we present evidence from a variety of sources suggesting that there are important differences in ASD symptoms, behavioral and psychiatric correlates, and developmental trajectories between individuals with comorbid FXS and ASD and those with nonsyndromic ASD. We also present evidence suggesting that social impairments may not distinguish individuals with FXS with and without ASD. Finally, we present data that demonstrate that the neurobiological substrates of the behavioral impairments, including those reflecting core ASD symptoms, are different in FXS and nonsyndromic ASD. Together, these data suggest that there are clinically important differences between FXS and nonsyndromic ASD that are masked by reliance on the categorical diagnosis of ASD. We argue for use of a symptom-based approach in future research, including studies designed to evaluate treatment efficacy.
Pharmacologic Neuroprotective Strategies in Neonatal Brain Injury

This article explains the mechanisms underlying choices of pharmacotherapy for hypoxic-ischemic insults of both preterm and term babies. Some preclinical data are strong enough that clinical trials are now underway. Challenges remain in deciding the best combination therapies for each age and insult.
An Equilibrium Model for the Combined Effect of Macromolecular Crowding and Surface Adsorption on the Formation of Linear Protein Fibrils

The formation of linear protein fibrils has previously been shown to be enhanced by volume exclusion or crowding in the presence of a high concentration of chemically inert protein or polymer, and by adsorption to membrane surfaces. An equilibrium mesoscopic model for the combined effect of both crowding and adsorption upon the fibrillation of a dilute tracer protein is presented. The model exhibits behavior that differs qualitatively from that observed in the presence of crowding or adsorption alone. The model predicts that in a crowded solution, at critical values of the volume fraction of crowder or intrinsic energy of the tracer-wall interaction, the tracer protein will undergo an extremely cooperative transition—approaching a step function—from existence as a slightly self-associated species in solution to existence as a highly self-associated and completely adsorbed species. Criteria for a valid experimental test of these predictions are presented.