cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conditioned medium from endothelial cell cultures can restore the normal phenotypic expression of vascular endothelium maintained in vitro in the absence of fibroblast growth factor.

Bovine vascular endothelial cells continuously maintained and grown in the presence of FGF adopt at confluence the configuration of a cell monolayer composed of contact-inhibited cells which do not overgrow each other and which are highly flattened and closely apposed. Such cultures exhibit structural and morphological characteristics similar to those observed with their in vivo counterparts. These include the production of an extracellular matrix consisting mostly of basement membrane collagen and fibronectin localized exclusively beneath the cell monolayer, but not on top of it, as well as a nonthrombogenic, blood-compatible apical cell surface. Removal of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) from adult bovine aortic endothelial cell (ABAE) cultures results within three passages in the loss by the cells of their characteristic contact-inhibited morphology. The cells, which during their logarithmic growth phase divide with a greatly increased doubling time, become larger and more elongated. Confluent cultures, instead of adopting the morphology of a contact inhibited cell monolayer, are now composed of overgrowing cells. Parallel with the morphological alterations taking place within the culture, the cells also lose the polarity of cell surfaces characteristics of the vascular endothelium. Formation of an extracellular matrix composed primarily of fibronectin and collagen types I, III, and IV is observed on both the apical and basal cell surfaces. Platelets which previously did not bind to the apical cell surface now become capable of binding to it. CSP-60, a major cell surface protein present in highly confluent and contact-inhibited vascular endothelial cell cultures, can no longer be detected. Exposure of confluent endothelial cell cultures, maintained in the absence of FGF to medium conditioned by cells which had been grown in the presence of FGF, but maintained in its absence upon reaching confluence led, within four to eight days, to a reversion of the altered phenotype. This medium has little or no mitogenic activity and retains a full activity in the absence of serum or after depletion of its fibronectin content by affinity chromatography on a gelatin-Sepharose column. Cultures which were previously composed of cells growing in multiple layers reorganized into a single cell monolayer composed of closely apposed and highly flattened cells. The cultures thereby regained the contact-inhibited morphology characteristic of the vascular endothelium. Concomitant with this cellular reorganization, the extracellular matrix disappeared from the apical cell surface, the cells regained their nonthrombogenic properties, and CSP-60 reappeared as one of the major cell surface proteins. These results suggest that vascular endothelial cells secrete a soluble factor(s) which can restore the normal morphology and function lost following removal of FGF from the medium. Such a factor(s) may be involved in maintaining the differentiated state of the vascular endothelium.
Testing and parameterizing a conceptual solute transport model in saturated fractured tuff using sorbing and nonsorbing tracers in cross-hole tracer tests.

Two cross-hole tracer tests involving the simultaneous injection of two nonsorbing solute tracers with different diffusion coefficients (bromide and pentafluorobenzoate) and one weakly sorbing solute tracer (lithium ion) were conducted in two different intervals at the C-wells complex near the site of a potential high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, NV. The tests were conducted to (1) test a conceptual radionuclide transport model for saturated, fractured tuffs near Yucca Mountain and (2) obtain transport parameter estimates for predictive modeling of radionuclide transport. The differences between the responses of the two nonsorbing tracers and the sorbing tracer (when normalized to injection masses) were consistent with a dual-porosity transport system in which matrix diffusion was occurring. The concentration attenuation of the sorbing tracer relative to the nonsorbing tracers suggested that diffusion occurred primarily into matrix pores, not simply into stagnant water within the fractures. The Kd values deduced from the lithium responses were generally larger than Kd values measured in laboratory batch sorption tests using crushed C-wells cores. This result supports the use of laboratory-derived Kd values for predicting sorbing species transport at the site, as the laboratory Kd values would result in underprediction of sorption and hence conservative transport predictions. The tracer tests also provided estimates of effective flow porosity and longitudinal dispersivity at the site. The tests clearly demonstrated the advantages of using multiple tracers of different physical and chemical characteristics to distinguish between alternative conceptual transport models and to obtain transport parameter estimates that are better constrained than can be obtained using only a single tracer or using multiple nonsorbing tracers without a sorbing tracer.
The number of previous depressive episodes is positively associated with cortisol response to fenfluramine administration.

: Multiple reports document hypothalamic-pituitary-axis (HPA) hyperactivity in depressed patients. Measurement of cortisol levels after ingestion of fenfluramine, a specific serotonin releaser/uptake inhibitor agent, provides an index of HPA activity. To our knowledge, this is the first study of the effect of a number of previous depressive episodes on cortisol responses to fenfluramine administration. Thirty-one unipolar depressed patients and 23 healthy volunteers entered the study. Demographic and clinical parameters were assessed and recorded. Response to fenfluramine administration was measured by the difference between maximum hourly plasma cortisol measurements after fenfluramine administration and baseline levels measured before fenfluramine administration. The number of previous major depressive episodes was a predictor of cortisol response to fenfluramine administration in depressed subjects. Higher cortisol responses were associated with more prior episodes of major depression. The relationship of cortisol to the number of previous depressive episodes remained significant after controlling for age. Our finding highlights the importance of possible cumulative effects of repeated episodes of major depression. Prevention and early recognition of depressive episodes may prevent these cumulative adverse effects.
A CHARACTERIZATION OF A CLASS OF DISCRETE NONLINEAR FEEDBACK SYSTEMS

A class of discrete dynamical systems with nonlinear feedback is considered. These systems generalize various maps arising in connection with chaotic dynamical systems, topological dynamics, and linear systems theory. We give a complete characterization of this class of systems.
Placentation and associated aspects of gestation in the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo.

The left ovary of the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo, is rudimentary, and the right ovary supplies both oviducts which share a common ostium situated in the falciform ligament. Preceding ovulation the nidamental gland of each oviduct hypertrophies and the caudal two-thirds of each oviduct is modified to form a uterus. In the Florida-Caribbean area Sphyrna tiburo probably mates in March and 3–7 eggs are fertilized in the vicinity of the nidamental gland of each oviduct. The developing embryo is nourished during the first 3–4 months of gestation by yolk stored in its extensive yolk sac. Approximately three and one-half months after fertilization, the distal portion of the yolk sac becomes convoluted and interdigitates with deep folds in the uterine wall to form a yolk-sac placenta. As the placenta develops, the maternal uterine epithelium is reduced from columnar cells to squamous cells, and the foetal yolk-sac epithelium is reduced from columnar and cuboidal cells to squamous cells. Exchange between the maternal and foetal blood systems takes place through maternal endothelium, reduced maternal epithelium, egg-case membrane, reduced foetal epithelium, and foetal endothelium.
Sliding Banyan network

The sliding Banyan network is described and evaluated. The novel three-dimensional (3-D) multistage network topology employs a macro-lenslet array in a retroreflective configuration to effect the required shuffle link patterns across a single two-dimensional (2-D) multichip array of "smart pixels". An electronic deflection routing scheme, based on simple destination tag self-routing, is employed within the smart pixels, Internal packet blocking is efficiently avoided because deflected packets are routed through individualized banyan networks that have "slid" in the time dimension to accommodate each packet's routing needs. Simulations show that this self-routing approach reduces the number of stages, and hence the number of switching and interconnection resources necessary to achieve a specified blocking probability. Experimental focusing and registration results, using arrays of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, show that conventional optical imaging technology is suitable for this architecture. The results indicate that the sliding banyan approach will overcome the current performance constraints of conventional metallic interconnections and be scalable to ATM switching applications with aggregate throughputs in the Tb/s regime.
Effects of intravenous hydrocortisone on electrolytes of serum and urine in man.

INTRODUCTION THE recent introduction of hydrocortisone into clinical medicine has aroused interest in the mechanisms by which this steroid alters the electrolyte metabolism. Fourman et al. (1) showed that no change in the urinary excretion of sodium or chloride occurred during the first twelve hours after the intramuscular administration of hydrocortisone to normal human beings. However, two to four hours after the first injection the rate of potassium excretion began to rise. This increased rate became maximal over the next two hours and then gradually tapered off, until by the tenth hour of the study potassium was being retained. Other investigators have confirmed these results (2, 3). None of these workers described any associated changes in the serum electrolytes. The exact manner in which the hormones of the adrenal cortex alter electrolyte physiology is not clearly understood. Investigators in this field outline, in general, three separate ways in which hydrocortisone may affect electrolyte metaboli...
Biofield Therapies: Helpful or Full of Hype? A Best Evidence Synthesis

Background Biofield therapies (such as Reiki, therapeutic touch, and healing touch) are complementary medicine modalities that remain controversial and are utilized by a significant number of patients, with little information regarding their efficacy.
On system-level use of BIST for programmable Input/Output buffers in FPGAs

We describe a Built-in Self-Test (BIST) approach that was developed for the programmable Input/Output (I/O) buffers in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The approach is unique when compared with previous work because the I/O buffers are tested separately from the other programmable logic in the I/O cells. The capabilities and limitations of system-level use of this I/O buffer BIST are discussed in conjunction with experimental results from the implementation and actual use of the approach in systems.
A modified reduced update Kalman filter for images degraded by non-Gaussian additive noise

The authors consider the problem of filtering images corrupted by non-Gaussian noise using the Kalman filter. Specifically, they have used the reduced updated Kalman filter (RUKF) for the sake of computational savings. They modified the original RUKF to accommodate the non-Gaussian noise using an efficient scheme proposed by them previously (1989). It is shown that the modification is simple and the results are satisfactory. >
Interventions Delivered in Clinical Settings are Effective in Reducing Risk of HIV Transmission Among People Living with HIV: Results from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)’s Special Projects of National Significance Initiative

To support expanded prevention services for people living with HIV, the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) sponsored a 5-year initiative to test whether interventions delivered in clinical settings were effective in reducing HIV transmission risk among HIV-infected patients. Across 13 demonstration sites, patients were randomized to one of four conditions. All interventions were associated with reduced unprotected vaginal and/or anal intercourse with persons of HIV-uninfected or unknown status among the 3,556 participating patients. Compared to the standard of care, patients assigned to receive interventions from medical care providers reported a significant decrease in risk after 12 months of participation. Patients receiving prevention services from health educators, social workers or paraprofessional HIV-infected peers reported significant reduction in risk at 6 months, but not at 12 months. While clinics have a choice of effective models for implementing prevention programs for their HIV-infected patients, medical provider-delivered methods are comparatively robust.
Facial- and postural-affect recognition in senile elderly persons.

Sixteen senile geriatric inpatients were tested for visual affect recognition under four conditions. In the first three conditions, they were presented with different sets of happy, sad and angry facial stimuli. In the fourth condition, postural sketches were used to express the three emotions. The subjects were tested by means of verbal prompting, i.e., they were directed to point to either the happy, sad or angry facial and bodily expressions over a series of trials. Significantly more errors were made to the angry expressions than to the happy and sad ones which, in turn, did not differ from one another. In addition, significantly more errors were generated by the facial stimuli than by the postural representations. These findings suggested a mechanism underlying prosopo-affective agnosia.
Collective Centring and Collective Sense-making in the Stories and Storytelling of One Organization

A vivid illustration of shared storytelling, collective centring, and collective sense-making appears in this study of one non-profit organization. Organiza tional members identify two stories that express the collective sense and allow centring on the shared meaning. Sense-making in a structurally closed organ ization is demonstrated. Organizational dynamics and root metaphors are examined and several approaches to the analysis of organizational myth and story are utilized. Dissonance between organizational members and the presid ent is apparent even though the organization is rooted in a unitary reality.
Reversing Esophageal Discontinuity

Catastrophic esophageal or gastric disruption drive the decision to "disconnect" the esophagus to prevent ongoing mediastinal soilage. The operations used to establish esophageal discontinuity are not standardized and vary widely, the surgeon often focusing on saving the patient's life, not on how alimentary continuity will ultimately be restored. Patients who survive the initial disastrous infectious complications are typically desperate to have further surgery to allow them to eat again. Relatively little is written about the decisions involved in reversing esophageal discontinuity—the timing of the operation, preoperative assessment and preparation, planning and conduct of the operation, and outcome. The nuances of reestablishing alimentary continuity in this disparate patient population are the focus of this article.
Determination of equivalent network parameters of short-gate-length modulation-doped field-effect transistors

The small-signal intrinsic Y-parameters of millimeter-wave MODFETs are examined. These parameters were extracted from S-parameter data after removal of parasitics through a method of successive Z-to-Y and Y-to-Z transformations. This approach has yielded accurate values of all the parameters of an equivalent network model for the MODFETs tested, with the exception of some uncertainties in the determination of the intrinsic Y/sub 21/ phase-delay time constant. It is shown that accurate determination of the intrinsic carrier transit time ( tau ) is possible through the unity extrapolation of the intrinsic current gain //h/sub 21///, and this yields the related carrier average velocity ( nu /sub av/). Results obtained from three 0.25- mu m-gate-length MODFETs, based on different heterostructures, and results obtained from a 0.15- mu m-gate-length lattice-matched structure are presented. >
Sequences in the 5′ and 3′ R Elements of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Critical for Efficient Reverse Transcription

The genome of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) contains two direct repeats (R) of 97 nucleotides at each end. These elements are of critical importance during the first-strand transfer of reverse transcription, during which the minus-strand strong-stop DNA (−sssDNA) is transferred from the 5′ end to the 3′ end of the genomic RNA. This transfer is critical for the synthesis of the full-length minus-strand cDNA. These repeats also contain a variety of other functional domains involved in many aspects of the viral life cycle. In this study, we have introduced a series of mutations into the 5′, the 3′, or both R sequences designed to avoid these other functional domains. Using a single-round infectivity assay, we determined the ability of these mutants to undergo the various steps of reverse transcription utilizing a semiquantitative PCR analysis. We find that mutations within the first 10 nucleotides of either the 5′ or the 3′ R sequence resulted in virions that were markedly defective for reverse transcription in infected cells. These mutations potentially introduce mismatches between the full-length −sssDNA and 3′ acceptor R. Even mutations that would create relatively small mismatches, as little as 3 bp, resulted in inefficient reverse transcription. In contrast, virions containing identically mutated R elements were not defective for reverse transcription or infectivity. Using an endogenous reverse transcription assay with disrupted virus, we show that virions harboring the 5′ or the 3′ R mutations were not intrinsically defective for DNA synthesis. Similarly sized mismatches slightly further downstream in either the 5′, the 3′, or both R sequences were not detrimental to continued reverse transcription in infected cells. These data are consistent with the idea that certain mismatches within 10 nucleotides downstream of the U3-R junction in HIV-1 cause defects in the stability of the cDNA before or during the first-strand transfer of reverse transcription leading to the rapid disappearance of the −sssDNA in infected cells. These data also suggest that the great majority of first-strand transfers in HIV-1 occur after the copying of virtually the entire 5′ R.
Monolithic/Modularized Voltage Regulator Channel

To achieve higher power density and design flexibility with unlimited phase number, the concept of monolithic/modularized voltage regulator channel (MVRC) is introduced to be a generic power integrated circuit (IC) solution for both central processing unit (CPU) and point-of-load (POL) power management. Novel control architecture and analog circuits are invented to implement the MVRC concept. Tolerance analysis and hardware testing verified that the MVRC approach is suitable for today's and even future's microprocessor power management.
Management of the adverse effects associated with intravenous bisphosphonates

Intravenous bisphosphonates are widely used to treat hypercalcemia and to reduce skeletal-related morbidity among cancer patients. However, serious complications, generally occurring in less than 2% of patients participated in phase III clinical trials, including acute systemic inflammatory reaction, ocular inflammation, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, electrolyte imbalance, and osteonecrosis of the maxilla and mandible have all been increasingly reported. Yet, strategies to deal with these complications are becoming clear. Acute systemic inflammatory reaction is often self-limited and becomes less intense during subsequent treatments. For patients who develop ocular symptoms, prompt ophthalmologic evaluation is crucial to determine the safety of a subsequent bisphosphonate therapy. Patients who receive long-term pamidronate should be evaluated at intervals for early sign of nephritic syndrome as timely cessation of the agent may result in a full recovery. To reduce the risk of severe electrolyte abnormalities, particularly hypocalcemia, correcting any pre-treatment electrolyte abnormality and supplementing vitamin D and calcium may be helpful. Finally, to reduce the risk of osteonecrosis of the maxilla and mandible, obtaining a full dental evaluation before treatment and avoidance of invasive dental procedures is suggested. The three commonly used intravenous bisphosphonates (pamidronate, zoledronic acid, and ibandronate), are generally safe; ibandronate has to date been the least reported to be associated with renal side effects. As clinical indications of intravenous bisphosphonates continue to expand, prescribing clinicians should be familiar with these possible adverse effects and discuss them with patients before commencing or continuing on therapy.
Moments of the intensity of a non-circular Gaussian laser speckle pattern in the diffraction field

Statistics of the intensity of a non-circular Gaussian speckle field that arises in imaging and propagation geometries was analyzed in the past but no general expressions for the moments of intensity were given. In this paper general expressions for the moments of the intensity of a non-circular speckle field are derived and their dependence on the path and beam parameters is discussed.
Analysis of Single-Unit Responses to Emotional Scenes in Human Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex

Lesion and functional imaging studies in humans have shown that the ventral and medial prefrontal cortex is critically involved in the processing of emotional stimuli, but both of these methods have limited spatiotemporal resolution. Conversely, neurophysiological studies of emotion in nonhuman primates typically rely on stimuli that do not require elaborate cognitive processing. To begin bridging this gap, we recorded from a total of 267 neurons in the left and right orbital and anterior cingulate cortices of four patients who had chronically implanted depth electrodes for monitoring epilepsy. Peristimulus activity was recorded to standardized, complex visual scenes depicting neutral, pleasant, or aversive content. Recording locations were verified with postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Using a conservative, multistep statistical evaluation, we found significant responses in 56 neurons; 16 of these were selective for only one emotion class, most often aversive. The findings suggest sparse and widely distributed processing of emotional value in the prefrontal cortex, with a predominance of responses to aversive stimuli.
Consumer Responses to Bonus Pack and Product Enlargement Claims

In conveying product size increases, manufacturers use labeling tactics that can be classified as “bonus packs” (more for the same price) or “product enlargements” (more, but no mention of price). One study shows that when consumers do not know a product’s original size and price, attitudes are more favorable toward a bonus pack than an economically equivalent product enlargement. This difference disappears when consumers know the original product size and price. A second study shows that, less intuitively, a product enlargement associated with a small (but not a large) price increase is evaluated as positively as a comparable bonus pack. The result for a small price increase and corroborating evidence support an account in which the product enlargement’s economic inferiority is offset by consumer’s use of the quantity discount heuristic. Implications for product manufacturers and consumer researchers are discussed.
Multi-pulse pumping for far-field super-resolution imaging

Recently, far-field optical imaging with a resolution significantly beyond diffraction limit has attracted tremendous attention allowing for high resolution imaging in living objects. Various methods have been proposed that are divided in to two basic approaches; deterministic super-resolution like STED or RESOLFT and stochastic super-resolution like PALM or STORM. We propose to achieve super-resolution in far-field fluorescence imaging by the use of controllable (on-demand) bursts of pulses that can change the fluorescence signal of long-lived component over one order of magnitude. We demonstrate that two beads, one labeled with a long-lived dye and another with a short-lived dye, separated by a distance lower than 100 nm can be easily resolved in a single experiment. The proposed method can be used to separate two biological structures in a cell by targeting them with two antibodies labeled with long-lived and short-lived fluorophores.
Green Roof Growing Substrates: Types, Ingredients, Composition and Properties

Although development of low (extensive) and high (intensive) maintenance green roof systems has progressed signifi cantly, studies on the function of the growing substrate as a living constituent are lacking. The objective of this review paper is to summarize current scientifi c knowledge on the components, composition, and characteristics of green roof substrates and to identify future research needs. Due to variations in climate and desired plant types, there is no universal growing substrate. An appropriate substrate is expected to provide permanent physical support for plants and possess a fi ne balance between free drainage and adequate plant available water and nutrient retention. Typical substrate components include minerals in natural or modifi ed forms such as sand, lava rock, or expanded shale, clay and slate; recycled waste materials like crushed bricks or tiles, crushed or aerated concrete and subsoil; stabilized organic matter such as composts; and plastic materials and slow release fertilizers. Proportions of components vary among substrates based on target vegetation, green roof type, and other considerations. Better green roof management for maximum benefi ts will require characterizing, quantifying and understanding the impacts of plant species and building attributes such as aspect, slope, height and heating on substrate performance, and should be considered for future research.
Alar and Transverse Ligament Calcification and Crown Dens.

To the Editor: Takizawa, et al described alar ligament and transverse ligament calcification in patients reported as having rheumatoid arthritis1,2,3. Lack of full clinical information precludes assessment as to whether their application of the term “rheumatoid” identifies the specific disease or nonspecifically identifies generalized inflammatory arthritis4 … Address correspondence to Dr. B. Rothschild, Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, Carnegie Museum, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 44272, USA. E-mail: spondylair{at}gmail.com
Fusion of Computed Tomography and PROPELLER Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Detection and Localization of Middle Ear Cholesteatoma.

Importance A method to optimize imaging of cholesteatoma by combining the strengths of available modalities will improve diagnostic accuracy and help to target treatment. Objective To assess whether fusing Periodically Rotated Overlapping Parallel Lines With Enhanced Reconstruction (PROPELLER) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) with corresponding temporal bone computed tomography (CT) images could increase cholesteatoma diagnostic and localization accuracy across 6 distinct anatomical regions of the temporal bone. Design, Setting, and Participants Case series and preliminary technology evaluation of adults with preoperative temporal bone CT and PROPELLER DW-MRI scans who underwent surgery for clinically suggested cholesteatoma at a tertiary academic hospital. When cholesteatoma was encountered surgically, the precise location was recorded in a diagram of the middle ear and mastoid. For each patient, the 3 image data sets (CT, PROPELLER DW-MRI, and CT-MRI fusion) were reviewed in random order for the presence or absence of cholesteatoma by an investigator blinded to operative findings. Main Outcomes and Measures If cholesteatoma was deemed present on review of each imaging modality, the location of the lesion was mapped presumptively. Image analysis was then compared with surgical findings. Results Twelve adults (5 women and 7 men; median [range] age, 45.5 [19-77] years) were included. The use of CT-MRI fusion had greater diagnostic sensitivity (0.88 vs 0.75), positive predictive value (0.88 vs 0.86), and negative predictive value (0.75 vs 0.60) than PROPELLER DW-MRI alone. Image fusion also showed increased overall localization accuracy when stratified across 6 distinct anatomical regions of the temporal bone (localization sensitivity and specificity, 0.76 and 0.98 for CT-MRI fusion vs 0.58 and 0.98 for PROPELLER DW-MRI). For PROPELLER DW-MRI, there were 15 true-positive, 45 true-negative, 1 false-positive, and 11 false-negative results; overall accuracy was 0.83. For CT-MRI fusion, there were 20 true-positive, 45 true-negative, 1 false-positive, and 6 false-negative results; overall accuracy was 0.90. Conclusions and Relevance The poor anatomical spatial resolution of DW-MRI makes precise localization of cholesteatoma within the middle ear and mastoid a diagnostic challenge. This study suggests that the bony anatomic detail obtained via CT coupled with the excellent sensitivity and specificity of PROPELLER DW-MRI for cholesteatoma can improve both preoperative identification and localization of disease over DW-MRI alone.
The Right to Marry: Negotiating (In)dependence as a U.S. Border Rhetoric

Independence, as a tenet of U.S. identity, refers both to a right citizens can claim and also a national expectation for self-sufficiency—requiring those desiring citizenship to balance expectations for independence, dependence, and dependability. In this way, national narratives about independence are U.S. border rhetorics that delimit the conditions of belonging. To explore this, I analyze the discourse of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer participants in the online community, The Wedding Matters, who reworked their relationship to independence through arguments about marriage equality. Specifically, participants constructed appeals that (a) foregrounded monogamy, (b) demonstrated their desire to raise and care for children, and (c) participated in postrace narratives of success that were characterized by a precarious negotiation of (self) sufficiency and (national) loyalty.
Interaction of Ultrasound with Tissues

As the applications of ultrasound are extended in diagnosis, therapy and surgery it is essential that we obtain a thorough knowledge of the biological effects of this radiation. These studies have become one of the most interesting subjects of applied research today. On the one hand, sound energy is absorbed and affects tissue by the heat produced. In addition, there is now a large body of evidence that ultrasound can affect biological material by specific, nonthermal mechanisms. As examples, purely thermal processes can explain focal ultrasonic lesion production in brain tissue at intensity levels below 200 W/cm2. This is shown by considering acoustic absorption, heat diffusion, and the thermal sensitivity of brain tissue. On the other hand, non-thermal mechanisms are clearly needed to explain reduction in growth rate, mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations which are observed in plant roots irradiated by ultrasound. In spite of extensive applications of ultrasound in diagnosis, therapy and even surgery, there are still many problems to be solved in the basic physics of sound propagation in tissues. Sound absorption occurs primarily at the macromolecular level. There is evidence to indicate that this absorption can be profoundly modified by macro-molecular interaction.
Coherent scatter imaging Monte Carlo simulation

Conventional mammography can suffer from poor contrast between healthy and cancerous tissues due to the small difference in attenuation properties. Coherent scatter slot scan imaging is an imaging technique which provides additional information and is compatible with conventional mammography. A Monte Carlo simulation of coherent scatter slot scan imaging was performed to assess its performance and provide system optimization. Coherent scatter could be exploited using a system similar to conventional slot scan mammography system with antiscatter grids tilted at the characteristic angle of cancerous tissues. System optimization was performed across several parameters, including source voltage, tilt angle, grid distances, grid ratio, and shielding geometry. The simulated carcinomas were detectable for tumors as small as 5 mm in diameter, so coherent scatter analysis using a wide-slot setup could be promising as an enhancement for screening mammography. Employing coherent scatter information simultaneously with conventional mammography could yield a conventional high spatial resolution image with additional coherent scatter information.
Gallbladder opacification on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced CT scan

This study aimed to evaluate the radiologist’s ability to identify excreted gadoxetate disodium within the gallbladder on CT scan. Thirty three healthy adults underwent imaging of the liver during work-up for potential liver donation. Three patients had undergone prior cholecystectomy and therefore were excluded. Imaging consisted of gadoxetate disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) and multiphase contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. Two fellowship-trained abdominal imaging radiologists, who were blinded to the MRC images and the contrast agent used during MRC, independently reviewed the CT scans of the 30 patients that were included. The scans were evaluated for the presence or absence of abnormal hyperdensity within the gallbladder. Three patients did not receive intravenous gadoxetate disodium, 4 patients had their MRC after the CT scan, and 1 patient had the CT scans 5 days following the MRC. Twenty two patients had the CT scan within 24 h following the gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRC. Of the 22 patients expected to have gadolinium in the gallbladder, both reviewers identified hyperdensity in the same 20 patients (90%). Both reviewers reported no abnormal hyperdensity within the gallbladder in the remaining 10 patients. CT scan can reveal excreted gadoxetate disodium within the gallbladder lumen and therefore gadoxetate disodium-enhanced CT scan can potentially play a role in the evaluation of cystic duct patency and work-up of acute cholecystitis.
Cognitive radio sensing through belief propagation and distributed consensus

This paper studies distributed algorithms for cooperative spectrum sensing. Formulating the problem as one of computing-on-graph, we evaluate two important classes of algorithms, belief propagation (BP) and distribute consensus (DC). We detail the exact operations of these algorithms for the spectrum sensing application, and provide rigorous algorithmic study on their properties and especially the convergence. Unlike the DC algorithm where convergence to the global optimum is guaranteed irrespective of the network topology, the BP algorithm does not usually converge. We provide a graphtransformation mechanism to evaluate the conditions for its convergence and the speed. Our analysis provides useful insight into how the two algorithms arising from drastically different theoretical grounds can serve a common purpose. Specifically, it is shown that belief propagation is an algorithm of “less is more” and hence favors sparse graphs, whereas distributed consensus is an algorithm of “the more the merrier” and hence favors dense graphs. Simulations confirm the analytical results.
Symbolic Action: Nationalist Opposition and Regime Response

Symbolic action is action the effect of which is other than the manifest, instrumental goal of such action. An election, when there is only one candidate, is an example; another is the conduct of a trial the purpose of which is not to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused, but to set an example or publicly to discredit the defendant and others like him. Similarly, an appeal or a petition by a dissident to an official instance when there is no hope of redress is an action intended not to obtain remedy, but graphically to confront officials with the contradiction between articulated and actual policy.
2005 Update on Accelerated FDA Approval of Drugs Used To Treat Hematologic Malignancies from the Research on Adverse Drug-Events and Reports (RADAR): Rate of Regular Approval Conversion Remains Low.

Background: At ASH 2004 we reported that prior to 2004, eight drugs had received accelerated approval (AA) for ten hematologic oncology indications, only one had converted to full approval, and three serious adverse events associated with two of these drugs were identified post-approval. Following our presentation, Congressman Ed Markey (D-Massachussets) in June 2005 issued a report (“Conspiracy of Silence”) that raised similar concerns about the low rates of conversion from accelerated to regular approval and the failure of the FDA in ensuring that drug companies complete the required post-marketing studies. We update the experience with accelerated FDA approval for hematologic oncology. Methods: Information was obtained from the FDA on new drug applications and supplements for new uses, package inserts, and medical literature reviews. Results: Of 11 drug indications that received AA for hematologic oncology between 1995 and 2005, AA was generally granted for 9 based on clinical trials with <100 patients that identified high response rates. In the past year, none have applied for conversion to regular approval. Bortezomib received regular approval for an indication different than that granted for AA. Three serious adverse drug reactions were identified for two indications (gemtuzumab ozogamicin, imatinib for GIST) within 2 years of AA approval. Conclusion: Since 2004, one new drug received AA for a hematologic oncology indication, one drug received regular approval for an indication different from that indicated under AA, and although 1 more year has elapsed, conversion has yet to occur for nine AA hematologic oncology indications. It is imperative that the FDA establish clear milestones regarding conversion to regular approval at the time AA is granted. | Drug Name (AA Date; Years Lapsed Since AA) | AA Indication | Years to AA/Regular Approval | N in Trial (Overall Response Rate) | |:----------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | *Regular approval granted for myeloma failing one treatment | | Denileukin difitox (2/99; 6.5) | T-cell lymphoma | 1.17/- | 71 (30%) | | Cytarabine liposomal (4/99; 6.3) | Lymphomatous meningitis | 0.46/- | 14 (71%) | | Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (5/00; 5.35) | CD33 positive AML | 0.58/- | 142 (30%) | | Alemtuzumab (5/01; 4.3) | CLL | 1.375/- | 93 (33%) | | Imatinib mesylate (5/01) | CML | 0.25/2 | 864 (80%) | | Ibritumomab tuixetan (2/02; 3.5) | Low-grade NHL | 1.3/- | 157(68%) | | Imatinib mesylate (2/02; 3.5) | GIST | 0.29/- | 147 (54%) | | Imatinib mesylate (12/02; 2.7) | CML peds | 0.5/- | 39 (67%) | | Bortezomib (5/03) | Multiple myeloma w/ 2 prior chemo treatments* | 0.46/2 | 193 (35%) | | Tositumomab (6/03/2.2) | NHL | 4.0/- | 59 (71%) | | Clofarabine (12/04; 0.7) | Relapsed/refractory ALL peds | 0.75/- | 49 (20%) |
Active Hardware Metering by Finite State Machine Obfuscation

This chapter presents a detailed description and comprehensive discussion of the first known method for active IC metering and IC piracy prevention which allow uniquely locking each manufactured IC at the foundry. The locking structure is embedded during hardware synthesis by FSM modifications such that the IC would not be functional without a proper chips specific passkey that can only be computed by the designer (IP rights owner). We show the analogy between the hardware synthesis transformations and program compilation, and pose the problem of extending the FSM for hiding the locks as an instance of the classic program obfuscation problem. We demonstrate a construction of the locks within FSM as an instance of a general output multi-point function family. This family is known to be effectively obfuscatable in the random oracle model. Therefore, the locks can be efficiently hidden. Finally, we show the low overhead and resistance to attacks of the suggested metering technique.
Toxic effects of zinc ions on kinesin – Potential molecular cause of impaired intracellular transport

In healthy organisms the metabolism of the trace element zinc is well balanced. If this balance becomes destroyed the free zinc level might increase and cause toxic effects. The present study demonstrates that under definite conditions zinc ions are able to inhibit the ATPase activity of neuron-specific KIF5A (kinesin-1). Correspondingly, the motility activity of KIF5A also decreased. The inhibition rates have been found to depend on the magnesium ion concentration. Lowering the magnesium concentration weakens the inhibition. In addition, also decreases of temperature or increasing the ATP concentration result in reduced inhibition. Zinc ion-mediated inhibition of KIF5A activity might be one molecular cause contributing to impaired transport processes within brain and other organs in cases of zinc dyshomeostasis.
La mélancolie du biographe: Le Roman du Castelain de Couci et le deuil de la voix

Thirteenth-century French courtly narratives are often described as "generic hybrids" because of their extensive play with generic norms. Courtly romance's engagement with generic, discursive and thematic paradigms elaborated in the Old French lyric, in particular, is discernible in the numerous romans featuring "lyric insertions" (romances where pre-existing or new lyric songs are inserted in the narrative frame). The Roman du Castelain de Couci, examined here, provides an especially interesting and, it is argued, metadiscursive example, since its narrator presents itself as a biographer avant la lettre, recounting the (romanced) story of an authentic twelfth-century trouvere, the Châtelain de Coucy. The songs are inserted at important points of the trouvere's tragic love affair, thus revealing the circumstances of their creation. This article first considers the narrator's self-presentation in the prologue, as well as the shifting meanings of lyric signifiers in the narrative context, in order to illuminate the complex intertextual relationship of this roman to the trouvere's song. Various episodes of the story are then analyzed, all pointing to an elegiac encoding of the loss of lyric solipsistic discourse. Framing these observations in a psychoanalytic conceptualization of mourning, the article concludes by positing melancholia as the symbolic process at the basis of romance's renewed generic and discursive "identity".
Savoring and Well-Being: Mapping the Cognitive-Emotional Terrain of the Happy Mind

We assert that the happy mind has learned to use savoring to cultivate well-being. After explicating the concept of savoring and examining variables that predict savoring ability and the use of specific savoring strategies, we review theoretical and empirical support for the notion that savoring promotes positive psychological functioning. We conclude by reminding theorists and researchers that: (a) savoring is distinct from happiness and enjoyment; and (b) two commonly used measures of savoring—namely, retrospective enjoyment and time spent in pleasurable activity—fail to directly capture the conscious awareness of ongoing positive feelings that is the critical essence of savoring.
On the Nature of Objectification: Implications of Considering People as Means to Goals

People are objectified when they are treated as a means to a goal. The most common example is when women are sexually objectified and reduced to their physical appearance, sexuality, or individual body parts. In such instances, people are used in the same way as objects and are evaluated according to their instrumentality to the others' goals. The aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of objectification. We will (a) outline basic principles of means-goal relations during goal pursuit, (b) review research in which people are means to goals, (c) explain objectification according to a means-goal psychology in which people serve as means to goals, and (d) explain the implications of our account for the consequences of objectification. Specifically, we argue objectification is inevitable and that the consequences of objectification, including its morality, depend on the goal to which a person serves and whether the objectified person wants to serve that goal.
Synthesis, characterization, and epoxide ring-opening reactivity of thorium-NHC-bpy complexes

Abstract The reduced 2,2′-bipyridine thorium-bis(NHC)borate mesityl complex (2) reacts with either propylene oxide or cyclohexene oxide to form ring-opened addition products 3 and 4, respectively. This C−O bond cleavage event proceeds cleanly and affords well-defined products (3 and 4) that have been characterized by NMR, IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. In the case of 3, single crystal X-ray diffraction was also performed. The synthesis and characterization of a new reduced 6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-dipyridyl thorium-bis(NHC)borate mesityl complex (5) is also described. The steric congestion present in complex 5 leads to divergent reactivity to that of 2. Instead of the clean bond making and breaking reactivity demonstrated by 2 with various organic substrates such as tert-butyl isocyanide, propylene oxide, benzophenone, and p-tolylazide, complex 5 either does not react, or succumbs to decomposition.
Zero–One Implicit Enumeration

This chapter highlights zero-one equivalence of the integer problem and the concept of implicit enumeration. The concept of implicit enumeration has been developed for the problem in which all the objective and constraint functions are linear. This is generalized to include the non-linear problem. In the mixed zero-one problem, the presentation is limited to the case where the objective and constraint functions are linear. The chapter highlights the importance of the zero-one problem by showing that every general integer problem can be converted to an equivalent binary problem. A theorem relating the solution of the zero-one problem to the extreme points of the solution space of the equivalent linear program has been presented. In a linear zero-one problem, mixed or pure, it is assumed that the integer constraint is replaced by a continuous range; then, the resulting continuous solution space contains no feasible points in its interior, and the optimum feasible solution of the integer problem occurs at an extreme point of the convex space.
OXYGEN-18 TRACER STUDIES ON THE CARBON-OXYGEN REACTION

Reactions for the production of carbon dioxide when oxygen reacts with carbon are considered. In order to determine which reaction(s) is of primary importance, oxygen-16 and oxygen-18 (in molecular oxygen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide) are used. Reactions of the above molecules (always at a total pressure <100 millitorr) with the graphitized carbon black, Graphon, are followed by monitoring continuously reactant and product pressures mass spectrometrically. It is shown that carbon dioxide is a primary product of the carbon-oxygen reaction. The intermediate for carbon dioxide production involves atomic oxygen on the carbon surface, or the reaction can be written 2C + O2 → 2C(O)i → CO2 + C. Possible exchange reactions on the carbon surface, which could lead to misinterpretation of the results, are investigated.