cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanofilm-coated photonic crystal fiber long-period gratings with modal transition for high chemical sensitivity and selectivity

Using long-period gratings (LPGs) inscribed in an endless single-mode photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and coating nanostructure film into air channels in the PCF cladding with modal transition of the LPG, we have developed a fiber-optic sensing platform for detection of chemicals. PCF-LPG possesses extremely high sensitivity to the change in refractive index and chemical selectivity by localizing binding and/or absorption events in analyte solution. In this work, we numerically and experimentally investigate the behaviors of modal transition in the PCF-LPG where the air channels of PCF cladding are azimuthally coated with two types of nanostructure polymers as primary and secondary coatings by electrostatic self-assembly (ESA) deposition technique. The primary coating does not affect PCF-LPG parameters such as grating resonance wavelengths and its intensity that can be used for sensing, but it increases the sensitivity to refractive index of chemical analytes in the air channels. The secondary coating is for selective absorption of analyte molecules of interest. Those two coatings significantly modify the cladding mode distribution of PCF-LPG and enhance the evanescent wave interaction with the external environment, leading to a highly sensitive and selective chemical sensor. The integrated sensor has potential in a variety of applications, especially for nano-liter scale measurement in situ. The functional nanostructure films which respond to different parameters can be introduced into the air channels of the PCF-LPGs as transducers with chemical selectivity. In this paper, we demonstrate a fiber-optic humidity sensor with the proposed nanofilm-coated PCF-LPG for detection of corrosion in civil infrastructural health monitoring.
Theory of a two-photon laser amplifier

We discuss the propagation of an electromagnetic pulse through an active medium prepared in a state of inversion between two levels of the same parity. Since no electric dipole transition is possible between the chosen atomic levels, we investigate the possibility of amplification of an injected signal having a carrier frequency equal to one-half the atomic-transition frequency. We show that under suitable conditions a nonlinear atomic polarization can be generated which oscillates at the same frequency as the incident electromagnetic pulse. The coupled atom-field evolution is described by the usual self-consistent approach. When atomic relaxation effects are negligible, we derive an equation describing the spatial evolution of the energy of the propagating pulse. From this equation we characterize the threshold condition for power amplification and classify the multiple steady-state solutions of the propagation problem. The evolution of the pulse envelope through the amplifier is analyzed with the help of a hybrid computer simulation. Pulse-envelope modulation and multiple-pulse formation even in the asymptotic limit of long amplifiers are displayed.
Risk factor profiles of patients with sudden cardiac death and death from other cardiac causes: a report from the coronary artery surgery study (CASS)

Identification of patients at risk of sudden death is essential if optimal preventive treatment strategies are to be developed. In the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) Registry, 19,946 patients were analyzed to characterize baseline clinical, hemodynamic and angiographic features of patients dying from sudden cardiac death and to compare them with features of patients dying from other cardiac causes, of those dying from noncardiac causes and of survivors. Of the 11,843 medically treated patients, 1,621 died during a mean follow-up period of 5.0 years: death was sudden in 557 (34%), nonsudden but cardiac in 813 (50%) and noncardiac in 251 (16%). In 8,103 surgically treated patients, 824 deaths occurred during a mean follow-up period of 5.1 years: death was sudden in 204 (25%), nonsudden but cardiac in 390 (47%) and noncardiac in 230 (28%). In general, the patients (both medically and surgically treated) who died of cardiac causes, either suddenly or nonsuddenly, were similar to each other but significantly different from patients who either survived or died of noncardiac causes. Although patients with an increased risk of any type of cardiac death could be identified, there were no measures of angiographic or hemodynamic characteristics that were significantly different between patients with sudden cardiac death and those with nonsudden cardiac death. Identification of patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death will require approaches in addition to clinical, angiographic and hemodynamic assessment, such as electrophysiologic assessment or monitoring techniques to identify triggering mechanisms.
Framing Rape: An Examination of Public Relations Strategies in the Duke University Lacrosse Case

In Spring 2006, three White Duke University lacrosse players were charged with raping a Black female student from nearby North Carolina Central University at an off-campus party. Reports of the alleged crime captured news media attention, prompting a public relations campaign by Duke to maintain its image as an elite educational institution and an academic powerhouse. During the 15 months the charges were pending, the university framed its discussion in terms of reason versus emotion, with the university positioning itself as a calm voice amid diatribe and as a victim of unfair and untrue media reports. The charges ultimately were dropped. Although Duke was adept at speaking about its own integrity, it did little to discuss larger issues at play, such as sexual objectification of women, the risks of sexual violence on college campuses, and the perceptions of privilege in U.S. college athletics. In sum, Duke faced a public relations challenge that involved allegations of rape but spent little time actually discussing rape.
Screening of threading bis-intercalators binding to duplex DNA by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

The DNA binding of novel threading bis-intercalators V1, trans-D1, and cis-C1, which contain two naphthalene diimide (NDI) intercalation units connected by a scaffold, was evaluated using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and DNAse footprinting techniques. ESI-MS experiments confirmed that V1, the ligand containing the -Gly3-Lys- peptide scaffold, binds to a DNA duplex containing the 5′-GGTACC-3′ specific binding site identified in previous NMR-based studies. The ligand formed complexes with a ligand/DNA binding stoichiometry of 1:1, even when there was excess ligand in solution. Trans-D1 and cis-C1 are new ligands containing a rigid spiro-tricyclic scaffold in the trans- and cis- orientations, respectively. Preliminary DNAse footprinting experiments identified possible specific binding sites of 5′-CAGTGA-5′ for trans-D1 and 5′-GGTACC-3′ for cis-C1. ESI-MS experiments revealed that both ligands bound to DNA duplexes containing the respective specific binding sequences, with cis-C1 exhibiting the most extensive binding based on a higher fraction of bound DNA value. Cis-C1 formed complexes with a dominant 1:1 binding stoichiometry, whereas trans-D1 was able to form 2:1 complexes at ligand/DNA molar ratios ≥1 which is suggestive of nonspecific binding. Collisional activated dissociation (CAD) experiments indicate that DNA complexes containing V1, trans-D1, and cis-C1 have a unique fragmentation pathway, which was also observed for complexes containing the commercially available bis-intercalator echinomycin, as a result of similar binding interactions, marked by intercalation in addition to hydrogen bonding by the scaffold with the DNA major or minor groove.
Monopole antenna with tunable stop-band function

In this paper a monopole antenna with a coplanar waveguide (CPW) resonant cell (CCRC) is proposed which can be used for ultra-wideband (3 - 10.3 GHz) applications, with a band-notch in the 5.4 - 6.1 GHz range. The notch frequency can be controlled by the signal applied to a varactor diode embedded in the antenna. The performance in the stop-band is verified by transmission parameter measurements, in addition to numerical antenna simulation.
Feedback control of singular systems—proportional and derivative feedback of the state

This paper examines the use of proportional and derivative feedback of the state as a means of regularizing and controlling singular systems. Regularizability is defined as the existence of a derivative feedback control law such that the closed-loop system is regular. It is shown that the closed-loop system modal frequencies could be assigned arbitrarily if and only if the singular system is strongly controllable. It is further shown that, the eigenvalues of a regularizable system, could be assigned arbitrarily using the controllability property of finite frequency modes.
Accounting for environmental pollution in production function

Purpose – Traditionally, economic production models consider pollution as bads that may be modeled as either outputs or inputs in economic models. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of these modeling choices on the measurements of productive efficiency and private costs of pollution control. Design/methodology/approach – The authors apply the hyperbolic distance functions to measure trucking efficiency and the private costs of pollution control. Findings – The results show: (i) regardless of the choice of modeling, when only one bad was incorporated in hyperbolic distance functions, the efficiency loss and private abatement cost measures derived from the two models were equivalent, but potential pollution reduction and good output expansion differed; (ii) when more than one bad were introduced, the equivalence of efficiency loss measure in (i) did not hold; and (iii) the potential amounts of pollution reduction and good output expansion were larger when bads were modeled as inputs. W...
Embedding hyperpyramids into hypercubes

Abstract : Hyper-pyramids contain pyramids as proper subgraphs. We show that a P(k.d) hyper-pyramid can be embedded in a Boolean cube with minimal expansion and dilation. In addition to expansion, dilation, and congestion we also characterize the embedding with the active-degree, and the node-load.
Changes in Perceived Color Due to Chromatic Interactions

Studies of chromatic induction have generally examined either (a) the effects of a chromatic surround on a neutral test field, or (b) the effects of one spectral hue on another. To investigate how colors interact in other regions of color space an experiment was designed using fifteen test stimuli scattered through C.I.E. color space. The perceived hue of each stimulus was matched on its own and in the presence of five inducing stimuli. Matching was done both with and without a lens to correct axial chromatic aberration, which was found to be a significant prereceptoral factor influencing perceived colour. With chromatic aberration corrected the overall pattern of chromatic changes can be explained neither by receptor processes alone, nor by opponent channel processes alone. But a reasonable fit can be obtained if changes are allowed to take place in both levels of the system.
Immunohistochemical distribution of serotonin in spinal autonomic nuclei: II. Early and late postnatal ontogeny in the rat

These studies reveal that the postnatal ontogeny of serotonin (5HT) in the sympathetic nuclei of the rat spinal cord is protracted; the adult complement of 5HT-immunoreactive fibers is not achieved until at least 60 days of age. As descending serotonin fibers innervate and demarcate the distribution of preganglionic sympathetic nuclei, rostral-caudal and temporal gradients exist. Additionally, a heterogeneous segmental 5HT ontogenetic pattern is observed in sympathetic nuclei. Most serotonin fibers in laminae VII and X are unorganized at birth except for some sympathetic nuclei in high thoracic regions where the 5HT sympathetic pattern is being initiated. By postnatal day 6 the framework of the 5HT pattern is established in all sympathetic nuclei, and by postnatal day 16 a pattern is formed, which develops into the compact adult state by postnatal day 60. The protracted period of sympathetic 5HT development corresponds with the length of time it takes for the autonomic nervous system to mature. In addition, 5HT intraspinal cell bodies are observed at all time points examined, except for the day of birth, and are found in the same regions as adult 5HT neurons, i.e., dorsal or lateral to the central canal in laminae VII and X and in all spinal segments except cervical levels. Many of the 5HT neurons are pericanalicular and bipolar in appearance. Multipolar 5HT neurons are first observed on postnatal day 45.
Mood states associated with transitory changes in asthma symptoms and peak expiratory flow.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the within-person relations between transitory changes in mood, asthma symptoms, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). METHODS Thrice-daily for 21 consecutive days, 48 adults with moderate to severe asthma entered information in palm-top computers about their mood and asthma symptoms. A multidimensional model of mood, ie, the mood circumplex, informed the assessment of mood arousal and mood pleasantness. At each observation, participants also recorded their PEFR with peak flow meters that stored blinded data. Albuterol doses were also monitored electronically. Before and after the 21-day study, spirometric measures of airways obstruction were taken under controlled conditions. RESULTS Random effects regression models revealed a significant, but weak, within-person relation between symptoms and PEFR. Changes in mood vectors with an arousal component were significantly related to PEFR changes, whereas changes in mood vectors with a pleasantness component tracked changes in asthma symptom reports, even after adjustment for contemporaneous PEFR and after controlling for time of day and albuterol dosing. Comparison of spirometric assessments with unsupervised PEFR suggested that part of the relation between mood arousal and PEFR may be attributable to the "effort-dependence" of peak flow self-monitoring. CONCLUSIONS Different dimensions of mood were associated with transitory changes in asthma symptoms and PEFR. This may be one reason why individuals with asthma misperceive the severity of their symptoms in relation to underlying airways obstruction.
Antioxidant and modified atmosphere packaging prevention of discoloration in pork bones during retail display.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of antioxidants to prevent discoloration in pork rib bones. Pork rib bones were removed from carcasses, frozen (−20 °C, 24 h), split lengthwise, exposed to antioxidant solutions (ascorbic acid, citric acid, propyl gallate or ascorbic/EDTA mix), packaged (modified atmosphere [80% O 2 and 20% CO 2 ] or air), then displayed in a retail case at 4 °C for 8 days. Dark pigment formation was visually evaluated during the display period. Instrumental color was determined at the end of the 8-day display period. Visual bone discoloration increased over time for all treatments. After 2 days of display, samples treated with propyl gallate were visually redder, less discolored and less green/black than samples treated with other antioxidants. After 8 days of display, propyl gallate-treated samples had higher a * and b * values, as well as chroma (intensity). However, this difference was no longer large enough to be visually detected.
Drug Elimination and Apparent Volume of Distribution in Multicompartment Systems

Abstract A relationship between drug distribution and elimination in multicompartment systems has been demonstrated, which suggests that under certain conditions a decrease in the elimination rate constant ( k el ) results in a significant decrease in the apparent volume of distribution. The mathematical relationships are consistent with experimental findings as to the effect of probenecid or renal failure on drug distribution. The implications of a change in the apparent volume of distribution, in patients with impaired renal function or with other conditions resulting in reduced drug elimination, with respect to "dose"‐response relationships, estimation of bioavailability and absorption rate, the relationship between biologic half‐life and impairment of elimination processes, and the use of creatinine clearance measurements as a guide to the design of dosage regimens in patients with renal disease are considered.
Quantification of Heparan Sulfate Disaccharides Using Ion-Pairing Reversed-Phase Microflow High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Electrospray Ionization Trap Mass Spectrometry

The glycosaminoglycan (GAG) family of biomacromolecules is composed acidic and linear chains of repeating disaccharide units. Quantitative disaccharide composition analysis is essential for the study and characterization of GAGs. Heparan sulfate and heparin consist of multiple disaccharide units and can be well-separated by ion-pairing reversed-phase microflow high-performance liquid chromatography (IPRP-Mf-HPLC). Each disaccharide can be detected and its mass confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Isotopically enriched disaccharides were prepared chemoenzymatically from a uniformly 13C,15N-labeled N-acetylheparosan (−GlcA(1→4)GlcNAc−) obtained from the fermentation of E. coli K5. These isotopically enriched disaccharides have identical HPLC retention times and mass spectra as their unlabeled counterparts and were used in liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC−MS) as internal standards. The ratio of intensities between each pair of enriched and nonenriched disaccharides show...
Qualitative Understanding of the Highest Tc Cuprates

Abstract We use two old ideas for which layered structures are particularly relevant. The first is that the pairing can occur in different parts of the unit cell and interact symbiotically, behaving in some ways as a natural realization of the sandwich models discussed in the early days of this conference. Pairing and large current flow in the CuO2 layers are enhanced by additional pairing in other layers. The second idea is that additional pairing interactions can be due to negative U-atoms (Tl+3-Tl+1), molecules ( H g 2 + 2 − 2 H g + 2 ) , or due to interactions in the quasi one-dimensional Cu O chain layers of the YBCO-123 and 248 cuprates. Further, coulomb interactions in the CuO2 planes between pairs moving in a and b directions lead to d-wave superconductivity.
Accounting for rater credibility when evaluating AEC subcontractors

In consumer electronic markets, rating mechanisms are important facilitators of trust between market participants. This paper investigates whether source credibility theory can support the evaluation of bidders in architecture/engineering/construction (AEC) electronic market places. In contrast to consumer electronic marketplaces, the raters in AEC communities are skilled and connected, necessitating a reputation mechanism to account for the relationship between the user and the rater. To solve this problem, TrustBuilder, a prototype rating tool, facilitates information sharing between peer industry practitioners by calculating a weighted rating based on source credibility theory. An experiment shows that AEC industry practitioners who evaluate bidding subcontractors trusted the information provided by TrustBuilder significantly more than information from a standard unweighted rating tool.
A Note on Stochastic Independence without Savage-Null Events

Abstract We provide two axiomatic characterizations of a stochastic independence property for conditional probability systems, previously proposed by Hammond. One characterization relies on the theory of lexicographic expected utility due to L. Blume et al. [ Econometrica 59 (1991), 61–79]; the other relies on the theory of conditional expected utility maximization due to Myerson [“Game Theory: Analysis of Conflict,” Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA, 1991]. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: D81.
Revisiting the Performance Consequences of CEO Succession: The Impacts of Successor Type, Postsuccession Senior Executive Turnover, and Departing CEO Tenure

Highlighting the importance of succession context, this study examines the performance impacts of successor type, postsuccession senior executive turnover, and departing CEO tenure. Following a pow...
Protein crystal growth procedure for the U.S. space shuttle

Crystallized macromolecules often display low-resolution diffraction patterns when subjected to X-ray radiation. Possible explanations for this decreased resolution include protein heterogeneity, impurities in the crystallizing solution, the rate of crystal growth, inherent thermal motion of the macromolecules, and gravity-induced solutal convection. The U.S. space shuttle provides a unique environment for examining the effects that reduced gravity levels have on crystal growth.
The incipient infinite cluster in two-dimensional percolation

LetPp be the probability measure on the configurations of occupied and vacant vertices of a two-dimensional graphG, under which all vertices are independently occupied (respectively vacant) with probabilityp (respectively 1-p). LetPH be the critical probability for this system andW the occupied cluster of some fixed vertexw0. We show that for many graphsG, such as\(\mathbb{Z}^2 \), or its covering graph (which corresponds to bond percolation on\(\mathbb{Z}^2 \)), the following two conditional probability measures converge and have the same limit,v say:
A statistical model for scientific readability

In this paper, we present a new method of using statistical models to estimate readability [1]. Language Model is used to capture the content information. It is combined with linguistic feature model by a linear form. Experiments show that this new method has a better performance than the widely used Flesch-Kincaid readability formula.
Reduced injection frequency and increased entry and retention in drug treatment associated with needle-exchange participation in Seattle drug injectors

The association between needle exchange, change in drug use frequency and enrollment and retention in methadone drug treatment was studied in a cohort of Seattle injection drug users (IDUs). Participants included IDUs classified according to whether they had used a needle exchange by study enrollment and during the 12-month follow-up period. The relative risk (RR) and the adjusted RR (ARR) were estimated as measures of the association. It was found that IDUs who had formerly been exchange users were more likely than never-exchangers to report a substantial (> or= 75%) reduction in injection (ARR = 2.85, 95% confidence limit [CL] 1.47-5.51), to stop injecting altogether (ARR = 3.5, 95% CL 2.1-5.9), and to remain in drug treatment. New users of the exchange were five times more likely to enter drug treatment than never-exchangers. We conclude that reduced drug use and increased drug treatment enrollment associated with needle exchange participation may have many public health benefits, including prevention of blood-borne viral transmission.
SIGNAL TO OVER-EAT

![][1] According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report, ‘Obesity and the Economics of Prevention: Fit not Fat’, published in 2010, one person out of every 10, or 500 million people worldwide, is defined as obese. In order to understand the
Arachidonic acid stimulates formation of a novel complex containing nucleolin and RhoA

Arachidonic acid (AA) stimulates cell adhesion through a p38 mitogen activated protein kinase-mediated RhoA signaling pathway. Here we report that a proteomic screen following AA-treatment identified nucleolin, a multifunctional nucleolar protein, in a complex with the GTPase, RhoA, that also included the Rho kinase, ROCK. AA-stimulated cell adhesion was inhibited by expression of nucleolin-targeted shRNA and formation of the multiprotein complex was blocked by expression of dominant-negative RhoA. AA-treatment also induced ROCK-dependent serine phosphorylation of nucleolin and translocation of nucleolin from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it appeared to co-localize with RhoA. These data suggest the existence of a new signaling pathway through which the location and post-translational state of nucleolin are modulated.
Purification and characterization of hydantoin racemase from Microbacterium liquefaciens AJ 3912.

A hydantoin racemase that catalyzed the racemization of 5-benzyl-hydantoin was detected in a cell-free extract of Microbacterium liquefaciens AJ 3912, a bacterial strain known to produce L-amino acids from their corresponding DL-5-substituted-hydantoins. This hydantoin racemase was purified 658-fold to electrophoretic homogeneity by serial chromatography. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme showed homology with known hydantoin racemases from other microorganisms. The apparent molecular mass of the purified enzyme was 27 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and 117 kDa on gel-filtration in the purification conditions, indicating a homotetrameric structure. The purified enzyme exhibited optimal activity at pH 8.2 and 55 °C, and showed a chiral preference for L-5-benzyl- rather than D-5-benzyl-hydantoin.
Depositional setting and vertebrate biostratigraphy of the Triassic Dockum Group of Texas

Triassic strata of the Dockum Group in Texas comprise two major upward-fining alluvial-lacustrine depositional sequences. The two sequences are represented by the (1) Santa Rosa-Tecovas, and (2) Trujillo-Cooper Canyon Formations. The second sequence is much thicker than the first, and occupies a greater geographic part of the Dockum basin. Each sequence of alluvial and lacustrine sediment accumulation is characterized by sediment derivation from a different source terrain. The unconformable relationship between the two depositional sequences, the change in mineralogical composition and presumed source areas between these units, differences in paleocurrent orientation between units, and evidence for intervening episodes of local deformation indicate that the sequences are of tectonic origin. These strata are not the product of a single sediment dispersal system, such as the centripetally-drained lacustrine delta complex previously envisioned for the Dockum basin. Both Dockum sequences are comprised largely of two typical alluvial facies associations; stream channel facies, and overbank flood-plain facies, that are similar to those described in nearly all fluvial deposits. In addition, the Dockum Group contains a peculiar lacustrine facies that accumulated in local flood-plain depressions, and probably resulted from subsidence over areas of subsurface salt dissolution. Vertebrate fossil assemblages are found in all three Dockum facies associations. Five fossiliferous sites in the Dockum are discussed in the context of these three depositional settings. The Dockum tetrapod diversity is reviewed in a hierarchical phylogeny with remarks on the history of collection, stratigraphic distribution of genera, and their taxonomic status. The stratigraphic ranges of tetrapod taxa do not support the recently proposed successive Otischalkian, Adamanian, Revueltian, and Apachean biochrons within the Dockum Group. Instead, a few index fossils provide a broad framework for correlation of Late Triassic nonmarine strata of the Dockum with the Carnian and Norian Alpine marine stages.
A transmission electron microscope study of the effect of cyclohexane adsorption on the crystallization of Pd80Si20 metallic glass

Abstract The strong effect of the adsorption of cyclohexane on the crystallization of metastable Pd80Si20 metallic glass was studied in situ via a high voltage electron microscope equipped with a hot stage and an environmental cell. The crystallization temperature of the Pd80Si20 glass was lowered by 200 °C in 20 Torr of cyclohexane as compared to 10−6 Torr vacuum. The path of the solid state phase transformation in the bulk glass was also altered, since a different crystalline second phase formed in cyclohexane as compared to vacuum.
774-3 Influences of Acoustic Power, TGC and Location of Region of Interest on the Measurement of Integrated Back Scatter Signal Using Acoustic Densitometry In Vivo

To test the hypothesis that differences in transducer frequency (FR), acoustic power (AP), time gain control (TGC), and the location of myocardial region of interest (ROI) examined would influence the measurement of cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (CV/IBS) olthe heart, measurement of CV/BS were performed in vivo in the left ventricular (LV) mid-papillary short axis view of 10 open chest swine. On-line measurement of IBS was obtained using the acoustic densitometry package on the Hewlett-Packard Sonos 1500, with FR between 2.0 and 5.0 MHz, varying AP between 0 and 40 dB, TGC between o and 60 dB and with ROI placed at the anterior (ANT), inferior (INF) and posterior (POST) walls of the LV CV/\BS (dB) AP ANT INF POST TGC ANT INF POST 5 2.0 ± 0.9 1.7 ± 1.3 1.8 ± 1.0 10 17 ± 1.3 0.6 ± 0.2 0.9 ± 0.2 15 4.3 ± 1.2 2.4 ± 1.5 4.2 ± 1.5 20 3.4 ± 0.8 1.3 ± 0.6 2.9 ± 1.2 20 5.7 ± 1.4 3.2 ± 2.1 6.9 ± 1.9 ** 30 4.7 ± 12 2.6 ± 1.4 6.5 ± 1.0 ** 30 4.5 ± 1.5 5.5 ± 2.5 * 7.2 ± 1.6 * 40 4.8 ± 1.4 5.5 ± 2.3 * 7.9 ± 1.6 ** 35 3.2 ± 0.9 5.5 ± 2.1 * 7.4 ± 1.3 * 50 3.0 ± 1.3 4.2 ± 1.6 * 7.0 ± 2.0 ** 40 4.1 ± 2.1 6.4 ± 2.7 * 6.8 ± 26 60 1.9 ± 1.6 3.3 ± 0.8 4.2 ± 1.9 * p l 0.01 ** p l 0.005 vs. AP 15 dB or TGC 20 dB For varying FR between 2.0 and 5.0 MHz, CV/IBS was consistently higher for FR greater than 2.0 MHz for all ROI at fixed AP and TGC (for 2.0 MHz CV did not differ because of saturation of IBS). For varying Ap, CV/IBS was consistently higher between 20–35 dB in the POST ROI only. For varying TGC, CV/IBS also was consistently higher for 30–50 dB in the POST ROI only. AP less than 20 dB and TGC less than 30 dB produced minimal CV. AP greater than 35 dB and TGC greater than 50 dB caused image saturation. These data indicate that proper transducer selection and setting of AP and TGC, as well as an understanding of ROI, are necessary and critical for interpretation of the analysis of CWIBC in vivo.
The IBM 7070 data processing system

The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) 7070 is a high-speed solid-state data processing system designed for both commercial and scientific applications. Its versatility and range enables easy expansion from a basic card system to a tape or tape RAMAC system which incorporates the speed and capacity of many large-scale data processing systems.
Phase I trail of droloxifene in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Droloxifene (3-hydroxytamoxifen) is a new, nonsteroidal antiestrogen. In comparison with tamoxifen, it has a 10-to 64-fold higher affinity for the estrogen receptor and has shown a lower estrogenic and higher antiestrogenic effect in experimental studies. The objective of this study was to determine the toxicity (and its reversibility) of droloxifene given at different doses to patients with advanced metastatic breast cancer refractory to conventional endocrine therapy and chemotherapy. In this study, 30 patients were treated in groups of 6 at 5 different doses (20, 40, 100, 200, and 300 mg) by mouth once a day. Toxic effects included hot flashes, nausea, and fatigue and were not dose-related. Toxicity did not require any dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy. There was one episode of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. There was no complete or partial response in this study, but four patients showed a minor response (13%). These data illustrate that this drug is well tolerated and needs to be further evaluated in phase II and III studies.
Social rhythm disruption and stressful life events in the onset of bipolar and unipolar episodes.

Background An association between social rhythm disruption (SRD) and onset of manic episodes has recently been observed. Whether other types of bipolar (depressive and cycling) or unipolar depressive episodes are similarly related to SRD is unclear, as is the association between severely threatening life events and onset of bipolar manic, depressed and cycling episodes. Methods Bipolar patients with purely manic (N= 21), purely depressed (N = 21) and cycling (N = 24) episodes, and 44 patients with recurrent unipolar depression, were interviewed with the Bedford College Life Events and Difficulties Schedule. The presence of severe and SRD events during the year prior to index episode onset was then determined. Results More manic than cycling and unipolar subjects experienced SRD events during 8- and 20-week pre-onset periods, and severe events during 20-week pre-onset periods. Controlling for age and prior number of episodes left most findings unchanged. An earlier finding of more manic subjects with SRD events in an 8-week pre-onset versus control period was also replicated. Conclusions It appears that manic onsets are influenced by stressful life events, especially those involving SRD, in a unique manner compared to onsets of other types of bipolar and unipolar episodes. Onset of bipolar cycling episodes, in contrast, seems to be relatively unaffected by SRD or severe life events. These findings refine the hypothesis that SRD may precipitate onset of affective episodes to be specific to manic onsets.
Expectation-variance analyss of job sequences under processing time uncertainty

Abstract Uncertainty about job processing times in quite common in scheduling practice. However, uncertainty is totally assumed away in deterministic scheduling models, which constitute the bulk of the scheduling literature. In stochastic scheduling models, while uncertainty receives explicit consideration, the focus is almost exclusively on the optimization of a performance measure in expectation alone. Such a focus, unfortunately, does not reflect a scheduler's risk attitude; to properly account for risk, the focus should shift towards the maximization of the scheduler's expected utility. This calls for the identification of job sequences that are optimal or efficient with respect to the entire probability distribution of the performance measure or a specific set of parameters of that distribution. In this paper, we discuss the issue optimality and efficiency of job sequences in the context of the well studied flow-time problem. We focus on the identification of expectation-variance efficient sequences; the notion of expectation-variance efficiency incorporates risk and is widely used in other areas such as financial analysis. We present solution algorithms for the single machine flow-time problem and show how these algorithms apply as well to extensions involving job weights, precedence relations, and multiple machines.
Phospholipid metabolism in the liver and lung of rats during development.

Abstract 1. 1. The concentration of phospholipid was lower in the liver and lung of fetal rats as compared with the corresponding adult tissues. The concentration in the liver increased after birth and adult levels were reached by 22 days after birth. However, adult levels were approached in the lung before birth at 22 days gestation. 2. 2. The incorporation of 32P into phospholipids by tissue slices was low in fetal liver and lung. The incorporation by the liver increased after birth and reached adult values by 5 days. The incorporation into lung phospholipid began to increase at 21 days gestation and approached adult levels by 22 days gestation. 3. 3. Fractionation of the phospholipid revealed changes with development in all of the major phosphatides in both tissues. All of the phosphatides increased in amount as development proceeds and the relative amounts of each changed. The overall pattern of 32P incorporation into the phosphatides differed at each fetal age studied and each differed from the adult. The choline glycerophosphatide fraction showed the most pronounced changes in both tissues. 4. 4. An unidentified lipid present in adult lung but not in adult liver was not apparent in lung from fetuses younger than 22 days gestation.
What happened to literacy? Historical and conceptual perspectives on literacy in UNESCO☆

Abstract For more than six decades, UNESCO has dedicated itself to be the international agency leader in literacy, even though other aspects of educational development have received greater attention and resources by the broader international community. Resources for UNESCO's literacy work have not increased, and its programmatic activities have been increasingly debated when seen in relationship to the scope of literacy challenges across the globe. Moving forward in a time of restricted budgets will require UNESCO to strengthen itself as a professional innovator and thought leader.
Adaptive Entropy Rates for f MRI Time-Series Analysis

In previous work [Tsai et al, 1999] we introduced an information theoretic approach for analysis of fMRI time-series data. Subsequently, [Kim et al, 2000] we established a relationship between our information theoretic approach and a simple non-parametric hypothesis test. In this work, we describe an adaptive approach for incorporating the temporal structure that relates the fMRI time-series to both the current and past values of the experimental protocol. This is achieved via an extension of our previous approach using the information-theoretic concept of entropy rate. It can be shown that, despite a differing implementation, our prior method is a special case of the new approach. The entropy rate of a random process quantifies future uncertainty conditioned on the past and side-information (e.g. the experimental protocol, confounding signals, etc.) without making strong assumptions about the nature of that uncertainty (e.g. Gaussianity). Furthermore, we allow the form of the dependency to vary from voxel to voxel in an adaptive fashion. The combination of the information theoretic principles and adaptive estimation of the temporal dependency allows for a more powerful and flexible approach to fMRI analysis. Empirical results are presented on three fMRI datasets measuring motor, auditory, and visual cortex activation comparing the new approach to the previous one as well as a variation on the general linear model. Particular attention is paid to the differences in the type of phenomenology detected by the respective approaches.
Hyper- and Hypo- Induction of Cytochrome P450 activities with Aroclor 1254 and 3-Methylcholanthrene in Cyp1a2(−/−) mice

The response of hepatic mono-oxygenase activities to Aroclor 1254 or 3-methylcholanthrene was investigated in wild-type and Cyp1a2(-/-) mice. Cytochrome P450 concentrations were similar in naive Cyp1a2(-/-) and wild-type mice. There was no difference between naive wild-type and Cyp1a2(-/-) animals in 7-ethoxyresorufin and 7-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin dealkylase activities, nor was the induction response after 3-methylcholanthrene any different between the two genotypes. However, both activities were induced to a higher extent in Cyp1a2(-/-) mice after Aroclor 1254. In contrast, 7-pentoxyresorufin dealkylation activity was lower in Cyp1a2(-/-) mice and this differential was maintained during induction by both agents. 7-Methoxy- and 7-benzoxyresorufin dealkylation activities were also lower than wild-type in naive Cyp1a2(-/-) animals and during 3-methylcholanthrene induction, but showed accelerated induction in Cyp1a2(-/-) mice with Aroclor 1254. Bufuralol 1'- and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation activities, and P450 characteristics were evaluated 48h after inducer administration. Bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation, a sexual dimorphic activity (female>male) showed no genotype differences in naive animals. Activity changes varied across gender and genotype, with 3-methylcholanthrene and Aroclor 1254 inducing in male Cyp1a2(-/-), and Aroclor 1254 inducing in female wild-type. Testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation activity was 16% higher in Cyp1a2(-/-) mice and neither 3-methylcholanthrene nor Aroclor 1254 elicited induction. After Aroclor 1254, a 24% increase in P450 concentration with a hypsochromic shift in the ferrous-CO maximum characteristic of CYP1A enzymes occurred in wild-type, compared to no change in either parameter in Cyp1a2(-/-) mice. Induction changes with 3-methylcholanthrene were greater in wild-type mice, a 60% increase in concentration and approximately 2 nm hypsochromic shift versus a 10% increase and approximately 1nm hypsochromic shift in Cyp1a2(-/-) mice. The study demonstrates that deletion of a single P450 can profoundly affect the induction response, as monitored with activities of other P450s, in a manner unrelated to the contribution of the deleted P450 to the activity.
Light dosimetry in photodynamic therapy using optical fiber delivery

This paper considers rapid calculations of light distributions in a tissue for photodynamic therapy. The delivery system considered is a single optical fiber, although other configurations are easily modeled. The influence of optical heterogeneities in the tissue is considered. The optical distributions surrounding an optical fiber within a tissue can be well approximated by a point source of light placed one 'reduced mean free path' (MFP) in front of the fiber tip. One MFP equals 1/((mu) a + (mu) s (1-g)). Then the simple diffusion theory expression for 3D diffusion from a point source predicts the light distribution in the tissue. The influence of optical heterogeneities in the tissue can also be well approximated. A method is described for representing regions of increased absorption (such as a region with increased vascularity) as virtual sources of 'negative radiant power' such that linear superposition of the true primary source and the virtual sources yields the net light distribution in the heterogeneous tissue. The method is rapid, flexible, and generally accurate to within about 15% error. The method yields light distributions in optically complex issues.
How Different Spatial-Frequency Components Contribute to Visual Information Acquisition

We test 3 theories of global and local scene information acquisition, defining global and local in terms of spatial frequencies. By independence theories, high- and low-spatial-frequency information are acquired over the same time course and combine additively. By global-precedence theories, global information acquisition precedes local information acquisition, but they combine additively. By interactive theories, global information also affects local-information acquisition rate. We report 2 digit-recall experiments. In the 1st, we confirmed independence theories. In the 2nd, we disconfirmed both independence theories and interactive theories, leaving global-precedence theories as the remaining alternative. We show that a specific global-precedence theory quantitatively accounted for Experiments 1–2 data as well as for past data. We discuss how their spatial-frequency definition of spatial scale comports with definitions used by others, and we consider the suggestion by P. G. Schyns and colleagues (e.g., D. J. Morrison & Schyns, 2001) that the visual system may act flexibly rather than rigidly in its use of spatial scales.
Detection of iron substitution in natroalunite-natrojarosite solid solutions and potential implications for Mars

Natroalunite containing substantial amounts of Fe occurs as a prominent secondary phase during acid-sulfate alteration of pyroclastic basalts in volcanic fumaroles in Nicaragua and elsewhere, and has been observed in laboratory simulations of acid-sulfate alteration as well. Reaction path models constrained by field and experimental observations predict that Fe-rich natroalunite should also form as a major secondary phase during alteration of martian basalt under similar circumstances. Here, we evaluate the potential to use spectroscopic methods to identify minerals from the alunite group with chemical compositions intermediate between natroalunite and natrojarosite on the surface of Mars, and to remotely infer their Fe contents. X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic measurements (Raman, visible/near infrared, mid-infrared, Mossbauer) were obtained for a suite of synthetic solid solutions with a range of Fe contents ranging from natroalunite to natrojarosite. In the visible/near infrared, minerals with intermediate compositions display several spectral features not evident in end-member spectra that could be used to remotely identify these minerals and infer their composition. In addition, Raman spectra, mid-infrared spectra, and X-ray diffraction peaks all show systematic variation with changing Fe content, indicating that these methods could potentially be used to infer mineral compositions as well. The results suggest that alunite group minerals with intermediate Fe compositions may be able to account for some visible/near-infrared and Mossbauer spectral features from Mars that had previously been unidentified or attributed to other phases. Overall, our findings indicate that consideration of solid solutions may lead to new identifications of alunite group minerals on the surface of Mars, and raise the possibility that minerals with compositions intermediate between natroalunite and natrojarosite may be widely distributed on the planet.
Quantum Mechanics Without State Vectors

A proposal is formulated to give up the description of physical states in terms of ensembles of state vectors and to rely only on density matrices instead, which opens up a variety of new ways for density matrices to transform under various symmetries different from the unitary symmetries of ordinary quantum mechanics.
Platelet activating factor stimulates and primes the liver, Kupffer cells and neutrophils to release superoxide anion.

Platelet activating factor (PAF) is considered a key mediator in eliciting the immunologic and metabolic consequences of endotoxic shock and sepsis. Release of oxygen-derived radicals is one of the important and relevant actions of PAF. This study examines the direct and priming effects of PAF on superoxide anion release by perfused liver, isolated Kupffer cells and blood neutrophils. One hour after PAF infusion at a dose of 2.2 μ/kg body weight a significant amount of superoxide release (0.71 ± 0.01 nmol/min/g liver) was measured in the perfused liver compared with the control livers (0.2 ± 0.01). In the in vitro presence of either phorbol ester or opsonized zymosan, superoxide release following PAF treatment in vivo was significantly increased to 1.36 ± 0.2 and 4.29 ± 0.36, respectively. The administration of PAF receptor antagonist (SDZ 63-441) almost completely inhibited the release of this radical. Kupffer cells (KC1, KC2, KC3) and blood neutrophils isolated from PAF-treated rats were also primed for...
Case report of a de novo brainstem arteriovenous malformation in an 18-year-old male and review of the literature

De novo intracerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are exceedingly rare with only seven reported cases in the literature. Although generally considered congenital by nature, the lesions do not manifest themselves clinically until the third or fourth decades of life. However, with the advent of improved imaging modalities and more frequent surveillance, an increasing number of de novo cases are being found challenging the concept AVMs develop in the perinatal/antenatal period. Alternatively, this phenomenon could represent a distinct entity in which lesion development occurs after birth. A PubMed search of “de novo cerebral arteriovenous malformation” was performed in which seven reported cases were found. The mean age at diagnosis was 14.7 years with a mean follow-up imaging study of 5.8 years. Lesion location was supratentorial in all previously described cases. This case involves an 18-year-old male with congenital hydrocephalus and seizures diagnosed at 7 months of age. The patient underwent a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and was followed frequently by a neurologist. The last diagnostic imaging was an unremarkable MRI of the brain at age 12. Seven years later, the patient presented with an intracerebral hemorrhage. A CT angiogram demonstrated a large brainstem AVM with an intraparenchymal hemorrhage and intraventricular extension. This case is unique in that it is the first infratentorial de novo AVM. The congenital nature of AVMs is challenged with the increasingly described series of patients with previously documented normal radiographic imaging. This suggests there may be a subset of patients genetically predisposed to postnatal development of AVMs.