cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internet of Things (IoT): Principles and Framework

In an Internet of Things (IoT) network, things refer to a set of smart machines and devices that measure, collect, and analyze predetermined variables. Things are required to have communication abilities through a wired or wireless communication network such as the Internet to interact with each other to share the information. Communication capability is the key element in turning a smart system into a smart connected system. A smart connected system can enhance the interactions between the units as well as between human and devices.
Positive surface charge of GluN1 N-terminus mediates the direct interaction with EphB2 and NMDAR mobility

Localization of the N-methyl-D-aspartate type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) to dendritic spines is essential for excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity. Rather than remaining trapped at synaptic sites, NMDA receptors undergo constant cycling into and out of the postsynaptic density. Receptor movement is constrained by protein-protein interactions with both the intracellular and extracellular domains of the NMDAR. The role of extracellular interactions on the mobility of the NMDAR is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the positive surface charge of the hinge region of the N-terminal domain in the GluN1 subunit of the NMDAR is required to maintain NMDARs at dendritic spine synapses and mediates the direct extracellular interaction with a negatively charged phospho-tyrosine on the receptor tyrosine kinase EphB2. Loss of the EphB-NMDAR interaction by either mutating GluN1 or knocking down endogenous EphB2 increases NMDAR mobility. These findings begin to define a mechanism for extracellular interactions mediated by charged domains.
Complications Associated With Anesthesia Services in Endoscopic Procedures Among Patients With Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Anesthesia services for endoscopic procedures have proliferated with the promise of increased comfort and safety. Cirrhosis patients are higher risk for sedation, yet limited data are available describing anesthesia complications in this population. APPROACH AND RESULTS This cross-sectional study utilized the National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry, a multicenter quality-improvement database from 2010 to 2015. Patients with cirrhosis undergoing an endoscopy were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9)/Current Procedures Terminology (CPT) codes. The outcome of interest was serious anesthesia-related complication defined as cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, drug related, patient injury, death, or unexpected admission. A mixed-effects multivariate logistic regression model determined odds ratios (ORs) between variables and serious complications, adjusting for potential confounders. In total, 9,007 endoscopic procedures were performed among patients with cirrhosis; 92% were esophagogastroduodenoscopies. The majority (81%) were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class ≥3, and 72% had a history of hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, varices, hepatorenal syndrome, or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis identified by ICD-9/CPT codes. In total, 87 complications were reported, 33 of which were serious. Frequency of serious complications was 0.4% or 378.6 per 100,000 procedures (95% confidence interval [CI], 260.8, 531.3). The majority of serious complications were cardiovascular (21 of 33), including 15 cardiac arrests. Serious complications were significantly associated with ASA 4/5 (OR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.09, 13.57) and general anesthesia (OR, 4.71; 95% CI, 1.20, 18.50), adjusting for age, sex, ASA class, anesthesia type, inpatient status, portal hypertension history, and variable complication reporting practices. CONCLUSIONS Anesthesia complications among endoscopic procedures in cirrhosis are rare overall. Serious complications were predominantly cardiac and associated with sicker patients undergoing general anesthesia. The complexity of end-stage liver disease may warrant more intensive care during endoscopic procedures, including anesthesia monitoring.
A pilot study on the effect of isotretinoin on serum etonogestrel concentrations in contraceptive implant users.

Abstract Objective To explore the pharmacokinetic interaction between isotretinoin, a cytochrome P-450 (CYP) inducer and potent teratogen, and the etonogestrel contraceptive implant. Study design We enrolled healthy reproductive-age women initiating isotretinoin and using an etonogestrel implant. We compared serum etonogestrel concentrations at baseline and after four and nine weeks of isotretinoin co-administration using a validated assay. Results Among eight implant users, all serum etonogestrel concentrations remained >90 pg/mL during isotretinoin co-administration with no significant changes from baseline (p = 0.25, Friedman’s test). Conclusion In this exploratory study, we found that isotretinoin did not cause serum etonogestrel concentrations to fall below the threshold for ovulatory suppression ( Implications Reproductive-age women treated with isotretinoin require reliable contraception to prevent pregnancies impacted by teratogenic-effects. This small study demonstrates that contraceptive implant users maintained serum etonogestrel concentrations above the threshold for consistent ovulatory suppression during isotretinoin co-administration. The contraceptive implant remains an appropriate option for patients considering isotretinoin therapy.
Electron electromagnetic-mass melting in strong fields

We study the response of the electron mass to an externally applied electrical field. As a consequence of nonlinear electromagnetic (EM) effective action, the mass of a particle diminishes in the presence of an externally applied electric field. We consider modification of the muon anomalous magnetic moment $g\ensuremath{-}2$ due to electron loop insert in higher order. Since the virtual electron pair is in close proximity to the muon, it experiences strong field phenomena. We show that the current theory-experiment muon $g\ensuremath{-}2$ discrepancy could originate in the (virtual) electron mass nonperturbative modification by the strong muon EM field. The magnitude of the electron mass modification can be also assessed via enhancement of ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-pair production in strong fields.
TERT Promoter Mutation Analysis for Blood-Based Diagnosis and Monitoring of Gliomas.

Purpose: Liquid biopsy offers a minimally invasive tool to diagnose and monitor the heterogeneous molecular landscape of tumors over time and therapy. Detection of TERT promoter mutations (C228T, C250T) in cfDNA has been successful for some systemic cancers but has yet to be demonstrated in gliomas, despite the high prevalence of these mutations in glioma tissue (>60% of all tumors). Experimental Design: Here, we developed a novel digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay that incorporates features to improve sensitivity and allows for the simultaneous detection and longitudinal monitoring of two TERT promoter mutations (C228T and C250T) in cfDNA from the plasma of patients with glioma. Results: In baseline performance in tumor tissue, the assay had perfect concordance with an independently performed clinical pathology laboratory assessment of TERT promoter mutations in the same tumor samples [95% confidence interval (CI), 94%–100%]. Extending to matched plasma samples, we detected TERT mutations in both discovery and blinded multi-institution validation cohorts with an overall sensitivity of 62.5% (95% CI, 52%–73%) and a specificity of 90% (95% CI, 80%–96%) compared with the gold-standard tumor tissue–based detection of TERT mutations. Upon longitudinal monitoring in 5 patients, we report that peripheral TERT-mutant allele frequency reflects the clinical course of the disease, with levels decreasing after surgical intervention and therapy and increasing with tumor progression. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the feasibility of detecting circulating cfDNA TERT promoter mutations in patients with glioma with clinically relevant sensitivity and specificity.
Abstract IA02: The PI3K-mTOR signaling network and tumor cell metabolism

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) is a key signaling node, universal to eukaryotic cells, which links the sensing of nutrients to the coordinated regulation of nutrient metabolism. mTORC1 has the ability to integrate signals from a variety of sources, including intracellular nutrients and secreted growth factors. The activation state of mTORC1 is tightly controlled through a small G protein switch involving the TSC1-TSC2-TBC1D7 complex (the TSC complex) and the Ras-related small G protein Rheb. The direct phosphorylation and inhibition of the TSC complex by the protein kinase Akt provides the major mechanistic link between growth factor signaling and mTORC1. Current evidence indicates that this signal is integrated with amino acid sensing pathways upstream of mTORC1 through independent spatial control over the subcellular localization of the TSC complex and mTORC1 to the surface of the lysosome. This talk will include unpublished data on additional signals that regulate mTORC1 through the TSC-Rheb circuit. Our data suggest that both physiologic growth signals and common oncogenic events in cancer activate mTORC1 through mechanisms leading to dissociation of the TSC protein complex from the lysosomal subpopulation of Rheb, which is required for mTORC1 activation. Physiologic and pathologic activation of PI3K-mTOR signaling results in a shift from catabolic processes to anabolic biosynthetic processes. This pathway acutely responds to feeding and is also frequently and aberrantly activated in human cancers. Through unbiased genomic and metabolomic approaches, we have found that, in addition to its established roles in promoting protein synthesis and inhibiting autophagy, mTORC1 stimulates changes in specific metabolic pathways through transcriptional and post-translational effects on metabolic enzymes. In this manner, mTORC1 serves to link growth signals to metabolic processes that promote the growth of cells, tissues, and tumors, including the de novo synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides. Research in our lab is focused on understanding the coordinated anabolic program downstream of PI3K-mTOR signaling and identifying metabolic vulnerabilities stemming from uncontrolled pathway activation that can be targeted in tumors. I will discuss our latest data on additional metabolic enzymes under control of the PI3K-mTOR network that contribute to an integrated metabolic program underlying cell growth in both normal and cancer cells. Citation Format: Brendan D. Manning. The PI3K-mTOR signaling network and tumor cell metabolism [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting PI3K/mTOR Signaling; 2018 Nov 30-Dec 8; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(10_Suppl):Abstract nr IA02.
High-Performance In₂O₃-Based 1T1R FET for BEOL Memory Application

In this article, we report high-performance one-transistor-one-resistor (1T1R) FETs for nonvolatile memory application based on nanometer-thick indium oxide (In2O3) as channel material deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). ALD grown hafnium oxide (HfO2) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) are used as gate dielectrics as well as insulator in resistive part. Two nonvolatile states with different threshold voltages are realized. High ${I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}/{I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}} > 10^{10}$ at ${V}_{\mathrm {GS}} =0$ V, large memory window (MW) exceeding 10 V, and deep sub-60-mV/dec subthreshold slope (SS) are achieved on ALD In2O3 1T1R FETs. Channel length ( ${L}_{\mathrm {ch}}$ ) and channel thickness ( ${T}_{\mathrm {ch}}$ ) dependence of device properties are systematically investigated. Optimized In2O3 thickness is determined to 1.2 nm, balancing ${I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}/{I}_{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ , MW, device variation, and stability. The fabrication process has a low thermal budget below 225 °C. Thus, these 1T1R FETs are back-end-of-line (BEOL) compatible and promising for monolithic 3-D integration to realize near-/in-memory computing.
Chapter 2 Intestinal absorption of water-soluble vitamins: Cellular and molecular aspects

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the cellular and molecular aspects of intestinal absorption and regulation of water-soluble vitamins. The water-soluble vitamins represent a structurally and functionally diverse set of organic molecules that are essential for human health because they play a crucial role in maintaining the metabolic, energy, differentiation, and proliferation status of cells. Humans and other higher mammals have lost their ability to synthesize these compounds, and thus must obtain them from the diet and other exogenous sources. The cellular assimilation and function of these compounds are, to a large extent, dependent on their normal absorption through the gastroinestinal tract. A deficiency of any of these vitamins can occur from a variety of causes that affect intestinal uptake and trans-epithelial transport into the circulation. These include both inherited disorders of absorption and transport and secondary causes, such as intestinal disease, drug interactions, excessive alcohol intake, and surgery. The chapter also focuses on the available evidence for the existence of carrier systems involved in the transport of vitamins synthesized locally by normal microflora in the large intestine for the nutriture of colonocytes.
Pulse response of a high power waveguide optoelectronic switch for track and hold operation

For an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), it is important to have precise sampling time control to avoid resolution degradation. At high sampling rates, this precise sampling time control becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. To relax the stringent timing requirement of an ADC quantizer, a track-and-hold (T&H) circuit is implemented in many ADC architectures. In this work, a high power, high speed waveguide integrated photodiode (WIP) is tested as an optoelectronic switch for the T&H function. The photodiode operates with light launched into a passive waveguide before being coupled into the absorber. Using a matching layer between the passive waveguide and the absorber, the absorption profile along the absorber waveguide is modified to give small peak absorption. This reduces the effect of the charge screening effect and also the heating effect, so that the saturation power of the photodiode can be increased. Pulse measurement of an optical WIP switch is presented. The results show the peak current reaches 50 mA and the rise time is approximately 18.2 ps. These results show this switch can potentially be used for clocking an electronic T&H circuit.
All Things Ch IP: Ch IP‐Chip, Ch IP‐Seq, Ch IP‐PCR

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) has long been a valuable tool for scientists seeking to study in vivo protein–DNA interactions. Beginning with the pioneering efforts of Solomon et al., successful applications of the ChIP protocol have spanned multiple model systems across a wide breadth of biological disciplines. ChIP is a technique whereby a protein of interest is selectively immunoprecipitated from a chromatin preparation to determine the DNA sequences associated with it. While a relatively simple experiment conceptually, the ChIP protocol is notorious for the variance it can produce. Additionally, the availability of multiple assays for analyzing the protein-associated DNA that ChIP collects can confound even the most experienced researcher, particularly in choosing, designing or analyzing a given assay of ChIP DNA. The aim of this chapter is to aid the experience of a ChIP user by outlining ways to design, control and analyze ChIP experiments to enhance data quality and interpretation. Keywords: Antigen; Chromatin; Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP); ChIP-chip; ChIP-Seq; Epitope; Immunoprecipitation (IP); IP enrichment; Micrococcal nuclease (MNase); Sonication
EM visualization of transcriptionally active genes after injection into Xenopus oocyte nuclei.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes methods in use for the microinjection of genes into Xenopus oocyte nuclei followed by the electron microscopy (EM) visualization of those genes by the Miller chromatin spreading method. The Miller spreading method is a preparative technique for electron microscopy that helps to visualize the dispersed chromosomal contents of nuclei in a loosened two-dimensional array on an EM grid. The chapter discusses the advantages of Xenopus Oocytes for Miller spread preparations. Oocytes of the frog, Xenopus laevis, have proved to be the most frequently used and most thoroughly studied of the large nuclear systems available in amphibia. The frogs are easy to rear in captivity. The oocytes, which are available in plentiful number from the females year round, are extremely large single cells with a correspondingly large nucleus, also called “the germinal vesicle.” The large size and high transcriptional activity of amphibian oocytes led Oscar Miller to use these cells as a model system for the development of his chromatin spreading technique for the visualization of active genes.
A Comparative Statistical Error Analysis of Neuronavigation Systems in a Clinical Setting

The use of neuronavigation (NN) in neurosurgery has become ubiquitous. A growing number of neurosurgeons are utilizing NN for a wide variety of purposes, including optimizing the surgical approach (macrosurgery) and locating small areas of interest (microsurgery). The goal of our team is to apply rapid advances in hardware and software technology to the field of NN, challenging and ultimately updating current NN assumptions. To identify possible areas in which new technology may improve the surgical applications of NN, we have assessed the accuracy of neuronavigational measurements in the RadionicsTM and BrainLabTM systems. Using a phantom skull, we measured the accuracy of the navigational systems, taking a total of 2616 measurements. We found that, despite current NN tenets, the six marker count does not yield optimal accuracy in either system, and the spreaded marker setting yields best accuracy in both systems. Placing fewer markers around the region of interest (ROI) minimizes registration error, and active tracking does not necessarily increase accuracy. Comparing the two systems, we also found that accuracy of NN machines differs both overall and in different axes. As researchers continue to apply technological advances to the NN field, an increasing number of currently held tenets will be revised, making NN an even more useful neurosurgical tool.
Concepts for concurrent programming

Techniques for reasoning about safety properties of concurrent programs are discussed and implications for program design noted. The relationship between interference freedom and synchronization mechanisms is described. The methods are illustrated with a number of examples, including partial correctness of a bank simulation, and mutual exclusion, non-blocking, and deadlock freedom of a solution to the critical section problem.
Racial/ethnic differences in menthol cigarette smoking, population quit ratios and utilization of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments

Aims This study examines the relationship between menthol cigarette smoking and the population quit ratio and whether menthol smokers differ in utilization of evidence-based smoking cessation aids among a nationally representative sample of US adult smokers. Design, setting and particiants Secondary data analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Cancer Control Supplement. The NHIS is a nationally representative survey of US households conducted annually. Measurements The main outcome variables of interest were (1) the population quit ratio and (2) use of smoking quit aids. All analyses were conducted using SAS version 9.2 with SUDAAN, which corrects for the complex sampling design of the study. Univariate analyses were used to determine variables that differed significantly by menthol status and utilization of types of quit aids. Multiple logistic regression analysis modeled the relationship between menthol smoking status, demographic characteristics and smoking-related characteristics on the population quit ratio and utilization of quit aids. Findings We observed significant differences in the population quit ratio for menthol versus non-menthol among African American smokers (34% versus 49%, P < 0.001), but not among whites (52% versus 50%). In multiple logistic regression analysis, there was a significant interaction between race and menthol smoking status. African American menthol smokers were significantly less likely than white non-menthol smokers to have quit smoking (adjusted odds ratio: 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.53, 0.97) after controlling for age group, sex, marital status, region and average number of cigarettes smoked per day. Menthol smoking status was not associated with differences in utilization of quit aids. Conclusions African Americans have the highest rates of menthol cigarette smoking of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Menthol cigarette smoking is associated negatively with successful smoking cessation among African Americans.
Bounded Rationality Strikes Again: The Impact of Cognitive Ability and Financial Planners on Roth IRA Adoption and Ownership

Roth IRAs were introduced in the late 1990s and provide another option for tax-sheltered retirement savings. Because determining the benefits of a Roth IRA is a complex decision, we hypothesize that cognitive ability and having a financial planner have significant impacts on the timing and likelihood of using a Roth IRA. Using data primarily from the 2004 and 2008 administrations of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), we find that greater cognitive ability and having a financial planner are both positively related to Roth IRA ownership and earlier adoption. If individuals with higher cognitive ability and/or a financial planner are better able to recognize and implement beneficial tax strategies, then tax policy will yield unintended distributional consequences. The complexity of a tax policy also limits its ability to modify individual behavior in the ways envisioned by policymakers.
On the diagnosability of systems with three valued test results: diagnosis by comparison strategy

A model of self-diagnosable multiprocessor systems, in which the faulty processors are determined by comparing the results of identical tasks performed by a pair of processors in the system, was introduced by J. Maeng and M. Malek (1981). An analysis is presented of the diagnosability problems for such a model when the result of comparison is three-valued. A set of criteria is given for determining whether the faulty processors in the system can be diagnosed on the basis of comparisons. >
Semiclassical Virasoro blocks from AdS3 gravity

We present a unified framework for the holographic computation of Virasoro conformal blocks at large central charge. In particular, we provide bulk constructions that correctly reproduce all semiclassical Virasoro blocks that are known explicitly from conformal field theory computations. The results revolve around the use of geodesic Witten diagrams, recently introduced in [1], evaluated in locally AdS3 geometries generated by backreaction of heavy operators. We also provide an alternative computation of the heavy-light semiclassical block — in which two external operators become parametrically heavy — as a certain scattering process involving higher spin gauge fields in AdS3; this approach highlights the chiral nature of Virasoro blocks. These techniques may be systematically extended to compute corrections to these blocks and to interpolate amongst the different semiclassical regimes.
Entrepreneurship, Business Incubation, and External Finance: An Analysis Based on the Theory of Incomplete Contracts

This paper offers an analysis of the arrangements through which business incubators furnish seed finance and entrepreneurial-specific assets based on the theory of incomplete contracts. Specifically, I compare bargaining games in which (i) an investor offers finance under non-verifiability, which can be put to different uses by the entrepreneur, and (ii) an incubator offers a contract bundling financial provision to entrepreneurial-specific business services. The results highlight negative financial and economic consequences of incomplete contracting for entrepreneurship and how business incubation may partially overcome moral hazard risks, fostering investment in marginal firms that would not otherwise obtain funds and reducing the rate of start-up failure.
Baroclinic Waves in a Rotating Fluid Subject to Internal Heating

Free thermal convection in a vertical rotating fluid annulus subject to axisymmetric heating and cooling applied at the side-walls has been the subject of extensive previous studies, one of the principal findings of which is that four distinct types of flow are possible, each characteristic of definite ranges of impressed experimental conditions. Three of these flow types are characterized by departures from axial symmetry and arise when the basic axisymmetric flow is ‘ baroclinically unstable ’; they comprise ‘ baroclinic waves ’ of varying degrees of complexity (steady waves, waves subject to periodic fluctuations in form, amplitude and/or wavenumber (‘vacillation’) and waves subject to irregular non-periodic fluctuations). The present paper reports an experimental and theoretical study of effects associated with the introduction of heat throughout the body of the fluid (rather than via one of the side-walls) and removal via the inner side-wall, the outer side-wall, or both side-walls simultaneously. The experiments show that the principal characteristics of the flow are fairly insensitive to the radial dependence of heating and cooling (upon which, for example, the horizontal shear of the basic axisymmetric flow depends), thereby strengthening the basis of the application to large-scale geophysical and astrophysical systems of theoretical ideas stemming from the laboratory work. Just as previous experiments have shown that the presence of an inner wall does not preclude the occurrence of irregular baroclinic waves, one of the present experiments shows that the absence of an inner wall does not preclude the occurrence of steady baroclinic waves (thus refuting a certain conjecture which seems to have gained widespread acceptance among meteorologists). Determinations have been made of the general form of the flow pattern, top-surface flow velocities, total heat transfer and the transition between axisymmetric flow and baroclinic waves, and the results interpreted, where possible, in terms of theoretical ideas. The experiments provide striking support for a simple theoretical model that treats the jet stream associated with the baroclinic waves as a quasigeostrophic detached thermal boundary layer.
Performance Evaluation of Special Education Administrators: Considerations and Recommendations.

As changes occur in the administration of special education programs in response to increased team-based program Leadership and manage ment, and shared administrative responsibility for special edu...
ANTIBIOTIC USE IN THE CRITICAL CARE UNIT

To better comprehend the antibiotic recommendations in this article, the reader should be cognizant of a number of clinical, microbiologic, pharmacologic, and epidemiologic observations, as well as fundamental pharmacodynamic concepts. Taking into consideration that empiric antimicrobial therapy in the critical care unit (CCU) is the norm rather than the exception, the clinician must be familiar with the suspected pathogens from infectious processes acquired both in the community and in the hospital. In fact, most often the actual causative pathogen(s) of a given infection is rarely determined with certainty. A fundamental understanding of pharmacodynamic concepts is essential; it forms the very basis for the design of dosing strategies that maximize clinical efficacy while minimizing toxicity.
Cardiovascular teratogenicity of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the chick embryo.

Abstract Cardiovascular morphogenesis in the chick embryo occurs between Days 2 and 8 of development. Fertile, White-Leghorn, chicken eggs were treated on Day 0 of development with TCDD or vehicle and the embryos were evaluated for cardiovascular malformations on Day 14. Nine doses of TCDD ranging from 0.009 to 77.5 pmol/egg were used with at least 20 eggs per dose. TCDD caused a dose-related increase in the incidence of cardiovascular malformations. In control embryos the incidence was 28% and it increased to about 60% in embryos treated with the highest doses of TCDD. The higher incidence was not due to an increase in a particular type of cardiovascular malformation, but rather an increase in all types: ventricular septal defects, aortic arch anomalies, aortic arch anomalies in combination with a ventricular septal defect, and conotruncal malformations. TCDD treatment did not alter the mean wet or dry weight of the embryos suggesting that the malformations were not secondary to alterations in whole embryo water content or growth. Some TCDD-treated embryos exhibited subcutaneous edema but the incidence was low, 7% of all treated embryos, and not dose related. Lethality was about 10% higher in the TCDD treatment groups than control. However, the higher lethality was apparently not responsible for the greater incidence of malformations. This was suggested by the cardiovascular malformation incidence in the TCDD groups being similar when determined separately for surviving embryos and for surviving plus dead embryos. Other malformations found in TCDD-treated embryos were stunted, malformed legs and crossed beaks associated with microopthalmia. The incidence of these latter malformations was low, 1–3%, making it difficult to ascribe their occurrence to TCDD.
Supercompact Cardinals, Elementary Embeddings and Fixed Points

Supercompactness is usually defined in terms of the existence of certain ultrafilters. By the well-known procedure of taking ultrapowers of V (the universe of sets) and transitive collapses, one obtains transitive inner models of V and corresponding elementary embeddings from V into these inner models. These embeddings have been studied extensively (see, e.g. [3] or [4]). We investigate the action of these embeddings on cardinals. In particular, we establish a characterization, based upon cofinality, of which cardinals are fixed by these embeddings.
Morphine-Induced Fetal Malformations HI: Possible Mechanisms of Action

Abstract: The teratogenic effects exerted by morphine sulfate in CF-1 mice on Days 8 and 9 appear, from indirect evidence, not to be attributable to cholinesterase inhibition. The anticholinergic drug, atropine, when used in combination with morphine, resulted in the potentiation of morphine-induced defects, exencephaly and axial skeletal fusions. In addition, both atropine and morphine, either alone or in combination, produced constriction of the placental vessels. Morphine administration on Days 8 and 9 resulted in an increase in blood sugar regardless of the dose employed. Previously reported similarities produced by atropine and morphine on the placental vessels, the knowledge that both drugs decrease oxygen tension, the resemblance of hypoxic-induced malformations to the defects observed in this study, the effects of hypoxia on carbohydrate metabolism, and the reported involvement of carbohydrate metabolism in the morphogenesis of the embryonic neural tube all suggest that the malformations observed following morphine administration are related to the reduced oxygen concentration as well as the hyperglycemia produced subsequent to its administration in gravid mice.
Vibratory sensation induced by low-frequency noise: The threshold for "vibration perceived in the head" in normal-hearing subjects

Our previous study, in which we measured the threshold levels for vibratory sensation induced by low-frequency noise under the condition that the subjects were allowed to perceive vibration in any part of the body, showed that the head was very sensitive to the vibratory sensation. In the present study, in which the head was designated as the body part that would perceive the vibration, we measured the threshold levels for experiencing “vibration perceived in the head” within the 16- to 80-Hz frequency range. The threshold levels for “vibration perceived in the head” were found to be very similar to the threshold levels measured in our previous study, which indicated the superior sensitivity of the head to vibratory sensation induced by low-frequency noise. A gap appeared around 40-50 Hz in the threshold level contour for “vibration perceived in the head”. In addition, the threshold levels for “vibration perceived in the head” increased when a subject wore an active noise cancelling earmuff. These results suggested the possibility that experiencing “vibration perceived in the head” was related to the pressure change in the ear.
Is access a viable alternative to ownership? A review of access performance

Abstract The discussion of access versus ownership is persistent in current library literature. Many contributors to the literature continue to question whether access can perform well enough to substitute for ownership. Three performance criteria can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of access: cost, turnaround time, and fill rate. A review of the literature of the past decade reveals that consistency and reliability are the most persistent obstacles in substituting ownership for access.
A novel single precursor-based biodegradable hydrogel with enhanced mechanical properties

A mechanically tough biodegradable hydrogel is developed from a single precursor comprising poly(ethylene glycol) and oligo(trimethylene carbonate), where both the crosslink density and swelling properties of the polymer network are independently controlled through c and hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance. These highly cost effective hydrogels are also biocompatible and can be degraded both hydrolytically and enzymatically.
Implementing new technology: Management issues and opportunities

Abstract The effective implementation of new technologies is an important element in solving the productivity problem faced by the United States. We argue that successful implementation requires the understanding and managing of people's attitudinal and behavioral reactions to technologically driven change. Current knowledge regarding these reactions is reviewed and a framework relevant to conceptualizing this information is described and exemplified. Based on this framework recommendations are advanced for enhancing implementation success through the understanding and management of psychological and behavioral responses to technologically driven change.
The Parametric Study of an Innovative Offset Strip-Fin Heat Exchanger

Offset strip-fin heat exchangers have numerous applications throughout various industries because they can provide a large amount of heat transfer area in a small volume. The widespread use of the offset strip-fin design has ensured that there are numerous dimensional variations and shown that changes in dimensional parameters affect performance. It is then important to understand how the geometry of an offset strip-fin heat exchanger can affect its performance. Therefore, an investigation into the parametric effects on the global performance of an innovative high-temperature offset strip-fin heat exchanger was numerically performed in this study, where the numerical solution was obtained through a finite-volume method. Computations were carried out for each of the heat exchanger's geometrical parameters: fin thickness (t), fin length (1), channel height (H), spanwise pitch (p x ), and the newly introduced gap parameter (g). Also, the effects of rounding the fins leading and trailing edges were investigated, while the heat exchanger's volume, mass flow rates, and inlet temperatures were kept constant. The results are presented in the form of pressure drops and heat transfer rates, and the coefficient of performance parameter shows that fins with rounded leading and trailing edges outperform fins with rectangular edges.
Freeze-Dried Targeted Mannosylated Selenium-Loaded Nanoliposomes: Development and Evaluation

The aim of this investigation was to develop and evaluate freeze-dried mannosylated liposomes for the targeted delivery of selenium. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, distearoylphosphatidylglycerol, and cholesterol were dissolved in a chloroform and methanol mixture and allowed to form a thin film within a rotatory evaporator. This thin film was hydrated with a sodium selenite (5.8 μM) solution to form multilamellar vesicles and homogenized under high pressure to yield unilamellar nanoliposomes. Se-loaded nanoliposomes were mannosylated by 0.1% w/v mannosamine (Man-Lip-Se) prior to being lyophilized. Mannosamine concentration was optimized with cellular uptake studies in M receptor expressing cells. Non-lyophilized and lyophilized Man-Lip-Se were characterized for size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The influence of liposomal composition on the characteristics of Man-Lip-Se were evaluated using acidic and basic medium for 24 h. Thermal analysis and powder X-ray diffraction were used to determine the interaction of components within the Man-Lip-Se. The size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of the optimum Man-Lip-Se were observed to be 158 ± 28.9 nm, 33.21 ± 0.89 mV, and 77.27 ± 2.34%, respectively. An in vitro Se release of 70–75% up to 24 h in PBS pH 6.8 and <8% Se release in acidic media (0.1 N HCl) in 1 h was observed. The Man-Lip-Se were found to withstand gastric-like environments and showed sustained release. Stable freeze-dried Man-Lip-Se were successfully formulated with a size of <200 nm, ∼75% entrapment, and achieved controlled release of Se with stability under acidic media, which may be of importance in the targeted delivery of Se to the immune system.
Adaptation of renal tubule in uremia

The demonstration that single nephron function can be studied in vitro proved to be an important advance in unravelling the mechanisms of adaptation which occur in various models of experimental renal disease. The fact that a specific nephron segment could be isolated and studied in a controlled environment meant that it was possible to separate those adaptations of function intrinsic to the tubular epithelial cells from those that are dependent upon factors in the uremic milieu. This concept is illustrated in Figure 1 and forms the basis of the approach which we have taken to study nephron function in the chronically diseased kidney. This review will focus upon studies performed on isolated perfused renal tubules in experimental models of chronic renal failure.
Inhibitory action of fibrinolysin and other proteolytic enzymes on capillary permeability induced by histamine, serotonin and bradykinin

Abstract Streptokinase activated human fibrinolysin (plasmin), chloroform activated bovine fibrinolysin, streptokinase, crystalline preparations of trypsin, chymotrypsin and papain inhibited CP, regardless by which of the mediators it was induced in guinea-pigs and rats. The mediators employed were histamine, serotonin and synthetic bradykinin. These findings were secured by the use of the rat's cremaster preparation of Majno and Palade, a qualitative test for CP, and with the blueing reaction, a semi-quantitative test for CP in the ventral regions of the skin, employing Evans blue in the anesthetized guinea-pig and rat. Concomitantly with the marked decrease in CP, petechial hemorrhages were produced demonstrating an increase of CF. These results provide evidence that CP and CF are antagonistic phenomena. This antagonism, as well as the inhibitory action if fibrinolysin and other proteolytic enzymes, can be explaind by Copley's modified concept of the endoendothelial fibrin film. This postulates a special fibrin, also contained in the BM, to be a cement of the capillary wall and fibrinolysis to control the integrity of the vessel wall.
SU‐GG‐T‐367: Fast Hyperthermia Temperature Optimization for Pelvic Carcinoma Patient Treated in Sigma‐Eye Applicator

Purpose: Though hyperthermia shows promising features being used with radiation and chemotherapy, it requires accurate spatial power focusing, which leads a workload proportional to square of number of antennas in an applicator. This motivates this investigation of model reduction method for pelvic‐carcinoma patient treated in Sigma‐Eye applicator. Method and Materials: A patient placed in the middle ring of this 100 MHz 3‐ring 12‐antenna applicator was used to validate our approach. A ‘similar’ patient with different thermal property values, perfusion values and was placed between the middle and low ring was used to determined virtual source (VS) basis vectors. A VS vector is a weighted combination of magnitudes and phases of 12 antennas and was determined to maximize averaged tumor temperature. Physical variables were projected to a reduced VS subspace spanned by a few VS vectors. Temperature response functions of tumor and normal tissues were determined in this reduced subspace and then used in temperature optimization iteration process. Results: By comparing the optimized temperature elevation distributions, we found it is indeed feasible to use a few chosen (best) VS basis vectors to optimally treat a pelvic carcinoma patient in Sigma‐Eye applicator; even when we determined those virtual source basis vectors from an existing “similar” patient. Conclusion: This success suggests a faster and easier pre‐treatment temperature optimization approach that relives workloads of physicians.
Case report: Coccidiosis and lead poisoning in Canada geese

Four dead Canada geese (Branta canadensis L.) collected at the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware were found to have both marked duodenal lesions of coccidiosis and high levels of lead in the liver. Although only one goose had lead shot in the gizzard, all four had levels of lead in the liver suggestive of lead poisoning.
Biosystematics of Aletris lutea Small, Aletris obovata Nash, and natural hybrids (Liliaceae)

Hybrids ofAletris lutea XA. obovata were found to occur extensively throughout the area of overlapping distribution of the two species in Florida and in southern Georgia. Hybrids were found only in disturbed habitats near the parental species. Colonization and dispersal of species and of hybrids were probably implemented by roadside maintenance operations. Fertility was high despite the high incidence of quadrivalent formation in parent and hybrid plants. Since all quadrivalents observed were aligned adjacently and since fertility is relatively high, it is suggested that duplicated chromosomes were present. It is further suggested thatAletris represents a tetraploid with a base number ofx = 6 or 7 that either lost or gained one pair of chromosomes to result inn = 13. Introgression in disturbed habitats is favored by zonation of plants in hybrid swarms, phenology of parents and hybrids, and pollinator behavior.
Menthofurans from Calamintha ashei and the absolute configuration of desacetylcalaminthone

Abstract Water washes from the aerial parts of Calamintha ashei provided, besides the known monoterpenes, menthofuran, (+)-epievodone and (−)-calaminthone, the new (+)-desacetylcalaminthone. The molecular structure and absolute configuration of desacetylcalaminthone was determined by single crystal X-ray analysis of its p -bromobenzoate derivative. Chemical correlations and chiroptical methods permitted determination of the absolute configuration of (−)-calaminthone and (+)-epievodone.
SU-FF-T-94: Clinical Evaluation of Direct Machine Parameter Optimization Algorithm for Head and Neck IMRT Treatment

Purpose: Because many critical structures are in close proximity to target volumes, cancers of the head and neck (H&N) are often suited for treatment with IMRT. However, the time required to generate and deliver a clinically acceptable IMRT plan can be significantly longer than a conventional plan. This study evaluated a new inverse planning algorithm, DMPO (direct machine parameter optimization), with attention to parameter settings, plan quality and treatment efficiency for H&N cancers. Method and Materials: The Pinnacle treatment planning system version 7.4 was used. The DMPO allows users to limit the number of total MLC segments (N) for treatment. After a user-defined number of iterations (n) for pencil beam optimization, the DMPO generates MLC segments for each field for dose calculations using a convolution algorithm. Both the MLC leaf positions and the weight of each segment are then optimized until cost tolerance or iteration number is reached. Treatment plans generated using DMPO were compared with H&N cases that were previously treated using an older version (6.2). The plan quality was compared using cost functions and DVHs of target volumes and critical structures. The total monitor units and MLC segments for treatment were compared for different combinations of n and N. Results: The DMPO provided plans of DVHs similar to clinical cases with significantly less planning time. More importantly, the total MU and MLC segments for treatment delivery were reduced by 40% to 50%. Cost functions changed only slightly on n and N and total MU increased as n increased, but was independent of N. Our preliminary data indicated a combination of n=10–15 with 10 segments per field appeared to be optimal for most H&N cases. Conclusion: The DMPO algorithm generated more efficient plans while providing equal or better quality than the previous plans for IMRT treatment.
Use of Expander Cottonseed Meal in Broiler Diets Formulated on a Digestible Amino Acid Basis

This experiment was designed to evaluate the use of expander cottonseed meal (CSM) in broiler diets formulated on a digestible amino acid basis and to determine the tissue distribution of gossypol enantiomers and their relationship to gossypol consumption. Gossypol is an antinutritional polyphenolic pigment found in cottonseed. A total of 800 1-d-old broilers (Arbor Acres) was randomly divided into 40 groups of 20 birds each and placed in a broiler house with wood shavings litter. The CSM was included in starter and grower diets at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28% of the diet. Diets were formulated to have similar levels of digestible methionine and lysine as the 0% CSM control diet. At 21 d of age, five birds per pen were randomly selected for the determination of gossypol enantiomers in plasma, liver, heart, and breast muscle. Tissues were again collected at 42 d of age. Results of this experiment indicated that at 21 d of age cumulative body weight and feed-to-BW ratios of birds fed CSM diets were not significantly different from the control. By 35 d of age, feed-to-BW ratios of experimental birds fed the 28% CSM diet were significantly greater than the control birds, and by 42 d, BW were lower than those of the control group. Tissue concentrations of total, (+) and (-) gossypol increased linearly as the level of CSM increased. At 42 d, liver had the most gossypol with a ratio of 87% (+) gossypol to 13% (-) gossypol. Plasma contained 73% (+) gossypol and 27% (-) gossypol. Heart contained 45% (+) gossypol and 55% (-) gossypol. Breast muscle had the least gossypol. Results of this experiment indicated that expander solvent CSM could be fed to broilers at up to 21% of the total diet if amino acid digestibility was considered.