cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retinal Vascular Abnormalities in Phakomatosis Pigmentovascularis.

Purpose To describe the spectrum of retinal vascular abnormalities in patients with phakomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV). Design Multicenter, retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series. Methods Eligible patients underwent detailed retinal examination including indirect ophthalmoscopy. Ultra-widefield fundus imaging, including color fundus photography and angiography, was performed using standardized protocols, and findings were recorded and reviewed and analyzed. Participants Three patients with a clinical diagnosis of PPV are presented. Results Evaluation of all patients (n = 6 eyes of 3 patients) with widefield fluorescein angiography showed several retinal vascular abnormalities, including peripheral retinal nonperfusion (n = 3 eyes), peripheral vascular leakage (n = 3 eyes), aberrant retinal vessels (n = 1 eyes), vascular tortuosity (n = 1 eyes), and disruption of the foveal avascular zone including fovea plana (n = 3 eyes). In addition, 2 eyes demonstrated peripheral retinal vascular straightening and leakage similar to the features of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. One of the patients was a carrier of a somatic GNA11 R183C pathogenic variant that has been associated with PPV. Conclusions Fluorescein angiography, especially with widefield capability, reveals numerous retinal vascular abnormalities in patients with PPV. Considering the association of GNA11 pathogenic variants with PPV and allied disorders, these observations may suggest a role of guanine-binding proteins (G-proteins) in retinal vascular development. Supplemental material available at www.ophthalmologyretina.org.
Optimization of building fenestration and shading for climate-based daylight performance using the coupled genetic algorithm and simulated annealing optimization methods:

Various metaheuristic optimization methods have been applied in high-performance glazing and shading system design due to the complexity and nonlinear impact of the fenestration characteristics on ...
Large-scale optical phased array using a low-power multi-pass silicon photonic platform

Optical phased arrays are a promising beam-steering technology for ultra-small solid-state lidar and free-space communication systems. Long-range, high-performance arrays require a large beam emission area densely packed with thousands of actively phase-controlled, power-hungry light emitting elements. To date, such large-scale phased arrays have been impossible to realize since current demonstrated technologies would operate at untenable electrical power levels. Here we show a multi-pass photonic platform integrated into a large-scale phased array that lowers phase shifter power consumption by nearly 9 times. The multi-pass structure decreases the power consumption of a thermo-optic phase shifter to a ${{\rm P}_\pi }$Pπ of ${1.7}\;{\rm mW/}\pi $1.7mW/π without sacrificing speed or optical bandwidth. Using this platform, we demonstrate a silicon photonic phased array containing 512 actively controlled elements, consuming only 1.9 W of power while performing 2D beam steering over a ${70}^\circ \times {6}^\circ $70∘×6∘ field of view. Our results demonstrate a path forward to building scalable phased arrays containing thousands of active elements.
Effects, uptake, and translocation of aluminum oxide nanoparticles in lettuce: A comparison study to phytotoxic aluminum ions

Abstract The widespread use of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) unavoidably causes the release of NPs into the environment, potentially having unforeseen consequences for biological processes. Due to the well-known issue of Al phytoxicity, plant interactions with Al2O3 NPs are cause for concern, but these interactions remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of Al2O3 NPs on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to elucidate the similarities and differences in plant growth responses when compared to those of Al ions. Seed germination, root length, biomass production, and uptake of Al and nutrients were measured from hydroponically-grown lettuce with varying concentrations of Al2O3 NPs (0, 0.4, 1, and 2 mg/mL) or AlCl3 (0, 0.04, 0.4, and 1 mg/mL). The Al2O3 NPs treatments had a positive influence on root elongation, whereas AlCl3 significantly reduced emerging root lengths. While 0.4 mg/mL Al2O3 NPs promoted biomass, 1 and 2 mg/mL showed a 10.4% and 17.9% decrease in biomass, respectively, when compared to the control. Similarly, 0.4 and 1 mg/mL AlCl3 reduced biomass to 22.3% and 9.96%, respectively. Both treatments increased Al uptake by roots linearly; however, translocation of Al2O3 NPs into shoots was limited, whereas translocation of AlCl3 increased with increasing treatment concentration. Further, Al2O3 NPs adsorbed on the roots serve as adsorbents for macronutrients, promoting their absorption and uptake in plants, but not micronutrients. Calcium uptake was the most inhibited by AlCl3. A new in vivo imaging technique, with elemental analysis, confirmed that Al2O3 NPs were assimilated as particles, not ions, suggesting that the observed phytotoxicity is not due to Al ions being released from the NPs. Thus, it is concluded that Al2O3 NPs pose less phytoxicity than AlCl3, primarily due to NPs role on stimulated root growth, significant adsorption/aggregation on roots, limited lateral translocation to shoots, and increased uptake of macronutrients.
SORA Application to Large RPAS Flight Plans

This paper describes the application of the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA)-a concept developed by the Joint Authorities on Rulemaking for Unmanned Systems (JARUS)-to the flight of large Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Australian airspace. Due to the increasing demand of commercial RPAS operations and the complexity of integrating them into existing, nation-specific airspace infrastructure, the JARUS SORA was created as a country-agnostic guidance tool for establishing the safety of a given operation. An archetypical RPAS operation centered on a maritime surveillance mission is investigated to test the applicability of this process. A Concept of Operations (ConOps), representative flight plans, and relevant stakeholders are described for this use case accordingly. Distinguishing factors of Australian airspace are also highlighted as inputs to the SORA and the impact on the currently proposed procedure and outputs are discussed in turn. The inputs, methods, and results of the SORA application demonstrate the prospective capabilities of this tool as well as potential for future document improvement.
Fluorescence-guided surgery using patient-derived orthotopic xenograft models of cancer

Abstract Background: Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) can enable successful cancer surgery where bright-light surgery (BLS) often cannot. There are three important issues for FGS going forward toward the clinic: proper tumor labeling, a simple portable imaging system for the operating room, and patient-like mouse models in which to develop the technology. Methods: Mice with patient-derived orthotopic xenografts (PDOXs) of colon cancer underwent FGS or BLS after intravenous injection of fluorophore-conjugated chimeric anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (anti-CEA) antibody. Moreover, a PDOX model was established from a CEA-positive tumor from a pancreatic cancer patient. Mice were randomized to four groups: BLS only, BLS+neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), FGS only, and FGS+NAC. An anti-CEA antibody conjugated to fluorophore was administered intravenously to a pancreatic cancer PDOX before surgery. Results: Chimeric CEA antibody accurately labeled PDOX colon cancer in nude mice, enabling improved detection of tumor margins for more effective FGS. The R0 resection rate increased from 86% to 96% with FGS compared to BLS. Histologic evaluation of the resected specimen demonstrated that cancer cells were not present in the margins, indicating successful tumor resection. The FGS animals remained tumor free for over 6 months for FGS. A pancreatic cancer PDOX was clearly labeled with fluorophore-conjugated anti-CEA antibody. Only one out of eight mice had local recurrence in the FGS-only group and zero out of eight mice had local recurrence in the FGS+NAC group which was significantly lower than BLS only or BLS+NAC mice. Conclusion: Improved conjugating efficiency and labeling with chimeric fluorophore-conjugated antibody resulted in better detection and FGS of human colon and pancreatic cancer in PDOX mouse models. NAC resulted in improved outcome when added to FGS.
Radical Prostatectomy and Survivorship After Radical Prostatectomy

Currently in the United States, the robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach is the most commonly performed radical prostatectomy (RP) procedure for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Advances in surgical techniques over the past several decades have enhanced the benefits and minimized the complications associated with radical prostatectomies. However, both urinary continence and erectile function remain of increasing importance in the postsurgical patient population due to younger patients receiving prostate cancer diagnoses as a result of advanced screening practices. Understanding the treatment options available for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction enhances post-RP quality of life and overall patient satisfaction.
Childhood maltreatment, psychiatric symptoms, and suicidal thoughts among adolescents receiving substance use treatment services.

Abstract Introduction Childhood maltreatment experiences are associated with future suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, yet the roles of specific psychiatric symptoms mediating this relation remain to be clarified. To clarify these relations, we tested a model incorporating multiple forms of childhood maltreatment (sexual abuse, physical punishment, emotional neglect), past year psychiatric disorder symptoms during adolescence (anxiety, mood, and conduct disorders) and recent suicidal thoughts. Methods We administered structured interviews to 394 adolescents receiving outpatient substance use treatment services in the Southeastern United States (280 males; Mage = 16.33; SDage = 1.15). Structural equation models (SEMs) were used to evaluate the degree to which relations between childhood maltreatment and suicidal thoughts were mediated by specific past-year psychiatric symptoms. Results Mood disorder symptoms significantly mediated the relation between neglect/negative home environment and suicidal thoughts. This path of influence did not vary by gender. Conclusions Childhood maltreatment and subsequent psychopathology influence suicidal thoughts among adolescents receiving substance use treatment services. The findings of the present study have implications for the adaptation and delivery of substance use treatment services to adolescents to enhance treatment engagement and outcomes.
Implications of Facilitators and Barriers to Implementing Fuel Up to Play 60

Objectives The primary purpose of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators of Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) program implementation. Methods This was an observational study occurring over 20 months in 4 schools in metropolitan Denver, Colorado. Key informant interviews and FUTP60 surveys examined the barriers and facilitators of program implementation and utilization of other health-promotion programs. Results Program advisors stated that the adaptability of FUTP60 eased program implementation in schools, helped schools to meet wellness policy goals, and that the program message resonated with students. Conclusions FUTP60's adaptability to a school's needs, its simple messaging and student-centric model were major facilitators of program implementation and should be considered when implementing other school-based programs.
High-fat and high-sodium diet induces metabolic dysfunction in the absence of obesity.

Objective Excess dietary fat and sodium (NaCl) are both associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction. In mice, high NaCl has been shown to block high-fat (HF) diet-induced weight gain. Here, the impact of an HF/NaCl diet on metabolic function in the absence of obesity was investigated. Methods Wild-type mice were administered chow, NaCl (4%), HF, and HF/NaCl diets. Metabolic analysis was performed by measuring fasted blood glucose and insulin levels and by glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test. Results After 10 weeks on diets, male and female mice on the HF diet gained weight, and HF/NaCl mice had significantly reduced weight gain similar to chow-fed mice. In the absence of obesity, HF/NaCl mice had significantly elevated fasting blood glucose and impaired glucose control during glucose tolerance tests. Both NaCl and HF/NaCl mice had decreased pancreas and β-cell mass. Administration of NaCl in drinking water did not protect mice from HF-diet-induced weight gain and obesity. Further analysis revealed that longer administration of HF/NaCl diets for 20 weeks resulted in significant weight gain and insulin resistance. Conclusions The data demonstrate that despite early inhibitory effects on fat deposition and weight gain, an HF/NaCl diet does not prevent the metabolic consequences of HF diet consumption.
Bonded from Brokenness: A Collaborative Autoethnography on Maternal Bereavement:

The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of maternal bereavement. As scholar practitioners the authors offer their personal narratives to bring awareness to the multifaceted aspects o...
A Note on Performance Measurement

Performance measurement is at the heart of management. How a manager's performance is measured strongly influences that manager's decisions and how that manager spends his or her time. If you tell the manager you are going to evaluate him or her based on some performance measure and you choose the right performance measure, you'll likely get what you want. But if you choose the wrong one, you can send things in the wrong direction. What gets measured gets attention. Excerpt UVA-C-2399 Dec. 8, 2017 A Note on Performance Measurement Performance measurement is at the heart of management. How a manager's performance is measured strongly influences that manager's decisions and how that manager spends his or her time. If you tell the manager you are going to evaluate him or her based on some performance measure and you choose the right performance measure, you'll likely get what you want. But if you choose the wrong one, you can send things in the wrong direction. What gets measured gets attention. Designing a Performance-Measurement System The performance-measurement system and the performance measures chosen as part of that system must link to both the organization's strategy and the organizational structure. Prior to determining what performance measure to use to evaluate the performance of a manager or the business unit he or she manages, it is important to reflect on both of these. . . .
Zinc in Cancer Development and Prevention

1. Zinc is an essential trace element required for maintaining enzyme activity, the immune system, and the conformation of many transcription factors that control cell proliferation, apoptosis, and signaling pathways. The role of zinc in cancer development and prevention is gaining attention.
Muscle Property Identification During Joint Motion Using the NL-LTP Method

This work develops a simple low order model of the lower leg that incorporates the effects of a nonlinear biceps femoris muscle actuator and explores the feasibility of identifying a nonparametric model for the knee joint’s rotational behavior as well as the joint activation function that drives the motion. The NL-LTP algorithm is applied to this system and some promising results are obtained. In particular, the nonlinear equations of motion and the joint activation moment are estimated from the “measured responses”. The accuracy of these nonlinear parameter estimates and the implications for future experimental studies of biomechanical systems are discussed.
Conclusions and Suggestions for Future Research

This thesis presents models for the low-energy physics of molecules trapped in optical lattices and simulation methods to elucidate the many-body physics of these models in one dimension.
Epithelial-mesenchyme interactions during odontogenesis. IV. Morphological evidence for direct heterotypic cell-cell contacts.

Abstract During embryonic and neonatal mouse incisor tooth morphogenesis, direct epithelial-mesenchymal cell contacts were observed by electron microscopy. These direct contacts were evident along the epithelial-mesenchymal interface in the differentiation zone in which inner enamel epithelium was as yet a dividing cell population which had not as yet synthesized and secreted the enamel organic matrix. This region of cell differentiation was also characterized by the appearance of cell processes which extended from the epithelia through the basal lamina. Following the appearance of epithelial cell processes penetrating through the basal lamina, ectomesenchymal cell processes extended across the extracellular matrix and penetrated through the basal lamina and resulted in the formation of contact zones. Following degradation of the basal lamina, the mesenchymal cell processes penetrated into clefts within the preameloblast cells and formed cell contacts. By a combination of tannic acid and uranium acetate staining we observed that the tannic acid stain penetrated through intercellular spaces formed between the apposing mesenchymal and epithelial plasma membrane surfaces. We speculate that direct heterotypic cell contacts, which occur prior to the cessation of preameloblast cell division and precede the secretion of enamel proteins, may be instructive in the induction of enamel protein biosynthesis.
Capabilities and limitations of feedforward neural networks with multilevel neurons

This paper proposes a multilevel logic approach to output coding using multilevel neurons in the output layer. Training convergence for a single multilevel perceptron is considered. It has been found that a multilevel neural network classifier with a reduced number of outputs is often able to learn faster and requires fewer weights. Concepts are illustrated with an example of a digit classifier.
Spectral averaging and the Krein spectral shift

We provide a new proof of a theorem of Birman and Solomyak that if A(s) = A0 + sB with B ≥ 0 trace class and dμs(·) = Tr(BEA(s)(·)B), then ∫ 1 0 [dμs(λ)] ds = ξ(λ) dλ, where ξ is the Krein spectral shift from A(0) to A(1). Our main point is that this is a simple consequence of the formula d ds Tr(f(A(s)) = Tr(Bf ′(A(s))). Let A and C = A+B be bounded self-adjoint operators, and suppose that B ≥ 0 and B is trace class.. Then it is a fundamental result of Krein [5], [6], [7] that there is an L function ξA,C(λ) so that for any C 1 function f (and, in particular, for all f ∈ C∞ 0 (R)), Tr(f(C) − f(A)) = ∫ f ′(λ)ξA,C(λ) dλ. (1) Here ξ ≥ 0 and is uniquely determined by (1) and the condition that ξ is L. This ξ has compact support (if A,C are bounded). Moreover, if B is finite rank, then 0 ≤ ξA,C(λ) ≤ rank(B) (2) and lim s→∞ [ ξA,A+sB(λ)− ξA,A−sB(λ) ] = rank(B). (3) In 1971, Javrjan [3] proved a remarkable formula for rank(B) = 1: Let B = (φ, · )φ and define dμs(λ) by ∫ edμs(λ) = (φ, e φ) and
Absorbing aerosol-induced change in the early monsoon Arabian Sea low-level jet: Modeled transfer from anomalous heating to nondivergent kinetic energy

[1] This study examines the impact of anomalous differential generation of available potential energy by absorbing aerosols on the transition and early active phases of the South Asian summer monsoon. Aerosol direct and indirect radiative forcings can modify tropospheric temperature profiles through direct absorption, scattering, and extended cloud lifetimes. Recent studies have suggested that over monthly and seasonal time scales, these effects can lead to modified flow and rainfall regimes in the South Asian monsoon region. Of special interest is the covariance of heating and temperature prior to active monsoon onset. It can be shown that anomalous generation of available potential energy due to absorption of shortwave radiation by aerosols can impact the cascade of energy from the local Hadley circulation to the monsoon nondivergent flow. In order to quantify the potential impact of aerosol radiative forcing and the resulting changes in monsoon onset timing and intensity, an ensemble of Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry regional weather and chemistry model forecasts are created for the South Asian summer monsoon region during May, June, and July. The forecasts including shortwave absorption by aerosol are compared to control forecasts in which aerosols only scatter shortwave radiation. The evolution of irrotational and nondivergent kinetic energy, generation of available potential energy and rainfall are presented. It is found that the ensemble with aerosol shortwave absorption contains on average a more intense dynamical onset over South India which is statistically significant compared to the ensemble variability. The more intense monsoon onset is related to a more intense Arabian Sea low-level jet. In the ensemble with shortwave absorption by aerosol, the early season monsoon rainfall is diminished over South India and enhanced over the Northeastern Indian states.
The Enron Scandal (Slides)

Enron's collapse is generally viewed as a morality tale - the natural result of managerial greed, a clueless board, and feckless gatekeepers. But none of these aspects of the story clearly distinguishes Enron from other major firms during the bubble era of the late 90s. This material identifies certain economic facts from the many moving parts that was Enron, and organizes them along two main threads. The first describes Enron's major businesses, and the incentives and constraints under which the managers of those businesses operated. The second thread describes the basic financial engineering tools developed by Enron's finance department. These threads are then woven into the timeline of Enron's ultimate collapse. What emerges is a tale of how bad bets that resulted in good outcomes came to be viewed by top management and the board as bets worth repeating on an ever-larger scale. Early success in highly risky ventures were ramped up and duplicated, under perverse incentives, into a financial disaster. The firm then doubled down on that disaster with non-economic hedges developed by the finance group. The CFO, in a wholesale breach of his fiduciary responsibilities, including corruption of various gatekeepers, managed to cloak the poor quality of his hedges and his motivation in creating them. This duplicity prevented top management or the board from fully recognizing or acting upon the danger that those hedges posed to Enron's survival, until it was too late. The political and economic reactions to Enron are usefully viewed in terms of these distinguishing elements of its failure.
Sequences Required for Paramutation of the Maize B Gene Map to a Region Containing the Promoter and Upstream Sequences

The b gene encodes a transcriptional regulator of the maize anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Certain b alleles participate in paramutation, an allele-specific interaction that heritably alters transcription. The moderately transcribed B' allele heritably reduces the transcription of the highly transcribed B-I allele in a B'/B-I heterozygote, such that the B-I allele becomes B'. To identify the cis-acting sequences required for paramutation, we used B' or B-I alleles to isolate intragenic recombinants with B-Peru, an allele that is insensitive to paramutation and has distinct tissue-specific regulation. Physical mapping of the recombinant alleles showed that most of the crossovers were in a small region near the 5' end of the b-transcribed region. Analysis of the recombinant alleles revealed that the ability to cause and respond to paramutation and the control of tissue-specific expression both localize to the 5' region of the gene. The 3' boundary of these functions lies just upstream of the translation initiation codon. The 5' boundary has been estimated to be no more than 0.1 cM further upstream (1-150 kb). Thus, sequences critical for paramutation lie upstream of the b coding sequences and may include transcriptional regulatory sequences.
Determination of a lorazepam dose threshold for using the osmol gap to monitor for propylene glycol toxicity.

Study Objective. To determine a threshold dose for parenteral lorazepam when screening for propylene glycol toxicity with the osmol gap, and to characterize which osmol gap values are more predictive of toxic propylene glycol concentrations and resultant clinical toxicity. Design. Prospective, two-phase observational study. Setting. Thirty-two bed, multidisciplinary intensive care unit. Patients. Thirty-five adult patients receiving any dose of parenteral lorazepam (phase 1), and 14 patients receiving lorazepam in doses of 1 mg/kg/day or higher (phase 2). Measurements and Main Results. Serum osmolality was measured every other day during lorazepam therapy, and the osmol gap (measured osmolality minus calculated osmolarity) was determined. A serum propylene glycol concentration was obtained when the osmol gap first exceeded 10. In phase 1, 35 patients were monitored for 186 patient-days. Ten patients (29%) developed an osmol gap greater than 10; only one (10%) of these patients had propylene glycol concentrations greater than 18 mg/dl. In phase 2, 14 patients received lorazepam at a median dose of 631 mg (interquartile range [IQR] 437–972 mg) over a median of 5.5 days (IQR 4–8.75 days). Nine patients (64%) had propylene glycol concentrations greater than 18 mg/dl; six (67%) of these nine developed transient acute kidney injury, metabolic acidosis, or both. The correlation between osmol gap and propylene glycol concentration was 0.44 (p=0.006). An osmol gap of 10 or greater had a likelihood ratio of 4.4 to predict a propylene glycol concentration greater than 18 mg/dl. An osmol gap of 12 or greater had a likelihood ratio of 2.7 to predict the development of possible propylene glycol clinical toxicity. Conclusion. Screening for propylene glycol toxicity with the osmol gap may be helpful for patients receiving intravenous lorazepam in doses of 1 mg/kg/day or higher. An osmol gap of 10 or greater was predictive of elevated propylene glycol concentrations, and values of 12 or greater were predictive of clinical changes suggestive of propylene glycol toxicity.
Capacity analysis of a discrete-time bufferless timing channel

This paper investigates the capacity of a discrete-time channel in which information is conveyed by the timing of consecutive packets passing through a queue with independent and identically distributed service times. Such timing channels are commonly studied under the assumption of a work-conserving queue. In contrast, this paper studies the case of a discrete-time bufferless queue that drops arriving packets while a packet is in service. Under this bufferless model, the paper provides upper bounds on the capacity of timing channels and establishes capacity for the case of bufferless M/M/1 queue.
Detection of mammalian cell mutagens in urine from carcinogen-dosed mice.

Abstract Urine from drug-treated rodents was tested directly in the L5178Y TK +/− → TK −/− gene mutation assay for the induction of trifluorothymidine-resistant (TFT R ) mutants. 18-h urine samples collected from male CD-1 mice which had been treated with either 2-aminofluorene, cyclophosphamide, or lucanthone were incubated with β-glucuronidase, then added directly to cultures of L5178Y TK +/− mouse lymphoma cells for 3 h. All 3 urine sources produced significant, dose-dependent increases in the frequency of TFT R mutants compared to normal urine or saline controls. When these same chemicals were tested directly as mutagens in L5178Y TK +/− cells, lucanthone and, to a lesser extent, cyclophosphamide were positive both with or without metabolic activation; and aminofluorene was only positive with activation. These results indicate that the urinary metabolites of aminofluorene, cyclophosphamide, and either the parental molecule or urinary metabolites of lucanthone can readily be detected as mutagens in a mammalian cell assay.
One-Electron Oxidation Reactions of Some Purine and Pyrimidine Bases in Aqueous Solutions. Electrochemical and Pulse Radiolysis Studies

The reduction potentials of some purine and pyrimidine bases and the guanine nucleoside and nucleotide at pH values between 7 and 13 were investigated using the techniques of cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse polarography, and pulse radiolysis. The results clearly show that the lowest reduction potentials, in volts vs NHE, at pH 7 are those of xanthine, 0.88 V, and 1-methylguanine, 1.06 V (NHE). The extrapolated value of guanine is ca. 1.0 V. We also studied the one-electron oxidation reaction of the azide radical with the above compounds. We monitored their transient absorption spectra and determined their formation second-order rate constants. The decay kinetics of these radicals was followed. Radicals derived from the bases decayed via a radical−radical mechanism with a second-order rate constant. However, the guanine nucleosides and nucleotide radicals have shown at all pHs two consecutive processes (first order followed by a second order). The first-order reaction is pH dependent. Formation of a...
Serum thyroid hormone concentrations may increase during carotenoid depletion of healthy adult women

Vitamin A and thyroid hormone status are interrelated. Much of vitamin A is derived from dietary carotenoids, so we investigated whether carotenoid depletion might influence thyroid hormone status. Nine healthy adult women were fed a low carotenoid diet (58 μg/day) for 68 days then repleted with the same diet supplemented with 15,000 μg of carotenoid/day for 28 days. The women lived on a metabolic unit, where their dietary intakes, exercise, and activities were controlled. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) increased significantly after 39 days of carotenoid depletion (P < 0.02), followed by significant increases in serum thyroxine (total T4), then free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3; all p < 0.02). TSH and total T4 concentrations stabilized during carotenoid repletion but remained significantly elevated over baseline. Serum triiodothyronine (total T3), transthyretin, and total protein concentrations were not influenced by carotenoid depletion. Thus, carotenoid depletion may induce increases in some serum thyroid hormone concentrations in healthy young adult women.
Recolonization of estuarine sediments by macroinvertebrates: Does microcosm size matter?

Microcosms containing defaunated, fine estuarine sediments were field deployed to assess the effects of microcosm size on the rate of benthic macroinvertebrate recolonization and resulting community structure. Four sizes of microcosms (square acrylic plastic boxes: 7 cm side−1, 12 cm side−1, 20 cm side−1, and 32 cm side−1, all 6-cm deep) were deployed in upper Perdido Bay, Florida, and colonized for 6 wk. Absolute mean total number of organisms (TNO) differed (α=0.05) among all sizes, while normalized mean TNO (adjusted to 12 cm side−1 area) did not. Mean total number of taxa (TNT) was different among sizes: 7 cm side−1, 12 cm side−1, and 20 cm side−1, but not between sizes 20 cm side−1 and 32 cm side−1. Seven dominant taxa occurred in all size microcosms. Scaling of physical design features (size of microcosm) affected numbers of taxa in recolonization of fine-grained sediments in our study area, but effects on abundance and dominance were minimal.
Computational method for high resolution spectral analysis of fractionated atrial electrograms

BackgroundThe discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is often used as a spectral estimator for analysis of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) acquired during atrial fibrillation (AF). However, time resolution can be unsatisfactory, as the frequency resolution is proportional to rate/time interval. In this study we compared the DFT to a new spectral estimator with improved time-frequency resolution. MethodRecently, a novel spectral estimator (NSE) based upon signal averaging was derived and implemented computationally. The NSE is similar to the DFT in that both estimators model the autocorrelation function to form the power spectrum. However, as derived in this study, NSE frequency resolution is proportional to rate/period2 and thus unlike the DFT, is not directly dependent on the window length. We hypothesized that the NSE would provide improved time resolution while maintaining satisfactory frequency resolution for computation of CFAE spectral parameters. Window lengths of 8s, 4s, 2s, 1s, and 0.5s were used for analysis. Two criteria gauged estimator performance. Firstly, a periodic electrogram pattern with phase jitter was embedded in interference. The error in detecting the frequency of the periodic pattern was determined. Secondly, significant differences in spectral parameters for paroxysmal versus persistent AF data, which have known dissimilarities, were determined using the DFT versus NSE methods. The parameters measured were the dominant amplitude, dominant frequency, and mean spectral profile. ResultsAt all time resolutions, the error in detecting the frequency of the repeating electrogram pattern was less for NSE than for DFT (p<0.001). The DFT was accurate to 2s time resolution/0.5Hz frequency resolution, while the NSE was accurate to 0.5s time resolution/0.05Hz frequency resolution. At all time resolutions, significant differences in the dominant amplitude spectral parameter for paroxysmal versus persistent CFAE were greater using NSE than DFT (p<0.0001). For three of five time resolutions, the NSE had greater significant differences than DFT for discriminating the dominant frequency and mean spectral profile parameters between AF types. ConclusionsThe results suggest that the NSE has improved performance versus DFT for measurement of CFAE spectral properties.
An isomorphism of complete degrees of finite-state transformability

Let (Q, ∑, δ, ω) be a finite-state automaton with input-output alphabet ∑. Let ∑+ be the free semigroup generated by ∑ and ∑N be the set of all infinite sequences of elements of ∑. Rayna (1974) Inform. Contr. 24 calls a sequence x ∑ ∑N complete if and only if every A ∑ ∑+ is contained in x. Huffman (1959) IRE Trans. Circuit Theory Suppl. CT-6 calls a finite-state automaton information-lossless iff there exist no two states qi and qf and no two different equal-length input blocks A, B ∑ ∑+ and an output block C ∑ ∑+ such that δ(qi, A) = qf = δ(qi, B) and ω(qi , A) = C = ω(qi, B). Gordon (1976) Inform Contr. 32 calls a degree of finite-state transformability complete iff it contains a complete sequence. In that paper the properties of an information-lossless finite-state automaton are studied when a complete sequence is the input. In this paper we use the properties discovered by Gordon (1976) to study the set U[x] of upper bounds for a complete degree of finite-state transformability. The main result states that, for any two complete degrees [x] and [y], we have U[x] is orderisomorphic to U[y].
1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) but not 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) selectively destroys dopaminergic neurons in cultures of dissociated rat mesencephalic neurons

Dopaminergic neurons were studied in cultures of dissociated cells from the ventral mesencephalon of fetal rat embryos (gestational day E15–16). After a week of growth, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) or 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) was added to the growth medium for 24 h. Dopaminergic neurons were then visualized with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry or catecholamine (CA) cytofluorescence. Concentrations of MPTP in the range of 10 to 100 μM obliterated CA fluorescence without affecting the number of TH-positive neurons. At concentrations greater than 100 μM, MPTP decreased the number of TH-positive neurons as well as the number of all other cell types. MPP+ (0.1–10.0 μM) produced a decrease in the number of TH-positive neurons without decreasing the total number of all cell types. The findings indicate that MPP+ but not MPTP is able to selectively destroy rat dopaminergic neurons in our cultures. The selective toxicity of MPP+ for dopaminergic neurons was partially prevented by pretreatment and co-incubation with mazindol (a selective inhibitor of dopamine uptake) but not by desipramine or deprenil, in confirmation of the notion that MPP+ enters dopaminergic neurons by the specific uptake mechanism for dopamine.
Cost of ownership for military cargo aircraft using a common versus disparate display configuration

A 2009 paper considered possibilities for applying a common display suite to various front-line bubble canopy fighters, whereas further research suggests the cost savings, post Milestone C production/deployment, might not be advantageous. The situation for military cargo and tanker aircraft, may offer a different paradigm. The primary objective of Defense acquisition is to acquire quality products that satisfy user needs with measurable improvements to mission capability and operational support, in a timely manner, and at a fair and reasonable price. DODD 5000.01 specifies that all participants in the acquisition system shall recognize the reality of fiscal constraints, viewing cost as an independent variable. DoD Components must therefore plan programs based on realistic projections of the dollars and manpower likely to be available in future years and also identify the total costs of ownership, as well as the major drivers of total ownership costs. In theory, therefore, this has already been done for existing cargo/tanker aircraft programs accommodating independent, disparate display suites. This paper goes beyond that stage by exploring total costs of ownership for a hypothetical common approach to cargo/tanker display avionics, bounded by looking at a limited number of such aircraft, e.g., C-5, C-17, C-130H (variants), and C-130J. It is the purpose of this paper to reveal whether there are total cost of ownership advantages for a common approach over and above the existing disparate approach. Aside from cost issues, other considerations, i.e., availability and supportability, may also be analyzed.
Update on the influence of quinidine and other agents on digitalis glycosides

Since this topic was last reviewed,’ additional data on previously described interactions have been published and certain new interactions have been described. This update follows the format of the earlier review by first discussing new data on the quinidine-digoxin interaction and then discussing related interactions by drug class or mechanism of interaction. QUINIDINE-DIGITALIS INTERACTIONS Ouinidine-digoxin interaction. As previously reviewed,’ quinidine therapy can be expected to double or triple the serum digoxin concentration (SDC) in most, if not all, patients who achieve a serum quinidine concentration (SQC) of 2 pg/ml or greater. This interaction occurs within a few hours after starting quinidine therapy but may require several days or even weeks before the new steady-state SDC is achieved. It appears that quinidine alters digoxin kinetics by reducing the apparent volume of distribution (Vd), renal clearance (Clr), and nonrenal clearance (Clnr). Although the degree of reduction of Clnr is probably not dependent on the SQC, the reduction in Vd and Clr is greater at higher SQC. Even though the data on the mechanisms of the interaction suggest that the interaction should occur in patients with renal failure, conflicting views exist. Doering erroneously suggested that the interaction should not occur in anuric patients, while others3’4 have demonstrated the interaction in such patients. Hirschberg et a1.3 found that 4 days of quinidine therapy produced a mean increase of 57% in the SDC. However, the graphic presentation of their data appears to suggest that the greatest increases in
Air bearing dynamic stability on bit patterned media disks

Bit Patterned media (BPM) recording is one of the potential technologies to be used in future disk drives in order to increase the areal density to 5 Tbit/in2. But one of the main obstacles for BPM is to achieve dynamic stability of the air bearing slider at the head-disk interface (HDI). In this paper we first use a direct simulation method to check the accuracy of our previously developed Homogenization Reynolds equation solution. After confirming the accuracy it is then implemented to study the slider’s flying attitude on BPM disks. Then we investigate the system’s parameters using a system identification method by simultaneously solving the equations of motion of the slider and the Homogenization Reynolds equation. We observe that the first pitch mode frequency of the air bearing increases with increase of pattern groove area ratio and pattern height. And the stiffness decreases when the pattern groove area ratio or pattern height increases. We conclude that a partially planarized BPM is preferred in order to maintain the dynamic stability of the HDI.
Moment-recovered approximations of multivariate distributions: The Laplace transform inversion

The moment-recovered approximations of multivariate distributions are suggested. This method is natural in certain incomplete models where moments of the underlying distribution can be estimated from a sample of observed distribution. This approach is applicable in situations where other methods cannot be used, e.g. in situations where only moments of the target distribution are available. Some properties of the proposed constructions are derived. In particular, procedures of recovering two types of convolutions, the copula and copula density functions, as well as the conditional density function, are suggested. Finally, the approximation of the inverse Laplace transform is obtained. The performance of moment-recovered construction is illustrated via graphs of a simple density function.
Qualitative change in word encoding with reading skill

Abstract Children at different levels of reading skill were studied in four familiarization experiments concerned with word encoding processes. Fifth graders were similar to college students (studied previously) in responding more quickly to familiarized words than novel words. In contrast, first graders with about 1 year of reading experience showed the opposite effect: They responded more slowly to familiarized words. First graders also responded more slowly to novel words belonging to natural taxonomic categories from which other words had been familiarized. This semantic encoding effect is opposite in direction to findings previously obtained in more experienced readers. Overall, these findings provide support for the view that word encoding undergoes qualitative change as reading progresses from beginning to more advanced levels. The reason for this change is unknown.
Laser dynamics: probing microscopic processes in InGaN light emitters

A measurement based on the modulation response of laser cavities with InGaN quantum wells as the gain medium is proposed to study microscopic scattering rates, which are of great importance when investigating the efficiency droop problem. Using semiconductor Bloch equations, an analytical equation is derived, establishing the relationship between the microscopic semiconductor processes and the modulation response of lasers. The carrier density dependence of microscopic scattering rates is also investigated by considering the correlation effects at the limit of Maxwell–Boltzmann statistics. Furthermore, the relaxation oscillation frequency is estimated as the laser cavity quality factor is varied by design.
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Liquid He 3 Near 0°K

Recent calculations on the properties of liquid He/sup 3/ near O K have determined the specific heat and its variation with density. The relationship between this result and the coefficient of thermal expansion is investigated. (W.D.M.)
Induced folding by chiral nonplanar aromatics.

We report a structural motif based on a C3-symmetric bowl-shaped core, on which three substituted amino acids on the periphery adopt either a folded or a spread-out conformation. This class of chiral folded structures is achieved by controlling the reactivity of the stereogenic protons on the nonplanar aromatic rings of trioxatricornan to afford predominantly C3-symmetric isomers. Bromination of trioxatricornan afforded a C1-symmetric and a C3-symmetric trisubstituted isomer, with the former being the major product as a statistical consequence during the reaction cascade. To obtain the C3 symmetric isomer as the major product, C−H activation by means of ortho-lithiation with the bulky tert-butyl lithium and tetramethylethylenediamine was followed by a nucleophilic substitution that successfully reversed the statistically controlled regioselectivity. Further derivatization of the trioxatricornan with amino acids or menthol afforded diastereomers that were resolved by preparative chromatography. The absolut...
Aspen snag dynamics, cavity-nesting birds, and trophic cascades in Yellowstone's northern range

We examined current and possible future aspen stand dynamics and cavity-nesting bird abundances for Yellowstone's northern ungulate winter range. Our measurements suggest aspen stands located within Yellowstone National Park (YNP) are in a different condition than those located in the Gallatin National Forest (GNF), immediately outside the park. Stands inside YNP were composed of more snags and had fewer small-diameter live stems than stands in GNF. Six of the 11 cavity-nesting bird species we analyzed were more abundant inside YNP where aspen snags were more abundant. We discuss potential implications of current and future aspen stand dynamics in the context of wolf re-introduction and trophic cascades for cavity-nesting birds. Our results suggest aspen stands within YNP will experience a relatively high abundance of snags in the near future, followed by a period of low snag abundance that will influence the abundance of several cavity-nesting bird species. The relative composition of future aspen stands within YNP will likely differ from historical conditions, and stands outside YNP, for several decades.
Explicit one-loop corrections to the strong CP-violating phase in SU(2) L ×U(1)

In a $\mathrm{CP}$-invariant Lagrangian the spontaneous symmetry breaking that generates the quark mass matrix $m$ will induce $\mathrm{CP}$ violations into the strong interactions with strength ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{QFD}}=\mathrm{argDet}m$, where QFD refers to quantum flavor dynamics. Even if $\mathrm{Det}m$ is real in tree approximation, it will generally not be in higher order. We show that in any $\mathrm{SU}{(2)}_{L}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{U}(1)$ model the only one-loop corrections to ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{QFD}}$ come from Higgs particles. These are explicitly calculated in a six-quark model with permutation symmetry. We find ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{QFD}}\ensuremath{\approx}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}(\frac{{m}_{s}}{{m}_{b}}){(\frac{{m}_{t}}{{m}_{b}})}^{2}$ in one case and ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{\mathrm{QFD}}\ensuremath{\approx}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}(\frac{{m}_{c}}{{m}_{t}})$ in a second case. Cabibbo angles and $\mathrm{CP}$ violation in the kaon system are also examined.