cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiphoton Imaging of Mouse Brain In Vivo

Over the last two decades, multiphoton microscopy has created a renaissance in the brain imaging community. It has changed how we visualize neurons by providing high-resolution, non-invasive imaging capability deep within intact brain tissue. Multiphoton imaging will likely play an essential role in understanding how the brain works at the level of neural circuits, which will provide a bridge between microscopic interactions at the neuronal level and the macroscopic structures that perform complex computations.
Influence of flowfield and vehicle parameters on engineering aerothermal methods

The reliability and flexibility of three engineering codes used in the aerosphace industry (AEROHEAT, INCHES, and MINIVER) were investigated by comparing the results of these codes with Reentry F flight data and ground-test heat-transfer data for a range of cone angles, and with the predictions obtained using the detailed VSL3D code; the engineering solutions were also compared. In particular, the impact of several vehicle and flow-field parameters on the heat transfer and the capability of the engineering codes to predict these results were determined. It was found that entropy, pressure gradient, nose bluntness, gas chemistry, and angle of attack all affect heating levels. A comparison of the results of the three engineering codes with Reentry F flight data and with the predictions obtained of the VSL3D code showed a very good agreement in the regions of the applicability of the codes. It is emphasized that the parameters used in this study can significantly influence the actual heating levels and the prediction capability of a code.
Getting Caught in Misconduct Conceptions of Adolescents With and Without Learning Disabilities

This study examined adolescents' conceptions about how to respond after being caught in misconduct, in order to determine whether students with learning disabilities differ from non-disabled students in their beliefs regarding apprehension. A total of 88 students with learning disabilities (62 male, 26 female) and 84 nondisabled students (45 male, 39 female) were interviewed about 10 scenarios in which a teenager was caught by authorities after participating in misconduct, either alone or with a peer. The mean age of the students was 16 years (SD = 1.4). The results indicated that the students with learning disabilities were significantly more likely than other students to suggest escaping and less likely to suggest accepting the consequences, although the differences were not great. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Predicting outcomes of patients with intracranial meningiomas using molecular markers of hypoxia, vascularity, and proliferation.

BACKGROUND The natural history of surgically treated intracranial meningiomas can be quite variable. Recurrence and patient outcome cannot currently be predicted with accuracy. OBJECTIVE To explore the potential roles of tumor hypoxia-regulated biological markers, preoperative imaging, measures of proliferation, and angiogenesis in predicting patient outcome. METHODS Tissue from 263 patients (average follow-up, 75 months) was examined for molecular markers hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX), and glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1); vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); proliferation (MIB-1); and microvascular density (MVD) (Factor VIII). Preoperative magnetic resonance images were also examined for tumor size and peritumoral brain edema (PTBE). RESULTS VEGF, HIF-1α, CA-IX, and Glut-1 are positively correlated (P < .001-.005). PTBE was associated with higher grade (P = .03), larger tumors (P = .02), and log of MVD (P = .004). Progression-free survival (PFS) was associated with higher grade (P < .001), subtotal resection (P = .004), VEGF expression (P = .004), and log of MIB-labeling index (P < .001) on pairwise comparisons. Using multivariate analysis, PFS was associated with subtotal resection (HR 2.71, P = .027), higher grade (HR 6.29, P < .001), higher VEGF expression (HR 1.52, P = .038), and log of MIB-labeling index (HR 1.68, P = .005). Shorter overall survival was associated with subtotal resection (HR 3.23, P = .002), higher grade (HR 4.47, P < .001), higher expression of HIF-1α (HR 1.56, P < .001) and Glut-1 (HR 1.39, P = .02), and log of MIB-labeling index (HR 1.87, P < .001) when controlled for age. CONCLUSION HIF, VEGF, and MIB-1 are significantly correlated with tumor recurrence. With further study, these molecular markers may be used to predict outcome for patients with intracranial meningiomas.
Production and purification of antibody to bovine white matter proteolipid apoprotein.

: Circulating antibody to the bovine white matter proteolipid apoprotein was detected in rabbits 1 month after a single injection of the water-soluble form of the apoprotein. By double immunodiffusion, the antiserum reacted specifically with the delipidated proteolipid apoprotein and the crude proteolipid fraction containing complex lipids; after exposure of the proteolipid apoprotein to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), no reactivity was observed. The antiserum did not react with other myelin components, i.e., basic protein, cerebroside or GM1 ganglioside, nor was there reactivity with non-neural proteolipids. The anti-apoprotein antibody was purified by affinity chromatography. The antibody-antigen interaction is apparently very hydrophobic, since elution of the antibody from the affinity column requires buffer containing 0.5% Triton X-100-4 M-urea.
Correlating criteria for liquid-phase adsorption

A correlating equation for selective adsorption in the liquid phase has been extended to predict accurately the benzene-cyclohexane equilibrium data on silica gel. Gel pore diameters range from approximately 25 to 150 A. and temperatures between the boiling and freezing points of the pure components.
The cooperative interaction of aniline with methemoglobin.

Summary The interaction of aniline with human methemoglobin was studied by UV spectroscopy. The observed spectral changes relfected conversion of high-spin aquomethemoglobin to the low-spin aniline complex and indicated that aniline bound cooperatively; Hill coefficient n = 2.2. This high cooperativity is unusual, since most ligand-methemoglobin interactions show n = 1. Apparently spin-state change is not sufficient for cooperativity, because imidazole (which also forms a low-spin complex) bound non-cooperatively under the same conditions.
Angular momentum transfer and charge cloud alignment in atomic collisions: intuitive concepts, experimental observations and semiclassical models

The authors discuss intuitive concepts to describe alignment and orientation effects in collision processes with, or leading to, an atomic np state. For direct excitation one can understand the atomic angular momentum transferred in terms of a rolling ball, and for excitation (de-excitation) in a molecular picture one can visualise the alignment angle of the atomic p charge cloud in terms of a transition from a body-fixed molecular picture (small internuclear distances R) to a space-fixed picture (large R). These concepts are illustrated by experimental results for e+Na* and Na++Na* collisions. Semiclassical theory is discussed for both the direct and the molecular inelastic processes, giving a theoretical foundation for these models. Detailed results are reported for the time development of the charge cloud in Na++Na* collisions as a model case, illustrating the concept of body-fixed versus space-fixed electron motion and its limitations. Further examples are the molecular process N2+Na* and the atomic process Xe+Ba* at thermal energies. In all cases long-range rotational ( Sigma - Pi ) coupling determines the charge cloud motion.
DNA electrophoresis in microfabricated devices

Picking up at the conclusion of Viovy's review of the physics of gel electrophoresis [J.-L. Viovy, Rev. Mod. Phys. 72, 813 (2000)], this review synthesizes the experimental data, theoretical models, and simulation results for DNA electrophoresis in microfabricated and nanofabricated devices appearing since the seminal paper by Volkmuth and Austin [Nature (London) 358, 600 (1992)]. Prototype versions of these devices separate DNA by molecular weight at a rate far superior to gel electrophoresis. After providing an overview of the requisite background material in polymer physics, electrophoresis, and microfluidic device fabrication, the focus is on the following three generic problems: (i) collision with an isolated post, (ii) transport in an array of posts, and (iii) entropic trapping and filtration in the slit-well motif. The transport phenomena are examined here in the context of the length and time scales characterizing the DNA, the device, and the applied electric field.
First Quaternary Fossil Record of Caecilians from a Mexican Archaeological Site

A single vertebra from an Early Formative period archaeological site in coastal Chiapas, Mexico, is identified as belonging to the amphibian Dermophis mexicanus (Dumeril and Bibron) 1841 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae). The vertebra was recovered from deposits dated to approximately 1200–1350 B.C. The specimen represents the first Quaternary fossil record for gymnophiones. Its presence suggests the possible role of the species as a bioturbator. Its recovery is further evidence of the utility of fine-grained archaeological recovery techniques.
Monte Carlo simulation of light transport in dark-field confocal photoacoustic microscopy

A modified MC convolution method for integration extension of MC simulation is developed for finite photon beam with random shape of translational or rotational invariance, which is proven consistent with the conventional convolution extension of MC simulation for normal incident finite beam. The method is applied to analyze the positions of fluence foci and ratios of fluence at the focus and surface which are two key factors in the application of dark-field confocal and some interesting points are presented including: 1) The fluence profile has a saddle-like shape with highest peak in the bright field and low valley near the surface and a second rise in the center of dark field which is defined as the effective optical focus; 2) Besides a little peak near zero inner radius, the ratio of fluences at the focus and surface increases linearly with the inner radius, suggesting the large inner radius more advantageous to image at the effective optical focus; 3) The position of effective optical foci deepens linearly with the increase of the inner radius, suggesting that to get a high quality image of deeper target, a dark-field with larger size is more beneficial. But the position of fluence foci are far away from the foci of geometrical laser beam in high scattering tissue, so aligning the foci of geometrical laser beam and acoustic transducer doesn't guarantee that effective optical focus is accurately overlapping with the acoustic focus. An MC simulation with integration extension presented in this paper maybe helpful to determine where the acoustic focus should be to maximize the SNR in tissue imaging; 4) incident angle makes little difference to ratio of fluences at the focus and surface and an incident angle between 30 and 50 degrees gives the highest fluence at the effective optical focus; 5) the depth of fluence focus is insensitive to the incident angle.
Effects of salinity on severity of infection by Phytophthora parasitica Dast., ion concentrations and growth of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

summary The response of tomato (Lycopersictm esculentum Mill., cv. UC82B) to salinity, alone and in combination with Phytophthora parasitica Dast. (a fungal pathogen causing root rot) was investigated in a field study. Three salinity regimes were established: 1) a low salinity control, 2 medium salinity, where 75 mm total salts (NaCl and CaCU in a 4:1 molar ratio of Na:Ca) were added to the irrigation water to give an electrical conductivity (EC) of approximately 8 dS m−1, and 3) high salinity, where ISO mM total salts (4:1 molar ratio of Na: Ca) gave an EC of approximately 16 dS m−1. Half of the plots were inoculated with P. parasitica. and the remainder were treated with a selective fungicide to inhibit the pathogen. Soil salinity markedly increased the incidence of Phytophthora root rot in both years of the study. The combination of salinity and enhanced disease severity led to significant reductions in fresh fruit yields, fruit size and, to a lesser extent, total above ground biomass. Fruit size was affected to the greatest extent and showed a strong interaction between the effects of disease and salinity, suggesting that the import of water by fruit was more sensitive than dry matter production to the combination of these stresses. Net root growth (0–50 cm depth) was greatly reduced (by 40–50%) in the presence of salinity, whereas P. parasitica had no discernable effect even when more than 50% of the root system showed severe root rot lesions. In spite of the reduced root system, leaf water potential was not affected by disease in the 1989 growing season. During the fruit-fill period in 1988, however, leaf water potential was more negative in inoculated plots. A marked degree of leaf ion homeostasis was maintained even under high salt and root rot stress. Excessive build up of Cl or Na concentrations in the leaves did not contribute substantially to the observed reductions in plant growth and yield. The results suggest that a reduced root growth rate or an enhanced root death rate may be at least partially responsible for the increased disease severity at high salinity.
Dual purpose HB-LED driver for illumination and visible light communication

The recent improvements in luminous efficacy, lifetime of the LED's and energy savings resulted in the increased usage of solid state lighting. The major advantage of LED lighting is that they can be used for Visible Light Communications. To achieve Visible Light Communication High Brightness-LED's used for illumination has to be switched fast in Multi Megahertz range to transmit the data. In this paper, average current mode controlled buck converter with illumination control and data transfer using Variable Pulse Position Modulation scheme is presented. Illumination control is achieved through PWM dimming. Simulations and experimental results demonstrating visible light communications and illumination control for the proposed dual purpose buck converter are presented.
Some observations on an induced adaptation in a transplantable tumor

A permanent alteration in tumor transplantability was seen after a single passage of a strain-specific tumor through a first generation hybrid between susceptible and resistant strains. This effect could be observed within the strain of origin either as a change in survival time or in latent period. Since passage through irradiated F1 hosts was ineffective, an immunological mechanism is suggested. An interpretation in terms of an antigenic adaptation of tumor cells is proposed.
Hepatotoxicity of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea. (CCNU) in dogs: the use of serial percutaneous liver biopsies.

Abstract Hepatotoxicity resulting from po administration of a single dose of CCNU to dogs was studied by weekly determinations of liver function tests and performance of percutaneous liver biopsies. Histochemical stains for glycogen and alkaline phosphatase in liver sections revealed an effect on these parameters within 1–2 weeks after dosage, the earliest sign of drug toxicity. Histopathologic changes were evident 7–14 days later, when increased activity of serum alanine aminotransferase was also present. Chemical indices of liver abnormalities were reversible, whereas glycogen depletion and increased alkaline phosphatase activity in liver biopsies persisted throughout the 2- to 3-month observation period. This study demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of serial percutaneous liver biopsies in determining both the qualitative and quantitative features of developing and recovering from drug toxicity in the dog.
The comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and alcoholism

Abstract We assessed 50 male alcohol-dependent subjects for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and 25 male and 25 female obsessive-compulsive patients for a history of alcoholism. Structured interviews revealed that 12% of the alcoholic subjects currently met DSM-III-R criteria for OCD, a rate approximately five to six times as great as that in the general population. Although it is widely believed that OCD is rare among Black people, four out of the six alcoholic subjects with OCD were Black. Also, structured interviews revealed that 16% of the obsessive-compulsive men and 4% of the obsessive-compulsive women had a lifetime history of alcohol dependence. These rates do not appear higher than those found in community samples. These data suggest that estimates of the comorbidity of OCD and alcoholism depend upon the population sampled.
Cloning of a complementary deoxyribonucleic acid encoding the murine homolog of the very low density lipoprotein/apolipoprotein-E receptor: expression pattern and assignment of the gene to mouse chromosome 19".

We report the cloning of a complementary DNA for the mouse homolog of the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)/apolipoprotein-E receptor (VLDLR), the deduced amino acid sequence of the protein, and the mapping of the gene encoding the receptor to mouse chromosome 19. Northern hybridization revealed that the VLDLR messenger RNA (mRNA) is most abundant in skeletal muscle, heart, kidney, and brain. It was also detected in lung and in low levels in liver, but it was not found in spleen or testes. Levels of VLDLR mRNA in mouse placenta increased from days 8-18 of gestation. The VLDLR mRNA was induced in 3T3-L1 cells undergoing differentiation into adipocytes. The increase in VLDLR mRNA paralleled the rise in lipoprotein lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase mRNAs. However, VLDLR and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein were increased in the presence of retinoic acid, whereas the induction of lipoprotein lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase mRNAs was inhibited. Our observations demonstrate regulated exp...
Determinants of fruit set in Yucca whipplei: Reproductive expenditure vs. pollinator availability.

The number of flowers produced by inflorescences of Yucca whipplei (Agavaceae) consistently exceeds the number of fruits produced by about one order of magnitude. To determine the factors responsible for low fruit set, the relation between pollinator availability, the amount of resources spent on reproduction (as indicated by inflorescence size), and the number of fruits matured was studied during 1978 and 1979 at 18 locations in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and desert scrub communities of southern California.
Targeted drug delivery with focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening using acoustically-activated nanodroplets

Abstract Focused ultrasound (FUS) in the presence of systemically administered microbubbles has been shown to locally, transiently and reversibly increase the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), thus allowing targeted delivery of therapeutic agents in the brain for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Currently, microbubbles are the only agents that have been used to facilitate the FUS-induced BBB opening. However, they are constrained within the intravascular space due to their micron-size diameters, limiting the delivery effect at or near the microvessels. In the present study, acoustically-activated nanodroplets were used as a new class of contrast agents to mediate FUS-induced BBB opening in order to study the feasibility of utilizing these nanoscale phase-shift particles for targeted drug delivery in the brain. Significant dextran delivery was achieved in the mouse hippocampus using nanodroplets at clinically relevant pressures. Passive cavitation detection was used in the attempt to establish a correlation between the amount of dextran delivered in the brain and the acoustic emission recorded during sonication. Conventional microbubbles with the same lipid shell composition and perfluorobutane core as the nanodroplets were also used to compare the efficiency of an FUS-induced dextran delivery. It was found that nanodroplets had a higher BBB opening pressure threshold but a lower stable cavitation threshold than microbubbles, suggesting that contrast agent-dependent acoustic emission monitoring was needed. A more homogeneous dextran delivery within the targeted hippocampus was achieved using nanodroplets without inducing inertial cavitation or compromising safety. Our results offered a new means of developing the FUS-induced BBB opening technology for potential extravascular targeted drug delivery in the brain, extending the potential drug delivery region beyond the cerebral vasculature.
Crack detection and fatigue related delamination in FRP composites applied to concrete

Reinforced concrete beams are designed to allow minor concrete cracking in the tension zone. The severity of cracking in a beam element is a good indicator of how well a structure is performing and whether or not repairs are needed to prevent structural failure. FRP composites are commonly used to increase the flexural and shear capacity of RC beam elements, but one potential disadvantage of this method is that strengthened surfaces are no longer visible and cracks or delaminations that result from excessive loading or fatigue may go undetected. This research investigated thermal imaging techniques for detecting load induced cracking in the concrete substrate and delamination of FRP strengthening systems applied to reinforced concrete (RC). One small-scale RC beam (5 in. x 6 in. x 60 in.) was strengthened with FRP and loaded to failure monotonically. An infrared thermography inspection was performed after failure. A second strengthened beam was loaded cyclically for 1,750,000 cycles to investigate how fatigue might affect substrate cracking and delamination growth throughout the service-life of a repaired element. No changes were observed in the FRP bond during/after the cyclic loading. The thermal imaging component of this research included pixel normalization to enhance detectability and characterization of this specific type of damage.
Radiation Therapy Utilization in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Patients

Purpose/Objective(s): In 2006, the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) adolescent and young adult (AYA) monograph was released and provided detailed information about cancer incidence and survival in the AYA patients 15-29 years of age. This monograph illustrated that AYA patients have had a lack of progress in survival relative to other age groups. While the incidence of cancer is steadily increasing in this population, the survival deficit means that AYA patients diagnosed with cancer today have a relatively worse prognosis than 25 years ago. No treatment information was provided in the SEER monograph. This study aims to look at utilization of radiation therapy (RT) in 15-29 year olds and compare it to the pediatric population as well as those older than 30 years of age for the common cancers that appear within this age group. Materials/Methods: The SEER database, was queried to determine RT utilization in patients 15-29. We selected a cohort of all patients diagnosed with one of the common AYA cancers between 1975 and 2010. We excluded patients with a second cancer diagnosis, with metastases at diagnosis, without confirmation of disease, and those who did not have follow-up. Results: We analyzed RT utilization in over 3.6 million cancer patients from 1975-2010; this included 37,673 patients less than 15 years of age, 129,356 15-29 years of age and 3,434,120 that were 30 years of age or older. We found that RT was used in 22.6% of pediatric patients, 14.9% of AYA patients and 22.7% of adult patients with non-metastatic disease. RT utilization in the AYA population was lower than in the pediatric or adult population from 1975-2010. AYA patients were 53% less likely than pediatric patients (OR 0.469, 95% CI 0.45-0.48) to receive RT. The odds of an adult patient receiving radiation were 1.48 times more than an AYA patient (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.46 to 1.506). Amongst all patients, female sex, regional disease and non-Hispanic black race were predictors of RT use on multivariate analysis (p<0.001 for all). Hispanic patients had a 21% decreased odds of receiving radiation (OR 0.79, 95%CI 0.786-0.8). Conclusions: RT utilization in the AYA population was proportionally less than in either the pediatric or adult population. RT utilization in the AYA oncology population requires further investigation based on the unique medical and psychosocial needs of this group. Author Disclosure: L.K. Ballas: None. J. Huo: None. B. Guadagnolo: None.
Uranium liquid-argon calorimeters: a calculational investigation

A detailed calculational study has been performed to determine the response of uranium liquid-argon calorimeters to high energy (less than or equal to 20 GeV) incident protons. The results obtained are consistent with the recently published experimental data of Fabjan et al. This experimental data and the calculations indicate that ''nuclear fluctuations'', which limit the resolution of calorimeters containing ordinary materials, can be effectively reduced by the fissioning and capture characteristics of /sup 238/U.
The role of the principal in fostering the development of distributed leadership

In this article, the role that formal leaders play in helping distributed leadership take root and flourish in schools is explored. The focus of the study is an urban middle school, one of six cases in a larger three-year investigation of distributed leadership in two mid-Atlantic states. Using interview and document-based data, the authors illustrate ways in which the principal of Glencoe Middle School worked to overcome cultural, structural and professional barriers to create a leadership dense organisation.
Boreal Fire Effects on Subsistence Resources in Alaska and Adjacent Canada

Rural communities in the northern boreal forest depend on a suite of wild species for subsistence, including large game animals, furbearers, fish, and plants. Fire is one of the primary ecological disturbances and determinants of landscape pattern in the northern boreal forest. We review responses of key boreal subsistence species to variation and change in post-fire stand age and other characteristics. Available data for 17 species indicate highly varied post-fire habitat requirements. Mosaics of differing stand ages generated by fire could therefore be most effective in supplying a suite of subsistence species to hunting-and-gathering communities. Recent and projected increases in frequency of large-fire years might produce a more homogeneous landscape dominated by younger stand ages. Increases in fire suppression around communities might also produce a more homogenous landscape, but dominated by older stand ages. Neither of these scenarios provides mixed habitats for a diverse suite of subsistence species. We suggest that one aspect of the complex suite of human-fire interactions is an understanding of wildlife and plant species' response to fire in a subsistence region, in an effort to sustain ecosystem services critical to human well-being.
Public opinion and satisfaction with state law enforcement

Purpose – Public opinion regarding the police is generally positive, although there are number of individual and contextual variables that affect these views. Yet research examining public perceptions regarding state law enforcement agencies (particularly state patrols) is rare.Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilizes a representative state‐wide sample of state residents and examine their perceptions of the Colorado State Patrol (CSP).Findings – The paper finds positive views of the CSP overall and place particular emphasis on how individual, contextual, and contact‐related variables affect opinions.Research limitations/implications – The study focusses on one state patrol and is not generalizable to all state patrols and to other forms of state law enforcement.Originality/value – The paper fills a void in the research on public opinion regarding state law enforcement and discuss similarities and differences in how they are viewed when compared to municipal agencies.
Coupled oxygen transport analysis in the avascular wall of a coronary artery stenosis during angioplasty.

Abstract The coupled oxygen transport in the avascular wall of a coronary artery stenosis is studied numerically by solving the convection–diffusion equations. Two geometries replicating stenosis before and after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) are used for the analysis. The results are compared to evaluate the effect of the degree of stenosis on oxygen transport. Important physiological aspects, such as oxygen consumption in the wall, oxygen carried by the hemoglobin, non-Newtonian viscosity of the blood, and supply of oxygen from the vasa vasorum are included. The results show that the P O 2 in the medial region of the arterial wall is ∼10 mmHg. The oxygen flux to the wall increases in the flow acceleration region, whereas it decreases at the flow reattachment zone. Near the location of flow separation, there is a small rise followed by a sharp fall in the oxygen flux. The drop in the oxygen flux to the wall at the point of flow reattachment for pre-PTCA stenosis is four times that for post-PTCA stenosis. The minimum P O 2 in the avascular wall, P O 2 , min , at this location decreases to ∼6.0 and 4.2 mmHg for post- and pre-PTCA stenosis, respectively. The drop in P O 2 , w and P O 2 , min at the point of flow reattachment for pre-PTCA is ∼2 times that for post-PTCA stenosis. Thus, the present study quantifies the oxygen transport to the arterial wall before and after cardiovascular intervention.
Office Management of Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are detected in female patients of all ages. The patient's age, the size of the cyst, and the ultrasound appearance are helpful in determining which ovarian cysts necessitate observation and which necessitate surgical excision. The cancer antigen 125 level alone does not help to distinguish between benign and malignant ovarian cysts. The combination of benign findings on pelvic examination, a benign ultrasound appearance, and a cancer antigen 125 level within normal limits indicates a benign origin in practically all cases.
Querying Multiple Data Sources via an Object-Oriented Spatial Query Interface and Framework

Abstract A spatial query interface has been designed and implemented in the object-oriented paradigm for heterogeneous data sets. The object-oriented approach presented is shown to be highly suitable for querying typical multiple heterogeneous sources of spatial data. The spatial query model takes into consideration two common components of spatial data: spatial location and attributes. Spatial location allows users to specify an area or a region of interest, also known as a spatial range query. Also, the spatial query allows users to query spatial orientation and relationships (geometric and topological relationships) among other spatial data within the selected area or region. Queries on the properties and values of attributes provide more detailed non-spatial characteristics of spatial data. A query model specific to spatial data involves exploitation of both spatial and attribute components. This paper presents a conceptual spatial query model of heterogeneous data sets based on the object-oriented data model used in the geospatial information distribution system (GIDS).
The Connection Between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Symptoms and Hyperinflation and Its Impact on Exercise and Function

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) has served as an important diagnostic measurement of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but has not been found to correlate with patient-centered outcomes such as exercise tolerance, dyspnea, or health-related quality of life. It has not helped us understand why some patients with severe FEV1 impairment have better exercise tolerance compared with others with similar FEV1 values. Hyperinflation, or air trapping caused by expiratory flow limitation, causes operational lung volumes to increase and even approach the total lung capacity (TLC) during exercise. Some study findings suggest that a dyspnea limit is reached when the end-inspiratory lung volume encroaches within approximately 500 mL of TLC. The resulting limitation in daily physical activity establishes a cycle of decline that includes physical deconditioning (elevated blood lactic acid levels at lower levels of exercise) and worsening dyspnea. Hyperinflation is reduced by long-acting bronchodilators that reduce airways resistance. The deflation of the lungs, in turn, results in an increased inspiratory capacity. For example, the once-daily anticholinergic bronchodilator tiotropium increases inspiratory capacity, 6-minute walk distance, and cycle exercise endurance time, and it decreases isotime fatigue or dyspnea. Pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen therapy both reduce ventilatory requirements and improve breathing efficiency, thereby reducing hyperinflation and improving exertional dyspnea. Thus, hyperinflation is directly associated with patient-centered outcomes such as dyspnea and exercise limitation. Furthermore, therapeutic interventions--including pharmacotherapy and lung volume--reduction surgery--that reduce hyperinflation improve these outcomes.
Crystal structure and physical properties of lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB or LiBF2Ox)

Abstract The structural characterization and properties of lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB) are reported. LiDFOB was synthesized as previously described in the literature via direct reaction of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate with lithium oxalate. The crystal structure of the salt was determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction yielding a highly symmetric orthorhombic structure ( Cmcm , a = 6.2623(8) A, b = 11.4366(14) A, c = 6.3002(7) A, V = 451.22(9) A 3 , Z = 4 at 110 K). Single crystal X-ray diffraction of a dihydrate of LiDFOB yielded a monoclinic structure ( P2 1 /c , a = 9.5580(3) A, b = 12.7162(4) A, c = 5.4387(2) A, V = 634.63(4) A 3 , Z = 4 at 110 K). Along with the crystal structures, additional structural information and the properties of LiDFOB (via 11 B and 19 F NMR, DSC, TGA and Raman spectroscopy) have been compared with those of LiBF 4 and LiBOB to better understand the differences between these lithium battery electrolyte salts.
Impact of Catheter Ablation on Pulmonary Vein Morphology and Mechanical Function

Introduction: Previous reports have documented that radiofrequency catheter ablation of pulmonary veins induces a significant increase in the peak velocity of transvenous blood flow. Although the magnitude of the increase infers a state of pulmonary vein stenosis, there have been no reports of direct visualization of the ablation zone. Methods and Results: In each of 23 subjects, the myocardium investing one or more pulmonary veins (total of 42 veins) was electrically isolated by applying a confluent circumferential ablation lesion to the atrial side of the venoatrial junction. Doppler measurements of transvenous flow velocity were made before and after ablation using phased-array intracardiac echocardiography. Direct visualization of the ablation zone was performed using rotating intracardiac echocardiography, permitting assessment of shape, cross-sectional area, phasic variation in cross-sectional area, and wall thickness. In a subset of 5 subjects, a more detailed assessment of the ablation and contiguous regions was performed using three-dimensional echocardiography (rotating transducer). Prior to ablation, venoatrial junctions demonstrated noncircular shape and marked phasic variation in cross-sectional area. There was a trivial transvenous pressure gradient. After ablation, there was a significant increase in both anterograde and retrograde flow velocities and pressure gradient, the magnitudes of which were inversely proportional to the preablation and postablation areas. Direct visualization of the ablation zone revealed circumferential wall swelling, reduced cross-sectional area, and diminishment in phasic variation in cross-sectional area. Similar observations were made at contiguous nonablated sites, diminishing in magnitude as a function of distance. Conclusion: Pulmonary vein ablation induces significant acute changes in morphology and mechanical function that extend beyond the ablation zone. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 161-167, February 2004)
A factor influencing the rare male mating advantage in Drosophila.

Drosophila pseudoobscura females prefer to mate with kinds of males that are rare among the males courting them. The females appear to obtain information about the frequencies of the different kinds of males by means of airborne olfactory cues, probably lipids (especially in the case of Arrowhead males).
Protein synthesis during hormonally induced meiotic maturation and fertilization in starfish oocytes.

Uptake of radioactive amino acids and their incorporation into protein were examined during 1-methyladenine-induced maturation and subsequent fertilization of oocytes of the starfish Patiria miniata. The initial response to the hormone was a nearly immediate decrease in permeability to amino acids, indicating that the site of action of the hormone is on the cell surface. Protein synthesis began to increase starting about 12 min after 1-methyladenine stimulation and prior to germinal vesicle breakdown. It continued to rise throughout the first meiotic division. This protein synthesis was not required for assembly or initial functioning of the meiotic apparatus, although it was necessary for the completion of meiosis. Fertilization had no effect on the rate of protein synthesis. Oocytes of P. miniata provide an example of hormonal stimulation of protein synthesis in an invertebrate system.
Influence of Size on Reductive Dissolution of Six-Line Ferrihydrite

This work investigates size dependence of the kinetics of reductive dissolution of six-line ferrihydrite, ranging in average length from 3.4 to 5.9 nm. Empirical rate laws, activation energies, and pre-exponential factors were determined for freshly prepared aqueous suspensions and dried powders of each ferrihydrite sample. Mass-normalized initial rates of reductive dissolution are substantially faster for the freshly prepared suspensions than for reactions using the dried powders, which is consistent with a drop in reactive surface area upon drying. In addition, results demonstrate substantial differences between the empirical rate laws for the freshly prepared and the dried six-line ferrihydrite. Comparing surface-area-normalized rates of reductive dissolution reveals a small dependence on size for the freshly prepared ferrihydrite, no dependence on size for the dried ferrihydrite nanoparticles, and no statistically significant change in the activation energy for reaction in either case. In addition, X-...
Evaluation of first 406 patients in urology department based center for male sexual dysfunction

Four hundred six patients with a complaint of erectile dysfunction were evaluated in a urology department based Male Sexual Dysfunction Center. Results of physical examination, medical and psychosexual history, nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), penile blood pressure, visual sexual stimulation, hormonal screen, and partner interview were used in establishing the final diagnosis. A summary of the final diagnoses is as follows: organic impotence 117 (28.8%), psychogenic impotence 161 (39.7%), combined factors 102 (25.1%), and dysfunction of unknown origin 26 (6.4%). Data analysis confirms that to establish a diagnosis of organic erectile failure multiple objective measurements in combination with patient and partner history are necessary.
System/370 extended architecture: design considerations

This paper reviews the overall objectives and the design considerations that led to the System/370 Extended Architecture (370-XA). It presents an overview of the differences between the System/370 and 370-XA architectures and summarizes all architectural extensions, deletions, and changes. Then it describes in more detail the extensions for interpretive execution, 31-bit addressing, protection, tracing, inter-CPU communications, and extended-precision floating-point division.
Predictive limited feedback for cooperative transmission

In multicell cooperation, knowledge of the users' channel state information (CSI) at the base stations can be used to improve sum-rates and reduce outages. Users estimate and feedback CSI of the desired and multiple interfering channels in cooperation-based systems. Existing multicell limited feedback techniques are memoryless quantization approaches, which result in large feedback overhead. In this paper, a novel technique is proposed using predictive vector quantization to reduce feedback requirements associated with multicell systems by exploiting temporal correlation in channels. An approach to further reduce feedback overhead by transmitting back only the normalized vector directions is also presented, using linear prediction. Simulations are used to show that the proposed predictive framework yields higher sum-rates with fewer bits as compared to existing multicell limited feedback strategies.
On design criteria for afterheat and decay heat removal in fusion and fusion—fission power plants

Afterheat and decay heat removal systems will be important safety features in fusion and fusion-fission hybrid power plants. Decay heat removal considerations for fission power reactors are reviewed and design criteria discussed. Aspects of fusion and fusion-fission afterheat and decay heat removal are also reviewed. It was found that afterheat thermal loads in fusion power reactors are a factor of 5 to 10 less than decay heat loads in fission power plants. However, they remain relatively constant over time periods of interest (out to a year in designs employing stainless steel), as compared to fission plants, whose decay heat loads drop an order of magnitude during the first day. Deterministic criteria for afterheat removal are presented. Although based upon fission reactor experience, they are modified to account for these differences. A probabilistic criterion was developed which is based on public health and economic considerations. A goal of 15 × 10 -6 per reactor year was established for afterheat removal in fusion. For fusion-fission hybrid reactors, a goal ranging between 6 x 10 -6 and 30 × 10 -6 per reactor year was established. The upper limit corresponds to the recent NRC safety goal quideline for core melt frequency (1 x 10-4/year), which has been suggested for the decay heat removal function in Pressurized Water Reactors. These goals are to be applied to a reliability analysis where major uncertainties can be quantified.
How could a shell improve the maintainability of expert systems

The author points out two important areas in which next-generation expert system shells could contribute to alleviate some of the problems associated with the maintenance of large expert systems: (1) supporting the development of a consistent domain model, and (2) improving the structure and the modularity of the rule base. The knowledge base of an expert system consists of a model of the problem domain and a description of the system's problem solving behavior. The maintainability of a knowledge-based system thus depends on a good design of both components. An example of a shell that exhibits some of the capabilities described here is CLASP. >
Digital Background Calibration for Pipelined ADCs Based on Comparator Decision Time Quantization

This brief presents a digital background calibration technique that embraces comparator decision time to calibrate interstage gain errors and capacitor mismatches in pipelined analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). It does not modify the original analog signal path except for the addition of a comparator decision time binary quantizer built by simple digital gates. The technique does not limit either the ADC input signal swing or bandwidth. Simulation results for a 12-bit pipelined ADC show that the proposed technique can improve the signal- to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SNDR) and the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) from 44 and 48 dB to 72 and 86 dB, respectively. The SNDR convergence time is less than $3 \times 10^6$ cycles.
Tailoring quantum architectures to implementation style: a quantum computer for mobile and persistent qubits

In recent years, quantum computing (QC) research has moved from the realm of theoretical physics and mathematics into real implementations. With many different potential hardware implementations, quantum computer architecture is a rich field with an opportunity to solve interesting new problems and to revisit old ones. This paper presents a QC architecture tailored to physical implementations with highly mobile and persistent quantum bits (qubits). Implementations with qubit coherency times that are much longer than operation times and qubit transportation times that are orders of magnitude faster than operation times lend greater flexibility to the architecture. This is particularly true in the placement and locality of individual qubits. For concreteness, we assume a physical device model based on electron-spin qubits on liquid helium (eSHe).Like many conventional computer architectures, QCs focus on the efficient exposure of parallelism.We present here a QC microarchitecture that enjoys increasing computational parallelism with size and latency scaling only linearly with the number of operations. Although an efficient and high level of parallelism is admirable, quantum hardware is still expensive and difficult to build, so we demonstrate how the software may be optimized to reduce an application's hardware requirements by 25% with no performance loss. Because the majority of a QC's time and resources are devoted to quantum error correction, we also present noise modeling results that evaluate error correction procedures. These results demonstrate that idle qubits in memory need only be refreshedapproximately once every one hundred operation cycles.
Response to Comment on Inzucchi et al. Management of Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes, 2015: A Patient-Centered Approach. Update to a Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2015;38:140-149.

The Professional Practice Committee of the American Diabetes Association would like to thank McCormack et al. (1) for their thoughtful letter regarding the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes (2). While the committee agrees that shared decision making is a valuable aspect of diabetes care and that multivariate risk models can be developed using data from …
Development and validation of the convalescence and recovery evaluation (CARE) for measuring quality of life after surgery.

To develop a generic instrument for measuring short-term health status in the recovery period among patients undergoing abdominal and pelvic surgery. Instrument content was based on qualitative data ascertained from focus groups of patients and input from an expert panel of clinicians and psychometricians. A draft questionnaire was then piloted and revised, leading to the 27-item Convalescence and Recovery Evaluation (CARE). CARE consists of four individually scored domains, which were identified using factor analysis. Test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and convergent validity were assessed. Test–retest reliability was high, ranging from 0.78 for the activity domain to >0.88 for all others. Internal consistency varied over time postoperatively but was moderate to high for all domains throughout. Correlations between the four domains of CARE were low (each r ≤ 0.57). Moderate agreement was evident between CARE domains and the appropriate components of validated instruments, providing convergent validity. CARE is a robust, multi-dimensional measure of convalescence after abdominal and pelvic surgery. CARE can be used to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon of recovery and to measure the impact of new processes of care (e.g., surgical technology adoption) on short-term patient outcomes.