cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cerebral Folate Deficiency Presenting as Adolescent Catatonic Schizophrenia: A Case Report

Cerebral folate deficiency presents during infancy with irritability, deceleration of head growth, seizures, and progressive cognitive and motor impairment. Although low serum folate levels have been found in patients with schizophrenia, we describe the first case of cerebral folate deficiency presenting as catatonic schizophrenia. A 13-year-old previously healthy boy presented to our hospital with a 17-month history of schizophrenic symptoms with progressively worsening catatonia. On admission, he demonstrated near-complete mutism, frequent enuresis and encopresis, and severe psychomotor retardation. Our initial diagnostic evaluations, including brain magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalogram, and routine metabolic tests, were normal. A lumbar puncture done to look for neurotransmitter defects or cerebral folate deficiency revealed low levels of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (31 nmol/L; reference range, 40-150 nmol/L). He also had elevated titers of folate receptor-blocking antibodies. He was treated for the next 9 months with 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (folinic acid), but his catatonia was unchanged.
Toxicity of dietary avidin and streptavidin to the cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)

Abstract Avidin, a large protein from egg whites, powerfully binds biotin, a vitamin for many insects. When avidin was incorporated into the diets of larval Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), the cowpea bruchid, at relatively low levels (10–30 ppm), there was a marked dose-dependent increase in mortality, as well as a small increase in the developmental time of survivors. Avidin toxicity was prevented when biotin was added to the diet together with avidin. Sub-lethal doses of avidin caused reductions in fecundity. Avidin had no effect on the larval feeding rates during the first three instars, even when the larvae were consuming amounts of the protein that would later cause death. In the fourth instar there was a dose-dependent reduction in the rates of feeding as the avidin level in the food increased. Death of the C. maculatus larvae usually occurred at the pupal/adult stage still within the host seed. Streptavidin, a biotin-binding protein from a bacterial source, had effects similar to chicken egg avidin.
"Beats" of electron waves do not radiate

In the interference region of two electron waves the current density oscillates in time, but no photons are emitted. Therefore these "beats" cannot be used to operate a free-electron laser, contrary to a recent claim.
Effects of niacin on bleomycin-induced increases in myeloperoxidase, prolyl hydroxylase, and superoxide dismutase activities and collagen accumulation in the lungs of hamsters.

It has been shown that lung nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) depletion accompanies bleomycin (BL)-induced lung fibrosis in the hamster and that treatment with niacin (NA), a precursor of NAD, was found to attenuate lung fibrosis caused by this agent. Niacin was used in the present study to investigate changes in some biochemical parameters and enzymes involved in the development of BL-induced lung fibrosis in the hamster. Niacin (500 mg/kg, IP), or an equivalent volume of saline (SA, IP), was given daily 2 days prior to intratracheal instillation of BL (7.5 U/5 mL/ kg) or SA and everyday thereafter throughout the study. Hamsters were killed at 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days after the BL or SA instillation and their lungs processed for various biochemical assays. Hydroxyproline content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in SABL treated animals were significantly (P ± 0.05) elevated at 7 and 10 days, peaking at 14 days to 161 ± 11% and 159 ± 11% of the SASA treated animals, respectively. Although the hydroxyproline level of NABL treated animals was significantly elevated at 7 and 10 days and peaked at 14 days to 123 ± 8% of the NASA control, these values were significantly lower than the SABL treated animals at the corresponding times. The lung SOD activity of NABL groups was significantly higher at 4 days but significantly lower at 10 and 14 days than the SABL groups at the corresponding times. Prolyl hydroxylase (PH) activity and total lung calcium in SABL treated groups were significantly elevated compared to SASA treated groups starting at 4 days, with PH peaking at 10 days to 163 ± 13% and calcium peaking at 7 days to 148 ± 8% of SASA treated groups. The NABL treated animals displayed a significant elevation in PH activity at 4 days only (132 ± 15%), while the calcium content in this group was significantly increased at 4 and 14 days compared to NASA treated animals. However, the activity of PH in the NABL treated animals was significantly lower than the SABL treated animals at 7, 10, and 14 days. The calcium content of the NABL group was significantly lower than the SABL group at 7 and 10 days. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance equivalents (TBARS) content and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were significantly elevated at all time points in SABL groups as compared to SASA groups, with peak elevation of TBARS to 160 ± 9% at 4 days and MPO to 268 ± 40% at 1 day. The TBARS content of NABL groups was significantly elevated above NASA groups at 1, 4, 7, and 10 days. The MPO activity in NABL groups was significantly elevated above NASA groups at 1, 4, 7, and 14 days, but the activity was significantly lower than SABL groups at 4 and 14 days. The data suggest that NA inhibits the extent of oxidative damage or enhances processes involved in the repair of BL-induced alveolar epithelial damage.
Yolk-sac hematopoiesis: The first blood cells of mouse and man

Abstract Objective To review the process of blood-cell formation in the murine and human yolk sac. Data Sources Most articles were selected from the PubMed database. Data Synthesis The yolk sac is the first site of blood-cell production during murine and human ontogeny. Primitive erythroid cells originate in the yolk sac and complete their maturation, including enucleation, in the bloodstream. Though species differences exist, the pattern of hematopoietic progenitor cell emergence in the yolk sac is similar in mouse and man. In both species, there is a stage of development where both primitive red blood cells and definitive erythroid progenitors are produced in the yolk sac. An "embryonic" hematopoietic stem cell that engrafts in myeloablated newborn but not adult mice can be detected in the murine yolk sac and embryo. Stem-cell activity in the human yolk sac has not been reported. Conclusions The yolk sac is the sole site of embryonic erythropoiesis. However, definitive erythroid, myeloid, and multipotential progenitors also originate in the yolk sac. The relationship between these progenitors and the "embryonic" hematopoietic stem cell has not been elucidated. Yolk sac–derived progenitor cells may seed the developing liver via the circulation and serve as the immediate source of the mature blood cells that are required to meet the metabolic needs of the rapidly growing fetus.
Aspects of nitrogen fixation in Chlorobium

Four strains of the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium were studied in respect to nitrogen nutrition and nitrogen fixation. All strains grew on ammonia, N2, or glutamine as sole nitrogen sources; certain strains also grew on other amino acids. Acetylene-reducing activity was detectable in all strains grown on N2 or on amino acids (except for glutamine). In N2 grown Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum strain 8327 1 mM ammonia served to “switch-off” nitrogenase activity, but the effect of ammonia was much less dramatic in glutamate or limiting ammonia grown cells. The glutamine synthetase inhibitor methionine sulfoximine inhibited ammonia “switch-off” in all but one strain. Cell extracts of glutamate grown strain 8327 reduced acetylene and required Mg2+ and dithionite, but not Mn2+, for activity. Partially purified preparations of Rhodospirillum rubrum nitrogenase reductase (iron protein) activating enzyme slightly stimulated acetylene reduction in extracts of strain 8327, but no evidence for an indigenous Chlorobium activating enzyme was obtained. The results suggest that certain Chlorobium strains are fairly versatile in their nitrogen nutrition and that at least in vivo, nitrogenase activity in green bacteria is controlled by ammonia in a fashion similar to that described in nonsulfur purple bacteria and in Chromatium.
On pluralism and competition in evolutionary explanations

A controversy arose concerning the adaptive significance of clitoral orgasm, disputing whether the presence of the trait in females is explained by appeal to developmental processes or natural selection (Gould, 1987 a, b ; Alcock, 1987). In response, Sherman (1988) offered a pluralistic solution in terms of levels of analysis in which Gould and Alcock's disagreement was construed as semantic and not substantial. I argue that Sherman's solution is mistaken. I suggest that the nature of the Gould/Alcock dispute is better understood by considering the abstract structure of scientific theories and their role in explanation. This account leads to a representation of science as having a plurality of theoretical models which are integrated piecemeal in the explanation of concrete phenomena.
Magnesium pemoline: Effects on avoidance conditioning mediated by anticipatory responses

Magnesium pemoline facilitated acquisition of an avoidance response in moderate-sized rats but had little effect on larger animals. The drug had parallel effects on conditioned (“anticipatory”) responses in control groups that did not have the benefit of an avoidance contingency. The results support the view that where magnesium pemoline enhances avoidance acquisition it does so by augmenting anticipatory responding.
Pulsed‐Plasma‐Induced Micropatterning with Alternating Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Surface Chemistries

High-fidelity micrometer-scale patterns of alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials were created on polystyrene using pulsed plasma polymerization. The hydrophobic material was formed using C 3 F 8 . Grids with 80-100 μm holes were used to generate patterns with acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone, N-vinylformamide, allylamine, and hexylamine. The materials were characterized with angle-resolved XPS, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and static CA measurements. Excellent pattern fidelity with all monomers was confirmed with SEM, SAM, XPS imaging, and static ToF-SIMS imaging.
Beyond liberalization II: The impending doom of common carriage☆

Abstract This article argues that the institution of common carriage, historically the foundation of the way telecommunications are delivered, will not survive. The article first discusses the meaning of common carriage and how it emerged It then analyses the present and future pressures on the common carrier system. Finally, it speculates about a future without common carriage and the impact on the free flow of diverse information.
Segmentation of haematopoeitic cells in bone marrow using circle detection and splitting techniques

Bone marrow evaluation is indicated when peripheral blood abnormalities are not explained by clinical, physical, or laboratory findings. In this paper, we propose a novel method for segmentation of haematopoietic cells in the bone marrow from scanned slide images. Segmentation of clumped cells is a challenging problem for this application. We first use color information and morphology to eliminate red blood cells and the background. Clumped haematopoietic cells are then segmented using circle detection and a splitting algorithm based on the detected circle centers. The Hough Transform is used for circle detection and to find the number and positions of circle centers in each region. The splitting algorithm is based on detecting the maximum curvature points, and partitioning them based on information obtained from the centers of the circles in each region. The performance of the segmentation algorithm for haematopoietic cells is evaluated by comparing our proposed method with a hematologist's visual segmentation in a set of 3748 cells.
Thick plate flexure

Analytical expressions are derived for the displacements and stresses due to loading of a floating, uniform, elastic plate of arbitrary thickness by a plane or axisymmetric harmonic load. The solution is exact except for assumptions of small strains and linear boundary conditions, and gravitation within the plate is neglected. For typical earth parameters its predictions are comparable to those of the usual thin plate theory frequently assumed in studies of lithospheric flexure, gravity and regional isostasy. Even for a very thick lithosphere, which may exist in some regions of Mars, the thin plate theory is a better approximation to the thick plate solution than the elastic half-space limit, except for short-wavelength loads.
WE‐G‐220‐02: Ultrasound Symposium: Computational Modeling of High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound Mediated Drug Delivery

Purpose: Low‐Temperature Sensitive Liposomes (LTSL) are drug delivery vehicles with that release the drug upon heating above ∼40 °C. The combination of LTSL with local heat generated by focused ultrasound may thus allow non‐invasively targeted drug delivery. The complex interplay between heat based cancertreatments like thermal ablation and chemotherapy requires computational models to identify the relationship between heat exposure and pharmacokinetics in order to optimize drug delivery. Methods: We developed mathematical models combining a model of tissue heating with a drug deliverymodel. Deposited HIFU energy (i.e. SAR) was calculated from phantom experiments, and used as input data for the model. Microvascular perfusion was modeled according to Pennes' Bioheat Equation, and was varied with temperature. A spatio‐temporal multi‐compartment pharmacokinetic model was created to describe the release of doxorubicin (DOX) from LTSL into the tumorplasma, subsequent transport into the interstitium, and finally uptake by the cells. Tissue was heated for varying times to target temperatures between 42 °C and 60 °C at the ultrasound focal spot, and spatio‐temporal drug concentration profiles were calculated. Results: At target temperatures in the hyperthermic range, maximum drug concentrations of ∼ 9 ug/g were observed in the central heating area, with very localized drug deposition. At ablative temperatures similar maximum drug concentrations were observed, with a ring‐like spatial concentration profile due to progressive shut‐down of perfusion at temperatures above 45 °C. Concentration increased approximately linearly with time during the examined time periods.Conclusion: HIFU mediated targeted drug delivery via LTSL locally keeps plasma concentration of bioavailable drug high during hyperthermic temperature exposure, allowing for localized cellular uptake at heated locations. Heating induced temperature changes in perfusion considerably affect drug delivery, particularly if cessation of perfusion is induced. Multi‐ physics mathematical models may allow for optimization of heat‐mediated targeted drug delivery from LTSL, as well as for treatment planning. Educational objectives: 1. Learn basic components of a drug deliverymodel 2. Learn how computational models allow optimization of drug delivery 3. Learn importance of treatment planning in targeted drug delivery
Approximate solution of queueing networks with simultaneous resource possession

Queueing networks are important as Performance models of computer and communication systems because the performance of these systems is usually principally affected by contention for resources. Exact numerical solution of a queueing network is usually only feasible if the network has a product form solution in the sense of Jackson. An important network characteristic which apparently precludes a product form solution is simultaneous resource possession, e.g., a job holds memory and processor simultaneously. This paper extends previous methods for approximate numerical solution of queueing networks with homogeneous jobs and simultaneous resource possession to networks with heterogeneous jobs and simultaneous resource possession.
Redesign and cascade tests of a supercritical controlled diffusion stator blade-section

A supercritical stator blade section, previously tested in cascade, and characterized by a flat-roof-top suction surface Mach number distribution, has been redesigned and retested. At near design conditions, the losses and air turning were improved over the original blade by 50 percent and 7 percent, respectively. The key element in the improved performance was a small blade reshaping. This produced a continuous flow acceleration over the first one-third chord of the suction surface which successfully prevented a premature laminar separation bubble. Several recently available inviscid analysis codes and one fully viscous (Navier-Stokes) analysis code were used in the redesign process. The validity of these codes was enhanced by the test results. Previously announced in STAR as N84-22533
BearLoc: A Composable Distributed Framework for Indoor Localization Systems

Many indoor localization algorithms have been proposed to enable location-based applications in indoor environments. However, these systems are monolithic and not component-based. We present BearLoc, a distributed modular framework for indoor localization systems that provides (1) natural development abstractions for sensor, algorithm, and application components, and (2) easy and flexible component composition. We demonstrate the merits of BearLoc with an example use case. Our evaluation shows we can reduce developer lines of code by 60% while introducing acceptable network delay overhead.
Recent evolution of inequality in East Asia

This study uses a decomposition of the Theil inequality index across eight countries to examine the recent evolution of inequality in East Asia. It is found that inequality in the region rose between 1990 and 1997, but that the increase was driven by higher inequality within countries, rather than between them. The most significant contribution to the overall rise in regional inequality came from urban China, where inequality doubled between 1990 and 1997. Our analysis suggests that policies to tackle inequality should be aimed at national and sub-national levels, and particularly at addressing growing rural–urban disparities.
Controllable Surface Haptics via Particle Jamming and Pneumatics

The combination of particle jamming and pneumatics allows the simultaneous control of shape and mechanical properties in a tactile display. A hollow silicone membrane is molded into an array of thin cells, each filled with coffee grounds such that adjusting the vacuum level in any individual cell rapidly switches it between flexible and rigid states. The array clamps over a pressure-regulated air chamber with internal mechanisms designed to pin the nodes between cells at any given height. Various sequences of cell vacuuming, node pinning, and chamber pressurization allow the surface to balloon into a variety of shapes. Experiments were performed to expand existing physical models of jamming at the inter-particle level to define the rheological characteristics of jammed systems from a macroscopic perspective, relevant to force-displacement interactions that would be experienced by human users. Force-displacement data show that a jammed cell in compression fits a Maxwell model and a cell deflected in the center while supported only at the edges fits a Zener model, each with stiffness and damping parameters that increase at higher levels of applied vacuum. This provides framework to tune and control the mechanical properties of a jamming haptic interface.
Intraaortic balloon pumping for prolonged circulatory support

Abstract Prolonged circulatory support with an intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is controversial, in part because it has not been performed frequently enough to base treatment policy on adequate data. To help clarify this problem, 733 cases of consecutive patients who were supported by IABP between 1967 and 1982 were analyzed. Twenty-seven patients were supported for 20 days or more (range 20 to 71). Twelve (44%) had prior histories of chronic congestive heart failure. Complications were more frequent in prolonged-support patients than in those assisted for 2 years. Among congestive heart failure patients, none was a long-term survivor. Prolonged IABP support in congestive heart failure patients lacking surgically correctable lesions can extend life while arrangements for definitive therapy are made (transplant, permanent mechanical assistance). Where definitive therapy is unavailable, IABP may provide additional months of life.
G1 arrest and differentiation can occur independently of Rb family function

The ability of progenitor cells to exit the cell cycle is essential for proper embryonic development and homeostasis, but the mechanisms governing cell cycle exit are still not fully understood. Here, we tested the requirement for the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein and its family members p107 and p130 in G0/G1 arrest and differentiation in mammalian cells. We found that Rb family triple knockout (TKO) mouse embryos survive until days 9–11 of gestation. Strikingly, some TKO cells, including in epithelial and neural lineages, are able to exit the cell cycle in G0/G1 and differentiate in teratomas and in culture. This ability of TKO cells to arrest in G0/G1 is associated with the repression of key E2F target genes. Thus, G1 arrest is not always dependent on Rb family members, which illustrates the robustness of cell cycle regulatory networks during differentiation and allows for the identification of candidate pathways to inhibit the expansion of cancer cells with mutations in the Rb pathway.
Elastic deformations of red blood cells

Abstract Large, elastic deformations of red blood cells are computed on the basis of an assumed model of the red blood cell membrane which includes the elasticity of the membrane under tensions in its own plane and the bending elasticity. The analysis is based on a variational principle implemented by a finite element method. The shapes of the red blood cell during various stages of osmotic sphering are computed and are shown to compare closely with experimental measurements. The pressures computed inside the cell are small until the cell is very nearly spherical. No direct experimental data on pressures inside the cell are available.
Potassium bubble growth in doped tungsten

Abstract Potassium filled submicroscopic bubbles play a decisive role in determining the metallurgical properties of doped tungsten wires. Besides the influence of bubbles on the recrystallization behaviour and the high temperature creep strength, the bubbles may also form the nuclei for the generation of large cavities or voids which influence the fracture behaviour and lamp failure. The most accepted mechanism of bubble coarsening is stress assisted bubble growth; however, this needs as prerequisite a critical bubble size dependence on the stress system of the tungsten coil. It will be shown that a possible mechanism for the coarsening until the critical size is the diffusion controlled transport of potassium provided there are corresponding diffusion paths, as for example grain boundaries or dislocations. In addition, the new model also explains the formation of voids in doped tungsten wire and gives the basis for a material limited failure mechanism in halogen lamps.
Influence of formamidines on biogenic amine levels in rat brain and plasma

Biogenic amine levels in samples of whole brain and plasma following treatment of rats with chlordimeform (CDF), its two N-demethyl metabolites (DMC and DDC), p-chloroamphetamine (PCA), and harmaline were separated by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with fluorescence or electrochemical detection systems. At 1 hr following s.c. injection, CDF (200 mg/kg) caused a reduction in levels of norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and tyramine (TRM), an increase in dopamine (DA), and no change in levels of beta-phenethylamine (PEA) in samples of whole rat brain, whereas DMC (100 mg/kg) and DDC (25 mg/kg) effected reductions of brain levels of NE, 5-HT, TRM, and PEA with no change in DA. The effect of DMC (100 mg/kg) on NE and DA levels in brain was followed periodically for 24 hr. Following a significant decrease at 1 hr, NE levels increased to a maximum at 12 hr and remained higher than controls throughout the remainder of the 24 hr test period. DA levels increased during the initial 12 hr and remained significantly higher than controls for the remaining 12 hr. The influence of s.c. vs i.p. administration of DMC (100 mg/kg) on brain amine levels was examined. Intraperitoneal treatment generally resulted in lower amine levels in DMC and vehicle treated animals. Differences in treatment effects were similar for all amines except for 5-HT in which s.c. injection produced a slight reduction, while i.p. injection resulted in a two-fold increase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Food-Away-From-Home Expenditure of Senior Households in the United States: A Double-Hurdle Approach:

This study investigated the association of demographic and socioeconomic variables with food-away-from-home (FAFH) expenditures in senior households in the United States. Using the Consumer Expenditure Survey, the two-step decision process for FAFH consumption was examined using Heckman's double-hurdle approach. The first step was a probit regression to estimate the probability of FAFH participation. The second step was to predict FAFH expenditure using a truncated regression with the inverse Mills ratio for correcting sample selection bias. The results indicated that sociodemographic characteristics were more useful in understanding the participation decision of senior households about FAFH, whereas access to and availability of restaurants as well as financial resources are better predictors of FAFH expenditures. This approach provided in-depth information on the unique role of each variable in the decision-making process for eating out and for how much to spend. This information will be valuable in und...
Error Correction In Large-Scale Cognitive Maps

ABSTRACT A mobile robot that maintains a dynamic cognitive map willoften find that the information in the map is contradicted by hisperceptions, and is therefore incorrect. Such errors may be the result of an earlier misperception, an erroneous matching, an erroneous default inference, computational errors, a change in theworld over time, or an erroneous previous error correction. Due tothe complexity of inference in forming cognitive maps, domain - independent strategies for error correction, such as data-dependencies or conditional probabilities, are not sufficient by themselves to give a robust error correction scheme. Rather, domain -specific techniques and heuristics must be applied. We dis-cuss some of the basic issues involved in detecting, diagnosing and correcting errors in the cognitive map. We also discuss how arobot may decide whether to take actions in order to gather relevant information.1. INTRODUCTIONMost animals, over the course of their lifetime, move about in an environ-ment that is considerably larger than the range of their sensors and is notunder their direct control, but is stable enough that many features remain thesame between one visit to a place and the next. Such an animal, or a mobilerobot with sensors that operates under similar circumstances, stands to gainfrom learning and remembering the geographic characteristics of its environ-ment. A dynamic cognitive map is a knowledge structure that supports suchlearning and remembering. There have been numerous studies' proposingknowledge structures for dynamic cognitive maps for use in AI systems.It is not possible, in general, to design a cognitive mapping system thatis both powerful enough to be useful to a robot in a rich environment andalso secure enough to be guaranteed correct. In almost any uncontrolledenvironment, there are possible circumstances in which the cognitive map-ping system may perform an operation which, though reasonable, is in factmistaken and results in the cognitive map being incorrect. A robust cognitivemapping system must therefore have the capacity to detect and deal witherrors. Previous cognitive mapping systems that have avoided doing errorcorrection are necessarily fragile. A number of systems47 -10 have addressedthe problem of correcting perceptual errors, but these have generally usedoverly simple models that are appropriate only in very restricted environ-ments. In this paper, we give a preliminary discussion of the issues that arisein error correction in a broad range of cognitive mapping systems. We donot, however, give any complete algorithms for any specific cognitive map-ping architecture.
The power of story

Accomplished speakers recognize the value of incorporating stories into presentations to make a point and/or help the audience remember a concept. This principle is no less true for instructors in an academic setting. As technology advances, faculty are increasingly challenged not only to engage students, but maintain learner interest throughout content presentation. Lectures and overhead transparencies have been overused and today are often ineffective, especially when competing with presentation software files, videos, DVDs, CDs, and distance learning techniques; consequently, maintaining participant engagement becomes a daunting task for facilitators of learning.Digital storytelling has recently come to the forefront as both an accompaniment and an alternative to traditional delivery modes. With the advent of easy-to-use scanning, presentation, video editing, and sound recording software at reasonable prices, instructors have more options. This presentation and paper review the process and the results of a digital story workshop conducted with faculty at California Lutheran University.
Characterization of gold contacts in GaAs-based molecular devices: Relating structure to electrical properties

Au/octadecanethiol/GaAs devices were prepared using different metallization conditions: direct deposition at 77 K and 300 K samples, and indirect deposition (Ar backfilling). Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry data indicate that ! 4x and ! 2x more gold penetrates through the SAM after direct deposition at 300 K and 77 K, respectively, than under Ar backfill conditions. However, these devices have significantly different conductances: Ar-backfill and 77 K samples have ! 200x and ! 70x, respectively, larger conductances than 300 K devices. An electrostatic model has been developed to explain the very large conductance changes due to small differences in device structure.
In vitro induction of hydrolytic activity in human gingival and pulp fibroblasts by triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and monocyte chemotatic protein-1.

Abstract Objective Some dental resin composite materials leach the monomer triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), which could contribute to the inflammatory reaction. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of TEGDMA to alter cytokine/growth factor secretion and enzymatic activity in monocyte derived macrophages (U937 cells), human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), and human pulp fibroblasts (DPFs). Methods A human growth factor/cytokine antibody array was utilized to determine whether TEGDMA alters the expression of cytokines/growth factors from U937 cells, HGFs, and DPFs. To determine if TEGDMA alters the hydrolase activity of U937, DPF, and HGF cells, the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate was utilized in a spectrophotometric assay. Results TEGDMA exposure induced the expression of monocyte chemotatic protein-1 (MCP-1) from the U937 cells. Both the cell lysates and conditioned media from the HGFs showed increased hydrolase activity after exposure to a sublethal concentration of TEGDMA. MCP-1 alone increased the hydrolytic activity and the combination of MCP-1 and TEGDMA was additive in HGF conditioned media. The DPFs were also exposed to MCP-1 alone and followed by a sublethal concentration of TEGDMA. The effect of MCP-1 was greater than that of TEGDMA. Significance These results demonstrate that TEGDMA induces enzymatic activity and cytokine/growth factor expression in a cell-specific manner.
Habitat Use and Movement of Young Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula)

ABSTRACT We used radio telemetry to determine movement and habitat use of 19 paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) stocked into the Neches River system, Texas. Thirteen fish weighing 0.5–0.8 kg were released in April 1990 in the upper reaches of B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir and six fish weighing 2.4–3.7 kg were released in October 1990 in the lower reaches of B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir. Fish were tracked from April 1990 to September 1991. Five fish died within four months of release. There was a significant relation between: 1) habitat type and both water depth in which fish were found and their distance to shore and 2) season of year and both water depth in which fish were found and their distance to shore. These relations suggest seasonal patterns of habitat use. Farthest upstream movement was 270.4 km and farthest downstream movement was 161.3 km. Eleven fish remained upstream of the dam and six fish moved through reservoir floodgates or over the spillway into the lower Neches River. Our findings indicated: 1) pa...
Dosimetric analysis of urethral strictures following HDR (192)Ir brachytherapy as monotherapy for intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer.

Abstract Background and purpose To evaluate dosimetric parameters related to urethral strictures following high dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRBT) alone for prostate cancer. Material and methods Ten strictures were identified in 213 patients treated with HDRBT alone receiving 34 Gy in four fractions, 36 Gy in four fractions, 31.5 Gy in 3 fractions or 26 Gy in 2 fractions. A matched-pair analysis used 2 controls for each case matched for dose fractionation schedule, pre-treatment IPSS score, number of needles used and clinical target volume. The urethra was divided into membranous urethra and inferior, mid and superior thirds of the prostatic urethra. Results Stricture rates were 3% in the 34 Gy group, 4% in the 36 Gy group, 6% in the 31.5 Gy group and 4% in the 26 Gy group. The median time to stricture formation was 26 months (range 8–40). The dosimetric parameters investigated were not statistically different between cases and controls. No correlation was seen between stricture rate and fractionation schedule. Conclusions Urethral stricture is an infrequent complication of prostate HDRBT when used to deliver high doses as sole treatment, with an overall incidence in this cohort of 10/213 (4.7%). In a matched pair analysis no association with dose schedule or urethral dosimetry was identified, but the small number of events limits definitive conclusions.
The effects of goal-contingent payment on the performance of a complex task

Using a highly complex, computerized decision-making task, 56 university students participated in a six-week long, repeated measures, goal-setting project, involving different payment systems. Results indicated that goal-contingent payment is superior to hourly payment in influencing performance, even though the perceived valence of payment and the actual amount paid is substantially less. Discussion pointed out the limitations of the findings, including some basic equivocality in determining why such results were obtained. Discussion then focused on the implications of the findings for future investigations.
On clique covers and independence numbers of graphs

Relationships between the following graph invariants are studied: The node clique cover number, @q"0(>G); the clique cover number @q"1(G); node independence number, @b"0(G); and an edge independence number, @b'"1(G), We extend a theorem of Choudum, Parthasarathy and Ravindra with further statements equivalent to @q"0(G) = @q"1(G). More general results regarding the inequality @q"0(G) =< 0"1(G) are presented.
Modeling the Spray Forming of H13 Steel Tooling

On the basis of a numerical model, the temperature and liquid fraction of spray-formed H13 tool steel are calculated as a function of time. Results show that a preheated substrate at the appropriate temperature can lead to very low porosity by increasing the liquid fraction in the deposited steel. The calculated cooling rate can lead to a microstructure consisting of martensite, lower bainite, retained austenite, and proeutectoid carbides in as-spray-formed material. In the temperature range between the solidus and liquidus temperatures, the calculated temperature of the spray-formed material increases with increasing substrate preheat temperature, resulting in a very low porosity by increasing the liquid fraction of the deposited steel. In the temperature region where austenite decomposition occurs, the substrate preheat temperature has a negligible influence on the cooling rate of the spray-formed material. On the basis of the calculated results, it is possible to generate sufficient liquid fraction during spray forming by using a high growth rate of the deposit without preheating the substrate, and the growth rate of the deposit has almost no influence on the cooling rate in the temperature region of austenite decomposition.
Anisotropic Compositional Expansion and Chemical Potential for Amorphous Lithiated Silicon under Stress Tensor

Si is a promising anode material for Li-ion batteries, since it absorbs large amounts of Li. However, insertion of Li leads to 334% of volumetric expansion, huge stresses, and fracture; it can be suppressed by utilizing nanoscale anode structures. Continuum approaches to stress relaxation in LixSi, based on plasticity theory, are unrealistic, because the yield strength of LixSi is much higher than the generated stresses. Here, we suggest that stress relaxation is due to anisotropic (tensorial) compositional straining that occurs during insertion-extraction at any deviatoric stresses. Developed theory describes known experimental and atomistic simulation data. A method to reduce stresses is predicted and confirmed by known experiments. Chemical potential has an additional contribution due to deviatoric stresses, which leads to increases in the driving force both for insertion and extraction. The results have conceptual and general character and are applicable to any material systems.
Theoretical Investigation of the Anion Binding Affinities of the Uranyl Salophene Complexes

The uranyl salophene complex and its co-complexes with several anions (H[2]PO[4][-], HSO[4][-], NO[2][-], OH[-], Cl[-], F[-]) in the gas phase are investigated theoretically. Equilibrium geometries of relevant species and complexation-induced structural changes are discussed. The [13]C NMR chemical shifts calculated at the gas-phase optimized geometry agree very well with experimental liquid-phase results. The optimized geometry agrees also very well with available crystallographic data. This indicates that the gas-phase structures derived from theoretical calculations can be considered representative also for the condensed phase. For all anions, except H[2]PO[4][-], the calculated gas-phase binding energies correlate well with experimental Gibbs free energies of complexation. The possible role of the solvent in the case of H[2]PO[4][-] complexation is discussed.
Current status of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Clinical trials have established the superiority of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) over antiarrhythmic drug therapy in survivors of sudden cardiac death and in high-risk patients with coronary artery disease. The ICD has evolved to overcome the limitation of earlier devices that required thoracotomy for implantation and were fraught with inappropriate shock delivery. Current ICDs are implanted in a similar manner to cardiac pacemakers and incorporate sophisticated rhythm-discrimination algorithms to prevent inappropriate therapy. Managing the patient with an ICD requires an understanding of the multiprogrammable features of modern devices. Drug interactions and potential sources of electromagnetic interference may adversely affect ICD function. Driving restrictions may be necessary under certain conditions. The cost-effectiveness of ICD therapy appears favorable, given the marked survival benefit seen in randomized trials relative to antiarrhythmic drug treatment. The growing number of ICD recipients necessitates an understanding of the specialized features of the modern ICD and the role of device therapy in clinical practice.
Blind Null-Space Learning for MIMO Underlay Cognitive Radio with Primary User Interference Adaptation

This paper proposes a blind technique that enables a MIMO cognitive radio Secondary User (SU) to transmit in the same band simultaneously with a Primary User (PU) by utilizing separate spatial dimensions than the PU. Specifically, the SU transmits in the null space of the interference channel to the PU. The SU learns this null space without burdening the PU with any knowledge or explicit cooperation with the SU. The only condition required is that during the learning period, the SU is allowed to inflict "non-harmful" interference to the PU. The SU measures a monotonic function of this interference in order to learn the null space. Specifically, during the learning interval, the SU learns the null space by iteratively modifying the spatial orientation of its transmitted signal and measures the effect of this modification on the monotonic function that it observes. We provide simulation results demonstrating that the algorithm converges rapidly and is robust to quantization noise and other sources of interference.
Reliable prediction of micro-anomalies from macro-observables

A stochastic multi-scale based approach is presented in this work to detect signatures of micro-anomalies from macrolevel response variables. By micro-anomalies, we primarily refer to micro-cracks of size 10–100 μm (depending on the material), while macro-level response variables imply, e.g., strains, strain energy density of macro-level structures (typical size often varying in the order of 10–100 m). The micro-anomalies referred above are not discernible to the naked eyes. Nevertheless, they can cause catastrophic failures of structural systems due to fatigue cyclic loading that results in initiation of fatigue cracks. Analysis of such precursory state of internal damage evolution, before amacro-crack visibly appears (say, size of a few cms), is beyond the scope of the conventional crack propagation analysis, e.g., classical fracture mechanics. The present work addresses this issue in a certain sense by incorporating the effects of micro-cracks into the macro-scale constitutive material properties (e.g., constitutive elasticity tensors) within a probabilistic formalism based on random matrix theory, maximum entropy principle, and principles of minimum complementary energy and minimum potential energy. Distinct differences are observed in the macro-level response characteristics depending on the presence or absence of micro-cracks. This particular feature can now be used to reliably detect micro-cracks from experimental measurements of macro-observables. The present work, therefore, further proposes an efficient and robust optimization scheme: (1) to identify locations of micro-cracks in macroscopic structural systems, say, in an aircraft wing which is of the size of 10– 100 m, and (2) to determine the weakened (due to the presence of micro-cracks) macroscopic material properties which will be useful in predicting the remaining useful life of structural systems. The proposed optimization scheme achieves better convergence rate and accuracy by exploiting positive-definite structure of the macroscopic constitutive matrices.
A description of the seasonal cycle of the equatorial Atlantic from altimeter data

From 10 years of high-precision altimeter data, we examine the seasonal sea surface height (SSH) variability of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. With the exception of the highly energetic North Brazil Current region, the seasonal cycle is the dominant source of variability in this region. As has been known from in situ observations and numerical model simulations, the seasonal adjustment to the wind stress forcing of the ocean leads to a cycle of consecutive Kelvin and Rossby waves. Now, we can also document these processes in their basinwide context by continuous high-quality observations from space. Interannual variations in the strength of the seasonal cycle seem to be connected to ENSO variability in the Pacific, but significant interannual signals unrelated to ENSO are also observed.
A step closer to individualization of hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.

In an ideal medical setting, treatment selection for a specific patient’s disease should be individualized and unique to avoid side effects and to achieve the best possible outcome. Gaba et al (1) explore gene expression profiling in a small subset of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues obtained from patients before transarterial chemoembolization therapy with the aim to associate those gene profiles with response to treatment. Despite the small sample size, lack of tissue quality control analysis, and inadequacy to assess outcomes after treatment in this pilot study (1), the idea offered by the authors is innovative and clinically significant: the intent to move the daily clinical care of patients with HCC to “individualization of medicine” through the prediction of response to therapy. The advent of new technology, including microarrays and next-generation sequencing, has enabled scientists to investigate the simultaneous expression of thousands of genes, and has become a powerful tool to predict disease recurrence and response to different treatments and gain new insights into various oncogenic pathways and the process of metastasis and tumor progression. Several therapies for HCC have been introduced. Among them, liver transplantation has emerged as the optimal treatment for early-stage HCC, achieving 5-year survival rates of 75% (2). However, the incidence of HCC recurrence after liver transplantation remains a clinically significant issue, affecting approximately 10%– 20% of transplant recipients (3). Unfortunately, an important rate of discrepancy between pretransplantation imaging and histopathologic staging of liver explants has been reported (4). Because of the scarcity of
Surface reconstruction of concealed objects

A methodology for surface reconstruction that uses distance as the metric in determining an appropriate solution is presented. This metric is used because the primary application of the method is for reconstructing objects inside luggage, which requires a fast solution. Corner points from one contour are mapped to the other contour. The results do not produce a Eulerian path. Additional span lengths have to be added to the graph. The method addresses pathological problems that could occur in reconstructing the object by solving for the contours' center and using the offset of the center to map corner points. Mean field annealing is applied to produce a smooth boundary for corner point detection.