cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ACR Members' Response to JACR White Paper on the Management of Incidental Abdominal CT Findings

Purpose In October 2010, a white paper was published in this journal that represented a consensus of the ACR Incidental Findings Committee, including guidance for characterizing, reporting, and managing incidental findings in the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, and pancreas. A survey was conducted of the ACR membership to determine how widely this paper had been read, how the information is being used, and how management of incidental findings may be improved. Methods A survey consisting of 14 multiple-choice and 5 free-text responses was distributed by e-mail to 14,336 ACR physician members. The survey was open during June and July 2012 using SurveyMonkey. Topics included how the paper's recommendations had affected practice and the frequency of recommendations for additional imaging, how incidental findings are reported, the content and the form of the white paper, and the possible effects of tort reform. Results Of the 14,336 radiologists contacted, 2,892 (20%) returned the survey; of these, 1,099 (38%) indicated that they had read the paper. Of the 1,099 radiologists who read the paper, 978 (89%) responded that the content was used in clinical practice. The white paper led 560 radiologists (51%) to recommend additional imaging less often and 33 radiologists (3%) to recommend imaging more often. Tort reform was cited by 835 radiologists (76%) as a means to decrease the likelihood of their recommending additional imaging. Conclusions The 2010 JACR white paper on incidental abdominal CT findings has been read by a substantial number of radiologists, and among those who read it, the recommendations are being largely followed and are leading to a reduction in imaging recommendations. Future similar consensus-based white papers could lead to more consistent and effective management of incidental imaging findings and likely reduce the overall number of patients for whom additional imaging is recommended.
"Wrong-way eyes" in supratentorial hemorrhage.

A patient developed conjugate horizontal eye deviation to the side opposite a large frontal-perisylvian hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm. Autopsy examination confirmed the hemispheric locus of the hemorrhage and failed to disclose any lesion of the brainstem or thalamus to explain the "wrong-way" eye deviation.
Lithium isotope systematics of lavas from the Cook–Austral Islands: Constraints on the origin of HIMU mantle

Abstract Radiogenic isotope variations in lavas from the Cook–Austral volcanic chain have delineated three distinct mantle sources: a HIMU component, a depleted component (DM), and an enriched component (EM). To better constrain the mantle sources for South Pacific hot spot volcanism, we determined lithium isotopic compositions of lavas from Raivavae, Rapa, Mangaia and Tubuai of the volcanic chain. The study includes whole rock and mineral analyses. In general, δ7Li of most olivines resemble bulk rock composition whereas clinopyroxenes are variably lighter. This implies that clinopyroxene is more susceptible to diffusion-induced fractionation, in agreement with previous studies. Olivine δ7Li values span a narrower range than whole rock values, and do not extend to the very heavy compositions previously reported in HIMU bulk lavas. This discrepancy likely reflects alteration of bulk lavas, and suggests that Li-isotope analyses of bulk lavas should be interpreted with caution. Olivines from HIMU lavas have heavy δ7Li values (up to 6.2‰), and extend beyond the range reported for fresh MORB. Correlations between Li-isotopes and radiogenic isotopes suggest that the heavy δ7Li values in HIMU olivines are a source characteristic and not the result of post-magmatic alteration. Although the Li-isotope composition of recycled, dehydrated oceanic crust is currently under debate, our results suggest that HIMU lavas derive from a source containing recycled dehydrated oceanic crust, and that the “heavy” Li-isotope signature of altered oceanic crust is partially preserved during passage through the subduction factory.
Fluoroscopy to ultrasound image registration using implanted seeds as fiducials during permanent prostate brachytherapy

A method using implanted seeds as fiducials to register ultrasound (US) images with fluoroscopic images for prostate brachytherapy dose analysis is proposed. In a simulation study, transformed point clouds with 154 points were sampled at different sampling rates with different levels of noise applied and then registered with the original imaging data. Superior performance in comparison to conventional four point fiducial registration was demonstrated. The root-meansquared- distance at registration was 0.962mm when 25% of the points were used as fiducials and with noise level at 3mm. A phantom with 64 implanted seeds was scanned by CT at 1.5mm intervals and by step-section US at 2.5mm intervals. Fluoroscopic images of the phantom were also taken at several different projection angles. Coordinates of implanted seeds were determined for each imaging modality. CT-US and fluoroscopy-US registration were then carried out using the implanted seeds as fiducials. Over 90% overlap between the segmented CT prostate volume and US prostate volume was observed at registration, and the distance between the centers of the registered volumes was 3mm. The mean distance between the seed coordinates at registration was 2.5mm for CT and US, and 3mm for fluoroscopy and US. These results suggest that registration of fluoroscopic images with US images of the prostate can be effectively accomplished by using implanted seeds as fiducials. Consequently, accurate US-fluoroscopic image registration should facilitate intraoperative radiation dosimetry for permanent prostate brachytherapy.
Radioassay of orotic acid phosphoribosyltransferase and orotidylate decarboxylase utilizing a high-voltage paper electrophoresis technique or an improved 14CO2- release method.

Abstract Orotic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.10) and orotidylate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.23) can be assayed independently of one another by the high voltage paper electrophoresis method described here, which separates orotic acid, OMP, and UMP, the substrates and/or products of these enzymes, from each other. The relative migration of other compounds, mainly other nucleotides, their bases, or other intermediates of the UMP biosynthetic pathway, has also been recorded. The method has allowed us to observe that OMP is not released to any significant degree from the enzyme complex of these two enzymes that occurs in Ehrlich ascites cells; rather orotic acid is converted stoichiometrically by the enzyme complex to UMP. For purification of the enzyme complex, we have found the release of 14 CO 2 from [ 14 C]carboxyl-labeled orotic acid (when phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate and Mg 2+ are present) preferable to the HVPE method as a routine assay procedure. The most economical CO 2 -absorbant for the assay of the enzyme complex or for orotidylate decarboxylase (and possibly for other enzymes which release CO 2 ) is an NaOH-soaked paper strip. As detailed here, its use allows one to repeatedly reuse the scintillation vials and fluid.
SRAM-DRAM hybrid memory with applications to efficient register files in fine-grained multi-threading

Large register files are common in highly multi-threaded architectures such as GPUs. This paper presents a hybrid memory design that tightly integrates embedded DRAM into SRAM cells with a main application to reducing area and power consumption of multi-threaded register files. In the hybrid memory, each SRAM cell is augmented with multiple DRAM cells so that multiple bits can be stored in each cell. This configuration results in significant area and energy savings compared to the SRAM array with the same capacity due to compact DRAM cells. On other hand, the hybrid memory requires explicit data movements in order to access DRAM contexts. In order to minimize context switching impact, we introduce write-back buffers, background context switching, and context-aware thread scheduling, to the processor pipeline and the scheduler. Circuit and architecture simulations of GPU benchmarks suites show significant savings in register file area (38%) and energy (68%) over the traditional SRAM implementation, with minimal (1.4%) performance loss.
Single Protein Complexes Isomerization and Conformational Dynamics Using Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry: From MS to Seconds

In the present work, examples of protein and peptide complexes conformational dynamics, from the solvent state distribution to the gas-phase “de-solvated” state distribution, are characterized for traditionally considered “unstructured” complexes. Conformational motifs and isomerization/conformational dynamics are identified and isomerization kinetics in the ms to few seconds timescale are measured for single molecules using a trapped ion mobility spectrometer - mass spectrometer (TIMS-MS). Theoretical calculations are used to simulate the experimental “TIMS box” single molecule -neutral bath gas phase dynamics and candidate structures are proposed for each conformational state. It is found that, side chain and backbone structural changes are the main motifs governing the conformational inter-conversion processes in the ms-s time scale. Examples will be shown for the case of folded/unfolded protein complexes and DNA-binding proteins.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Influence of Culture on Earnings Management: A Note

This article examines the influence of national culture on earnings management across a broad cross-section of countries. In addition to examining the relation between culture and earnings management in general, two different types of earnings management are examined, namely, earnings smoothing and earnings discretion. Regression results indicate that, as expected, the cultural dimensions of uncertainty avoidance and individualism are significantly related to earnings management, even after controlling for investor protection and other legal institutional factors. Culture has a stronger relation with earnings smoothing than with earnings discretion, and cultural dimensions explain a greater percentage of the variation in aggregate earnings management and earnings smoothing than do investor protection variables. These findings suggest that there is a significant link between culture and cross-national differences in earnings management, especially in the form of earnings smoothing.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Activates Angiotensinogen Gene Expression by the Rel A Transactivator

Abstract Angiotensinogen encodes the only known precursor of angiotensin II, a critical regulator of the cardiovascular system. Transcriptional control of angiotensinogen in hepatocytes is an important regulator of circulating angiotensinogen concentrations. Angiotensinogen transcription is increased by the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α by a nuclear factor–κB–like protein binding to an inducible enhancer called the acute-phase response element. By gel mobility shift assays, we observe two specific acute-phase response element–binding complexes, C1 and C2. The abundance of C2 is not changed by TNF treatment. In contrast, C1 is faintly detected in untreated cells, and its abundance increases by fivefold after stimulation. We identify the nuclear factor–κB subunits in these complexes using subunit-specific antibodies in the gel mobility “supershift” assay. The transcriptionally inert nuclear factor–κB DNA-binding subunit NF-κB1 is present in both control and stimulated hepatocyte nuclei. Its abundance changes weakly upon TNF stimulation. In contrast, the potent transactivating protein Rel A is not found in unstimulated hepatocyte nuclei and is recruited by TNF-α into the C1 DNA-binding complex. Overexpression of Rel A results in acute-phase response element transcription. Cotransfection of a chimeric GAL4–Rel A protein with GAL4 DNA-binding sites is a strategy that allows for selective study of Rel A. The GAL4:Rel A chimera is a TNF-α–inducible transactivator. Deletion of the amino-terminal 254 amino acids of Rel A produces a constitutive activator (that is no longer TNF-α inducible). The cytokine induction of Rel A, then, is mediated through its amino-terminal 254 amino acids. We conclude that Rel A:NF-κB1 is a crucial cytokine-inducible transcription factor complex regulating angiotensinogen gene synthesis in hepatocytes and may be involved in controlling the activity of the renin-angiotensin system.
Fenestration devices for energy conservation—I. Energy savings during the cooling season

Abstract Equations are presented for estimating heat transfer through seven types of fenestrations using the properties of the shading devices and the conditions of the interior and exterior environments. The results have been employed to determine energy savings during the cooling season for buildings located in the transition climatic region of San Diego County. Life-cycle costs for installing various types of shading devices are estimated on the assumption that the shading devices are removed during the heating season or else have no effect on heating-season requirements.
Treatment of a biliary-venous fistula following percutaneous biopsy in a pediatric living related liver transplant patient.

Liver biopsy is a common study performed after hepatic transplantation. Most centers routinely perform a biopsy 1 week after surgery to evaluate for the possibility of acute rejection. Subsequent biopsies are based on clinical symptoms and routine hepatic function laboratory testing. We report the clinical presentation and treatment of a biliary-venous fistula resulting in sepsis and bilhemia (elevated serum bilirubin levels caused by a biliary-venous fistula) in a 2½-year-old patient 4 months after partial left lateral segment living related liver transplantation. This case is unusual in that the fistula is the reversal of the more common venous-biliary fistula. The fistula developed after a percutaneous liver biopsy was performed.
RSH/Smith–Lemli–Opitz Syndrome: A Multiple Congenital Anomaly/Mental Retardation Syndrome due to an Inborn Error of Cholesterol Biosynthesis

The RSH/Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (RSH/SLOS) is an autosomal recessive multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation syndrome caused by an inborn error of cholesterol biosynthesis. The RSH/SLOS phenotypic spectrum is broad; however, typical features include microcephaly, ptosis, a small upturned nose, micrognathia, postaxial polydactaly, second and third toe syndactaly, genital anomalies, growth failure, and mental retardation. RSH/SLOS is due to a deficiency of the 3beta-hydroxysterol Delta(7)-reductase, which catalyzes the reduction of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to cholesterol. This inborn error of cholesterol biosynthesis results in elevated serum and tissue 7-DHC levels. The 3beta-hydroxysterol Delta(7)-reductase gene (DHCR7) maps to chromosome 11q12-13, and to date 66 different mutations of this gene have been identified in RSH/SLOS patients. Identification of the biochemical basis of RSH/SLOS has led to development of therapeutic regimens based on dietary cholesterol supplementation and has increased our understanding of the role cholesterol plays during embryonic development.
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma and other fibrohistiocytic tumors in pediatric patients: the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital experience.

BACKGROUND Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a controversial entity. In the current study, the authors reviewed their institutional experience with these tumors to characterize their clinical features in pediatric patients and assess the impact of surgical resection on outcome. METHODS The records of the 28 patients who were diagnosed with MFH or MFH variants of soft tissue between January 1971 and December 2000 were reviewed and the tumors were reclassified according to the World Health Organization guidelines. RESULTS Seventeen patients had MFH; 10 patients had angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (FH), and 1 patient had a plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor. The median age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 7.3 years. The most common primary tumor site was the extremity (n = 14). Metastatic disease (to the lung) was present in only three patients, each of whom had MFH. Of the 17 MFH tumors, 13 were high grade, 8 were invasive, and 6 measured > 5 cm. All angiomatoid FH tumors and the plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor were noninvasive, and 10 measured ≤ 5 cm. Surgical treatment was comprised of wide local excision with clear margins (n = 18), amputation (n = 3), excision with positive or indeterminate surgical margins (n = 4), partial resection (n = 2), or biopsy only (n = 1). Primary reexcision was performed for 21 patients. The 5-year survival and event-free survival (EFS) estimates for patients with MFH were 76.5% ± 11.2% and 70.6% ± 12.1%, respectively; the 5-year survival and EFS estimates were 100% ± 0% for patients with angiomatoid FH or plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor. Compared with partial resection or excision, wide local excision or amputation was found to have a positive impact on the probability of EFS in patients with localized disease (P = 0.008). All four patients with metastatic or unresectable MFH had died by the time of last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS MFH should be distinguished from angiomatoid FH and plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumors, both of which are less aggressive. Wide local excision is the treatment of choice, regardless of the histology or grade of the tumor. Patients with metastatic or unresectable MFH appear to have a poor outcome and would benefit from more effective therapies. Cancer 2003;97:2839–47. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11384
Use of multi-coil telemetry system for high tolerance efficient wireless power system

Inductive link based wireless power transfer (WPT) is a common method for powering implantable electronics. The efficiency of a WPT system depends on the driver resistance and the effective resistance of the implant. In different operation modes of implant electronics, the effective load resistance varies causing significant variation in efficiency. In this work, a multi-coil based WPT system is proposed to improve the tolerance of the power transfer efficiency due to variation in source and implant resistance. For the same physical dimensions, the multi-coil system shows twice the better efficiency tolerance than a traditional two-coil based WPT system.
Coming Clean at the Hyphen: Ethics and Dialogue at a Local Community Center

Following key theorists and researchers in critical ethnography, the author argues that the increasingly acknowledged “dialogic emergence of culture” makes people responsible for the ways they as unique individuals inhabit one another’s worlds, opening a space to see fieldwork as a political praxis that individuals engage in particular ways and with real effects. Toward a clearer and more nuanced understanding of these issues and tensions, the author examines how his identity at his research site, a community center where he worked for 4 years, changed over time and the attendant problems and possibilities this posed for his work. In particular, the author explores how moving into a staff position forced him to rearticulate his original research project and practice, as well as the insight it provided on the differential social forces working on the lives of Black versus White young people and the responsibility of social actors therein.
Construction of Convex Mappings of p-Balls in ℂ2

For $2\leq p<\infty$ , we consider convex biholomorphic mappings F of the p-ball $B_p = \{(z,w)\in {\rm C}^2:|z|^{p}+|w|^{p}<1\}$ . In particular, we find conditions under which functions of the form $F(z,w)=(z+aw^{k},w)$ , where $a\in{\rm C}$ and $k\in{\rm N}$ , and $F(z,w)=(f(z),g(w))$ , where f and g are mappings of the unit disk, map B p onto convex domains in C2.
Compensation of temporal and spatial dispersion for multiphoton acousto-optic laser-scanning microscopy

In laser-scanning microscopy, acousto-optic (AO) deflection provides a means to quickly position a laser beam to random locations throughout the field-of-view. Compared to conventional laser-scanning using galvanometer-driven mirrors, this approach increases the frame rate and signal-to-noise ratio, and reduces time spent illuminating sites of no interest. However, random-access AO scanning has not yet been combined with multi-photon microscopy, primarily because the femtosecond laser pulses employed are subject to significant amounts of both spatial and temporal dispersion upon propagation through common AO materials. Left uncompensated, spatial dispersion reduces the microscope’s spatial resolution while temporal dispersion reduces the multi-photon excitation efficacy. In previous work, we have demonstrated, 1) the efficacy of a single diffraction grating scheme which reduces the spatial dispersion at least 3-fold throughout the field-of-view, and 2) the use of a novel stacked-prism pre-chirper for compensating the temporal dispersion of a pair of AODs using a shorter mechanical path length (2-4X) than standard prism-pair arrangements. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the use of these compensation approaches with a custom-made large-area slow-shear TeO2 AOD specifically suited for the development of a high-resolution 2-D random-access AO scanning multi-photon laser-scanning microscope (AO-MPLSM).
Sequences of Social Events: Concepts and Methods for the Analysis of Order in Social Processes

(1983). Sequences of Social Events: Concepts and Methods for the Analysis of Order in Social Processes. Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 129-147.
Overview Of Applications Of Image Understanding To Industrial Automation

An overview of possible applications of image-understanding (IU) research to industrial automation (IA) problems is presented. Current IA and IU vision systems are characterized and compared. A selection of IU techniques and their potential for increasing the competence of IA systems is then briefly described.
INFLUENCE OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON AUXIN-CONTROLLED PLANT GROWTH'

A B S T R A C T Ultraviolet irradiation (254 m,) of plant test systems results in alterations in growth capacity which can be ascribed to UV-induced modifications of the ability of plant cells to respond to auxin. This conclusion was reached following study of auxin-requiring, auxin-sufficient, and auxinsurfeit test systems representing cell division, cell enlargement, and cell differentiation. The UV effect was usually reversible by subsequently presented near-visible or visible radiation. ALTHOUGH the growth-promoting effect of mid-ultraviolet radiation (200-300 m,u) on plants was known for many years (Popp and Brown, 1936), it remained for deZeeuw and Leopold (1957) to show that part of this suppression might be due to an effect on auxin metabolism. Using epinasty in tomato and elongation of pea stem segments, deZeeuw and Leopold found that the radiation reduced the responses of test plants to auxin supplied after radiation. Garay and Sagi (1962) found that mid-UV prevented the auxin-induced elongation of hypocotyls of Lupinus alba and of Avena coleoptiles. Based on limited experiments, both groups concluded that the radiation did not affect the endogenous level of auxins or the uptake of auxin by plant tissues, and they suggested that UV radiation might modify the capacity of tissues to use available auxin. The potential importance of these findings to elucidation of the role of auxin in growth suggested that these studies should be confirmed and extended. To this end, plant systems known or presumed to have an absolute requirement for auxin (auxin-requiring), systems known or presumed to make the auxin they require (auxinsufficient), and systems known or presumed to contain supra-optimal levels of auxin (auxinsurfeit) were selected for study. Three auxinrequiring systems were used: coleoptile elongation, in vivo abscission of Coleus petioles, and in vitro pulvinus abscission of bean. Two auxinsufficient systems were used: cell division of the cell aggregates of an habituated strain of Ginkgo pollen tissue culture and formation of adventitious hypocotyledonary buds of decapitated flax seedlings. Three auxin-surfeit systems were used:
Protective adaptation of low serum triiodothyronine in patients with chronic renal failure

Protective adaptation of low serum triiodothyronine in patients with chronic renal failure. Low serum triiodothyronine (T 3 ) concentration is frequently found in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). To test the hypothesis that this may serve to minimize protein catabolism in these patients, we measured nitrogen balance (Nb) in seven CRF and four control subjects in the basal state and when serum T 3 concentration was elevated by L-triiodothyronine (LT 3 ) and suppressed by sodium ipodate administration. In the basal state, both the controls and the CRF patients were in positive Nb, 0.02 ± 0.51 and 0.58 ± 0.34 g/day, respectively. During LT 3 administration, Nb decreased to -0.80 ± 0.39 g/day in the CRF patients (P 3 concentration and Nb in the CRF patients (r = -0.63, P 3 administration in the CRF patients (P 3 concentrations, had little effect on nitrogen metabolism in the controls and the CRF patients. These data support the concept that low serum T 3 concentrations may confer a protective effect on CRF patients regarding protein-nitrogen conservation and provide a rationale for not correcting such deficiency.
Temperature activated self-lubrication in CrN/Mo2N nanolayer coatings

Abstract CrN/Mo2N multilayers were deposited and TEM, SEM, EDS, XPS and TGA studies were carried out. TEM studies show crystalline layers with sharp interfaces. TGA studies indicate that the CrN protects the underlying Mo2N layers from oxidation. On varying the periodicity the hardness of the films are in the 20–30 GPa regime, within the rule of mixtures of its constituents. Friction tests at high temperature shows the films to have a temperature activated self lubrication mechanism. Similar friction tests in a near nitrogen atmosphere shows the same temperature activated lubrication mechanism operating with the friction being in a lower regime. MoO3 is isolated as the predominant oxides phase that evolves from the surface and at temperatures in excess of 400 °C acts as an in situ lubricant.
Contingent negative variation and cardiac deceleration in a long preparatory interval: a developmental study.

Ten-, 14-, and 19-yr-olds participated in a simple RT task with 5-sec foreperiod. CNV waveforms contained an early and a late negative component, and comparable deceleratory limbs characterized the cardiac waveforms. The 19-yr-oldsapos; early cardiac deceleration underwent intersession habituation and the analogous CNV response intra-session diminution; both processes were absent in younger subjects. Only young adults exhibited steady growth of late cardiac and CNV waves across both sessions. There were no developmental differences in basal body movement or anticipatory slowing of somatic activity or cardiac rate. However, 10-yr-olds had faster basal heart rates and larger acceleratory cardiac responses within the foreperiod than either older group. The results demonstrated partial dissociation of somatic and cardiac activity under the present experimental conditions. The overall results underscore the need for developmental psychophysiological research including childhood and adolescence.
Progressive Video Coding for Noisy Channels

Abstract We extend the work of Sherwood and Zeger to progressive video coding for noisy channels. By utilizing a three-dimensional (3D) extension of the set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT) algorithm, we cascade the resulting 3D SPIHT video coder with the rate-compatible punctured convolutional channel coder for transmission of video over a binary symmetric channel. Progressive coding is achieved by increasing the target rate of the 3D embedded SPIHT video coder as the channel condition improves. The performance of our proposed coding system is acceptable at low transmission rate and bad channel conditions.
Illness Appraisals and Depression in the First Year after HIV Diagnosis

Illness appraisals provide important context to help understand the way individuals cope with chronic illness. In the present study, a qualitative approach to the analysis of HIV diagnosis experience narratives in a sample of 100 people newly diagnosed with HIV revealed five groups that differed in their initial illness appraisals: HIV as Chronic Illness, Concern about Dying, Stigmatization, Threat to Identity, and Other Threats Overshadow HIV. When compared on quantitatively measured depressive mood, the groups differed on level and trajectory over the course of the first year post-diagnosis. Although the experience of living with HIV has changed significantly with the advent of effective Antiretroviral Therapies (ART), there were a number of similarities between the appraisals of this group of participants who were diagnosed post ART and groups who were diagnosed before ART became widely available. Posttest counselors and other HIV service providers should take individual differences in illness appraisals into account in order to help newly HIV-positive clients manage their healthcare and cope adaptively with their diagnosis.
Zirconium fluoride glass - Surface crystals formed by reaction with water

The hydrated surfaces of a zirconium barium fluoride glass, which has potential for application in optical fibers and other optical elements, were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Crystalline zirconium fluoride was identified by analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns of the surface crystals and found to be the main constituent of the surface material. It was also found that hydrated zirconium fluorides form only in highly acidic fluoride solutions. It is possible that the zirconium fluoride crystals form directly on the glass surface as a result of its depletion of other ions. The solubility of zirconium fluoride is suggested to be probably much lower than that of barium fluoride (0.16 g/100 cu cm at 18 C). Dissolution was determined to be the predominant process in the initial stages of the reaction of the glass with water. Penetration of water into the glass has little effect.
Salicylate and mitochondrial injury in Reye's syndrome

Electron microscopic and spectrophotometric studies showed that salicylate causes gross swelling of mitochondria in isotonic salt solutions. In overall morphology the salicylate-treated mitochondria resembled those from patients with Reye's syndrome. Salicylate analogs such as m-hydroxybenzoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, and benzoate did not exert this effect. The mitochondria deformed by salicylate tended to return to their original condensed form on removal of the drug.
A NOTE OF CAUTION ON COMBINING CERTAINTIES

In the case of expert systems, when premises from two different rules argue for the same conclusion, there exist a number of methods for combining the certainties in the conclusion, obtained from each premise individually, to yield a total certainty in the conclusion. When these certainties are interpreted as probability values, it is necessary in all these methods to make assumptions of independence concerning the premises and conclusion. It is proven here that there does not exist a procedure which yields, for all probability functions, meaningful bounds for the probability of the conclusion based on two premises in terms of the probabilities of the conclusion based on each premise individually. Additionally, it is proven that there does not even exist a procedure which yields, for all probability functions, meaningful bounds for the probability of the conclusion based on two premises in terms of the probabilities of all one- and two-member combinations of the premises and the conclusion. Finally, suggestions are made as to when to make assumptions of independence and when to take other alternatives.
Tail size and female choice in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Under laboratory conditions, female guppies demonstrate a clear preference for males with larger tails, and this preference translates into enhanced reproductive fitness for these males. Females also prefer males with higher display rates, a behavior which appears to be linked to tail size, but which can be experimentally disassociated. This appears to be a case of female-choice sexual selection.
Interleukin-1 as a Phenotypic Immunomodulator in Keratinizing Squamous Metaplasia of the Ocular Surface in Sjögren’s Syndrome

Chronic inflammation of the ocular surface in Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is associated with a vision-threatening, phenotypic change of the ocular surface, which converts from a nonkeratinized, stratified squamous epithelium to a nonsecretory, keratinized epithelium. This pathological process is known as squamous metaplasia. Based on a significant correlation between ocular surface interleukin (IL)-1β expression and squamous metaplasia in patients with SS, we investigated the role of IL-1 in the pathogenesis of squamous metaplasia in an animal model that mimics the clinical characteristics of SS. Using autoimmune-regulator (aire)-deficient mice, we assessed lacrimal gland and ocular surface immunopathology by quantifying the infiltration of major histocompatibility complex class II + (I-A d+ ) dendritic cells and CD4 + T cells. We examined squamous metaplasia using a biomarker of keratinization, small proline-rich protein 1B. We used lissamine green staining as a readout for ocular surface epitheliopathy and Alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff histochemical analysis to characterize goblet cell muco-glycoconjugates. Within 8 weeks, the eyes of aire-deficient mice were pathologically keratinized with significant epithelial damage and altered mucin glycosylation. Although knockdown of IL-1 receptor 1 did not attenuate lymphocytic infiltration of the lacrimal gland or eye, it significantly reduced ocular surface keratinization, epitheliopathy, and muco-glycoconjugate acidification. These data demonstrate a phenotypic modulation role for IL-1 in the pathogenesis of squamous metaplasia and suggest that IL-1 receptor 1-targeted therapies may be beneficial for treating ocular surface disease associated with SS.
Second-generation antipsychotic drugs, olanzapine, quetiapine, and clozapine enhance neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells via P13K/AKT, ERK, and pertussis toxin-sensitive pathways

Second-generation antipsychotic drugs, olanzapine, quetiapine, and clozapine, were found to enhance neurite outgrowth induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) in PC12 cells. These drugs increased the number of cells bearing neurites, the length of primary neurites, and the size of the cell body of NGF-differentiated PC12 cells. In addition, the drugs induced sprouting of neurite-like processes in PC12 cells in the absence of NGF. Olanzapine, quetiapine, and clozapine enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK in combination with NGF, and specific inhibitors of these pathways attenuated these effects. Pretreatment of cells overnight with pertussis toxin had no effect on NGF-induced differentiation but significantly decreased the effects of the antipsychotic drugs on neurite outgrowth, suggesting that Gi/Go-coupled receptors are involved in the response to drug. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of the second-generation drugs might suggest new therapeutic targets for enhancement of neurite outgrowth.
Time-Dependent Microstructure of Bitumen and Its Fractions by Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Bitumen fractions were analyzed by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) before and after annealing at room temperature. MDSC allowed for separating glass transitions (Tg's) from order−disorder transitions. All fractions showed at least two Tg's and different states of order. Saturates were semicrystalline, aromatics were amorphous, resins, and asphaltenes were mesophasic. In bitumen, the fractions order in four stages upon cooling from the melt. In the first stage, all fractions order rapidly into a weakly organized phase. In the second stage, low molecular weight saturated segments crystallize. In the third stage, high molecular weight saturated segments crystallize. In the fourth stage, resins and asphaltenes order into a mesophase. The third and fourth stages are responsible for the room-temperature (steric) hardening of bitumen.
FRET based characterization of DNA-based assemblies

The “spectroscopic ruler” based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is explored as a method for detailed structural characterization of DNA nanostructures in solution. The approach is most directly useful for assessing the positional relationships among chromophores organized by the DNA, but it can also be used to characterize the geometry and kinematics of the DNA scaffold itself. By accumulating data for the distances separating various donor-acceptor pairs, and correlating them with the expected distances, one can quantify the shape and deformability of the structure. A 8x16nm “mini-origami” rectangle is used as the model test structure and the dye-pairs are chosen to investigate anisotropy in the origami’s mechanical properties. Not unexpectedly, our analysis finds a strong anisotropy in the stiffness, with the measured spacing across the origami weave deviating much more from expectation than the spacing aligned along the weave pattern.
Estimating the Number of Genes That Are Differentially Expressed in Both of Two Independent Experiments

A common procedure for estimating the number of genes that are differentially expressed (DE) in two experiments involves two steps. In the first step, data from the two experiments are separately analyzed to produce a list of genes declared to be DE in each experiment. Usually, each list is produced using a method that attempts to control the false discovery rate (FDR) in each experiment at some desired level α. In the second step, the number of genes common to both lists is used as an estimate of the number of genes DE in both experiments. A problem with this approach is that the resulting estimates can vary greatly with α, and the value of α that produces the best estimate for any given pair of experiments is difficult to predict. We propose a method that uses the p-values from both experiments simultaneously to produce one estimate—which does not depend on FDR level α—for the number of genes that are DE in both experiments. We use two simulation studies (one involving independent, normally distributed data and one involving microarray data) to compare the performances of our proposed method, the commonly used method, and another method proposed in literature to test for consistency of replicate experiments. The results of the simulation studies demonstrate the advantages of our approach. We conclude the article by estimating the number of genes that are DE in both of two experiments involving gene expressions in maize leaves.
Rhode Island Asbestos Abatement Program

Abstract Throughout the country, agencies of states and local jurisdictions are responding to concerns about asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in schools and other buildings. In many regions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), through its asbestos in school regulations, its policy of fining school districts, and the publicity attendant thereto, has raised the public consciousness to the degree that state legislatures are demanding comprehensive programs to deal with the perceived problems. This paper reviews the Rhode Island experience in responding to asbestos legislation which became law on July 1, 1985. It is hoped that the information will prove helpful to others charged with similar responsibilities.
A Framework for Analyzing Agricultural and Food Policy in the 1980s

In a recent paper my colleague E. C. Pasour presented an incisive review of the effects of recent public policy in agriculture. He noted that there have been large transfers from consumers to producers, that these benefits have tended to be concentrated among farms with larger-than-average sales, that benefits frequently have been capitalized-leaving present farmers with little benefit but vulnerable to losses if the programs are given up, and that deadweight losses occur as farmers use resources trying to capture program rents. He goes further to note that government's activities may be destabilizing rather than stabilizing, and that frequently there will be undesired and unintended secondary effects on the economy. Pasour's paper grows out of a policy framework that is familiar to economists: welfare for a given pattern of resource ownership can be maximized by market activity where competition exists. In some but not all cases, imperfect government can improve on imperfect markets; and when undertaken, the direction and costs of income redistribution should be
Bony sclerosis and the battered child

A case of child battering in a four monthold infant is presented. In additional to typical physical and radiographic findings isolated sclerosis of the left tibia is described. Diffuse bony sclerosis in battered children has been proposed as evidence for an underlying metaphyseal fragility. Similar sclerosis in an isolated bone in our case suggests that the diffuse bony sclerosis seen in some of these battered children may reflect a more widespread posttraumatic change and not a basic metabolic defect. A radionuclide bone scan was also normal in this patient.
Ars Dictaminis Perverted: The Personal Solicitation E-Mail as a Genre

Phishing e-mails deceive individuals into giving out personal information which may then be utilized for identity theft. One particular type, the Personal Solicitation E-mail (PSE) mimics personal letters—modern perversions of ars dictaminis (the classical art of letter writing). In this article, I determine and discuss 19 appeals common to the PSE. These appeals were established first by conducting generative rhetorical analysis, then by volunteer coding, on 170 e-mails collected over a 12-month period. After defining these categories, I show how these letters are excellent twenty-first century teaching tools for pathos-based argumentation, logical appeals, the creation of ethos, and kairos in the development of perceived exigency.
Universe Indexed Properties and the Fate of the Ontological Argument

If the contemporary rebirth of the ontological argument had its conception in Norman Malcolm's discovery of a second Anselmian argument ([2]) it had its full-term delivery as a healthy philosophical progeny with Alvin Plantinga's sophisticated modal version presented in the tenth chapter of The Nature of Necessity ([8]). This latter argument has been the centre of a huge body of literature over the last fifteen years, and deservedly so. One is impressed that this version of Anselm's jewel is valid and sound if any is.
Dewetting based fabrication of fibrous micro-scaffolds as potential injectable cell carriers.

Abstract Although regenerative medicine utilizing tissue scaffolds has made enormous strides in recent years, many constraints still hamper their effectiveness. A limitation of many scaffolds is that they form surface patches, which are not particularly effective for some types of “wounds” that are deep within tissues, e.g., stroke and myocardial infarction. In this study, we reported the generation of fibrous micro-scaffolds feasible for delivering cells by injection into the tissue parenchyma. The micro-scaffolds (widths
Enhanced myocardial function in transgenic mice overexpressing the beta 2-adrenergic receptor

Transgenic mice were created with cardiac-specific overexpression of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. This resulted in increased basal myocardial adenylyl cyclase activity, enhanced atrial contractility, and increased left ventricular function in vivo; these parameters at baseline in the transgenic animals were equal to those observed in control animals maximally stimulated with isoproterenol. These results illustrate a useful approach for studying the effect of gene expression on cardiac contractility. Because chronic heart failure in humans is accompanied by a reduction in the number of myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors and in inotropic responsiveness, these results suggest a potential gene therapy approach to this disease state.
Evidence for highly stable nuclear poly(A) in cultured mammalian cells

Abstract The kinetics of turnover of nuclear poly(A) were determined under conditions which facilitated the detection of relatively stable classes of the molecule. Growing 3T6 or HeLa cells were labeled with [3H]adenosine for several hours. The turnover of nuclear poly(A) was then followed over long time intervals using a variety of chase conditions. When a cordycepin chase was employed, a class of nuclear poly(A) with a half life of 2.5 h was observed. When the chase was effected by allowing the intracellular ATP pool specific activity to decay as a result of normal metabolic processes, a more stable class of nuclear poly(A) was detected (half life = 8–12 h). These results indicate that a significant portion of poly(A)-hnRNA has a long half-life.
A comparison between the polyphase and oscillating sort techniques

Read-backward Polyphase sorting provides more efficient use of the tapes available to a sort than most other sorting techniques. Backward Polyphase produces a continuous merging process from n - 1 tapes where n is the total number of tapes being used in the sorting process. Any of the available presorting techniques may be used in conjunction with the Polyphase merge sort provided that the presort has the capability of producing both ascending and descending strings and distributing the strings on the various tapes as required by the Polyphase Merge.
An Asymptotic Expansion for the Tail Area of the t -Distribution

Abstract By means of elementary methods, an asymptotic expansion with error bounds is obtained for the t-tail area. It is indicated how this result may be used to approximate small t percentiles. A sufficient condition for the ratio of the t-tail area to the normal tail area to approach unity is also given.
Characterization of a Compton suppression system and the applicability of Poisson statistics

The Compton suppression system (CSS) has been thoroughly characterized at the University of Texas’ Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL). Effects of dead-time, sample displacement from primary detector, and primary energy detector position relative to the active shield detector have been measured and analyzed. Also, the applicability of Poisson counting statistics to Compton suppression spectroscopy has been evaluated.
Thinner Thermal Solution Module by Combination of Thin Heat Pipe and Piezo Fan

A high-density and slim-type packaging technology in a notebook PC or a handheld PC has been developed as the importance of portability is increased more and more recently. The heat generated in small-sized electronic units should be dissipated effectively for operational stability during system lifetime. Considering the technical trend for miniaturized packaging of components, which requires very limited space, installed in the system; it is inevitable to develop and apply a micro-cooling device. In the present study, a very thin cooling device which operates on the basis of piezoelectricity has been introduced. First, the operation principal of Piezo fan is explained and then this new type of Piezo fan is introduced. Performance test results on thin laptop thermal solution module combined with this new Piezo fan is investigated. The original thermal solution module was composed of thin heat spreader (1 mm thick) and thin heat pipe (less than 2 mm) with finned heat sink at the condenser cooled by mini cooling fan (brushless mini fan). The mini fan is replaced by this new type of much thinner Piezo fan and then performance is studied and the results are compared with thin cooling module when cooled by mini cooling fan. In addition, this work consists of various developments that have been conducted to improve the performance of this Piezo fan that includes enhancement of cooling performance and reduction of acoustic noise.Copyright © 2011 by ASME