cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High Dimensional Full Inverse Characterization of Fractal Volumes

The present paper describes a methodology for the inverse identification of the complete set of parameters associated with the Weirstrass-Mandelbrot (W-M) function that can describe any fractal scalar field distribution of measured data defined within a volume. Our effort is motivated by the need to be able to describe a scalar field quantity distribution in a volume in order to be able to represent analytically various non-homogeneous material properties distributions for engineering and science applications. Our method involves utilizing a refactoring of the W-M function that permits defining the characterization problem as a high dimensional singular value decomposition problem for the determination of the so-called phases of the function. Coupled with this process is a second level exhaustive search that enables the determination of the density of the frequencies involved in defining the trigonometric functions involved in the definition of the W-M function. Numerical applications of the proposed method on both synthetic and actual volume data, validate the efficiency and the accuracy of the proposed approach. This approach constitutes a radical departure from the traditional fractal dimension characterization studies and opens the road for a very large number of applications and generalizes the approach developed by the authors for fractal surfaces to that of fractal volumes.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The spacing effect in young children’s free recall: Support for automatic-process explanations

The effect of spacing repetitions on children’s free recall was investigated in two experiments. In Experiment 1, both 4-year-old children and 7-year-old children exhibited a spacing effect in free recall, and the magnitude of the effect did not change with age. In Experiment 2, free recall was examined as a function of spacing, age (3 years old vs. 4 years old) and presentation rate (1 vs. 2 vs. 5 sec per stimulus). A spacing effect was obtained that did not differ as a function of age or presentation rate. Of particular interest was the fact that 3-year-olds exhibited a strong spacing effect even when stimuli were presented at a very rapid 1-sec rate. The results support the hypothesis that fundamental memory mechanisms that operate relatively automatically are sufficient to produce a spacing effect in free recall.
Laboratory investigation of aluminum solubility and solid-phase properties following alum treatment of lake waters.

Water samples from two southern California lakes adversely affected by internal nutrient loading were treated with a 20 mg/L dose of Al3+ in laboratory studies to examine Al solubility and solid-phase speciation over time. Alum [Al2(SO4)3 . 18 H2O] applications to water samples from Big Bear Lake and Lake Elsinore resulted in a rapid initial decrease in pH and alkalinity followed by a gradual recovery in pH over several weeks. Dissolved Al concentrations increased following treatment, reaching a maximum of 2.54 mg/L after 17 days in Lake Elsinore water and 0.91 mg/L after 48 days in Big Bear Lake water; concentrations in both waters then decreased to 45% gibbsite. These results were supported by geochemical modeling using Visual MINTEQ, with Al solubility putatively controlled by amorphous Al(OH)3 shortly after treatment and approaching that of microcrystalline gibbsite after about 150 days. These findings indicate that Al(OH)3 formed after alum treatment undergoes significant chemical and mineralogical changes that may alter its effectiveness as a reactive barrier to phosphorus release from lake sediments.
Details of phase separation processes in polymer blends

We have investigated the details of phase separation dynamics in high-molecular-weight (polystyrene-PVME) polymer blends utilizing small angle light scattering techniques and have compared our results with the various theories, computer simulations, and phase separation dynamics in small molecule systems. Although linearized theories are consistent with many qualitative features of phase separation dynamics, they fail to provide quantitative accuracy. It appears that both nonlinear terms and hydrodynamic effects must be included to provide a quantitative description. Quantitative agreement between phase separation dynamics in small molecule systems and high-molecular-weight polymer blends is also reported.
Impact of HIV on VA dental services: report of a survey.

Objectives: This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to the treatment of HIV-infected patients by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dental personnel. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all VA dentists, hygienists, and EFDA assistants and completed anonymously in May 1991. Descriptive results are reported along with comparisons between the findings from this study and a similar VA survey conducted in 1988, as well as several national surveys of non-VA dentists. Results: Nearly all VA respondents reported participation in some type of continuing education on HIV and infection control. They also reported high compliance with recommended infection control procedures. Furthermore, the findings suggest that VA dentists and hygienists have a high willingness to treat HIV-infected patients, far exceeding that expressed by non-VA dentists. However, a high level of anxiety related to occupational exposure to HIV seems to exist. Most respondents perceived a higher risk of HIV infection from commonly encountered occurrences in the workplace than actually exists based on current knowledge. Conclusions: While efforts to further reduce the risk of infection and improve care should continue, future efforts also should be directed toward reducing the anxiety of VA dental personnel in the treatment of infectious patients.
STUDIES ON BACTERIOPHAGE I. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SOMATIC ANTIGENS OF SHIGELLA SONNEI AND THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO BACTERIAL VIRUSES

Phase I and Phase II Sh. sonnei exhibit differences in their susceptibility to the T series of bacteriophages. Both microorganisms are lysed by T(2) and T(6), but only the Phase II bacillus is lysed by T(3), T(4), and T(7). Lysis of the Phase I or Phase II bacillus by T(2) or T(6) is not inhibited by the homologous type-specific antigen. In the presence of an appropriate cofactor, however, the lysis of Phase II Sh. sonnei by T(3), T(4), and T(7) is specifically inhibited by the homologous somatic antigen but not by the Phase I antigen. The significance of these observations is discussed in respect to the nature of the virus receptor of these microorganisms.
Female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) fail to form a new pair after loss of mate.

We tested experimentally the hypothesis that failure to acquire a new mate by monogamously paired female Microtus ochrogaster that lose their mate represents pair-bonding behavior, not a lack of available males. Males were removed from reproductive male–female pairs and the females provided an opportunity to pair with unfamiliar sexually inexperienced or experienced males in a semi-natural arena. Only three of 22 (13.6%) females formed a new pair, two with inexperienced males and one with an experienced male. Three other females spent more time with an experienced male than with the inexperienced male, but did not form a pair or co-nest with that male. The results confirm field observations that availability of males is not a factor in the failure of female prairie voles to form a new pair following loss of their mate. This study concludes failure to form a new pair is associated with pair-bonding behavior.
Negative magnetoresistance at high magnetic fields and low temperatures in some amorphous Ti- and Zr-base alloys

Abstract Negative magnetoresistance (nm) is observed at ≈70≤H≤135kG and 1.2≤T≤4.2K in amorphous alloys T e (1− x ) T l ( x ) [where T e = Ti , Zr ; T l = Cu , Ni ] and in Al(0.95)Mn(0.05). For T e T l alloys, The negative slopes ∂ϱ/∂H at T =1.2 K , H =135 kG , do not correlate with the spin-orbit-coupling parameter 〈(Ze 2 /ħc) 4 〈, contrary to expectations based on electron-localization theories of nm. The similarity of nm in the prototype high-characteristic-temperature AlMn to that in T e T l alloys suggests the operation of similar physical mechanisms.
Spin-orbit coupling in S-triazine☆

Abstract The 3455 A triplet state of s-triazine is not a straightforward problem in conventional spectroscopy. A summary of spin-orbit calculations and of the significance of previous Zeeman-effect work is presented with the objective of understanding the source of the out-of-plane intensity in the transition. Some novel mechanisms of singlet-triplet transition intensifications are considered and virtually all of them are concluded to be unlikely andidates to explain the s-triazine data including polarization, Zeeman effects (high and two field) and Stark effects.
Pain coping profiles in adolescents with chronic pain.

Abstract This study sought to evaluate the extent to which the pain coping profiles observed by Walker and colleagues [28] in a sample of patients with chronic abdominal pain also were evident in a sample of adolescent patients who presented to a tertiary care clinic for evaluation of a variety of diverse pain conditions. In addition, we aimed to evaluate the relation of these pain coping profiles to patients’ emotional and physical functioning. Participants ( n = 254) were adolescent patients aged 12–17 years. Patients completed the Pain Response Inventory (PRI) as well as measures of pain, somatic symptoms, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and functional disability. Using the PRI classification algorithm developed by Walker and colleagues [28], we successfully classified all the patients in our sample. We also found that the pain coping profiles successfully differentiated among patients with different levels of symptoms, disability, and emotional distress, further demonstrating the external validity of these profiles. Results have implications for tailoring pain treatment interventions to patients’ particular coping profiles.
Cholesteryl ester and triglyceride hydrolysis by an acid lipase from rabbit aorta

The properties of the triglyceride- and cholesteryl ester-hydrolyzing activity by an acid lipase from rabbit aortic tissue were compared under different experimental conditions. Radiolabeled cholesteryl oleate or triolein was incorporated into phospholipid vesicles by sonication and the resulting preparations were used for in vitro studies. No distinction was observed between triglyceride lipase and cholesterol esterase activity in the aortic cytosol fraction following either thermal inactivation, inhibition by a mercurial, fractionation by ammonium sulfate or acid precipitation, or DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Addition of rabbit lipoproteins to the assay system resulted in inhibition of both cholesterol esterase and triglyceride lipase activity. Parallel changes in the hydrolysis of both substrates also were observed when exogenously added lipids were added to the incubation system in various physical states. Specificities of the enzyme system towards different cholesteryl esters were examined. No differences in the rate of hydrolysis were observed between cholesteryl oleate, palmitate and linoleate. The data suggest that a single acid lipase, presumably of lysosomal origin, has broad specificity towards triglycerides and cholesteryl esters, and may play a role in the hydrolysis of these lipids during intralysosomal degradation of lipoproteins.
Purification, spectroscopic analysis and biological activity of the macrocyclic dihydroxamate siderophore alcaligin produced by Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Hydroxamate siderophores of virulent Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica strains were purified using a simple large-scale isolation procedure, and identified by various spectroscopic techniques as the macrocyclic dihydroxamate siderophore trivially known as alcaligin, 1,8(S),11,18(S)-tetrahydroxy-1,6,11,16-tetraazacycloeicosane-2,5,12,15-tetrone, which was previously isolated from the taxonomically-related bacterial species Alcaligenes denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans. Alcaligin purified from iron-depleted cultures of B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica exhibited specific growth-promoting activity under iron-restricted conditions for Bordetella indicator strains, and were active in [55Fe]ferric alcaligin transport assays. Evidence suggests that several C 2-symmetric conformations of alcaligin exist simultaneously in both methanolic and aqueous solution.
Computing elementary symmetric functions and their derivatives: A didactic

The computation of elementary symmetric functions and their derivatives is an integral part of conditional maximum likelihood estimation of item parameters un der the Rasch model. The conditional approach has the advantages of parameter estimates that are consistent (assuming the model is correct) and statistically rigorous goodness-of-fit tests. Despite these characteristics, the conditional approach has been limited by problems in computing the elementary symmetric functions. The in troduction of recursive formulas for computing these functions and the availability of modem computers has largely mediated these problems; however, detailed documentation of how these formulas work is lacking. This paper describes how various recursion formulas work and how they are used to compute elementary symmetric functions and their derivatives. The availabil ity of this information should promote a more thorough understanding of item parameter estimation in the Rasch model among both measurement specialists and pract...
Periodic properties of user mobility and access-point popularity

Understanding user mobility and its effect on access points (APs) is important in designing location-aware systems and wireless networks. Although various studies of wireless networks have provided useful insights, it is hard to apply them to other situations. Here we present a general methodology for extracting mobility information from wireless network traces, and for classifying mobile users and APs. We used the Fourier transform to reveal important periods and chose the two strongest periods to serve as parameters to a classification system based on Bayes' theory. Analysis of 1-month traces shows that while a daily pattern is common among both users and APs, a weekly pattern is common only for APs. Analysis of 1-year traces revealed that both user mobility and AP popularity depend on the academic calendar. By plotting the classes of APs on our campus map, we discovered that their periodic behavior depends on their proximity to other APs.
Calcium influx and calcium current in single synaptic terminals of goldfish retinal bipolar neurons.

1. The calcium influx pathway in large synaptic terminals of acutely isolated bipolar neurons from goldfish retina was characterized using Fura-2 measurements of intracellular calcium and patch-clamp recordings of whole-cell calcium current. 2. Depolarization of bipolar cells with high [K+]o resulted in a sustained, reversible increase in [Ca2+]i in both synaptic terminals and somata. Removal of external calcium abolished the response, as did the addition of 200 microM-cadmium to the bathing solution, indicating that the rise in [Ca2+]i was due to entry of external calcium. Dihydropyridine blockers of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels also blocked the influx, and the Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K 8644 potentiated influx, implicating voltage-activated, dihydropyridine-sensitive channels in the influx pathway. 3. Under voltage clamp, depolarization from a holding potential of -60 mV evoked a slowly inactivating inward current that began to activate at -50 to -40 mV and reached a maximal amplitude between -20 and -15 mV. This current was identified as a calcium current because it decreased when the extracellular calcium concentration was lowered, increased when barium was the charge carrier, and was blocked by 200 microM-external cadmium. The current was substantially blocked by 1 microM-nitrendipine and potentiated by 0.1 microM-Bay K 8644, as expected for L-type Ca2+ channels; it was unaffected by omega-conotoxin. No evidence for transient or rapidly inactivating Ca2+ current was found. 4. At a given level of potassium depolarization, both the amplitude and the speed of increase in [Ca2+]i were greater in synaptic terminals than in somata. For instance, depolarization by 32.6 mM-potassium caused an increase in intracellular calcium of 400 +/- 23 nM in terminals and 180 +/- 20 nM in somata (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 73 terminals, n = 30 somata), with maximal rates of change of 40 +/- 3 and 12 +/- 2 nM/s, respectively. 5. The contribution of terminal and somatic currents to the total whole-cell Ca2+ current was determined under voltage clamp by local application of calcium or of blocking agents. While there was no qualitative difference between currents in terminals and somata, synaptic terminals accounted for 64 +/- 3% (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 12) of the total whole-cell calcium current, and somata accounted for 39 +/- 2%. Thus, the density of Ca2+ current was higher in the terminal, accounting for the greater magnitude and speed of Ca2+ influx observed in terminals in Fura-2 experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Evidence for regulation of monomethyl mercury by nitrate in a seasonally stratified, eutrophic lake.

The accumulation of monomethyl mercury (CH 3 Hg + ) in aquatic ecosystems is a redox sensitive process that is accelerated under sulfate-reducing conditions. While nitrate (NO 3 - ) reduction is energetically favored over sulfate reduction, the influence of NO 3 - on the accumulation of CH 3 Hg + has not been reported in the literature. We examined temporal and vertical patterns in redox constituents and CH 3 Hg + concentrations in the hypolimnion of a dimictic lake, Onondaga Lake, prior to and following increases in NO 3 - inputs. Detailed water-column profiles and a long-term record revealed marked decreases in the accumulation of CH 3 Hg + in the anoxic hypolimnion coinciding with long-term decreases in the deposition of organic matter coupled with recent increases in NO 3 - concentrations. CH 3 Hg + concentrations in the hypolimnion were substantially abated when NO 3 - was present above the sediment—water interface. A decrease in the peak hypolimnetic mass of CH 3 Hg + and shortening ofthe period of elevated CH 3 Hg + concentrations resulted in more than a 50% decline in the accumulated CH 3 Hg + . NO3 - regulation of CH 3 Hg + accumulation may be a widespread phenomenon in oxygen-limited freshwater and terrestrial environments, and could have an important, not previously recognized, effect on the biogeochemistry of mercury.
Coastal Engineering and Construction in Japan

The selected findings of the four Americans who participated in ASCE’s recent U.S.-Japan exchange of eminent engineers with specialties in underwater structures are outlined. Particularly in coastal engineering, Americans can learn from the Japanese. Like the United States, Japan is an economically and technologically complex advanced industrial nation, and it too is seeking to accommodate social and environmental considerations in its engineering and construction planning. Three projects are described to illustrate the coastal engineering and construction works studied by the American visitors in Japan. They are: the recently completed Kahima port-industrial area, the Mitsubishi floating petroleum storage system (now being designed for a site in the Goto Islands west of Kyushu), and the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Project, which is now under construction.
Diels-alder reactions of protoporphyrin ix dimethyl ester

Abstract The reaction of a divinyl porphyrin (protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester) with a number of azo dienophiles was studied. In all cases where reaction occurred and the product could be isolated, the expected [4+2] addition product was observed. In most cases, [4+2]/[2+21] adducts were also identified.
Henry Hammond and Covenant Theology

Henry Hammond (1605–60), the learned and practical English priest who during the Interregnum did as much as any man and a good deal more than most to reinforce and renew the ideational underpinnings of his Church, is a familiar figure in seventeenth-century Anglican studies. Historians speak of his captaincy of a circle of Anglican divines. One names him the “oracle of the High Church party”; another sees him as the principal transformer of Anglicanism. The Independent John Owen likened him to a clerical Atlas bearing on his shoulders “the whole weight of the episcopal cause.” The scholars just quoted call Hammond a “Laudian” but are uneasy with the label and loath to defend it. He appears in their work as an exemplary High Churchman standing for de jure episcopacy, Prayer-Book piety, the Eucharist, and royal headship of the Church. His intransigent Churchmanship contrasts in some degree with his character and temperament. He comes down to us as “the spokesman of those who would make no concession,” yet Richard Baxter, who thought him “the fons et origo of the prelatical bigotry of his day, wrote that he “took the death of Dr. Hammond … for a very great loss; for his piety and wisdom would sure have hindered much of the violence” of the Restoration.
The REMATCH trial: Long-term use of a left ventricular assist device for end-stage heart failure

Abstract EDITOR SUMMARY Background: Implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used primarily as bridges to cardiac transplantation, although some patients have been maintained long term on these devices and a few have recovered enough to be weaned. This trial was designed to evaluate their suitability as long-term myocardial replacement therapy in patients who are ineligible for cardiac transplantation. Methods and Results: One hundred twenty-nine patients with end-stage heart failure who were ineligible for cardiac transplantation were randomly assigned to receive an LVAD (Thoratec HeartMate; Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA) or optimal medical therapy, with a primary end point of all-cause mortality. To be eligible, patients had to have New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV heart failure for at least 90 days despite attempted therapy with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, diuretics, and digoxin; an ejection fraction ≤25%; and an exercise peak O 2 uptake ≤12 mL · kg −1 · min −1 (later increased to 14 mL · kg −1 · min −1 ). Patient eligibility was approved by a gatekeeper at the coordinating center. Results: Survival was significantly improved from 25% at 1 year in the medical therapy group to 52% in the LVAD group (relative risk, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.78; P = 0.001). However, at 2 years only 23% in the LVAD group were alive (compared with 8% in the medical group). Fifty of 54 deaths in the medical group were caused by left ventricular dysfunction; in the LVAD group, of the 41 total deaths, 17 were caused by sepsis, 7 by LVAD failure, 4 by cerebrovascular disease, 2 by pulmonary embolus, and only 1 by left ventricular dysfunction. Serious adverse events were 2.35 times as frequent in the LVAD group, predominately caused by infection, bleeding, neurologic dysfunction, and device malfunction. NYHA class improved in all LVAD survivors at 1 year. Quality of life was significantly improved more compared with the medical therapy group by some indices, but not by the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire. Conclusions: The use of an LVAD resulted in improved survival and quality of life in patients with extremely severe heart failure (75% 1-year mortality in the medical control group). However, only 23% of LVAD patients survived to 2 years and complications were frequent. (Prepared by Journal of Cardiac Failure editors. ) Long-term Use of a Left Ventricular Assist Device for End-Stage Heart Failure N Engl J Med 2001;345:1435-1443
The Development of Circadian Rhythms: From Animals to Humans

Increasing evidence indicates that the circadian timing system is a fundamental homeostatic system that potently influences human behavior and physiology throughout development. After birth there is progressive maturation of the circadian system with day-night rhythms in activity and hormone secretion developing between 1 and 3 months of age. Recent evidence shows that the circadian system of primate infants is responsive to light at very premature stages and that low-intensity lighting can regulate the developing clock. With the continued elucidation of circadian system development and influences on human physiology and illness, it is anticipated that consideration of circadian biology will become an increasingly important component of neonatal care.
The stresses, deformations and bending of a simply supported cylinder subjected to a symmetric normal surface loading

Abstract By using Papcovitch-Neuber's three-function theorem, this paper considers the general elastostatic problem of a solid cylinder with simple supports on each end subjected to any distribution of surface loading provided the distribution is symmetric with respect to a set of perpendicular planes, one of which contains the cylinder axis and the other passes through the cylinder's central cross-section. Numerical examples are presented for a uniformly distributed normal surface pressure over a circumferential arc of 6° and extending a finite distance along the cylinder axis. This approximates the loading on the work roll in a 2-high metal rolling mill.
Beyond GMENAC--another physician shortage from 2010 to 2030?

Since publication of the 1981 report of the Graduate Medical Education National Advisory Committee (GMENAC),1 much attention has been focused on the current and future supply of physicians in the United States. The following analysis will suggest that the policy debate over the supply of physicians has been shortsighted and that important demographic, social, and economic shifts between now and the year 2010 could affect the supply of doctors dramatically, resulting in a shortage. The GMENAC report suggested that by the year 2000 there will be 144,700 too many physicians, or a ratio of 247 doctors to every 100,000 persons, . . .
Physical Origin of a Wet Microburst: Observations and Theory

Abstract A unique set of Doppler and polarimetric radar observations were made of a microburst-producing storm in Amazonia during the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Large-Scale Biosphere–Atmosphere (LBA) field experiment. The key features are high reflectivity (50 dBZ) and modest size hail (up to 0.8 mm) in high liquid water concentrations (>4 g m−3) at the 5-km 0°C level, melting near the 3-km level as evidenced by the Doppler spectrum width on the profiler radar (PR), by differential polarization on the S-band dual-polarized radar (S-POL), and a sharp downward acceleration from 2.8 to 1.6 km to a peak downdraft of 11 m s−1, followed by a weak microburst of 15 m s−1 at the surface. The latter features closely match the initial conditions and results of the Srivastava numerical model of a microburst produced by melting hail. It is suggested that only modest size hail in large concentrations that melt aloft can produce wet microbursts. The narrower the distribution of hail particle sizes, the m...
Computer aided detection of surgical retained foreign object for prevention

Purpose: Surgical retained foreign objects (RFOs) have significant morbidity and mortality. They are associated with approximately $1.5 × 109 annually in preventable medical costs. The detection accuracy of radiographs for RFOs is a mediocre 59%. The authors address the RFO problem with two complementary technologies: a three-dimensional (3D) gossypiboma micro tag, the μTag that improves the visibility of RFOs on radiographs, and a computer aided detection (CAD) system that detects the μTag. It is desirable for the CAD system to operate in a high specificity mode in the operating room (OR) and function as a first reader for the surgeon. This allows for fast point of care results and seamless workflow integration. The CAD system can also operate in a high sensitivity mode as a second reader for the radiologist to ensure the highest possible detection accuracy. Methods: The 3D geometry of the μTag produces a similar two dimensional (2D) depiction on radiographs regardless of its orientation in the human body and ensures accurate detection by a radiologist and the CAD. The authors created a data set of 1800 cadaver images with the 3D μTag and other common man-made surgical objects positioned randomly. A total of 1061 cadaver images contained a single μTag and the remaining 739 were without μTag. A radiologist marked the location of the μTag using an in-house developed graphical user interface. The data set was partitioned into three independent subsets: a training set, a validation set, and a test set, consisting of 540, 560, and 700 images, respectively. A CAD system with modules that included preprocessing μTag enhancement, labeling, segmentation, feature analysis, classification, and detection was developed. The CAD system was developed using the training and the validation sets. Results: On the training set, the CAD achieved 81.5% sensitivity with 0.014 false positives (FPs) per image in a high specificity mode for the surgeons in the OR and 96.1% sensitivity with 0.81 FPs per image in a high sensitivity mode for the radiologists. On the independent test set, the CAD achieved 79.5% sensitivity with 0.003 FPs per image in a high specificity mode for the surgeons and 90.2% sensitivity with 0.23 FPs per image in a high sensitivity mode for the radiologists. Conclusions: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time a 3D μTag is used to produce a recognizable, substantially similar 2D projection on radiographs regardless of orientation in space. It is the first time a CAD system is used to search for man-made objects over anatomic background. The CAD system for the μTags achieved reasonable performance in both the high specificity and the high sensitivity modes.
Theory and Application of an Optimizing Procedure for Lock Box Location Analysis

This paper describes the theory, development, and application of an optimizing procedure for solving lock box location problems. Such problems have become increasingly important to banks, corporations, and governmental agencies in their quest for more efficient cash management. Extensive discussion of practical data collection and modeling aspects is provided. An optimizing procedure for solving the problem is discussed, and computational results are reported.
A nuclear protein associated with cell divisions in plants.

A nuclear protein, present in carrot meristems and rapidly proliferating cultured cells of carrot (Daucus carota L.) has been identified by the use of a monoclonal antibody (MAb 21D7). By combining the techniques of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel analysis and blotting separated proteins onto nitrocellulose sheets, it was shown that the antibody detected a single polypeptide of apparent molecular mass (Mr) of 45000 and an isoelectric focusing point (pI) of 6.7. This protein was found by subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence to be highly concentrated in the nucleoli of somatic and zygotic embryos of a wide range of plants. It was not detectable in logarthmically growing cells ofEscherichia coli, yeast, embryos ofDrosophila melanogaster or cultured C3H mouse cells. These data indicate that this protein is a highly conserved non-histone protein associated with nuclei of rapidly dividing plant cells.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and Gadolinium-Containing Radiological Contrast Agents: An Update

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), originally described as “scleromyxedema-like cutaneous disease,” is an entity that has emerged recently in patients with renal dysfunction.1 NSF is a rare but severely disabling disease that manifests as fibrosis of skin and viscera. Numerous reports have highlighted an association between NSF and gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (GBCAs) used for magnetic resonance imaging. The exact mechanisms underlying this association are still under investigation.2,3 There were apparently no reports of NSF prior to 1997, when the first cases were described.1 Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2011) 89 6, 920–923. doi:10.1038/clpt.2010.346
The infrared spectra of pentagonal, hexagonal and heptagonal rings of water molecules: a model study

Abstract We report calculations of the OH stretching region infrared spectra of five-, six- and seven-membered rings of water molecules. Although there are minor differences between the spectra of different conformations (boat, chair and planar) and of different rings, none are large enough to permit use of infrared spectroscopy to check the ring distributions inferred from computer simulations.
Recurrent meningoencephalitis and hyponatremia in childhood neurosarcoidosis

Purpose Sarcoidosis is a rare multi-system inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, the pathology of which is characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas. Neurosarcoidosis can affect any part of the peripheral or central nervous system and occurs in approximately 5-15% of all sarcoidosis patients. In this report, we present a case of isolated neurosarcoidosis in a child manifested as recurrent meningoencephalitis and hyponatremia. Results
Reduced pyridine nucleotide-dependent N-hydroxy amine oxidase and reductase activities of hepatic microsomes.

Abstract The metabolism of a number of primary and secondary hydroxylamines by hepatic microsomes is described. A cyanide-insensitive, reduced pyridine nucleotide-dependent hydroxylamine reductase activity that is independent of oxygen concentration catalyzes the reduction of hydroxylamine and a number of its mono- and disubstituted derivatives to the parent amines. At the pH optimum of 6.3 for the reductase, NADH is the preferred cofactor. The enzyme does not catalyze the reduction of 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline-1-oxide (HAQO) or of 1- or 2-naphthylhydroxylamine, the only known carcinogenic hydroxylamines tested. A hydroxylamine oxidase activity that requires both oxygen and reduced pyridine nucleotide oxidizes only disubstituted hydroxylamines, and the apparent initial product is the corresponding nitrone. Most nitrones undergo immediate hydrolysis in aqueous solution. At the pH optimum of 7.6 for the oxidase, NADPH is the preferred cofactor. NADPH cannot be replaced by a hydrogen peroxide-generating system, and the reaction is not affected by the addition of large amounts of exogenous catalase. Of the various organs which were assayed, the liver contained the greatest amount of both the reductase and oxidase activities; and the major portion of both activities in liver homogenates was found in the microsomal fraction. The two activities respond differently to agents such as deoxycholate, n -octylamine, and sulfhydryl inhibitors, indicating that the reduction and oxidation of the hydroxylamines are catalyzed by different enzymes or enzyme systems. Both activities are insensitive to carbon monoxide and N,N′ -diphenyl- p -phenylenediamine (DPPD), an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation.
Survival of nerve and Schwann cells in allografts after cyclosporin A treatment.

Abstract Because nerve and Schwann cells in allografts are rejected by normal rats, we investigated whether or not these neurological cells would survive if rats were treated with the new immunosuppressive drug, Cyclosporin A. Untreated rats rejected nerve and Schwann cells in allografts of ganglia or nerve. On the other hand, nerve and Schwann cells survived in allografts in Cyclosporin A-treated rats even after drug therapy was terminated. These results indicate that Cyclosporin A may be of value if allogenic nerve or Schwann cells are needed to aid in the repair of injured nerve tissue.
Women with Bleeding Disorders

Menorrhagia, or excessive menstrual bleeding, is a common clinical problem affecting reproductive-age women; however, the cause is undetermined in 50% of cases. Von Willebrand disease (VWD) or other bleeding disorders may be the underlying source of heavy bleeding. Women with menorrhagia and/or VWD are at increased risk for several conditions including anemia, bleeding during pregnancy, post-partum hemorrhage, and reduced quality of life (OOL). Proper diagnosis and management can decrease complications and unnecessary surgical interventions. The Division of Blood Disorders (DBD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has implemented studies to ascertain physician awareness of bleeding disorders, establish prevalence in the U.S., and determine the best treatment options.
Effect of concanavalin A treatment on the allogeneic response of mice to challenge with P 815 mastocytoma: Interleukin 2 treatment reverses concanavalin A suppression in vivo

Abstract Mice injected repeatedly with concanavalin A (Con A) prior to and following challenge with P 815 mastocytoma are suppressed in their cell-mediated cytotoxicity responses. Earlier studies showed that pretreatment of the animals with silica to affect macrophage (Mφ) functions reversed the Con A suppression. In the present paper we have shown that peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) induced/activated by ip injection of Con A were able to transfer suppression to normal mice. Separation of the PEC populations into adherent and nonadherent cells abrogated their capacity to transfer suppression. It was further shown that Con A is not functioning in this in vivo system to block effector activity of cytotoxic cells on target cells, and PEC induced with Con A were not directly cytotoxic to target P 815 cells. Finally, we were able to show that the cytotoxicity response of Con A-suppressed mice could be enhanced by treatment with concentrated culture supernatants of normal mouse spleen cells, rich in interleukin 2 (IL 2) activity. Attempts to detect a recently described mouse serum inhibitor of IL 2 in normal or Con A-treated mice were unsuccessful and spleen cells from Con A-treated mice lost their capacity to generate IL 2 in vitro when cultured under appropriate conditions. Taken together, these results suggest that suppression of cell-mediated immune responses in Con A-treated mice results from interruption of the normal generation of IL 2 helper effects necessary for the activation of cytotoxic effector T cells in vivo .
Maximum-likelihood dual-energy tomographic image reconstruction

Dual-energy (DE) X-ray computed tomography (CT) has shown promise for material characterization and for providing quantitatively accurate CT values in a variety of applications. However, DE-CT has not been used routinely in medicine to date, primarily due to dose considerations. Most methods for DE-CT have used the filtered backprojection method for image reconstruction, leading to suboptimal noise/dose properties. This paper describes a statistical (maximum-likelihood) method for dual-energy X-ray CT that accommodates a wide variety of potential system configurations and measurement noise models. Regularized methods (such as penalized-likelihood or Bayesian estimation) are straightforward extensions. One version of the algorithm monotonically decreases the negative log-likelihood cost function each iteration. An ordered-subsets variation of the algorithm provides a fast and practical version.
Contraception is the best kept secret for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission

We commend Stringer et al. for addressing the importance of developing and implementing a monitoring and evaluation model for measuring the effectiveness of prevention of mother-to- child HIV transmission (PMTCT) programmes. We also recommend broadening our PMTCT lexicon and developing additional metrics for preventing both HIV acquisition by uninfected women and unintended pregnancies among HIV-infected women. (excerpt)
Effects of time windowing on the estimated EMG parameters

Electromyography (EMG) provides an in vivo quantitative measure of the musculoskeletal system. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of epoch duration on the estimated EMG parameters in both time and frequency domains. The results obtained showed that the window size has no significant effect on the EMG estimated parameters in the time domain. On the other hand, window size has a significant effect on the estimated characteristic frequencies of the power spectrum. The load was found to have significant effects on all EMG parameters used in this study.
Family systems approaches to alcoholism

an introduction to the world of family-oriented approaches to addictions, will focus on three main topics: (a) examples of clinical models of drug abuse and addiction based on family systems theory; (b) brief illustrative examples of family research strategies designed to examine clinically relevant questions about family behavior and drug use (with an emphasis on the types of findings generated by such studies); and (c) the implications for therapy inherent in these clinical models and family-oriented research findings. In approaching these three topics I will focus exclusively on alcoholism. However, family theorizing about other forms of drug abuse suggests striking parallels with alcoholism. Thus my comments can be thought of as relevant for the topic of addiction in general.
Enantioselective Syntheses of Substituted γ‐Butyrolactones

The previously described chiral 2-acyloxathianes 5 (Scheme I) are used in two different enantioselective syntheses of γ-butyrolactones. In one synthesis, Grignard addition, cleavage and reduction to carbinols RR'C(OH)CH2OH is followed by tosylation, malonate homologation, lactonization, and removal of the carbomethoxy group to give optically active γ-lactones. A modification of this synthesis (Scheme I) leads to optically active α-methylene-γ-lactones. In the second synthesis, reaction of a bromomagnesium enolate with ketones 5 leads to β-hydroxyesters, which, by appropriate sequences of reduction and cleavage (Scheme II) are converted to optically active α- or β-hydroxy-γ-lactones.
Interferon-α Induces Nmi-IFP35 Heterodimeric Complex Formation That Is Affected by the Phosphorylation of IFP35

Nmi and IFP35 are interferon (IFN)-induced proteins. In cells treated with IFN-γ, Nmi enhances the association of transcription co-activator CBP/p300 with signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins, and IFP35 forms a high molecular weight cytosolic complex of unknown constituents. Here we show that Nmi and IFP35 co-immunoprecipitate with an anti-keratin 19 antibody, which is due to cross-reaction of the antibody with Nmi, and suggests an Nmi-IFP35 physical association. In support of this, Nmi and IFP35 co-immunoprecipitate using anti-Nmi and anti-IFP35 antibodies, manifest enhanced colocalization as determined by immunofluorescence staining of IFN-treated cells, and form heterodimers as determined by chemical cross-linking. Nmi and IFP35 are primarily cytosolic proteins, and their interaction is increased after IFN-α treatment of cells as early as 1 h after exposure. Sucrose gradient sedimentation and size fractionation showed a shift of Nmi-IFP35 heterodimers toward a heavier fraction (100–200 kDa) in IFN-α-treated cells. This dynamic complex formation is reversed by pretreatment with okadaic acid. Two-dimensional gel analysis indicates that the IFN-induced complex formation correlates with IFP35 dephosphorylation. Our data demonstrate Nmi-IFP35 cytosolic localization and heterodimerization, and an IFN-α-regulated molecular event in which Nmi and IFP35 participate, reversibly and by a dephosphorylation dependent fashion, in a 100–200-kDa molecular complex formation.
Prothrombotic mechanisms in primary pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertensive states are associated with an increased propensity for thrombosis. This prothrombotic state appears to be a result of pulmonary hypertension promoting endothelial dysfunction and altered hemodynamic status. In some patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, however, a primary prothrombotic state directly induces the pulmonary hypertensive state. This review focuses on the evidence for the association between prothrombotic states, especially increased platelet activation, and the development of pulmonary hypertension.
Dynamic Response of Tubular Dielectric Elastomer Sensors and Actuators

This paper presents experimental and numerical modeling results for the dynamic response of a tubular dielectric elastomer sensor and actuator for the first time. Dielectric elastomers (DE) are soft polymer based smart materials that can be potentially employed in applications such as artificial muscles (prosthetics), compliant limbs and graspers for robots and aircrafts or aquatic vehicles. In our previous work, the quasi-static response of tubular DE sensors was studied [1]. Here, a theoretical model is developed to predict the dynamic response of tubular DE transducers. To this end, inertia effects are included in our previous static model which yields a system of partial differential equations. The dynamic response of the tubular DE is obtained by numerically solving the simplified PDEs using a finite difference scheme. The capacitance change induced by the dynamic deformation of the tubular DE is also calculated by a simple electrostatic model. Several tubular DE transducer samples (VHB 4905 and silicone) were fabricated and an experimental setup was developed to investigate the dynamic response by measuring capacitance and radial deformation. In the sensing experiments, a sweep of dynamic pressure profiles (0∼5Hz) are applied It is observed that silicone transducers have a larger dynamic sensing range. In the actuation experiments, the deformation of the silicone actuator is monitored while a voltage signal (4.5kV) is applied from 0∼30Hz. The silicone actuator shows a good actuation response while high voltage is applied. The comparison between numerical and experimental results for the DE transducers shows an overall error of 3%.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Plasma Homovanillic Acid and Prolactin in Huntington’s Disease

Dopaminergic activity is expected to be altered in patients with Huntington’s disease (HD) and be related to factors like duration and severity of illness or patients’ specific symptomatology like dementia, depression, or psychotic features. We assessed plasma homovanillic acid (pHVA) and plasma prolactin (pPRL), two correlates of dopaminergic activity, in 116 subjects with CAG repeats expansion in the HD gene, 26 presymptomatic (18 females) and 90 with overt symptomatology (43 females). Patients were evaluated using the Unified HD Rating Scale and the Total Functional Capacity Scale. Presence of dementia, depression, and psychotic features were also assessed. The age range of the patients was 22–83 years, duration of illness from 0.5 to 27 years, and CAG repeat number from 34 to 66. A group of 60 age and sex matched healthy subjects served as control group. Plasma PRL in subjects at risk and in neuroleptic-free patients, evaluated separately for males and females, did not differ from controls. Plasma HVA levels did not differ from controls in the group of presymptomatic subjects, but were significantly higher in the patients group. This increase was positively associated mainly with severity of illness and functional capacity of the patients, and not with presence of depression or dementia. Plasma HVA levels may be proven to be a peripheral index of disease progression. Reducing dopaminergic activity may have not only symptomatic, but also neuroprotective effects in HD.