cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuroimaging and renal ultrasound manifestations of Oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe

Oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL) is a multisystem disorder characterized by congenital cataracts, hypotonia, and cognitive developmental delay with renal complications developing in the first few months of life. Clinical and laboratory findings of Lowe syndrome are well documented. Though a small number of case reports describe the neuroimaging features and the renal ultrasound manifestations of this disease, a comprehensive review of all the imaging manifestations has not been reported. The authors present a case of OCRL and review the neuroimaging and renal ultrasound manifestations of this multisystem disease.
The cutting center theorem for trees

We introduce the cutting number of a point of a connected graph as a natural measure of the extent to which the removal of that point disconnects the graph. The cutting center of the graph is the set of points of maximum cutting number. All possible configurations for the cutting center of a tree are determined, and examples are constructed which realize them. Using the lemma that the cutting center of a tree always lies on a path, it is shown specifically that (1) for every positive integer n, there exists a tree whose cutting center consists of all the n points on this path, and (2) for every nonempty subset of the points on this path, there exists a tree whose cutting center is precisely that subset.
Comparison of pretreatment protocols for cellulase-mediated saccharification of wood derived from transgenic low-xylan lines of cottonwood (P. trichocarpa)

Abstract The novel low xylan content transgenic cottonwood (P. trichocarpa) was used to elucidate recalcitrance of enzymatic saccharification with or without four different pretreatment methods. The xylan contents of two transgenic samples (8Di3 and 8Di5) were 11.4% and 11.7%, respectively, as compared with the wild type (16.0%). Contrarily, the lignin contents of two transgenic samples were 23.1% and 24.5%, respectively, as compared with the wild type (20.8%). The four pretreatments were dilute acid (0.1% sulfuric acid, 185 °C, 30 min), green liquor (6% total titratable alkali (TTA), 25% sulfidity based on TTA, 185 °C and 15 min), auto hydrolysis (185 °C, 30 min) and ozone delignification (25 °C, 30 min). Following the pretreatment, enzymatic saccharification was carried out using three enzyme charges of 10, 20 and 30 FPU per gram of substrate. The removal of lignin and hemicelluloses varied with the type of pretreatment and with the lignin content of the transgenic trees. High lignin content implied low enzymatic saccharification. Low xylan content native substrates lead to high enzymatic saccharification. High S to V (sryingaldehyde to vanillin) ratio substrates had high delignification during pretreatment. Compared to the wild type, the transgenics were better choice as feed stocks due to higher enzymatic saccharification without pretreatment which mean low the cost of bio-ethanol. Compared to three pretreatment methods, the green liquor pretreatment greatly improves the conversion of polysaccharides in general.
The enforcement of normalcy in schools and the disablement of families: unpacking master narratives on parental denial

The notion that some parents may be ‘in denial’ is a pervasive theme in dominant discourses on families of children with disabilities. In this analytic essay, I deconstruct cultural and institutional master narratives on parental denial and discuss their role in the marginalization of students with disabilities in schools. I argue that discourses on parental denial privilege the perspectives of those in positions of power and control, leave the practice of ability-based segregation in schools unexamined, and discredit agency among families. Additionally, drawing from existing narrative-based research, I explore alternative interpretations of parents’ responses to their children’s differences, situating these in the framework of critical disability studies.
Phase Retrieval and Induction Mapping of Artificially Structured Micromagnetic Arrays

We report our study on magnetic structural evolution of artificially patterned micron and submicron magnetic arrays as a function of applied field using in situ electron microscopy. To understand magnetic dynamics and switching behavior we employ our newly developed phase retrieval method, based on Lorentz phase microscopy, to map local induction distribution at nanometric scale. We outline the principle of the new method and discuss its advantages and drawbacks in comparison with off-axis electron holography.
A three city comparison of the public's knowledge and attitudes about AIDS

Abstract A survey of knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about AIDS was administered simultaneously in San Francisco, New York and London to a total of 399 persons. The aim was to investigate how such knowledge and attitudes may he influenced by social and cultural contexts, as well as by disease epidemiology. Across all samples of the general public (excluding risk group members) in the three cities, general fear of AIDS and anti-gay attitudes were significantly negatively correlated with knowledge about AIDS. In the London sample, general fear of AIDS and anti-gay attitudes were significantly and positively associated with both sexual and general health behavior change. Only sexual behavior change, however, was significantly correlated with general fear of AIDS and anti-gay variables for the New York sample. Neither of these variables was significantly associated with behavior change of any kind in the San Francisco sample. We accounted for these inter-city differences by proposing a four-stage model of pu...
Efficient Adaptive Randomization and Stopping Rules in Multi-arm Clinical Trials for Testing a New Treatment

Motivated by applications to confirmatory clinical trials for testing a new treatment against a placebo or active control when the new treatment has k possible treatment strategies (arms)-for example, k possible doses for a new drug-we develop an asymptotic theory for efficient outcome-adaptive randomization schemes and optimal stopping rules. Our approach consists of developing asymptotic lower bounds for the expected sample sizes from the k treatment arms and the control arm and using generalized sequential likelihood ratio procedures to achieve these bounds. Implementation details of our design and analysis and comparative simulation studies are also provided.
Trapdoor knapsacks without superincreasing structure

Abstract Shamir (1982) has recently presented a polynomial-time algorithm for breaking Merkle-Hellman public-key schemes. The flaw in such a scheme is not in the use of knapsacks per se, but in the embedding of superincreasing structure as a trapdoor technique. In this paper, several trapdoor techniques are outlined that are not dependent on hiding superincreasing sequences.
Review : Angiogenesis: A new target for antineoplastic therapy

Objective. To review the pathophysiologic rationale and therapeutic applications of inhibiting angiogenesis in solid tumor growth.Data Sources. A MEDLINE search of articles published from 1985 to 1995 and a CancerLit search of articles published from 1988 to 1995, using the MESH heading "neovascularization" and text words "angiogenesis" and "antiangiogenesis." References listed in identified publications were reviewed for additional pertinent literature.Study Selection. All human trials evaluating angiogenesis inhibitors in malignant disease and pre- clinical trials that illustrate potential mechanisms of action of such agents were included.Data Synthesis. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is necessary for the development of significant solid tumor growth. Inhibition of angio genesis is a unique mechanism of antineoplastic ther apy that does not use traditional cytotoxic actions. Four investigational antiangiogenic agents are cur rently being evaluated in phase I and II trials. Poten tiall...
Design for Multiple Industries: A PDP (Parallel Distributed Processing) Approach

A Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) or Neural Network model is proposed. It restructures our knowledge and experience in product development in the form to achieve widest applicability.Up to now, product developments have been discussed within one company or one industry at the widest. But in order to increase productivity and to reduce time, cost and energy consumption by a large margin, a great change in our way of thinking is called for. We need to go beyond one company or one industry and team up with other industries.Just as Concurrent Engineering succeeded in one company or in one industry by bringing downstream information upstream and by processing them concurrently, this goal can be realized if we introduce Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) model. PDP is more popularly known as Neural Network.As the relationship between raw materials, intermediate products and final products can be described as a neural network, this goal can be achieved if knowledge and experience are shared across different industries and re-assembled at the intermediate components layer. Then, final products can be developed as the combination of these intermediate components just like Lego.This not only eliminates overlaps between industries, but this-organizes our knowledge and experience into the form applicable to wider applications and wider areas so that it brings forth greater flexibility in product development.In short, a PDP or Neural Network model proposed here is the restructuring of our knowledge and experience in order to expand their applications to the widest.Such restructuring not only achieves widest applicability, but it also helps introduce autonomous distributed economy. Our economy has been too much centralized. If we change our economy system to autonomous distributed system, countries can team up more effectively and develop Win-Win relations, which is most important in this age of globalization.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Militarized Decision-Making for War in Pakistan: 1947-1971

In a balanced, constitutionally governed state, military decision-makers are no more likely to recommend war in a dispute than are civilian leaders. However, in military regimes, there is a tendenc...
Solubility and solution mechanisms of C-O-H volatiles in silicate melt with variable redox conditions and melt composition at upper mantle temperatures and pressures

Abstract Solubility and solution mechanisms in silicate melts of oxidized and reduced C-bearing species in the C–O–H system have been determined experimentally at 1.5 GPa and 1400 °C with mass spectrometric, NMR, and Raman spectroscopic methods. The hydrogen fugacity, fH2, was controlled in the range between that of the iron-wustite-H2O (IW) and the magnetite–hematite–H2O (MH) buffers. The melt polymerization varied between those typical of tholeiitic and andesitic melts. The solubility of oxidized (on the order of 1–2 wt% as C) and reduced carbon (on the order of 0.15–0.35 wt% as C) is positively correlated with the NBO/Si (nonbridging oxygen per silicon) of the melt. At given NBO/Si-value, the solubility of oxidized carbon is 2–4 times greater than under reducing conditions. Oxidized carbon dioxide is dissolved as CO 3 2 - complexes, whereas the dominant reduced species in melts are CH3-groups forming bonds with Si4+ together with molecular CH4. Formation of CO 3 2 - complexes results in silicate melt polymerization (decreasing NBO/Si), whereas solution of reduced carbon results in depolymerization of melts (increasing NBO/Si). Redox melting in the Earth’s interior has been explained with the aid of the different solution mechanisms of oxidized and reduced carbon in silicate melts. Further, effects of oxidized and reduced carbon on melt viscosity and on element partitioning between melts and minerals have been evaluated from relationships between melt polymerization and dissolved carbon combined with existing experimental data that link melt properties and melt polymerization. With total carbon contents in the melts on the order of several mol%, mineral/melt element partition coefficients and melt viscosity can change by several tens to several hundred percent with variable redox conditions in the range of the Earth’s deep crust and upper mantle.
Functional outcome of patients operated for d-transposition of the great arteries with the Mustard procedure.

These data suggest a good overall physical prognosis for patients into the third decade of life after inta-atrial surgery for dTGA. Because patients' usual perception is that of good health, physicians should continue to promote this feeling of wellness and encourage patients to lead normal lives. It is important, also, to continue hemodynamic assessment of these patients and to be alert to changes in clinical status and self-perception indexes because they may predict changes in functional outcome and signal the need for further treatment. With this strategy, patients, after undergoing the Mustard procedure, should be able to lead happy and productive lives beyond their third decade.
Modified bow-tie antenna with strong broadband field enhancement for RF photonic applications

ABSTRACT We present a novel design of a subwavelength modified bow-tie antenna that is capable of generating strong broadband field enhancement in its extended feed gap. This modified bow-tie antenna is comprised of a conventional bow-tie antenna with capacitive extended bars attached to the apex points of the bow-tie. The feed gap between the two capacitive bars is separated with a deep subwavelength width for the generation of enhanced local electrical field. Three-dimensional finite element method model is utilized to systematically explore the properties of this antenna design. Through adjusting the bow-tie geometry and the substrate properties, the antenna structure is optimized with a central resonant frequency at 100 GHz. Highly enhanced electrical field is created between the extended bar under radio frequency (RF) illumination. With the optimized design, numer ical simulations show that a uniform field enhancement of more than 200 through the entire feed gap with a bandw idth of 40 GHz can be achiev ed. The strongly enhanced RF field within the gap can be applied to directly modulate guided optical wave propagating in a waveguide embedded in the substrate underneath the feed gap. This work builds up a bridge between devices in the RF and optical frequency regimes that may find many potential applications in RF photonic devices and systems. Keywords: Modified bow-tie antenna, broadband strong field enhancement, RF photonic applications
Therapeutic plasma exchange for the treatment of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis is thought to be one of the common paraneoplastic-associated encephalitides. Between February 2001 and February 2011, nine patients were diagnosed with this disorder at Columbia University Medical Center: eight females (mean age 23 years) and one male (3 years of age). Four female patients had ovarian teratomas, which were removed as part of their treatment. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was used as one of the treatment modalities in addition to immunosuppressive therapy, including corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and/or rituximab. A total of 56 TPE procedures were performed in these patients on alternate days (range, 5-14 procedures/patient). Approximately 1 plasma volume (PV) was processed for all patients; 5% albumin and 0.9% normal saline were used as replacement fluid. Complications occurred in 20% of TPE procedures; 9% were possibly due to underlying disease. The remaining 11% of complications were hypotensive episodes that rapidly responded to either a fluid bolus or a vasopressor treatment. One patient demonstrated immediate clinical improvement after three TPE treatments, and four patients had significant improvement at time of discharge from the hospital. Long-term follow-up showed that early initiation of TPE appears to be beneficial, and patients who received IVIG after TPE did better than those who received IVIG before TPE. However, the number of patients in this series is too small to provide statistically significant conclusions. Overall, TPE is a relatively safe treatment option in patients with anti-NMDA-R encephalitis. Further studies are needed to elucidate the benefit of TPE in this disease.
Synthesis and Ceramic Conversion Reactions of Pinacolborane- and Diethylborazine-Modified Poly(vinylsiloxane)s. The Development of a Processable Single-Source Polymeric Precursor to Boron-Modified Silicon Carbide

The design, synthesis, and properties of two new types of poly(borosiloxane) preceramic polymers, diethylborazine- (PVS−DEB) and pinacolborane-modified (PVS−PIN) poly(vinylsiloxane)s, are reported. The polymers are synthesized in excellent yields by the RhH(CO)(PPh3)3-catalyzed reactions of poly(vinylsiloxane) (PVS) with either diethylborazine (DEB−H) or pinacolborane (PIN−H). The spectroscopic data for the polymers, along with results of the RhH(CO)(PPh3)3-catalyzed hydroboration reactions of diethylborazine and pinacolborane with the model compound vinyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane, are consistent with predominately anti-Markovnikov hydroboration of the polymer vinyl groups by the boranes. The degree of polymer hydroboration is simply controlled by varying the reactant ratios with the compositions of the PVS−DEB polymer ranging from (MeSiO1.5)0.42(PhSiO1.5)0.37(ViMe2SiO0.5)0.17(DEB(CH2)2Me2SiO0.5)0.04 to (MeSiO1.5)0.42(PhSiO1.5)0.37(DEB(CH2)2Me2SiO0.5)0.21 and those of the PVS−PIN polymers from (MeSiO1.5...
Retained deciduous tooth fragments and periodontal lesions: radiographic, clinical, and histologic observations.

Abstract A possible relationship between retained deciduous tooth fragments and periodontal lesions is emphasized. Clinical, roentgenographic, and histologic evidence is presented to support this concept. A method of classifying these fragments on the basis of their roentgenographic location is suggested.
AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON AND PSYCHOMETRICANALYSIS OF NEED FOR ACHIEVEMENT SCORES ON THE RAY SCALE

The measure of achievement motivation developed by Ray in 1979 with European and Australian subjects was administered to 182 university students in the United States of America. The descriptive sta...
Spatial memories and correlation functions in the theory of stress distribution in granular materials

The problem of calculating stress distributions in granular materials is addressed via a formalism involving spatial memories. The stochastic origin of the memories is explained and the connection of the memories to correlation functions in the granular system are clarified in several ways: via stochastic considerations, through effective medium arguments, and by generalization of existing constitutive relations. It is indicated how to unify existing theories in the literature with the help of the memory formalism and how to apply the theory to compaction in dies to explain observed oscillations in the stress.
Variable stability heterodimeric coiled-coils from manipulation of electrostatic interface residue chain length.

The design of variable-stability coiled-coil heterodimers is described. The electrostatic interface between helices, formed by contact between side chains in heptad e/g positions, is manipulated to produce complexes ranging in stability from ones that are essentially unstructured to those that cannot be thermally denatured. The tuning is accomplished by incremental extension or contraction of parent glutamic acid and lysine side chains by single methylene units, producing peptides that bear either carboxylic acids or amines separated from the peptide backbone by one to four CH2 groups. Detailed examination of all homodimers and electrostatically compatible heterodimers generates interesting combinations, particularly those in which longer-chain acids are incorporated into peptides paired with lysine-bearing ones. The discovery of very stable dimers allows exchange experiments in which one strand of an original heterodimer is specifically replaced by an added one, even in cases where the original complex f...
Delpsc: a delaunay mesher for piecewise smooth complexes

This video presents the working of a new algorithm/software called DelPSC that meshes piecewise smooth complexes in three dimensions with Delaunay simplices. Piecewise smooth complexes admit a large class of geometric domains including polyhedra, smooth and piecewise smooth surfaces with or without boundary, and non-manifolds. The algorithm and its proof of correctness are described in the paper [7].
Monte Carlo analysis of the latitudinal symmetry of the global buoyancy flux distribution

Abstract Both the density of terrestrial hot spots and their associated buoyancy flux show non-random distributions. These distributions are bimodal and symmetric about the equator with maxima occurring between 20 and 30° latitude. The buoyancy flux distributions are not an artifact of data bin width or bin spacing. Monte Carlo analysis performed on two independent buoyancy flux estimates shows that the symmetry as measured by the correlation between paired bands of latitude is statistically significant. Excess buoyancy flux in mid-latitude regions has broad implications regarding material and heat flux within the mantle. The Earth's rotation may be a factor in the migration to and/or the generation of excess low-viscosity, thermally buoyant material in mid-latitude regions.
Operator splitting ADI schemes for pseudo-time coupled nonlinear solvation simulations

This work introduces novel operator splitting alternating direction implicit (ADI) schemes to overcome numerical difficulties in solving pseudo-time coupled nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) for biomolecular solvation analysis. Based on the variational formulation, a pseudo-transient continuation model has been previously formulated to couple a nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann (NPB) equation for the electrostatic potential with a generalized Laplace-Beltrami equation defining the biomolecular surface. However, the standard numerical integration of the time dependent NPB equation is known to be very inefficient. Moreover, it encounters instability issues for smoothly varying solute-solvent interfaces so that a filtering process has to be conducted. In the present work, we propose to solve the unsteady NPB equation in an operator splitting framework so that the nonlinear instability can be completely avoided through an analytical integration. Central finite differences are employed to discretize the nonhomogeneous diffusion term of the generalized NPB equation to form tridiagonal matrices in the Douglas and Douglas-Rachford type ADI schemes. The proposed time splitting ADI schemes are found to be unconditionally stable for solving the NPB equation in benchmark examples with analytical solutions. For the solvation analysis involving two pseudo-time coupled nonlinear PDEs, the time stability of the NPB equation can be maintained by using very large time increments, so that without sacrificing the accuracy, the present biomolecular simulation becomes over ten times faster.
Sex differences in thermoregulation after acute and chronic morphine administration in mice.

Sex differences in thermoregulation have been reported following acute morphine administration in rats only. This study assessed whether male and female mice also differ in thermoregulatory responses following acute and chronic morphine administration. Females displayed significantly higher baseline colorectal temperature and greater morphine (24 mg/kg, s.c.) hypothermia (2.5-fold) on day 1. Two additional days of morphine treatment did not alter baseline temperature readings on Day 4 in either sex, but significantly reduced the morphine hypothermia relative to Day 1 in a sex-dependent manner. Whereas the morphine hypothermia was completely abolished in males, significant hypothermia was still observed in females. Acute and chronic saline injections had no effect on colorectal temperature. The data demonstrate sex differences in the thermoregulatory responses to acute and chronic morphine administration in mice.
Fish assemblages spatially structure along a multi-scale wave energy gradient

Elucidating how ecological systems structure along environmental gradients to form barriers is important for improving the understanding of community ecology and the management of human-nature interactions (fisheries). Principal Component Analysis was used to create new variables from species abundance data collected in a seine survey on the Maine coast. The new variables were related to wave-energy values created for each site from available wind speed and fetch data. The results show a strong relationship between potential wave energy experienced and the species composition at a location. There were two scales of importance in determining species assemblages. First is at the regional scale where wave energy and the resulting coastal geomorphology create barriers to certain species and act to maintain different species groups. Second is at the local scale where wave energy interacts with species traits to create differences in species assemblages within a specific bay. The structure in fish communities delineated through this analysis provides a biodiversity indicator and the relationship between this indicator and an easily estimated physical quantity allows area-based management concepts to be better designed. For example, essential habitats of one or many species may be inferred through analysis of available environmental data, rather than depending on costly and time-consuming surveys of entire regions.
OutRank: A GRAPH-BASED OUTLIER DETECTION FRAMEWORK USING RANDOM WALK

This paper introduces a stochastic graph-based algorithm, called OutRank, for detecting outliers in data. We consider two approaches for constructing a graph representation of the data, based on the object similarity and number of shared neighbors between objects. The heart of this approach is the Markov chain model that is built upon this graph, which assigns an outlier score to each object. Using this framework, we show that our algorithm is more robust than the existing outlier detection schemes and can effectively address the inherent problems of such schemes. Empirical studies conducted on both real and synthetic data sets show that significant improvements in detection rate and false alarm rate are achieved using the proposed framework.
Isolation and characterization of a Lactobacillus plantarum bacteriophage, ΦJL-1, from a cucumber fermentation

A virulent Lactobacillus plantarum bacteriophage, AJL-1, was isolated from a commercial cucumber fermentation. The phage was specific for two related strains of L. plantarum, BI7 and its mutant (deficient in malolactate fermenting ability) MU45, which have been evaluated as starter cultures for controlled cucumber fermentation and as biocontrol microorganisms for minimally processed vegetable products. The phage genome of AJL-1 was sequenced to reveal a linear, double-stranded DNA (36.7 kbp). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacryamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) profiles indicated that AJL-1 contains six structural proteins (28, 34, 45, 50, 61, and 76 kDa). Electron microscopy revealed that the phage has an isometric head (59 nm in diameter), a long non-contractile tail (182 nm in length and 11 nm in width), and a complex base plate. The phage belongs to the Bradley group B1 or Siphoviridae family. One-step growth kinetics of the phage showed that the latent period was 35 min, the rise period was 40 min, and the average burst size was 22 phage particles/infected cell. Phage particles (90%) adsorbed to the host cells 20 min after infection. Calcium supplementation (up to 30 mM CaCl2) in MRS media did not affect the first cycle of phage adsorption, but promoted rapid phage propagation and cell lysis in the infection cycle subsequent to adsorption. The D values of AJL-1 at pH 6.5 were estimated to be 2.7 min at 70 jC and 0.2 min at 80 jC by a thermal inactivation experiment. Knowledge of the properties of L. plantarum bacteriophage AJL-1 may be important for the development of controlled vegetable fermentations. D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Integrating Microcomputers into the Business System

How can microcomputers best be integrated into the business system? It depends on the type of application. Microcomputers allow decentralisation and user autonomy. Large clerical data‐processing applications can be left unaltered, and the big “number‐cruncher” jobs will still need the mainframe computer, but the mainframe′s time will be freed up by the “loss” of small calculation jobs that can be done on the microcomputers, along with spreadsheet and word processing applications. Software and hardware needs, data security, microcomputer network linkage, computer viruses and electronic mail are also discussed.
Anthropomorphism influences perception of computer-animated characters’ actions

Computer-animated characters are common in popular culture and have begun to be used as experimental tools in social cognitive neurosciences. Here we investigated how appearance of these characters’ influences perception of their actions. Subjects were presented with different characters animated either with motion data captured from human actors or by interpolating between poses (keyframes) designed by an animator, and were asked to categorize the motion as biological or artificial. The response bias towards ‘biological’, derived from the Signal Detection Theory, decreases with characters’ anthropomorphism, while sensitivity is only affected by the simplest rendering style, point-light displays. fMRI showed that the response bias correlates positively with activity in the mentalizing network including left temporoparietal junction and anterior cingulate cortex, and negatively with regions sustaining motor resonance. The absence of significant effect of the characters on the brain activity suggests individual differences in the neural responses to unfamiliar artificial agents. While computer-animated characters are invaluable tools to investigate the neural bases of social cognition, further research is required to better understand how factors such as anthropomorphism affect their perception, in order to optimize their appearance for entertainment, research or therapeutic purposes.
Multiple representations of information in the primary auditory cortex of cats. II. Stability and change in early (<32 ms), rapid components of activity after conditioning with a click conditioned stimulus.

Abstract Activity was recorded from single units of the AI cortex of awake animals to identify early (
High Dielectric Constant Ceramics

Currently available high dielectric constant ceramics enjoy certain special advantages for use in capacitor design. However, there are also severe limitations which must be well understood by engineers attempting their application. This paper summarizes the principal electrical characteristics, favorable or otherwise, of these materials and attempts to relate them to well-known basic dielectric properties. In addition, a brief review of present knowledge of ferroelectricity in barium titanate is given, since many of the practical problems encountered in the use of high dielectric constant ceramics are rooted in the inherent ferroelectricity of the material. A few remarks are included concerning avenues of future advance in high-K ceramic applications.
Reply to Dr. Blumenthal's Letter.

August 28, 2006 Dear Editor: I am writing in response to Mr. Mark Blumenthal’s letter to you, regarding my paper which was published in Clinical Nutrition. As I personally explained to Mr. Blumenthal, EGb 761 was used simply as a scientific term or abbreviation for Ginkgo biloba extract and there was no intention to ascribe the results of this study to the EGb 761 from Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceutical Co. of Karlsruhe, Germany. In the first line of the Introduction in the paper, I explained that the term EGb 761 was “coined” by this company. I, like some investigators in the literature, have used this term loosely, regrettably, simply as an abbreviation. In the 2 papers (1, 2) published in your journal and in others elsewhere (3–6), I have provided the analytic constituents of our Ginkgo biloba extract to which I have ascribed our outcomes to. I believe the constituents of our extract compare favorably with the standardized 50:1 extract EGb 761. I have provided the source of our Ginkgo extracts in other publications. In the open label studies (3–6), the Ginkgo extract, in tablet form, was supplied by Walgreens phamacy, which is found in practically every city in the United States. In the randomized, placebo-controlled trials, however, the extracts and placebos were supplied by Whole Health nutritional stores (accessible from the internet) which was supplied in the form of capsules (1, 2, 7, 8). As the principal investigator of these studies, I also take responsibility for the decision to use a vegetable-based placebo instead of an “inert compound”. I believe this to be a superior design because any changes in the outcome could be ascribed to the active ingredients of the Ginkgo extract, rather than to some non-specific plant constituents, e.g. from a subjects’ diet. I believe trace phytochemicals in the form of co-factors and micro-nutrients may modulate responses to herbal products and the subjects’ vegetable eating habits cannot be controlled during the study. Additionally, I wanted to color-match the Ginkgo extract since study subjects may open the capsules. Moreover, the study design is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled CROSS-OVER study in which each subject ingested the alfalfa “placebo” material in one cycle and the Ginkgo extract in the other. While I can see the merit in using an “inert” compound as placebo, on this issue, I respectfully disagree with Mr. Blumenthal. In conclusion, I appreciate the vigilance of Mr. Blumenthal and his interest in our work. I hope it is understood that there was no intention to ascribe the results of these studies to the Schwabe Ginkgo extract. The results reflect outcomes from ingesting a “generic” Ginkgo biloba extract. Thank you.
Circumcision Is the Risk of Urinary Tract Infection Really the Pivotal Issue

Recent information regarding the increased risk of urinary tract infections in the first year of life for uncircumcised boys has created confusion regarding the appropriate guidance to be given to parents confronting the circumcision issue. A decision model was built that addressed the question of whether or not to circumcise a newborn male considering the probability of a non-circumcised boy having a UTI in the first year of life (0.041), the probability of a circumcised boy having a UTI in the first year of life (0.002), and the likelihood of renal scarring from a UTI (0.075). After considering the morbidity associated with the procedure, all possible outcomes were ranked from worst to best (circumcised-renal pathology to uncircumcised-no infection) and given a value on a 0 to 1 scale. For the set of values assigned to the outcomes, the choice of no circumcision yielded the highest expected utility. For the set of assigned utilities, sensitivity analysis showed that unless the probability of a UTI in th...
From Pump to Molecules

In response to Eduardo Marban’s invitation to prepare a brief reminiscence on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Circulation Research , I recount here a few of the ideas and events that have marked my 47 years in research. My research career began when, fresh from a surgical internship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, I arrived at the then National Heart Institute in 1956. There, having watched Andrew Morrow perform transbronchial left heart catheterization, I thought there must be a better way. I soon became immersed in developing a method for transseptal left heart catheterization, first in dogs, then in human cadavers, and finally in patients; thus, my first research experience proved to be “translational.” It was satisfying to later see this approach used for balloon mitral valvuloplasty and in cardiac electrophysiology. In the early 1960s, there was considerable ferment in the Cardiology Branch of the National Heart Institute in Bethesda within a group of investigators brought together by Eugene Braunwald, one important aspect of which concerned cardiac function. We discussed the current state of cardiac physiology, comparing the approach of Robert Rushmer in intact animals with that of Stanley Sarnoff in the tightly regulated isolated supported heart. Playfully, we formulated two laws of the heart: Rushmer’s Law “When nothing is held constant everything changes” and Sarnoff’s Law “When everything is held constant nothing changes.” Stimulated primarily by the work of Ed Sonnenblick (then at the NIH), I pondered how we might begin to apply the principles of isolated muscle mechanics to the intact heart using an approach in which only one component of an otherwise intact system is perturbed. Assisted by Jim Covell, a method was devised for assessing cardiac function that involved sudden changes in aortic pressure during a single diastolic interval so that the subsequent heartbeat …
Talking and Texting Among Teenage Drivers: A Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Objective: Cell phone use and text messaging in particular are associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes. However, the frequency with which teenagers use cell phones while driving is still largely unknown. Methods: The current study obtained self-reported cell phone use behaviors while driving, including text messaging, along with beliefs about these actions, for a sample of licensed teenage drivers. Questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 1947 high-school-age teens in 2 large metropolitan areas in North Carolina. Questionnaires were completed and returned by 537 teens, of whom 320 had an intermediate or full driver's license. Results: In total, 45 percent of teens reported using a cell phone in some capacity during their most recent trip. Fifteen percent reported that they only talked on a cell phone, 15 percent sent or read a text message only, and 15 percent both talked and texted. More generally, 12 percent of teens reported that they often talked on a cell phone while drivin...
Association Between Dietary Fat Intake and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS): An Ancillary Study of the Women's Health Initiative

monounsaturated fatty acid intake was associated with lower prevalence. Age interactions were often observed. In women younger than 75 years (n=1325), total fat and saturated fatty acid intakes were associated with increased prevalence of AMD (multivariate adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence interval] for intermediate AMD, 1.7[1.0-2.7]forquintile5vsquintile1fortotalfat[P=.10 fortrend]and1.6[0.7-3.6]forsaturatedfattyacids[P=.23 fortrend]).Theassociationswerereversedinolderwomen. Conclusions:Theseresultssupportagrowingbodyofevidencesuggestingthatdietshighinseveraltypesoffatmay contribute to the risk of intermediate AMD and that diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids may be protective.
Implications of chronic daily anti-oxidant administration on the inflammatory response to intracortical microelectrodes

Objective. Oxidative stress events have been implicated to occur and facilitate multiple failure modes of intracortical microelectrodes. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the ability of a sustained concentration of an anti-oxidant and to reduce oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration for the application of intracortical microelectrodes. Approach. Non-functional microelectrodes were implanted into the cortex of male Sprague Dawley rats for up to sixteen weeks. Half of the animals received a daily intraperitoneal injection of the natural anti-oxidant resveratrol, at 30 mg kg−1. The study was designed to investigate the biodistribution of the resveratrol, and the effects on neuroinflammation/neuroprotection following device implantation. Main results. Daily maintenance of a sustained range of resveratrol throughout the implantation period resulted in fewer degenerating neurons in comparison to control animals at both two and sixteen weeks post implantation. Initial and chronic improvements in neuronal viability in resveratrol-dosed animals were correlated with significant reductions in local superoxide anion accumulation around the implanted device at two weeks after implantation. Controls, receiving only saline injections, were also found to have reduced amounts of accumulated superoxide anion locally and less neurodegeneration than controls at sixteen weeks post-implantation. Despite observed benefits, thread-like adhesions were found between the liver and diaphragm in resveratrol-dosed animals. Significance. Overall, our chronic daily anti-oxidant dosing scheme resulted in improvements in neuronal viability surrounding implanted microelectrodes, which could result in improved device performance. However, due to the discovery of thread-like adhesions, further work is still required to optimize a chronic anti-oxidant dosing regime for the application of intracortical microelectrodes.
Response of lunar atmosphere to volcanic gas releases

A theory of transport of gases emanating from a source on the lunar surface is developed, in which the distribution of a gas is given by the convolution of the time and space description of its source with a Green's function. Green's functions that represent the impulsive response of vertical and horozontal components of particle flux at the lunar surface are derived. The characteristics of these functions and their dependence on the nature of encounters of gas molecules with the lunar surface are discussed in detail.
Cytopathology of false negatives preceding cervical carcinoma

The Papanicolaou smear has been a remarkably effective tool in cancer prevention, but it is not a perfect test. Although the most important factor in failure of cervical cancer prevention is lack of adequate screening, other factors include problems with sampling, interpretation, and effective clinical follow-up. A small number of rapidly developing cervical cancers probably also arise in the interval between Papanicolaou smear screenings. Consequently, cervical cancer will develop in some women despite appropriate screening. This article will analyze some of the problems relating to diagnostic errors, which include abnormal cells that are few (< 100), small, or bland.
New osmium isotope evidence for intracrustal recycling of crustal domains with discrete ages

New 187Os/188Os ratios of Quaternary Mount Adams volcanic rocks from the Cascade arc in southern Washington vary by .300% ( 187 Os/ 188 Os 5 0.165-0.564) and fall into high (.0.319) and low (0.166 to 0.281) groups of 187 Os/ 188 Os ratios that are sub- stantially more radiogenic than mantle values. These Os isotope compositions and groupings are interpreted to reflect recycling of discrete intracrustal domains with high 187Os/188Os ratios but dif- fering ages, thus recording the process of crustal hybridization and homogenization. Os isotope compositions provide new constraints on amounts of intracrustal recycling in young subduction-zone en- vironments that reflect the magmatic history of the arc. Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb isotope variations in this young, mafic arc complex are too small to allow such constraints.
Economic Aspects of Regional Separatism

In recent years there has been an intensification of demands for independence on the part of many subnational regions in Western and other countries. The literature concerning these movements has tended to neglect systematic investigation of the economic aspects of separatism in favor of noneconomic issues. This paper focuses on the actual and potential economic advantages and disadvantages implicit in separation. Numerous specific cases are used to illustrate the general arguments. The conclusions, though strongly qualified, tend to support the position that it is not unreasonable to expect an increase in regional economic well-being if separation occurs in many of the cases examined. While the central issue is not likely to be decided on purely economic grounds, clarification of the economic issues should at least enhance the rationality of the decision-making process.
VISCOSITY AND MICROWAVE COOKING PROPERTIES OF SUGAR/MILKFAT COMPOSITES1

Sugar-milkfat composites with syrup consistency were prepared from sucrose, maltose or high fructose corn syrup and butteroil (20 to 40%). The components were homogenized at 40% solids and evaporated under vacuum at 60C for 60 min, leading to the formation of syrup composites with ordered structures. The viscous behavior of the syrups was described by a power law model. Flow behavior indices (0.3 to 0.9) indicated mostly pseudoplasticity, with Arrhenius-type response in consistency and flow behavior index. The sugar/butteroil composites could be microwaved to < 20% moisture in approximately 60 s, producing toffee-like candies of varying color and consistency.
Keratocytes pull with similar forces on their dorsal and ventral surfaces.

As cells move forward, they pull rearward against extracellular matrices (ECMs), exerting traction forces. However, no rearward forces have been seen in the fish keratocyte. To address this discrepancy, we have measured the propulsive forces generated by the keratocyte lamella on both the ventral and the dorsal surfaces. On the ventral surface, a micromachined device revealed that traction forces were small and rearward directed under the lamella, changed direction in front of the nucleus, and became larger under the cell body. On the dorsal surface of the lamella, an optical gradient trap measured rearward forces generated against fibronectin-coated beads. The retrograde force exerted by the cell on the bead increased in the thickened region of the lamella where myosin condensation has been observed (Svitkina, T.M., A.B. Verkhovsky, K.M. McQuade, and G.G. Borisy. 1997. J. Cell Biol. 139:397–415). Similar forces were generated on both the ventral (0.2 nN/μm2) and the dorsal (0.4 nN/μm2) surfaces of the lamella, suggesting that dorsal matrix contacts are as effectively linked to the force-generating cytoskeleton as ventral contacts. The correlation between the level of traction force and the density of myosin suggests a model for keratocyte movement in which myosin condensation in the perinuclear region generates rearward forces in the lamella and forward forces in the cell rear.
ATP metabolism in skeletal muscle arterioles.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the metabolism of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in skeletal muscle resistance arterioles and to determine whether this metabolism is altered during the rapid growth phase of the rat. We attempted to quantify ATP metabolism in gastrocnemius first‐order arterioles from 8‐, 10‐, and 12‐week‐old rats. We measured ATP metabolism using an ATPase/GTPase assay with whole vessel segments as well as using a real‐time adenosine biosensor following electric field stimulation. Our first method of measuring ATP metabolism allowed us to measure the amount of free phosphate produced with ATP as a substrate. When ecto‐nucleotidase activity was inhibited by ARL67156, pyridoxal phosphate‐6‐azophenly‐2′, 4′‐disulfonic acid (PPADS), or suramin prior to adding ATP, we found that the rate of phosphate production was significantly reduced by 27%, 21%, and 22%, respectively (P < 0.05). Our second method of measuring ATP metabolism allowed us to measure the amount of adenosine produced following electric field stimulation of the arteriole with and without nucleotidase inhibitors. Surprisingly, we found that adenosine overflow was not attenuated by nucleotidase inhibitors. We concluded that ecto‐phosphodieterase/phyrophophatase (E‐NPP), ecto‐diadenosine polyphosphatase (ApnA), NTPDase1 and 2, and E5NT may be present on the gastrocnemius 1A arteriole and do play a role in ATP metabolism. Between the ages of 8 weeks and 12 weeks, however, overall ATP metabolism may not change.