cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bento Box: An Interactive and Zoomable Small Multiples Technique for Visualizing 4D Simulation Ensembles in Virtual Reality.

We present Bento Box, a virtual reality data visualization technique and bimanual 3D user interface for exploratory analysis of 4D data ensembles. Bento Box helps scientists and engineers make detailed comparative judgments about multiple time-varying data instances that make up a data ensemble (e.g., a group of 10 parameterized simulation runs). The approach is to present an organized set of complementary volume visualizations juxtaposed in a grid arrangement, where each column visualizes a single data instance and each row provides a new view of the volume from a different perspective and/or scale. A novel bimanual interface enables users to select a sub-volume of interest to create a new row on-the-fly, scrub through time, and quickly navigate through the resulting virtual "bento box.'' The technique is evaluated through a real-world case study, supporting a team of medical device engineers and computational scientists using in-silico testing (supercomputer simulations) to redesign cardiac leads. The engineers confirmed hypotheses and developed new insights using a Bento Box visualization. An evaluation of the technical performance demonstrates that the proposed combination of data sampling strategies and clipped volume rendering is successful in displaying a juxtaposed visualization of fluid-structure-interaction simulation data (39 GB of raw data) at interactive VR frame rates.
Reasonable Expectations of Privacy for Youth in a Digital Age

In this digital age, individuals and society as a whole struggle to balance the advantages of digital connectivity against the reality that this very connectivity inevitably gives others access, licitly or illicitly, to private information. Youth, in particular, bring a new dimension to this issue with their concept of privacy. While risks to privacy are certainly not limited to youth, an argument can be made that conceptualizations of privacy for those who have grown up with this technology are unique. One could further argue that as a group, youth possibly demonstrate distinct expectations of privacy when compared with older generations.This article concerns the intersection of youth, technology, expectations of privacy, and the Fourth Amendment. More specifically, the article examines whether this norm of conditioned increased information disclosure, combined with decreased privacy rights for students, effectively strips or compromises the Fourth Amendment protections of a class of people - youth. This article seeks to explore a Fourth Amendment issue never before faced. What is society to do when a large subset of citizens, as a result of social or technological conditioning and not government action, demonstrates an arguably lesser expectation of privacy? Part I of this article examines data regarding digital natives and their interaction with current technologies. Part II reviews current law regarding expectations of privacy in general, under the Katz test and more specifically, for public school students, under New Jersey v. T.L.O. and Safford Unified School District v. Redding. The article further reviews what guidance the Court has offered in situations where the familiar two-pronged Katz test is not useful. Part III reviews possible solutions to this problem, calling into question the utility of the Katz test. The article explores whether a more value-laden approach outlined by Justice Harlan in his dissent in United States v. White may offer a more promising solution than the traditional Katz analysis. Because the jurisprudence addressing searches of public school students in a school setting is developing, Part IV applies the different approaches offered by the Court to a hypothetical modification of the facts in Redding. Suppose instead of the virtual strip search, school officials had seized her cell phone and examined its digital contents. This article explores that scenario and concludes that, for several reasons, the Supreme Court‘s current approach to applying the Fourth Amendment is inadequate to sufficiently address the issues presented in this all-too-common scenario. It further argues that the proposal of Justice Harlan in his White dissent offers the most promise.
Asparaginase-Associated Myelosuppression and Effects on Dosing of Other Chemotherapeutic Agents In Children and Adolescents with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract Abstract 3249 Background: L-asparaginase (ASP) is a universal component of treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is associated with multiple toxicities, including allergy, pancreatitis, and thrombosis. It is not thought to have a significant direct myelosuppressive effect, but its impact on the ability to tolerate other chemotherapeutic agents has not been well-characterized. Patients and Methods: Between 2005–2010, 61 patients (pts) were diagnosed with Standard Risk (SR) ALL at DFCI/Children's Hospital Boston and treated on DFCI ALL Consortium Protocol 05-01. SR pts met all of the following criteria: 1 to 500/mm3 and platelet nadirs > 75,000. Chemotherapy cycles were delayed until APC was ≥ 1000/mm3 or platelets were ≥ 100,000. Medical records of the 61 SR pts were reviewed to ascertain the dose modifications of MTX and 6MP made due to low or high blood counts (APC and/or platelets) and/or delays in starting cycles (defined as ≥25 day interval between cycles). 27 pts were randomized to receive IM E. coli ASP, 29 to IV PEG ASP, and 5 declined randomization (directly assigned to IM E.coli ASP). A total of 1780 chemotherapy cycles were evaluated longitudinally using generalized estimating equations, 498 during Consolidation (with ASP) and 1282 during Continuation (No ASP). Results: Median age was 3.9 years and 57% of pts were female. There was a higher proportion of cycles modified for low blood counts (ie, dose reduction of MTX and/or 6MP) during Consolidation (ASP given) compared to Continuation (No ASP) (24% vs 8%, Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.35 [95% CI 1.41, 3.94]; p Download : Download high-res image (135KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1: . Proportion of Cycles with % Dosing Increase or Decrease of MTX Download : Download high-res image (138KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 2: . Proportion of Cycles with % Dosing Increase or Decrease of 6MP Conclusion: During Consolidation, when SR pts received ASP, blood counts were lower than during Continuation (no ASP), despite an otherwise identical schedule of other systemic and IT agents during these two phases. Because of low blood counts, pts received lower doses of MTX and 6MP when they were also receiving ASP, and delays in beginning chemotherapy cycles were more common. This suggests that ASP has a myelosuppressive effect, either direct (due to ASP) or secondary to ASP-induced changes in the levels or metabolism of other chemotherapeutic agents; further investigation is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanism. The myelosuppressive effect of ASP should be taken into consideration when designing regimens for pts with ALL which combine ASP with other agents to avoid excessive dose reductions and/or treatment delays. Disclosures: Sallan: Enzon Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding. Silverman: EUSA Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Enzon Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria.
Dynamic Channel Access and Power Control via Deep Reinforcement Learning

Efficient use of spectral and energy resources is critical in wireless networks and has been extensively studied in recent years. In particular, dynamic spectrum access and power control have been addressed primarily via optimization and game-theoretic tools. In this paper, motivated by recent advances in machine learning and, more specifically, the success of reinforcement learning for addressing dynamic control problems, we consider deep reinforcement learning to jointly perform dynamic channel access and power control in wireless interference channels. We propose a deep Q-learning model, develop an algorithm, and evaluate the performance considering different utilities and reward mechanisms. We provide comparisons with the optimal centralized strategies that require complete information and use weighted minimum mean square error (WMMSE) based power control and exhaustive search over all channel selection policies. We highlight the performance improvements with power control.
Experimental Evidence of Solvent-Separated Ion Pairs as Metastable States in Electrostatic Interactions of Biological Macromolecules.

Electrostatic interactions via ion pairs are vital for biological macromolecules. Regarding the free energy of each ion pair as a function of the interionic distance, continuum electrostatic models...
Problematizing teaching and learning mathematics as “given” in STEM education

Mathematics is fundamental for many professions, especially science, technology, and engineering. Yet, mathematics is often perceived as difficult and many students leave disciplines in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a result, closing doors to scientific, engineering, and technological careers. In this editorial, we argue that how mathematics is traditionally viewed as “given” or “fixed” for students’ expected acquisition alienates many students and needs to be problematized. We propose an alternative approach to changes in mathematics education and show how the alternative also applies to STEM education.
Artificial neural networks for magnetic resonance elastography stiffness estimation in inhomogeneous materials

Abstract Purpose To test the hypothesis that removing the assumption of material homogeneity will improve the spatial accuracy of stiffness estimates made by Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE). Methods An artificial neural network was trained using synthetic wave data computed using a coupled harmonic oscillator model. Material properties were allowed to vary in a piecewise smooth pattern. This neural network inversion (Inhomogeneous Learned Inversion (ILI)) was compared against a previous homogeneous neural network inversion (Homogeneous Learned Inversion (HLI)) and conventional direct inversion (DI) in simulation, phantom, and in-vivo experiments. Results In simulation experiments, ILI was more accurate than HLI and DI in predicting the stiffness of an inclusion in noise-free, low-noise, and high-noise data. In the phantom experiment, ILI delineated inclusions ≤ 2.25 cm in diameter more clearly than HLI and DI, and provided a higher contrast-to-noise ratio for all inclusions. In a series of stiff brain tumors, ILI shows sharper stiffness transitions at the edges of tumors than the other inversions evaluated. Conclusion ILI is an artificial neural network based framework for MRE inversion that does not assume homogeneity in material stiffness. Preliminary results suggest that it provides more accurate stiffness estimates and better contrast in small inclusions and at large stiffness gradients than existing algorithms that assume local homogeneity. These results support the need for continued exploration of learning-based approaches to MRE inversion, particularly for applications where high resolution is required.
Earth-based navigation capabilities for outer planet missions.

The role of new Earth-based radio metric data types and of advanced estimation algorithms in navigating an outer planet spacecraft in the vicinity of Saturn has been analyzed. The data types included in the study consist of conventional range and range-rate measurements taken from a single station and simultaneous and nearly simultaneous measurements obtained from pairs of stations during overlapping viewing periods. The utility of a third data set that is produced by explicitly differencing the simultaneous points has also been investigated. The data was processed with a conventional least squares batch filter and with a sequential filter that estimated parameters describing small stochastic accelerations (process noise) acting on the spacecraft. It was found that process noise can produce large errors in the estimates obtained from batch filtering conventional and simultaneous data, and that the only batch filtered estimates that were reliable were those obtained from differenced data. The performance of the simultaneous data in the presence of process noise is greatly improved by sequential filtering.
Placement of Left Subclavian Origin Stent for Subclavian Steal Syndrome.

Subclavian steal syndrome is characterized by the vertebral artery flow inversion as a result of a stenotic lesion in the origin of the subclavian artery. Subclavian origin stenting is an important armamentarium of neurointerventional surgeons. A 79-year-old patient presented with left arm claudication and dizziness while exercising, alongside upper extremity coolness at rest. Examination revealed blood pressure difference of 15 mm Hg in the left arm when compared with the right, with Doppler ultrasonography demonstrating reversal of flow in the left vertebral artery. Aortic arch run with pigtail catheter demonstrated the extent of stenosis and served as a roadmap for stent deployment. Placement of a long sheath across the subclavian stenosis into the aortic arch allowed atraumatic delivery and precise deployment of the covered stent ( Video 1 ). No neurologic deficits were reported postoperatively, with Doppler ultrasonography revealing anterograde flow in the left vertebral artery demonstrating resolution of subclavian steal syndrome.
The Measurement Error Elephant in the Room: challenges and solutions to measurement error in epidemiology.

Measurement error, although ubiquitous, is uncommonly acknowledged and rarely assessed or corrected in epidemiological studies. This review offers a straight-forward guide to common problems caused by measurement error in research studies and a review of several accessible bias correction methods for epidemiologists and data analysts. While most correction methods require criterion validation including a gold standard, these are also ways to evaluate the impact of measurement error and potentially correct for it without such data. Technical difficulty ranges from simple algebra to more complex algorithms that require expertise, fine tuning, and computational power. However, at all skill levels, software packages and methods are available and can be used to understand the threat to inferences that arises from imperfect measurements.
Recovery Migration After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Spatial Concentration and Intensification in the Migration System

Changes in the human migration systems of the Gulf of Mexico coastline counties affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita provide an example of how climate change may affect coastal populations. Crude climate change models predict a mass migration of “climate refugees,” but an emerging literature on environmental migration suggests that most migration will be short-distance and short-duration within existing migration systems, with implications for the population recovery of disaster-stricken places. In this research, we derive a series of hypotheses on recovery migration predicting how the migration system of hurricane-affected coastline counties in the Gulf of Mexico was likely to have changed between the pre-disaster and the recovery periods. We test these hypotheses using data from the Internal Revenue Service on annual county-level migration flows, comparing the recovery period migration system (2007–2009) with the pre-disaster period (1999–2004). By observing county-to-county ties and flows, we find that recovery migration was strong: the migration system of the disaster-affected coastline counties became more spatially concentrated, while flows within it intensified and became more urbanized. Our analysis demonstrates how migration systems are likely to be affected by the more intense and frequent storms anticipated by climate change scenarios, with implications for the population recovery of disaster-affected places.
Tests for Randomness

Any sequence claimed to be random, real numbers or fuzzy numbers, must be tested for randomness. We first test our sequence of fuzzy random numbers, obtained from Sobol quasi-random numbers, for randomness using a run test and then a frequency test. We identified two types of triangular shaped fuzzy numbers from Chapter 4: (1) quadratic fuzzy numbers generated from 7-tuples; and (2) quadratic Bezier generated fuzzy numbers (QBGFNs). For reasons given there we direct our attention to QBGFNs. A run test depends on what definition of ≤ between fuzzy numbers we are using. So we do the run test three times on the Bezier fuzzy numbers; first using Buckley’s Method of ≤ (Section 2.6.1) next using Kerre’s Method of ≤ (Section 2.6.2) and lastly using Chen’s Method of ≤ (Section 2.6.3). We must also test our sequence of random fuzzy vectors for randomness. We have seen that sequences of random numbers can pass randomness tests but when they are used to build vectors the resulting sequence of vectors can fail randomness tests (Chapter 3). We will test our sequences of random vectors, whose components are all TFNs, for randomness using a chi-square test.
Action Potential Bursting in Subicular Pyramidal Neurons Is Driven by a Calcium Tail Current

Subiculum is the primary output area of the hippocampus and serves as a key relay center in the process of memory formation and retrieval. A majority of subicular pyramidal neurons communicate via bursts of action potentials, a mode of signaling that may enhance the fidelity of information transfer and synaptic plasticity or contribute to epilepsy when unchecked. In the present study, we show that a Ca(2+) tail current drives bursting in subicular pyramidal neurons. An action potential activates voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels, which deactivate slowly enough during action potential repolarization to produce an afterdepolarization that triggers subsequent action potentials in the burst. The Ca(2+) channels underlying bursting are located primarily near the soma, and the amplitude of Ca(2+) tail currents correlates with the strength of bursting across cells. Multiple channel subtypes contribute to Ca(2+) tail current, but the need for an action potential to produce the slow depolarization suggests a central role for high-voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels in subicular neuron bursting.
Analog circuit implementation of an oscillation controller for MEMS gyroscopes

An oscillation controller is implemented using analog circuits on a vibrational MEMS gyroscope. The control goal is to drive the gyroscope to resonance despite the presences of disturbance and system uncertainties. Both discrete components and Field Programmable Analog Array (FPAA) are used to construct the circuit. The two implementation approaches are equally applicable, simple to build, easy to tune and economical. The experimental results not only verify the effectiveness of the controller but also demonstrate the successfulness of the analog implementation.
Excited States in N 14 from C 12 ( d , d ) C 12 , C 12 ( d , p 0 ) C 13 , and C 12 ( d , p 1 ) C 1 3 *

Excited states in the ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$ nucleus have been observed by measuring the differential scattering and reaction cross sections of ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}(d, d){\mathrm{C}}^{12}$, ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}(d, {p}_{0}){\mathrm{C}}^{13}$, and ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}(d, {p}_{1}){\mathrm{C}}^{13*}$ for deuteron bombarding energies from 0.5 to 2.0 Mev. Resonances were investigated at deuteron bombarding energies of 0.92, 1.19, 1.31, 1.446, and 1.79 Mev, corresponding to excited states at 11.05, 11.29, 11.39, 11.503, and 11.80 Mev in ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$. Scattering matrix analysis of the elastically scattered deuterons and of angular distributions of the reaction protons to the ground state of ${\mathrm{C}}^{13}$ gave assignments of ${1}^{+}$, ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${1}^{+}$, ${3}^{+}$, and ${1}^{+}$ for these states. The analysis of the ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}(d, {p}_{0}){\mathrm{C}}^{13}$ angular distributions at 0.92, 1.19, and 1.31 Mev indicated a reaction mechanism in which the relative proton-neutron spin orientation of the deuteron is preserved.
Crystal structure of the PDZ1 domain of human Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor provides insights into the mechanism of carboxyl-terminal leucine recognition by class I PDZ domains.

Abstract The Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF; also known as EBP50) contains two PDZ domains that mediate the assembly of transmembrane and cytosolic proteins into functional signal transduction complexes. The NHERF PDZ1 domain interacts specifically with the motifs DSLL, DSFL, and DTRL present at the carboxyl termini of the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR), the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), respectively, and plays a central role in the physiological regulation of these proteins. The crystal structure of the human NHERF PDZ1 has been determined at 1.5 A resolution using multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing. The overall structure is similar to known PDZ structures, with notable differences in the NHERF PDZ1 carboxylate-binding loop that contains the GYGF motif, and the variable loop between the β2 and β3 strands. In the crystalline state, the carboxyl-terminal sequence DEQL of PDZ1 occupies the peptide-binding pocket of a neighboring PDZ1 molecule related by 2-fold crystallographic symmetry. This structure reveals the molecular mechanism of carboxyl-terminal leucine recognition by class I PDZ domains, and provides insights into the specificity of NHERF interaction with the carboxyl termini of several membrane receptors and ion channels, including the β2AR, PDGFR, and CFTR.
The Histone Methyltransferase Gene Absent, Small, or Homeotic Discs-1 Like Is Required for Normal Hox Gene Expression and Fertility in Mice

Chromatin remodeling influences gene expression in developing and adult organisms. Active and repressive marks of histone methylation dictate the embryonic expression boundaries of developmentally regulated genes, including the Hox gene cluster. Drosophila ash1 (absent, small or homeotic discs 1) gene encodes a histone methyltransferase essential for regulation of Hox gene expression that interacts genetically with other members of the trithorax group (TrxG). While mammalian members of the mixed lineage leukemia (Mll) family of TrxG genes have roles in regulation of Hox gene expression, little is known about the expression and function of the mammalian ortholog of the Drosophila ash1 gene, Ash1-like (Ash1l). Here we report the expression of mouse Ash1l gene in specific structures within various organs and provide evidence that reduced Ash1l expression has tissue-specific effects on mammalian development and adult homeostasis. Mutants exhibit partially penetrant postnatal lethality and failure to thrive. Surviving mutants have growth insufficiency, skeletal transformations, and infertility associated with developmental defects in both male and female reproductive organs. Specifically, expression of Hoxa11 and Hoxd10 are altered in the epididymis of Ash1l mutant males and Hoxa10 is reduced in the uterus of Ash1l mutant females. In summary, we show that the histone methyltransferase Ash1l is important for the development and function of several tissues and for proper expression of homeotic genes in mammals.
GaAs Enhancement-Mode NMOSFETs Enabled by Atomic Layer Epitaxial $\hbox{La}_{1.8}\hbox{Y}_{0.2}\hbox{O}_{3}$ as Dielectric

We demonstrate high-performance enhancement-mode (E-mode) GaAs NMOSFETs with an epitaxial gate dielectric layer of La1.8Y0.2O3 grown by atomic layer epitaxy (ALE) on GaAs(111)A substrates. A 0.5-μm-gate-length device has a record-high maximum drain current of 336 mA/mm for surface-channel E-mode GaAs NMOSFETs, a peak intrinsic transconductance of 210 mS/mm, a subthreshold swing of 97 mV/dec, and an ION/IOFF ratio larger than 107. The thermal stability of the single-crystalline La1.8Y0.2O3 -single-crystalline GaAs interface is investigated by capacitance-voltage (C-V) and conductance-voltage (G-V) analysis. High-temperature annealing is found to be effective to reduce Dit.
Vascularized Nerve Grafts and Vascularized Fascia for Upper Extremity Nerve Reconstruction

Since 1976, experimental and clinical studies have suggested the superiority of vascularized nerve grafts. In this study, a 27-year experience of the senior author is presented regarding vascularized nerve grafts and fascia for complex upper extremity nerve reconstruction. The factors influencing outcomes as well as a comparison with conventional nerve grafts is presented. Since 1981, 21 vascularized nerve grafts, other than vascularized ulnar nerve, were used for reconstruction of nerve injuries in the upper extremity. Indications were prolonged denervation time, failure of the previously used conventional nerve grafts, and excessive scar in the recipient site. Injury was in the hand/wrist area (n = 5), in the forearm (n = 4), in the elbow (n = 2), in the arm (n = 4), or in the plexus (n = 6). Vascularized sural (n = 9), saphenous (n = 8), superficial radial (n = 3), and peroneal (superficial and deep) nerves were used. The mean follow-up was 31.4 months. Vascularized nerve grafts for upper extremity injuries provided good to excellent sensory return in severely scarred upper extremities in patients in whom conventional nerve grafts had failed. They have also provided relief of causalgia after painful neuroma resection and motor function recovery in selective cases even for above the elbow injuries. Small diameter vascularized nerve grafts should be considered for bridging long nerve gaps in regions of excessive scar or for reconstructions where conventional nerve grafts have failed.
Immunocytochemical evidence for a serotoninergic innervation of dorsal column postsynaptic neurons in cat and monkey: Light- and electron-microscopic observations

Abstract Dorsal column postsynaptic neurons in the lumbosacral enlargements of cats and a monkey were retrogradely labeled by placing horseradish peroxidase on their severed axons in the thoracic dorsal columns. After visualizing the retrogradely-labeled neurons, the tissue was immunocytochemically stained with an antiserum directed against serotonin. Immunoreactive axonal varicosities contacted the perikarya and proximal dendrites of every retrogradely-labeled neuron examined in cat (mean 61 contacts/cell) and nearly every neuron in the monkey (mean 18 contacts/cell). Electron microscopy showed that the immunoreactive axonal varicosities contained pleomorphic (round to oval) agranular vesicles and formed symmetrical synapses on retrogradely-labeled neurons. It is concluded that dorsal column postsynaptic neurons are innervated directly by the brain stem's descending, serotoninergic system(s).
NF-κB in Carcinoma Therapy and Prevention

Background: NF-κB includes a family of signal-activated transcription factors that normally regulate responses to injury and infection but which are aberrantly activated in many carcinomas. Objective: To review the activation and role of NF-κB in pathogenesis and as a target for treatment and prevention in carcinoma. Methods: Evidence from experimental, epidemiological, preclinical studies and clinical trials cited in the literature are reviewed. Results/conclusion: Cumulative evidence implicates NF-κB in cell survival, inflammation, angiogenesis, spread and therapeutic resistance during tumor development, progression and metastasis of carcinomas. Non-specific natural and synthetic agents that inhibit NF-κB have demonstrated activity and safety in prevention or therapy. NF-κB-activating kinases and the proteasome are under investigation for targeted prevention and therapy of carcinoma.
The Search for Nucleon Decay at Super-Kamiokande

We have analyzed 1144 days of Super-Kamiokande data for 13 of the more than 40 possible nucleon decay modes. We have studied p→e+π0, and twelve other two particle B-L conserving decay modes including those with kaons that are preferred in supersymmetric theories. Most modes are currently free of candidate events. In all cases the number of candidates is consistent with atmospheric neutrino induced backgrounds. We have calculated 90% confidence level single sided lower limits on the lifetime of the neutron and proton (divided by the unknown branching ratio) for the studied modes. All of our lower limits are higher than previous best limits by a factor of 2-10. Our limit for p→e+π0 is now 4.4×1033 years.
Effect of Certain Tablet Formulation Factors on Dissolution Rate of the Active Ingredient I: Importance of Using Appropriate Agitation Intensities for in Vitro Dissolution Rate Measurements to Reflect in Vivo Conditions

Evidence is presented to show that solid dosage forms are exposed to relatively low agitation intensities after oral administration, and that it is often mandatory to use similar mild agitation conditions for predictive in vitro dissolution tests. Based on considerations of the effect of stirring rate on boundary layer thickness, it is demonstrated that the effective surface area of heterogenous pellets (analogous in some respects to certain prolonged release dosage forms) may be different when such pellets are exposed to high and low agitation intensities, respectively. A proportionality between dissolution rate and the square root of stirring rate, demonstrated by others with rotating disks of inorganic salts, has been found to apply also to rotating disks of certain organic weak acids. It is shown that the ratio of dissolution rates of two or more drugs, when rates are determined by the rotating disk method, is independent of stirring rate, provided this proportionality or a similar more general relationship applies.
Childhood systemic lupus erythematosus and neonatal lupus syndrome

Systemic lupus erythematosus in children can present with a wide spectrum of disease manifestations. Significant organ system involvement appears to be more severe in children than in adults. Central nervous system disease continues to be difficult to diagnose because of the lack of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests. Renal function is the major determinant of long-term prognosis and management in children with lupus. Identification of patients who are most at risk for progression of renal disease and aggressive treatment, including corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, are indicated. Genetic susceptibility studies in lupus reveal multiple contributions from HLA and non-HLA genes. Current concepts regarding apoptosis and DNA-protein complexes and autoreactive T-cell help for anti-DNA antibody production suggest novel directions for therapies. New understandings of the pathogenesis of neonatal lupus syndrome and congenital heart block reveals important information about prospective monitoring and management of mothers and fetuses at risk.
COMPARSION OF CHEMICALLY MEASURED AVAILABLE LYSINE WITH RELATIVE NUTRITIVE VALUE MEASURED BY A Tetrahymena BIOASSAY DURING EARLY STAGES OF NONENZYMATIC BROWNING

Tetrahymena pyriformis W (TPW) was used as a biological assay to study the loss of overall protein quality due to nonenzymatic browning. The Relative Nutritional Value (RNV) as determined by this organism decreases in a model food system as Maillard compounds are formed during storage at 35°C for 80 days and at three water activities (0.3, 0.5 and 0.7). These results were compared to the fluorodinitrobenzene (FDNB) chemical assay. The latter method shows a greater loss of available lysine than is seen by TPW growth at early stages of browning. Significant accumulation of brown pigment production does not occur until after RNV has diminished by 35–50% and FDNB has decreased by 60–70%. At advanced stages of browning, however, the TPW test showed equivalent or greater losses of nutritional value. Considerable variation in the TPW bioassay occurred due to the problems in the technique but analysis of all stored samples in a single test allowed comparison to a standard casein control for measurement of protein quality loss.
BIIB021, a synthetic Hsp90 inhibitor, has broad application against tumors with acquired multidrug resistance

17-AAG, the first-generation clinical Hsp90 inhibitor, exhibits promising antitumor activity in clinical studies, but is limited by poor solubility and hepatotoxicity. To pursue compounds with better biopharmaceutical properties, we have developed a series of fully synthetic orally bioavailable inhibitors of Hsp90. Here, we report that 17-AAG and other ansamycin derivatives are inactive in P-gp and/or MRP-1 expressing cell lines and sensitivity could be restored by coadministration of P-gp or MRP inhibitors. In contrast, the synthetic Hsp90 inhibitor, BIIB021 was active in these models. Accordingly, BIIB021 was considerably more active than 17-AAG against adrenocortical carcinoma, a tumor that naturally expresses P-gp, both in vitro and in vivo. This efflux pump-mediated resistance is manifested in both cytotoxicity assays and measurements of target inhibition, such as client protein degradation. Other than this, the cytotoxic activity of BIIB021 was also not influenced by loss of NQO1 or Bcl-2 overexpression, molecular lesions that do not prevent client loss but are nonetheless associated with reduced cell killing by 17-AAG. Our results indicate that the activity of 17-AAG and other ansamycins may be curtailed in tumors that have upregulated efflux pumps or antiapoptotic proteins or other genetic alterations. These data indicate that the new generation of synthetic anti-Hsp90 drugs, exemplified by BIIB021 that is currently undergoing Phase II testing, may have broader application against tumors with acquired multidrug resistance or tumors located in organs protected by MDR proteins, such as the adrenal glands, brain and testis.
Trigeminal nerve responses in the rat elicited by chemical stimulation of the tongue

Abstract Epithelial and neural mechanisms underlying trigeminal chemoreception were investigated by recording lingual nerve responses to chemical stimulation of the tongue. The chloride salts, NaCl, KCl, NH4Cl, and CaCl2, each elicited distinctly different, integrated whole-nerve responses (thresholds, 0.5–2.0 M). Incubation of the tongue with lanthanum (2.5 mM), which reduces the permeability of epithelial tight junctions, reversibly attenuated these salts responses. It did not affect neural responses to mechanical and thermal stimuli. Incubation with other established transport inhibitors—amiloride, tetra-ethyl ammonium or tetrodotoxin, had no effect on the salt responses. Acetic and hydrochloric acids (thresholds, 0.1–1.0 M), and MgCl2 and BaCl2 (⩾0.5 M), also elicited distinctive responses. Other salts, MgSO4, Na isethionate and LaCl3 (⩾1.0 M), and also ethanol (4M), capsaicin (100mM), nicotine (29.6 mM) and dextrose (0.5–2.5 M), did not elicit responses. These results indicate that ions of selected salts can diffuse through the tight junctions of the lingual epithelium to activate the trigeminal nerve, and suggest that both the cation and the anion may be important in determining if the nerves are activated and the wave-form of the responses.
Monte Carlo simulation and dynamic scaling of surfaces in MBE growth.

Film growth by molecular-beam epitaxy is modeled by a simple solid-on-solid model using Monte Carlo simulations. L\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}L substrates are used and both deposition and surface diffusion are allowed to occur simultaneously. Surface roughness is studied by measuring different surface characteristics: interface width, reflection high-energy electron-diffraction intensity, and kink density are calculated from configurations generated by simulation. We find a region of temperature and flux for which apparent layer-by-layer growth occurs. For long times, the interface width grows logarithmically with time, and its saturated value diverges logarithmically with substrate size. This unusual result suggests that within the context of this model all growing surfaces are asymptotically rough for infinite lateral extent. Because of the logarithmic behavior of the interface width, our model falls into the Edwards-Wilkinson universality class. The growth is intermediate between two-dimensional and three-dimensional nucleation and is experimentally observed in many epitaxial systems.
The VLSI optimality of the AKS sorting network

Abstract : Ajtai, Komlos, and Szemeredi recently proposed a sorting network of O(nlogn) comparators and O(logn) depth. Their construction is of great theoretical interest, for it shows that O(nlogn) comparisons suffice to sort n elements, even under the constraint that comparisons be nonadaptively executed in O(logn) parallel stages. At present, the AKS network appears not suitable for practical implementations, due to the large value of the constraints; however, improvements are conceivable that could make the network more attractive for real-world applications, It is therefore natural to ask what is the performance of the AKS network in the synchronous VLSI model of computation which has been proposed to capture the essential features of planar very large scale integration as a computing environment. In this model it is known that any chip capable of sorting n words of length q = (1+ alpha)logn. with alpha 0, must satisfy a certain relationship where A is the chip area, and T is the computation time.
Confidence intervals for Kendall's tau

A simulation study was conducted to examine the performance of several confidence intervals (CIs) for Kendall's tau (txy) under a variety of population conditions. Two normal population variables (N = 10,000) were transformed to have tau correlations, τ = 0, .19, .41, or.71. Samples (n = 10, 50, 200) were drawn from the transformed populations 2000 times under each level of correlation, and accompanying CIs were computed on each sample. The results show that the CI for τ based on a consistent estimate of the variance of txy has the best coverage and power among a number of alternatives. Kendall's txy is unaffected by non-normality induced by monotonic transformations and, with its consistent variance estimated from the sample, performs well under a wide range of conditions.
Conclusion: exploring the heart of civic darkness

This article is a synthesis of Volume II of Public Policy and Administration: The Minnowbrook Perspective and an extension of the arguments found herein. And, it is an application of issues of ethics and morality to this volume. The author calls for a return to civility in public discourse and to Plato's conception of virtue, and particularly public virtue. New versions of civic space are important. The American emphasis on individualism must be tempered by a greater concern for the common good and the public interest. To achieve this public administrators must be both examples and representative citizens. Cyrano: Perhaps I do exaggerate—a little. Le Bret: You see! Cyrano: But for the sake of principle. Also in practice I have often found Exaggeration works extremely well. —Edmund Rostand Cyrano de Bergerac And sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. —James 1:15 “Civic darkness” and “sin” are offputting words. “Offputting” is also an offputting word, but we must do what we can to follow Cyrano's a...
Molecular Beam Epitaxial Growth of ZnSe, ZnSSe and ZnMnSSe Layers on GaAs Substrates for Blue-Green Laser Structures

Single layers of ZnSe, ZnSxSe1−x., and Znl−y.MnySxSe1−x., were grown on the GaAs(001). Realtime reflection high energy electron diffraction was used to study the initial growth of ZnSe(001) on GaAs(001) under different conditions. Exposure of the GaAs substrate to Se flux before growth led to three-dimensional growth, whereas exposure to Zn flux led to two dimensional-growth. ZnSxSe1−x., and Znl−y.MnySxSe1−x., (energy gap less than 2.9 eV) layers with the lattice constant closely matched to that of GaAs have been grown with a good reproducibility.
Effect of helminth-induced immunity on infections with microbial pathogens

Helminth infections are ubiquitous worldwide and can trigger potent immune responses that differ from and potentially antagonize host protective responses to microbial pathogens. In this Review we focus on the three main killers in infectious disease-AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria-and critically assesses whether helminths adversely influence host control of these diseases. We also discuss emerging concepts for how M2 macrophages and helminth-modulated dendritic cells can potentially influence the protective immune response to concurrent infections. Finally, we present evidence advocating for more efforts to determine how and to what extent helminths interfere with the successful control of specific concurrent coinfections.
Colorectal Liver Metastases

Resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) improves survival compared with systemic therapy alone. Technical resectability requires preservation of adequate functional liver remnant with biliary drainage, vascular inflow and outflow. Assessment for resectability should be predicated on high-quality cross-sectional imaging. Systemic therapy is an essential part of treating CRLM; sequence of treatment should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting, particularly in the setting of synchronous disease. Ablative strategies (radiofrequency or microwave) should be considered in patients with otherwise unresectable disease in whom all lesions can be treated. Evolving techniques for unresectable CRLM include associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS), hepatic artery infusion pump chemotherapy, drug-eluting beads with irinotecan, irreversible electroporation (IRE), transplantation, and yttrium-90. Given the increasing options and possible treatment permutations, all patients with liver predominant colorectal metastases should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting including hepatobiliary surgeons.
Evidence for Interfibrillar Shear Load Transfer Between Sliding Fibrils in Tendon

While collagen fibrils are understood to be the primary tensile load bearing components in tendon, how loads applied at the tissue level are transmitted across each element within the tissue hierarchical structure is unclear. A central unresolved question is whether collagen fibrils bear load independently or if the applied load is transferred across the fibrils through interfibrillar shear forces. Relative sliding between fibrils is suggested by findings that fibril strains within rat tail tendon fascicles do not agree with the applied tissue tensile strains [1]. Other studies using confocal microscopy have directly measured sliding behavior [2,3]; however, the impact that interfibrillar sliding has on tendon macroscale mechanics and whether sliding is associated with interfibrillar shear stresses are unknown. Therefore, the objective of this work is to quantify the contribution of interfibrillar sliding on tendon macroscale mechanics by simultaneously measuring the tissue behavior at both length-scales and interpreting the results with a micro-structural shear lag model directly incorporating interfibrillar shear stresses. We hypothesize that the reduced stiffness and increased viscosity observed in the tissue macroscale properties at higher strains are due to increases in interfibrillar sliding and that this behavior is consistent with a shear lag model involving interfibrillar shear stress.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Generalization Tests: A Terminology That Focuses Attention on Fixed-Effect Restrictions

A failure to generalize a finding when theoretically-irrelevant procedural changes are made is discussed from the viewpoint of experimental logic (two experiments showed that the finding that stimu...
Disorder effects in the linear chain compound TiS3

Abstract Conductivity (σ) and thermoelectric power (S) measurements are reported in the linear chain trichalcogenide TiS3. The dc conductivity shows a non-exponential temperature dependence below the conductivity maximum, and σ is also strongly frequency dependent. This, together with the anomalous temperature dependence of S is suggestive for disorder effects in this compound.
Evidence for plasmid-mediated resistance ofPseudomonas putida to hexahydro-1,3,5-triethyl-s-triazine

Resistance to the industrial biocide hexahydro-1,3,5-triethyl-s-triazine (HHTT) by a strain ofPseudomonas putida was shown to be encoded by a 32.5-megadalton (Mdal) plasmid as evidenced: (a) by visualization of the plasmid DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis, (b) by the loss of HHTT resistance as well as the loss of the 32.5-Mdal plasmid upon curing with novobiocin, and (c) by conjugal concomitant transfer of HHTT resistance and the 32.5-Mdal plasmid by mating the novobiocin-cured HHTT-sensitive derivative with the HHTT-resistant strain. The 32.5 Mdal did not encode for heavy metal or antibiotic resistance, and it was shown not to be one of the “degradative” plasmids ofPseudomonas. The mechanism of HHTT resistance was not discerned from these studies.
Assessments of ambient air sampling techniques for collecting airborne polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), dibenzofurans (PCDF) and biphenyls (PCB)

Abstract An ambient air sampler employing a filter and a polyurethane foam/XAD-2 cartridge effectively traps and retains the 2,3,7,8-chlorine substituted dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran isomers, as well as 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin (TBDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzofuran (TBDF), and permits quantitation of these isomers in ambient air at concentrations lower than 1 pg/m 3 .
Reduction of Uranium(VI) under Sulfate-reducing Conditions in the Presence of Fe(III)-(hydr)oxides

Hexavalent uranium [U(VI)] dissolved in a modified lactate-C medium was treated under anoxic conditions with a mixture of an Fe(III)-(hydr)oxide mineral (hematite, goethite, or ferrihydrite) and quartz. The mass of Fe(III)-(hydr)oxide mineral was varied to give equivalent Fe(III)-mineral surface areas. After equilibration, the U(VI)-mineral suspensions were inoculated with sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans G20. Inoculation of the suspensions containing sulfate-limited medium yielded significant G20 growth, along with concomitant reduction of sulfate and U(VI) from solution. With lactate-limited medium, however, some of the uranium that had been removed from solution was resolubilized in the hematite treatments and, to a lesser extent, in the goethite treatments, once the lactate was depleted. No resolubilization was observed in the lactate-limited ferrihydrite treatment even after a prolonged incubation of 4 months. Uranium resolubilization was attributed to reoxidation of the uraninite by Fe(III) present in the (hydr)oxide phases. Analysis by U L3-edge XANES spectroscopy of mineral specimens sampled at the end of the experiments yielded spectra similar to that of uraninite, but having distinct features, notably a much more intense and slightly broader white line consistent with precipitation of nanometer-sized particles. The XANES spectra thus provided strong evidence for SRB-promoted removal of U(VI) from solution by reductive precipitation of uraninite. Consequently, our results suggest that SRB mediate reduction of soluble U(VI) to an insoluble U(IV) oxide, so long as a suitable electron donor is available. Depletion of the electron donor may result in partial reoxidation of the U(IV) to soluble U(VI) species when the surfaces of crystalline Fe(III)-(hydr)oxides are incompletely reduced.
West Florida Shelf Mean Circulation Observed with Long-Term Moorings

[1] The mean circulation on the West Florida Continental Shelf is described using long-term current measurements. Bounded by the Florida peninsula to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, the West Florida Continental Shelf mean flow is oriented approximately along-isobath and southward. The mean velocity vectors veer systematically with depth, shoreward over shallow water and seaward over deeper water. This polarization change implies that the mean flow is upwelling over shallow water and downwelling seaward from the inner shelf. Such a well-organized, three-dimensional coastal ocean circulation pattern, revealed by an unprecedented set of observations, and explained on the basis of wind forcing and density field adjustment, has important implications for both fisheries and red tide occurrences.