cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative amplification of genomic DNA from histological tissue sections after staining with nuclear dyes and laser capture microdissection.

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) allows the selective sampling of tissue from histological sections. A prerequisite for this technique is the availability of histological dyes that do not interfere with downstream analysis of the sampled genetic material. We have examined the effect of four histological nuclear dyes (methyl green, hematoxylin, toluidine blue O, azure B) on TaqMan polymerase chain reaction amplification of β-actin genomic DNA prepared from fixed and frozen tissue. Tissue sampled from the histological sections by manual dissection was compared with tissue sampled by LCM. As previously reported, when manually dissected tissue sections were analyzed, polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA after hematoxylin staining was inferior to that after staining with the other dyes. In contrast, when tissue sampled by LCM was examined, DNA recovery after hematoxylin staining was equivalent to the recovery after methyl green staining. We conclude that DNA recovery from LCM-sampled tissue is independent of the histological stain chosen to highlight nuclear detail.
A PURE STRATEGY NASH EQUILIBRIUM FOR A 3-FIRM LOCATION GAME ON A SPHERE

Abstract There are only two known pure strategy Nash equilibria for multi-firm location games in dimension two. This paper presents an infinite family of pure strategy Nash equilibria for a 3-firm location game on a sphere.
Fictive Feasting: Mixing and Parsing Bolivian Popular Sentiment

In this article I analyze the vitalizing relationships between fictive kinship (compadrazgo) and Andean cultural practice. I distinguish several recognized strategies of fictive kinship in the region of Quillacollo, Bolivia. While provincial folk are quick to insist that Andean culture, as such, no longer exists in this region, at the same time ritual kinship, recognized as a remainder of Andean cultural practice, is one typical way that "the Andean," as a cultural trope and moral discourse, continues to permeate peoples' lives. This argument uses Fernandez's insights about "wholes" and "parts" to emphasize the play of synecdoches, a regional preoccupation with "partness" and the right relation among parts, expressed by the orchestration of fictive ties.
Realistic simulation of the ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer using a distributed three-dimensional particle-in-cell code

This work describes an Internet accessible three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation code, which is capable of near first principles modeling of complete experimental sequences in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometers. The graphical user interface is a Java client that communicates via a socket stream connection over the Internet to the computational engine, a server that executes the simulation and sends real-time particle data back to the client for display. As a first demonstration, this code is applied to the problem of the cyclotron motion of two very close mass to charge ratios at high ion density. The ion populations in these simulations range from 50,000 to 350,000 coulombically interacting particles confined in a cubic trap, which are followed for 100,000 time-steps. Image charge, coherent cyclotron positions, and snapshots of the ion population are recorded at selected time-steps. At each time-step in the simulation the potential (coulomb + image + trap) is found by the direct solution of Poisson’s equation on a 64×64×64 computational grid. Cyclotron phase locking is demonstrated at high number density. Simulations at different magnetic fields confirm a B2 dependence for the minimum number density required to lock cyclotron modes.
Data Consistency and Conflict Avoidance in a Multi-User CAx Environment

AbstractThis paper presents a new method to partition a model and maintain data consistency in a multi-user CAx system by introducing three new types of constraints specifically designed for a collaborative environment. These constraints work by constraining and controlling both features and users across an entire multi-user CAx platform. The first constraint type includes locking or reserving features to enable only one user at a time to edit a given feature. The second constraint type, collaborative feature constraints, allows flexible constraining of each individual feature in a model, and the data that defines it. The third constraint type, collaborative user constraints, allows the constraining of user permissions and user actions individually or as a group while providing as much flexibility as possible.To further present this method, mock-ups, and suggested implementation guidelines are presented. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, a proof-of-concept implementation was built using the ...
PGI'S Tenth Anniversary — 1977-1987

Briefly describes Unesco's concern with information matters; the creation of the General Information Programme, PGI, and its evolution through the first and second Medium-Term Plans; the integration within PGI of the information, library and archives components ; the changes in emphasis to respond to evolving needs; the present challenges it has to face and the way it adjusts to the budgetary limitations.
Unit-specific event-based continuous-time approach for short-term scheduling of batch plants using RTN framework

The problem of short-term scheduling of batch plants has received remarkable attention in the past two decades. The state-task-network (STN) and resource-task-network (RTN) process representations are extensively used in modeling scheduling problems. In this paper, we propose a new model to investigate the RTN representation for unit-specific event-based models. For handling dedicated finite storage, a novel formulation is proposed without the need for considering storage as a separate task. The performance of the proposed model is evaluated along with several other continuous-time models from the literature based on the STN and RTN process representations. The various models are assessed based on our implementations using several benchmark example problems from the literature. Two different objective functions, maximization of profit and minimization of makespan, are considered. Two storage policies, unlimited and dedicated finite storage cases are also considered.
Residual stresses and density gradient in injection molded starch/synthetic polymer blends

Residual stress distribution in injection molded starch/synthetic polymer blends was evaluated using the layer removal technique. The synthetic polymers in the blend were either polybutylene succinate (PBS) or polycaprolactone (PCL). The starch content ranged from 0 to 70% by weight in the PBS blend and was held constant at 70% in the PCL blend. The effects of various molding conditions, aging and starch content were investigated. The residual stress profiles were found to be parabolic in nature with surface compressive stresses and interior tensile stresses. Increasing the injection pressure and mold temperature decreased the tensile stresses but had no significant effect on the surface compressive stresses. Decreasing the packing pressure produced a significant decrease in the magnitude of residual stresses. Varying melt temperature and packing time did not significantly affect the residual stress distribution for the range of values investigated. The residual stresses relaxed with time, decreasing over a period of 57 days. The magnitude of residual stresses increased as the starch content in the PBS blends was varied from 0 to 70%. Density gradient measurements were made in a 70% starch/PBS blend. The density was found to be higher in the interior than at the surface with a steep gradient close to the surface. Varying the molding conditions had a complex effect on the average density and the density distribution.
Development and application of the x-ray/EUV calibration facility with a laser plasma source for plasma diagnostics and biomedical x-ray microscopy

The new calibration x-ray/extreme UV facility for plasma diagnostics and bio-medical x-ray microscopy includes a compact solid state high-repetition laser and a universal, computer controlled target vacuum chamber with calibrated x- ray spectrometers, fast x-ray diodes and time-gated pin-hole cameras. Experimental results are presented.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Quantitative Characterization of Changes in Dynamical Behavior for Single-Particle Tracking Studies†

Single-particle tracking experiments have been used widely to study the heterogeneity of a sample. Segments with dissimilar diffusive behaviors are associated with different intermediate states, usually by visual inspection of the tracking trace. A likelihood-based, systematic approach is presented to remove this incertitude. Maximum likelihood estimators are derived for the determination of diffusion coefficients. A likelihood ratio test is applied to the localization of the changes in them. Simulations suggest that the proposed procedure is statistically robust and is able to quantitatively recover time-dependent changes in diffusion coefficients even in the presence of large measurement noise.
Improved Sensitivity of Dye-Doped Thermoplastic Discs for Holographic Data Storage

Significant sensitivity improvement was achieved in dye-doped thermoplastic materials for holographic data storage at 405nm. The sensitivity characterization method and measurement results are reported.
Jean Toomer and the Prison-House of Thought: A Phenomenology of the Spirit

Offering a critique of the subjective idealism that lies at the centre of Toomer's oeuvre through the lens of Lukac's theory of reification, Robert B. Jones frames his analysis in terms of Kierkegaard's stages of development - the aesthetic, the ethical, and the religious.
Spatial and Temporal Model of Electric Vehicle Charging Demand

This paper presents a spatial and temporal model of electric vehicle charging demand for a rapid charging station located near a highway exit. Most previous studies have assumed a fixed charging location and fixed charging time during the off-peak hours for anticipating electric vehicle charging demand. Some other studies have based on limited charging scenarios at typical locations instead of a mathematical model. Therefore, from a distribution system perspective, electric vehicle charging demand is still unidentified quantity which may vary by space and time. In this context, this study proposes a mathematical model of electric vehicle charging demand for a rapid charging station. The mathematical model is based on the fluid dynamic traffic model and the M/M/s queueing theory. Firstly, the arrival rate of discharged vehicles at a charging station is predicted by the fluid dynamic model. Then, charging demand is forecasted by the M/M/s queueing theory with the arrival rate of discharged vehicles. This mathematical model of charging demand may allow grid's distribution planners to anticipate a charging demand profile at a charging station. A numerical example shows that the proposed model is able to capture the spatial and temporal dynamics of charging demand in a highway charging station.
The piccolyte resins as microscopic mounting media.

A new series of synthetic resins, the “Piccolytes” (β-pinene polymers), is recommended for permanent mounting media in histological work. These resins, which are available with various melting points, are of correct refractive indices, very low acid numbers, are pale, non-yellowing, have good adhesion to glass, and are freely soluble in xylene. Of a considerable variety of newer synthetic resins which were tried (stimulated by the recent scarcity of Canada balsam), only these terpene resins were found entirely satisfactory. Being of controlled manufacture, they are uniform in characteristics as well as readily available and very cheap.A partial review of the literature of synthetic resin mountants is included.
Ordem temporal e inferência causal

Measures of change in pairs of attitudinal variables can provide important insights into the structure of the political belief systems of mass publics. Panel data reveal evidence of the greater centrality of some idea elements rather than others in the context of short-term dynamic constraint. Specification of the theoretically relevant voter attributes makes it possible to test for expected structural differences connecting policy related pre-dispositions and policy preferences; specification also makes it possible to test propositions involving the reciprocal effects of attitudes and emerging vote preferences. Some of the more helpful specifications disclose the extent to which population heterogeneity produces a blurred image of relationships when analysis is based on the total electorate rather than limited to voters or subsets of voters specified by theoretical criteria.
Effect of diisopropyl phosphofluoridate on analgesia and motor behavior in the rat

Abstract 1. 1. Diisopropyl phosphofluoridate (DFP) produced analgesia and behavioral depression. Morphine, 3.0 mg/kg, and DFP, 1.5 mg/kg, produced quantitatively similar degrees of analgesia. 2. 2, Antinociception induced by DFP was reversed by atropine and also by naloxone, a pure narcotic antagonist. Morphine-induced analgesia was reversed only by naloxone. 3. 3. Serotonin (5-HT) levels were increased by DFP administration in several brain regions. Pretreatment of the animals with para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) prevented the DFP augmentation of 5-HT levels but did not affect behavioral effects or analgesia produced by DFP. 4. 4. These results suggest that DFP acts via the central cholinergic system to produce analgesia, that this effect may not depend on 5-HT, and that DFP and morphine-induced analgetic states may be related.
The Apperceptive Personality Test and Locus of Control

This study examined the relationship between the Apperceptive Personality Test (APT) and Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control (I-E) Scale. These scales were administered to 131 undergraduates (83 women, 48 men) and a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed with Rotter's I-E scores as the criterion variable and 20 APT variables as predictors. The results provided some support for modest but significant relationships between two APT variables and scores on the I-E Scale. Internal-scoring subjects described their story characters with more positive ratings for the APT variable of Leader-Follower, whereas the story characters of external-scoring subjects were described with more extreme positive ratings than those of internal scorers.
Measurements of nitrogen Q-branch foreign gas-broadening coefficients relevant to flames

The J-dependent line-broadening coefficients for the Raman Q-branch of nitrogen in propane and n -butane at 296 K and in water vapor at 1570 K have been measured using high-resolution inverse Raman spectroscopy. Predictions of a modified exponential energy-gap fitting law are compared with partially rotationally collapsed spectra of nitrogen in the two fuel gases.
X‐ray structure determination of Ru(TPP)(CO)(MeIm)·2CHCl3

The crystal structure of (carbonyl)(1-methylimidazole)(5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinato)ruthenium(II)·2chloroform, Ru(TPP)(CO)(MeIm)·2CHCl3, an R-state model of the hemoglobin active site, has been determined. The material crystallizes in space group P21/c of the monoclinic system with four formula units in a cell of dimensions a = 12.733(2) A, b = 14.535(2) A, c = 24.921(2) A, β = 91.15(1) ° at T = 110 K. The structure has been refined to R(F) = 0.038 for 588 variables and 7458 data. The Ru–C(O) distance is 1.835(3) A and the Ru–N(imidazole) distance is 2.163(2) A. This is the third reported crystal structure of a solvated Ru(TPP)(CO)(MeIm) compound. It differs from the other two in a larger displacement of 0.079(1) A of the Ru atom from the mean porphyrin plane toward the CO ligand, a shorter Ru–N(imidazole) bond, a smaller average deviation, 0.06 A, of atoms from the porphyrin plane, and the absence of a small ≤60 ° dihedral angle between the porphyrin plane and phenyl rings.
A reality-oriented approach to interdisciplinary work

Abstract Although there is a long history of support in the literature for interdisciplinary education, practice, and research, the actual implementation of such activities has varied greatly. Numerous variables inhibit interdisciplinary work, including a tendency to focus on the many barriers to, rather than opportunities for, such work, a lack of solid data documenting its benefits, the difficulty inherent in finding solutions to the conflicts that arise among the disciplines involved, and organizational reward and regulation systems geared toward single-discipline work. Nonetheless, the goal of interdisciplinary work persists, and there are several notable examples of success. Strategies are outlined for incremental achievement of interdisciplinary aspirations in less-than-ideal environments. These strategies include scanning the environment for promising opportunities, setting realistic goals, building commitment to those goals, avoiding useless battles, and celebrating successes. Specific examples of such strategies as used in the Health Science Center at the University of Florida are provided. J Prof Nurs 17:278-282, 2001. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Cities in Global Context: A Brief Intellectual History

The article presents information on cities and towns in global context. Use of the concept global city did not necessarily figure in the early writings on cities, but international market connections and trade linkages did. In its initial incarnation, American urban sociology was remarkable for its failure to contextualize urban questions in larger political and economic processes be they global or otherwise. This may have owed partly to the peculiar geographical circumstances of their home nation. The extensive size of the U.S. and the decentralized character of American politics meant that scholars who were interested in connecting the growth of cities to trade or market dynamics generally studied them in a regional or even sub-regional context, a set of concerns that were articulated through the development of central place theory, among others. The historical legacies of colonialism do more than shed light on the timing of much of this literature in the period of post-colonial independence; they also help explain why, in contrast to their American counterparts, few European urbanists sought to blame poverty and underdevelopment in third-world cities on personal pathologies or cultural attributes.
Effect of ethephon and daminozide on the respiration of isolated leaf cells

A combined foliar application of ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) at 0.8 kg/ha and daminozide (butanedioic acid mono (2,2 dimethylhydrazide) at 3.2 kg/ha inhibited the vegetative growth of Black Valentine bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) without the leaf chlorosis and necrosis caused by ethephon alone. This antagonistic interaction was further evaluated by examining the effect of ethephon and daminozide on respiration and lipid synthesis of isolated leaf cells. Ethephon (1.0 mM) promoted14CO2 evolution from cells incubated with14C-glucose for 14 h by approximately 75%. Characterization of this response with Black Valentine bean mitochondria indicated that the observed stimulation could not be attributed to the existence of a major cyanide insensitive pathway or the possibility of ethephon acting as an uncoupler, which supports the view that ethephon (or ethylene) acts in the cytosol rather than in mitochondria. Daminozide at 30.0 and 60.0 mM inhibited14CO2 evolution of isolated cells by 30 and 70%, respectively. Ethephon in combination with daminozide (1.0+60 mM) resulted in a 32% inhibition of respiration. Daminozide (60.0 mM) inhibited the incorporation of14C-glucose into chloroform-methanol soluble products by 47%, but did not affect the incorporation of14C-acetate. The results suggest that daminozide may reduce or overcome any stimulatory effect of ethephon on respiration and support an active inhibitory site for daminozide in mitochondria.
DNA-directed assembly of polyanilines: modified cytosine nucleotides transfer sequence programmability to a conjoined polymer.

A series of polyaniline (PANI) oligomers was constructed from monomer units covalently linked to duplex DNA through N-(2-aminoethyl) groups bonded through cytosines. DNA oligomers containing the aniline monomers were treated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and H2O2 under conditions known to cause polymerization of aniline. No change in the absorption spectrum of the DNA was observed for samples containing fewer than four contiguous aniline groups. However, for oligomers containing four, five, or six aniline units, treatment with HRP and H2O2 led to the appearance of absorption features characteristic of the conducting “proton doped” emeraldine oxidation state of PANI. Molecular modeling shows that the DNA is distorted in the region of the PANI, but flanking regions of the DNA maintain their B-form structure. These findings provide a method to exploit the self-recognition, self-assembly, and sequence programmability of DNA for the formation of conducting polymers.
Does AI have a methodology which is different from software engineering

This paper argues that the conventional methodology of software engineering is inappropriate to AI, but that the failure of many in AI to see this is producing a Kuhnian paradigm ‘crisis’. The key point is that classic software engineering methodology (which we call SPIV: Specify-Prove-Implement-Verify) requires that the problem be capable of being circumscribed or surveyed in a way that it is not, for areas of AI, like natural language processing. In addition, it also requires that a program be open to formal proof of correctness. We contrast this methodology with a weaker form complete Specification And Testability (SAT — where the last term is used in a strong sense: every execution of the program gives decidably correct/incorrect results) which captures both the essence of SPIV and the key assumptions in practical software engineering. We argue that failure to recognize the inability to apply the SAT methodology to areas of AI has prevented development of a disciplined methodology (which is unique to AI and which we call RUDE: Run-Understand-Debug-Edit) that will accommodate the peculiarities of AI and also yield robust, reliable, comprehensible, and hence maintainable AI software.
Relative salt tolerance of selected herbaceous perennials and groundcovers

Abstract In order to use reclaimed water to irrigate landscape plants and minimize damage and loss, salinity tolerance of commonly used landscape plants needs to be determined and characterized. Eight herbaceous perennials and groundcovers were obtained from a local nursery, transplanted to 2.6-L plastic containers and grown in the greenhouse for 2 weeks before saline irrigation at electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.8 (tap water), 3.2, 6.4, or 12 dS m −1 were initiated. Plants were irrigated with measured amount of saline solutions to obtain 30% leaching when approximately 50% water had been depleted. After 12 weeks, four plants in each treatment were destructively harvested and dry weights of shoots and roots were determined. Three Penstemon species ( P . eatonii A. Gray, P . pseudospectabilis M.E. Jones, and P . strictus Benth.) and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. at 6.4 and 12 dS m −1 and most at 3.2 dS m −1 did not survive. Shoot dry weight of Delosperma cooperi (Hook.f.) L. Bolus decreased by 25% at 12 dS m −1 , but there were no significant differences among the rest of the treatments. All plants of Teucrium chamaedrys L. survived but growth was reduced significantly with lower visual scores as salinity of irrigation water increased. Although growth was reduced in Gazania rigens (L.) Gaertn. as salinity increased, no other signs of stress or injury were observed. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Bunge had reduced growth at 3.2 dS m −1 and higher EC levels compared to the control, older leaves showed reddish pigmentation at 6.4 dS m −1 , whereas those at 12 dS m −1 did not survive. Ion concentrations of shoot and root tissue at the end of the experiment on surviving plants were also affected by salinity levels and varied among species. Among the tested species, D. cooperi and G . rigen indicated a relatively high tolerance to salinity, T. chamaedrys and C. plumbaginoides were moderately tolerant, and the rest were less tolerant.
Effect of outflow level and maximum graft diameter on the velocity parameters of reversed vein bypass grafts.

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to define a normal range of distal graft velocity (DGV) and peak systolic velocity (PSV) on the basis of outflow level and maximum graft diameter for infrainguinal reversed vein bypass grafting (RVG). Methods: This study was designed as a prospective study of consecutive patients who underwent infrainguinal RVG from 1994 to 1997 in a university hospital and university-affiliated teaching hospital. All patients who underwent infrainguinal bypass grafting from 1994 to 1997 were placed in a prospective protocol with duplex scanning to better define the hemodynamics of normally functioning RVG. Graft revisions were performed for patients with velocity ratios of more than 2.5. One hundred twenty-one patients were entered into this protocol, and 114 were followed more than 3 months after RVG. Seven patients were excluded: five for death within 3 months, one for graft infection, and one for graft occlusion before the baseline duplex scanning. DGV and PSV were determined for each type of outflow (popliteal, crural, and pedal) and for ranges of maximum graft diameter. These then were correlated with subsequent graft occlusion or graft revision (graft failure). Results: Grafts with larger diameters were associated with lower DGVs ( P P Conclusion: Graft diameter and location of the distal anastomosis significantly affect the flow velocity in RVG. Other variables did not influence these parameters. Currently established criteria for arteriography or graft repair on the basis of graft velocity parameters may be improved if they can be modified depending on diameter and outflow. (J Vasc Surg 1999;30:16-25.)
Potential of mean force for the isomerization of DMF in aqueous solution: a Monte Carlo QM/MM simulation study

Potential of mean force for the isomerization of a tertiary peptide bond in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is determined using a combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) potential in Monte Carlo simulations. Both the anti and syn transformations were considered. The computed free energy of activation in the gas phase is 19.8 kcal/mol for the anti transition state and 20.2 kcal/mol for the syn form. This is in excellent agreement with the gas-phase NMR measurements (19.4±0.1 kcal/mol)
Arthritis care in older-adult centers

In this study, we evaluated an inservice training program for public health nurses. The training program concerned arthritis screening and management of the disease in elderly subjects. Twenty-nine nurses were assigned randomly to experimental (training) or control conditions. Evaluation data from 158 interviews with patients showed that screening for arthritis was done twice as frequently by nurses in the experimental group, compared with that done by nurses who were not in the experimental group (P less than 0.01). Recommended management of arthritis was not correspondingly improved. Stronger inservice programs are discussed in light of the need to anticipate seasonal conflicts between arthritis care and preventive care for the elderly, to change habitual practice patterns, and to increase access to arthritis health professionals.
Grade-related changes in the production of African American English.

This investigation examined grade as a source of systematic variation in the African American English (AAE) produced by students in preschool through fifth grades. Participants were 400 typically d...
Active Site Contacts in the Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase-Hypoxanthine Complex by NMR and ab Initio Calculations †

Hypoxanthine (Hx) with specific 15N labels has been used to probe hydrogen-bonding interactions with purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) by NMR spectroscopy. Hx binds to human PNP as the N-7H tautomer, and the N-7H 1H and 15N chemical shifts are located at 13.9 and 156.5 ppm, respectively, similar to the solution values. In contrast, the 1H and 15N chemical shifts of N-1H in the PNP·Hx complex are shifted downfield by 3.5 and 7.5 ppm to 15.9 and 178.8 ppm, respectively, upon binding. Thus, hydrogen bonding at N-1H is stronger than at N-7H in the complex. Ab initio chemical shift calculations on model systems that simulate Hx in solution and bound to PNP are used to interpret the NMR data. The experimental N-7H chemical shift changes are caused by competing effects of two active site contacts. Hydrogen bonding of Glu201 to N-1H causes upfield shifts of the N-7H group, while the local hydrogen bond (CO to N-7H from Asn243) causes downfield shifts. The observed N-7H chemical shift can be reproduced by a hy...
Plasma studies in vacuum arc remelting

The visible and UV plasma emissions from a metal vapor arc were studied during vacuum arc remelting of 165 mm diameter Inconel 718 electrodes using emission spectroscopy. Internal energy distributions of a number of emitting species were analyzed using Boltzmann statistics. Analysis of the data yielded distribution “temperatures” ranging from 5,400 K to 8,200 K for the neutral atomic arc species, whereas values of 12,200 K to 17,500 K were obtained for singly ionized species. These values illustrate that the arc is not in a state of local thermodynamic equilibrium. The excited state densities of various arc constituents were measured and it was found that highly volatile alloy trace components, such as Mn, were present in the arc in dispro-portionately high concentrations. These data suggest that ionized evaporates play an important role in carrying current between the electrodes.
Comparison Between Left Ventricular Electromechanical Mapping and Radionuclide Perfusion Imaging for Detection of Myocardial Viability

Background —A novel 3-dimensional left ventricular (LV) mapping system uses low-intensity magnetic field energy to determine the location of sensor-tipped electrode catheters within the LV. Using this system, we sought to distinguish between infarcted, ischemic, and normal myocardium by comparing LV electromechanical mapping data with myocardial perfusion imaging studies. Methods and Results —Unipolar voltage potentials and local endocardial shortening (LS) were measured in 18 patients (mean age, 58±12 years) with symptomatic chronic angina having reversible and/or fixed myocardial perfusion defects on single photon emission computed tomography imaging studies using 201Tl at rest and 99mTc-sestamibi after adenosine stress. Overall, a significant difference in voltage potentials and LS values was found between groups ( P <0.001 for each comparison by ANOVA). The average voltage potentials (14.0±2.0 mV) and LS values (12.5±2.8%) were highest when measured in myocardial segments (n=56) with normal perfusion and lowest (7.5±3.4 mV and 3.4±3.4%) when measured in myocardial segments with fixed perfusion defects (n=20) ( P <0.0001). Myocardial segments with reversible perfusion defects (n=66) had intermediate voltage amplitudes (12.0±2.8 mV, P =0.048 versus normal and P =0.005 versus fixed segments) and LS values (10.3±3.7%, P =0.067 versus normal and P =0.001 versus fixed segments). Conclusions —In patients with myocardial ischemia, LV mapping, compared with myocardial perfusion imaging, shows (1) mild reduction of endocardial voltage potentials and LS in segments with reversible perfusion defects and (2) profound electromechanical impairment in segments with fixed perfusion defects. Thus, such an LV mapping procedure may allow the detection on-line of myocardial viability in the catheterization laboratory.
Modeling protein-mediated morphology in biomembranes

The equilibrium theory for lipid membranes is used to describe the structure of nuclear pores and the membrane shapes accompanying endocytosis. The commonly used variant of the theory contains a fixed parameter called the spontaneous curvature which accounts for asymmetry in the bending response of the membrane. This is replaced here by a variable distribution of spontaneous curvature representing the influence of attached proteins. The required adjustments to the standard theory are described and the resulting model is applied to the study of membrane morphology at the cites of protein-assisted nuclear pore formation and endocytosis.
Discrete model analysis of optimal columns

Abstract The physical parameters of optimal discrete link-spring models, which maximize the buckling load, are reconstructed. The cases where the system is pinned or clamped at one end, and supported by linear spring at the other end, are analyzed. It is shown that the optimal system can be determined recursively by using a one parameter iterative loop. For the pinned-spring-supported boundary conditions there is a region where the optimal solution is not unique. This case is characterized in the paper for the continuous system and its discrete model representation. This study enlightens the results obtained by Tadjbakhsh and Keller in 1962. In particular, it allows evaluation of the strongest column in the transition from the clamped–free to the pinned–pinned boundary condition; and from the (unstable) pinned–free configuration to that associated with the pinned–pinned. We have restricted our study to the regular cases, where there are no internal vanishing cross-sectional areas in the column. It has been shown that for certain range of spring constant the optimal columns are regular in the sense that their cross-section area is positive.
High-resolution MRI of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) at 3T: comparison of surface coil and volume coil.

Purpose To evaluate high-resolution MRI of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) at 3T using a surface coil (SC) or volume coil (VC). Materials and Methods MRI was obtained from nine volunteers in the supine position with a 3-inch SC and in prone position with a transmit-receiver wrist VC at 3T. Coronal two-dimensional-gradient echo (2D-GRE) images (TR/TE/FA = 500 msec/15 msec/40°, 1 mm slice-thickness, 60 mm field of view [FOV], 192 × 256 matrix) and coronal 3D-GRE images (TR/TE/FA = 33 msec/15 msec/10°, 0.8 mm slice-thickness, 80 mm FOV, 256 × 256 matrix) were used. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the TFCC and surrounding structures were measured. For qualitative measurement, visualization of TFCC and intercarpal ligaments was graded. Results SNR of TFCC, cartilage, and bone marrow on 2D-GRE with SC/VC was as follows: 5.3/5.3 (TFCC), 16.5/14.4 (cartilage), and 3.61/3.96 (bone marrow). 3D-GRE showed similar SNR. Cartilage-TFCC/cartilage-bone marrow CNR were 11.1/12.8 (SC-2D-GRE), 8.8/10.5 (VC-2D-GRE), 14.1/15.5 (SC-3D-GRE), and 11.9/15.0 (VC-3D-GRE). Quantitative values were not significantly different between SC and VC. Visualization of TFCC and intercarpal ligament with SC was superior to that with VC. All structures show higher scores with 3D-GRE imaging compared to 2D-GRE imaging. Conclusion SC may provide superior qualitative and quantitative results and can be an alternative in case of difficulty in prone position at 3T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;26:701–707. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reduction of threshold voltage sensitivity in SOI MOSFET's

The threshold voltage sensitivity, of fully depleted SOI MOSFET's to variations in SOI silicon film thickness was examined through both simulation and device experiments. The concept of designing the channel V/sub th/ implant to achieve a constant dose within the film, rather than a constant doping concentration, was studied for a given range of film thicknesses. Minimizing the variation in retained dose reduced the threshold voltage sensitivity to film thickness for the range of t/sub si/ examined. One-dimensional process simulations were performed to determine the optimal channel implant condition that would reduce the variation in retained dose using realistic process parameters for both NMOS and PMOS device processes. SOI NMOS transistors were fabricated. The experimental results confirmed the simulation findings and achieved a reduced threshold voltage sensitivity. >
Unsupervised learning for nonlinear synthetic discriminant functions

It has been shown in previous work that the family of filters which includes the minimum average correlation energy (MACE) filter can be formulated as a linear associative memory (LAM) preceded by a linear pre-processor which changes depending on the optimization criterion. We have presented a methodology by which the MACE filter and other synthetic discriminant function (SDF) filters can be extended to nonlinear processing structures (i.e. nonlinear associative memories) resulting in improved performance with respect to generalization and out-of-class target rejection. Our earlier focus was towards developing efficient training algorithms for computing a nonlinear discriminant function without changing the linear pre-processor. In this paper we discuss a nonlinear pre-processing method based on concepts of information theory. We show a simple unsupervised method by which input images can be nonlinearly transformed onto a maximum entropy feature space.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On unbounded path-loss models: effects of singularity on wireless network performance

This paper addresses the following question: how reliable is it to use the unbounded path-loss model G(d) = d-alpha, where alpha is the path-loss exponent, to model the decay of transmitted signal power in wireless networks? G(d) is a good approximation for the path-loss in wireless communications for large values of d but is not valid for small values of d due to the singularity at 0. This model is often used along with a random uniform node distribution, even though in a group of uniformly distributed nodes some may be arbitrarily close to one another. The unbounded path-loss model is compared to a more realistic bounded path-loss model, and it is shown that the effect of the singularity on the total network interference level is significant and cannot be disregarded when nodes are uniformly distributed. A phase transition phenomenon occurring in the interference behavior is analyzed in detail. Several performance metrics are also examined by using the computed interference distributions. In particular, the effects of the singularity at 0 on bit error rate, packet success probability and wireless channel capacity are analyzed.
Information Exchange in the Disaster Zone: Interaction Between Aid Workers and Recipients in South Sudan

The author's experience of information collection and analysis in the Bahr-el-Ghazal region of south Sudan is reflected on here. The paper suggests that existing strategies of needs assessment are often based on misunderstandings about the cultural, social and economic conditions of war-affected communities. Furthermore, the needs assessment process has taken on a life of its own: for the intended beneficiaries it is often a wearying experience, but one which can yield benefits if the ‘correct’ answers are provided to sometimes ridiculous and often insensitive questions. For the assessors, participatory patterns of data collection provide an apparently scientific justification for decision-making in contexts characterised by complex political and moral dilemmas and organisational confusion.
77-year-old woman with back pain and shortness of breath.

A 77-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with back pain, which began shortly after moving furniture 1 week before presentation. The pain was persistent, did not radiate, limited activities of daily living, and was unrelieved by conservative measures. Although there were no associated neurologic symptoms, the patient described intermittent fever and chills.
Concentration of digestible and metabolizable energy and digestibility of amino acids in chicken meal, poultry byproduct meal, hydrolyzed porcine intestines, a spent hen-soybean meal mixture, and conventional soybean meal fed to weanling pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the concentration of DE and ME and the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in chicken meal, poultry byproduct meal, hydrolyzed porcine intestines, a spent hen-soybean meal (SBM) mixture, and conventional SBM fed to weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 48 barrows (initial BW: 14.6 ± 2.2 kg) were placed in metabolism cages and allotted to 6 diets with 8 replicate pigs per diet in a randomized complete block design. Six corn-based diets were formulated. The basal diet contained 98.1% corn (as-fed basis) and 5 diets contained corn and 11 to 16% chicken meal, poultry byproduct meal, hydrolyzed porcine intestines, spent hen-SBM mixture, or SBM. All test ingredients were included in their respective diets at levels that were expected to result in similar concentrations of CP among diets. Feces and urine were collected for 5 d. The ME was 3,957, 3,816, 4,586, 4,298, 4,255, and 4,091 kcal/kg DM for corn, chicken meal, poultry byproduct meal, hydrolyzed porcine intestines, the spent hen-SBM mixture, and SBM, respectively. The ME in poultry byproduct meal was greater (P < 0.01) than in corn, chicken meal, the spent hen-SBM mixture, and SBM, and the ME in hydrolyzed porcine intestines and the spent hen-SBM mixture was greater (P < 0.01) than in corn and chicken meal, but there was no difference among hydrolyzed porcine intestines, the spent hen-SBM mixture, and SBM. In Exp. 2, 12 barrows (initial BW: 12.2 ± 1.5 kg) were equipped with a T-cannula in the ileum and allotted to a replicated 6 × 6 Latin square design. A N-free diet and a cornstarch-SBM based diet were formulated. Four additional diets were formulated by mixing cornstarch, sucrose, and SBM with chicken meal, poultry byproduct meal, hydrolyzed porcine intestines, or the spent hen-SBM mixture. The SID of CP and all AA, except Trp and Pro, was greater (P < 0.01) in SBM than in all other ingredients. The SID of CP and all indispensable AA in the spent hen-SBM mixture was also greater (P < 0.01) than in chicken meal and hydrolyzed porcine intestines, and with the exception of Arg and Val, SID values of all indispensable AA in the spent hen-SBM mixture were greater than in poultry byproduct meal. However, with the exception of Val and Lys, there were no differences between chicken meal and poultry byproduct meal. In conclusion, the ME in hydrolyzed porcine intestines and the spent hen-SBM mixture is greater than in chicken meal, but not different from the ME of SBM. Poultry by product meal provides more ME than SBM, chicken meal, and the spent hen-SBM mixture, and the SID of most indispensable AA is greater in the spent hen-SBM mixture than in chicken meal, poultry byproduct meal, and hydrolyzed porcine intestines, but less than in SBM.
VASCULAR STRUCTURE SEGMENTATION AND BIFURCATION DETECTION

Delineation and reconstruction of vascular structures in medical images are critical for the diagnosis of various vascular diseases and related surgical procedures. In this paper, we present a novel method for vascular structure segmentation with fully automatic detection of bifurcation points. First, we perform a preselection of tubular objects and trace the vessels based on the eigenanalysis of the Hessian matrix. This provides us the estimated direction of vessels as well as the cross-sectional planes orthogonal to the vessels. Then, we apply AdaBoost learning method with specially designed filters on cross-sectional planes to automatically detect the bifurcation points of the vessels. Our method has over 97% success rate for detecting bifurcation points. We present very promising results of our method applied to the reconstruction of pulmonary vessels from clinical chest CT. Our method allows for fully automatic detection of bifurcation points as well as segmentation of vessels
Party Preference and Attitudes on Political Issues: 1948–1951

The widespread interest in understanding the political behavior of the American electorate has been served by a number of different methodological approaches. One of the most widely known and used is the analysis of aggregate voting statistics along the lines indicated by the work of Louis Bean. Major problems susceptible to study through aggregate behavioral measures include those related to the consequences of urbanization, population migration, drastic economic crisis or long-term change, or important international developments. Trends in voting behavior and regional differences in voting fall within this type of analysis, with census tract information and political sub-division voting statistics providing much of the relevant data for investigation.A different approach to the study of political behavior is provided by the analysis of data on individuals, information pertaining to the behavior of identifiable persons. This approach allows flexibility in the ultimate units of analysis. The use of data on individuals not only provides such gross information as the percentages of people forming large groups (Democrats and Republicans, well-informed and poorly-informed) in the population, but it also provides information about various characteristics of these groups within the population.
Image Segmentation as Learning on Hypergraphs

In this paper, we propose to use hypergraphs as the model for images and pose image segmentation as a machine learning problem in which some pixels (called seeds) are labeled as the objects and background. Using the seed pixels, our method predicts the labels for all unlabeled pixels. We present the relations of the proposed method to other hypergraph based learning techniques. We give an adaptive procedure for constructing image hypergraphs and achieve promising results on a real image dataset.
Assessment of intrafraction mediastinal and hilar lymph node movement and comparison to lung tumor motion using four-dimensional CT.

Purpose To quantify the amount of free-breathing motion measured using Four-dimensional (4D) CT scans of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes and to compare this motion to the primary lung tumor motion. Methods and Materials Twenty patients with primary lung cancer, radiographically positive lymph nodes, and prior 4D CT scans were retrospectively analyzed. The 4D CT data sets were divided into four respiratory phases, and the primary tumor and radiographically positive nodes were contoured. Geometric and volumetric analysis was performed to analyze the motion of the primary tumors and the lymph nodes. Results The mean lymph node motion was 2.6 mm in the mediolateral direction, 2.5 mm in the anterior-posterior direction, and 5.2 mm in the cranial-caudal direction with a maximum of 14.4 mm. All lymph nodes were found to move inferiorly during inspiration, with 12.5% of nodes moving more than 1 cm. Lymph nodes located below the carina showed significantly more motion than those above the carina ( p = 0.01). In comparing the primary tumor motion to the lymph node motion, no correlation was identified. Conclusions Four-dimensional CT scans can be used to measure the motion of the primary lung tumor and pathologic lymph nodes encountered during the respiratory cycle. Both the primary lung tumor and the lymph node must to be examined to assess their individual degree of motion. This study demonstrates the need for individualized plans to assess the heterogeneous motion encountered in both primary lung tumors and among lymph node stations.