cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agenesis of the left lung and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Hemodynamic studies before and after complete surgical correction.

A female infant with unilateral pulmonary agenesis developed congestive heart failure dominated by symptoms of obstructive disease of the airways at 3½ months of age. Cardiac catheterization revealed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the right atrium. Despite a massive left-to-right shunt with one pulmonary artery receiving the entire right ventricular output since birra, the patient's resting pulmonary vascular resistance was normal. Open heart surgery to repair the cardiac lesion was performed when the infant was four months of age. Subsequent studies revealed an excellent anatomic and functional repair, with normal pulmonary arterial pressures. One year following surgery, the child is asymptomatic and has normal growth and development.
Statistics of Experiments on Cluster Formation and Transport in a Gravitational Field

Metastable state relaxation in a gravitational field is investigated in the case of non-critical binary solutions. A relaxation description is presented in terms of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau formalism for a non-conserved order parameter. A new ansatz for solution of the corresponding partial nonlinear stochastic differential equation is discussed. It is proved that, for the supersaturated solution under consideration, the metastable state relaxation in a gravitational field leads to formation of solute concentration gradients due to the sedimentation of subcritical solute clusters. The pure discussion of the possible methods to compare theoretical results and experimental data related to solute sedimentation in a gravitational field is presented. It is shown that in order to describe these experiments it is necessary to deal both with the value of the solute concentration gradient and with its formation rate. The stochastic nature of the sedimentation process is shown.
Business Intelligence 2.0: The eXtensible Markup Language as Strategic Enabler

Business Intelligence 2.0 is an umbrella term used to refer to a collection of tools that help organizations extend their BI capabilities using Internet platforms. BI 2.0 tools can enable the automatic discovery of distributed software services and data stores, greatly increasing the range of market options for an organization. The development cycle for these tools is still in its early stage, and much work remains. However, some technologies and standards are already well understood in order to make a significant impact. This paper provides an overview of the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and related technologies supporting the deployment of web services and service-oriented architectures (SOA). The author summarizes the critical importance of these technologies to the emergence of BI 2.0 tools. This paper also explores the current state of Internet-enabled BI activities and strategic considerations for firms considering BI 2.0 options.
Experimental and early clinical evaluation of heart tracking (radarkymography) as a noninvasive method for measuring myocardial contractility.

A device to track and record the motion of the left ventricular border in the intact subject has been designed. The system involves the use of “track-while-scan-techniques” applied to video signals from a portable fluoroscope image intensifier. Fourteen dogs were prepared with an aortic flow probe, left ventricular strain gauge arch, an indwelling left ventricular catheter and ventricular pacing wires. The contractile state of the heart was altered by various doses of propranolol and isoproterenol, and the displacement and velocity of the tracking wave signal were recorded. The product of the tracking wave height and slope correlated significantly with the first derivative of left ventricular pressure ([dP/dt]max) (r = 0.90, P
Individual differences in the conditioned and unconditioned rat 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations elicited by repeated amphetamine exposure

Adult rats often produce 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), particularly the frequency-modulated varieties, in appetitive situations. These calls are thought by some to reflect positive affective states and the reinforcing value of drugs such as amphetamine and cocaine. The objective of this study was to determine whether the number of unconditioned 50-kHz USVs elicited by amphetamine predicts the development and/or magnitude of drug-conditioned motivation. In three experiments, we recorded USVs before and after injections of 1 mg/kg amphetamine (i.v. or i.p.) administered once per session. Rats were categorized as “high callers” or “low callers” according to individual differences in the number of 50-kHz USVs elicited by their first amphetamine injection. We examined the conditioned appetitive behavior and conditioned place preference (CPP) that emerged in high and low callers after repeated pairings of amphetamine with specific contexts. We also examined whether amphetamine-induced calling was affected by treatment within an unfamiliar (test chamber) versus familiar (home cage) context. Within an unfamiliar environment, the high callers consistently produced more amphetamine-induced 50-kHz USVs than the low callers. Compared to the low callers, high callers showed significantly greater amphetamine CPP as well as enhanced conditioned 50-kHz USVs and locomotor activity during anticipation of amphetamine. Individual differences were stable when amphetamine was administered in test chambers, but when it was administered in home cages, low callers showed an increase in 50-kHz calling that matched the high callers. These findings suggest that individual differences in drug-induced USVs can reveal environment-sensitive traits involved in drug-related appetitive motivation.
An Optical Accessory for Obtaining the Infrared Spectra of Very Thin Films

In 1959, Francis and Ellison (1) described a procedure for obtaining the infrared spectra of monomolecular and thicker layers of fatty acids and fatty acid salts on various metallic substrates by a multireflection technique. To accommodate the accessory optics and the associated increase in length of optical path between the source and photometer section of a Perkin-Elmer Model 21, the source optics were modified. Such a modification is undesirable if the instrument is to be used for transmission or specular reflectance measurements. Therefore, an optical design was derived which would permit installation and removal of the accessory without requiring undue changes in the basic instrument.
Science planning and mission strategy for the 1979 Jupiter/Uranus opportunity

An intensive science and mission planning effort has been underway for several years to develop the next logical candidate mission to the outer planets following the Mariner Jupiter/Saturn 1977 Mission. The highest priority candidate that emerges from this effort is the launch of a MJS-derived Mariner spacecraft to Uranus during the 1979 Jupiter/Uranus opportunity. Since 1972 when the Outer Planets Science Advisory Group recommended MJU79 to follow MJS77, four other science groups have addressed this issue and arrived at the same recommendation. Currently, the planning effort is most intensive and the paper will report the past and present determinations of the various science and mission planning activities, emphasizing science value, technical factors and fiscal constraints.
Location proteomics: building subcellular location trees from high-resolution 3D fluorescence microscope images of randomly tagged proteins

The overall object of proteomics is to characterize all of the proteins expressed in a given cell type. With the rapid development of random gene tagging technology and high resolution fluorescence microscopy, it has become possible to generate libraries of digital images depicting the location patterns of most proteins in any given cell type. While the subcellular location of a protein is important to its function, no established methods exist for the systematic description, comparison or organization of protein location patterns. We have previously described classification methods that accurately recognize all major subcellular location patterns in both 2D and 3D images, as well as methods for rigorous statistical comparison of such patterns. We describe here the application of the numerical features from the previous work to images obtained by random tagging of proteins. Spinning disk confocal microscopy was used to collect images depicting the location patterns of 46 NIH 3T3 cell clones expressing proteins randomly tagged with a fluorescent protein. A set of 42 numerical features describing both image texture and object morphology were calculated and used to build subcellular location trees that group the tagged proteins by similarity of location pattern.
Balancing economic development, biological conservation, and human culture: The sitka black-tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis as an ecological indicator

Abstract Economic development, biological conservation, and human culture are interrelated and ultimately interdependent. Balancing them, however, is one of the most vexing problems in natural resource management. The problem can be simplified when an ecological indicator provides a meaningful integration of the biological response of the natural ecosystem to economic development. Sitka black-tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis are an important ecological indicator of resource management in the coastal, coniferous rain forests of southeastern Alaska, USA, because of four significant reasons: (1) their biology and ecology are well-known; (2) they have relatively large, seasonally migratory home ranges and so required management of landscapes rather than isolated patches of habitat; (3) their need for a productive and nutritious food supply year-around makes them largely dependent on old-growth forests and a variety of habitats, differing seasonally and in response to snow; and (4) they are an important game species in the subsistence economy of rural residents. Key ecological relations between deer and their food resources center on bioenergetics, digestible protein, and the role of forest overstory in the species composition, carbon/nutrient balance, and chemical composition of understory plants. Understanding these factors provides quantitative guidelines for timber management in an ecologically and culturally balanced framework.
Models of triple-stranded polynucleotides with optimised stereochemistry

Abstract Detailed models are presented for the triple-stranded polynucleotide helices of poly (U)-poly (A)-poly (U) (two forms), poly (U)-poly d (A) -poly (U), poly d(C)-poly d(I)-poly d(C), poly d(T)-polyd(A)-poly d(T) and poly (I)-poly (A)-poly (I). The models were genrated using a computerized, linked-atom procedure which preserves standard bond lengths, bond anglesand sugar ring conformations, constrains the helices to have the pitches and symmetries observed in X-ray diffraction experiments, and optimises the non-bonded interatomic contacts including hydrogen bonds. The possible biological sigificance of such complexes is discussed.
Abstract 2395: Progression of structural change in breast cancer metastasis

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Structural variations (SVs) have been shown to be a major source of genetic instability in cancer and metastasis but remains understudied. This is due to: (1) the limited power of paired-end sequencing (PES) in detecting SVs that frequently occur around repetitive regions and (2) the large amount (4ug) of high-molecular weight DNA required for mate-pair sequencing (MPS), which is specifically designed to detect SVs even in repetitive regions. Importantly, DNA obtained from FFPE tissue is heavily sheared and therefore not suitable for MPS - excluding most metastatic tissues in tumor banks. To overcome the barriers of MPS, we leveraged the University of Pittsburgh Rapid Autopsy Program and the Health Sciences Tissue Bank to obtain matched primary/metastatic frozen tumor samples from 6 patients (19 total tumor samples). Multiple large-insert (3-5, 5-8, & 8-12 kb) mate-pair sequencing, was performed for each sample to obtain a complete catalogue of SVs. Additionally, whole exome sequencing was performed to identify point mutations and to de-convolute clonal evolution within each patient. After removing SVs found in matched germline DNA, we identified extensive somatic SVs within the primary tumor that tended to decrease in metastatic samples. This is likely due to extensive genetic heterogeneity in the primary tumor that underwent clonal selection due to metastasis and/or treatment. Well-known hotspots (such as 17q), showed extensive intra- and inter- chromosomal SVs in both primary and metastatic tumors indicating that these are likely early and essential events in tumorgenesis. However, metastatic specific events also clustered with 17q suggesting that this region continues to play a role during metastasis. Somatic single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) revealed obvious high density clustering of mutations (kataegis) that overlapped with SV breakpoints. Further analysis revealed that these SNV clusters were primarily TT-TC, which is a signature of the deaminase APOBEC3B recently been shown to bind around dsDNA breaks and cause high levels of mutations. We have observed examples of kataegis as early, shared events and metastatic specific events indicating that kataegis is an ongoing process through metastasis. Together these data show that extensive SV occurs during breast cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis and these SVs often co-occur with kataegis. As more samples and distant metastases are sequenced, RNA-seq will be used to help prioritize specific metastatic specific SVs for functional studies demonstrating the role in the development of the metastatic phenotype. Citation Format: Ryan J. Hartmaier, Adrian V. Lee. Progression of structural change in breast cancer metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2395. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2395
Comparison of axial dispersion and mixing cell models for design and simulation of fischer-tropsch slurry bubble column reactors

Abstract Two different general approaches for simulating the performance of Fischer-Tropsch slurry bubble column reactors based upon the axial dispersion model and mixing-cell models are described. Comparisons between semi-batch operation and continuous operation with either cocurrent or countercurrent flow of gas and liquid are performed to examine the effect of overall gas-liquid contacting pattern on various measures of reactor performance. For the ranges of operating conditions investigated here, the catalyst distribution is the primary intrinsic variable that is most affected by the use of cocurrent versus countercurrent gas-liquid contacting pattern for the case of continuous operation. If overall synthesis gas conversion is used as a common measure of performance, then cocurrent flow is preferred over countercurrent flow. In terms of describing the liquid-phase flow pattern, a mixing cell model represents a more realistic approach and has computational advantages when compared to the axial dispersion model. A correlation which relates the liquid-phase Peclet number to the number of mixing cells for a particular case is also given and discussed.
Modeling the Size and Interface Effects in Thin Metal Film-Substrate Systems Using the Strain Gradient Plasticity

It is well-known by now through intensive experimental studies that have been performed at the micron and nano length scales that the material mechanical properties strongly depend on the size of specimen and the microstructural features. The classical continuum mechanics fails to address this problem since no material length scale exists in its constitutive description. On the other hand, nonlocal continuum theories of integral-type or gradient-type have been to a good extent successful in predicting this type of size effect. However, they fail to predict size effects when strain gradients are minimal such as the Hall-Petch effect. This problem is the main focus of this work. The effect of the material microstructural interfaces increase as the surface-to-volume ratio increases. It is shown in this work that interfacial effects have a profound impact on the scale-dependent plasticity encountered in micro/nano-systems. This is achieved by developing a higher-order gradient-dependent plasticity theory that enforces microscopic boundary conditions at interfaces and free surfaces. These nonstandard boundary conditions relate the microtraction stress at the interface to the interfacial energy. Application of the proposed framework to size effects in shear loading of a thin-film on an elastic substrate is presented. Three film-interface conditions are modeled: soft, intermediate, and hard interfaces.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Agentless constructions in Dominican creole

Abstract In an examination of agentless (semi-passive) constructions with transitive verbs in Dominican French Creole (DFC), it is shown that the general approach of embedding the passive predicate to semantic stative BE and external source of by -agent phrases (Langacker and Munro 1975; Hoard 1979) allows explanation of several other problems in the description of DFC: the nature of verbs and adjectives; the verb BE (often alleged not to occur in creoles generally); and the distribution and interpretation of tense-aspect markers. A further advantage of this analysis is the cross-linguistic perspective which provides a natural characterization of DFC and other creoles in their lack of a true by -agent passive. Dependency grammar, it is argued, is the most economical way to describe these aspects of creole structure. Finally, it is shown that the analysis presented also provides an appropriate description of Indian Ocean French Creole, which is essentially similar but morphologically more complex than DFC.
An AAV Vector-Mediated Gene Delivery Approach Facilitates Reconstitution of Functional Human CD8+ T Cells in Mice

In the present study, a novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene delivery approach was taken to improve the reconstitution of functional CD8+ T cells in humanized mice, thereby mimicking the human immune system (HIS). Human genes encoding HLA-A2 and selected human cytokines (A2/hucytokines) were introduced to an immune-deficient mouse model [NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull (NSG) mice] using AAV serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors, followed by transplantation of human hematopoietic stem cells. NSG mice transduced with AAV9 encoding A2/hucytokines resulted in higher levels of reconstitution of human CD45+ cells compared to NSG mice transduced with AAV9 encoding HLA-A2 alone or HLA-A2-transgenic NSG mice. Furthermore, this group of HIS mice also mounted the highest level of antigen-specific A2-restricted human CD8+ T-cell response upon vaccination with recombinant adenoviruses expressing human malaria and HIV antigens. Finally, the human CD8+ T-cell response induced in human malaria vaccine-immunized HIS mice was shown to be functional by displaying cytotoxic activity against hepatocytes that express the human malaria antigen in the context of A2 molecules. Taken together, our data show that AAV vector-mediated gene delivery is a simple and efficient method to transfer multiple human genes to immune-deficient mice, thus facilitating successful reconstitution of HIS in mice. The HIS mice generated in this study should ultimately allow us to swiftly evaluate the T-cell immunogenicity of various human vaccine candidates in a pre-clinical setting.
The validation of model sets on the basis of closed-loop feedback system generated data

Model validation provides a useful means of assessing the ability of a model to account for a specific experimental observation, and has application to modeling, identification and fault detection. In the robust control context this amounts to determining whether or not there exists an element of the model set that can account for the observed experimental datum. Efficient algorithms have been developed for model validation with frequency domain, discrete-time, and sampled-data frameworks. The focus of this paper is on the application of this theory to feedback systems. We outline these algorithms and discuss how they form part of a computationally based set of integrated tools for modeling, identification, and control system design.
Ceramic Mills in a Paint Mixer for Preparation of Multiple Rock Samples

The U. S. Geological Survey has been interested for some time in how rocks became contaminated by trace elements during grinding before analysis. Elimination of contamination is especially important in emission and x-ray spectrochemical analysis.
Observations and Modeling of Linear and Nonlinear Spatio-Temporal Wave Statistics

We present an analysis of airborne wave observations collected in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The data includes LIDAR measurements of the surface displacement as a function of two horizontal dimensions and time in fetch-limited conditions, with fetches between 50 and 300 km and winds between 10 and 20 m/s. The spatio-temporal data have an advantage over the commonly used single point time-series measurements allowing direct estimates of the wavelength and wave slope, including spatial information such as the lengths of crests exceeding threshold wave heights and slopes. The statistics of these wave parameters are particularly important for risk assessment of off-shore structures and in other ocean engineering applications. We present an analysis of several statistical wind-wave parameters, including the joint probability distribution function (pdf) of wave amplitudes and wavelengths, the pdf of wave heights, wavenumber vectors, and wave slopes, including the statistics of crests lengths exceeding threshold wave heights or slopes. The empirical findings from the LIDAR data are related to the analytical work by Longuet-Higgins (1957) [1] for a linear spectrum, including the average length of contours surrounding large wave heights. The effect of second-order nonlinearities on the distribution of crest lengths is investigated with numerical stochastic simulations from computed directional wavenumber spectra. The results show that second-order nonlinearities can increase the crest length density of large waves by about a factor of two or more. The results are discussed in the context of predicting wave statistics for ocean engineering applications.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The conversion of the imagination: scripture and eschatology in 1 Corinthians

This article argues two major theses: (1) Paul was trying to teach the Corinthian church to think eschatologically; (2) Paul was trying to teach the Corinthian church to reshape its identity in light of Israel's Scripture. These theses entail two important corollaries: (1) the Corinthians did not have an ‘overrealized eschatology’; (2) scholars who contend that Paul engaged in OT interpretation only when his hand was forced by Judaizing opponents cannot explain Paul's rich and varied use of Scripture in 1 Cor. These theses are explained and defended with reference to 1 Cor 10.1–22; 1.18–31 and 5.1–13.
Importance of early weight change in a pediatric weight management trial.

Early weight change is associated with overall weight loss treatment response in adults but has been relatively unexplored in youth. We investigated the importance of early weight change in a pediatric weight control trial. METHODS: Overweight children aged 7 to 12 years (n 204) partici- pated in a randomized controlled trial of 2 weight maintenance treat- ments (MTs) after a 20-week family-based behavioral weight loss treat- ment (FBT). Hierarchical regression was used to investigate the relation between children's percentage weight change at sessions 4, 6, and 8 of FBT and BMI z-score reductions after FBT and at the 2-year follow-up. Correlations and hierarchical regression were used to iden- tify child and parent factors associated with children's early weight change.
Multiple molecular forms of diarylpropane oxygenase, an H2O2-requiring, lignin-degrading enzyme from Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Abstract Three different molecular forms of the H2O2-requiring heme enzyme, diarylpropane oxygenase, were isolated from the extracellular medium of Na-acetate buffered, agitated cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Forms I, II, and III were separated by DEAE-Sepharose and further purified on Sephadex G-100. Absorption maxima of the native, reduced, and a variety of ligand complexes of the three enzyme forms are essentially identical, indicating similar heme environments. All forms also have similar, but not identical, reactivity. The homogeneous proteins oxidized a diarylpropane, an olefin, a β-aryl ether dimer, a phenylpropane, phenylpropane diols, and veratryl alcohol. Identical products were produced from each form. However, the specific activities of the three homogeneous enzymes for veratryl alcohol oxidation were 18.75, 11.80, and 8.48 μmol min−1 mg−1. In the presence of one equivalent of H2O2 the Soret maximum of diarylpropane oxygenase II shifted from 408 to 418 nm, and two additional maxima appeared at 526 and 553 nm, indicating the presence of an Fe(IV)-oxo species equivalent to horseradish peroxidase II. This oxidized species could be reduced back to the native form by veratryl alcohol and several reducing agents (e.g., Na2S2O4, NH2NH2, thiourea, or NADH). The molecular weights of diarylpropane oxygenases I, II, and III were ~39,000, 41,000, and 43,000, respectively. The major form (II) (85% of the activity) contained ~6% neutral carbohydrate. The affinity of the forms for concanavalin A-agarose suggests that they all are glycoenzymes.
Call Admission Control in IEEE 802.11 WLANs Using QP-CAT

As IEEE 802.11 networks in a BSS are increasingly used to carry VoIP, concerns about QoS arise. The overall delay of all VoIP flows drastically increases when the number of VoIP sources approaches the capacity, due to the characteristics of CSMA/CA. We propose a novel call admission control with the Queue size Prediction using Computation of Additional Transmission (QP-CAT) to avoid admitting an excessive number of simultaneous calls. In QP-CAT, an AP can accurately predict the effect of new VoIP flows on the delay of existing VoIP flows by predicting its queue size, before the new VoIP flow is actually admitted. It can be easily extended to support 802.11e so that the AP can predict the effect even when background traffic exists with VoIP traffic under 802.11e.
Esophageal Perforation Management Using a Multidisciplinary Minimally Invasive Treatment Algorithm

Background The surgical management of esophageal perforation (EP) often results in mortality and significant morbidity. Recent less invasive approaches to EP management include endoscopic luminal stenting and minimally invasive surgical therapies. We wished to establish therapeutic efficacy of minimally invasive therapies in a consecutive series of patients. Study Design An IRB-approved retrospective review of all acute EPs between 2007 and 2013 at a single institution was performed. Patient demographic, clinical outcomes data, and hospital charges were collected. Results We reviewed 76 consecutive patients with acute EP presenting to our tertiary care center. Median age was 64 ± 16 years (range 25 to 87 years), with 50 men and 26 women. Ninety percent of EPs were in the distal esophagus, with 67% of iatrogenic perforations occurring within 4 cm of the gastroesophageal junction. All patients were treated within 24 hours of initial presentation with a removable covered esophageal stent. Leak occlusion was confirmed within 48 hours of esophageal stent placement in 68 patients. Median lengths of ICU and hospital stay were 3 and 10 days, respectively (range 1 to 86 days). One-third of the patients were noted to have prolonged intubation (>7 days) and pneumonia that required a tracheostomy. One in-hospital (1.3%) mortality occurred within 30 days. Median total hospital charges for EP were $85,945. Conclusions Endoscopically placed removable esophageal stents with minimally invasive repair of the perforation and feeding access is an effective treatment method for patients with EP. This multidisciplinary method enabled us to care for severely ill patients while minimizing morbidity and mortality and avoiding open esophageal surgery.
The effect of training in reduced energy density eating and food self-monitoring accuracy on weight loss maintenance.

Background: Failure to maintain weight losses in lifestyle change programs continues to be a major problem and warrants investigation of innovative approaches to weight control. Objective: The goal of this study was to compare two novel group interventions, both aimed at improving weight loss maintenance, with a control group. Methods and Procedures: A total of 103 women lost weight on a meal replacement–supplemented diet and were then randomized to one of three conditions for the 14-week maintenance phase: cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT); CBT with an enhanced food monitoring accuracy (EFMA) program; or these two interventions plus a reduced energy density eating (REDE) program. Assessments were conducted periodically through an 18-month postintervention. Outcome measures included weight and self-reported dietary intake. Data were analyzed using completers only as well as baseline-carried-forward imputation. Results: Participants lost an average of 7.6 ± 2.6 kg during the weight loss phase and 1.8 ± 2.3 kg during the maintenance phase. Results do not suggest that the EFMA intervention was successful in improving food monitoring accuracy. The REDE group decreased the energy density (ED) of their diets more so than the other two groups. However, neither the REDE nor the EFMA condition showed any advantage in weight loss maintenance. All groups regained weight between 6- and 18-month follow-ups. Discussion: Although no incremental weight maintenance benefit was observed in the EFMA or EFMA + REDE groups, the improvement in the ED of the REDE group’s diet, if shown to be sustainable in future studies, could have weight maintenance benefits.
Polymer-Silica Nanocomposite Aerogels with Enhanced Mechanical Properties Using Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) of Cyanoacrylates

Aerogels were structurally modified using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of cyanoacrylate monomers to afford polycyanoacrylate-aerogel nanocomposites. Silica aerogels are low density, high surface area materials whose applications are limited by their fragility. Cyanoacrylate CVD allowed us to deposit a film of organic polymer throughout fragile porous monoliths within hours. Our experiments have shown that polymerization of the cyanoacrylate monomers was initiated by the adsorbed water on the surface of the silica permitting the nanocomposites structures to be formed with little or no sample preparation. We found that the strength of the polycyanoacrylate-aerogel nanocomposites increased thirty two-fold over the untreated aerogels with only a three-fold increase in density and an eight-fold decrease in surface area. Along with the improvement in mechanical properties, the aerogels became less hydrophilic than un-modified aerogels. Polycyanoacrylate-coated aerogels were placed directly into water and did not suffer catastrophic fragmentation as observed with un-modified silica aerogels.
Brain Natriuretic Peptide: Role in Cardiovascular and Volume Homeostasis

The identification of natriuretic peptides as key regulators of natriuresis and vasodilatation, and the appreciation that their secretion is under the control of cardiac hemodynamic and neurohumoral factors, has caused wide interest. The natriuretic peptides are structurally similar, but genetically distinct peptides that have diverse actions on cardiovascular, renal, and endocrine homeostasis. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are of myocardial cell origin, while cardiac natriuretic peptide (CNP) is of endothelial origin. ANP and BNP bind to the natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-A) which, via 3' 5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), mediates natriuresis, vasodialation, renin inhibition, and antimitogenic properties. CNP lacks natriuretic action but possesses vasodilating and growth inhibiting effects via the guanyl cyclase linked natriuretic peptide-B (NPR-B) receptor. All three peptides are cleared by natriuretic peptide-C receptor (NPR-C) and degraded by neutral endopeptidase, both of which are widely expressed in kidney, lung, and vascular wall. Recently, a fourth member of the natriuretic peptide, dendroaspsis natriuretic peptide (DNP) has been reported to be present in human plasma and atrial myocardium.
Defense and the Environment: Policy and Management

This paper describes the problem of balancing national security needs and environmental quality concerns in the United States Department of Defense. The Department of Defense (DoD) is often symbolized to the public as military uniforms, fighters and bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines, tanks and missiles. But it is much more; it is a human organization concerned with the welfare of the citizens and the environment they live in. It would make little sense for DoD to be building the defenses of the nation if in doing so it was threatening the health of the environment. Defense should mean the defense of the environment, too.
Jurisprudence for Ratite Practitioners

Veterinarians are frequently confronted with medico-legal issues relating to certification, malpractice and the responsibilities of owners and managers. This article reviews relevant principles to guide practitioners.
Design of New Electron Acceptor Materials for Organic Photovoltaics: Synthesis, Electron Transport, Photophysics, and Photovoltaic Properties of Oligothiophene-Functionalized Naphthalene Diimides

A homologous series of six novel oligothiophene–naphthalene diimide-based oligomer semiconductors with a donor–acceptor architecture, NDI-nTH (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) and NDI-nT (n = 2, 3), was synthesized and used to explore a set of criteria for the design of non-fullerene electron acceptor materials for organic solar cells. Thin films of the oligomer semiconductors had optical band gaps that varied from 2.1 eV in NDI-1TH and 1.6 eV in NDI-3TH to 1.4 eV in NDI-4TH, demonstrating good potential for light harvesting and exciton generation. The LUMO energy levels of the oligomer semiconductors were similar (ca. −4.0 eV), but the HOMO levels varied from −5.5 eV in NDI-3TH and NDI-4TH to −6.1 eV in NDI-1TH, showing that suitable energy band offsets necessary for efficient photoinduced charge transfer could be achieved with current donor polymers. Single-crystal X-ray structures of NDI-3TH and NDI-4TH showed a slipped face-to-face π-stacking with short intermolecular distances (0.321–0.326 nm), which enabled facile s...
Effects of increased pressure inside or outside ventricles on total and regional myocardial blood flow

Increasing pressures to 30 mmHg in right (RV) and left (LV) ventricles and surrounding heart (SH) in isolated, arrested, maximally vasodilated, blood-perfused dog hearts shifted pressure-flow (PF) ...
Prevalent Features of Public Health Emergencis in Nanhai District,2006-2009

Objective To provide scientific evidence for prevention and control of public health emergencies by understanding its epidemiological characteristics.Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was applied to analyze reported data from public health emergencies surveillance system from 2006 to 2009.Results A total of 40 public health emergencies were reported from 2006 to 2009 in Nanhai district,with 858 cases and no death,totally 51 576 people were affected.Among these events,infectious diseases related events accounted for 95.00%(38/40).They were concentrated in Shishan town and Guicheng town(65.00%).Events peaked significantly in June,September and December annually.30 events(75.00%) affected students and nursery school children which reported 737 cases,in which 29(72.50%) were infectious diseases related events.Among all infectious diseases events,most were respiratory diseases(30 events),mainly including Chickenpox(14 events) and Influenza-like illness outbreak(9 events).Conclusion The public health emergencies mainly occurred in schools and nursery school in Nanhai district,and more attention should be paid to the control measures regarding students and nursery school children.
Investigation of incidence and risk factors for depression in patients with epilepsy

Objective To study the incidence of depression and determine the major depression risk factors in patients with epilepsy.Methods One hundred and four patients with epilepsy were evaluated with Zung's self rating depression scale.A self-designed questionnaire was used in this investigation for general conditions of the patients.Results In our study 55 patients with epilepsy suffered from concurrent depression(52.9%),in which 37 had severe depression(35.6%) and 18 patients had mild depression(17.3%).The incidence of depression in complex partial seizures group was 73.5%,which showed evident statistic difference changes compared with 42.8% of generalized tonic-clonic seizures.Conclusion Depression in patients with epilepsy is a serious medical and social problem.It seems to be correlated with certain types of epileptic seizures,with high frequency of seizures,course of disease,and lack of support from family and society.
An end-to-end domain specific modeling and analysis platform

Software architecture models are specifications of the principal design decisions about a software system that primarily govern its structure, behavior, and quality. They serve as a basis for experimentation and rationalization of design decisions. While many techniques utilize and support software architecture modeling and analysis, a recurring obstacle is that often advances in one area (e.g., architecture-based modeling) tend to be disconnected from those in another area (e.g., simulation). In this work we aim to provide an end-to-end model-driven engineering approach, called DomainPro, that bridges this gap and supports engineers throughout the software modeling, analysis, and implementation process by automatically synthesizing a range of model interpreters (MI). DomainPro is also available to download at https://goo.gl/4sRT9B. You can also watch the demo video describing DomainPro's prominent features at https://youtu.be/6rg7pC6bhO0.
Aids to diagnostic decisionmaking.

Freud. In reality, the interaction between patient and clinician is usually over in very few minutes. Can we use screeners, expert systems, and computer consultants to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and acceptability of care? If these programs can improve performance in these dimensions, it will be hard to argue against their introduction. No one seriously advocates the replacement of clinicians by computers, but the prospect of using computer programs to augment clinician functioning is as appealing as the augmentation of antidepressants with lithium when the antidepressants alone are ineffective. These papers deal with the general theme of bringing specialized knowledge to bear on clinical problems,1 whether in the form of human or computer consultation. After the programs have been shown to function accurately and reliably, we need to address and identify factors that facilitate, permit, interfere with, or even forbid their use. Should they be used before or after an initial contact with a clinician? How much patient and clinician time is required? What is the payoff for time spent working with the computer? What is the complete cost of these computer aids? Should clinicians who use computer aides be paid more, less, or the same as those who do not?
Laparoscopic surgical simulator and port placement study.

We have developed a virtual laparoscopic surgical simulator and gathered data during student trial runs. The students performed simulated surgical dissections from 3 pairs of port positions with angles between the cutting and grasping instruments set to 60, 90, and 120 degrees. Preliminary data indicates improved performance at the 90 degree angle. Study updates can be found at http:?www.hitl.washington.edu/research/lss
Success of Minimally Invasive Pectus Excavatum Procedures (Modified Nuss) in Adult Patients (≥30 Years).

Background Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) has become standard for pediatric and young adult patients, but its use for older adults is controversial. Methods We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of adults (≥18 years of age) who underwent MIRPE from January 1, 2010, through April 30, 2015, and collected demographic data, operative details, and information about outcomes. Cardiac function was measured before and after repair by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. We divided patients by age: 18 to 29 years of age and 30 years of age and older. Results Of 361 patients, 207 were 30 or older (mean, 40 years; range, 30 to 72 years; 71.5% men). Of the older patients, 151 had primary repairs. MIRPE was successfully used in 88.7% of patients older than 30 years of age versus 96.5% of those 18 to 29 years of age. For patients 30 years of age and older, open-cartilage resection, sternal osteotomy, or both was more common with increasing age (mean, 47.8 years versus 39.5 years; p = 0.0003) and higher mean Haller index (7.7 versus 5.5; p = 0.0254). Mean operative time for MIRPE was significantly longer for older patients (≥30 years of age) compared with younger adults (121 [60 to 224] minutes versus 111 [62 to 178] minutes; p = 0.0154). Right ventricular output increased 65.2% after repair in older adults. Although greater, the frequency of bar rotation requiring reoperation was not significantly increased in the older patients ( p = 0.74). Conclusions The majority of adult patients with PE can have successful repair with modified MIRPE. The use of cartilage or sternal osteotomy, or both, increased with patient age and defect severity.
Hyperplastic candidiases on dorsum of tongue

Abstract Introduction Oral candidiasis in renal transplant patients is common. The most common types are acute atrophic (erythematous) and acute pseudo-membranous (thrush), even in renal transplant patients. Hyperplastic variant is uncommon even in transplant patients. Case We report a 42-year-old female, post-cadaveric renal transplant recipient who developed hyperplastic oral candidiases on the dorsum of the tongue. Patient was on immunosuppressants and developed post-operative acinetobacter pneumonia. With a combination of anti-fungals, antibiotics and supportive care patient was successfully treated and discharged home.
Automated 3D object identification using Bayesian networks

3D object reconstruction from images involves two important parts: object identification and object modeling. Human beings are very adept at automatically identifying different objects in a scene due to the extensive training they receive over their lifetimes. Similarly, machines need to be trained to perform this task. At present, automated 3D object identification process from aerial video imagery encounters various problems due to uncertainties in data. The first problem is setting the input parameters of segmentation algorithm for accurate identification of the homogeneous surfaces in the scene. The second problem is deterministic inference used on the features extracted from these homogeneous surfaces or segments to identify different objects such as buildings, and trees. These problems would result in the 3D models being overfitted to a particular data set as a result of which they would fail when applied to other data sets. In this paper, an algorithm for using probabilistic inference to determine input segmentation parameters and to identify 3D objects from aerial video imagery is described. Bayesian networks are used to perform the probabilistic inference. In order to improve the accuracy of the identification process, information from Lidar data is fused with the visual imagery in a Bayesian network. The imagery is generated using the DIRSIG (Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation) model at RIT. The parameters of the airborne sensor such as focal length, detector size, average flying height and the external parameters such as solar zenith angle can be simulated using this tool. The results show a significant improvement in the accuracy of object identification when Lidar data is fused with visual imagery compared to that when visual imagery is used alone.
ON ORGANIZING ANALYSIS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the proceedings of a symposium on computer-assisted analysis and model simplification held at the University of Colorado (Boulder). It describes the relationship between the inventory load carried by the submarine and its ability to perform mission assignments despite part failures. If a model of an entity refers to an explicit set of mathematical and logical statements, then the structure of the entity can be termed as the meta-model. Computer-assisted analysis, both in stimulating an identification of the rigorous correspondence between meta-model and model statements and in assisting in the actual comparison of models and meta-models, provides a direct means of approaching the important issue of the empirical bases for models developed in a nonexperimental environment. An important ramification of the confrontation of model/meta-model correspondences through computer-assisted analysis, in addition to helping build and audit models, is the enhanced understanding of models and model results.
High-speed 4D intrasurgical OCT at 800 kHz line rate using temporal spectral splitting and spiral scanning (Conference Presentation)

The en face operating stereomicroscope offers limited depth perception and ophthalmic surgeons must often rely on stereopsis and instrument shadowing to estimate motion in the axial dimension. Recent research and commercial microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (MIOCT) systems have allowed OCT of live surgery, but these were restricted to real-time cross-sectional (B-scan) imaging which captures limited information about maneuvers that extend over 3D space. We recently reported on a four dimensional (4D: 3D imaging over time) MIOCT and HUD system with real-time volumetric rendering for human ophthalmic surgery, but this 100 kHz OCT system was restricted to 3.3 volumes/sec to achieve sufficient lateral sampling over a 5x5 mm field of view (FOV). In this work, we present a high-speed 4D MIOCT (HS 4D MIOCT) system for volumetric imaging at 800 kHz A-scan rate. The proposed system employs a temporal spectral splitting (TSS) technique in which the spectrum of a buffered 400 kHz OCT system is windowed into sub-spectra to yield A-scans with reduced axial resolution but at a doubled A-scan rate of 800 kHz. The trade-offs of TSS for B-scan and volumetric retinal imaging were characterized in healthy adult volunteers. In addition, porcine eye surgical manipulations were imaged with HS 4D MIOCT imaging at 10.85 volumes/sec with 400x96x340 (X,Y,Z) usable voxels over a 5x5 mm lateral FOV. HS 4D MIOCT was capable of imaging subtle volumetric tissue manipulations with high temporal and spatial resolution using ANSI-limited optical power and is readily translatable to the human operating suite.
Matched subspace detection using compressively sampled data

We consider the problem of detecting whether a high dimensional signal lies in a given low dimensional subspace using only a few compressive measurements of it. By leveraging modern random matrix theory, we show that, even when we are short on information, a reliable detector can be constructed via a properly defined measure of energy of the signal outside the subspace. Our results extend those in [1] to a more general sampling framework. Moreover, the test statistic we define is much simpler than that required by [1], and it results in more efficient computation, which is crucial for high-dimensional data processing.
Interaction of Ag with MgO(100)

The electronic and chemical properties of Ag clusters on MgO(100) films grown on Mo(100) were studied using metastable impact electron and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies (MIES/UPS) and te...