cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiomics: a primer on high-throughput image phenotyping

Radiomics is a high-throughput approach to image phenotyping. It uses computer algorithms to extract and analyze a large number of quantitative features from radiological images. These radiomic features collectively describe unique patterns that can serve as digital fingerprints of disease. They may also capture imaging characteristics that are difficult or impossible to characterize by the human eye. The rapid development of this field is motivated by systems biology, facilitated by data analytics, and powered by artificial intelligence. Here, as part of Abdominal Radiology’s special issue on Quantitative Imaging, we provide an introduction to the field of radiomics. The technique is formally introduced as an advanced application of data analytics, with illustrating examples in abdominal radiology. Artificial intelligence is then presented as the main driving force of radiomics, and common techniques are defined and briefly compared. The complete step-by-step process of radiomic phenotyping is then broken down into five key phases. Potential pitfalls of each phase are highlighted, and recommendations are provided to reduce sources of variation, non-reproducibility, and error associated with radiomics.
Theory of a one-dimensional double-X-junction atom interferometer

The dynamics of an atom waveguide X-junction beam splitter becomes truly one dimensional in a regime of low temperatures and densities and large positive scattering lengths where the transverse mode becomes frozen and the many-body Schr\"odinger dynamics becomes exactly soluble via a generalized Fermi-Bose mapping theorem. We analyze the interferometric response of a double-X-junction interferometer of this type due to potential differences between the interferometer arms.
Quantifying water flow and retention in an unsaturated fracture-facial domain

Hydrologically significant flow and storage of water occur in macropores and fractures that are only partially filled. To accommodate such processes in flow models, we propose a three‐domain framework. Two of the domains correspond to water flow and water storage in a fracture‐facial region, in addition to the third domain of matrix water. The fracture‐facial region, typically within a fraction of a millimeter of the fracture wall, includes a flowing phase whose fullness is determined by the availability and flux of preferentially flowing water, and a static storage portion whose fullness is determined by the local matric potential. The flow domain can be modeled with the source‐responsive preferential flow model, and the roughness‐storage domain can be modeled with capillary relations applied on the fracture‐facial area. The matrix domain is treated using traditional unsat­ urated flow theory. We tested the model with application to the hydrology of the Chalk formation in southern England, coherently linking hydrologic information including recharge estimates, streamflow, water table fluc­ tuation, imaging by electron microscopy, and surface roughness. The quantitative consistency of the three‐ domain matrix‐microcavity‐film model with this body of diverse data supports the hypothesized distinctions and active mechanisms of the three domains and establishes the usefulness of this framework. 12
Slot versus insertion magnetic stripe readers: user performance and preference

Four magnetic stripe readers were evaluated for percentage of good reads, throughput, and user preference using a simulated time-and-attendance task. Two were slot readers, one with a vertical slot and one with a horizontal slot. Two were insertion readers, one with the insertion parallel to the horizontal plane and one with the insertion 20 deg below the horizontal plane. Twelve participants were divided into four groups of three members each. Each group approached each reader from both directions. The percentage of good reads was high on all readers and was not significantly different. The differences in throughput and preference were significant and favored the slot readers. It did not seem to matter whether the slot was vertical or horizontal. The angle of entry for the insertion readers produced no significant differences.
Ammonia Encephalopathy Secondary to Urinary Tract Infection with Proteus mirabilis

Hyperammonemia with coma, tachypnea, and respiratory alkalosis developed in a 3-year-old boy with prune"-belly syndrome during a urinary tract infection with Proteus mirabilis. Hyperammonemia is thought to have resulted from the production within the massively dilated urinary tract of excessive amounts of ammonia due to bacterial urease, and its subsequent reabsorption into the systemic circulation. The patient rapidly improved following parenteral antibiotic therapy and continuous catheter drainage of the urinary tract.
Evaluation of Sensors for On-Board Diesel Oil Condition Monitoring of U.S. Army Ground Equipment

Abstract : The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) recently completed a Science and Technology Objective (STO) to develop and demonstrate a compact on-board smart sensor system for monitoring the operational condition of in-service diesel engine oils. The goal of such technologies is to reduce or eliminate the Army's dependence on traditional oil analysis methods, by providing real-time condition monitoring and to project the remaining usable life of the lubricant. Commercially available and prototype sensors were obtained and evaluated on a diesel test engine. Algorithms were then developed from the sensor and laboratory data to determine the real-time condition of the oil and to calculate the remaining usable life of the oil.
Calf and pea histone IV. 3. Complete amino acid sequence of pea seedling histone IV; comparison with the homologous calf thymus histone.

The complete amino acid sequence of pea seedling histone IV has been determined with the tryptic peptides from the maleylated protein and compared to the sequence of calf thymus histone IV. Both proteins contain 102 amino acid residues and have identical sequences except at two genetically determined positions: Residue 60 is valine in the calf but isoleucine in the pea, and Residue 77 is lysine in the calf but arginine in the pea. In addition to these changes, lysyl Residue 20 is methylated in the calf histone but not in the pea histone, and the amount and distribution of e-N-acetyllysine is different in the two histones. In calf histone IV, Residue 16 is acetylated to the extent of 50% and is the only lysyl residue so modified. Only about 6% of the pea histone IV molecules are acetylated, and the acetyl groups are distributed between Residue 16 and at least one of three other lysyl residues: 5, 8, or 12. Evidence obtained by peptide mapping suggests that Residue 8 is the other acetylated residue. These similarities and differences are discussed in the context of possible structure-function relationships of histone IV.
Evaluating Evidence‐Based Nutrition Support Practice Among Healthcare Professionals With and Without the Certified Nutrition Support Clinician Credential

Background: The National Board of Nutrition Support Certification credentials healthcare professionals and certifies that holders of the Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) credential have specialized knowledge of safe and effective nutrition support therapy. The purpose of this pilot study was to survey healthcare professionals affiliated with the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) regarding their approaches to nutrition support practice using a complex patient case scenario in accordance with established clinical guidelines. Materials and Methods: An electronic survey was emailed to individuals affiliated with A.S.P.E.N. Eight multiple-choice knowledge questions addressed evidence-based nutrition support practice issues for a patient with progressing pancreatitis. Demographic and clinical characteristic data were collected. Results: Of 48,093 email invitations sent, 4455 (9.1%) responded and met inclusion criteria. Most respondents were dietitians (70.8%) and in ...
Preservation of the blood brain barrier integrity may underlie neuroprotective effects of statins in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex disorder for which there is currently no cure. While the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown, identification of risk factors and mechanisms by which these factors contribute to the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease may help lead to the development of interventional strategies that prevent the onset or slow the progression of this devastating disorder. Epidemiological and laboratory studies suggest that abnormalities in cholesterol metabolism are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. However, plasma cholesterol levels do not correlate with the severity of Alzheimer’s disease, and this raises the possibility that abnormalities in cholesterol metabolism earlier in life might trigger the ultimate development of Alzheimer’s disease. Accordingly, reducing cholesterol levels before the clinical manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease begin might represent a therapeutic strategy to decrease the incidence and/or
Virtual conformal arrays using quasi-conformal transformation optics lenses

Lens designs for array antenna applications based on quasi-conformal coordinate transformation are presented such that a physical curved/linear array is transformed into a virtual linear/curved array. For the two-dimensional TE polarization, the carpet-cloak transformation and its inverse are appropriate mappings for such virtual arrays. Potentially over a broad bandwidth, such lenses can be custom designed for existing array antennas to enable new scanning functions.
In‐situ measurements of velocity structure within turbidity currents

[1] Turbidity currents are thought to be the main mechanism to move ∼500,000 m3 of sediments annually from the head of the Monterey Submarine Canyon to the deep-sea fan. Indirect evidence has shown frequent occurrences of such turbidity currents in the canyon, but the dynamic properties of the turbidity currents such as maximum speed, duration, and dimensions are still unknown. Here we present the first-ever in-situ measurements of velocity profiles of four turbidity currents whose maximum along-canyon velocity reached 190 cm/s. Two turbidity currents coincided with storms that produced the highest swells and the biggest stream flows during the year-long deployment.
Why is obesity associated with osteoarthritis? Insights from mouse models of obesity.

Obesity is one of the most significant, and potentially most preventable, risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis, and numerous studies have shown a strong association between body mass index and osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, foot, and hand. However, the mechanism(s) by which obesity contributes to the onset and progression of osteoarthritis are not fully understood. The strong association between body mass index, altered limb alignment, and osteoarthritis of the knee—and the protective effects of weight loss—support the classic hypothesis that the effects of obesity on the joint are due to increased biomechanical loading and associated alterations in gait. However, obesity is now considered to be a low-grade systemic inflammatory disease, and recent studies suggest that metabolic factors associated with obesity alter systemic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that are also associated with osteoarthritis. Thus, the ultimate influence of obesity on osteoarthritis may involve a complex interaction of genetic, metabolic, and biomechanical factors. In this respect, mouse models of obesity can provide excellent systems in which to examine causal relationships among these factors. In recent years, there have been surprisingly few reports examining the effects of obesity on osteoarthritis using mouse models. In this paper, we review studies on mice and other animal models that provide both direct and indirect evidence on the role of obesity and altered diet in the development of osteoarthritis. We also examine the use of different body mass indices for characterizing “obesity” in mice by comparing these indices to typical adiposity levels observed in obese humans. Taken together, evidence from studies using mice suggest that a complex interaction of environmental and genetic factors associated with obesity contribute to the incidence and severity of osteoarthritis. The ability to control these factors, together with the development of methods to conduct more intricate measures of local biomechanical factors, make mouse models an excellent system to study obesity and osteoarthritis.
Serum transferrin and ferritin in pubertal boys: relations to body growth, pubertal stage, erythropoiesis, and iron deficiency

We studied serum transferrin and ferritin concentrations in relation to individual body growth, stage of puberty, blood hemoglobin, and red blood cell iron (RBCI) in 60 prepubertal or early pubertal boys at 3-mo intervals for 18 mo. One-third of the boys had increased serum transferrin concentrations and almost all had decreased ferritin concentrations during the followup. No change in mean transferrin was observed but the individual 18-mo increments in transferrin correlated positively with the increments in hemoglobin (r = 0.55, P < 0.001) and in estimated RBCI (r = 0.31, P = 0.02). Serum transferrin remained stable at different genital stages, but ferritin was lower in the pubertal than in the prepubertal boys. Transferrin concentrations at 18 mo correlated positively with the preceding weight velocities. The rise in transferrin did not lead to an increase in iron-deficiency anemia. In contrast, transferrin rose in boys whose hemoglobin increased. In pubertal boys with relatively ample iron status, serum transferrin may be an indicator of increased availability of iron for erythropoiesis. The declining ferritin concentration indicates that part of the extra iron is mobilized through redistribution from stores to red blood cell mass and is generally associated with greatly increasing absorption. Thus, the pubertal changes in transferrin and ferritin are not necessarily indications of iron deficiency.
Challenge for the Business Mathematics Teacher

(1975). Challenge for the Business Mathematics Teacher! The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 51, No. 1, pp. 25-26.
A review of culturally targeted/tailored tobacco prevention and cessation interventions for minority adolescents

Aim Emerging racial/ethnic disparities in tobacco use behaviors and resulting long-term health outcomes highlight the importance of developing culturally tailored/targeted tobacco prevention and cessation interventions. This manuscript describes the efficacy and the components of prevention and cessation interventions developed for minority adolescents. Methods Thirteen studies focused on culturally tailoring and targeting tobacco prevention/cessation interventions were selected and information on intervention design (type, number of sessions), setting (school or community), theoretical constructs, culture-specific components (surface/deep structures), and treatment outcomes were extracted. Results Of the 13 studies, 5 focused on prevention, 4 on cessation, and 4 combined prevention and cessation, and most of the studies were primarily school-based, while a few used community locations. Although diverse minority groups were targeted, a majority of the studies (n = 6) worked with Hispanic adolescents. The most common theoretical construct examined was the Social Influence Model (n = 5). The overall findings indicated that culturally tailoring cessation interventions did not appear to improve tobacco quit rates among minority adolescents, but culturally tailored prevention interventions appeared to produce lower tobacco initiation rates among minority adolescents than control conditions. Conclusions The results of review suggest that there is a critical need to develop better interventions to reduce tobacco use among minority adolescents and that developing a better understanding of cultural issues related to both cessation and initiation of tobacco use among minority populations is a key component of this endeavor.
Towards adaptive Web scriptable user interfaces for virtual environments

The vast majority of Web-based technology, its ability to visualize static and time varying information and the pervasive nature of its content have lead the development of applications and user interfaces that port between a broad range of operating systems, databases and devices. However the integration of this immense resource in virtual environments (VEs) remains elusive. In this paper we present a Web scriptable user interface that utilizes Web browser technology to enable the user to search the internet for arbitrary information and to seamlessly augment this information into the VE. WebVRI provides access to the standard data input and query mechanisms offered by conventional Web browsers, with the difference that it generates active texture-skins of the Web contents that can be mapped onto arbitrary surfaces within the environment. Once mapped, the corresponding texture functions as a fully integrated Web-browser that will respond to traditional events such as the selection of links or text input. As a result, any surface within the environment can be turned into a Web-enabled resource that provides access to user-definable data. Using WebVRI, users can merge Web contents into their VE, control its behavior and collaborate with other users inside and outside the VE. This provides a completely new mechanism to access readily available Web-based data, documents, images, animations, simulations and visualization. WebVRI also enables game-based education by providing the ability to create contents rich, pervasive VR-based edutainment environments.
Combination of early perinatal factors to identify near-term and term neonates for neuroprotection.

Combination of Early Perinatal Factors to Identify Near-Term and Term Neonates for Neuroprotection
Incorporation and utilization of bacterial lipids in the Solemya velum symbiosis

We undertook a detailed analysis of the lipid composition ofSolemya velum (Say), a bivalve containing endosymbiotic chemoautotrophic bacteria, in order to determine the presence of lipid biomarkers of endosymbiont activity. The symbiont-free clamMya arenaria (L.) and the sulfur-oxidizing bacteriumThiomicrospira crunogena (Jannasch et al.) were analyzed for comparative purposes. Theδ 13C ratios of the fatty acids and sterols were also measured to elucidate potential carbon sources for the lipids of each bivalve species. Both fatty acid and sterol composition differed markedly between the two bivalves. The lipids ofS. velum were characterized by large amounts of 18: 1ω7 (cis-vaccenic acid), 16:0, and 16 : 1ω7 fatty acids, and low concentrations of the highly unsaturated plant-derived fatty acids characteristic of most marine bivalves. Cholest-5-en-3β-ol (cholesterol) accounted for greater than 95% of the sterols inS. velum. In contrast,M. arenaria had fatty acid and sterol compositions similar to typical marine bivalves and was characterized by large amounts of the highly unsaturated fatty acids 20 : 5ω3 and 22 : 6ω3 and a variety of plant-derived sterols. The fatty acids ofT. crunogena were similar to those ofS. velum and were dominated by 18:1ω7, 16:0 and 16:1ω7 fatty acids. Thecis-vaccenic acid found inS. velum is almost certainly symbiontderived and serves as a potential biomarker for symbiontlipid incorporation by the host. The high concentrations ofcis-vaccenic acid (up to 35% of the total fatty acid content) in both symbiont-containing and symbiont-free tissues ofS. velum demonstrate the importance of the endosymbionts in the lipid metabolism of this bivalve. The presence ofcis-vaccenic acid in all the major lipid classes ofS. velum demonstrates both incorporation and utilization of this compound. Theδ 13C ratios of the fatty acids and sterols ofS. velum were significantly lighter (−38.4 to −45.3‰) than those ofM. arenaria (−23.8 to − 24.2‰) and were similar to the values found for the fatty acids ofT. crunogena (−45‰); this suggests that the lipids ofS. velum are either derived directly from the endosymbionts or are synthesized using endosymbiontderived carbon.
Tracing Steps of the Earliest Americans

In her article “Mother tongues trace steps of earliest Americans” (AAAS Meeting, 27 Feb., [p. 1306][1]), Ann Gibbons reviews linguistic evidence that the Americas were populated by humans long before the generally accepted date of roughly 11,000 years ago. She states that “Archaeologists trying to address that question [when did the ancestors of Monte Verde's inhabitants of 12,500 years ago first set foot in North America?] have come up empty-handed, as there are few reliably dated digs in America older than the Chilean site.” Digs are not the only way to obtain reliable data about antiquity. The steps of the earliest Americans have already been traced more directly by archaeologists Rogers ([1][2]) and Hayden ([2][3]), who derived their data from artifacts left along ancient trails and migratory routes in what are termed “fragile-pattern areas” ([3][4]), and their data demanded the same interpretation as given recently by the linguists: that the Americas were populated long before the dates accepted by the conventional view ([2][3]). It is gratifying to note the self-correcting nature of science and the fact that at least one of the two authors (Hayden) whose analysis of footsteps originally challenged the conventional view was still alive to witness this correction ([4][5]). 1. [↵][6]1. M. Rogers , Kiva 24, 1 (1958). [OpenUrl][7] 2. [↵][8]1. J. Hayden , Am. Antiq. 41, 274 (1976). [OpenUrl][9][CrossRef][10][Web of Science][11] 3. [↵][12]1. J. Hayden , ibid. 31, 272 (1965). [OpenUrl][13] 4. [↵][14]Julian Dodge Hayden died on 6 March 1998 at the age of 87 years. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.279.5355.1306b [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [7]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DKiva%26rft.volume%253D24%26rft.spage%253D1%26rft.atitle%253DKIVA%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [8]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [9]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DAm.%2BAntiq.%26rft.volume%253D41%26rft.spage%253D274%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.2307%252F279516%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [10]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.2307/279516&link_type=DOI [11]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=A1976BY01100002&link_type=ISI [12]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3 in text" [13]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253Dibid.%26rft.volume%253D31%26rft.spage%253D272%26rft.atitle%253DIBID%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [14]: #xref-ref-4-1 "View reference 4 in text"
Tolerances of lupin species and genotypes to acid soil and coal mine spoil

Abstract Twenty‐five genotypes of white lupin (Lupinus alhus L.), 20 of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) and 20 of narrow leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) were grown in greenhouse pots of an acid, Al‐toxic Tatum subsoil (clayey, mixed, thermic Hapludult) and a coal mine spoil with and without lime treatments. On the Tatum subsoil at pH 4.7 [72% aluminum (Al) saturation], entries of all three species grew well and showed little response to lime at pH 5.9. Kiev mutant, a white lupin, was green at pH 4.7 and 5.9, but several other white lupin entries showed a mottled chlorosis at both pH levels. Yellow and narrow leafed entries were green at pH 4.7 and 5.9. On the Tatum subsoil at pH 4.3, white lupins showed a range of chlorosis, with PI 316279 and PI 316276 being most resistant and Chilton least resistant. All yellow entries were chlorotic at pH 4.3. Liming the Tatum subsoil to pH 7.3 reduced or prevented chlorosis, but had little effect on vegetative growth. Based on relative shoot dry weight (wt at...
Change detection for visual satellite inspection using pose estimation and image synthesis

Satellites are subject to harsh lighting conditions which make visual inspection difficult. Automated systems which detect changes in the appearance of a satellite can generate false positives in the presence of intense shadows and specular reflections. This paper presents a new algorithm which can detect visual changes to a satellite in the presence of these lighting conditions. The position and orientation of the satellite with respect to the camera, or pose, is estimated using a new algorithm. Unlike many other pose estimation algorithms which attempt to reduce image reprojection error, this algorithm minimizes the sum of the weighted 3-dimensional error of the points in the image. Each inspection image is compared to many different views of the satellite, so that pose may be estimated regardless of which side of the satellite is facing the camera. The features in the image used to generate the pose estimate are chosen automatically using the scale-invariant feature transform. It is assumed that a good 3-dimensional model of the satellite was recorded prior to launch. Once the pose between the camera and the satellite have been estimated, the expected appearance of the satellite under the current lighting conditions is generated using a raytracing system and the 3-dimensional model. Finally, this estimate is compared with the image obtained from the camera. The ability of the algorithm to detect changes in the external appearance of satellites was evaluated using several test images exhibiting varying lighting and pose conditions. The test images included images containing shadows and bright specular reflections.
Myocardial Dysfunction and Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity Following Birth Asphyxia

Birth asphyxia often leads to left ventricular myocardial dysfunction. To assess the effect of myocardial dysfunction on cerebral perfusion, we evaluated cardiac output and cerebral blood flow velocity in the anterior cerebral and internal carotid arteries in 20 asphyxiated term newborn infants during the first 4 days of life using 2-dimensional/pulsed Doppler ultrasound. In 8 infants with myocardial dysfunction cardiac output was reduced on days 1 and 2 and within normal limits thereafter. In these infants changes in mean cerebral blood flow velocity and pulsatility index were passively related to changes in mean arterial pressure and cardiac output. In 12 infants without myocardial dysfunction a stable cerebral blood flow velocity pattern was found, which was unaffected by changes in mean arterial pressure. We conclude that infants presenting with a reduced cardiac output after deliveries associated with severe asphyxia may be at risk for additional ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebral damage because of lack of autoregulation.
Common mode EMI noise characterization and improvement for GaN switched-capacitor converter

The common mode (CM) noise issues in Gallium Nitride (GaN) based switched-capacitor circuit are investigated. The coupling mechanism due to the high rate of dv/dt in the voltage doubler converter is identified. A circuit model considering the GaN device, PCB stray inductance and parasitic capacitance, and passive components is derived to predict the CM noise generation and propagation. Based on the derived CM noise equivalent circuits, improvements to reduce the CM noise are proposed and verified by both computer simulation and experimental testing.
The Adaptation and Variability of Response of the Human Brain Rhythm

(1937). The Adaptation and Variability of Response of the Human Brain Rhythm. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 463-485.
Quantitative Treatment of Magnesium Ion Adsorption at the γ-Al2O3−Water Interface

The adsorption isotherms of Mg2+ on γ-alumina follow a typical Langmuir model, characteristic of single layer adsorption, and experimental data fitting is successfully described by a two-layer electrostatic model (DLM) on discrete sites on the surface with variable charge as a function of pH. Speciation studies indicate that Mg2+ was the major adsorbed species and the results show how chemical composition and species distribution in clay surfaces couples to solution properties such as pH and ionic strength to regulate adsorption and desorption processes in the distribution of Mg2+ species between sediment and the aqueous phase. Probably the mechanism of adsorption of Mg2+ at the γ-alumina surface is predominantly electrostatic, with outer sphere complexation, and the Mg2+-saturated γ-Al2O3 surface efficiently promotes hydrolysis of phosphate diesters.
Crystal chemistry of lunar merrillite and comparison to other meteoritic and planetary suites of whitlockite and merrillite

Merrillite, also known as “whitlockite,” is one of the main phosphate minerals, along with apatite, that occur in lunar rocks, martian meteorites, and in many other groups of meteorites. SigniÞ cant structural differences between terrestrial whitlockite and lunar (and meteoritic) varieties warrant the use of “merrillite” for the H-free extraterrestrial material, and the systematic enrichment of REE in lunar merrillite warrants the use of “RE-merrillite.” Laser Raman spectroscopy of extraterrestrial merrillite and terrestrial whitlockite conÞ rms the absence of H in the former and presence of H in the latter. Lunar merrillite, ideally (Mg, Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ )2[Ca18–x (Y,REE)x](Na2–x)(P,Si)14O56, contains high concentrations of Y+REE, reaching just over 3 atoms per 56 O atoms, or up to ~18 wt% as (Y,RE)2O3. In the absence of extensive Si↔P substitution, the “availability” of the Na site limits Y+REE substitution to ~2 atoms per 56 O atoms. Higher concentrations of Y+REE, with coupled substitution of Si for P to balance charge are possible, but rare in lunar material. Intrinsically low Na concentrations in lunar rocks, combined with the typical formation of merrillite in late-stage basaltic mesostasis or residual, intercumulus melt pockets, produce these high REE concentrations. Lunar merrillite typically contains 0.1–0.4 Na atoms per 56 O atoms. For comparison, martian merrillite contains signiÞ cantly higher Na concentrations (up to 1.7 Na atoms per 56 O atoms) and much lower REE concentrations. Meteoritic merrillite has relatively low REE contents, but exists in both Ca-rich and Na-rich varieties. Concentrations of Fe and Mg in all varieties sum to near 2 atoms per 56 O atoms. Merrillite in lunar crustal lithologies typically has Mg >> Fe; however, Fe-rich mare basalts contain up to 1.8 Fe 2+
Sleep Hygiene Program Implementation in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Purpose Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem. The impact of TBI on the individual is multifaceted and includes neurocognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric disturbances as well as greater predisposition for dementia. A common but significant problem reported by patients after TBI is sleep disturbance. The purpose of this manuscript is twofold: (1) to describe our experience with implementation of the newly developed sleep hygiene guidelines; and (2) to report our preliminary results of implementation of the sleep hygiene guidelines on TBI patient outcomes. Methods A mixed methods approach was used to assess implementation of sleep hygiene guidelines and to gather preliminary data on outcomes. Results Although not statistically significant, the average self-reported sleep duration of these TBI patients was slightly higher in 2010 than 2009, with a FIM score that was similar for both time points. In 2009, the mean change in functional independence measure (FIM) score (n = 34) was 1.44. In 2010, the mean change in FIM score (n = 33) was 1.42. In 2009, most patients (n = 13) admitted to the hospital continued to take medications and were discharged with a sleep aid. In 2010, most patients reported a change in their sleep medication prescriptions (on medications at admission and none at discharge) or had continued to take their prescribed sleep medications from admission to discharge (n = 12). Conclusion Sleep disorders have a major impact on health outcomes in patients with TBI. To optimize rehabilitation and ultimately improve functional outcomes of patients with TBI, implementation of evidence-based clinical guidelines for sleep is imperative. We report our initial experience with implementation of sleep guidelines.
Fludarabine-melphalan as a preparative regimen for reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation in relapsed and refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma: the updated M.D. Anderson Cancer Center experience.

Background The role of reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma remains poorly defined. We here present an update of our single-center experience with fludarabine-melphalan as a preparative regimen.Design and Methods Fifty-eight patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma underwent RIC and allogeneic stem cell transplantation from a matched related donor (MRD; n=25) or a matched unrelated donor (MUD; n=33). Forty-eight (83%) had undergone prior autologous stem cell transplantation. Disease status at transplant was refractory relapse (n=28) or sensitive relapse (n=30).Results Cumulative day 100 and 2-year transplant-related mortality rates were 7% and 15%, respectively (day 100 transplant-related mortality MRD vs. MUD 8% vs. 6%, p=ns; 2-year MRD vs. MUD 13% vs. 16%, p=ns). The cumulative incidence of acute (grade II–IV) graft-versus-host disease in the first 100 days was 28% (MRD vs. MUD 12% vs. 39%, p=0.04). The cumulative incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease at any time was 73% (MRD vs. MUD 57% vs. 85%, p=0.006). Projected 2-year overall and progression-free survival rates are 64% (49–76%) and 32% (20–45%), with 2-year disease progression/relapse at 55% (43–70%). There was no statistically significant differences in overall survival progression-free survival, and disease progression/relapse between MRD and MUD transplants. There was a trend for the response status pretransplant to have a favorable impact on progression-free survival (p=0.07) and disease progression/relapse (p=0.049), but not on overall survival (p=0.4)Conclusions Fludarabine-melphalan as a preparative regimen for reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation in progression-free survival Hodgkin’s lymphoma is associated with a significant reduction in transplant-related mortality, with comparable results in MRD and MUD allografts. Optimizing pretransplant response status may improve patients’ outcome.
Habitat modification contributes to associational resistance between herbivores

Associational resistance, in which one species gains protection from its consumers by association with a competitor, is common among plants but has seldom been documented among insects. Here we show that parasitism of an aboveground herbivore, European corn borer, by its specialist parasitoid Macrocentrus grandii, is reduced 98% in the presence of a belowground herbivore, corn rootworm. We tested the hypothesis that this positive indirect interaction between corn rootworm and corn borer was mediated by corn rootworm’s influence on the habitat: plant height was diminished by 33% and plant density by 20%, resulting in a more open habitat. We found that M. grandii showed a two- to five-fold preference for dense versus open habitats, and that experimental reduction of plant density in the absence of corn rootworm reduced M. grandii parasitism of corn borer by 13%. This result supports the presence of a habitat modification effect as a contributing factor to associational resistance for corn borer. We argue that associational resistance may be more common among phytophagous insects than previously appreciated.
“Home Burial” and “Dead Baby”: Poetic Perspectives in Medical Education

This article illustrates the use and value of literature in increasing one's sensitivity and compassion in areas extending beyond the prescribed boundaries of medical training and practice. “Home Burial” by Robert Frost and “Dead Baby” by William Carlos Williams portray in different ways the anguish and despair of parents after a child's death. If anatomy, biochemistry, and micro-biology prepare health care providers for the clinical dimensions of their work, these poems attend to other attributes of good care giving.
Hox genes pattern the anterior-posterior axis of the juvenile but not the larva in a maximally indirect developing invertebrate, Micrura alaskensis (Nemertea)

The pilidium larva is a novel body plan that arose within a single clade in the phylum Nemertea - the Pilidiophora. While the sister clade of the Pilidiophora and the basal nemerteans develop directly, pilidiophorans have a long-lived planktotrophic larva with a body plan distinctly different from that of the juvenile. Uniquely, the pilidiophoran juvenile develops inside the larva from several discrete rudiments. The orientation of the juvenile with respect to the larval body varies within the Pilidiophora, which suggests that the larval and juvenile anteroposterior (AP) axes are patterned differently. In order to gain insight into the evolutionary origins of the pilidium larva and the mechanisms underlying this implied axial uncoupling, we examined the expression of the Hox genes during development of the pilidiophoran Micrura alaskensis. We identified sequences of nine Hox genes and the ParaHox gene caudal through a combination of transcriptome analysis and molecular cloning, and determined their expression pattern during development using in situ hybridization in whole-mounted larvae. We found that Hox genes are first expressed long after the pilidium is fully formed and functional. The Hox genes are expressed in apparently overlapping domains along the AP axis of the developing juvenile in a subset of the rudiments that give rise to the juvenile trunk. Hox genes are not expressed in the larval body at any stage of development. While the Hox genes pattern the juvenile pilidiophoran, the pilidial body, which appears to be an evolutionary novelty, must be patterned by some mechanism other than the Hox genes. Although the pilidiophoran juvenile develops from separate rudiments with no obvious relationship to the embryonic formation of the larva, the Hox genes appear to exhibit canonical expression along the juvenile AP axis. This suggests that the Hox patterning system can maintain conserved function even when widely decoupled from early polarity established in the egg.
Hydrosomes: femtoliter containers for fluorescence spectroscopy studies

We report on improvements and innovations in the use of hydrosomes to encapsulate and study single molecules. Hydrosomes are optically-trappable aqueous nanodroplets. The droplets are suspended in a fluorocarbon medium that is immiscible with water and has an index of refraction lower than water, so hydrosomes are stable and optically trapped by a focused laser beam (optical tweezers). Using optical tweezers, we hold the hydrosomes within a confocal observation volume and interrogate the encapsulated molecule by fluorescence excitation. This method allows for long observation times of a molecule without the need for surface immobilization or liposome encapsulation. We have developed a new way for creating hydrosomes on demand by inertially launching them into the fluorocarbon matrix using a piezo-activated micropipette. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy studies are carried out to characterize the effects of the hydrosome interface boundary on biological molecules and to determine whether molecules encapsulated within hydrosomes diffuse freely throughout the available volume. We measured the fluorescence anisotropy decay of 20mer DNA duplexes, and enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP). We conclude that the molecules rotate freely inside the nanodroplets and do not stick or aggregate at the boundary.
Instability generated by acceleration due to rarefaction waves.

A new mechanism for instability in compressible fluid systems in described. A rarefaction wave induces acceleration, which can destabilize the system at a contact surface. The instability grows until the wave has passed. Residual motion can persist for long times thereafter, leading to significant enhancing of the mixing. To illustrate this mechanism, the Rayleigh-Taylor instability excited by a rarefaction wave at a density discontinuity is discussed and investigated numerically.
Alkenenitriles: Zn-Cu promoted conjugate additions of alkyl iodides in water.

A new silica-supported zinc−copper matrix dramatically promotes conjugate additions of alkyl iodides to alkenenitriles in water. Acyclic and cyclic nitriles react with functionalized alkyl iodides, overcoming the previous difficulty of performing conjugate additions to disubstituted alkenenitriles with nonstabilized carbon nucleophiles. Conjugate additions with ω-chloroalkyl iodides generate cyclic nitriles primed for cyclization, collectively providing one of the few annulation methods for cyclic alkenenitriles.
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Characterization of Aluminum Nitride Surface Oxides: Thermal and Hydrothermal Evolution

Oxidized surfaces of aluminum nitride (AlN) epilayers grown on sapphire substrates and of AlN bulk crystals grown by physical vapor transport were studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Analysis of the oxygen core level spectra showed approximately equal contributions from oxygen in two bonding states, which were identified by the binding energies and relative separation of the fitted peaks as OH− and O2−. The oxide on air-exposed AlN surfaces was identified as aluminum oxide hydroxide. Systematic annealing experiments were conducted in vacuum to study the thermal evolution of hydroxide layers, and a dehydration mechanism resulting in the formation of Al2O3 at high temperature was identified.
Valuation of strategic network flexibility in development of toll road projects

A reliable, cost‐effective and safe transportation system is essential to economic growth. To keep pace with demands for network capacity, revenue‐generating projects are increasingly being used to complement the current procurement practices and lessen the pressure on public finances. In such transportation networks where there exists a mix of free access links and links with user fees, network interconnectivity is an important component of project valuation. A bilevel stochastic recourse model for valuating network flexibility is formulated. A key component of the model is consideration of network‐based managerial flexibility in context of the upper level project valuation objective and the lower level network user equilibrium solution under demand uncertainty. The results from a test network, for which a closed form solution is possible, indicate that the value of network flexibility directly depends on initial network conditions, variance in future travel demand and toll pricing decisions.
Vitamin E δ-Tocotrienol Levels in Tumor and Pancreatic Tissue of Mice after Oral Administration

Tocotrienols are natural vitamin E compounds that are known to have a neuroprotective effect at nanomolar concentration and anti-carcinogenic effect at micromolar concentration. In this report, we inv
SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF INITIATION AND DETONATION CHEMISTRY

There is much effort currently directed towards elucidating important microscopic processes in reacting high explosives (HEs). In particular, identification of early chemical steps in initiation is crucial to a better understanding of explosive sensitivity and vulnerability. The intimate coupling of the chemical work required to sustain detonation with the mechanical properties of the material and the resulting wave motion drives experimental studies to focus on realistic cases of initiation and steady-state detonation. Extrapolation of results from more homogeneous pressure and temperature domains may provide an inadequate description of the physics and chemistry involved. In practice the study of molecular properties in the extreme environment of detonation requires fast detection of transient phenomena. Over the past few years, the investigators have applied various optical techniques to studies of molecular mechanisms of initiation and detonation. The main focus has been to study reactions in compressed granular HEs like those commonly used in weapon components. Four experimental techniques were used: emission spectroscopy; fast-framing photography; time-resolved infrared spectral photography (TRISP); and single-pulse Raman spectroscopy. In this paper the investigators describe; (1) use of fast-framing photography and emission spectroscopy to study spatial and temporal character of emitted light from detonating HEs; (2) use of TRISPmore » technique to monitor formation of water from various detonating HEs; and (3) use of single-pulse Raman scattering to study changes in shocked TATB. 11 refs., 5 figs.« less
The nose as a port of entry for aluminosilicates and other pollutants: possible role in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Considerably more research is necessary to evaluate the possible role of aluminosilicates in the brain pathology of Alzheimer's disease. In addition to aluminosilicates, many other environmental pollutants exist which could be equally responsible for the neurodegeneration and olfactory deficits reviewed by Dr. Roberts. Animal studies could be very useful in determining which chemicals might actually invade the CNS through the nose and produce the pattern of neurodegeneration characteristic of Alzheimer's. Finally, flavor amplifiers may help compensate for the olfactory deficits in Alzheimer's patients, thus improving their nutritional condition and quality of life until an effective treatment for the disease is found.
Surface Instabilities: Effect on Erosion Ripple Formation

Erosion ripple formation on aluminum samples during solid particle impacts was studied. Sharp polyhedral A12O3 solid particles were used as abrasives. Geometric surface instabilities in various forms were introduced to the surface of the A1 samples. Optical microscopy was used to examine the influence of the geometric instabilities on the ripple formation and development. Investigations of the surface morphology of eroded samples have shown a gradual elimination of the geometric instabilities by the erosion ripple formation. However, the ripple size strongly depends on the surface conditions prior to solid particle impact. Based on the evidence, a mechanism for ripple formation is proposed.
Fail-Safe Requirements for Holding Tube Pressure in an Ultra-High-Temperature Steam Injection System

Abstract A steam injection system for ultra-high-temperature pasteurization was examined for fail-safe requirements for pressure within the holding tube. Holding tube temperatures from 80 to 150°C, holding tube pressures from 46.9 to 552 kPa, and differences between holding tube and saturation vapor pressures from 73.6 to 380 kPa were studied. The back pressure valve was controlled to simulate both rapid and gradual pressure failure in the holding tube. Measured were holding tube temperature and pressure and time from failure of holding tube pressure to rejection of the product at the flow diversion valve. The location of the flow diversion valve (upstream and downstream from the vacuum chamber) was of primary importance for establishing fail-safe criteria.
tACS- What goes on inside? The neural consequences of transcranial alternating current stimulation

There is considerable evidence for clinical and behavioral efficacy of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). The effects range from suppressing Parkinsonian tremors to augmenting human learning and memory. Despite widespread use, the neurobiological mechanism of actions of tACS on the brain is unclear. We have taken a threefold approach to probe tACS mechanisms. First, we examined the behavioral effects of tACS on human motion perception. Second, we used known motion models to generate predictions about neural mechanisms that could produce the effects. Third, we tested these predictions by directly measuring tACS-induced neural activity changes in the macaque brain.