cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy Kalman filtering

The classical Kalman filtering (KF) algorithm has recently been extended to interval linear systems with interval parameters under the same statistical assumptions on noise, where the new algorithm is called Interval Kalman Filtering (IKF) scheme. The IKF algorithm has the same structure, and preserves the same optimality, as the classical KF scheme but provides interval-valued estimates. If the interval system has confidence description about the distribution of its interval values, we can further incorporate the IKF scheme with fuzzy logic inference, so as to develop a new filtering algorithm, called Fuzzy Kalman Filtering (FKF) algorithm. This algorithm preserves the same recursive mechanism of the KF and IKF, but produces a scalar-valued (rather than an interval-valued) estimate at each iteration of the filtering process. To compare the FKF to the IKF, computer simulation is included, which shows that the FKF is also robust against system parameter variations.
Positron annihilation induced Auger electron spectroscopy (PAES) study of the structure of Si/H/Ge(100) interfaces

Abstract Positron annihilation induced Auger electron spectroscopy (PAES), which makes use of low energy positrons to excite Auger transitions by annihilation of core electrons, was applied to the study of the effect of adsorbed atomic hydrogen on the stability of Si films grown on a Ge(100) substrate. Previous work has shown that PAES has a high degree of selectivity for the topmost atomic layer due to the trapping of positrons in an image potential well just outside the surface before annihilation. The concentration of Si and Ge atoms on the surface layer were monitored by measuring PAES intensities of the Si LVV and Ge MVV peaks after deposition of Si on Ge(100) with and without the prior adsorption of H on the substrate. The PAES results indicated that when 8 ML of Si was deposited on Ge(100) after introducing 5000 L H 2 , the surface consisted almost exclusively of Si atoms. In the absence of H, segregation of Ge atoms to the surface was observed even after deposition of 8 ML of Si at room temperature.
High-precision multiple-degree-of-freedom piezoelectric actuator

This paper describes the construction and control of a two Degree-Of-Freedom (DOF) piezoelectric actuator. This actuator is part of a 6 DOF manipulator capable of linear resolution to 2 nanometer and angular resolution to 1 arc- second. Design of this actuator differs from the existing ones in that it has a monolithic structure which enables a high bandwidth, high force realization. The actuator is controlled by the TMS320C31 Digital Signal Processor residing on a standard Pentium PC. A number of nonlinearities exist in the actuator, stemming from the geometry and materials properties. For example, coupling of the actuator elements can be modeled as a soft spring which increases scale factor at high actuation levels. In this work, a combination of feedforward (input shaping) and feedback control are applied to reduce the effects of (1) scale factor nonlinearities, (2) hysteresis, and (3) output oscillations. Application of this actuator include: optoelectronics assembly, optical fiber alignment, and semiconductor processing.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
AST/ALT ratio predicts cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Objective: A liver biopsy is necessary to grade and stage chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In a previous study of patients with nonalcoholic liver disease, an aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio >1 suggested cirrhosis. We sought to examine the value of the AST/ALT ratio in distinguishing cirrhotic patients with chronic HCV infection from noncirrhotic patients and to correlate the ratio with the grade and stage of hepatitis and other biochemical indices. Methods: We retrospectively studied 139 patients with chronic HCV infection. Routine biochemical indices were determined, and the histological grade of necroinflammatory activity and the stage of fibrosis of the liver biopsy specimens were scored. Results: The mean AST/ALT ratio in the cirrhotic patients (n = 47) was higher than in the noncirrhotic patients (n = 92) (1.06 ± 0.06 vs 0.60 ± 0.09; p < 0.001). A ratio ≥1 had 100% specificity and positive predictive value in distinguishing cirrhotic from noncirrhotic patients, with a 53.2% sensitivity and 80.7% negative predictive value. The ratio correlated positively with the stage of fibrosis but not with the grade of activity or other indices. Of the cirrhotic patients, 17% had no clinical or biochemical features suggestive of chronic liver disease except for an AST/ALT ratio ≥1. Conclusion: The AST/ALT ratio is a dependable marker of fibrosis stage and cirrhosis in patients with chronic HCV infection.
The influence of vibronic interactions on the chiroptical spectra of dissymmetric pseudo tetragonal metal complexes

The influence of vibronic interactions on the chiroptical spectra associated with a threesome of nearly degenerate electronic excited states in a dissymmetric molecular system is examined on a formal theoretical model. The model considers two vibrational modes to be effective in promoting pseudo Jahn-Teller (PJT) type interactions between the three closely spaced electronic excited states. Formal expressions are developed for the rotatory strengths of individual vibronic levels derived from the coupled electronic states. Two mode (vibrational)-three state (electronic) vibronic Hamiltonians are constructed (basis set size, 63–108, depending upon interaction parameters used) and diagonalized for a large number of different parameter sets representative of various vibronic coupling strengths, electronic energy level spacings, oscillator (vibrational mode) frequencies, and electronic rotatory strengths. Diagonalization of these vibronic Hamiltonians yields vibronic wave functions and energies which are then used to calculate “rotatory strength spectra” for the model system. The calculated results demonstrate the profound influence which vibronic interactions of the PJT type may have on the sign patterns and intensity distributions within the rotatory strength spectrum associated with a set of nearly degenerate electronic states. The implication of these results for the interpretation of circular dichroism spectra of chiral transition metal complexes with pseudo tetragonal symmetry are discussed.
Tracheoesophageal fistula after blunt chest trauma

Tracheoesophageal fistula is a very rare but potentially life-threatening complication of blunt chest trauma. Prior reviews have revealed that the victims were all young men involved in deceleration or crush injuries. Of those involved in motor vehicle accidents, most were thrown against the steering wheel. Herein, we review the world literature on this injury and include our own report of 1 of the few cases of traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula involving a female victim. In this case, the victim was an unrestrained driver thrown against an air bag.
Scene segmentation in a machine vision system for histopathology

Algorithms and procedures employed to attain reliable and exhaustive segmentation in histopathologic imagery of colon and prostate sections are detailed. The algorithms are controlled and selectively called by a scene segmentation expert system as part of a machine vision system for the diagnostic interpretation of histopathologic sections. At this time, effective segmentation of scenes of glandular tissues is produced, with the system being conservative in the identification of glands; for the segmentation of overlapping glandular nuclei an overall success rate of approximately 90% has been achieved.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Electrophysiology of embryonic, adult and aged rat hippocampal neurons in serum-free culture

Methods were recently developed for culturing neurons from adult rat hippocampus using the serum-free medium Neurobasal with B27 supplement. To determine whether adult cultured neurons have normal electrical properties, we studied cultures from rats of three age groups: (1) embryonic; (2) 10-11 months old and (3) 35-36 months old. Neurons had a polarized morphology with a large branching apical dendrite and small basal dendrites. Mean resting potentials were similar in the three age groups. All neurons had nonlinear current-voltage relationships, indicating the presence of voltage-sensitive ion channels. Most neurons had a voltage-sensitive inward current followed by a sustained voltage-sensitive outward current. Tetrodotoxin blocked the inward current, which is likely to be a sodium current. The sustained outward current, which is likely to be a potassium current, reversed at -71 mV. Most neurons exhibited anomalous rectification. Calcium currents were present in both embryonic and adult neurons. Embryonic neurons would sometimes fire multiple action potentials but adult neurons fired only single action potentials. Our results indicate that both embryonic and adult cultured neurons retain a clearly neuronal electrophysiological phenotype in Neurobasal/B27 serum-free medium.
Topical bupivacaine and etidocaine analgesia following fallopian tube banding.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of etidocaine and bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia after laparoscope sterilization. The study was performed in 22 healthy patients who received either one per cent etidocaine, 2 mg·kg−1, or bupivacaine 1.5 mg·kg−1 in a double-blind, randomized fashion. The local anaesthetic was dropped onto the fallopian tubes from uterus tofimbriae before tubal occlusion. To establish safety, blood concentrations of the parent drug and its metabolites were measured before application and at 1,3, 6, 10, 15, 30, 60 and l20 min. The mean peak concentrations were 501.8 ± 71.3 (SEM) for etidocaine with a range of 225 to 905 ng · ml−1. For bupivacaine, the mean peak concentration was 468 ± 73.8 SEM with a range from 191 to 1005 ng ·ml−1. The mean values are one eighth of the toxic convulsive dose for humans. Etidocaine was metabolized at a faster rate than bupivacaine with a rapid appearance of 2-amino-2′-butyroxylidide (ABX). The bupivacaine metabolite 2,6-pipecoloxylidide (PPX) was detected in low concentrations in the 60-minute samples. We conclude that the topical application of either etidocaine or bupivacaine is a safe procedure in the doses and concentrations used during general anaesthesia for laparoscopic tubal banding.
Serial recording of reflexes after feline spinal cord transection

Abstract Implanted nerve cuff and muscle electrodes were used to serially record reflexes after spinal cord transection in cat. Recording of reflexes, in response to both sensory nerve and to mixed motor and sensory nerve stimulation, was accomplished through 2 months after cord section. Serial recording of afferent and efferent nerve volleys was achieved as well. Serial reflex changes that follow cord transection are described. Reflex amplitude to sensory nerve stimulation increased in two phases. The first increase was noted between 1 and 4 days after cord transection; the second increase was recorded between 2 and 4 weeks. These observations suggest that at least two neuronal mechanisms with distinct temporal courses mediate the appearance of spinal hyper-reflexia. The animal model described may be useful for further study of the neuronal mechanisms which underlie the hyperreflexia of spinal cord injury.
Cell-density sensing: Come on inside and tell us about it

The developmental pathway chosen by a Bacillus subtilis cell is influenced by the local cell density. To sense cell density, the cell monitors at least three different secreted signal peptides, two of which are detected by a new type of transduction mechanism involving their specific transport into the cell.
Wnt and β-catenin signaling target the expression of ecto-5′-nucleotidase and increase extracellular adenosine generation

Abstract Solid tumors, which routinely experience necrosis and ischemia, release and degrade adenine nucleotides. This process may lead, depending on the expression of enzymes that regulate adenosine, to the generation of extracellular adenosine. Since genes encoding ecto-5′-nucleotidase (eN) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) contain TCF/LEF consensus binding sites, we asked whether Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a pathway that is deregulated in several human tumors, targets the expression of these genes and thus influence extracellular adenosine generation. Our results show that β-catenin strongly increased the activity of the 969-bp promoter of eN and this increase depended on the presence of TCF-1 transcription factor. Reciprocally, the eN promoter activity was decreased by co-transfection of APC, a β-catenin antagonist. The expression of endogenous eN mRNA was increased either in Cos-7 cells transfected with a mutated β-catenin and TCF-1 or in Rat-1 cells transformed by the Wnt-1 oncogene. In Rat-1 cells, expression of Wnt-1 correlated with increased eN protein levels and enzymatic activity and a concomitant decrease of adenosine deaminase mRNA and enzymatic activity. This expression profile is accompanied by a threefold increase in the generation of extracellular adenosine. Our study demonstrates a link between the Wnt signaling and the regulation of two enzymes that control the metabolism of adenosine.
Identification of protein ubiquitylation by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric analysis of sulfonated tryptic peptides

We report here the application of electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the characterization of protein ubiquitylation, an important posttranslational modification of cellular proteins. Trypsin digestion of ubiquitin-conjugated proteins produces diglycine branched peptides containing the modification sites. Chemical derivatization by N-terminal sulfonation was carried out on several model peptides for the formation of a characteristic fragmentation pattern in their MS/MS analysis. The fragmentation of derivatized singly charged peptides results in a product ion distribution similar to that already observed by MALDI-TOF MS/MS. Signature fragments distinguished the diglycine branched peptides from other modified and unmodified peptides, while the sequencing product ions reveal the amino acid sequence and the location of the ubiquitylation site. Doubly charged peptide derivatives fragment in a somewhat different manner, but several fragments characteristic to diglycine branched peptides were o...
MBO3 calcite-type borates of Al, Ga, Tl, and Rh

The Al, Ga, and Tl isotypes of the known calcite-type borate InBO3 as well as the 4d6 compound RhBO3 of the same structure have been prepared at high pressure. Doping of AIBO3 with traces of Cr gives pink crystals similarly to the formation of ruby from corundum. Properties of the above compounds are presented. In addition, crystal data for calcite-type borates, carbonates, and nitrates have been compiled and their relationships are discussed.
Reducing Uncertainty Associated with Ground-Water Flow and Transport Predictions

Effective evaluation of ground-water flow and transport problems requires consideration of the range of possible interpretations of the subsurface given the available, disparate types of data. Geostatistical simulation (using a modified version of ISIM3D) of hydrofacies units produces many realizations that honor the available geologic data and represent the range of subsurface interpretations of unit geometry. Hydraulic observations are utilized to accept or reject the geometric configurations of hydrofacies units and to estimate ground-water flow parameters for the units (using MODFLOWP). These realizations are employed to evaluate the uncertainty of the resulting value of the response function (ground-water flow velocity and contaminant concentration) using MT3D. The process is illustrated with a synthetic data set for which the “truth” is known, and produces a striking reduction in the distribution of predicted contaminant concentrations. The same system is evaluated three times: first with only hard data, then with both hard and soft data, and finally with only the realizations that honor the hydraulic data (i.e., those accepted after parameter estimation via inverse flow modeling). Using only hard data, the mean concentration predicted for all realizations at the point of interest is nearly two orders of magnitude lower than the true value and the standard deviation of the log of concentration is two. The addition of soft data brings the mean concentration within one order of magnitude of the true value and reduces the standard deviation of the log of concentration to one. After eliminating realizations using inverse flow modeling, the mean concentration is one-third of the true value and the standard deviation of the log of concentration less than 0.5.
The Hartree-Fock Theory for Coulomb Systems

For neutral atoms and molecules and positive ions and radicals, we prove the existence of solutions of the Hartree-Fock equations which minimize the Hartree-Fock energy. We establish some properties of the solutions including exponential falloff.
INTRAVENOUS METHYLPREDNISOLONE IN THE TREATMENT OF STEROID RESPONSIVE NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Six children in relapse with steriod responsive nephrotic syndrome received 3 doses of intravenous methylprednisolone (30mg/kg) on alternate days. The 6 children received a total of 9 courses of methylprednisolone and there were no adverse effects. Each course was followed immediately by prednisone therapy (2mg/kg) on alternate days. Five were frequent relapsers and the sixth had many recurrences over 15 years. All were males with a mean age of 4.5 years at onset and 9.1 years at the time of “pulse” therapy. All had normal renal function. Renal biopsies showed mild mesangial proliferation in 3, focal sclerosis in 1 and minimal change in 1. Four subsequently achieved sustained remissions after chlorambucil therapy and the remaining 2 continued to have occasional relapses. Following 8 courses, a remission occurred in 5 to 15 days (mean 7 days) and in the ninth a remission occurred after 46 days. During 11 previous relapses the interval to remission using oral prednisone was 5 to 21 days (mean of 11 days). Prior to “pulse” therapy the mean interval between relapses was 131 days (range 30 to 260 days); following “pulse” therapy, the mean interval was 130 days (range 23 to 420 days). We conclude that intravenous methylprednisolone “pulse” therapy in steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome of childhood can induce a remission which is similar with respect to the time of onset and the duration of the remission achieved with oral prednisone therapy.
Engineered nanoparticle respiratory exposure and potential risks for cardiovascular toxicity: predictive tests and biomarkers.

The most attractive properties of engineered nanomaterials for technological applications, including their small size, large surface area, and high reactivity, are also the main factors for their potential toxicity. Based on ambient ultrafine particle research, it is predicted that nanosized particles may have deeper pulmonary deposition, higher biological activity, and a tendency for extrapulmonary translocation compared to larger particles. In this regard, nanoparticle exposure, by direct or indirect mechanisms, may lead to unexpected distant responses, involving the immune system, cardiovascular system, liver, kidney, and brain. The systemic effects may induce or modify the progression of existing diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Current experimental toxicity evaluation of engineered nanomaterials, specifically carbon nanotubes, demonstrated that deposition of these materials in the lung leads to inflammation and fibrosis. The local toxicity is associated with cardiovascular effects related to ...
Cyclic AMP, protein kinase A, and phosphodiesterases: proceedings of an international workshop.

Cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP are part of almost all major cellular signaling pathways. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that regulate the intracellular levels of cAMP and cGMP. Protein kinase A or cAMP-dependent protein kinase mediates most cAMP effects in the cell. Over the last 25 years, various components of this group of molecules have been involved in human diseases, both genetic and acquired. Lately, the PDEs attract more attention. The pharmacological exploitation of the PDE’s ability to regulate cGMP and cAMP, and through them, a variety of signaling pathways, has led to a number of new drugs for diverse applications from the treatment of erectile dysfunction to heart failure, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We present the abstracts (available online) and selected articles from the proceedings of a meeting that took place at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, June 8–10, 2011.
A mitral valve prosthesis and a study of thrombosis on heart valves in dogs.

Summary o 1. A prosthesis for the atrioventricular heart valves has been designed which tends to imitate the natural mitral valve. The valve is cylindric in shape and is made of smooth polyurethane. The fixation ring is flexible, with Dacron mesh and polyurethane sponge provided for fixation. The sutures are shielded from the blood stream. Chordae tendineae are braided in two strands. 2. The prosthesis was placed in the mitral area of 10 dogs. 3. Thrombus formation was found in the implantation site of all six dogs which lived two days or longer, and was largest in the corner between the mural part of the valve and the ventricular wall. 4. The problems of thrombosis on plastic materials in the heart in general and on mitral prostheses in particular are discussed. At present, the ball valve type seems to be the optimal solution as far as thrombus formation is concerned. The smooth polyurethane tube valve herein described has not been tested in man. It offers the advantage of a flexible ring.
Alteration of Lithium Pharmacology through Manipulation of Phosphoadenosine Phosphate Metabolism

Bisphosphate 3′-nucleotidase (BPNT1 in mammals and Met22/Hal2 in yeast) is one of five members of a family of signaling phosphatases united through a common tertiary structure and inhibition by subtherapeutic doses of the antibipolar drug lithium. Here we report a role for 3′-nucleotidase and its substrate, 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphate (PAP), in mediating the cellular effects of lithium. Lithium-induced inhibition of growth in yeast cells may be overcome by dose-dependent heterologous expression of human BPNT1. Disruption of the yeast 3′-nucleotidase gene or treatment of cells with lithium results in a >80-fold accumulation of PAP and leads to potent growth inhibition. These data indicate that the accumulation of a 3′-nucleotidase substrate, such as PAP, mediates the toxicity of lithium. To further probe this model we examined the growth inhibitory effects of lithium under conditions in which PAP biosynthetic machinery was concomitantly down-regulated. Disruption of met3 or met14 genes (ATP sulfurylase or phosphosulfate kinase), transcriptional down-regulation of MET3 through methionine addition, or administration of chlorate, a widely used cell-permeable sulfurylase inhibitor, function to reduce lithium-induced intracellular PAP accumulation and lithium toxicity; all of these effects were reversed by heterologous expression of human sulfurylase and kinase. Collectively, our data support a role for 3′-nucleotidase activity and PAP metabolism in aspects of lithium's mechanism of action and provide a platform for development of novel pharmacological modulators aimed at improving therapies for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Alveolar Epithelial Type I Cells Express β2-Adrenergic Receptors and G-protein Receptor Kinase 2:

Beta2-Adrenergic agonists stimulate alveolar epithelial sodium (Na(+)) transport and lung fluid clearance. Alveolar type II (AT2) cells have been reported to express beta2-adrenergic receptors (beta2AR). Given the large surface area covered by alveolar type I (AT1) cells and their potential role in alveolar fluid removal, we were interested in learning if AT1 cells express beta2AR as well. Because beta2AR is potentially susceptible to desensitization by G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), we also undertook localization of GRK2. beta2AR and GRK2 expression was evaluated in whole lung, isolated alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), and AECs in primary culture, and was localized to specific AEC phenotypes by immunofluorescence techniques. beta2AR is highly expressed in AT1 cells. beta2AR mRNA increases with time in culture as AT2 cells transdifferentiate towards the AT1 cell phenotype. Immunoreactive GRK2 is seen in both AT1 and AT2 cells in similar amounts. These data suggest that both AT1 and AT2 cells may contribute to the increased alveolar Na(+) and water clearance observed after exposure to beta2 adrenergic agents. Both cell types also express GRK2, suggesting that both may undergo desensitization of beta2AR with subsequent decline in the stimulatory effects of beta2-adrenergic agonists over time.
Turbulent Convection: Is 2D a good proxy of 3D?

Several authors have recently carried out 2D simulations of turbulent convection for both solar and massive stars. Fitting the 2D results with the MLT, they obtain that alpha(sub MLT) greater than 1 specifically, 1.4 less than alpha(sub MLT) less than 1.8. The authors further suggest that this methodology could be used to calibrate the MLT used in stellar evolutionary codes. We suggest the opposite viewpoint: the 2D results show that MLT is internally inconsistent because the resulting alpha(sub MLT) greater than 1 violates the MLT basic assumption that alpha(sub MLT) less than 1. When the 2D results are fitted with the CM model, alpha(sub CMT) less than 1, in accord with the basic tenet of the model. On the other hand, since both MLT and CM are local models, they should be replaced by the next generation of non-local, time dependent turbulence models which we discuss in some detail.
Embolization of a type 2 endoleak through catheterization of a hypogastric branched stent-graft

In contrast to internal iliac artery (IIA) occlusion, the use of branch stent-graft (BSG) has been developed as an efficient adjunct in preserving pelvic blood flow. However, the risk of post-procedural type 2 endoleak (EL) remains. We present the case of an 80-year-old man with a juxtarenal aneurysm extending to both common and IIA. The patient was treated with a fenestrated device and a left BSG after embolization of the right IIA branches. At 6 months, the persistence of a type 2 EL associated with aneurysm growth mandated EL embolization through the BSG with a good result. Technical issues are discussed.
Inside Development in Latin America: A Report from the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Brazil

Inside Development in Latin America:. Report from the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Brazil. James Lang. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1988. 307 pp., maps. $39.95 (cloth),$12.95 (paper). ISBN 0-8078-1753-8, ISBN 0-8078- 4195-1.
Grief-Related Facsimile Illness:

One aspect of the grief process which is frequently mentioned in the literature on mourning but has not yet received adequate clinical attention is the tendency for the bereaved to assume symptoms ...
Item and Scale Information of Assessment Centers Ratings: An Item Response Theory (IRT) Approach

The present study introduces a novel approach to examine the psychometric properties of assessment center (AC) ratings by applying item response theory (IRT) to the AC context. Data from 207 manage...
DAPI fluorescence in nuclei isolated from tumors

In DNA histograms of some human solid tumors stained with nuclear isolation medium--4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (NIM-DAPI), the coefficient of variation (CV) of the G0/G1 peak was broad, and in nuclear volume vs DNA scattergrams, a prominent slope was seen. To determine the cause for this, nuclei from frozen breast tumors were stained with NIM-DAPI and analyzed after dilution or resuspension in PBS. In two-color (blue vs red) analysis, most of the slope and broad CV was due to red fluorescence of nuclei stained with NIM-DAPI, which was reduced on dilution or resuspension in PBS, resulting in elimination of the slope and tightening of the CV.
Interchange formats for hybrid systems: review and proposal

Interchange formats have been the backbone of the EDA industry for several years. They are used as a way of helping the development of design flows that integrate foreign tools using formats with different syntax and, more importantly, different semantics. The need for integrating tools coming from different communities is even more severe for hybrid systems because of the relative immaturity of the field and the intrinsic difficulty of the mathematical underpinnings. In this paper, we provide a discussion about interchange formats for hybrid systems, we survey the approaches used by different tools for analysis (simulation and formal verification) and synthesis of hybrid systems, and we give a recommendation for an interchange format for hybrid systems based on the Metropolis metamodel. The proposed interchange format has rigorous semantics and can accommodate the translation to and from the formats of the tools we have surveyed while providing a formal reasoning framework.
GDE2 Regulates Subtype-Specific Motor Neuron Generation through Inhibition of Notch Signaling

The specification of spinal interneuron and motor neuron identities initiates within progenitor cells, while motor neuron subtype diversification is regulated by hierarchical transcriptional programs implemented postmitotically. Here we find that mice lacking GDE2, a six-transmembrane protein that triggers motor neuron generation, exhibit selective losses of distinct motor neuron subtypes, specifically in defined subsets of limb-innervating motor pools that correlate with the loss of force-generating alpha motor neurons. Mechanistically, GDE2 is expressed by postmitotic motor neurons but utilizes extracellular glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase activity to induce motor neuron generation by inhibiting Notch signaling in neighboring motor neuron progenitors. Thus, neuronal GDE2 controls motor neuron subtype diversity through a non-cell-autonomous feedback mechanism that directly regulates progenitor cell differentiation, implying that subtype specification initiates within motor neuron progenitor populations prior to their differentiation into postmitotic motor neurons.
The management of ovarian cysts by sono-guided transvaginal cyst aspiration

Nineteen transvaginal, sono-guided ovarian cyst punctures were performed in 18 patients. These patients, who were high surgical risks, were diagnosed to possess benign ovarian tumors as revealed with sonography. Aspiration curettage of the inner surface of the cyst present during aspiration was also performed to facilitate cytologic diagnosis. The recurrence rate was 11.1%. Sono-guided transvaginal cyst aspiration has been demonstrated here to be the treatment of choice for dealing with an ovarian cyst in patients at high surgical risk. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Tools for Monitoring, Debugging, and Programming in PVM

In this paper we briefly describe several tools related to programming in PVM. The monitoring and debugging systems covered are XPVM, PGPVM, and PVaniM. XPVM is a graphical console for executing and tracing PVM programs. It uses PVM's built in trace facility. PGPVM is also a system for tracing PVM programs, but uses its own buffered tracing techniques and generates tracefiles for use with the ParaGraph visualization tool. PVaniM provides online and postmortem visualization but utilizes sampling rather than tracing. This sampling approach allows PVaniM to also provide steering. Systems which augment PVM are also presented. These include PIOUS, PVMRPC, tkPVM, JavaPVM, and JPVM. PIOUS is a system that supports parallel I/O from PVM programs. PVMRPC supports the remote procedure style of programming using PVM for the underlying messaging and process control. The tkPVM and JavaPVM systems are interfaces to PVM from the TCL and Java languages. JPVM is an implementation of PVM written in Java.
Rituximab: A Boot to Protect the Foot

Given the shortage of organs available for transplantation and the rising prevalence of ESRD,[1][1] new avenues including xeno-kidney transplantation need to be explored. Despite tremendous advances in achieving immunologic hyporesponsiveness in xeno-kidney transplantation, long-term organ survival
Sampling strategy: optimization and correction for high-order overlay control for 45nm process node

The tight overlay budgets required for 45nm and beyond make overlay control a very important topic. With the adoption of immersion lithography, the incremental complexity brings much more difficulty to analyzing the source of variation and optimizing the sampling strategy. In this paper, there will be a discussion about how the use of an advanced sampling methodology and strategy can help to overcome this overlay control problem and insure sufficient overlay information to be captured for effective production lot excursion detection as well as rework decision making. There will also be a demonstration of the different correction methodologies to improve overlay control for dual-stage systems in order to maximize the productivity benef its with minimal impact to overlay performance.
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG NORTH AMERICAN SONGBIRD TRENDS, HABITAT FRAGMENTATION, AND LANDSCAPE OCCUPANCY

Fragmentation of breeding habitat has been hypothesized as a cause of population declines in forest-nesting migratory birds. Negative correlations between the degree of fragmentation and bird density or fecundity at local or regional scales support the fragmentation hypothesis. Yet, in spite of reduced fecundity and densities in fragmented systems, many forest-nesting passerine species have increased in numbers over time. We hypothesized that range-wide population change in species for which habitat fragmentation negatively affects reproductive success should depend on the proportion of the population that actually occupies fragmented landscapes. We predicted that fragmentation-sensitive species (e.g., species that occur in reduced densities in fragmented landscapes) should increase globally in numbers at a greater rate than species that readily occupy fragmented landscapes, because fragmentation-sensitive distributions place a large proportion of the global population in contiguous landscapes that are superior for breeding. We used Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data and associated landscape metrics to test this prediction for 10 species of forest-nesting passerines in the United States that experience reproductive dysfunction associated with habitat fragmentation: Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus), Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus), Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus), Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus), Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea), Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), and Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina). Our approach was to: (1) quantify landscape features associated with BBS routes across the eastern United States, (2) classify landscapes around BBS routes as “fragmented” or “contiguous,” (3) estimate the proportion of detected individuals that occurred in fragmented landscapes on a species-by-species basis, and then (4) associate 10-yr trends for each species with the proportion of breeding individuals occupying fragmented landscapes. Regression analysis indicated a significant, negative relationship between the proportion of the breeding population occupying fragmented landscapes and the population trend from 1970 to 1980. Although this result links habitat fragmentation to population change and provides support for the fragmentation hypothesis, other factors (e.g., land use change, weather, varying life history traits, varying winter survivorship, habitat amount thresholds) could generate similar results. More work is needed to partition the relative influence of these factors on regional bird population dynamics if conservationists are to understand more clearly the effects of fragmentation on the distribution and abundance of species across their ranges.
Agent-Based Approach to Travel Demand Modeling: Exploratory Analysis:

An agent-based travel demand model is developed in which travel demand emerges from the interactions of three types of agents in the transportation system: node, arc, and traveler. Simple local rules of agent behaviors are shown to be capable of efficiently solving complicated transportation problems such as trip distribution and traffic assignment. A unique feature of the agent-based model is that it explicitly models the goal, knowledge, searching behavior, and learning ability of related agents. The proposed model distributes trips from origins to destinations in a disaggregate manner and does not require path enumeration or any standard shortest-path algorithm to assign traffic to the links. A sample 10-by-10 grid network is used to facilitate the presentation. The model is also applied to the Chicago, Illinois, sketch transportation network with nearly 1,000 trip generators and sinks, and possible calibration procedures are discussed. Agent-based modeling techniques provide a flexible travel forecasting framework that facilitates the prediction of important macroscopic travel patterns from microscopic agent behaviors and hence encourages studies on individual travel behaviors. Future research directions are identified, as is the relationship between the agent-based and activity-based approaches for travel forecasting.
The Third Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction—Moving Forward

The third iteration of the Universal Definition of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) was recently published (1). The guidelines expand on previous information. Salient features include: 1. Cardiac troponin remains the biomarker of choice for the diagnosis of each type of AMI. 2. Criteria for AMI include a rising and/or falling pattern of troponin values with at least 1 >99th percentile value. 3. Assays should ideally have a 10% CV at the 99th percentile to best maximize the ability to define significant changes; however, assays with CVs up to 20% do not cause false-positive values and are clinically usable. 4. Because troponin criteria for a rising and/or falling pattern are assay dependent, generalized concentration or percentage changes could not be specified. 5. With high-sensitivity assays, sex-specific 99th …
Interaction of Heat Shock Proteins with Peptides and Antigen Presenting Cells: Chaperoning of the Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses

Heat shock proteins are abundant soluble intracellular proteins, present in all cells. Members of the heat shock protein family bind peptides including antigenic peptides generated within cells. Heat shock proteins also interact with antigen presenting cells through CD91 and other receptors, eliciting a cascade of events including re-presentation of heat shock protein-chaperoned peptides by MHC, translocation of NFκB into the nuclei and maturation of dendritic cells. These consequences point to a key role of heat shock proteins in fundamental immunological phenomena such as activation of antigen presenting cells, indirect presentation (or cross-priming), and chaperoning of peptides during antigen presentation. Heat shock proteins appear to have been involved in innate immune responses since the emergence of phagocytes in early multicellular organisms and to have been commandeered for adaptive immune responses with the advent of specificity. These properties of heat shock proteins also allow them to be use...
The Impact of Parent Care on Marital Quality and Well-Being in Adult Daughters and Sons

This study prospectively examined the long-term impact of providing parent care using data from a probability-based U.S. sample of adult daughters and sons who had varying parent care experiences over time (N = 716). Parent care × Gender × Time mixed multivariate analyses of covariance using marital quality and well-being indicators as outcomes showed that, on average, experienced caregivers reported less marital happiness, more marital role inequity, and greater hostility than recent adult child caregivers. Significant three-way interactions indicated that experienced and recent caregiving daughters, respectively, showed an increase over time in depressive symptomatology and long-term depression, whereas their male counterparts showed a decline over the same period. Findings are discussed in terms of gender differences in the relative applicability of the wear-and-tear versus adaptation models of caregiving outcomes.
ENLARGEMENT OF THE LIGAMENTUM FLAVUM

Enlargement of the ligamentum flavum is a clinical entity producing low-back pain with sciatic radiation. Trauma of relatively slight degree was the etiological factor in the majority of our patients. Pathological changes in the involved ligaments were demonstrated microscopically. The clinical syndrome is difficult to differentiate from lumbosacral or sacro-iliac disorders, and lipiodol studies are required in order to reach a final diagnosis. It is seldom possible to differentiate the defects in the column of lipiodol from those produced by rupture of an intervertebral disc. Compression of nerve roots by the enlarged ligament produces the symptoms and signs. After their exit from the dura, the nerve roots lie in the very narrow space between the ligamentum flavum and the intervertebral disc. Even a slight enlargement of the ligament, a posterior protrusion of the intervertebral disc, or a combination of the two, will produce compression of the nerve roots. Seven patients with enlargement of the ligamentum flavum were operated on over a period of seven months. This would indicate that the condition is much more common than is supposed and that many such cases have undoubtedly been overlooked in the past. Operative removal of the enlarged ligament produced prompt relief of pain with gradual improvement in the impaired motor and sensory functions.
Should we dual-purpose energy storage in datacenters for power backup and demand response?

Prior work has shown the benefits of Energy Storage Devices (ESDs), such as batteries, to smoothen/flatten power draws in Datacenters, for reducing demand during peak tariffs (for op-ex savings) and under-provisioning the power infrastructure (for cap-ex savings). Until now, all prior studies for such smoothening, referred to as Demand Response, have considered re-purposing existing UPS unit batteries for demand response. It is not clear if such dual usage - handling power outages and demand response - is the most effective option since the needs (energy and/or power), mandates (best effort vs. hard stipulations), costs, availability and health degradation considerations could be very different. In this paper, we study the design space of choices for provisioning ESDs for these dual purposes - separate ESDs for each purpose, common pool of ESDs for both purposes, and softreservations in this pool with possible re-purposing dynamically based on demand. Our evaluations show that: (i) provisioning lead-acid batteries for a peak "power" load needed to handle power outages already comes with sufficient energy capacity that is more than adequate to automatically supply the energy needs for demand response; (ii) this makes it economically attractive to use the same UPS batteries, originally intended for Power Outages, for Demand Response as well, despite any consequent health degradation (due to repeated discharges); (iii) the ability to handle the needs during a power outage is not compromised despite the dual-purposing of these UPS batteries; and (iv) the non-orthogonality of the power and energy capacities of these batteries (i.e. provisioning for the high power needs during an outage automatically comes with a lot of energy capacity) suggests the possibility of having different Energy Storage Technologies for the two purposes and we show that a heterogeneous/hybrid option using Ultra-capacitors or Flywheels for Power Backup and batteries for Demand Response is a more cost-effective option.
Abstract A38: High levels of breast cancer mortality: Social determinants of health impact rural African American women and how they conceptualize health in the Arkansas Delta

We know that certain components including demographics, cultural background, lifestyle choices and lack of access to health care contribute strongly to health disparities in rural regions of the United States. This paper explores perceptions of health, the environment, and the relationships between them that impact breast cancer mortality in the Arkansas Delta. The social-ecological model provides a conceptual approach to relate social determinates to health disparities. This exploratory study blended a community-based, qualitative approach with ecological theory. Our objective was to identify potential social determinants of health which impact these women9s ability to seek medical advice or engage in breast cancer prevention in a timely manner. Methods: Qualitative data were gathered with (n=79) women, ranging in age from 18 to 84, who were residents of 3 rural Arkansas Delta communities. Respondents poignantly described issues that affect health disparities in their communities. Conclusions: The study identified potential social determinants of health, at multiple ecological levels, among African American women in three communities in the Arkansas Delta. The social determinants identified had the ability to impact a variety of health behaviors and health outcomes. Our findings show the value of qualitative approaches for exploring the complexities of rural breast cancer mortality. Citation Format: Nancy J. Greer-Williams, Kimberely S. Enoch, Athena Starlard-Davenport, Brandon Booth, Thomas Kieber-Emmons, Gloria E. Sarto, Ronda Henry-Tillman. High levels of breast cancer mortality: Social determinants of health impact rural African American women and how they conceptualize health in the Arkansas Delta. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A38. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-A38
Dryland No-Tillage Winter Wheat Response to Planter Type

Crop planting becomes increasingly difficult as surface residue amounts increase, as with conservation tillage. Planters for such conditions are available, but costly. With relatively low residue amounts, as for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moeneh.] grown in rotation on dryland, it was hypothesized that drills used under conventional tillage conditions could satisfactorily plant wheat into no-tillage sorghum residues. Objectives of this study were to test this hypothesis. The information would show whether different planting equipment is needed when switching to a conservation tillage system. Drills were John Deere 8200 (Deere and Co., Moline, IL) with single-disk, Graham-Hoeme PD-160 (United Farm Tooh/Oelwein, IA) and Fabco M-10 (Fabco Ltd., Swift Current, SK, Canada) with double-disk, and International 7100 (J. I. Case, Racine, WI) with hoe openers. No drill provided 1.5 in. (target depth) of seed coverage; it was least (0.75 in.) with the John Deere, which moved more soil from the seed row than other drills. The number of seedlings emerged was not affected by drill types. Mean yields with the John Deere (2000 Ib/acre grain; 4200 Ib/acre residue) were lower than with other drills (2410 to 2670 Ib/acre grain; 4900 Ib/acre for residue). Differences in seed coverage depth and soil removal from the drill row possibly caused the yield differences. A suitable drill should be used for planting wheat under conservation tillage, but using a heavy-weight drill, as the Fabco, is not warranted when grain sorghum residues on dryland are similar to the amounts present under the conditions of this study (4900 Ib/acre).