cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphological procedure for mammogram enhancement and registration

Screening mammography often incorporates a computer aided diagnosis (CAD) scheme in its procedure to increase the detection rates of gradual changes in breast tissues. One method for detecting gradual changes in temporal mammograms is through the use of registration algorithms. Images of degraded resolution present an obstacle to accurate registration, however. The performance of registration algorithms and, hence, the performance of the CADs are directly proportional to the quality of the input mammograms. In this paper, we present a novel approach for increasing the quality of the mammograms based on morphological operations and contrast enhancement prior to performing the registration step. The registration algorithm is applied using a structural similarity (SSIM) index. Based on the radiologist’s evaluation, this work provided accurate results that were more helpful in detecting changes over time in the registered mammogram pair.
1948: Hornsby Field Station: Daily Observations

The year of Joe Pawsey’s absence from RPL—25 September 1947 to 29 October 1948—was both frustrating and encouraging for Ruby Payne-Scott. There is evidence that without Pawsey there to manage the group’s personality conflicts as well as guide their scientific research, a low level of needless chaos ensued. Even so, Payne-Scott used the time productively.
Approximating a free-field blast environment in the test section of an explosively driven conical shock tube

This paper presents experimental data on incident overpressures and the corresponding impulses obtained in the test section of an explosively driven $$10^\circ $$ (full angle) conical shock tube. Due to the shock tube’s steel walls approximating the boundary conditions seen by a spherical sector cut out of a detonating sphere of energetic material, a 5.3-g pentolite shock tube driver charge produces peak overpressures corresponding to a free-field detonation from an 816-g sphere of pentolite. The four test section geometries investigated in this paper (open air, cylindrical, $$10^\circ $$ inscribed square frustum, and $$10^\circ $$ circumscribed square frustum) provide a variety of different time histories for the incident overpressures and impulses, with a circumscribed square frustum yielding the best approximation of the estimated blast environment that would have been produced by a free-field detonation.
Self-Assembly in Solution

Self-assembly is the spontaneous noncovalent association of two or more molecules under equilibrium conditions into stable, well-defined aggregates [1]. Intermolecular forces are capable of effectively organizing multicomponent supramolecular assemblies in a reversible and accurate fashion using error-correcting mechanisms. Within the last decade, many excellent reviews and original publications describing the steady progress in this field have appeared [2]. In Nature, self-assembly is a ubiquitous strategy involved in the formation of, for example, cell membranes, double-stranded nucleic acids and viruses. In chemistry, self-assembly provides a novel, rapid way to construct complex nanostructures, receptor systems, catalysts and new materials. Calixarenes, in particular, have had a great impact in the history of self-assembly [3]. Their three dimensional, concave surface, commercial availability, relatively rigid structure and well-developed synthetic chemistry have made them extremely convenient platforms for elaboration [4]. The discussion in this chapter is developed on the basis of the increasing complexity of the assembled systems. Many different forces can be recognised as controlling molecular assembly and a crucial issue is how they may be used in concert to give both desired structures and functions to the product supermolecules. Of particular interest are reversibly formed capsules, or “molecule-within-molecule” complexes, which represent an extreme form of molecular recognition.
Alternative Approaches to Inference in Spatial Process Models

The maximum likelihood approach to estimation and hypothesis testing in spatial process models is by far the better known methodological framework. Moreover, in most of the literature in spatial econometrics it is the only technique considered and implemented. Nevertheless, several alternatives can be suggested to avoid some of the problems associated with ML estimation. Specifically, the numerical complexities of the nonlinear optimization and the restrictive parametric framework are features that the techniques discussed in this chapter attempt to deal with in a more satisfactory manner.
Rationality in Economic Thought: Frank Knight, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and James Buchanan

The discipline of economics includes severe critics of rational behavior as postulated by modern neoclassical economists. These critics, mainly among economists with a decidedly subjectivist orientation, disagree with the proposition that economics’ main concern is (or should be) with the allocation of scarce and known means of production among essentially unlimited but known human wants. Generally, if subjectivists accept a role for rationality in economic inquiry, they see the analytical role as strictly, but imprecisely, limited, and they posit that the discipline’s real core concern is the development of principles on the efficient allocation of scarce resources among competing wants that emerge from individuals’ explorations into the field of potential values and as they interact with others (with the wants never given to external observers-qua-economists) and that are known only to the individuals themselves. Subjectivists reject the strictly self-interested model of human behavior captured in homo economicus. Such a construction of human decision making is excessively narrow and confining. Subjectivists tend to insist that wants involve evaluations of real-world goods that are the objects of trades conducted to serve the larger and more ephemeral ends of individuals. People might participate in markets to buy goods based on evaluations not only of the goods but also the ends the goods might serve. Such evaluations of both the goods and the ends require individualized evaluative, mental processes that are extraordinarily difficult, if not totally impossible, to measure in a way that allows for scientifically valid empirical assessments of any theoretically derived predictions. Subjective evaluations, which imply the conception of some action (a key behavioral consideration) that results in improvement for the acting individuals, necessarily mean, according to subjectivists, that any attempt to transfer the analytical methods of the hard sciences to human behavior involves a grave misunderstanding of human behavior, including the more narrowly focused subset of human behavior, economic behavior, that emerges from action (as Ludwig von Mises would define action).
Identification of Recombinant Alleles Using Quantitative Real-Time PCR: Implications for Gaucher Disease

Pseudogenes, resulting from duplications of functional genes, contribute to the functional complexity of their parental genes. The glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA), located in a gene-rich region on chromosome 1q 21, is mutated in Gaucher disease. The presence of contiguous, highly homologous pseudogenes for both GBA and metaxin 1 at this locus increases the likelihood of DNA rearrangement. We describe a facile method to identify and analyze recombinant alleles in patients with Gaucher disease. Genomic DNA from 20 patients with recombinant GBA alleles and five controls was evaluated to identify DNA rearrangements or copy number variation using six probes specific for either the GBA gene or pseudogene. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed on genomic DNA, and Southern blot analyses using HincII together with sequencing confirmed the real-time results. Both GBA fusions and duplications could be detected. Different sites of crossover were identified, and alleles resulting from gene conversion could be distinguished from reciprocal recombinant alleles. Quantitative real-time PCR is a sensitive and rapid method to detect fusions and duplications in patients with recombinant GBA alleles. This technique is more sensitive, faster, and cheaper than Southern blot analysis, and can be used in diagnostic laboratories, and to detect other recombinant alleles within the genome.
High-Performance Multi-Rail Erasure Coding Library over Modern Data Center Architectures: Early Experiences

Various hardware-based Erasure Coding (EC) schemes have been proposed [5, 6, 8, 12-14] to leverage the advanced compute capabilities on modern data centers. Currently, there is no unified and easy way for distributed storage systems to fully exploit multiple devices such as CPUs, GPUs, and network devices (i.e., multi-rail support) to perform EC operations in parallel. In this paper, we validate that it is time to design an unified library to efficiently exploit heterogeneous EC coders. HDFS co-designed with our proposed library outperforms the write performance of replication scheme and the default HDFS EC coder by 2.7x - 6.1x and 2.4x - 3.3x, respectively, and improves the performance of read with failure recoveries by up to 2.6x and 5.1x compared to the replication scheme and the default HDFS EC coder, respectively.
Machine Learning Methods for Septic Shock Prediction

Sepsis is an organ dysfunction life-threatening disease that is caused by a dysregulated body response to infection. Sepsis is difficult to detect at an early stage, and when not detected early, is difficult to treat and results in high mortality rates. Developing improved methods for identifying patients in high risk of suffering septic shock has been the focus of much research in recent years. This paper develops an improved method for septic shock prediction. Using the data from the MMIC-III database, an ensemble classifier is trained to identify high-risk patients. A robust prediction model is built by obtaining a risk score from fitting the Cox Hazard model on multiple input features. The score is added to the list of features and the Random Forest ensemble classifier is trained to produce the model. The Cox Enhanced Random Forest (CERF) proposed method is evaluated by comparing its predictive accuracy to those of extant methods.
Native Hardwood Tree Seedling Establishment Following Invasive Autumn-Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) Removal on a Reclaimed Coal Mine

The Appalachian region of the United States is home to the largest temperate deciduous forest in the world, though surface mining has caused significant forest loss. Many former coal mines are now dominated by invasive plants, which often inhibit establishment of desirable species, especially slower-growing native trees. Autumn-olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) is a nonnative, nitrogen-fixing shrub that was historically planted on former coalfields, but now impedes reclamation. To better understand the influence of E. umbellata management practices on hardwood establishment, we evaluated two common management practices: cutting and cut stump herbicide treatment. Planted native tree species, including black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), pin oak (Quercus palustris Munchh.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.), were monitored for survival and performance over two growing seasons following E. umbellata removal. In each plot, we also measured plant-available nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) in soils using ionic exchange membranes. At the end of the first growing season, native tree survival was high, and the presence or absence of E. umbellata had little effect on tree survival or growth, despite the higher plant-available nitrate where E. umbellata was present. By the end of the second growing season, native tree survival dropped to 20% to 60% and varied among E. umbellata treatments. Survival was highest when E. umbellata was cut and treated with herbicide, though tree growth was similar across all treatments without E. umbellata. When establishing native trees to replace E. umbellata, cutting and herbicide application treatment of the invader resulted in the highest overall efficacy (100% control), though the most cost-effective method may be to simply cut mature stands despite regrowth, as this resulted in equivalent native tree growth over 2 yr. While this allowed E. umbellata regeneration, it provided sufficient invader control to allow initial tree establishment. Cutting and herbicide application treatment resulted in less E. umbellata regeneration and appears to provide greater assurance that established trees will persist over the long term.
Vision-based estimation of excavator manipulator pose for automated grading control

Abstract As an effective alternative to manual operation of hydraulic excavators, automated systems are being developed for common tasks that excavators routinely perform on typical job sites. An example is an automated ground grading system that can enhance the productivity of excavators by assisting the operator to perform ground grading in a fast and accurate manner. To develop an automated grading system, sensors are needed to measure the position of the hydraulic manipulator linkages for the feedback control system. In this paper, a novel method to estimate the pose of a hydraulic manipulator using a vision-based neural network system is presented. A webcam is used to capture images of a moving manipulator, and the captured images are used to train a neural network. Then, the trained neural network can be used to estimate the pose of the excavator manipulator for the feedback control system. A simulation study shows a stable grading performance when a PI controller is used to control the manipulator based on the estimated manipulator pose.
Dysfunctional Neural Processes Underlying Context Processing Deficits in Schizophrenia

Abstract Background People with schizophrenia (PSZ) have profound deficits in context processing, an executive process that guides adaptive behaviors according to goals and stored contextual information. Although various neural processes are involved in context processing and are affected in PSZ, the core underlying neural dysfunction is unclear. Methods To determine the relative importance of neural dysfunctions within prefrontal cognitive control, sensory activity, and motor activity to context processing deficits in PSZ, we examined event-related potentials (ERPs) in 60 PSZ and 51 healthy control subjects during an optimal context processing task. We also analyzed the Ex-Gaussian reaction time distribution to examine abnormalities in motor control variability in PSZ. Results Compared with healthy control subjects, PSZ had lower response accuracy and greater variability in their normal reaction times during high context processing demands. Latencies of normal and slow responses were generally increased in PSZ. High context processing–related reductions in frontal ERPs were indicative of specific deficits in proactive and reactive cognitive controls in PSZ, while ERPs associated with visual and motor processes were reduced regardless of context processing demands, indicating generalized visuomotor deficits. In contrast to previous studies, we found that diminished frontal responses reflective of proactive control of the contextual cue, rather than visual responses of cue encoding, predicted response accuracy deficits in PSZ. In addition, probe-related ERP components of motor preparation, prefrontal reactive control, and frontomotor interaction predicted Ex-Gaussian indices of reaction time instability in PSZ. Conclusions Prefrontal proactive and reactive control deficits associated with failures in using mental representation likely underlie context processing deficits in PSZ.
Curbing Enthusiasm? Democratic Third Parties & Commitment to Civil War Governments

Democracies are capable of committing exceptional resources toward interventions on behalf of governments threatened by civil war. Yet, the security benefits obtained from interventions are often i...
Effective Knowledge Transfer and Behavioural Change in a Training Environment

Current models of knowledge transfer are insufficient in defining the factors that address the impact of knowledge transfer at different cycles of the process where a firm employs traditional train...
Collaborative Decoding of Polynomial Codes for Distributed Computation

We show that Polynomial codes (and some related codes) used for distributed matrix multiplication are interleaved Generalized Reed-Solomon codes and hence, can be collaboratively decoded. We consider a fault-tolerant setup where t out of N workers return erroneous values. For an additive random Gaussian error model, we show that for any $ t\leq N-K-1$, where K is the effective dimension of the code, all errors can be corrected with probability 1 while the decoding complexity is $O\left(\left(\frac{L}{L+1}\right)^{4}\left(N-K\right)^{4}+LN\right)$ for any $L\geq N-K-1$.
Phylogeny of Euphorbia Interpreted from Sterol Composition of Latex

The presence and diversity of sterols in latex, prevalent throughout Euphorbia, and the relationship of these compounds to a common biosynthetic pathway, provide a basis for utilizing numerical taxonomic procedures for interpreting phylogenetic trends in this genus.
Evaluation of Leg Pain

Leg pain is common and there are many etiologies for non-joint leg pain. Vascular, neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions are all important causes of leg pain. It is essential to understand pain character, location, timing and triggers to identify the cause of leg pain. Examination includes an assessment of leg temperature, color, pulses, reflexes, sensation and dynamic maneuvers. Vascular causes such as peripheral artery disease and venous claudication must be considered among these causes of leg pain.
Congenital Long-QT Syndrome: From Genetics to Clinical Management

Long-QT syndrome is a clinically and genetically heterogenous disorder of cardiac repolarization characterized electrocardiographically by heart-rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation and clinically by a propensity for torsadogenic syncope, seizures, and sudden death. In this chapter, we review our current understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical management of patients with an array of acquired and congenital forms of long-QT syndrome.
Toward a framework for assessing managerial intentions: A review of support for market managers’ engagement with nutrition incentive programs

The last several years have seen a rapid expansion in the number of nutrition incentive programs implemented at farmers markets. While there has been increased attention paid to these efforts in terms of influencing consumer health indicators, there has been less focus on the farmers market managers responsible for implementing and admin­istering the programs. To date, most studies that have addressed manager perspectives have been qualitative case-studies where findings may have limited generalizability to other market contexts. In this integrative review of literature, we examine the current state of both scholarly and practitioner literature regarding market manager perspectives on nutrition incentive programming. Given the identification of critical gaps and salient factors in efforts to promote nutrition incentive program­ming at markets, we call for the advancement of a framework that may be shared between organiza­tions. This framework will capture essential data that inform market managers’ behavioral intention towards the nutrition incentive programs they cur­rently administer. We propose that the develop­ment of a comprehensive survey tool designed to capture managerial intentions may ultimately prompt multistate, cross-organizational collabora­tion on improving nutritional program outcomes at farmers markets.
Ulnar nerve dysfunction at the elbow after platelet-rich plasma treatment for partial ulnar collateral ligament injuries

Background Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used for the treatment of partial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears of the elbow in throwing athletes. Very few studies have focused on the complication profile of PRP in this application.The purpose of this study was to discuss the complication of ulnar nerve fibrosis and resulting cubital tunnel syndrome after a PRP injection for a partial UCL injury. Methods A retrospective review of 3 high-level baseball players who underwent a PRP injection for treatment of their partial UCL injury was completed. All 3 were noted to have an asymptomatic subluxing ulnar nerve at time of presentation. Their postinjection course is discussed, and the complication of cubital tunnel syndrome highlighted. Results All 3 players developed cubital tunnel syndrome with significant fibrosis surrounding their ulnar nerve. Conclusion PRP injections for the treatment of partial UCL injuries of the elbow may place some patients at risk of developing postinjection cubital tunnel syndrome from increased fibrosis around the ulnar nerve. This complication may be more likely to develop in patients who present with a subluxing ulnar nerve.
Structural MRI for the Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease in Patients with MCI.

There is insufficient evidence to recommend structural brain magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose Alzheimer disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Manure pollution potential and choosing an appropriate manure handling system

Environmental protection is no longer just a good idea, it has become a major decision making factor for all industries. The push for a clean environment has come from environmental groups, lawmakers, the general public and family members. For the beef industry to remain vital, it is essential that environmental issues be addressed. Manure CAN be a significant contributor to air and water quality degradation. It is up to feedlot owners and managers to make certain this does not happen - for everyone's benefit. Preventing this pollution is simply a matter of controlling the manure from production to end use.
Evaluating Models for Lithospheric Loss and Intraplate Volcanism Beneath the Central Appalachian Mountains

The eastern margin of North America has been shaped by a series of tectonic events including the Paleozoic Appalachian Orogeny and the breakup of Pangea during the Mesozoic. For the past ~200 Ma, e...
CARD8 inflammasome sensitization through DPP9 inhibition enhances NNRTI-triggered killing of HIV-1-infected cells

Abstract Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) induce pyroptosis of HIV-1 infected CD4+ T cells through induction of intracellular viral protease activation, which then activates the CARD8 inflammasome. Due to high concentrations of NNRTIs being required for efficient CARD8 activation and elimination of HIV-1-infected cells, it is important to elucidate ways to sensitize the CARD8 inflammasome to NNRTI-induced activation. We show that this sensitization can be done through chemical inhibition of the CARD8 negative regulator DPP9. DPP9 inhibitor Val-boroPro (VbP) can act synergistically with NNRTIs to increase their efficacy in killing HIV-1-infected cells. We also show that VbP is able to partially overcome issues with NNRTI resistance and is capable of killing infected cells without the presence of NNRTIs. This offers a promising strategy for enhancing NNRTI efficacy in elimination of HIV-1 reservoirs in patients.
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms that Regulate the Production of Interleukin-8: The Potential Role of Chemotactic Cytokines in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Multiple Organ Failure

In order for functional inflammatory cells to arrive at sites of reactivity, a complex cascade of events must be set in motion. These events are characterized by cell-to-cell interactions that involve either intimate cell contact or contact established by soluble mediators. A strict requirement for successful cell movement appears to be the regulated order in which the above interactions occur. The elicitation of leukocytes from the vasculature to an area of interstitial inflammation is maintained via a series of specific, regulated steps. For example, very early during an inflammatory reaction physical and structural changes within the small venules may dictate early leukocyte responses. These proximal events may include alterations in physical properties, such as pH, oxygenation, and viscosity, as well as changes in blood flow and vessel tone (vasoconstriction-/dilation). These early changes can occur locally within minutes and appear to “prime” the inflammatory region for subsequent events.
UV-A Irradiation Activates Nrf2-Regulated Antioxidant Defense and Induces p53/Caspase3-Dependent Apoptosis in Corneal Endothelial Cells

Purpose To examine whether Nrf2-regulated antioxidant defense and p53 are activated in human corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) by environmental levels of ultraviolet A (UV-A), a known stimulator of oxidative stress. Methods Immortalized human CEnCs (HCEnCi) were exposed to UV-A fluences of 2.5, 5, 10, or 25 J/cm2, then allowed to recover for 3 to 24 hours. Control HCEnCi did not receive UV-A. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using H2DCFDA. Cell cytotoxicity was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, p53, and caspase3 were detected by immunnoblotting or real-time PCR. Activated caspase3 was measured by immunoblotting and a fluorescence assay. Results Exposure of HCEnCi to 5, 10, and 25 J/cm2 UV-A increased ROS levels compared with controls. Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 mRNA increased 1.7- to 3.2-fold at 3 and 6 hours after irradiation with 2.5 and 5 J/cm2 UV-A. At 6 hours post irradiation, UV-A (5 J/cm2) enhanced nuclear Nrf2 translocation. At 24 hours post treatment, UV-A (5, 10, and 25 J/cm2) produced a 1.8- to 2.8-fold increase in phospho-p53 and a 2.6- to 6.0-fold increase in activated caspase3 compared with controls, resulting in 20% to 42% cell death. Conclusions Lower fluences of UV-A induce Nrf2-regulated antioxidant defense and higher fluences activate p53 and caspase3, indicating that even near-environmental levels of UV-A may affect normal CEnCs. This data suggest that UV-A may especially damage cells deficient in antioxidant defense, and thus may be involved in the etiology of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).
Ab initio studies of (H2O)28 hexakaidecahedral cluster with Ne, N2, CH4, and C2H6 guest molecules in the cavity

Stability of hexakaidecahedral clusters in the presence of guest molecules like Ne, N2, CH4, and C2H6 molecules are examined by first optimizing geometry at the Hartree–Fock (HF) level with the 6-31G* basis set followed by a single point energy calculation at the MP2 level (second-order Moller–Plesset perturbation) and using the same basis set. For N2 and CH4 molecules, both the single and double occupancy of the cage cavity have been examined. In each case the cluster with single occupancy is more stable than that with the double occupancy, and contradicts an earlier simulation result. Even when the guest molecules are small enough to fit into the cage cavity, there seems to be an optimum size of guest molecules at which maximum amount of stabilization is achieved.
Collaborative evaluation of a method for the detection of norwalk virus in shellfish tissues by PCR

A multicenter, collaborative trial was performed to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of a previously described method for the detection of Norwalk virus in shellfish tissues with the PCR (R.L. Atmar, F. H. Neill, J. L. Romalde, F. Le Guyader, C. M. Woodley, T. G. Metcalf, and M. K. Estes, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:3014-3018, 1995). Virus was added to the stomachs and hepatopancreatic tissues of oysters or hard-shell clams in the control laboratory, the samples were shipped to the participating laboratories, and viral nucleic acids were extracted and then detected by reverse transcription-PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 85 and 91%, respectively, when results were determined by visual inspection of ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels; the test sensitivity and specificity improved to 87 and 100%, respectively, after confirmation by hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled, virus-specific probe. We have demonstrated that this method can be implemented successfully by several laboratories to detect Norwalk virus in shellfish tissues.
Defining Hyporheic Zones – Advancing Our Conceptual and Operational Definitions of Where Stream Water and Groundwater Meet

There is a growing recognition of the importance of connections between streams and adjacent alluvial aquifers. The exchange of water, mass, and energy between these locations influences stream ecosystem structure and function by facilitating nutrient cycling, respiration, stream temperature buffering, and survival of macroinvertebrates. Near-surface aquifers that interact with surface water have been termed ‘hyporheic zones’, yet there are several accepted definitions of this term (biological, geochemical, and hydrological definitions), which do not necessarily agree with each other. Biologists refer to it as the subsurface inhabited by hyporheos (‘stream’ macroinvertebrates observed in the subsurface). Hydrologists support a conceptual model that suggests a ‘flow-through’ subsurface region containing flowpaths that originate and terminate at the stream. Geochemical definition suggests that the hyporheic zone is a mixing zone between surface water and deep-sourced groundwater, with intermediate conditions between these end members. Temporal and spatial scales over which we seek to define hyporheic zones constrain our ability to do so. It is recognized that stream water exchanges through the subsurface over many timescales. Proposed here is a definition based on the timescale of flow through the hyporheic zone, in which residence times of interest are explicitly distinguished and referred to – e.g. ‘the 24-h hyporheic zone’. Thus the ‘component’ of the hyporheic zone that is of interest can be related to specific rates of processes of interest (e.g. denitrification rate). Adoption of this approach will reduce ambiguity in hyporheic science and hopefully contribute to interdisciplinary scientific advancements.
Design considerations for an oxygen flute

The "greenhouse effect" polemic demonstrates how cultural dispositions can isolate perceptions from physical reality. The cost of this isolation is a suspension of the perception of cause and effect. Without cause and effect, we cannot reliably link our actions to their effects on our environment. I present design considerations for a project which displays the causal relation between humans and their environment. This project, called Oxygen Flute is a hybrid system, which combines a physical structure, dynamic virtual information technology and real time computer music to enhance the perception of the CO/sub 2/ cycle and the causal relation between human respiration, air quality, and plant life. The system aims to present an immersive, transparent relation between users and their environment. This transparent relation is perhaps a way to overcome cultural dispositions, and to perceive that human life is by no means self-sustaining, but rather dependent on a dense net of supporting natural processes.
Physician unions--an ethical and legal issue in health care delivery

The controversial issue of physicians' unions has been revived in the past few years by the economic juggernaut of managed care. The uproar of legal and ethical dilemmas surrounding the creation of physician unions centers around self-employed physicians, their formal employment relationship to HMOs under the National Labor Relations Act, and the ramifications of exempting physicians from current antitrust laws. Will physician collective bargaining increase competition and equalize the power between physicians and HMOs so that the quality of patient care improves? This report discusses relevant laws and the history of physicians' unionization, reviews contemporary thought and present policies on physician unionization, and comments on alternatives and new policies that could be created in order to resolve this dilemma.
Verifying a File System Implementation

We present a correctness proof for a basic file system implementation. This implementation contains key elements of standard Unix file systems such as inodes and fixed-size disk blocks. We prove the implementation correct by establishing a simulation relation between the specification of the file system (which models the file system as an abstract map from file names to sequences of bytes) and its implementation (which uses fixed-size disk blocks to store the contents of the files). We used the Athena proof system to represent and validate our proof. Our experience indicates that Athena’s use of block-structured natural deduction, support for structural induction and proof abstraction, and seamless integration with high-performance automated theorem provers were essential to our ability to successfully manage a proof of this size.
Agar-Gel Precipitating Antibody in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections

The human immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was studied by using the double diffusion in agar-gel technique. Antigens from Fisher-Devlin-Gnabasik immunotypes were prepared by both trichloroacetic acid extraction and ultrasonic disruption. Serum from 72 of 168 patients (43%) from whom P. aeruginosa was isolated formed from one to eight precipitin bands. Precipitins were demonstrated in the sera of 60 of 66 (91%) patients recovering from bacteremia and deep infections; however, they were usually absent when Pseudomonas infection was fatal or when there was no clinical evidence of significant infection. Precipitating antibody was detectable at serum dilutions as high as 1:32, and appearance of single bands correlated with hemagglutinating antibody titers of >/=1:128. Antigen from sonically disrupted organisms usually resulted in stronger precipitin bands than trichloroacetic acid extracts, and antigen from the homologous infecting strain occasionally increased test sensitivity. None of 50 normal controls had Pseudomonas precipitins as was the case in patients convalescing from Escherichia coli (15 patients), Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia (18), and Proteus (14) bacteremias. Measurement of agar-gel precipitins was useful and specific in evaluating the circulating antibody response to P. aeruginosa infections.
Relative Strain in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament During Simulated Jump Landing and Sidestep Cutting Tasks Implications for Injury Risk

Background:The medial collateral (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) are, respectively, the primary and secondary ligamentous restraints against knee abduction, which is a component of the valgus collapse often associated with ACL rupture during athletic tasks. Despite this correlation in function, MCL ruptures occur concomitantly in only 20% to 40% of ACL injuries.Hypothesis/Purpose:The purpose of this investigation was to determine how athletic tasks load the knee joint in a manner that could lead to ACL failure without concomitant MCL failure. It was hypothesized that (1) the ACL would provide greater overall contribution to intact knee forces than the MCL during simulated motion tasks and (2) the ACL would show greater relative peak strain compared with the MCL during simulated motion tasks.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:A 6-degrees-of-freedom robotic manipulator articulated 18 cadaveric knees through simulations of kinematics recorded from in vivo drop vertical jump and side...
Self-guided ultrasound phased arrays for noninvasive surgery

A phased array system for therapeutic applications was shown to be capable of operating in a pulse-echo imaging mode. The transducer was characterized in synthetic aperture imaging of wire targets as well as imaging a speckle generating phantom. Theoretical and experimental results have shown that suitable images could be obtained using this 1 MHz transducer in a field of view (FOV) that matches its therapeutic focusing and steering range. Therefore, the transducer has the potential to be used in a self-guided mode where the imaging data can be used in refocusing the therapeutic beam. Here, the authors show the first experimental verification of refocusing this transducer in the presence of strongly scattering structures based on pulse-echo data.
Therapeutic potential of thiazolidinediones as anticancer agents.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are synthetic ligands that activate the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). These compounds are widely used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. TZDs have antitumour activity in a wide variety of experimental cancer models, in vitro and in vivo, by affecting the cell cycle, induction of cell differentiation and apoptosis as well as by inhibiting tumour angiogenesis. These effects are mediated through both PPAR-γ-dependent and -independent pathways depending on concentration and tumour cell type. Angiogenesis inhibition mechanisms of TZDs include directly inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation and migration as well as decreasing tumour cell vascular endothelial growth factor production. Further studies suggest that TZDs may be effective in prevention of certain cancers and in the treatment of cancer as adjuvant therapy.
Novel N7- and N1-substituted cGMP derivatives are potent activators of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, key players in olfactory and visual signal transduction, generate electrical responses to odorant- and light-induced changes in cyclic nucleotide concentration. Previous work suggests that substitutions are tolerated solely at the C8 position on the purine ring of cGMP. Our studies with C8, 2′-OH, and 2-NH2-modified cGMP derivatives support this assertion. To gain further insight into determinants important for CNG channel binding and activation, we targeted previously unexplored positions. Modifications at N7 of 8-SH-cGMP (6) are well tolerated by olfactory and retinal rod CNG channels. Toleration of a very large substituent, a 3400 MW PEG, at either N7 or C8 argues for broad accommodation at these positions in the binding site. Modification at N1 of cGMP reduces the apparent affinity for the channel, however, when combined with 8-parachlorophenylthio-derivatization, the resulting cGMP analog is more potent than cGMP itself. These studies establish the N7 and N1 positions of cGMP as targets for modification in the design of novel CNG channel agonists.
Development of Termination Methods for 2G HTS Tape Cable Conductors

Two types of mechanical contact joint termination methods for a 2G YBCO cable have been developed. Each YBCO tape of a cable is connected to a BSCCO tape while the other ends of BSCCO tapes are bundled together and soldered inside a copper tube. Another termination method uses only YBCO tapes. It has been confirmed that both joint termination methods are very useful for 2G HTS cables. Mechanical contact joint resistances between YBCO-BSCCO tapes and YBCO-YBCO tapes have been measured under various contact pressures and contact surface conditions at 77 K. Joint resistance distribution among the tapes in the cable have been also evaluated for both termination methods. These contact joint methods can be used for a demountable joint. Joint resistance is greatly reduced with increasing applied pressure especially for YBCO-YBCO joints. However, in the case of a YBCO-BSCCO joint, the BSCCO tapes may degrade at high pressure. The contact pressure should be optimized to obtain low joint resistance.
Kinetic energy as a density functional

Whether or not kinetic energy can be represented in orbital Kohn-Sham equations by an effective local potential has been discussed in several recent publications, reaching conflicting conclusions. It is shown here that this conflict can be resolved by dropping the widespread but unjustified assumption that the existence of a ground-state density functional for the kinetic energy of an N-electron system implies the existence of a density-functional derivative equivalent to a local potential function. For more than two electrons, a density-functional derivative does exist, but has the mathematical character of a linear operator that acts on orbital wave functions.
The Wilmer Information System: A Classification and Retrieval System for Information on Diagnosis and Therapy in Ophthalmology

Abstract The Wilmer Information System is a computerized medical information system used for the storage and retrieval of data pertaining to patient demographics, diagnosis, and therapy. The heart of the system is an expandable, hierarchical code based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes and Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology procedure codes. Customized coding sheets containing highly specific diagnosis and procedure codes have been designed for each subspecialty area in ophthalmology. Interactive database management software facilitates data entry and retrieval. The system can be used to search for patients who meet very specific critera, or to produce cumulative visit reports and summary statistics.
On the Secant method for solving nonsmooth equations

In this study we are concerned with the problem of approximating a locally unique solution of an operator equation in Banach space using the Secant method. The differentiability of the operator involved is not assumed. Using a flexible point-based approximation, we provide a local as well as a semilocal convergence analysis for the Secant method. Our results are justified by numerical examples that cannot be handled with earlier works.
Objective Functional Assessment in Disability Case Resolution

This case report documents the benefits of objective testing to allow a resolution of disability claims for a worker who has not been completely honest with the system. Only specific testing focused at both function and perception can accomplish appropriate adjudication of such claims. Objective medical findings remain the goal of all clinicians attempting to treat persistent soft tissue injuries.
Dependency of image quality on system configuration parameters in a stationary digital breast tomosynthesis system

Purpose: In principle, a stationary digital breast tomosynthesis (s-DBT) system has better image quality when compared to continuous motion DBT systems due to zero motion blur of the source. The authors have developed a s-DBT system by using a linear carbon nanotube x-ray source array. The purpose of the current study was to quantitatively evaluate the performance of the s-DBT system; and investigate the dependence of imaging quality on the system configuration parameters. Methods: Physical phantoms were used to assess the image quality of each configuration including inplane resolution as measured by the modulation transfer function (MTF), inplane contrast as measured by the signal difference to noise ratio (SdNR), and depth resolution as measured by the z-axis artifact spread function. Five parameters were varied to create five groups of configurations: (1) total angular span; (2) total number of projection images; (3) distribution of exposure (mAs) across the projection images; (4) entrance dose; (5) detector pixel size. Results: It was found that the z-axis depth resolution increased with the total angular span but was insensitive to the number of projection images, mAs distribution, entrance dose, and detector pixel size. The SdNR was not affected by the angular span or the number of projection images. A decrease in SdNR was observed when the mAs was not evenly distributed across the projection images. As expected, the SdNR increased with entrance dose and when larger pixel sizes were used. For a given detector pixel size, the inplane resolution was found to be insensitive to the total angular span, number of projection images, mAs distribution, and entrance dose. A 25% increase in the MTF was observed when the detector was operating in full resolution mode (70μm pixel size) compared to 2 × 2 binned mode (140 μm pixel size). Conclusions: The results suggest that the optimal imaging configuration for a s-DBT system is a large angular span, an intermittent number of projection views, and a uniform mAs distribution over all views. With the detector operating at full resolution, a stationary DBT system can achieve an inplane resolution of 5.1 cycles per mm, which is significantly better than continuous motion DBT systems.
Aging Increases Cardiac L-Type Calcium Channel Current of Ventricular Myocytes from Male Hearts via a PKA-Dependent Mechanism

Consistent findings of the aging heart include diastolic dysfunctions and attenuated β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation of heart rate and contractility. However, variable results were reported for the impact of aging on L-type Ca channel (LTCC) function, the trigger of excitation-contraction. In this study, we evaluated the impact of aging and gender on LTCC of ventricular myocytes (VM).VMs were isolated from LV of young and old mice (C57BL/6) hearts of both gender and processed for whole-cell voltage clamp recording to measure LTCC current. VMs from old male showed increased LTCC current density compared to young VMs. LTCC peak current density were −5.7 ± 0.3 pA/pF (n=33) and −12.6 ± 1.7 pA/pF (n = 21) (P < 0.01), for young and old, respectively. Application of PKI, a selective PKA inhibitor, reseted LTCC current density of old VMs to levels comparable to young VMs. PKI application decreased LTCC peak current density by 15±7% and 59±5% (P < 0.05) in young and old VMs, respectively. Lastly, we tested the impact of aging on β-AR stimulation of LTCC. Relative to young controls, β-AR stimulation of LTCC was attenuated in old male but not in female VMs. Also, in VMs from female hearts, we observed no significant age-dependent effects on LTCC.Our novel findings show that LTCC activity is regulated in an age- and gender-dependent manner via a PKA-dependent mechanism. This may underlie the diastolic dysfunction and attenuated β-AR stimulation of cardiac contractility observed in the aging heart. Our results suggest that this age-dependent attenuation of the β-AR/c-AMP/PKA stimulation of LTCC may ultimately decrease the cardiac reserve and increase the susceptibility to heart failure. Efforts to better understand the structural and functional changes associated with aging will lead to age-appropriate successful therapeutic interventions.
The Additive Impact of Group and Individual Publicly Displayed Feedback: Examining Individual Response Patterns and Response Generalization in a Safe-Driving Occupational Intervention.

Additive effects of publicly posting individual feedback following group goal-setting and feedback were evaluated. The turn-signal use of pizza deliverers was studied in a multiple baseline design across two pizza stores. After baseline observations, pizza deliverers voted on a group turn-signal goal and then received 4 weeks of group feedback on their turn-signal use (i.e., group feedback phase). Then, for the next 4 weeks, individual turn-signal use means were publicly posted along with the group feedback (i.e., individual feedback phase). Deliverers at Store A (n = 24) increased their use of turn signals from a mean of 5% during baseline to 16.9% during the group feedback phase and then to 30% during the individual feedback phase. Turn-signal use at Store B (n = 20) increased from 28.9% during baseline to 43.6% during group feedback phase and to 56% during the subsequent individual feedback phase. Individual analyses suggested that deliverers who improved the target behavior during group feedback phase did not increase their turn-signal use further when individual feedback was added. Conversely, most deliverers who did not improve during the group feedback phase increased their turn-signal use when individual feedback was added. Complete intersection stopping increased concurrently with the turn-signal intervention phases from baseline means of 12% and 30% at Store A and B, respectively, to means of 21% and 48% during the interventions.