cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functionally gradient piezoelectric bimorph-type actuator

A new type of piezoelectric actuator has been developed by combining two piezoelectric Functionally Gradient Material (FGM) composite laminates into a bimorph to produce an actuator with large out of plane displacements while having reduced mid-plane stresses. This combination of high displacement with reduced stress keeps the benefit of the bimorph while reducing one of its drawbacks. These properties are varied symmetrically about the mid-plane of the actuator with the entire actuator being poled in one direction through the thickness of the device. These deices are produced by stacking individual layers of piezoelectric fibers in a modified epoxy matrix with varying fiber volume fraction form layer to layer thereby leading to varying material properties through the thickness of the composite. The focus of this work has been to use the finite element method to first predict the material properties for individual piezoelectric fiber based layers using a symmetrical unit cell model, which allowed the inter-layer and intra-layer volume fractions to be varied independently reflecting the rectangular packing of fibers present in the actual devices. And, then to predict the behavior of the actual composite devices using these predicted properties.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An across-organization analysis of the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies

This research addressed the relationship of social processes and technological and organizational context factors during implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT). Survey data were collected from 369 respondents with direct AMT implementation experience who were drawn from a broad cross-section of organizations in the Great Lakes region. Results indicated that social and human resource (HR) processes, technology, and organization context (prior AMT experience and support for technical updating) were mutually interdependent, with HR processes having a direct relationship with the effectiveness of AMT implementation outcomes. Updating support ameliorated the negative effects of HR inhibiting processes on the effectiveness of the eventual operation of implemented AMT systems. Implications for AMT implementation practices and future research directions are discussed.
Salmonella typhimurium poultry isolate growth response to propionic acid and sodium propionate under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Abstract Propionic acid and its sodium salt have long been used as additives in poultry feed to reduce microbial populations, including Salmonella spp. Propionic acids in poultry feed may have a potential role in inhibiting growth of Salmonella in the chicken intestine. In this study, we determined growth response of a Salmonella typhimurium poultry isolate to propionic acid and sodium propionate under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Growth rate consistently decreased with the addition of greater concentrations of either propionic acid or sodium propionate. The extent of growth inhibition was much greater with propionic acid than the sodium form. Media pH decreased only with addition of propionic acid. Growth inhibition was more effective under anaerobic growth conditions with either propionic acid or sodium propionate. When determined at the same pH level, growth rate was significantly lowered by addition of 25 mM of either propionate or sodium propionate alone, and also by the decrease in pH levels (P
Therapy-related myeloid neoplasm with bone marrow involvement, myelosarcoma, and a t(8;16)(p11.2;p13.3)-a case report.

Therapy-related leukemia is a well-documented complication of conventional therapy for cancer. Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is grouped along with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) and therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasms (t-MDS/MPNs) as therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MNs) by the 2008 World Health Organization classification system. Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms differ clinically from their de novo counterparts in terms of response to therapy, aggressiveness of disease, and associated poor prognosis. The occurrence of extramedullary myeloid sarcomas with bone marrow involvement has been shown to be a poor prognostic indicator for patients with t-MN. The karyotype of leukemic blasts has also been reported to have a significant impact in t-MN and may predict survival and outcomes in patients. The t(8;16)(p11.2;p13.3) is a rare, balanced translocation that is frequently associated with the M4/M5 subtype of de novo acute myeloid leukemia. It has also been reported in patients with t-MN, typically in those with poor outcomes. Here we report a case of t-MN with myeloid sarcoma and bone marrow involvement in an adult patient with a karyotype of 47,XY,t(8;16)(p11.2;p13.3),+21 after rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) chemotherapy for follicular lymphoma.
Cryptic MCAT Enhancer Regulation in Fibroblasts and Smooth Muscle Cells SUPPRESSION OF TEF-1 MEDIATED ACTIVATION BY THE SINGLE-STRANDED DNA-BINDING PROTEINS, Purα, Purβ, and MSY1

An asymmetric polypurine-polypyrimidinecis-element located in the 5′ region of the mouse vascular smooth muscle α-actin gene serves as a binding site for multiple proteins with specific affinity for either single- or double-stranded DNA. Here, we test the hypothesis that single-stranded DNA-binding proteins are responsible for preventing a cryptic MCAT enhancer centered within this element from cooperating with a nearby serum response factor-interacting CArG motif to trans-activate the minimal promoter in fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. DNA binding studies revealed that the core MCAT sequence mediates binding of transcription enhancer factor-1 to the double-stranded polypurine-polypyrimidine element while flanking nucleotides account for interaction of Purα and Purβ with the purine-rich strand and MSY1 with the complementary pyrimidine-rich strand. Mutations that selectively impaired high affinity single-stranded DNA binding by fibroblast or smooth muscle cell-derived Purα, Purβ, and MSY1in vitro, released the cryptic MCAT enhancer from repression in transfected cells. Additional experiments indicated that Purα, Purβ, and MSY1 also interact specifically, albeit weakly, with double-stranded DNA and with transcription enhancer factor-1. These results are consistent with two plausible models of cryptic MCAT enhancer regulation by Purα, Purβ, and MSY1 involving either competitive single-stranded DNA binding or masking of MCAT-bound transcription enhancer factor-1.
Development of androgen receptor and p75NTR mRNAs and peptides in the lumbar spinal cord of the gerbil

Development of sex differences in the spinal cord appears to be largely under the control of androgen and although neurotrophins may also have a role. Spinal cords of male and female neonatal gerbils (postnatal days 1, 5, 7, 10, 23) and adult gerbils (postnatal day 150) were examined to determine the relative temporal expression of androgen receptor (AR) and the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75) mRNAs within the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) and dorsolateral nucleus (DLN). Furthermore, prepubertal male gerbils were placed into one of six gonadal hormone treatment groups at weaning: Either sham castrate, castrated with gonadal hormone replacement, or castrated without gonadal hormone replacement. Ten weeks later gerbils were aldehyde-perfused, spinal cords removed and processed for presence of AR and p75 immunoreactivity (ir) in motoneurons of the SNB and DLN. During neonatal development, there were significant increases in androgen receptor mRNA within the SNB and DLN. In the SNB, the increase in androgen receptor mRNA preceded the increase in p75 mRNA. Peripubertally, significantly more SNB than DLN motoneurons contained AR- and p75-ir. These data demonstrate that AR expression occurs along the same developmental time frame as the development of the SNB and DLN and the organizational effects of androgens on their development continues through puberty in the male gerbil.
Time in the Movies

115 Alarge part of what is special about film, as a medium, is the way in which it represents time. By “time” I mean temporal properties of, and relations among, events. Among other relations, films represent some events as earlier than, later than, and simultaneous with others. But films also represent intrinsic temporal features of events; they represent the duration of events, and sometimes the duration events seem to have to characters in the story. Although novels, poetry, plays, music, dance, and sometimes even still photographs, sculptures, and paintings also represent time, none of these media represents time in quite the way that films do. This article offers a general theory of the representation of time in film and derives analyses of three concepts of temporal representation in film from this general theory. A general theory of the representation of time in film is not simply a catalog of the myriad ways in which films do, in fact, represent time. Rather, it is an account of the ways in which films must represent time. It is an account, that is, of the forms of representation of time that are built-in to the very nature of the
Sonographically-directed neck dissection for recurrent thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of sonographically-directed compartmental neck dissection for recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma as confirmed by ultrasound surveillance and thyroid-specific biochemical markers. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 18 patients with sonographically localized and pathology-confirmed recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Fifteen patients chose to undergo compartmental neck dissection by a single surgeon. Surgery involved central compartment (level VI) or functional lateral neck dissection (level II-IV+/-V). Three patients declined surgery despite proven recurrent lymph node disease. Results: All 18 patients started out with sonographic evidence of recurrent lymph node disease. Preoperative thyroglobulin or thyroglobulin antibody levels were positive in 17 of 18 patients (94%). Postoperatively, all 15 patients who underwent compartmental lymph node dissections had no sonographic evidence of lymph node disease. Of the 14 patients with preoperative positive thyroglobulin or thyroglobulin antibody levels, 9 patients converted to negative levels (64%). Furthermore, two of four patients (50%) converted to thyroglobulin antibody negative status after surgery. All three patients who declined surgery had persistently detectable sonographic nodal disease in addition to positive thyroglobulin and/or thyroglobulin antibody levels (100%). Surgical complications were minimal and self-limited as no patient experienced permanent cranial nerve deficits. Conclusion: Ultrasound-directed cranial nerve sparing compartmental lymph node dissection results in no sonographically detectable cervical lymph node disease and undetectable basal thyroglobulin or thyroglobulin antibody levels in the majority of patients with low morbidity.
Emerging variations in postsecondary attendance patterns: An investigation of part-time, delayed, and nondegree enrollment

This research assessed hypotheses regarding several nontraditional styles of postsecondary enrollment: enrolling part-time, delaying postsecondary enrollment for a year or more beyond high-school graduation, and entering nondegree-granting programs. The research was conducted using a sample of 8,203 high-school graduates drawn from the national High School and Beyond data set. Among the findings of the multivariate statistical analyses is evidence that socioeconomically disadvantaged graduates have disproportionately pursued each of the nontraditional enrollment options, even in the context of controls for the respondents' differing academic characteristics. The theoretical, management, and policy implications of these results are discussed.
Collision of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma and melanoma

![Figure][1] A 39-year-old man noted a pigmented lesion on his back that had been growing for ∼1 year. A punch biopsy demonstrated malignant melanoma, nodular type. He was also found to have a white blood cell count of 45.8 × 103/μL and palpable axillary, cervical, and inguinal lymph
Is Propofol a Proper Proposition for Reproductive Procedures

Propofol is a very widely used medication. In only a few years of market presence in the U.S.A. propofol has all but displaced the barbiturates as induction drugs. Publications that testify to its usefulness abound in virtually every area of anesthesia. Among propofol’s many undisputed advantages is its rather short, context-sensitive half-life. Even maintenance of anesthesia with propofol infusions has been advocated as offering significant advantages.’ The widespread use suggests that knowingly and unknowingly propofol has been used in a large number of pregnant women. We suspect that it has been given to women during all phases of pregnancy, from the time surrounding conception to delivery. Yet, to date, no studies for determining its teratogenic potential can be located in the published literature. We may evaluate propofol’s effect vicariously on uterine blood flow and fetal hemodynamics. We know that drug-induced decreases in uterine blood flow cause fetal hypoxia, which may in turn be related to teratogenicity. In pregnant ewes near term, Alon el aZ.* demonstrated that propofol caused no decreases in uterine blood flow and lacked adverse effects on fetal cardiovascular or acid-base status. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) use-in-pregnancy rating, which ranges from A (controlled studies show no fk or, zy no adequate human studies have been done, animal findings are negative). Among the other intravenous (IV) anesthetic drugs, only methohexital has earned a “B” grade, while thiopental sodium, etomidate, and ketamine, as well as the opioids fentanyl, alfentanil, and sufentanil, are all classified as “C” (risk cannot be ruled out). Midazolam is labeled “D” (positive evidence of risk. Investigational or postmarketing data show risk to the fetus. Nevertheless, potential benefits may outweigh the potential risk.)3 With this knowledge, and given the task of choosing an anesthetic for a pregnant patient, an anesthesiologist is likely to opt for propofol. But what do we really know about propofol’s effects on human reproduction? Beginning to shed some light on this topic, Rosenblatt et al., in this issue of the Joumzal of Clinical Anesthesia, compare a propofol-based sedation technique with a non-propofol regimen in a unique group of 106 patients4 Oocytes harvested from healthy women were fertilized and transferred to infertile women. Propofol (or not) was given to the donors during oocyte harvest but no medication was
Technical challenges and solutions in representing lakes when using WRF in downscaling applications

Abstract. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is commonly used to make high-resolution future projections of regional climate by downscaling global climate model (GCM) outputs. Because the GCM fields are typically at a much coarser spatial resolution than the target regional downscaled fields, lakes are often poorly resolved in the driving global fields, if they are resolved at all. In such an application, using WRF's default interpolation methods can result in unrealistic lake temperatures and ice cover at inland water points. Prior studies have shown that lake temperatures and ice cover impact the simulation of other surface variables, such as air temperatures and precipitation, two fields that are often used in regional climate applications to understand the impacts of climate change on human health and the environment. Here, alternative methods for setting lake surface variables in WRF for downscaling simulations are presented and contrasted.
'Let Us Begin with a Smaller Gesture': An Ethos of Human Rights and the Possibilities of Form in Chris Abani's Song for Night and Becoming Abigail

This essay intervenes in current debates over human rights-oriented approaches to literature through a reading of Chris Abani's two novellas. As opposed to critics who want either to embrace or unmask human rights in literature, we argue that Abani mediates between these two poles through close attention to the ways in which literary form and aesthetic can craft a shared ethos between reader and text. In depicting the short lives of a child soldier and sex trafficked young girl, he emphasizes the limits of the law: the gap between the human subject and the legal person whose legal claims are recognizable. At the same time, his narratives are not sentimental, and they challenge readers to extend a recognition of shared humanity across easy divides of right or wrong behavior. If, as Abani posits, we cannot become fully human without the courage to unmask ourselves, then too the endeavor of human rights must submit to a similar unmasking (of its foundational paradoxes, its limitations, its pretentions, its complicities) precisely in order to live into, to embrace, the fuller manifestation of justice toward which it gestures. More specifically, we examine the interplay of lyric and narrative voices within the context of the novella in order to show how Abani deploys temporal and aesthetic constructions to respond to the limits within normative human rights (legal instruments and official discourses). This delicate balance of lyric and narrative, instead of calling upon the reader's responsibility toward the human rights violations he depicts and fostering literary humanitarianism (which has been extensively critiqued as paternalistic by scholars such as Slaughter and Anker), generates a more complicated ethos of reciprocity between reader and text.
The entrepreneurial capabilities of rural furniture manufacturers in Central Java, Indonesia: a framework and case study

This paper proposes a framework for assessing the entrepreneurial capabilities of small rural enterprise owners in developing countries and applies it, as a case study, to a rattan furniture industry in a village in Central Java, Indonesia. The framework is based on an examination of the functions the firms perform, the resources applied to them, and the standard operating procedures used. The main objectives are to identify the ability of the firms to grow and transform and to suggest appropriate policy and project interventions.
Endoscopic optic nerve decompression for traumatic optic neuropathy

This article reviews a new operative technique in treating traumatic optic neuropathy (TON): endoscopic optic nerve decompression. The definitions and diagnosis of TON are discussed, and a review of the currently practiced therapeutic options for TON is undertaken. The relevant surgical anatomy and endoscopic technique are described in detail, including possible potential complications from the procedure. Our experience suggests this is a viable alternative to other surgical approaches for optic nerve decompression.
Surgical control of Hailey-Hailey disease

Hailey-Hailey disease is a benign, chronic genodermatosis manifested by recurrent lesions with a predilection for the intertriginous areas. The malodorous, weeping sores are a source of great discomfort to the patient. Medical therapy controls most lesions adequately; however, some are refractory. Experience with excision of skin involved with Hailey-Hailey disease is reported. The best results were obtained in those patients whose wounds were resurfaced with split skin grafts. Primary suture was associated with recurrent disease and residual morbidity. The findings of other isolated reports in the literature are also summarised. The results show that surgical control of Hailey-Hailey disease is indicated in recalcitrant cases.
COMMENT ON A PROOF OF THE Z = 0 CONDITION FOR COMPOSITENESS.

A proof of the $Z=0$ condition for compositeness is examined. In a previous criticism of this proof a paradoxical result was pointed out. It is proved that this result can be understood by precisely explaining the meaning of the equality of the elementary field and the Haag-Nishijima-Zimmermann field for the composite bound state.
Mean Free Path of Electrons and Magnetomorphic Effects in Small Single Crystals of Gallium

The variation of electrical resistivity of 99.9999%-pure gallium has been investigated as a function of size in oriented single crystals for current flow along the $C$ axis. The crystals were in the form of wires of square cross section and their dimensions varied from 1 to 0.1 mm. Analysis of the data based on the free-electron model, assuming diffuse scattering at the boundaries, yields a value of 8.11\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ \ensuremath{\Omega}-${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for ${({\ensuremath{\rho}}_{b}{l}_{b})}_{\mathrm{Caxis}}$ and indicates that at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K the mean free path of the charge carriers in the bulk metal is considerably in excess of 1 cm. The temperature dependence of the size effect seems to be in fair agreement with a theory due to Blatt and Satz. Within the accuracy of our measurements the ideal bulk resistivity at low temperatures varies as ${T}^{2}$, indicating that the electron-electron collisions may be contributing to the resistive processes. For low values of a longitudinal magnetic field, all the crystals showed a large decrease in resistance followed by an increase due to bulk magnetoresistance, both at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and at 1.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. For the same two temperatures these crystals also displayed a rather large magnetoresistance in transverse magnetic fields. Magnetomorphic effects for transverse fields were evidenced by the fact that the field dependence of magnetoresistance was less than quadratic for all crystals until the cyclotron radius of the charge carriers acquired a value much smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of the specimens. The resistance of all the crystals was found to be a complicated function of the measuring current. Calculations based on certain simplifying assumptions show that for thin wires in which boundary scattering is predominant, the resistance decreases monotonically as a function of the current and is due to the trapping of the charge carriers in the magnetic field generated by the current. The details of the experimental curves can be reproduced reasonably well if the fall in resistance due to the trapped particles is superimposed on the magnetoresistance caused by the self field.
Long-term prognostic value of exercise 99mTc-MIBI SPET myocardial perfusion imaging in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognostic value of exercise technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) single-photon emission tomography (SPET) imaging in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Three hundred and eighteen consecutive post-PCI patients who underwent exercise and rest 99mTc-MIBI SPET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were followed up for 38±27 months. Patients with early revascularisation ( 1, n=100) and patients with reversible defects (SDS≥3, n=65). The annual hard cardiac event rate in patients with reversible defects was 3.9%, which was significantly higher than that in patients with normal MPI (0.2%, χ2=7.71; P 0.05). However, the annual soft event rate in patients with irreversible defects and symptoms was 5.0%, which was higher than that of 0.6% in asymptomatic patients (χ2=6.11, P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that SSS was the best independent predictor for hard cardiac events (χ2=12.70; P<0.001) and SDS was the strongest independent predictor for soft cardiac events (χ2=11.72; P<0.001). Post-PCI patients who have normal exercise 99mTc-MIBI SPET MPI have a good long-term prognosis, while those with reversible defects are at a higher risk for future cardiac events, without correlation to the chest pain symptoms. However, symptomatic patients with irreversible defects have a higher risk for repeat revascularisation, but not for hard events, compared with asymptomatic patients. Exercise 99mTc-MIBI SPET MPI has important clinical value for risk stratification and management decision-making in post-PCI patients.
On permanents and the zeros of rook polynomials

Abstract The concept of rook polynomial of a “chessboard” may be generalized to the rook polynomial of an arbitrary rectangular matrix. A conjecture that the rook polynomials of “chessboards” have only real zeros is thus carried over to the rook polynomials of nonnegative matrices. This paper proves these conjectures, and establishes interlacing properties for the zeros of the rook polynomials of a positive matrix and the matrix obtained by striking any one row or any one column.
Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of lonidamine/paclitaxel loaded, EGFR-targeted nanoparticles in an orthotopic animal model of multi-drug resistant breast cancer

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–targeted polymer-blend nanoparticles loaded with the anticancer drugs lonidamine and paclitaxel. Plasma, tumor, and tissue distribution profiles were quantified in an orthotopic animal model of multidrug-resistant breast cancer and were compared to treatment with nontargeted nanoparticles and to treatment with drug solution. A poly(d,l-lactide- co -glycolide)–poly(ethylene glycol)–EGFR targeting peptide (PLGA-PEG-EFGR peptide) construct was synthesized for incorporation in poly( ɛ -caprolactone) particles to achieve active EGFR targeting. An isocratic high-pressure liquid chromatography method was developed to quantify lonidamine and paclitaxel in mice plasma, tumors, and vital organs. The targeted nanoparticles demonstrated a superior pharmacokinetic profile relative to drug solution and nontargeted nanoparticles, particularly for lonidamine delivery. The first target site of accumulation was the liver, followed by the kidneys, and then the tumor mass; maximal tumor accumulation occured at 3 hours after administration. Lonidamine-paclitaxel combination therapy administered via EGFR-targeted polymer-blend nanocarriers may become a viable platform for the future treatment of multidrug-resistant cancer. From the Clinical Editor In this study the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–targeted polymer-blend nanoparticles loaded with lonidamine and paclitaxel were assessed. The targeted nanoparticles demonstrated a superior pharmacokinetic profile relative to drug solution and nontargeted nanoparticles, paving the way to new therapeutic approaches for multidrug-resistant malignancies.
Required signal to noise ratio for rapid estimation scheme having marginally stable Kalman filter

The Rapid Estimation Scheme (RES) for estimation of states subject to unknown inputs has been described in Refs. 1 and 2. Kalman filter (KF) was observed to be divergent in some computer simulations when the states changed suddenly due to unknown inputs. This paper derives sufficient conditions for the convergence of KF after the occurrence of unknown inputs and also determines the conditions on the signal to noise ratio for the effectiveness of either KF or RES.
Precise length measurements in multimode optical fibers.

Selective optical excitation permits both the group index and the group delay of on-axis modes of multimode fibers to be determined with high precision. The group index of several types of fiber was measured at 1310 nm in a fiber Michelson interferometer, and the values were tabulated. Group delays were obtained from the transit time of short-duration optical pulses. From these data the length of reference fibers ∼2 km long was calculated. Length-measurement accuracy was limited by group-index uncertainties to ∼0.04%. Also, a technique that uses these reference fibers to minimize uncertainties in distance measurements made with multimode optical-time-domain reflectometers is described.
Review Article: A Model of Palliative Care for Heart Failure

The heart failure illness trajectory is both complex and unpredictable, which makes providing palliative care services to patients with heart failure a challenge. As a result, although services are needed, few tend to be offered beyond basic medical management. The traditional model of palliative care is typically based on palliative care being considered a system of care delivery most appropriate for patients with a predictable illness/death trajectory, such as terminal cancer. This type of model, which is based on the ability to predict the course of a terminal disease, does not fit the heart failure trajectory. In this article, we propose a new model of palliative care that conceptualizes palliative care as a philosophy of care that encompasses the unpredictable nature of heart failure.
Induction of proepicardial marker gene expression by the liver bud.

Cells of the coronary vessels arise from a unique extracardiac mesothelial cell population, the proepicardium, which develops posterior to the sinoatrial region of the looping-stage heart. Although contribution of the proepicardial cells to cardiac development has been studied extensively, it remains unresolved how the proepicardium is induced and specified in the mesoderm during embryogenesis. It is known, however, that the proepicardium develops from the mesothelium that overlays the liver bud. Here, we show that the expression of proepicardial marker genes - Wt1 , capsulin (epicardin, pod1, Tcf21 ) and Tbx18 , can be induced in naive mesothelial cells by the liver bud, both in vitro and in vivo. Lateral embryonic explants, when co-cultured with the liver bud, were induced to express these proepicardial marker genes. The same induction of the marker genes was detected in vivo when a quail liver bud was implanted in the posterior-lateral regions of a chick embryo. This ectopic induction of marker gene expression was not evident when other endodermal tissues, such as the lung bud or stomach, were implanted. This inductive response to the liver bud was not detectable in host embryos before stage 12 (16-somite stage). These results suggest that, after a specific developmental stage, a large area of the mesothelium becomes competent to express proepicardial marker genes in response to localized liver-derived signal(s). The developmentally regulated competency of mesothelium and a localized inductive signal might play a role in restricting the induction of the proepicardial marker gene expression to a specific region of the mesothelium. The data might also provide a foundation for future engineering of a coronary vascular progenitor population.
Prudence and extensionality in theories of preference and value

Luce's axiom governing probabilities of choice is formulated as a principle governing metalinguistic probabilities. IfX, Y, W are sets of options, and δ(X), δ(Y), δ(W) are sentences asserting that choice is made from these sets, then the axiom is $$\begin{gathered} If \pi [\delta (X)] \ne 0 and \pi [\delta (X \cap Y)] \ne 0, then \hfill \\ \pi _{\delta (X)} [\delta (Y \cap W)] = \pi _{\delta (X \cap Y)} [\delta (W)]\pi _{\delta (X)} [\delta (Y)] \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ where π is a probability on sentences. The axiom is then entailed by extensionality of the probability π in company with a simple condition on probabilities of truth-functions. Conditions are also given under which the probability π is uniquely represented by a probability on the sets of options. What look to be logical constraints on the metalanguage entail a normative or prudential constraint. Debreu's well-known counterinstance to the axiom as a principle governing probability of choice is examined and a novel and consistent interpretation of the axiom is proposed.
President's Page: Relations with industry: thoughts on claims of a broken system.

![Figure][1] In April 2009, an article written by a number of well-respected physicians appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association ([1][2]). In the article, the authors recommended sweeping changes in how professional medical associations (PMAs), such as the American College
Noninvasive optical imaging of cysteine protease activity using fluorescently quenched activity-based probes

We have generated a series of quenched near-infrared fluorescent activity-based probes (qNIRF-ABPs) that covalently target the papain-family cysteine proteases shown previously to be important in multiple stages of tumorigenesis. These 'smart' probes emit a fluorescent signal only after covalently modifying a specific protease target. After intravenous injection of NIRF-ABPs into mice bearing grafted tumors, noninvasive, whole-body imaging allowed direct monitoring of cathepsin activity. Importantly, the permanent nature of the probes also allowed secondary, ex vivo biochemical profiling to identify specific proteases and to correlate their activity with whole-body images. Finally, we demonstrate that these probes can be used to monitor small-molecule inhibition of protease targets both biochemically and by direct imaging methods. Thus, NIRF-ABPs are (i) potentially valuable new imaging agents for disease diagnosis and (ii) powerful tools for preclinical and clinical testing of small-molecule therapeutic agents in vivo.
Photoperiodic regulation of growth in an insect: Response to progressive changes in daylength☆

Abstract When Crambus tutillus was studied to determine the role of progressively decreasing daylengths in regulating the seasonal development of this univoltine sod webworm to the diapausing instar, first instars exposed to decreasing photophases (from 16 hr light at a rate of 2 min per day) developed distinctly faster than those exposed to a long-day regimen and slower than larvae exposed to short days. Larval growth was not proportional to the cumulative hours that larvae were exposed to the scotophase and proceeded at a distinctly different rate in all three regimens. Caterpillars exposed to 12 or 14 hr daylengths or to daylengths that decreased from 16 hr at the rate of 2 min/day developed to the diapausing (eighth) instar whereas those exposed to long days failed to develop to the diapausing instar.
Synapses and malnutrition. Morphological and biochemical study of synaptosomal fractions from rat cerebral cortex.

Abstract Malnutrition from the last week of gestation resulted in significant diminution in weight and total protein content of cerebral cortex of 12- and 24-day-old rats. In synaptosomal fractions from cerebral cortices of 24-day-old malnourished rats the recovery of protein and of acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase activity per gram of fresh tissue was higher than in the controls. Quantitative morphologic studies showed no difference in the composition of synaptosomal fractions from malnourished and control rats. The higher yield in protein. AChE and ChAc of synaptosome fractions may indicate that presynaptic endings are relatively spared by perinatal malnutrition, however, the possibility that these results are due to an altered distribution of the presynaptic endings among the various subcellular fractions cannot be ruled out.
Characterization of oxidized a-SiHx surfaces used in mis structures

Atomically clean and oxidized surfaces of a-SiHx films, prepared by plasma decomposition of SiH4 in a capacitative reactor, were studied using Auger and UV photoemission spectroscopy. The oxides were characterized in terms of the fine structure of the SiLVV Auger transition. We also studied the electrical properties of MIS solar cell structures in which the a-SiHx film was given the same treatment as the samples for surface studies and correlated the results of the two kinds of measurements. For thin (< 20 A) oxides the photodiode open circuit voltage increases linearly with oxide thickness. This increase is found to be due to an increase in the barrier height and the built-in potential upon oxidation.
Frugality in path auctions

We consider the problem of picking (buying) an inexpensive s -- t path in a graph where edges are owned by independent (selfish) agents, and the cost of an edge is known to its owner only. We study the problem of finding frugal mechanisms for this task, i.e. we investigate the payments the buyer must make in order to buy a path.First, we show that any mechanism with (weakly) dominant strategies (or, equivalently, any truthful mechanism) for the agents can force the buyer to make very large payments. Namely, for every such mechanism, the buyer can be forced to pay c(P) + 1/2k(c(Q) -- c(P)), where c(P) is the cost of the shortest path, c(Q) is the cost of the second-shortest path, and k is the number of edges in P. This extends the previous work of Archer and Tardos [1], who showed a similar lower bound for a subclass of truthful mechanisms called min-function mechanisms. Our lower bounds have no such limitations on the mechanism.Motivated by this lower bound, we study mechanisms for this problem providing Bayes-Nash equilibrium strategies for the agents. In this class, we identify the optimal mechanism with regard to total payment. We then demonstrate a separation in terms of average overpayments between the classical VCG mechanism and the optimal mechanism showing that under various natural distributions of edge costs, the optimal mechanism pays at most logarithmic factor more than the actual cost, whereas VCG pays √k times the actual cost. On the other hand, we also show that the optimal mechanism does incur at least a constant factor overpayment in natural distributions of edge costs. Since our mechanism is optimal, this gives a lower bound on all mechanisms with Bayes--Nash equilibria.
The effect of surfactants on wicking flow in fiber networks

Abstract Wicking flow in random fiber networks is examined for various pure liquids and surfactant solutions. Although the pore geometry of the fiber structures is extremely complex, it is found that all liquids used obey the rate law of the simple Lucas—Washburn theory. Imbibition of surfactant solutions is found to differ significantly from that of pure liquids of equivalent surface tension, indicating depletion of surfactant from the wetting front by adsorption onto the fiber surfaces during penetration. For fiber networks which are wet out by the imbibing liquid, wicking rate is directly proportional to an effective surface tension at the meniscus. The difference between this wicking-equivalent tension and the equilibrium surface tension varies between different surfactants. Fiber structures which are partially wet exhibit penetration rates proportional instead to the adhesion tension, and for surfactant solutions, there are differences between the wicking-equivalent and equilibrium values. Differences in wicking performance among the surfactants are attributed to differences in both the extent of their adsorption at the fiber surfaces and their diffusivities.
A search for optical pulsations from GX 1+4 at H-alpha

H-alpha observations of the binary-star candidate for the slowly pulsating hard X-ray source GX 1+4 are reported which were undertaken to search for pulsations in the H-alpha flux that are synchronous with the X-ray period of about 2 min. No significant periodic variation of the candidate star was detected in the frequency band searched. Three-sigma upper limits of 1.7% (sinusoidal pulse shape) and 0.7% (X-ray pulse shape) are set for the pulsed fraction of the H-alpha flux. It is noted that because of possible diffusion from a cloud that is optically thick to Balmer radiation, the observed lack of pulsations in the H-alpha flux need not compromise the identification of GX 1+4 with the candidate star.
Nanofaceted platinum surfaces: a new model system for nanoparticle catalysts.

We present a novel model system for nanoparticle electrocatalysts. A surface consisting of alternating (100) and (111) facets, several nanometers across and nearly 1 μm long, were self-assembled by annealing Pt single crystal surfaces initially cut at the midpoint between [111] and [100] directions, i.e., Pt(1+√3 1 1). The formation of these self-assembled arrays of nanofacets was monitored by in-situ surface X-ray scattering. These surfaces were further characterized with scanning probe microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. We found that the Pt(1+√3 1 1) surface is flat with less than 1 nm rms roughness when it was annealed in argon/hydrogen atmosphere. Then the surface forms nanofacets when it is annealed in pure air. This nanofaceting transition was completely reversible and reproducible. We investigated effects of CO adsorption on the voltammetric characteristics of both hydrogen-annealed and air-annealed surfaces. We found that CO-adsorption/desorption cycles in CO containing electrolyte solution result...
Establishment and characterization of baboon embryonic stem cell lines: An Old World Primate model for regeneration and transplantation research

Here we have developed protocols using the baboon as a complementary alternative Old World Primate to rhesus and other macaques which have severe limitations in their availability. Baboons are not limited as research resources, they are evolutionarily closer to humans, and the multiple generations of pedigreed colonies which display complex human disease phenotypes all support their further optimization as an invaluable primate model. Since neither baboon-assisted reproductive technologies nor baboon embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have been reported, here we describe the first derivations and characterization of baboon ESC lines from IVF-generated blastocysts. Two ESCs lines (BabESC-4 and BabESC-15) display ESC morphology, express pluripotency markers (Oct-4, hTert, Nanog, Sox-2, Rex-1, TRA1-60, TRA1-81), and maintain stable euploid female karyotypes with parentage confirmed independently. They have been grown continuously for >430 and 290 days, respectively. Teratomas from both lines have all three germ layers. Availabilities of these BabESCs represent another important resource for stem cell biologists.
Hyaluronidase in Clinical Isolates of Propionibacterium acnes

Objectives. We sought to describe the prevalence of a hyaluronidase gene and hyaluronidase production in 197 clinical isolates of P. acnes; we assessed kinetics of hyaluronidase production in a subset of three isolates. Methods. The hyaluronidase gene was detected using polymerase chain reaction. Hyaluronidase production was detected by growing isolates on BHI agar containing 400 μg/mL hyaluronic acid and 1% albumin and flooding plates with 2 N glacial acetic acid to precipitate unbound hyaluronic acid, with a zone of clearing representing a positive phenotype. Hyaluronidase production kinetics were measured as a function of hyaluronic acid digestion over time in a liquid medium. Results. A hyaluronidase gene and hyaluronidase production were detected in 100 and 97% of P. acnes isolates, respectively. Hyaluronidase production in liquid medium was detectable after 96 hours of growth. Conclusions. Hyaluronidase production is nearly universal among P. acnes isolates. Three days appear to be required for significant hyaluronidase production in a liquid medium. Detection of hyaluronidase in tissue specimens may be a strategy to differentiate P. acnes infection from colonization when P. acnes is isolated from a clinical specimen.
Adaptive isosurface generation in a distortion-rate framework

The problem of accurately modeling a level surface with polygons is cast in a distortion-rate framework and efficient tilings across a range of resolutions are found. A distinctive feature of this work is the quantification of surface approximation error. Existing algorithms for extracting polygonal isosurfaces from sampled 3-D scalar fields typically partition the samples into cubical cells and generate triangles for each cell. Adaptive schemes use variable-size cells to allocate more triangles in regions where the tilings do poorly, and vice versa. In this paper, an octree structure is imposed on the data and then selectively pruned according to local error. To guide the pruning, an ideal level surface is defined from the 3-D samples, and a distortion measure is introduced to quantify the error associated with any polygonal approximation to the ideal. Using the polygon count as the rate measure, the performance of tilings is then characterized by distortion-rate pairs. With this performance criterion, the pruning algorithm then finds good approximations at multiple resolutions. Results are presented for both simulated and experimental data sets. Lower resolution models are used for interactive viewing and editing while full resolution models are usually reserved for final analysis or presentation.
A comparison of mechanical and laser transmyocardial revascularization for induction of angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in chronically ischemic myocardium

Abstract Objectives The purpose of the present study was to compare the use of a mechanical transmyocardial implant (TMI) device with transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) for induction of therapeutic angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in the chronically ischemic heart. Background Prior experimental studies have demonstrated evidence for neovascularization after both mechanical and laser transmyocardial revascularization, although a long-term comparison of the two techniques has not been performed. Methods Using an established model of chronic hibernating myocardium, mini-swine underwent 90% proximal left circumflex (LCx) coronary artery stenosis. One month later, baseline positron emission tomography (PET) and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) were performed to quantitate regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) and function. Animals then underwent TMR with a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (holmium:YAG) laser (n = 5), TMI (n = 5), or sham redo-thoracotomy (n = 5). In the TMR group, the entire LCx region was treated with transmural laser channels at a density of 1/cm2. Transmyocardial implants were placed transmurally at a similar density in the LCx region of the TMI group. Six months later, the PET and DSE studies were repeated, and the animals were euthanized. Results Six months after TMR, there was a significant increase over baseline in resting MBF to the lased LCx region (68.9 ± 4.6% vs. 89.3 ± 3.0% reference non-ischemic septal segments; p 0.2). Likewise, there was no significant change in rest or stress wall motion by DSE six months postoperatively in either group. Overall vascular density was increased only in the TMR-treated regions six months postoperatively. The difference between groups was most notable for a twofold increase in the number of small arterioles seen in the lased (4.4 ± 0.3 arterioles per high power field; p Conclusions Mechanical transmyocardial revascularization with a TMI device does not appear to promote physiologically significant angiogenesis or arteriogenesis in the chronically ischemic porcine heart and cannot be recommended for clinical trials at this time. Infrared laser-mediated injury mechanisms may be important for inducing therapeutic neovascularization with direct myocardial revascularization techniques.