cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The nose knows: new product development at Yankee Candle Company

How does a small company selling premium-priced, scented candles and accessories in the hypercompetitive, forever-fickle consumer giftware industry stay competitive? Does marketing work alone to complete this Herculean task? No! Almost everyone at Yankee Candle Company (YCC) is attuned to sniffing out new product opportunities to offer a constant stream of new items that provide value to the target market. To successfully maintain the new product stream, cross-functional activity among Yankee Candle employees is imperative.
Targeted genome screen of panic disorder and anxiety disorder proneness using homology to murine QTL regions.

Family and twin studies have indicated that genes influence susceptibility to panic and phobic anxiety disorders, but the location of the genes involved remains unknown. Animal models can simplify gene-mapping efforts by overcoming problems that complicate human pedigree studies including genetic heterogeneity and high phenocopy rates. Homology between rodent and human genomes can be exploited to map human genes underlying complex traits. We used regions identified by quantitative trait locus (QTL)-mapping of anxiety phenotypes in mice to guide a linkage analysis of a large multiplex pedigree (99 members, 75 genotyped) segregating panic disorder/agoraphobia. Two phenotypes were studied: panic disorder/agoraphobia and a phenotype (“D-type”) designed to capture early-onset susceptibility to anxiety disorders. A total of 99 markers across 11 chromosomal regions were typed. Parametric lod score analysis provided suggestive evidence of linkage (lod = 2.38) to a locus on chromosome 10q under a dominant model with reduced penetrance for the anxiety-proneness (D-type) phenotype. Nonparametric (NPL) analysis provided evidence of linkage for panic disorder/agoraphobia to a locus on chromosome 12q13 (NPL = 4.96, P = 0.006). Modest evidence of linkage by NPL analysis was also found for the D-type phenotype to a region of chromosome 1q (peak NPL = 2.05, P = 0.035). While these linkage results are merely suggestive, this study illustrates the potential advantages of using mouse gene-mapping results and exploring alternative phenotype definitions in linkage studies of anxiety disorder. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of dextran on hippocampal brain slice water, extracellular space, calcium kinetics and histology

Hippocampal brain slices are valuable models for studying brain function but are compromised by several artifacts, including significant water gain and histologic injury, which occur under certain incubation conditions. Addition of colloid to Krebs-Ringer buffer (K-R) has been shown to eliminate water gain but has not achieved widespread acceptance. We confirm prior observations that dextran and PEG lessen the increase in slice mass during incubation in a dose-dependent manner with no water gain occurring at 4% concentrations. However, we also observe that addition of colloid to standard K-R induces severe neuronal pyknosis. Fortunately, the pyknosis can be eliminated by reduction in buffer osmolarity through adjustment of NaCl, producing markedly improved slice histology in dextran buffer, especially in the CA3 and CA4 regions of the hippocampus which are severely injured when incubated submerged in K-R at 37 degrees C. Extracellular space markers are not affected by either colloid. The volume of distribution for 45Ca is much larger in dextran buffers than in K-R and variability of 45Ca kinetics is also reduced. In the presence of dextran, hypoxia induces significant slice water gain, a relatively selective histologic injury and an alteration of tissue Ca2+ kinetics. Use of dextran buffers may eliminate many troubling brain slice artifacts.
Implementation of a high-resolution Source-Oriented WRF/Chem model at the Port of Oakland

Abstract A version of the Source-Oriented WRF/Chem (SOWC) model with 250 m spatial resolution (SOWC-HR) was developed and implemented to perform high resolution simulations over the community of Oakland, California, during March 2010. A multiscale set of nested domains was used to predict contributions to airborne particulate elemental carbon (EC) concentrations from ships, trains, and on-road diesel trucks. The final domain at 250 m resolution used Large Eddy Simulation (LES) to predict turbulent mixing at scales where traditional first order closure models are not valid. Results of the high resolution simulation with the nested LES (HR case) and without the nested LES (non-HR case) were compared to speciated particulate matter (PM) measurements and source contributions calculated using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF). The PMF results showed that on-road diesel traffic was a major EC contributor, a result consistent with previous studies for Oakland. The average EC concentration predicted at the site by the SOWC-HR model was 0.42 μg m −3 , with source contributions of 0.22 μg m −3 from on-road diesel, 0.05 μg m −3 from ship fuel combustion, 0.08 μg m −3 from trains, and 0.09 μg m −3 from other sources. Both simulation cases predicted similar total EC concentrations and source contributions at the sampling sites, but more substantial differences were predicted at other locations in the study region. The HR case predicted higher average and maximum hourly EC contributions from all sources compared the non-HR case. The greatest relative increase of maximum hourly EC was seen in the on-road diesel source, which increased by nearly a factor of 2 (3.74 μg m −3 to 6.69 μg m −3 ) when spatial resolution was increased from 1 km to 250 m. The SOWC-HR model predicted greater population-weighted EC concentrations from all sources when compared to the SOWC model without HR. The increase in period-averaged EC exposure from each source ranged from +1% to +17%, while the increase in maximum hourly EC exposure from each source ranged from +9% to +32%. This evaluation shows that resolving neighborhood scales through the representation of local mixing phenomena can significantly impact pollutant concentration predictions, especially when examining extreme exposures in a densely populated area with many sources and complex terrain.
Stereospecific synthesis of enamines from α,β-epoxysilanes

Abstract Isomerically pure cis and trans enamines were prepared from α,β-epoxysilanes by alumina-assisted ring opening with pyrrolidine and morpholine followed by β-elimination.
The Image Library and Browse System (ILABS)

Abstract The National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) currently maintains an AVHRR image Browse Library. This faculty is used extensively to view and select AVHRR data for retrospective use. Inadequacies in the old browse system motivated the NCDC to develop the Image Library and Browse System (ILABS). The ILABS consists of a mainframe software subsystem that produces display-ready imagery from AVHRR 1b data sets and PC based work stations to catalog, store, retrieve, and display AVHRR browse imagery.
Spontaneous coherent pulsations in standing-wave laser oscillators: frequency characteristics

The output signal from a spontaneously pulsing laser must, by definition, consist of more than one frequency component. The experimental and theoretical study of the frequency components associated with such a laser can provide valuable insights into the pulsation processes. The results of an investigation into the frequency characteristics of a spontaneously pulsing standing-wave laser are reported.
Adaptive Capacity in Tanzanian Maasailand: Changing strategies to cope with drought in fragmented landscapes

Abstract This study examines the ways in which the adaptive capacity of households to climatic events varies within communities and is mediated by institutional and landscape changes. We present qualitative and quantitative data from two Maasai communities differentially exposed to the devastating drought of 2009 in Northern Tanzania. We show how rangeland fragmentation combined with the decoupling of institutions and landscapes are affecting pastoralists’ ability to cope with drought. Our data highlight that mobility remains a key coping mechanism for pastoralists to avoid cattle loss during a drought. However, mobility is now happening in new ways that require not only large amounts of money but new forms of knowledge and connections outside of customary reciprocity networks. Those least affected by the drought, in terms of cattle lost, were those with large herds who were able to sell some of their cattle and to pay for private access to pastures outside of Maasai areas. Drawing on an entitlements framework, we argue that the new coping mechanisms are not available to all, could be making some households more vulnerable to climate change, and reduce the adaptive capacity of the overall system as reciprocity networks and customary institutions are weakened. As such, we posit that adaptive capacity to climate change is uneven within and across communities, is scale-dependent, and is intimately tied to institutional and landscape changes.
APL as the foundation for a universal computer language

Some ways in which universal computer languages differ from those in common use today. Universal dictionary. Universal alphabet. Universal character representation. Universal keyboard. Universal communication among computer systems. Elimination of an operating system as a separate entity.Some advantages of universal computer languages over those in common use today. Easier to teach and to learn. Easier and faster creation and modification of software. Faster execution. Easier transfer of software from one system to another. Fewer application software packages required.Some of the changes and additions required to make APL an acceptable universal computer language. Implement the APL interpreter at the chip level. Add language features to meet operating system requirements. Eliminate the features now required to communicate with operating systems of the present kind. Improve communication among users of a system. Improve the handling of integers. Improve the handling of graphics. Improve alphabet, character representation, and keyboard.The second edition of my monograph on this subject will be available at the Copenhagen APL Conference.
Automatic mining of specifications from invocation traces and method invariants

Software library documentation often describes individual methods' APIs, but not the intended protocols and method interactions. This can lead to library misuse, and restrict runtime detection of protocol violations and automated verification of software that uses the library. Specification mining, if accurate, can help mitigate these issues, which has led to significant research into new model-inference techniques that produce FSM-based models from program invariants and execution traces. However, there is currently a lack of empirical studies that, in a principled way, measure the impact of the inference strategies on model quality. To this end, we identify four such strategies and systematically study the quality of the models they produce for nine off-the-shelf libraries. We find that (1) using invariants to infer an initial model significantly improves model quality, increasing precision by 4% and recall by 41%, on average; (2) effective invariant filtering is crucial for quality and scalability of strategies that use invariants; and (3) using traces in combination with invariants greatly improves robustness to input noise. We present our empirical evaluation, implement new and extend existing model-inference techniques, and make public our implementations, ground-truth models, and experimental data. Our work can lead to higher-quality model inference, and directly improve the techniques and tools that rely on model inference.
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS AT RISK

The nutritional needs of special populations at risk require a concerned government, a concerned bureaucracy which funds and operates health, welfare and food delivery systems. Equally, if not even more important, is the concern and involvement of citizens at the "local-state-county-city" level. Some of the vulnerable groups, such as the migrant workers and the Native Americans, are the responsibiliity of the Federal Government. This does not mean that State and local citizens should do nothing, which by and large characterizes what has happened. The solution to provide optimum nutrition for the entire U.S. population is not merely a recitation of: food production figures, food costs, documentation of how much the Government spends on feeding people, how many free or reduced school lunches are served, how good or bad the problem is. We need to update and monitor programs that deal with the delivery of health, welfare and food; nutrition education for educators, Congress, doctors, and the public; food enrichment and fortification; nutrient analysis of foods; and nutrition research.
Inborn errors of metabolism: the flux from Mendelian to complex diseases

Inborn errors of metabolism are characterized by dysregulation of the metabolic networks that underlie development and homeostasis, and constitute an important and expanding group of genetic disorders in humans. Diagnostic methods that are based on molecular genetic tools have a limited ability to correlate phenotypes with subtle changes in metabolic fluxes. We argue that the direct and dynamic measurement of metabolite flux will facilitate the integration of environmental, genetic and biochemical factors with phenotypic information. Ultimately, this integration will lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that are focused on the manipulation of these pathways.
Pigment and nanofiller photoreactivity database

The service life and durability of nanocomposites containing fillers are affected by photocatalytic properties of these fillers, particularly narrow band gap metal oxides (NBMOs) such as titanium dioxide (TiO2). When irradiated with ultraviolet flux, NBMOs produce electrons and other species that are capable of causing rapid degradation of organic materials with which they are in contact. Electrons and holes (positively charged species) migrate to the surface and react with species to generate various free radicals. Measurement science tools for characterizing TiO2 photoreactivity using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) methods have been developed by the Engineering Laboratory (EL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and a linkage between EPR measurements and current industrial methods has been established. A database of TiO2 photoreactivity values and other data measured via the EPR methods and industrial assays has been compiled and will be accessed through a searchable software database in the NIST Standard Reference Database program— http://www.nist.gov/srd/index.cfm . The database provides fundamental photoreactivity data that can be used for product selection and development purposes to enable more reliable assessments of end-performance.
Impact of Organizational Identification and Psychological Safety on Initial Perceptions of Coworker Trustworthiness

Initial trustworthiness perceptions serve as anchored reference points for subsequent trust perceptions and associated behavioral choices in organizations. Examining the relationship between the employee and the organization is an underexplored influence on such perceptions. This study is an investigation of how perceived psychological safety (PS) in the work environment and level of organizational identification (OI) influence initial perceptions of others’ trustworthiness. Data were obtained through survey and scenario methods from a sample of high-potential managers (n = 155) during participation in a leadership development training course. Results demonstrate that both disposition to trust and PS have positive relationships with initial perceptions of others’ trustworthiness. There is also a significant negative moderating effect of OI on the relationship between psychology safety and perceived trustworthiness. PS has a strong positive significant relationship with initial perceptions of others’ trustworthiness when OI is low. This relationship is non-significant when OI is high. This study provides evidence that the relationship between the employee and the organization can influence individual perceptions of initial trustworthiness in others. Aspects of the relationship between the trustor and the organization have not previously been considered as influences on initial trustworthiness perceptions. PS, often investigated as a direct influence on learning and performance, has not been previously examined as a socialized influence on trustworthiness perceptions.
Facilitation of Fiberoptic Nasotracheal Intubation in a Morbidly Obese Patient by Simultaneous Use of Nasal CPAP

A morbidly obese patient was emergently nasotracheally intubated using a fiberoptic bronchoscope. Simultaneous application of 20 cm H2O nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to the contralateral naris using a nasal pillow helped maintain ventilation of the patient during intubation and greatly facilitated visualization of anatomic landmarks and translaryngeal passage of the bronchoscope. Fiberoptic video images of this patient's hypopharynx demonstrate the pharyngeal splinting action of nasal CPAP thus applied. This is a novel approach to difficult intubation of the obese patient.
Reasons for Attempting Suicide among a Community Sample of Adolescents

The motives of suicide attempts among a community sample of 99 U.S. high school students were explored. Participants completed an in-depth computer-assisted self interview about their most recent attempts as well as additional psychosocial measures. Results indicated that nearly 75% of the adolescents engaged in suicide attempts for reasons other than killing themselves and that depressive symptoms and premeditation prior to the attempt were significantly associated with increased risk for engaging in the attempts with death as a clear motive. Linking motive for an attempt (death, interpersonal communication, emotion regulation) and treatment approach may improve prevention of subsequent attempts and completed suicides.
Profile of oxidation in irradiated polyethylene

Following gamma irradiation in air which causes bond scission and yields large concentrations of peroxy radicals, maximum oxidation and an increase in crystallinity occurs on the surface of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. Here, bimolecular reactions of peroxy radicals generate carbonyls, mostly ketones. On the polymer surface, peroxy radicals continue to react over time periods of years to generate carbonyls and chain scission. Peroxy radicals in the interior of the polymer abstract hydrogens and form hydroperoxides, inducing chain reactions and a slow but continue increase of ketone. Within the polymer sample, to a decreasing depth with increasing dose, a reduced concentration of oxygen is available to react with radiolytic radicals, so that more efficient crosslinking and a low level of hydroperoxide chain reaction occur. After long periods of time a surface maximum in carbonyl concentration is produced. Heating polyethylene in high pressures of oxygen accelerates the oxidative process.
Alternative Strategies for Transitioning to Organic Production in Direct-Seeded Grain Systems in Eastern Washington II: Nitrogen Fertility

The nitrogen (N) dynamics of nine rotation systems designed to transition dryland cereal to organic production in eastern Washington State were examined. Systems combined cereal and legumes for grain, forage (FOR), and green manure (GRM). Few differences in N balances and soil inorganic N levels were found among transition systems when poor spring crop establishment resulted in competition from weeds. However, FOR and winter GRM crops produced adequate stands that were competitive with weeds and increased residual soil inorganic N in the final year of the transition. Winter legumes and continuous FOR systems demonstrated the greatest potential to provide a sustainable inorganic N source to subsequent organic cereal crops.
Angiogenesis and Morphometry of Bovine Placentas in Late Gestation from Embryos Produced In Vivo or In Vitro

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of in vitro embryo production on angiogenesis and morphometry of the bovine placenta during late gestation. Blastocysts produced in vivo were recovered from superovulated Holstein cows. Blastocysts produced in vitro were obtained after culture of in vitro-matured and -fertilized Holstein oocytes. Single blastocysts from each production system were transferred into heifers. Fetuses and placentas were recovered on Day 222 of gestation (in vivo, n=12; in vitro, n=12). Cotyledonary and caruncular tissues were obtained for quantification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) mRNA and protein. Tissue sections of placentomes were prepared for morphometric analysis. Fetuses and placentas were heavier from embryos produced in vitro than from embryos produced in vivo. More placentas from embryos produced in vitro had an excessive volume of placental fluid. There was no effect of treatment on the expression of mRNA for VEGF and PPARgamma in either cotyledonary or caruncular tissues. The expression of VEGF protein in cotyledons and caruncles as well as the expression of PPARgamma protein in cotyledons were not different between the in vitro and in vivo groups. However, caruncles from the in vitro group had increased expression of PPARgamma protein. The total surface area of endometrium was greater for the in vitro group compared with controls. In contrast, the percentage placentome surface area was decreased in the in vitro group. Fetal villi and binucleate cell volume densities were decreased in placentomes from embryos produced in vitro. The proportional tissue volume of blood vessels in the maternal caruncles was increased in the in vitro group. Furthermore, the ratios of blood vessel volume density-to-placentome surface area were increased in the in vitro group. In conclusion, these findings are consistent with the concept that compensatory mechanisms exist in the vascular beds of placentas from bovine embryos produced in vitro.
Teaching the process of creativity in the engineering classroom

The incorporation of the process of creativity in four distinct courses, namely materials science, electron devices, electrooptics, and electrical machinery, is detailed. Methods, techniques, and problems are discussed, along with student responses and applications to a senior capstone course called Senior Design Projects. Suggestions for instructor involvement and creative session facilitation are given, with special emphasis on environment, ground rules, attitude development, and scope. Formats for such classroom sessions and formats for typical topics are described. The importance of accompanying liberal studies, reading for enjoyment, and imagination revival are discussed in the light of modern-day habits and mores. >
Rate of convergence in a class of singular perturbations

Abstract Let V ϵ , W ϵ , W and X be Hilbert spaces (0 ϵ ⩽ 1) with V ϵ ⊂ W ϵ ⊂ W ⊂ X algebraically and topologically, each space being dense in the one that follows it. For each t ϵ [0, T ] let a ϵ ( t ; u , v ), b ϵ ( t ; u , v ) and b ( t ; u , v ) be continuous sesqui-linear forms on V ϵ , W ϵ and W , respectively, which satisfy certain ellipticity conditions. Consider the two equations a ϵ ( t ; u ϵ , v ) + b ϵ ( t ; u ϵ , v ) = 〈 f ϵ , v 〉 ( v ϵ V ϵ ) and ( u ′, v ) x + b ( t ; u , v ) = 〈 f , v 〉 ( v ϵ W ). Estimates are obtained on the rate of convergence of u ϵ to u , assuming a ϵ ( t ; u , v ) → ( u , v ) x and b ϵ ( t ; u , v ) → b ( t ; u , v ) in an appropriate sense. These results are then applied to singular perturbation of a class of parabolic boundary value problems.
Assembly of a Genome Packaging Motor on Viral DNA Influences Packaging Mechanism

During virus assembly, a single genome is packaged into a preformed capsid by a terminase enzyme. Presently, the mechanistic details of the packaging motor are unknown. Single molecule experiments have demonstrated that viral DNA packaging motors are extremely powerful, capable of packaging dsDNA to over 20 atmospheres. Therefore, the mechanistic details of DNA packaging are of interest from both a biological (drug target), and engineering (nanomachine) standpoint. Bacteriophage Lambda (λ) is a model system for the study of dsDNA viruses, including herpesvirus and many bacteriophage. λ terminase is a multifunction enzyme complex with catalytic activities required to (1) site-specifically bind the viral genome, (2) carry out nuclease and helicase activities on the viral genome, (3) bind the empty procapsid, and (4) hydrolyze ATP and translocate viral DNA into the procapsid. The holoenzyme consists of proteins gpA and gpNu1 in a 1:2 ratio called the heterotrimeric protomer. The functional motor is composed of four protomers that assemble into a ring at the packaging initiation site of viral DNA.Here we describe physio-kinetic studies on terminase protomer assembly into a catalytically-competent genome maturation and packaging complex. Assembly of the protomer on viral DNA is much faster than previously thought and affords a motor that packages DNA with high specificity. Furthermore, the packaging ATPase activity of the protomer is down-regulated until both the viral genome and empty procapsid are mated by terminase in preparation for packaging. The ring-tetramer can be artificially assembled in vitro in the absence of DNA and is functional to package DNA. We find that there are important differences between ring and protomer with assembly of a motor on DNA influencing the packaging mechanism. Our results suggest that the protomeric unit is the biologically relevant species in vivo.
A new schema for security in dynamic uncertain environments

It is our hypothesis that for a complex system of systems operating in a dynamic, uncertain environment the traditional approach of forward, static security is insufficient. What is required are macroscopic schemata for security that incorporate mechanisms which monitor the overall environment and feed their observations back into the security mechanisms so that they can adjust their ‘posture’ accordingly. Such schemata must also account for system-wide aggregated security risks in addition to risk presented by the individual users and information objects. We propose one such schema in this work.
Zonisamide: review of pharmacology, clinical efficacy, tolerability, and safety.

Background: Zonisamide (ZNS), a sulphonamide derivative, is a new-generation anticonvulsant with multiple potential mechanisms that contribute to its antiepileptic efficacy and may also explain its as yet incompletely assessed utility for non-seizure disorders such as headaches, neuropathic pain, and weight loss. Objective: A review of the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, evidence for efficacy in different seizure types and non-seizure conditions, adverse effects, and tolerability of ZNS is presented. Methods: A review of all manuscripts published in the English literature on ZNS was performed in preparing this manuscript. Results/conclusions: ZNS has a broad label for use in Japan, while the regulatory bodies in the USA and Europe have approved it for use only as an adjunctive therapy for partial seizures in adults. It has favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics, proven efficacy in seizure disorders, and is well tolerated in long-term use.
Novel PDE4 inhibitors derived from Chinese medicine forsythia

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a crucial intracellular second messenger molecule that converts extracellular molecules to intracellular signal transduction pathways generating cell- and stimulus-specific effects. Importantly, specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) subtypes control the amplitude and duration of cAMP-induced physiological processes and are therefore a prominent pharmacological target currently used in a variety of fields. Here we tested the extracts from traditional Chinese medicine, Forsythia suspense seeds, which have been used for more than 2000 years to relieve respiratory symptoms. Using structural-functional analysis we found its major lignin, Forsynthin, acted as an immunosuppressant by inhibiting PDE4 in inflammatory and immune cell. Moreover, several novel, selective small molecule derivatives of Forsythin were tested in vitro and in murine models of viral and bacterial pneumonia, sepsis and cytokine-driven systemic inflammation. Thus, pharmacological targeting of PDE4 may be a promising strategy for immune-related disorders characterized by amplified host inflammatory response.
Emphasizing appearance versus health outcomes in exercise: the influence of the instructor and participants' reasons for exercise.

Abstract The objectifying nature of exercise environments may prevent women from reaping psychological benefits of exercise. The present experiment manipulated self-objectification through an exercise class taught by an instructor who emphasized exercise as either a means of acquiring appearance or health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to test for interactions between the class emphasis and participants’ reasons for exercise (i.e., appearance, health) predicting participants’ state self-objectification, state social physique anxiety, exercise class enjoyment, and future intentions of returning to a similar exercise class. Results, obtained via pre- and post-exercise questionnaires, revealed a significant interaction between class emphasis and health reasons for exercise predicting state self-objectification. Participants with lower health reasons for exercise reported greater state self-objectification in the appearance-focused class compared to those with higher health reasons for exercise. Adopting stronger health reasons for exercise may buffer exercise participants from the more objectifying aspects of the group exercise environment.
The maternal plasma soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 concentration is elevated in SGA and the magnitude of the increase relates to Doppler abnormalities in the maternal and fetal circulation.

Objectives. The soluble form of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1), an antagonist to vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia and pregnancy complicated with small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses share some pathophysiologic derangements, such as failure of physiologic transformation of the spiral arteries, endothelial cell dysfunction, and leukocyte activation. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine whether plasma concentrations of sVEGFR-1 in mothers with SGA fetuses without preeclampsia at the time of diagnosis are different from those in patients with preeclampsia or normal pregnant women, and (2) examine the relationship between plasma concentrations of sVEGFR-1 and Doppler velocimetry in uterine and umbilical arteries in patients with preeclampsia and those with SGA.Study design. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the concentrations of the soluble form of...
On the Efficacy of the Combined Use of the Cross-Bicoherence with Surrogate Data Technique to Statistically Quantify the Presence of Nonlinear Interactions

The cross-bispectrum is an approach to detect the presence of quadratic phase coupling (QPC) between different components in bivariate signals. Quantification of QPC is by means of the cross-bicoherence index (CBI). The major limitations of the CBI are that it favors only the strongly coupled signals and its accuracy becomes compromised with noise and low coupling strength. To overcome this limitation, a statistical approach which combines CBI with a surrogate data method to determine the statistical significance of the QPC derived from bivariate signals is introduced. We demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed approach using simulation examples which are designed to test its robustness against noise contamination as well as varying levels of phase coupling and data lengths. Comparisons were made to the traditional CBI and the method based on the use of cross-bispectrum followed by a surrogate data technique. Our results show that the cross-bicoherence with surrogate data technique outperforms the two other methods compared in both sensitivity and specificity, and provides an unbiased and statistical approach to determining the presence of QPC in bivariate signals. These results are in contrast to our recent study where the auto-bispectrum combined with surrogate data approach had the best performance. Application of this approach to renal hemodynamic data was applied to renal stop flow pressure data obtained in the nephrons of the normotensive (N = 18) and hypertensive (N = 15) rats. We found significant nonlinear interactions between nephrons only when they are derived from the same cortical renal artery. The accuracy was 100% and verified by comparing the results to the known vascular connectivity between nephrons.
Syringomyelia: myelography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging

Seventeen patients with cervical spinal cord cavities were studied with myelography, postmyelographic computed tomography scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging. The three diagnostic techniques were compared for accuracy, patient comfort, and ease of procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging was the best diagnostic and most comfortable procedure. There is no need for myelography or postmyelographic computed tomography scanning for the evaluation of cervical syringomyelia.
Computational expressionism, or how the role of random () is changing in computer art

The creative process can be described as a continuous feedback loop between the material and an artist's decision making process. A skill can be described as knowledge of a material that allows making more informed decisions and more controlled interactions. As the artists attains a deeper knowledge of a material, the cognitive process involved in creation diverges from technical considerations and concerns itself more with meaning an depression. With computation, the creative process is better described as an evaluative process. Computers allow a multitude of stored copies and variations and also permit the visual artist to create many compositions. The artists may subsequently choose the most appealing among them, refining procedures and algorithms through an evaluative process of trial and error. The traditional relationship between the artist and the computer has been one of artists exercising visual judgement in light of manipulation of material. In this paper, we contrast the extensive use of randomness with a more controlled expression given advances in our modeling of human vision and of imagin system. The context for this discussion is computational expressionism, an exploration of computational drawing that redefines the concept of lines and compositions for the digital medium.
Consistently updating XML documents using incremental constraint check queries

When updating a valid XML document, an efficient yet light-weight mechanism is needed to determine if the up-date would invalidate the document. Towards this goal, we developed a framework called SAXE, we first analyzed the constraints expressed in XML schema specifications and establish constraint rules that must be observed for an XML document to conform to a given XML Schema. We then classify the rules as relevant for a given update case, that is, we show the minimal set of rules that must be checked to guarantee the safety for each given update primitive. Next, we illustrate that this set of incremental constraint checks can be specified using generic XQuery expressions composed of three components. These components are (1) XML schema meta-queries to retrieve any constraint knowledge potentially relevant to the given update, (2) retrieval of specific characteristics from the to-be-modified XML, and (3) lastly an analysis of information collected about the XML schema and the affected XML document to determine validity of the update. As proof of concept, we have established a library of these generic XQuery constraint checks for the type-related constraints. The key idea of SAXE is to rewrite each XQuery update into a safe XML Query by extending it with appropriate constraint check subqueries. This enhanced XML This enhanced XML update query can then safely be executed using any existing XQuery engine that supports updates - thus turning any update engine automatically into an incremental constraint-check engine. In order to verify the feasibility of our approach, we have implemented a prototype system SAXE that generates safe XQuery updates. Our experimental evaluation assesses the overhead of rewriting, as well as the relative performance of our loosely-coupled incremental constraint check approach against the more traditional first-change-document and then revalidate-it approach.
Prospective study of natural cytotoxicity in peripheral blood of patients with nonlymphoid solid malignancies

Natural killer (NK) cells have been implicated as an initial immunosurveillance mechanism for carcinogenesis in humans. Work in the murine system as well as the findings of depressed NK activity in patients with advanced malignancies and the discovery of increased incidences of cancer in humans congenitally deficient in NK ability have supported this. Few prospective studies have demonstrated a prognostic change in NK activity with respect to malignant disease course. In 32 healthy donors, NK activity against K562 was determined. No race or sex difference existed with respect to NK cell function. Esophageal (5), bronchogenic (3), breast (3), cervical (3), and endometrial (1) cancer patients who had received no prior chemotherapy were compared to controls. All patients subsequently received radiotherapy. Prior to such treatment NK activity could not be associated with stage of malignancy. Of the 15 patients studied, 11 were sequentially followed. Five of eight patients with stable or improving clinical courses as assessed by weight and Karnofsky scores were found to have increasing NK activity. Two of three patients with poor clinical courses presented with subnormal killing which never rose to normal while the third declined to subnormal before expiring. Esophageal, cervical, and endometrial carcinoma patients all presented with low or subnormal NK activity. Of these, only cervical and endometrial cancer patients exhibited an increase to normal levels.
Application of the scaled subprofile model to functional imaging in neuropsychiatric disorders: A principal component approach to modeling brain function in disease

Recent advances in functional neuroimaging have presented a challenge to traditional statistical methods in characterizing the effects of neuropsychiatric illness on brain function. The most common approach for analyzing regional group differences has relied on t-tests with significance thresholds selected to reduce the potential effect of multiple statistical tests. Regional covariance analysis offers an alternative to this threshold-based, group difference approach by identifying the functional interactions among brain regions that can be spatially distributed throughout the brain. The Scaled Subprofile Model (SSM) is one form of regional covariance analysis that has been applied to the study of patient groups. Based on a modified principal component analysis, the SSM offers a method for modeling regionally specific patterns of brain function whose expression can be evaluated between groups and validated against clinical measures of patient disease severity and neuropsychological test scores. We review the application of the SSM, to date, in studies of the effects of neurological and psychiatric illness on brain function, including a discussion of SSM methodology and its application to the study of resting state functional neuroimaging in patient groups. SSM analyses applied to studies of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, major depressive disorder, AIDS dementia complex, and neoplastic disease each identified functionally specific topographic effects that were associated with clinical disease severity. The results of the SSM analyses suggest that neuropsychiatric disorders may alter functional networks or systems of neural activity in ways that can be expressed as regional covariance patterns in resting functional imaging data. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A new algorithm for the two-polygon containment problem

Abstract This article addresses the two-polygon containment problem. The problem is to determine if two polygons, denoted P1, and P2, can fit inside a fixed polygon Q without overlap. The case when P1 and P2 are allowed to translate and rotate and all three polygons are convex, is considered. After characterizing the solution space, an approach utilizing mathematical programming is introduced. An efficient algorithm is developed and implemented for the special case when sides of P1 and P2 are matching. The problem is solved by viewing it as a parametric programming problem with a nonlinear parameter. As the algorithm proceeds, optimality conditions (primal feasibility, dual feasibility, and complementary slackness) are maintained continuously. The complexity of the algorithm is O(b(p1 + p2)q), where p1, p2, and q are the numbers of vertices in the polygons, and b is the number of dual bases encountered (switches in combinations of contacts being maintained) as the angle of rotation ranges through 2π radians. The detailed algebraic development, an example, and computational experience are included.
The role of freshman writing in academic bibliographic instruction

Abstract The history of freshman writing programs and bibliographic instruction (BI) is reviewed to determine the extent to which freshman writing is used as a vehicle for BI, the perceptions of BI librarians, and the instruction methods used for the delivery of BI. Survey results are analyzed and recommendations made.
Changes in Urinary Bladder Neurotrophic Factor mRNA and NGF Protein Following Urinary Bladder Dysfunction

Spinal cord injury and cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis dramatically alter lower urinary tract function and produce neurochemical, electrophysiological, and anatomical changes that may contribute to reorganization of the micturition reflex. Mechanisms underlying this neural plasticity may involve alterations in neurotrophic factors in the urinary bladder. These studies have determined neurotrophic factors in the urinary bladder that may contribute to reorganization of the micturition reflex following cystitis or spinal cord injury. A ribonuclease protection assay was used to measure changes in urinary bladder neurotrophic factor mRNA (betaNGF, BDNF, GDNF, CNTF, NT-3, and NT-4) following spinal cord injury (acute/chronic) or cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis (acute/chronic). The correlation between urinary bladder nerve growth factor mRNA and nerve growth factor protein expression was also determined. Each experimental paradigm resulted in significant (P </= 0.05-0.005) changes in urinary bladder neurotrophic factor mRNA, although the magnitude of the changes differed between paradigms. Urinary bladders from rats with acute spinal cord injury (4 days) exhibited the largest increase in neurotrophic factor mRNA levels (betaNGF, 21-fold increase; BDNF, 78-fold increase; GDNF, 11-fold increase; CNTF, 5.5-fold increase; NT-3, 10-fold increase; NT-4, 25-fold increase) relative to control urinary bladders. More modest but significant increases were demonstrated for urinary bladders from rats with chronic (4-6 weeks) spinal cord injury. Significant increases in urinary bladder neurotrophic factor mRNA levels of comparable magnitude were demonstrated following either acute or chronic cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. Increased abundance of urinary bladder nerve growth factor mRNA was not always associated with increased total urinary bladder nerve growth factor. Total urinary bladder nerve growth factor decreased following acute or chronic cystitis despite increased abundance of nerve growth factor mRNA. Urinary bladder nerve growth factor mRNA correlates with protein measures 5-6 weeks following spinal cord injury but not earlier. The 5- to 6-week time point coincided with the reemergence of the spinal bladder-to-bladder reflex mechanisms following spinal cord injury. Discrepancies between two measures (mRNA and protein) may reflect retrograde axonal transport of nerve growth factor to the dorsal root ganglia (L6-S1). Retrogradely transported NGF may play a role in altered lower urinary tract function following spinal cord injury or cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis.
Desorption electrospray ionization and electrosonic spray ionization for solid- and solution-phase analysis of industrial polymers

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and electrosonic spray ionization (ESSI), two new techniques, are used to measure average molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of solid-phase and solution-phase samples of the same polymers.
Dynamics of a pinned magnetic vortex

We observe the dynamics of a single magnetic vortex pinned by a defect in a ferromagnetic film. At low excitation amplitudes, the vortex core gyrates about its equilibrium position with a frequency that is characteristic of a single pinning site. At high amplitudes, the frequency of gyration is determined by the magnetostatic energy of the entire vortex, which is confined in a micron-scale disk. We observe a sharp transition between these two amplitude regimes that is due to depinning of the vortex core from a local defect. The distribution of pinning sites is determined by mapping fluctuations in the frequency as the vortex core is displaced by a static in-plane magnetic field.
An interactive multiobjective model for the strategic maritime transportation of petroleum products: risk analysis and routing

Dealing with the maritime transportation of crude oil and petroleum products has become a problem of major international concern due to the potential of environmental pollution created by oil spill incidents. This paper presents the development of a strategic multiobjective network flow model, allowing for risk analysis and routing, with multiple commodities, modalities and origin-destination pairs. The development of an interactive solution methodology is also presented followed by its implementation via a World Wide Web-based software package. Government agencies will find the model helpful in determining how regulations should be set to derive desirable routing schemes. Shippers will also find the model useful in optimizing their logistics costs.
Planar shielded-loop resonators for wireless non-radiative power transfer

A planar analog to the conventional coaxial shielded-loop resonator used for wireless non-radiative power transfer (WNPT) is introduced. Simulation and experimental results show that the inner conductor need not be completely shielded by the outer conductor to achieve resonance and efficient power transfer. The prototypes also demonstrate the ease and consistency of fabrication compared to conventional coaxial shielded loops.
Environmental inhibition of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Gossypol, a polyphenolic compound from cotton seed, caused hypokalemia in some men receiving it in a trial of its contraceptive activity. Searching for the mechanism for its hypokalemic action led to the observation that it inhibited 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This would enhance mineralocorticoid effect in the kidney. Many other polyphenols also inhibit this enzyme including those in grapefruit juice. Ingesting 1-2 l of grapefruit juice inhibited this enzyme in two men in a clinical experiment. Tea polyphenols inhibit this enzyme and add to the inhibition caused by gossypol. Men in China have lower serum potassium values than men elsewhere and this is due to the environment, presumably the diet, in China. The importance of dietary and other exogenous inhibitors of this enzyme in electrolyte metabolism remains to be determined.