cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vibration Analysis of Rotating Asymmetric Structures

This paper is to develop a unified algorithm to analyze vibration of spinning asymmetric rotors with arbitrary geometry and complexity. As a first approximation, the effects of housings and bearings are not included in this analysis. The unified algorithm consists of three steps. The first step is to conduct a finite element analysis on the corresponding stationary rotor to extract natural frequencies and mode shapes. The second step is to represent the vibration of the spinning rotor in terms of the mode shapes and their modal response in a coordinate system that is rotating with the spinning rotor. Through use of the Lagrange equation, one can derive the modal equation of motion. To construct the equation of motion explicitly, the results from the finite element analysis will be used to calculate the gyroscopic matrix, centrifugal stiffening (or softening) matrix, and generalized modal excitation vector. The third step is to solve the equation of motion to obtain the modal response, which, in turn, will lead to physical response of the rotor for a rotor-based observer or for a ground-based observer through a coordinate transformation. Finally, application of the algorithm to rotationally periodic rotors indicates that Campbell diagrams of the rotors will not only have traditional forward and backward branches as in axisymmetric rotors, but also have secondary resonances caused by higher harmonics resulting from the mode shapes. Calibrated experiments were conducted on an air bearing spindles carrying slotted circular disks to verify the theoretical predictions in the ground-based coordinates.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
A spirodiepoxide-based strategy to the A-B ring system of pectenotoxin 4.

A synthesis of a pectenotoxin 4 C1−C15 segment is reported. Suitable C1−C7 and C8−C15 segments were prepared, coupled, converted to I and the C3-hydroxy variant, and then cyclized. Key findings include the stereoselective conversion of the allene to the corresponding spirodiepoxide, oxidative cleavage of the p-methoxybenzyl ether, and cyclization of the spirodiepoxide to spiroketal II.
PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Angiogenesis

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is activated in the majority of human cancers. This pathway is known to play a key role in numerous cellular functions including proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, metabolism, and survival, but in the current review we focus on its role in angiogenesis. PI3K activation may occur via RAS mutation, loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), or by increased expression of growth factor receptors such as epidermal growth factor receptor. There is a connection between the PI3K pathway and angiogenesis. Hypoxia leads to HIF-1α stabilization and is a major stimulus for increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by tumor cells. However, activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in tumor cells can also increase VEGF secretion, both by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) dependent and independent mechanisms. The PI3K/AKT pathway also modulates the expression of other angiogenic factors such as nitric oxide and angiopoietins. Numerous inhibitors targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway have been developed, and these agents have been shown to decrease VEGF secretion and angiogenesis. The effect of these inhibitors on tumor vasculature can be difficult to predict. The vasculature of tumors is aberrant, leading to sluggish bloodflow and elevated interstitial blood pressure, which can be perpetuated by the high levels of VEGF. Hence, decreasing VEGF expression can paradoxically lead to vascular normalization and improved bloodflow in some tumors. In addition to its importance in cancer, the PI3K pathway also plays an essential role in the formation of normal blood vessels during development. Embryos with kinase-dead p110α catalytic subunit of PI3K develop vascular defects. Stimulation of endothelial cells by VEGF leads to activation of the PI3K pathway within these cells, which is important for cell migration. Sustained endothelial activation of AKT1 has been shown to induce the formation of structurally abnormal blood vessels that recapitulate the aberrations of tumor vessels. Hence, the PI3K pathway plays an important role in regulating angiogenesis both in normal tissues and in cancers.
Ecology of a bolas spider, Mastophora hutchinsoni: phenology, hunting tactics, and evidence for aggressive chemical mimicry.

Bolas spiders are relatively rare members of the large family known as orb weavers. Instead of using a typical web to capture prey, late-stadia and adult female bolas spiders swing a droplet of adhesive on a thread at flying insects. Mastophora hutchinsoni (Araneae: Araneidae) is one of five Mastophora species known from the United States and occurs over much of eastern North America. It is univoltine in Kentucky and overwinters in the egg stage. Spiderling emerged in May, the diminutive males matured in late June and early July, and females matured in early September. Eggs were produced from late September to late October or early November. This report is the first complete documentation of the population phenology of any bolas spider. Newly-emerged M. hutchinsoni spiderlings did not use a bolas, but instead hunted by positioning themselves on the underside of leaf margins where they ambushed small arthropods that crawled along the leaf margins. Subadult and adult female M. hutchinsoni used a bolas to capture moths. Only male moths were captured, specifically three species of Noctuidae (bristly cutworm, bronzed cutworm, and smoky tetanolita) and one species of Pyralidae (bluegrass webworm). Among 492 prey captured by more than twenty spiders at two sites during 1985 and 1986, smoky tetanolita moths and bristly cutworm moths accounted for 93% of the total. The flight behavior of approaching moths, the limited taxa caught from a large available moth fauna, and the fact that only males were caught support the hypothesis that the spider attracts its prey by producing chemicals which mimic the sex pheromones of these moth species. Adult female M. hutchinsoni frequently captured more than one moth species on a given night. The two most common prey species were active at different times of night, the bristly cutworm soon after nightfall and the smoky tetanolita generally between 11:00 p.m. and dawn. This pattern suggests that mating activity of these moth species may be temporally isolated, a common phenomenon when sympatric species have similar pheromones. If so, the spider could capture both species without producing different pheromone-mimicking compounds, simply by hunting during the activity period of each species.
toward a perceptual model of folk biological classification1

The notion of taxonomic structure has played a central role in recent descriptions and analyses of folk systems of biological classification. The increasingly apparent inadequacies of that notion as a model of folk classification processes justify a fundamental theoretical reorientation. Reasonably interpretable and formally adequate definitions of inductive classification (Postulate I) and of dissimilarities in a classification space (Postulate II) are more adequate than the taxonomic model for understanding patterns observed in folk biological classification systems. A non-rigorous extension of this “perceptual model” deals with the key problem of taxonomic ranks.
The relationship between electrode area and amplifier input impedance in recording muscle action potentials

The high impedance of glass micropipettes is widely recognized and appropriate attention is given to the amplifier input impedance required to reproduce bioelectric events recorded with these electrodes. However, similar precautions are often ignored when using metal microelectrodes, because it is often assumed that their impedance is much lower than micropipettes of comparable size. This paper reports on studies of the relationship between metal microelectrode area and amplifier input impedance required to record faithfully the action potential of frog skeletal muscle. The distortion of the EMG, as the amplifier input impedance was intentionally lowered in discrete steps, is quantitated in terms of the resultant per cent tilt of a square wave inserted along with the action potential. In addition, the impedance vs. frequency relationship is plotted for two metal microelectrodes of 100 and 1600 μ2 in area. This relationship shows the increased impedance at lower frequencies resulting from the capacitance produced by the electrical double layer. Results show that the minimum input impedance required for proper EMG recording ranges from 88 MΩ for steel electrodes of 500 μ2 in area to 1 megohm for electrodes of 125,000 μ2.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ agonist improve vascular function and decrease renal injury in hypertensive obese rats

Cardiometabolic syndrome occurs with obesity and consists of pathophysiological factors that increase the risk for cardiovascular events. Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition (sEHi) is a novel therapeutic approach that exerts renal and cardiovascular protection. Although sEHi as a therapeutic approach is promising, it could be more effective for the treatment of cardiometabolic syndrome when combined with peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists. We hypothesized that the PPARγ agonist, rosiglitazone in combination with a sEHi (tAUCB) will provide synergistic actions to decrease blood pressure, improve vascular function, decrease inflammation, and prevent renal damage in spontaneously hypertensive obese rats (SHROB). SHROB were treated with rosiglitazone, tAUCB or the combination of tAUCB and rosiglitazone for four-weeks and compared with spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Blood pressure increased in SHROB (164±7 mmHg) and decreased 10 mmHg when treated with ...
Does Code Switching Take Time? a Comparison of Results in Experimental and Natural Settings, with Some Implications for Bilingual Language Processing:

This paper addresses the question of whether or not natural code switching talk takes an observable amount of time (in comparison with unilingual speech), as has been suggested by a good deal of experimental research on bilingual language processing. Some of the major studies on this topic are discussed and their results compared with the switching times determined for a Spanish-English bilingual in spontaneous code switching. Implications of the findings are also discussed in relation to a number of issues in research on bilingualism.
Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in Coronary Care Unit Patients: Indications, Safety, and Clinical Implications

Study objectives To evaluate the indications, safety, therapeutic impact, and outcome of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in coronary care unit (CCU) patients. Design Retrospective review of all CCU patients undergoing FOB during a 6-year period. Setting Tertiary care university hospital. Results Among 8,330 patients admitted to the CCU; 40 (0.5%) patients underwent FOB to evaluate pulmonary abnormalities, most often (78%) to appraise clinically suspected pneumonia. Thirty-five (88%) patients were intubated and 21 (53%) had acute myocardial infarction (MI) before FOB. There were two major complications (bleeding, intubation) occurring within 24 h of FOB, one of which appeared due to the procedure. No episodes of chest pain or ischemic events were recorded and no significant increase in major complications was noted in MI patients (3% vs 5%). Patients having FOB within 10 days of MI had higher survival (79%) than those undergoing FOB later (29%) (p = 0.05). Seven different bacterial pathogens were isolated in 6 (15%) patients, probably reflecting prior empiric antibiotics in 32 (80%) patients. Therapy was changed in 64% of patients in whom a potential pathogen was identified. Despite alterations in treatment, patients with clinically suspected pneumonia and any organisms isolated by FOB had greater mortality (79% vs 31%, p = 0.003) than those with sterile FOB cultures. Conclusion FOB may be diagnostically useful in the evaluation of pulmonary abnormalities in selected patients with acute cardiac disease, can be performed safely, and may influence management decisions. Positive bronchoscopy cultures often influence therapy but are associated with higher mortality, suggesting a lethal effect of nosocomial pneumonia in this subset of CCU patients. The risks of FOB must be weighed with the impact of FOB results on patient outcome, and its role requires further investigation.
An Inconvenient Truth : a focus on its portrayal of the hydrologic cycle

An Inconvenient Truth (AIT) has earned Al Gore an Oscar and a share of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and has been widely acclaimed by the mass media. However, significant errors exist in the film, owing to alarmism and exaggeration. As this forum does not provide for a detailed examination of these errors, this paper will focus only on the portrayal of the hydrologic cycle by AIT—precipitation and floods, soil moisture and droughts, and storminess. AIT argues that precipitation and intense rainfalls, floods, droughts, and the total number, intensity, and duration of tropical cyclones have all increased due exclusively to anthropogenically-driven climate change; indeed, AIT paints a picture of near scientific certainty with an overwhelming bias toward catastrophe scenarios. A closer look at the science, however, reveals that the data do not support these claims and that the scientific community is divided as to what the impact of anthropogenic climate change on the hydrologic cycle will be. Thus, the film gives a false impression of both the current state of climate change and that ‘the science is settled’.
Investigation of wire electrical discharge machining of thin cross-sections and compliant mechanisms

The wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) of cross-section with minimum thickness and compliant mechanisms are studied. Effects of EDM process parameters, particularly the spark cycle time and spark on-time on thin cross-section cutting of Nd-Fe-B magnetic material, carbon bipolar plate, and titanium are investigated. An envelope of feasible wire EDM process parameters is generated for Ti. The application of such envelope to select suitable EDM process parameters for micro feature generation is demonstrated. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of EDM surface, subsurface, and debris are presented. SEM observations lead to a hypothesis based on the thermal and electrostatic stress induced fracture to explain the limiting factor for wire EDM cutting of thin-sections. Applications of the thin cross-section cutting for EDM compliant mechanisms are discussed.© 2004 ASME
Hydrolysis of polypeptides and proteins utilizing a mixture of dipeptidylaminopeptidases with analysis by GC/MS.

Abstract The hydrolysis of polypeptides and proteins to dipeptides using a mixture of dipeptidylaminopeptidase I and IV is demonstrated for several compounds. The dipeptide products were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of their acyl, ester derivatives. Partial hydrolysis of carboxymethylated soybean trypsin inhibitor (mw 20,327) shows the viability of the methods with an intact protein. Polypeptides with N-terminal arginyl or lysyl residues, which cannot be hydrolyzed by dipeptidylaminopeptidase I alone, are readily hydrolyzed by the dipeptidylaminopeptidase I IV mixture, as shown by the digestion of ribonuclease S-peptide. The enzyme mixture releases dipeptides from the N-terminus of a polypeptide or protein with hydrolysis being terminated only when proline appears in position three of a remaining polypeptide fragment. The techniques are discussed in terms of new types of analyses which can be performed using this combined enzyme-GC/MS method.
Methylphenidate in hyperactive children: Differential effects of dose on academic, learning, and social behavior

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) has been shown to have differential effects on hyperactive children's behavior as a function of dose level. In the present investigation, a triple-blind, placebo-control, within-subject (crossover) experimental design was employed in which 12 hyperactive boys between 6 and 10 years received three different dosages of methylphenidate (5, 10, and 15 mg) in a randomly assigned sequence. Dosage effects were assessed on clinic(PAL-Paired Associates Learning test) and school-(percent on task, teacher ratings, work completion rates, and accuracy) related behaviors. For 10 of the children, classified as responders to medication by the PAL using the criteria of Swanson, Kinsbourne, and colleagues, a series of ANCOVAs with repeated measures showed significant dosage effects on teacher ratings (p ⋖01), percent on task (p ⋖01), academic accuracy (p ⋖05), and assignment completion rates (p ⋖05). PAL performance was also significantly enhanced (p ⋖01) after optimal dose levels were considered. Subsequent trend analysis showed a significant positive linear relationship between dose and each of the dependent variables. A comparison of fixed-dose and miligram-per-kilogram plots showed that children's performance across the different dosages were clearly individualistic and task-specific, even when similar body weights were compared. The implications of using clinic-based testing to determine optimal medication responsivity were discussed.
Hyperspectral image compressive projection algorithm

We describe a compressive projection algorithm and experimentally assess its performance when used with a Hyperspectral Image Projector (HIP). The HIP is being developed by NIST for system-level performance testing of hyperspectral and multispectral imagers. It projects a two-dimensional image into the unit under test (UUT), whereby each pixel can have an independently programmable arbitrary spectrum. To efficiently project a single frame of dynamic realistic hyperspectral imagery through the collimator into the UUT, a compression algorithm has been developed whereby the series of abundance images and corresponding endmember spectra that comprise the image cube of that frame are first computed using an automated endmember-finding algorithm such as the Sequential Maximum Angle Convex Cone (SMACC) endmember model. Then these endmember spectra are projected sequentially on the HIP spectral engine in sync with the projection of the abundance images on the HIP spatial engine, during the singleframe exposure time of the UUT. The integrated spatial image captured by the UUT is the endmember-weighted sum of the abundance images, which results in the formation of a datacube for that frame. Compressive projection enables a much smaller set of broadband spectra to be projected than monochromatic projection, and thus utilizes the inherent multiplex advantage of the HIP spectral engine. As a result, radiometric brightness and projection frame rate are enhanced. In this paper, we use a visible breadboard HIP to experimentally assess the compressive projection algorithm performance.
Homology between regulatory subunits of type I cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases from bovine and murine cells☆

The major cAMP-binding proteins isolated from [35S]methionine-labeled S49 mouse lymphoma cells or MDBK bovine kidney cells correspond in isoelectric point and apparent molecular weight to the regulatory subunit (R) of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase. These proteins were compared directly by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of peptides generated either from native R with thermolysin and chymotrypsin or from denatured R with papain. Both the undigested proteins and all their major peptides were identical in charge and apparent molecular weights, indicating a very high degree of structural homology.
2014 Curt Stern Award: A Tryst with Genetics1

The future beckons to us. Whither do we go and what shall be our endeavor? … We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full.—Jawaharlal Nehru (“Tryst with Destiny”)
Spatially resolved spectral observations of Asteroid 951 Gaspra

On October 29, 1991 the Galileo spacecraft encountered Asteroid 951 Gaspra with a telescopic CCD camera and a near infrared mapping spectrometer that provided the first optically resolved views of any asteroid. Data from these two sensors were combined to detect the spectral signature of iron bearing minerals on this S-type asteroid. A minimum of two spectral units were identified on 951 Gaspra, both containing a higher relative abundance of olivine than those found in ordinary chondrites. These data indicate that this S asteroid is an object that has undergone igneous differentiation processes. A 2.7 μm spectral feature was also detected on the surface of 951 Gaspra and may be due to the presence of structural OH.
The structural basis of the carcinogenic and mutagenic potentials of phytoalexins

CASE, a structure-activity relational system, was used to predict the proportion of substances to be carcinogenic and mutagenic among plant pesticides (phytoalexins) and other natural products compared to that of randomly selected chemicals. There were no significant differences between phytoalexins and other natural products. On the other hand, the natural products, as a group, were predicted to be less mutagenic and carcinogenic than randomly selected chemicals. 37% of natural products are predicted to be rodent carcinogens.
Quantifying absorption by aquatic particles: A multiple scattering correction for glass-fiber filters

Abstract : Absorption spectra measured for aquatic particles concentrated onto glass-fiber filters require a correction for the increase in pathlength caused by multiple scattering in the glass-fiber filter. A multiple scattering correction was calculated from optical density spectral for 48 phytoplankton cultures of seven species representing a variety of cell sizes, pigment groups, and call-wall types. The relationship between optical density in suspensions and on filters was not wavelength-dependent. Differences between blank filters were always spectrally neutral. Small differences between relationships for single species were inconclusive. Given the absence of wavelength-dependent effects, we report a single general quadratic relationship, OD(susp)(lambda) = 0.378 OD(filt)(lambda) + 0.523 OD(filt)(lambda)2 (r2 = 0.988), for correcting glass- fiber filter spectra. For independent samples, the average error in predicting OD(susp)(lambda) with this algorithm at any wavelength was 2%. Greatest errors were in spectral regions of low absorption. Absorption spectra for particles concentrated onto glass-fiber filters can be quantitatively corrected for multiple scattering within this limit. Applicability of the algorithm to field samples of varied composition was enhanced by using a large number of spectra and a range of cell types in algorithm development. Optical oceanography, Physical oceanography, Absorption, Scattering.
Fumarole distribution, morphology, and encrustation mineralogy associated with the 1986 eruptive deposits of mount St. Augustine, Alaska

Numerous rootless fumaroles were developed on pyroclastic flows and a lava flow generated during the March 1986 eruptive cycle of Mount St. Augustine. Gases issued from fumarole vents with four different shapes: fissure, phreatic explosion crater, single/multiple ovoid opening, and diffuse, multiple opening. Fumarole distribution and morphology were controlled by preeruption drainage and topography, as well as by the thickness, compaction, and settling of the flow deposits. Fumarole temperatures measured in June and July 1986 ranged from 75°–394°C. Varying amounts of colorful and often roughly zoned encrustations are associated with all fumarole vent shapes. Only six types of crystalline phases were detected by X-ray diffraction, with gypsum the most abundant mineral, followed by anhydrite, sulfur, tridymite, halite, and soda alum. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed a number of amorphous phases, mainly halogen-rich, as well as other minor crystalline phases. The mineral assemblages in the encrustations suggest formation conditions for these deposits within a general range of 25°–250°C in an oxidizing environment. Many of the amorphous phases are metastable and upon cooling of the fumarole lose nonstructural water and crystallize to more stable forms. The high halogen contents of the fumarole condensates and the mineralogy, chemistry, and morphology of the encrustations support leaching of the andesitic ash and lava flow by condensed acid vapors as the primary source for the chemical components contained in the encrustations. Comparison of traceelement (Sr, Ba, V, Co, Ni, and Cr) contents in unaltered and altered ash suggests that trace-element distribution follows a pattern of isomorphic substitution in the encrustation phases.
Wide area interaction using telephoto imaging

Conventional interaction researches deal with relatively small spaces with physical proximity or completely distant spaces without physical proximity. However, there is an intermediate range of them. The distance to a target for interaction is longer than physical proximity but the target can be seen in a view. Such situations occur in sport stadiums, construction sites, cities, and so on. We call interaction in such a range as wide area interaction. As for wide area interaction, there are some researches on the infrastructure aspect [Blackstock et al. 2006], but there are few on the practical interaction method. Our approach is to utilize telephoto lens. With telephoto lens, a user can address a distant object and point the exact coordinate on the surface of the object from a distant place.
Aliasing in human foveal vision

Abstract An improved laser interferometer allows forced choice contrast sensitivity measurements that are relatively unaffected by optical blurring in the eye. At spatial frequencies above about 60–70 c/deg. the regular bars of the interference fringe are no longer visible: observers report a pattern resembling zebra stripes centered on the line of sight. The characteristics of this pattern are consistent with the hypothesis that it is a moirepattern resulting from aliasing by the foveal cone mosaic. Properties of this moirepattern allow an assessment of the regularity of the foveal lattice, the spacing between cones, and the light-catching area of individual cones.
The AED free storage package

The most fundamental underlying problem in sophisticated software systems involving elaborate, changing data structure is dynamic storage allocation for flexible problem modeling. The Free Storage Package of the AED-1 Compiler System allows blocks of available storage to be obtained and returned for reuse. The total available space is partitioned into a hierarchy of free storage zones, each of which has its own characteristics. Blocks may be of any size, and special provisions allow efficient handling of selected sizes, control of shattering and garbage collection, and sharing of physical space between zones. The routines of the package perform high level functions automatically, but also allow access and control of fine internal details as well.
Modeling time-dependent and inelastic response of fiber reinforced polymer composites

Abstract This study presents two micromechanical modeling approaches for analyzing a time-dependent and inelastic response of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. The studied FRP composites consist of unidirectional fibers, which are considered as linearly elastic and transversely isotropic with regards to their mechanical response, and isotropic polymeric matrix, which shows viscoelastic–viscoplastic response. Due to the combined viscoelastic and viscoplastic behavior of the polymeric matrix, the overall FRP composites exhibit the time-dependent and inelastic behavior. The first micromechanical model is based on a simplified unit-cell with four fiber and matrix subcells, which is formulated in terms of the average (uniform) stress and strain fields of each subcell. The unit-cell model is compatible with a displacement based finite element (FE), which is implemented at the Gaussian integration points within the continuum finite elements. The second micromechanics model considers detailed microstructural morphologies of the FRP microstructure, which incorporate the effects of fiber arrangements, stress concentrations, and stress discontinuities at the fiber and matrix interphases on the overall response of the FRP composites. The representative microstructural models of the FRP with detailed microstructural morphologies are generated using continuum finite elements. The overall time-dependent and inelastic responses of the FRP composites determined from the two micromechanical models are studied. The convergence behaviors in the above micromechanics models are also examined.
Quantification of the radionuclide image

The clinical value of radionuclide images can be increased by using quantification. The earliest radionuclide images were digital or quantitative in nature, but they were soon replaced by analog photoscans. Now, with the introduction of computers, quantitative digital scanning is again becoming widely used. Interfacing either rectilinear scanners or Anger-type scintillation cameras to a computer is no longer a difficult problem. Relatively low costs, insignificant dead times, and dependability are easy to achieve. The selection of an appropriate sampling interval is an important problem in quantitative scanning. If the interval is too large, resolution is degraded; it it is too small, costs increase rapidly, and counts recorded during each interval become so small that they lack statistical validity. This is true for both spatial (the static image) and temporal (dynamic function) analysis. Using sampling theory, a basis for interval selection is developed. With an Anger-type scintillation camera, 128×128 recording results in negligible degradation of resolution, a 64×64 array introduces detectable but acceptable loss, and a 32×32 array results in serious loss. The computer/camera system at the Denver VA Hospital has been designed for maximum flexibility and ease of use by the clinician and technician. New developments for this system allow display in different shades of gray with variable contrast, selective intensification of levels or regions of interest, framing rates of 20/sec, input of remote analog signals via telephone, resolution enhancement, and a sophisticated curve-analysis program with functions such as curve fitting, integration, differentiation, Fourier transformation, and deconvolution. Resolution enhancement of static images is carried out in the frequency domain through a new adaptive method of filtering and deconvolution with empirically selected logarithmic functions. Use of the system for dynamic studies is illustrated using radionuclide angiocardiography. Ventricular end systolic and diastolic volume, ejection fractions, and forward and backward (regurgitant) stroke volumes through all four cardiac valves can be determined quantitatively. Computed radioisotopic end diastolic volumes and ejection fractions correlate well with similar measurements determined by left cine ventriculography.
Color-invariant shape moments for object recognition

Geometric moments have been widely used in many shape recognition and object classification tasks. These monomials are usually computed from binary or gray-level images for the object shape recognition invariant to rotation, translation, and scaling. In this paper, we attempt to calculate the shape related moments from color images, and study their noise immunity and color invariance property for the application areas of face recognition and content based image retrieval. To this end, we describe a computationally efficient method of converting a vector-valued color image into a gray scale for robust moment computation. Geometric moments are calculated from the resultant scalar representation of a color image data, and proven to be robust shape descriptors for the face and flower images. The generated shape invariants appear to have better noise immunity than the Hu moments and exhibit characteristics invariant to hue changes in the object colors. As compared to the Zernike polynomials, the proposed feature set has higher discriminatory power although the Zernike polynomials present superior noise rejection capability. Robust performance, computational efficiency, high noise immunity, and hue invariance property of the new approach are particularly useful for fast image retrieval tasks requiring high query accuracy.
stathmin, a Gene Enriched in the Amygdala, Controls Both Learned and Innate Fear

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of learned and innate fear. We have identified stathmin, an inhibitor of microtubule formation, as highly expressed in the lateral nucleus (LA) of the amygdala as well as in the thalamic and cortical structures that send information to the LA about the conditioned (learned fear) and unconditioned stimuli (innate fear). Whole-cell recordings from amygdala slices that are isolated from stathmin knockout mice show deficits in spike-timing-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP). The knockout mice also exhibit decreased memory in amygdala-dependent fear conditioning and fail to recognize danger in innately aversive environments. By contrast, these mice do not show deficits in the water maze, a spatial task dependent on the hippocampus, where stathmin is not normally expressed. We therefore conclude that stathmin is required for the induction of LTP in afferent inputs to the amygdala and is essential in regulating both innate and learned fear.
A normal incidence scanning reflectometer of high precision.

A near-normal incidence (~6°) reflectometer system is described that records continuously and directly the reflectance R(ω) as a range of photon energies is scanned. The system has an absolute error of ±2 × 10−2 and a relative error of ±2 × 10−5. It incorporates a quartz light pipe rotating at 70 Hz which captures light from the incident and the reflected beam, respectively, during about 20% of its period of rotation in either case. A gating circuit separates the output signal of the photomultiplier into two channels, corresponding to the incident and the reflected beam, respectively. The signal corresponding to the incident beam is kept constant by a servo system which regulates the gain of the photomultiplier. The reflectance is thus proportional to the signal of the second channel, which is recorded as a function of photon energy. Portions of the reflectance spectrum of Ge are given as examples. No trace of a fine structure in the reflectance of Ge below 2 eV is found.
Rayleigh scattering measurements of the gas concentration field in turbulent jets

A technique based on Rayleigh scattering has been developed to measure the concentration field in a cross section of a turbulent gas jet. Such measurements enable one to quantitativel y study turbulent mixing mechanisms and structures. A similar experiment was previously performed using Lorenz/Mie scattered light from aerosol particles introduced into the nozzle gas. The Rayleigh technique provides better spatial resolution, avoiding the limitations due to aerosol seeding, and in particular is capable of monitoring molecular diffusion, a fact which should be of importance in studying reactive turbulence.
An in vitro quantitative analysis of the response of tadpole tissue to thyroxine

Dorsal tail fins of tadpoles, (Rana pipiens) at various stages of metamorphosis, were cut into pieces or discs and then cultured either in Hanks balanced salt solution or Hanks containing L-thyroxine (T4). Six concentrations of T4 were tested: 3, 9, 27, 81, 250, and 750 parts per billion (ppb). In addition, early prometamorphic discs were cultured in medium containing 3 ppb of T4 for different periods of time: 1, 3, 5, and 7 days and then placed into control medium for the remainder of the experimental period. Controls for this experiment were maintained continuously in either 3 ppb of T4 or in control medium. To test the specificity of response to T4 early prometamorphic discs were cultured in medium containing KI, DL-thyronine or DL-diiodothyronine. Discs respond to treatment with thyroxine by shrinkage. The degree of shrinkage was determined quantitatively by measurement of area. The results show that a direct quantitative relationship exists between concentration of thyroxine and resorption. Resorption is dependent upon the continuous presence of T4. It was also demonstrated that tail discs change in their sensitivity to thyroxine at progressive stages of metamorphosis. It is proposed that the increased sensitivity of tail tissues to T4 during metamorphosis results from their previous exposure to a low but rising level of thyroid hormone that increases sharply in the donor tissues one to two days before the emergence of the forelegs. Finally, it was demonstrated that these results represent the specific action of thyroid hormone.
Speed kills? Reassessing the role of speed, precision, and situation awareness in the Fall of Saddam

Abstract Many believe that US speed, precision, and situation awareness account for low Coalition casualties and limited damage to Iraqi infrastructure in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The details of the campaign's actual conduct, however, suggest otherwise. An analysis using evidence collected in a series of 176 interviews with a wide range of campaign participants from both sides of the conflict suggests that Iraqi weaknesses, and not just US strengths, may have been necessary preconditions for the initial campaign's low cost – a finding with very different implications for defense policy than the prevailing view.
Biot’s breathing

Neurological disease may affect breathing cycles and rhythms.1 Several classic central periodic breathing patterns have been described. Biot’s breathing—also known as ataxic breathing—is a breathing pattern in patients with acute neurological disease, but is rarely mentioned in the neurological literature. It can be contrasted with Cheyne–Stokes breathing (periodic stereotypical crescendo–decrescendo hyperpnoea followed by apnoea) and apneustic breathing (periodic prolonged inspiratory hold). Biot’s breathing may be a rare phenomenon or just not noticed. Biot’s contribution is discussed here. Camille Biot was born in Chatenoy-le-Royal (Saone-et-Loire), France, on 19 December 1850. He made his seminal observations while an intern in the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Lyon, France. After his residency, he practised medicine in Macon in 1875. He wrote on other diverse medical topics unrelated to breathing, as well as articles about Greco–Roman–Maconne archeology. He became a member of L’Academie de Macon (Societe des arts, sciences, belles lettres archeology, agriculture et encouragement au bien de Saone-et-Loire, fig 1). He died in Macon in 1918.2 Figure 1 Dr Camille Biot. Biot wrote two main articles on breathing patterns. One large exploratory work focused on his observations on Cheyne–Stokes breathing.3,4 In each paper, he described patients who were admitted to the Hotel Dieu Hospital with Cheyne–Stokes respiration, his major interest. In his first article, curiously in a postscript, he described a patient who had respiratory movements that gradually decreased and increased but were irregular (fig 2), …
Systemic corticosteroids in nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy.

Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is one of the most prevalent optic nerve disorders seen in ophthalmic practice. The role of corticosteroid therapy in NAION remains a highly controversial area of debate in ophthalmology. This brief review will provide an overview of the current clinical evidence on this topic as well as some comment on the medical debate.
Long-term survival differences for bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma patients with ipsilateral intrapulmonary metastasis at diagnosis

Background: It has been suggested that the current staging system does not accurately reflect survival outcomes for advanced bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma (BAC) patients. Methods: We conducted a case-only analysis of US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data (1998‐2002). Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) univariate analyses were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate survival analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards ratios. Results: 2345 incident cases of BAC were analyzed, including 707 patients with stage IIIB or IV BAC. Patients with stage IIIB BAC due to multiple lesions in the same lobe ( n= 93) had significantly improved median OS (46m) and LCSS (>58m) compared to other stage IIIB BAC patients ( n= 111; OS = 9m, P < 0.0001; LCSS = 10m, P < 0.0001). Among stage IV BAC patients, those with intrapulmonary metastasis ( n= 278) had significantly improved median OS (13m) and LCSS (15m) compared to those with distant metastasis ( n= 225; OS = 7m, P < 0.0001; LCSS = 7m, P = 0.0001). These survival differences persisted after adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, and surgical treatment status. Conclusions: Among stage IIIB and IV BAC patients, those presenting with ipsilateral intrapulmonary metastasis have improved survival outcomes. Our results add further support for modification to the current staging system for BAC.
Phase I study of troxacitabine administered by continuous infusion in subjects with advanced solid malignancies.

Abstract Background Troxacitabine is a novel L-nucleoside analogue. Preclinical studies showed improved activity with infusions of at least 3 days compared with bolus regimens, especially at concentrations >20 ng/ml. This phase I study tested the feasibility of achieving a troxacitabine steady-state concentration of 20 ng/ml for at least 72 h in patients with solid tumors. Patients and methods Patients with solid tumors received troxacitabine as a progressively longer infusion on days 1–4 of a 28-day cycle. The initial length of infusion and infusion rate were 48 h and 3 mg/m2/day. Results Twenty-one patients were treated at infusion lengths that increased from 48 to 72 h and then 96 h. The infusion rate was decreased from 3 to 1.88 mg/m2/day due to toxicity. Dose-limiting toxicities consisted of grade 4 neutropenia (three) and grade 3 constipation (one). The maximum tolerated dose of continuous infusion troxacitabine in patients with solid tumors is 7.5 mg/m2 administered over 96 h. This dose level resulted in steady-state drug concentration of at least 20 ng/ml for 72 h. Conclusions Administration of troxacitabine by continuous infusion achieved the prospectively defined target plasma concentration. Pharmacokinetics (PK) modeling coupled with real-time PK assessment was an efficient approach to conduct hypothesis-driven phase I trials.
The adaptor molecules LAT and SLP-76 are specifically targeted by Yersinia to inhibit T cell activation

T cell responses are critical to the survival of Yersinia-infected animals. Yersinia have the ability to directly suppress T lymphocyte activation through the virulence factor YopH, a tyrosine phosphatase. Using single cell video microscopy and FACS analysis, here we show that even an average of one Yersinia per T cell is sufficient to inhibit or alter T cell responses. This efficient inhibition is traced to specific targeting by YopH of the adaptor proteins, linker for activation of T cells (LAT) and SH2-domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kD (SLP-76), which are crucial for T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling. A catalytically inactive YopH translocated via the type III secretory pathway from the bacteria into T cells primarily binds to LAT and SLP-76. Furthermore, among the proteins of the TCR signaling pathway, the tyrosine phosphorylation levels of LAT and SLP-76 are the most affected in T cells exposed to low numbers of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. This is the first example showing that a pathogen targets these adaptor proteins in the TCR signaling pathway, suggesting a novel mechanism by which pathogens may efficiently alter T cell-mediated immune responses.
Opportunistic Tangible User Interfaces for Augmented Reality

Opportunistic Controls are a class of user interaction techniques that we have developed for augmented reality (AR) applications to support gesturing on, and receiving feedback from, otherwise unused affordances already present in the domain environment. By leveraging characteristics of these affordances to provide passive haptics that ease gesture input, Opportunistic Controls simplify gesture recognition, and provide tangible feedback to the user. In this approach, 3D widgets are tightly coupled with affordances to provide visual feedback and hints about the functionality of the control. For example, a set of buttons can be mapped to existing tactile features on domain objects. We describe examples of Opportunistic Controls that we have designed and implemented using optical marker tracking, combined with appearance-based gesture recognition. We present the results of two user studies. In the first, participants performed a simulated maintenance inspection of an aircraft engine using a set of virtual buttons implemented both as Opportunistic Controls and using simpler passive haptics. Opportunistic Controls allowed participants to complete their tasks significantly faster and were preferred over the baseline technique. In the second, participants proposed and demonstrated user interfaces incorporating Opportunistic Controls for two domains, allowing us to gain additional insights into how user interfaces featuring Opportunistic Controls might be designed.
Spatial and temporal characterization of land-use in the Buffalo National River Watershed

Today there is much concern about the potential contamination, overuse and development of scenic rivers in more or less pristine environments. The objective of this work was to quantify the spatial and temporal changes in land-use occurring in a watershed draining a nationally protected river. The Buffalo National River of Arkansas was chosen to serve as an example of how Geographic Information System (GIS) technology can rapidly assess the environmental changes that have occurred within a watershed. GIS was used to develop a spatial database of the watershed and to describe differences in land-use data from five sample years during 1965–92. Over this time span, approximately 40 000 ha of forest were lost and converted primarily to pasture. The average rate of loss of forest was 1480 ha/yr. During this same period, the average rate of gain of pasture was 1381 ha/yr. Buffer analyses showed that pasture increased at a higher percentage rate in the buffer zones surrounding the Buffalo River than in the tributaries of the Buffalo River, and a large proportion of the increase was on higher slopes. Land-use changes were dynamic with a greater area converted to pasture than area of pasture converted to forest in the watershed. The cleared forest lands were mostly near older pastures and along streams. The reforested lands tended to occur in the more isolated areas. The Buffalo River Watershed has undergone changes in land-use that may have had impact on the water quality of the region.
4‐(Benzo­[b]­thio­phen‐3‐yl)‐1‐methyl­piperidine‐4‐carbo­nitrile

Crystals of the title compound, C15H16N2S, were obtained from the reaction of benzo­[b]­thio­phene-3-aceto­nitrile with mechloreth­amine and subsequent crystallization of the product from hexane..
Induced Innovation and Economic Performance in Late Victorian British Industry

Previous "new" economic history research on late Victorian Britain often assumes that technology was exogenous to British entrepreneurs. Foreign innovations were available for inspection, and if they were not found suitable, there was no way to adapt new techniques to the British situation. Alternatively, one can assert that technological failure is a key issue in any study of retarded economic performance. A test for the presence of induced innovation-an endogenous theory of technological change-is applied to the British pig iron and cotton textile industries. Results are compared to other technological studies of British and American industry.