cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon dioxide assimilation and growth of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) seedlings in response to ozone, precipitation chemistry, and soil type.

The influence of ozone, mist chemistry, rain chemistry, and soil type on CO2 assimilation and growth of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) seedlings was investigated over a 4-month period under controlled laboratory and glasshouse conditions. Growth was evaluated through interval estimates of aboveground relative growth rates (RGR) and the partitioning of biomass components at harvest to root, stem, and needle fractions. Precipitation chemistry treatments and O3 exposure dynamics were based on reported characteristics of air chemistry and/or deposition in high-elevation forests of eastern North America. The two soils were collected from Camels Hump in the Green Mountains of Vermont and Acadia National Park on the Maine coast. Soil from Acadia had higher organic content, higher levels of extractable base cations, and lower levels of extractable aluminum and heavy metals. The only treatment variables that consistently influenced the growth of P. rubens were soil type and rain chemistry. In comparison with seedlings grown in soil from Acadia National Park, those grown in Camels Hump soil had significantly less needle (27%), stem (33%), and root (26%) biomass at harvest and statistically lower aboveground RGR within 2 months after initiation of the treatments. Seedlings grown in Camels Hump soil had significantly higher levels of aluminum (6.5X), copper (1.4X), and nickel (2.7X) in new needle tissue. The only influence of precipitation chemistry on the growth of P. rubens was a pattern of greater root and shoot biomass in seedlings experiencing the more acidic rain treatments. Interactive effects among the main treatment variables (e.g., acidic mist and O3, acidic rain and soil type) on seedling growth were not notable. Rates of CO2 assimilation and transpiration on a per gram needle dry weight basis [mol·g-1·s-1] were not influenced by any of the main treatment variables or their interaction. Because neither soil type nor precipitation chemistry influenced the efficiency of CO2 assimilation per gram dry weight of needle tissue, the physiological mechanism underlying the growth response of P. rubens is attributed to a change in either whole-plant allocation of carbon resources or a direct toxic effect in the rhizosphere on root growth.
Concept learning in animals.

Generally speaking, the study of concepts in cognitive psychology is anthropocentric with respect to both content and theory. A broader comparative perspective on the various forms of concept learning not only provides a more inclusive view of conceptual behavior, but it also provides a more objective perspective from which to identify underlying processes. We suggest that several of the major varieties of conceptual classes claimed to be uniquely human are also exhibited by nonhuman animals. We present evidence for the formation of several sorts of conceptual stimulus classes by nonhuman animals: perceptual classes involving classification according to the shared attributes of objects, associative classes or functional equivalences in which stimuli form a class based on common associations, relational classes, in which the conceptual relationship between or among stimuli defines the class, and relations between relations, in which the conceptual (analogical) relationship is defined by the relation between classes of stimuli. We conclude that not only are nonhuman animals capable of acquiring a wide variety of concepts, but that the underlying processes that determine concept learning are also likely to be quite similar.
Creation, evaluation, and presentation of user-generated content in community game-based tutors

Games have been shown to be useful as learning tools, and much literature explores the use of games instead of traditional assignments or as supplementary teaching tools. However, creation of content for these games consumes tremendous resources in terms of time and expert knowledge, and use of games in this way fails to utilize many of the unique advantages games have to offer as a platform for learning content. We propose the use of social gaming mechanics for learning game; content-creation mechanics which will keep students involved in the game long after the original assignment, and result in a constantly growing and changing game environment in which players can continue to practice and refine their skills. We believe that the creation, evaluation, and implementation of user-generated content in social serious games has the potential to revolutionize the way games are used as cyberlearning tools, and that through motivating students to create and share, educators can capitalize on another pathway to learning through creative gameplay.
Space?time multiscale model for wave propagation in heterogeneous media

Abstract A space–time multiscale model for wave propagation in heterogeneous media is developed. The model builds on the authors' previous work on the higher-order mathematical homogenization theory with multiple spatial and temporal scales, and is aimed at addressing the issues of stability and mathematical consistency. Starting from the weak forms of homogenized macroscopic equations of motion, terms causing the solution secularity are identified and enforced to vanish. This condition recovers the missing boundary conditions and gives rise to two secularity constrains imposing the uniform validity of asymptotic expansions. Finite element semi-discretization in space along with an analytical solution in time are employed to incorporate the secularity constrains in the leading-order solution and account for the slow time dependence of the leading solution. Pade approximation is utilized to develop the time stepping schemes on the fast time scale. The formulation is verified for wave propagation problems in semi-infinite and finite domains.
ENTPD5-mediated modulation of ATP results in altered metabolism and decreased survival in gliomablastoma multiforme

Gliomablastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive of brain cancers in humans. Response to current therapies remains extremely poor, with dismal survival statistics. Recently, the endoplasmic reticulum UDPase, ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 5 (ENTPD5), was identified as a key component in the Akt/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/phosphatase and tensin homolog regulatory loop, capable of synergizing aerobic glycolysis and cancer cell proliferation in vitro. Utilizing a novel enhanced acceptor fluorescence-based single-cell adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) biosensor, we analyzed ENTPD5-mediated modulation of cytosolic ATP. Here, ENTPD5-dependent modulation of cellular ATP in GBM results in altered metabolic kinetics in vitro, increasing the catabolic efficiencies of aerobic glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation. Additionally, an upregulation of ENTPD5 in both GBM mouse xenografts and in GBM patient tumors was identified, resulting in dramatically reduced survival. Therefore, these results not only provide new tools to monitor ATP flux and cellular metabolism kinetics but also identified a novel therapeutic target for GBM.
Mechanism of catalysis of hydrocarbon reactions by platinum surfaces

Atomic height steps and kinks in steps have been identified on platinum surfaces as distinct catalytic sites where C–C, C–H and H–H bond scissions occur during the reactions of hydrocarbons. The active catalyst surface is covered with a carbonaceous overlayer whose properties affect both the reaction rates and the production distribution. A model for the catalysis of hydrocarbons on platinum surfaces is proposed which incorporates the effects of the low coordination number active sites and the atomic surface structure.
Honoring exemplary teaching in research universities

Faculty surveys and interviews suggest that such elements as input from faculty, administrators, and students and the provision of varied awards for good teaching are important to the success of recognition programs at research universities.
An unusual cause of flaccid paralysis and coma: Baclofen overdose

Baclofen is a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist that is commonly prescribed for the treatment of spasticity in children. The clinical indications for baclofen use in the pediatric population have increased in recent years. Prescribing baclofen mandates education regarding abrupt withdrawal and overdose because of the severe clinical reactions this can precipitate. This report highlights the case of a patient who presented with acute onset of coma and a flaccid paralysis after baclofen overdose. We reviewed the presentation, clinical course, diagnostic studies, and outcome of this patient. A review of prior literature regarding baclofen overdose is included. Baclofen overdose is heralded by dose-related alteration in consciousness and weakness, progressing to coma and a flaccid paralysis. Screening for baclofen overdose is accomplished through high-power liquid chromatography. Baclofen overdose is treated with supportive care and antiepileptic medications as indicated. There is usually full spontaneous re...
Comparative studies of the age-related changes in protein synthesis in the rat pancreas and parotid gland

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine whether changes occur in protein synthesis with age in the pancreas of the rat and to compare the pattern of changes with that observed in parotid salivary glands. The rate of incorporation of 3H-leucine into acid-insoluble proteins declines with age in both glands. In the pancreas, the rate of incorporation reaches the highest level at 12 months and declines by 21, 54 and 64% of this level at 18, 24 and 30 months, respectively. In parotid glands, the highest level of the amino acid incorporation occurs at 2 months and the level declines by 21, 29, 49 and 58% of the 2-month level at 12, 18, 24 and 30 months, respectively. There is no age-related difference in the rate of incorporation of 3H-leucine into acid-soluble fractions of the two glands. The cellular level of α-amylase is also reduced in the pancreas and parotid gland of old (24- and 30-month-old) rats. The differences in the cellular level of α-amylase activity among the age groups correlate with the differences in the number of secretory granules present in the acinar cells of the pancreas, indicating that the level of amylase reflects the cellular content of secretory proteins. There is no detectable morphological change that parallels the over 50% reduction in protein synthesis in these glands of young and old rats.
Recombinant human erythropoietin: purification and analysis of carbohydrate linkage

Abstract Erythropoietin was purified to homogeneity from the culture medium of a baby hamster kidney cell line stably transfected with a human erythropoietin gene. A three-step procedure was used, which included affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and reverse-phase chromatography. Purity of the protein was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and amino-terminal sequence analysis. Overall recovery was 35%. The biological activity of purified recombinant erythropoietin was similar to that of the native hormone in vitro. The purified recombinant hormone contained N-linked carbohydrate at residues 24, 38, and 83, and an O-linked carbohydrate at residue 126.
Histone modifications: implications in renal cell carcinoma

In 2012, an estimated 64,770 men and women were diagnosed with malignancy of the kidney and renal pelvis, of which 13,570 succumbed to their disease. Common genetic aberrations in renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) include loss of function of the VHL gene in clear-cell RCC, overexpression of the c-MET gene in papillary RCC type I, deficiency in the FH gene in papillary RCC type II and loss of heterozygozity of the BHD gene in chromophobe RCC. Recent studies illustrate epigenetic silencing of VHL, as well as alterations in histone modifications and their governing enzymes. The possibility of reversing these epigenetic marks has resulted in efforts to target these changes by utilizing inhibitors of HDACs, DNA methyltransferases and, recently, histone methyltransferases in preclinical and clinical studies. This article focuses on potential therapeutic interventions, and the implications of histone modifications and related enzyme alterations in RCC.
Surgical Site Infection Surveillance: Accomplishments and Pitfalls

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance is an important facet of hospital infection control processes, serving an important information-gathering function. However, emphasis on surgical outcome improvements and hospital cost containment may engender misleading interpretations of accumulated data unless thoughtful protocols and organized interpretation protocols are in place Methods: Review of pertinent English-language literature and synthesis by expert opinion Results: For many types of operations, the lowest rate of SSI that is achievable by state-ofthe- art prevention measures is not zero; some infections are unavoidable. Moreover, it is flawed to assume (or assert) that all SSIs are the "fault" of the surgeon or some perceived shortcoming of process; host factors (e.g., obesity, diabetes mellitus) may predominate in some cases. Observational studies yield flawed interpretations (if not flawed data) in the absence of rigid scientific protocols, courtesy of the post-hoc fallacy. Observati...
The effects of alcohols on lipid bilayers: a spin label study.

Aliphatic alcohos produce changes in the structural arrangement of lipids in bilayers as indicated by studies using the steroid spin probe 3-spiro-2′-(N-oxyl-4′,4′-dimethyloxazolidine)) cholestane. The concentrations of alcohol corresponding to the onset of perceptible changes in organization correlate well with those causing anesthesia in biological systems, suggesting that anesthesia may be caused by small disruptions of lipid bilayer structure in biological membranes. The data indicate also that lipid bilayer disruption or reorganization is involved in alcohol effects on black lipid membrane conductivity and erythrocyte antihemolysis.
Outcome after failed initial therapy for rupture of the esophagus or intrathoracic stomach

Survival after rupture of the esophagus or intrathoracic stomach is improving, but continued leakage after initial therapy remains a problem. We retrospectively reviewed patients with rupture of the esophagus or intrathoracic stomach to determine the prevalence of continued leakage after initial therapy and how this complication affects outcome. Our review included 58 patients, 38 (66%) of whom had preexisting esophageal disease. The etiology of perforation was spontaneous rupture in 17, penetrating trauma in four, and iatrogenic injury in 35; two patients had perforation from other causes. Initial therapy consisted of drainage in eight, primary repair in 24, resection in 18, bypass in two, and observation in six. The overall mortality rate was 12% (7 of 58 patients) and continuing leaks were identified in 21% (12 of 58 patients). These leaks were unrelated to patient age, existence of prior disease, or delay in therapy but were more common after initial treatment by primary repair with or without pleural flap coverage compared to other management strategies (6 of 9 vs. 6 of 49; P < 0.001). Salvage therapy with survival was possible in 10 (83%) of 12 patients by means of esophagectomy in four, exclusion in one, drainage in two, or observation in three. Continuing leaks can be avoided by providing soft tissue coverage other than pleura over a primary repair and by not leaving an intrathoracic esophageal stump. Aggressive management of continuing leaks results in survival in more than 80% of patients.
Outward Foreign Direct Investment, Interindustry Networks, and U.S. Trade Politics

This article investigates how outward foreign direct investment by U.S. multinational corporations influences industry lobbying for trade protection in the United States, focusing on interindustry structure of goods sales networks between upstream and downstream sectors and also on the multinationals’ input procurement patterns. If foreign affiliates of U.S. multinationals switch input sources from U.S. to host-country suppliers, U.S. suppliers should receive a negative demand shock, ceteris paribus. An empirical test finds that those U.S. upstream sectors that are highly dependent upon U.S. multinationals for goods sales tend to lobby more as the multinationals’ overseas production and sales increase.
Fast neutron irradiation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Abstract Nineteen patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer and one patient with islet cell cancer were treated with 1700–1750 neutron rad alone or in combination with 5-flourouracil to exploit the theoretic advantages of higher linear energy of transfer, and lower oxygen enhancement ration of neutrons. Only 5 of 14 (36%) obtained partial tumor regression. The median survival for all patients with pancreatic cacer was 6 months, which is less than that reported with 5-flouracil and conventional photon irradiation. Gastrointestinal toxicity was considerable; hemprrhagic gastritis in five patients, colitis in two and esophagitis in one. One patient developed radiation myelitis. We therefore, caution any enthusiasm for this modality of therapy until clear evidence of a therapeutic advantage over photon therapy is controlled clinical trials.
Epizootic Neoplasia of the Lateral Line System of Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in New York's Finger Lakes

This article documents an epizootic of inflammation and neoplasia selectively affecting the lateral line system of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in 4 Finger Lakes in New York from 1985 to 1994. We studied more than 100 cases of this disease. Tumors occurred in 8% (5/64) of mature and 21% (3/14) of immature lake trout in the most severely affected lake. Lesions consisted of 1 or more neoplasm(s) in association with lymphocytic inflammation, multifocal erosions, and ulcerations of the epidermis along the lateral line. Lesions progressed from inflammatory to neoplastic, with 2-year-old lake trout showing locally extensive, intense lymphocytic infiltrates; 2- to 3-year-old fish having multiple, variably sized white masses up to 3 mm in diameter; and fish over 5 years old exhibiting 1 or more white, cerebriform masses greater than 1 cm in diameter. Histologic diagnoses of the tumors were predominantly spindle cell sarcomas or benign or malignant peripheral nerve sheath neoplasms, with fewer epitheliomas and carcinomas. Prevalence estimates did not vary significantly between sexes or season. The cause of this epizootic remains unclear. Tumor transmission trials, virus isolation procedures, and ultrastructural study of lesions failed to reveal evidence of a viral etiology. The Finger Lakes in which the disease occurred did not receive substantially more chemical pollution than unaffected lakes in the same chain during the epizootic, making an environmental carcinogen an unlikely primary cause of the epizootic. A hereditary component, however, may have contributed to this syndrome since only fish of the Seneca Lake strain were affected.
A Critical Role for Type I IFN in Arthritis Development following Borrelia burgdorferi Infection of Mice

Gene expression analysis previously revealed a robust IFN-responsive gene induction profile that was selectively up-regulated in Borrelia burgdorferi-infected C3H mice at 1 wk postinfection. This profile was correlated with arthritis development, as it was absent from infected, mildly arthritic C57BL/6 mice. In this report we now demonstrate that profile induction in infected C3H scid mice occurs independently of B or T lymphocyte infiltration in the joint tissue. Additionally, type I IFN receptor-blocking Abs, but not anti-IFN-gamma Abs, dramatically reduced arthritis, revealing a critical but previously unappreciated role for type I IFN in Lyme arthritis development. Certain examined IFN-inducible transcripts were also significantly diminished within joint tissue of mice treated with anti-IFNAR1, whereas expression of other IFN-responsive genes was more markedly altered by anti-IFN-gamma treatment. These data indicate that induction of the entire IFN profile is not necessary for arthritis development. These findings further tie early type I IFN induction to Lyme arthritis development, a connection not previously made. Bone marrow-derived macrophages readily induced IFN-responsive genes following B. burgdorferi stimulation, and this expression required a functional type I IFN receptor. Strikingly, induction of these genes was independent of TLRs 2,4, and 9 and of the adapter molecule MyD88. These data demonstrate that the extracellular pathogen B. burgdorferi uses a previously unidentified receptor and a pathway traditionally associated with viruses and intracellular bacteria to initiate transcription of type I IFN and IFN-responsive genes and to initiate arthritis development.
Seismic waves generated by aircraft impacts and building collapses at World Trade Center, New York City

Seismologists sometimes do their work of data acquisition and analysis against a tragic background. Usually, the context is fieldwork far from home, in an area subjected to the natural but sometimes devastating effects of an earthquake. But in the present case, we are in our own New York City area; that is, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, in Palisades, N.Y; and the context is inhuman actions against people and the fabric of our society. As the appalling events of September 11 unfolded, we found that we had recorded numerous seismic signals from two plane impacts and building collapses of the two World Trade Center (WTC) towers, often at times different than those being reported elsewhere. Collapses of the two WTC towers generated large seismic waves, observed in five states and up to 428 km away The north tower collapse was the largest seismic source and had local magnitude ML 2.3. From this, we infer that ground shaking of the WTC towers was not a major contributor to the collapse or damage to surrounding buildings. But unfortunately, we also conclude that from the distance at which our own detections were made (the nearest station is 34 km away at Palisades) it is not possible to infer (with detail sufficient to meet the demands of civil engineers in an emergency situation) just what the near-in ground motions must have been.
Work in progress - intrinsic motivation as a predictor of success in computer science

Student success and retention are major concerns for most colleges. Efforts designed to help struggling students include expanding faculty office hours, sponsoring review sessions, hiring student lab instructors, and providing tutoring labs where students may go for help. These mechanisms are described as reactive and are intended to help a student already in academic trouble. The on-going goal of this study is to identify proactive mechanisms, allowing a student's support staff to identify risk factors and intervene with support strategies before the student begins to fail. Students' levels of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are being studied to determine if these measures can be a more accurate predictor of student success and persistence. Secondly, this study is also attempting to determine if extrinsically motivated students can become more intrinsically motivated through innovative classroom activities and delivery methods. This WIP presents the status of this research study
Identification of the regulatory regions of the human aromatase P450 (CYP19) gene involved in placenta-specific expression

Expression of the human CYP19 gene in placental syncytiotrophoblast, ovarian granulosa and luteal cells and adipose stromal cells is regulated by tissue-specific promoters which lie upstream of unique untranslated first exons. In placenta, the majority of CYP19 mRNA transcripts contain 5'-sequences encoded by exon I.1 which lies >35 kb upstream of the translation initiation sequence in exon II. Mononuclear cytotrophoblasts isolated from midterm human placenta spontaneously fuse in culture to form multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast. These morphological changes are associated with a marked induction of CYP19 gene expression. To functionally define genomic regions required for placenta-specific expression, fusion genes containing various amounts of exon I.1 5'-flanking sequence linked to the human growth hormone (hGH) structural gene, as reporter, were introduced into human trophoblast cells in primary monolayer culture and into transgenic mice. Our findings using transfected cells and transgenic mice suggest that sequences between -501 and -42 bp upstream of exon I.1 contain a positive enhancer element(s) that mediates the actions of trophoblast-specific transcription factors, as well as a negative element(s) that binds inhibitory transcription factors in other cell types. Our findings from transgenic studies further indicate that mouse placenta contains the necessary transcription factors required to activate the human CYP19 promoter although mouse placenta does not express endogenous aromatase.
Lying to Level the Playing Field: Why People May Dishonestly Help or Hurt Others to Create Equity

Unethical and dishonest behavior has increasingly attracted the attention of scholars from various disciplines. Recent work has begun to focus on a previous overlooked factor predicting dishonest behavior: the beneficiary or victim of dishonest acts. In two laboratory experiments, we manipulate the level of resources allocated to our participants (their “wealth”) and investigate whether perceived inequity from wealth that is randomly or subjectively assigned leads individuals to cross ethical boundaries through helping or hurting others. The results show that dishonest behavior is influenced by positive and negative inequity that motivates helping and hurting acts. Furthermore, a third experiment shows that people tend to discount the wrongness of crossing ethical boundaries to hurt or help others when the action restores equity.
Queueing Models for Trajectory-Based Aircraft Operations

This paper develops a queueing model for aircraft arrivals at a single server under trajectory-based flight operations, which are expected to prevail in the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Aircraft are assigned scheduled times of arrival at a server, which they meet with some normally distributed stochastic error. The Clark approximation method is employed to estimate expected queueing delays, and it is shown, through comparison with simulation, that the method yields very accurate estimates. Exact results are derived for a special case in which aircraft are metered into a capacity-constrained area with constant excess time separation between them. This allows analysis of the tradeoff between the “stochastic delay” that results from imperfect adherence to metered times of arrival and the additional “deterministic delay” from metering at a headway above the minimum required.
Reliability of Plasma Creatinine Measurement in Infants and Children

Plasma creatinine (Pcr, mg/dl) is often used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in children. To establish whether the clinician can rely on the commonly used methods for measuring Pcr, the authors analyzed data from their own modified Technicon Autoanalyzer reference method and compared them to those obtained simultaneously from a Beckman Astra 8 kinetic Jaffe technique or a Technicon continuous flow Jaffe endpoint SMAC method. The SMAC method consistently overestimated Pcr by 0.1 mg/dl, whereas the kinetic method resulted in a large spread around the reference values. Neither laboratory gave consistent results for Pcr below 0.55, the normal range for infants and young children. The SMAC technique tended to underestimate GFR by 20 to 30 percent, whereas the kinetic method resulted in a great deal of scatter (only 37% of the measurements fell within ±25% of the values for GFR obtained by the reference method).The results suggest that the subtraction of 0.1 mg/dl from the Pcr measured on the SMAC ...
Repellency to the Potato Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) by Erect Glandular Trichomes on Alfalfa

We sought to gain insights into the mechanism of resistance of glandular-haired alfalfa to the potato leafhopper, by testing the trichomes of proprietary genotypes for chemical versus morphological differences. Two-choice, noncontact tests were conducted using four glandular-haired and one glabrous genotype of alfalfa, representing a spectrum of resistance, to determine whether adult female leafhoppers could detect and be repelled by putative volatiles released from the trichomes. Settling patterns roughly agreed with the degree of resistance reported by industry scientists who provided the plants. Repellency was strong for the most resistant genotypes, and absent with the most susceptible genotype. The remaining, intermediate-to-low-resistance genotypes exhibited variable repellency. A no-choice, plant-contact preference test showed no significant differences in settling among stems left intact or denuded, neither within nor among all genotypes. In all cases, adult leafhoppers settled on glandular-haired alfalfa if given no alternative. Environmental scanning electron microscopy of erect, glandular trichomes of eight proprietary genotypes (including the four used above) showed no obvious morphological differences among genotypes, or between stems and leaves within each genotype, although morphological comparisons were not quantified due to the fragility of the specimens. Taken together, our results suggest that volatile compounds contribute to variable levels of repellency to potato leafhoppers by glandular-haired alfalfa, but that such compounds cannot strongly prevent feeding at all costs.
Teacher's Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction by SHRUM, JUDITH L., & EILEEN W. GLISAN

The article reviews the book "Teacher's Handbook: Contextualized Language Instruction," fourth edition, by Judith L. Shrum and Eileen W. Glisan.
EDITOR'S NOTE (FALL 2013)

AJOTE: Voices in African Education (Fall 2013) Editor's Note provides a summary introduction to this issue and announcements regarding future issues.
Anatomical object recognition and labeling by atlas-based focused non-rigid registration and region-growing

Computer-assisted recognition of anatomical objects in medical images is at the center of many important clinical applications. Automatic extraction and recognition of human abdominal structures from CT images has been particularly challenging for medical imaging research and applications. Intra-patient and inter-patient spatial, morphological and intensity variability is typically significantly contributing to great difficulties in developing satisfactory automatic solutions to the problem. In this paper we report on a new approach, which treats recognition of anatomical objects from a given medical image as a task of non-rigid registration followed by segmentation. It uses the knowledge inferred from an atlas or model image to specify a sequence of smaller sub-image spaces or spatial contexts to register progressively the atlas image with the given patient image. The labels of the target objects in the atlas image are carried over to the patient image by the registration process representing the recognition result, which is further improved by a region-growing process. Preliminary experiments of artery blood vessel recognition and labeling with real patient data have demonstrated the potential of the method to be a viable alternative solution to the problem.
Tuning redox potentials of bis(imino)pyridine cobalt complexes: an experimental and theoretical study involving solvent and ligand effects

The structure and electrochemical properties of a series of bis(imino)pyridine CoII complexes (NNN)CoX2 and [(NNN)2Co][PF6]2 (NNN = 2,6-bis[1-(4-R-phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine, with R = CN, CF3, H, CH3, OCH3, N(CH3)2; NNN = 2,6-bis[1-(2,6-(iPr)2-phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine and X = Cl, Br) were studied using a combination of electrochemical and theoretical methods. Cyclic voltammetry measurements and DFT/B3LYP calculations suggest that in solution (NNN)CoCl2 complexes exist in equilibrium with disproportionation products [(NNN)2Co]2+ [CoCl4]2− with the position of the equilibrium heavily influenced by both the solvent polarity and the steric and electronic properties of the bis(imino)pyridine ligands. In strong polar solvents (e.g., CH3CN or H2O) or with electron donating substituents (R = OCH3 or N(CH3)2) the equilibrium is shifted and only oxidation of the charged products [(NNN)2Co]2+ and [CoCl4]2− is observed. Conversely, in nonpolar organic solvents such as CH2Cl2 or with electron withdrawing substituents (R = CN or CF3), disproportionation is suppressed and oxidation of the (NNN)CoCl2 complexes leads to 18e− CoIII complexes stabilized by coordination of a solvent moiety. In addition, the [(NNN)2Co][PF6]2 complexes exhibit reversible CoII/III oxidation potentials that are strongly dependent on the electron withdrawing/donating nature of the N-aryl substituents, spanning nearly 750 mV in acetonitrile. The resulting insight on the regulation of redox properties of a series of bis(imino)pyridine cobalt(II) complexes should be particularly valuable to tune suitable conditions for reactivity.
A Game of Catch-Up? The Offending Experience of Second-Generation Immigrants:

Evidence continues to accumulate documenting a generational disparity in offending whereby second-generation immigrants (the children of immigrants) evidence a precipitous increase in offending compared with their first-generation, foreign-born peers. An understanding of this pattern is most often couched in terms reflective of segmented assimilation theory highlighting the unique assimilation experiences and challenges faced by the children of immigrants. Importantly, alternative explanations of this pattern exist, namely, those promoting a regression to the mean hypothesis—born and socialized in the U.S. mainstream, second-generation immigrants are simply native-born youth. Using data from nine waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, this alternative hypothesis is evaluated. The differential influence of variables tapping into important family, school, peer, and neighborhood domains on offending trajectories are compared across second-generation immigrant and native-born subsamples. The...
LOW SPEED CONTROLLABILITY OF SHIPS IN WIND

Abstract : Aerodynamic and hydrodynamic data for the MARINER-Class vessel were used to formulate a mathematical model representing the dynamic behavior of ships in wind. A digital computer was used to solve the eigenvalues of the system. Perturbation equations were linearized, with respect to equilibrium conditions, from non-linear equations of motion. In addition, ship-trajectory in certain wind conditions was examined by means of numerical solutions of the non-linear equations of motion. Results indicate that the ship in bow wind tends, even without an autopilot system, to maintain its original course - with perturbation in yaw inducing yaw oscillations, the convergence of which depends upon the magnitude of relative wind velocity. It is shown that beam wind creates greater difficulties, although the use of an adequate autopilot increases the region of stability in wind of certain velocities (excepting in some conditions of relatively strong beam wind). An increase in rudder size is shown to improve controllability in wind, significantly. Computations with and without the assumption of constant longitudinal speed indicate that the effect of surge motion on yaw and sway responses in wind is important, especially in beam wind. (Author)
Bending of Plates on a Viscoelastic Foundations

E.REISSNER's theory is cited which extended Winkler-Zimmerman foundation to permit introduction of differential shear stiffness parameter in addition to foundation modulus; resulting system of differential equations to incorporate different interface condition; significance of resulting shear stiffness parameter is examined; solution for concentrated line load on infinite plate.
Original Articles: Interactive hybrid evolutionary computation for MEMS design synthesis

Abstract: An interactive hybrid evolutionary computation (IHC) process for MEMS design synthesis is described, which uses both human expertise and local performance improvement to augment the performance of an evolutionary process. The human expertise identifies good design patterns, and local optimization fine-tunes these designs so that they reach their potential at early stages of the evolutionary process. At the same time, the feedback on local optimal designs confirms and refines the human assessment. The advantages of the IHC process are demonstrated with micromachined resonator test cases. Guidelines on how to set parameters for the IHC algorithm are also made based on experimental observations and results.
CFD Calculation of Internal Natural Convection in the Annulus Between Horizontal Concentric Cylinders

Thermally-induced natural convection heat transfer in the annulus between horizontal concentric cylinders has been studied using the commercial code Fluent. The boundary layers are meshed all the way to the wall because forced convection wall functions are not appropriate. Various oneand two-equation turbulence models have been considered. Overall and local heat transfer rates are compared with existing experimental data.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) stimulates phosphorylation of the IGFBP-5 receptor

The finding that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) binding to mouse osteoblasts was capable of being downregulated by IGFBP-5 suggested that the 420-kDa membrane protein,...
Previously Undiagnosed Malignant Brain Tumor Discovered During Examination of a Patient Seeking Chiropractic Care.

Objective This case report describes the diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor in a patient requesting chiropractic care for headaches after a motor vehicle accident.
Inhibition of PCSK9 Transcription by Berberine Involves Down-regulation of Hepatic HNF1α Protein Expression through the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Degradation Pathway

Our previous in vitro studies have identified hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α) as an obligated trans-activator for PCSK9 gene expression and demonstrated its functional involvement in the suppression of PCSK9 expression by berberine (BBR), a natural cholesterol-lowering compound. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of BBR on HNF1α-mediated PCSK9 transcription. Administration of BBR to hyperlipidemic mice and hamsters lowered circulating PCSK9 concentrations and hepatic PCSK9 mRNA levels without affecting the gene expression of HNF1α. However, hepatic HNF1α protein levels were markedly reduced in BBR-treated animals as compared with the control. Using HepG2 cells as a model system, we obtained evidence that BBR treatment let to accelerated degradation of HNF1α protein. By applying inhibitors to selectively block the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy-lysosomal pathway, we show that HNF1α protein content in HepG2 cells was not affected by bafilomycin A1 treatment, but it was dose-dependently increased by UPS inhibitors bortezomib and MG132. Bortezomib treatment elevated HNF1α and PCSK9 cellular levels with concomitant reductions of LDL receptor protein. Moreover, HNF1α protein displayed a multiubiquitination ladder pattern in cells treated with BBR or overexpressing ubiquitin. By expressing GFP-HNF1α fusion protein in cells, we observed that blocking UPS resulted in accumulation of GFP-HNF1α in cytoplasm. Importantly, we show that the BBR reducing effects on HNF1α protein and PCSK9 gene transcription can be eradicated by proteasome inhibitors. Altogether, our studies using BBR as a probe uncovered a new aspect of PCSK9 regulation by ubiquitin-induced proteasomal degradation of HNF1α.
Characterizations on Microscale Laser Dynamic Forming of Metal Foil

Laser dynamic forming (LDF) is a unique hybrid forming process, combining the advantages of laser shock peening, laser forming and metal forming, with an ultra high strain rate forming utilizing laser shock waves. In this paper, a hybrid forming technique based on laser dynamic forming will be demonstrated. The feasibility of laser dynamic forming will be discussed through experiments. The mechanical and microstructure of the formed 3D structures will be characterized. The grain microstructure and misorientation will be investigated quantitatively with Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The residual stress distributions are measured using X-ray diffraction. We will describe the important factors that lead to improved micro-formability at high strain rate induced by high shock pressure. It is concluded that with further development, this may be an important microforming technology for various materials. LDF has great potential for meso-, micro- and nano scale forming since the laser provides high precision, highly-localized heating intensity, high repeatability, fast setup and superb flexibility.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Effect of ADHD on the Quality of Life

The quality of life (QOL), measured with a Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ), was evaluated in 120 untreated children, aged 6 to 12 years, with newly diagnosed attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Polyvalency Demonstrated by Antiphages

A general procedure was described for the study of the specificity of absorption of bacteriophage by heat-killed bacilli.1, 2, 3 Polyvalent phages derived from chicken stool filtrates and propagated either against a strain of paratyphosus A or enteritidis were shown to consist of at least 2 prominent qualitatively different fractions, the one selective for suipestifer strains and another for the typhosus-paratyphosus B group. This effect was readily demonstrated by testing the quality of the residual phage with several serologically different sensitive organisms. The question naturally presented itself as to whether or not antiphages may be employed to indicate the presence in a phage of the several fractions.Accordingly 4 series of rabbits were injected intravenously with the 2 polyvalent phages for paratyphosus A and for enteritidis and also with the presumably monovalent paratyphosus B and suipestifer phages. After 4 injections of 2 cc. each, potent antiphages, practically lacking in agglutinins were r...
Lessons Learned From 25 Years of Friction Modeling

We have long known that tangential contact forces and the friction coefficient at a sliding contact arises not due to some “law” but as a result of contact geometric and material properties in combination with physical processes that are not always accessible to direct experimental verification. While tribologists have occasionally sought alternatives to the coefficient of friction as the primary means to quantify tangential forces at sliding contacts, its convenience, simplicity, long history and lack of viable alternatives assure that it will be remain in use for some time to come. Sometimes the coefficient can remain constant with normal load over orders or magnitude. One can be led to believe that the coefficient is a property of the interface or there is a “law” at work. At other times, the coefficient, usually measured, is said to vary with time, sliding distance or some other variable with no explanation as to why the variation occurs. In the present paper we discuss aspects of friction behavior and modeling, focusing on mechanics and the nature of the friction coefficient. The point of departure is a case where the adhesion theory of friction can be used to understand the mechanics of friction. One can then consider a number of situations and concepts that arise as variations of this case including average versus instantaneous friction; cases when Amontons-Coulomb relations do or don’t apply; static versus dynamic friction; scale effects at rough surfaces; limits of applicability of the friction coefficient; friction measurements, thermal and velocity effects; and local versus global friction and constitutive relations.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Pitch -Rate Induced Abrupt Wing Stalling of Straight Wing Aircraft

An initial flight investigation into the effect of pitch rate upon stalling characteristics ha s been conducted , in the context of a comprehensive programme of transport aeroplane dynamics . For this study, the NRC Harvard straight -wing aircraft was used. A number of stalling manoeuvres w as conducted in free air and straight flight, at a variety of different stall -entry pitch rates. The results showed a variation of rigid body roll acceleration and roll rate with pitch rate. In addition, the post -stall motion profile also varied with pitch rate. The nature of the pitching and rolling characterist ics is discussed in terms of the flow physics of pitch -rate induced coupling effects determining the leading edge boundary layer state, including viscous fluid/ motion coupling . Generally, the stall -onset incidence varied directly with stall -entry pitch ra te; in other words , it was delayed by increasing pitch rate. The experimental data from the aircraft flight tests are correlated with dynamic stall data for airfoil sections using a stall onset delay similarity parameter . The favourabl e correlation obtai ned demonstrates the universality of this parameter and provides confidence in predictions of pitch -rate induced stall of aircraft .
THU0581 Risk of Malignancy among Patients with Sarcoidosis: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background Previous studies on the association between sarcoidosis and malignancy yielded conflicting results. Objectives This study was aimed to investigate the risk of malignancy in patients with sarcoidosis in a population-based cohort. Methods An inception cohort of patients with incident sarcoidosis in 1976–2013 in a geographically well-defined population was identified based on comprehensive individual medical record review. Inclusion required physician diagnosis supported by histopathologic evidence of non-caseating granuloma, radiographic evidence of intrathoracic sarcoidosis, compatible clinical presentation, and exclusion of other granulomatous diseases. For each sarcoidosis subject, two sex and aged-matched comparator subjects without sarcoidosis were randomly selected. Cases and comparators were then cross-indexed with the Cancer Registry of the institution, which collected data on every type of malignancy except for non-melanoma skin cancer, for malignancy ascertainment. Results 345 incident cases of sarcoidosis and 690 comparators were identified. The median duration of follow-up was 12 years. There was no difference in the prevalence of malignancy at sarcoidosis incidence/index date between the 2 groups (14 cases, 3.8% among cases and 30 cases, 4.3% among comparators, P =0.87) compared to non-sarcoidosis subjects. During follow-up, 37 patients with sarcoidosis and 91 subjects without sarcoidosis developed malignancy with a cumulative incidence at 10 years of 4.1% and 7.1%, respectively. The difference corresponded to a hazard ratio of 0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.50 -1.09). The cumulative incidences at 10 years for individual types of malignancy were also similar between patients with sarcoidosis and non –sarcoidosis comparators, with non-significant hazard ratios. However, subgroup analysis found that cases with extra-thoracic involvement were at higher risk of incident hematologic malignancy compared with cases without extra-thoracic involvement (HR 1.87; 95% CI 1.09–3.22) Conclusions Risk of malignancy was similar among patients with sarcoidosis compared to non-sarcoidosis subjects. However, the risk of incident hematologic malignancy was significantly higher among patients with sarcoidosis with extra-thoracic involvement compared to patients without extra-thoracic disease. Disclosure of Interest None declared