cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of the complement cascade in cerebral aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture

Rupture of intracranial aneurysms is the most common cause of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, but the intricate neuroinflammatory processes which contribute to aneurysm pathophysiology are not well-understood. Mounting evidence has implicated the complement cascade in the progression of aneurysms from their formation to rupture. In this article, we identify and review studies that have sought to determine the role of the complement system in the aneurysm pathogenesis. The studies were generally conducted by immunhistological analyses on aneurysm tissue collected intraoperatively, and multiple components of the complement cascade and its modulators were identified in specific regions of the aneurysm wall. The results of the studies suggest that the complement cascade is locally upregulated and disinhibited in the perianeurysmal environment, and that it contributes to chronic as well as acute immunological damage to the aneurysm wall. In the future, understanding the mechanisms at work in complement-mediated damage is necessary to leading the development of novel therapies.
Metallic glass ribbon probe for the measurement of the magnetic field, first and second order field gradients

A stress-driven magnetoelastic amorphous metal ribbon probe is presented which demonstrates equivalent noise floors of 18pT/√(Hz) for the magnetic field, 23 pT/cm/√(Hz) for the first order field gradient, and 43 pT/cm2/√(Hz) for the second order field gradient.
Heterotopic peripancreatic spleens presenting as possible tumors of the body and tail of the pancreas

Accessory spleens are found in about 10% of routine postmortem autopsies, usually near the hilum of the spleen and the tail of the pancreas. In 16% of cases, the accessory spleen may be found within the pancreatic tail.1 Its importance arises when computed tomography (CT) scan reveals a tumor in or about the tail of the pancreas. The diagnosis of intrapancreatic accessory spleen may be suggested when the CT scan, following intravenous contrast injection, shows the mass to be enhanced in a manner characteristic of that of a spleen. Accessory spleen can be identified using technetium 99m(99m)Tc)-labelled heated red cells or99mTc sulfur colloid.2 We report a patient with heterotopic spleens, questioned by CT scan for pancreatic tumors, but accurately diagnosed by99mTc sulfur colloid scan.
A Survey of Multivalued Memories

Techniques of storing multiple bits of information in a single memory location are reviewed. Any of several states can be stored in ROM's by adjusting the threshold voltage or the size of a particular memory device. In dynamic RAM's, this can be achieved by varying the charge stored on the cell capacitor. The peripheral circuitry required to distinguish between the states stored in the memory areas is discussed.
Age-related differences in learning incidental environmental information

Incidental environmental information is consistent, potentially beneficial, information that is not necessary for successful task performance (i.e., is seemingly unrelated to the task). In the present study, older and younger participants searched for target letters among distractor letters both of which were laid upon color environments, such that certain color environments predictively correlated with target letter location at varying degrees of consistency. Neither group could express verbal knowledge of the pattern of the environmental information although younger but not older adults showed improved performance in conditions where incidental information cued target location. The findings suggest that younger adults can benefit from incidental environmental information even when they cannot express that it is present in a task but that older adults may need additional cues to benefit from the information. Language: en
286 STUDIES OF PLASMA CALCITONIN IN HYPOITUITARISM AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

The secretion of calcitonin (CT) was studied in 17 children, 10 with hypopituitarism and 7 with agoitrous hypothyroidism. Plasma CT levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in the basal state and following infusion of pentagastrin (0.5 μg/kg) and 10 minute infusions of calcium (2.3 mg/kg Ca++ as CaCl2). Of the 10 children who have hypopituitarism, 5 were studied before and after one year of human growth hormone (HGH) therapy and 5 were studied before treatment only. Basal and peak response CT levels were essentially unchanged by HGH. In the patients with hypopituitarism, CT levels increased from 41.9 ± 5.1 pg/ml to a peak of 67.4 ± 10 pg/ml after pentagastrin and from 38.8 ± 5.2 pg/ml to a peak of 107 ± 14.9 pg/ml after calcium infusion. In the cretins, CT levels increased from 33.8 ± 6.5 pg/ml to 35.8 ± 7 pg/ml following pentagastrin and from 31.4 ± 5.9 pg/ml to 40 ± 4.9 pg/ml following calcium. Although basal levels of CT seemed to be lower in cretins, these values could not be rigorously validated. The patients with hypopituitarism had greater CT responses than the cretins, especially to calcium infusion. These studies suggest that children with hypopituitarism have a greater CT response to calcium infusion than do normal adults and that CT secretion is abnormal in patients with athyreotic cretinism.
Toxicité dermatologique des nouvelles thérapies ciblées anticancéreuses utilisées en oncodermatologie

The management of oncology patients has been deeply modified over recent years by the development of new targeted anticancer therapies. Though these new therapies generally have a good safety profile, the skin is probably the organ most affected by their toxicity, in terms of frequency and symptom diversity. This review describes the most frequent cutaneous side effects induced by the new targeted therapies used in oncodermatology, whether they are well-established drugs such as EGF receptor inhibitors (cetuximab, erlotinib) or imatinib, or new treatments for metastatic melanoma such as selective BRAF (vemurafenib) or MEK inhibitors (selumetinib) and CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies (ipilimumab).
Studies on the terminal electron transport system. XXII. The lipide composition of coenzyme Q lipoprotein.

Abstract Analysis of the lipid portion of coenzyme Q lipoprotein shows it to be 5–8% neutral lipid and 92–95% phospholipid. The neutral fraction contains coenzyme Q, cholesterol, probably glycerides(s) and at least three unknown components. The phospholipid fraction is comprised of cephalins and lecithins with a small amount of inositide. Both the cephalin and lecithin fractions contain plasmalogens.
Time dependent conductivity in titanium oxide

Abstract An instability of electrical conductivity of nonstoichiometric ceramic and crystalline titanium oxide has been observed. The conductivity was found to decrease slowly for as much as several hundred hours at constant measuring temperatures lying between 0 and 100° following quenching from temperatures between 200 and 400°. Experimental results are reported which indicate that the conductivity decrease is associated with a decrease in the bulk conduction electron concentration and that the rate of change of conduction electrons may be represented by a second order kinetic equation.
Kinetic parameters for plasma beta-endorphin in lean and obese Zucker rats

To determine plasma clearance kinetics for beta-endorphin (BE) by empirical compartmental analysis, a bolus of radioactive labeled 125I-BE was rapidly injected into a carotid artery catheter of unanesthetized lean (L) and obese (O) Zucker rats. The plasma disappearance of 125I was followed over a 3-h period. A 3-component exponential equation provided the best fit for plasma data. Plasma transit times were very short (10 s); however, plasma fractional catabolic rate was much slower. Plasma mean residence time was similar for both groups (50 min) as was recycle time (1.3 min). These data suggest that BE plasma disappearance kinetics are similar in L and O rats.
Reactions of Laser-Ablated Be and Mg Atoms with C2H2: Infrared Spectra and Density Functional Calculations of Novel Metal−Acetylene Species

Reactions of laser-ablated Be and Mg atoms with C2H2, 13C2H2, and C2D2 upon condensation in excess argon at 10 K give new infrared absorptions that are assigned to the insertion and decomposition products HBeCCH, BeCCH, and MgCCH with the help of density functional theory isotopic frequency calculations. The 2019-cm-1 C⋮C stretching fundamental for BeCCH is between values for BCCH and AlCCH, which are all slightly blue shifted from acetylene itself.
Preoperative and postoperative neurological, neuropsychological and behavioral impairment in children with posterior cranial fossa astrocytomas and medulloblastomas: the role of the tumor and the impact of the surgical treatment.

The aim of the present study was to prospectively investigate if a correlation might exist between preoperative and postoperative neurological conditions, neuroradiological/intraoperative findings and results of a complete neuropsychological evaluation in children with posterior fossa medulloblastomas and astrocytomas. Of the 65 children admitted at the Pediatric Neurosurgery of the UCSC of Rome between January 2005 and October 2009, 41 were selected; the only two exclusion criteria were represented by age under 24 months and severe neurological conditions, seen that in both cases it would not have been a possible reliable evaluation. All children underwent a preoperative and immediate postoperative complete MR study. Hydrocephalus was graded on the Evans score; brainstem infiltration was defined on intraoperative findings. Neuropsychological assessment consisted of a battery of tests tailored on the patient’s age, cognitive level, and level of cooperation. Post operative neuropsychological evaluation was performed at a mean time of 2.5 min (2 mos, max 4.5 mos) from the operation, before any eventually needed adjuvant treatment (i.e., chemotherapy, radiotherapy). Concerning neurological status, we found a statistically significant relation between the presence of oculomotor impairment and both verbal fluency deficits (p = 0.044) and imagery disorders (p = 0.03); also, the presence of ataxia/dysmetria was significantly correlated to attention dysfunction (p = 0.01) and, more tightly, to planning dysfunction (p = 0.006). For neuroradiological/intraoperative features, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) impairment was significantly correlated to the intraoperative evidence of tumor infiltration of the brainstem (p = 0.003), a severe hydrocephalus at diagnosis (p = 0.001) and the histological diagnosis of medulloblastoma (MB) (p = 0.002). For selective skills, a significant correlation was found between linguistic processing deficits and the evidence of dentate nuclei infiltration (blindly defined on MR); procedural memory defects and imagery disorders related to the severity of the hydrocephalus (p = 0.02), infiltration of the brain stem (p = 0.01) and a histological diagnosis of MB (p = 0.01). After surgery no patient showed a worsening of his/her cognitive profile; the relationships between clinical, intraoperative, and radiological findings were substantially confirmed. Our results support the hypothesis that when present, neuropsychological impairment is already present at diagnosis and that the most statistically significant factors, which might be related with cognitive deficits in the preoperative as well as in the postoperative period, are tumor infiltration of the brainstem, the severity of hydrocephalus, and a histological diagnosis of MB.
Evolution of Global-Scale Coronal Magnetic Field due to Magnetic Reconnection: The Formation of the Observed Blob Motion in the Coronal Streamer Belt

Recent SOHO/LASCO/EIT observations showed that the global corona at the minimum phase of cycle 22 is an organized, simple, and persistent dipolar configuration streamer belt (Michels). But the low-lying, closed-loop, multipolar magnetic structure of the inner corona at low- to mid-latitudes revealed in EIT and LASCO images is not static. It stretches continuously outward, feeding plasma into higher coronal structures and eventually into the solar wind, including plasma blobs (Sheeley et al.; Wang et al.). To understand the physics of this slow dynamic evolution process, we use a two-dimensional, planar, resistive MHD model and observed pre-event characteristics for the model input to simulate the formation and propagation of these observed plasma blobs. It seems that reconnection processes among the low-lying multipolar coronal loops and their overlying streamers cause the slow time evolution. The motion of plasma blobs frequently observed by LASCO C2/C3 is indeed reproduced by this model through reconnection in the multipolar loops. Results presented in this paper are the global field evolution, mass, momentum, and energy transport from the inner corona to the outer corona and up into the streamer belt region where slow solar wind forms. We conclude that these plasma blobs may be the origin of the lumps in the solar wind observed in interplanetary space.
Estimating Fully Parametric Hazard Rate Models with Time-Dependent Covariates Use of Maximum Likelihood

This article shows (a) how a widely available algorithm for nonlinear least squares estimation can be accommodated in order to estimate fully parametric hazard rate models by the method of maximum likelihood; (b) how the algorithm allows for a flexible treatment of time-dependent covariates in fully parametric models. An empirical analysis of the duration of jobs illustrates the use of the algorithm. The data are taken from The Norwegian Life History Study for Men. The Appendices discuss and list the algorithm used.
Optimal field pulsing for atom probes with counter electrodes

Abstract We have calculated energy shifts and energy deficits arising from voltage-pulsing in both conventional atom probe (CAP) (electrode at 5 mm) and local-electrode atom probe (LEAP) (electrode at 1 μm). The effects of voltage pulse duration and rise time for pulsing of both the specimen (positive) and the electrode (negative) have been considered. For the negatively pulsed CAP case there is an optimum in the pulse duration that minimizes the energy shift which corresponds to the time required for the ions to reach the electrode. For pulse durations of less than this value, the energy shift increases with increasing mass-to-charge ratios. For pulse durations of greater than this value, the energy shift increases with decreasing mass-to-charge ratios. The energy deficit remains relatively constant with pulse duration. For the negatively pulsed electrode case in the LEAP, the energy shift increases with pulse duration due to the deceleration of the ions. This suggests that fabrication of an electrode with sufficient thickness to create a small field-free region is required if negative pulsing is to be employed. This scenario was investigated as a function of pulse rise time. Energy deficits for this case show that the shortest possible rise time is beneficial when voltage pulsing in the LEAP.
Noninvasive imaging of three-dimensional cardiac activation sequence during pacing and ventricular tachycardia

Background Imaging cardiac excitation within ventricular myocardium is important in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and might help improve our understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms. Objective This study sought to rigorously assess the imaging performance of a 3-dimensional (3D) cardiac electrical imaging (3DCEI) technique with the aid of 3D intracardiac mapping from up to 216 intramural sites during paced rhythm and norepinephrine (NE)-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the rabbit heart. Methods Body surface potentials and intramural bipolar electrical recordings were simultaneously measured in a closed-chest condition in 13 healthy rabbits. Single-site pacing and dual-site pacing were performed from ventricular walls and septum. VTs and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) were induced by intravenous NE. Computed tomography images were obtained to construct geometry models. Results The noninvasively imaged activation sequence correlated well with invasively measured counterpart, with a correlation coefficient of 0.72 ± 0.04, and a relative error of 0.30 ± 0.02 averaged over 520 paced beats as well as 73 NE-induced PVCs and VT beats. All PVCs and VT beats initiated in the subendocardium by a nonreentrant mechanism. The averaged distance from the imaged site of initial activation to the pacing site or site of arrhythmias determined from intracardiac mapping was ∼5 mm. For dual-site pacing, the double origins were identified when they were located at contralateral sides of ventricles or at the lateral wall and the apex. Conclusion 3DCEI can noninvasively delineate important features of focal or multifocal ventricular excitation. It offers the potential to aid in localizing the origins and imaging activation sequences of ventricular arrhythmias, and to provide noninvasive assessment of the underlying arrhythmia mechanisms.
Ultralow-threshold Raman lasing with CaF 2 resonators

We demonstrate efficient Raman lasing with CaF2 whispering-gallery-mode resonators. Continuous-wave emission threshold is shown to be possible below 1μW with a 5mm cavity, which is to our knowledge orders of magnitude lower than in any other Raman source. Low-threshold lasing is made possible by the ultrahigh optical quality factor of the cavity, of the order of Q=5×1010. Stokes components of up to the fifth order were observed at a pump power of 160 μW, and up to the eighth order at 1mW. A lasing threshold of 15 μW was also observed in a 100 μm CaF2 microcavity. Potential applications are discussed.
Cycloaddition of naphthalenyl and anthracenyl imines: Interesting aspects of the Staudinger reaction

Cycloaddition of imines derived from naphthalene and anthracene derivatives under Staudinger reaction conditions proceeded exceedingly well with remarkable control of stereochemistry to the corresponding β-lactams.
Quadriceps Strength and the Time Course of Functional Recovery After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Study Design Prospective study with repeated measures. Objectives The overall goal of this investigation was to describe the time course of recovery of impairments and function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), as well as to provide direction for rehabilitation efforts. We hypothesized that quadriceps strength would be more strongly correlated with functional performance than knee flexion range of motion (ROM) or pain at all time periods studied before and after TKA. Background TKA is a very common surgery, but very little is known regarding the influence of impairments on functional limitations in this population. Methods and Measures Forty subjects who underwent unilateral TKA followed by rehabilitation, including 6 weeks of outpatient physical therapy, were studied. Testing occurred at 5 time periods: preoperatively, and at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Test measures included quadriceps strength, knee ROM, timed up-and-go test, timed stair-climbing test, bodily pain, and general health and kn...
trans-1,3-pentadiene and cyclobutene complexes of rhodium(I) and iridium(I)

Summary The generation of “MClL2” centers in THF solution (M = Ir, L = AsPh3, SbPh3; M = Rh, L = SbPh3) leads to stable η2-MCl(C5H8)L2 complexes on the addition of an excess of trans-1,3-pentadiene. For IrCl(PPh3)2, it is only possible to recover a clean pentadiene complex if the reaction is carried out in neat diene solution. Cyclobutene also coordinates to “IrClL2” (L = AsPh3, SbPh3) to form an IrCl(C4H6)L2 product when excess cyclobutene is condensed with a starting material at −78°C, THF is added, and the solution is warmed to 25°C. These 16-electron MCl(olefin)L2 complexes are stable to disproportionation after isolation from solution. The most stable complexes are formed with the tertiary arsine and stibine ligands for M = Ir.
Volume reflecting heat shields for entry into the giant planet atmospheres

The performance of a volume reflecting or backscattering silica heat shield is examined for an entry probe into the severe radiative environments of Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter. The governing equations for the material response are solved numerically and include the effects of temperature-dependent thermal properties, temperature- and wavelength-dependent radiative properties, and surface recession caused by thermochemical ablation. The influence of the scattering properties on backface temperature is examined, and results are presented which show the required heat-shield thickness for the entry trajectories selected.
Abstract 1031: The effects of NT1014, a novel AMPK activator, on ovarian cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Introduction: Anti-diabetic biguanide drugs, such as metformin, have been shown to have anti-tumorigenic effects by behaving as AMPK activators and mTOR inhibitors. NT1014 (NovaTarg Therapeutics) is a novel AMPK activator that enters cells specifically through the organic cation transporter, OCT1. Thus, we sought to assess the effect of NT1014 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cell lines. Methods: Ovarian cancer cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay after exposure to NT1014. Apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V-FITC assay. Cell cycle progression was evaluated by Cellometer. Phosphorylated-S6, pan-S6, and OCT1 were evaluated by Western immunoblotting analysis. Results: NT1014 significantly inhibited proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in both ovarian cancer cell lines (IC50 1000 μM for SKOV3, 500 μM for IGROV1), within 48 hours of exposure. Treatment with NT1014 resulted in G1 cell cycle arrest in both cell lines. Apoptosis occurred in IGROV1 cells exposed to NT1014, but not in SKOV3 cells. Western immunoblot analysis demonstrated that NT1014 decreased phosphorylation of the S6 protein, a key downstream target of the mTOR pathway. Expression of OCT1 was also decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. Conclusion: NT1014 suppressed ovarian cancer cell growth, predominantly through G1 cell cycle arrest, and resulted in inhibition of the mTOR pathway. More work is needed to determine if metformin and related novel agents, such as NT1014, will be beneficial in the treatment of women with ovarian cancer. Citation Format: Joshua Kilgore, Amanda L. Jackson, Haifeng Qiu, Chunxiao Zhou, Kenneth Batchelor, Paola Gehrig, Victoria Bae-Jump. The effects of NT1014, a novel AMPK activator, on ovarian cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1031. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1031
GUI Objects with Impenetrable Borders: Is Instruction Necessary?

Placing menus against the edge of the screen reduces selection times because it creates an impenetrable border between the menu and the edge of the screen that the mouse cursor cannot penetrate (Walker, Smelcer, & Nilsen, 1991). The presence of the impenetrable border changes how users move the mouse, so that selection times quicken compared to menus with a penetrable border. However, it is not readily apparent whether or not GUI users could realize the advantages of impenetrable borders without instruction. The purpose of this experiment was to assess whether or not users would discover the benefits of impenetrable borders spontaneously. Results suggest that only 50% of participants who were unaware of the presence of the impenetrable border actually detected it. Additionally, with practice participants who were successful at detecting the impenetrable border selected the targets as quickly as participants who received full instruction concerning the benefits of impenetrable borders.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Feasibility Study for Patients Undergoing Completion Fontan at or Prior to Two Years of Age

Background There is limited data regarding the management of children with HLHS (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) and completion Fontan (CF) at or prior to 2 years of age. A study was undertaken to investigate intermediate outcomes. Methods From August 1999 to December 2008, 52 HLHS survivors underwent extracardiac-conduit CF (29 prior to [group A] versus 23 after 25 months of age [group B]). Mean weight and median follow-up was 9.9 ± 1.3 kg and 79 months (2 to 112) for group A versus 12.1 ± 2.2 kg and 87 months (1 to 97) for group B, respectively. Polytetrafluoroethylene conduits were used. Perioperative outcome variables were studied. Results There was no hospital mortality and 1 late death (group B). In group A, 16 CF had 20-mm conduit (vs 18 mm in 13). Thirteen group B patients received 18-mm conduit (vs 20 mm in 10). No CF was taken down. Eight patients in each group required fenestration ( p = not significant [NS]). Cardiopulmonary bypass was 78 ± 37.3 minutes in group A versus 77 ± 33.9 minutes in group B ( p = NS). Mean pulmonary artery size, McGoon ratio, and transpulmonary gradient in group A versus group B were 7.94 ± 0.59 mm versus 7.87 ± 0.58 ( p = NS), 1.79 ± 0.2 versus 1.77 ± 0.19 ( p = NS), and 4.1 ± 1.1 mm Hg versus 3.5 ± 0.9 ( p = NS), respectively. Aspirin and warfarin were used postoperatively. Mean hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and pleural drainage duration between groups A and B were the following: 10.9 ± 5.8 days versus 12.7 ± 6.1 ( p = NS); 5.6 ± 2.6 days versus 6.7 ± 2.9 ( p = NS); and 7.6 ± 3.8 days versus 8.7 ± 4.1 ( p = NS), respectively. Between groups, no difference in ventilatory support time, arrhythmia, sinus-atrioventricular node dysfunction, protein-losing-enteropathy, and thromboembolic events were noted. Conclusions In HLHS patients, extracardiac conduit CF can be performed with good intermediate results at or prior to 2 years of age. Earlier unloading of a univentricular heart by means of CF in patients with collateral accessory flow between systemic and pulmonary circulation might be advantageous for future ventricular function preservation. In addition, relief from early cyanosis might alleviate deleterious effects from a prolonged cyanotic state. Fenestration is less often required without effect in pleural drainage duration. Age at CF had no effect in preoperative pulmonary artery growth and conduit size selection.
How do characters evolve? (reply)

Ricklefs replies - Purvis 1 states that, under random gradual change, clades accumulate variance in proportion to their total branch length. Accordingly, at a given age, clades with more species should exhibit greater variance. This is incorrect, as shown both analytically2,3 and by simulation4,5, and the error underlines a misunderstanding of my analysis.
TRANSMITTANCE OF NONIONIZING RADIATION IN HUMAN TISSUES

Abstract— Spectral transmittance of 400–865 nm radiation through various human structures, including the skull with scalp, the chest wall, abdominal wall and scrotum, is presented. There is essentially no visible light of wavelengths shorter than 500 nm transmitted through the chest or the abdominal wall. In contrast, 10−5–10−4 of blue light can reach the brain and testes. Transmittance of all tissues increases progressively with wavelength from 600 to 814nm. The maximal transmittances are 10−2–10−1 for skulls and scrota, and 10−3–10−2 for chest and abdominal walls. Tissue thickness, optical absorption and scattering are major influencing factors.
Light-induced metastable changes in amorphous silicon nitride

Abstract Light-induced metastable increases in subgap absorption have been studied in semi-insulating amorphous silicon nitride as a function of illumination temperature between 100 and 300 K. These metastable absorption changes can be partially bleached by subgap light. The metastable increase in subgap absorption is related to neutralization of charged dangling-bond defects. Thermal relaxation of the metastable state is modelled by phonon-assisted hopping of carriers between neutral defects. We explain the persistent photoconductivity of amorphous silicon/silicon nitride multilayers with metastable hole trapping by defects in the nitride layers. We explore the origin of the charge state of dangling-bond defects in silicon nitride and conclude that the origin is more likely potential fluctuations than a negative effective correlation energy. The similarity of light-induced metastable changes in other materials suggests an origin that is common to semi-insulating amorphous alloys.
Using Electronic Mail for Data Collection in Organizational Research

In this article the author discusses a study he conducted that examined the effectiveness of using electronic mail for carrying out research. He notes that some of the benefits of using electronic ...
Mechanistic considerations pertaining to the solvolysis of paclitaxel analogs bearing ester groups at the C2′ position

Abstract Dilute solutions of paclitaxel-related derivatives having chloroacetyl esters in the C2′ position undergo ready methanolysis according to pseudo first-order kinetics while more concentrated solutions appear to be stabilized, possibly by the formation of hydrophobic aggregates that tend to bury this reaction center. Methanolysis is also attenuated in the presence of weak acid, suggesting that paclitaxel's neighboring benzamide nitrogen may be participating in the reaction by serving as an assisting nucleophile.
The use of the Trauma Symptom Inventory in the assessment of PTSD symptoms

This study examined the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI; Briere, 1995) in a sample of 62 trauma-exposed community residents (80% Caucasian, 89% women), including 16 who had posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD and non-PTSD groups differed on seven TSI clinical scales and one validity scale, with effect sizes (r) ranging from 0.26 to 0.53. The largest effect sizes and best diagnostic utility were found for the Defensive Avoidance and Anxious Arousal scales. Diagnostic utility analyses suggest that TSI subscales in isolation are not superior to existing measures of PTSD. A logistic regression using the five most discriminating TSI scales produced a correct classification rate of 85.5%. TSI scales also demonstrated good convergent validity with other measures of PTSD. Overall, the results provide preliminary support for the use of the TSI in the assessment of PTSD.
Controversies in bariatric surgery: evidence-based discussions on laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a surgical option that involves placing a silicone band circumferentially around the uppermost aspect of the stomach. The band creates a small proximal pouch that empties slowly resulting in early satiety and a decreased appetite. The band is attached to an access port that is secured to the rectus muscle and can be accessed percutaneously in the office with a needle. Injection of saline into the port results in tightening of the band. This is performed on an individual basis according to weight loss and appetite. Band adjustments are required approximately 5–6 times in the first year and 2–3 times in the second year. Weight loss is gradual, averaging 1–2 lb/week during the first 2 years after surgery.
Block copolymer self-assembly in chemically patterned squares

The self-assembly of block copolymers thin films laterally confined within square geometries that are incompatible with the bulk packing symmetry of the block copolymer microdomains is investigated. The lateral confinement is provided by chemical patterns made by oxidation nanolithography of octadecyltrichlorosilane-coated silicon surfaces. We find that the size and shape of the confinement affect the order of the block copolymer microdomains and their packing symmetries. Specifically, if the size of the square pattern is smaller than the characteristic grain size the hexagonally packed microdomains form a single-crystal oriented along the edges of the pattern and with “edge-boundaries” located preferentially at the perimeter of the pattern. If the size of the pattern is comparable with the natural bulk period of the copolymer, the packing symmetry changes from hexagonal to square. In this case the ordering induced by the pattern edges becomes dominant allowing the square lattice to be more stable than the hexagonal one.
A Cost Utility Analysis of Sonograhestrography Compared with Hysteroscopic Evaluation for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Research was conducted to discover whether the cost utility of sonohysterography was superior to hysteroscopic diagnosis for patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Participants in: this stud...
Accurate and efficient pricing of vanilla stock options via the Crandall-Douglas scheme

In this paper, we apply the Crandall-Douglas scheme [Quarterly of Applied Mathematics 13 (1955) 318-320, Journal of Mathematics and Physics 35 (1956) 145-151] for the heat equation to the computation of vanilla stock option prices. This method has the advantage of being second-order accurate in time and fourth-order accurate in ''space'' (i.e., asset price) and can even be made sixth-order accurate if we restrict the size of the time step. Although there is an exact solution for European options, we study their numerical approximation so as to determine suitable discretization parameters and permit reasonable placement of the far-field boundary. We then turn to American options where there are no analytical pricing formulae. Discretization of the associated free boundary problem, when expressed as a variational inequality, leads to a linear complementarity problem at each time step. These subproblems are solved in linear time by the Elliott-Ockendon algorithm [Weak and Variational Methods for Moving Boundary Problems, Pitman, 1982, pp. 115-117]. The net result is an option pricing methodology which is both very accurate and highly efficient. We present the application of our numerical scheme to calls paying continuous dividends as well as to puts, in both cases permitting early exercise of the option.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Public supportfor integratedpest management(1PM) is derived in partfrom concerns over food safety and the environment, yet few studies have assessed the economic value of health and environmentalbenefits of 1PM. An approach is suggested for such an assessment and applied to the Virginia peanut 1PM program. Effects of 1PM on environmental risks posed by pesticides are assessed and society’s willingness to pay to reduce those risks is estimated. The annual environmental benefits of the peanut 1PM program are estimated at $844,000. The estimatesof pesticide risks and willingness to pay can be applied elsewhere in economic assessmentsof 1PM.
Sensory experiences of children with autism spectrum disorder: In their own words

First-person perspectives of children with autism spectrum disorder are rarely included in research, yet their voices may help more clearly illuminate their needs. This study involved phenomenological interviews with children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 12, ages 4-13) used to gain insights about their sensory experiences. This article addresses two study aims: determining the feasibility of interviewing children with autism spectrum disorder and exploring how they share information about their sensory experiences during the qualitative interview process. With the described methods, children as young as 4 years old and across a broad range of autism severity scores successfully participated in the interviews. The manner with which children shared information about their sensory experiences included themes of normalizing, storytelling, and describing responses. The interviews also revealed the importance of context and the multisensory nature of children's experiences. These findings contribute strategies for understanding the sensory experiences of children with autism spectrum disorder with implications for practice and future research.
A deadline-driven window protocol for transmission of hard real-time traffic

A description is given of a protocol to handle traffic with timing constraints, such as the traffic generated by distributed real-time applications. The protocol uses a dynamic double-window based strategy to implement the optimal minimum-laxity-first policy. The author discusses the major issues involved in the design of the protocol. The tie assessment phase is formally described and its mechanism discussed. The author describes a simulation experiment that aimed at comparing the performance of the proposed scheme with the performance of the standard access mechanisms. The major advantages of the proposed protocol are the adherence of the scheme to the timing requirements of different messages and its preservation of the minimum-laxity-first policy even in the presence of ties among messages. >
Nutrient density estimates from an average of food frequency and food records correlate well with serum concentrations of vitamins E and the carotenoids in free-living adults

Dietary intakes are usually estimated by either a food frequency test, or by food records. We hypothesized that dietary intake estimates for fat soluble vitamins might be more accurate if information from both food frequency tests and food records were used. We estimated dietary intakes in 10 healthy adults by 4 food frequency questionnaires and ten 3-day food records collected over a year. Serum antioxidant nutrient concentrations (vitamins A, E, and the carotenoids) were measured by HPLC throughout the year. Few changes in intake occurred over the year. Estimates of nutrient densities correlated more often than estimates of nutrient intakes to serum nutrient concentrations. Nutrient density estimates derived from the average of food frequency and food record estimates were significantly correlated with serum nutrient concentrations more often than dietary estimates derived from either food frequency or food records alone. We suggest that nutrient density estimates derived from a combination of food frequency and food records may be useful for studies of free-living individuals.
Reliability of semantic differential scales: The role of factor analysis

(1971). Reliability of semantic differential scales: The role of factor analysis. Western Speech: Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 185-190.
Four-Dimensional Wavelet Compression of 4-D Medical Images Using Scalable 4-D SBHP

This paper proposes a low-complexity wavelet-based method for progressive lossy-to-lossless compression of four dimensional (4-D) medical images. The subband block hierarchal partitioning (SBHP) algorithm is modified and extended to four dimensions, and applied to every code block independently. The resultant algorithm, 4D-SBHP, efficiently encodes 4D image data by the exploitation of the dependencies in all dimensions, while enabling progressive SNR and resolution decompression. The resolution scalable and lossy-to-lossless performances are empirically investigated. The experimental results show that our 4-D scheme achieves better compression performance on 4-D medical images when compared with 3-D volumetric compression schemes
Reductive Dehalogenation of Trichloroacetic Acid by Trichlorobacter thiogenes gen. nov., sp. nov

A bacterium able to grow via reductive dechlorination of trichloroacetate was isolated from anaerobic soil enrichments. The isolate, designated strain K1, is a member of the δ proteobacteria and is related to other known sulfur and ferric iron reducers. In anaerobic mineral media supplemented with acetate and trichloroacetate, its doubling time was 6 h. Alternative electron donor and acceptors were acetoin and sulfur or fumarate, respectively. Trichloroacetate dehalogenation activity was constitutively present, and the dechlorination product was dichloroacetate and chloride. Trichloroacetate conversion seemed to be coupled to a novel sulfur-sulfide redox cycle, which shuttled electrons from acetate oxidation to trichloroacetate reduction. In view of its unique physiological characteristics, the name Trichlorobacter thiogenes is suggested for strain K1.
Texture Profile of Broiler Pectoralis major as Influenced by Post-Mortem Deboning Time and Heat Method

Abstract The texture profiles of broiler Pectoralis major muscles from eight treatments were determined in order to examine the effects of deboning times and cooking method as well as the relationship between objective measures and sensory attributes. The treatments were four post-mortem (PM) deboning times (
Integrating Physical and Digital Interactions on Walls for Fluid Design Collaboration

ABSTRACT Web designers use pens, paper, walls, and tables for explaining, developing, and communicating ideas during the early phases of design. These practices inspired The Designers' Outpost. With Outpost, users collaboratively author Web site information architectures on an electronic whiteboard using physical media (sticky notes and images), structuring and annotating that information with electronic pens. This interaction is enabled by a touch-sensitive electronic whiteboard augmented with a computer vision system. The Designers' Outpost integrates wall-scale, paper-based design practices with novel electronic tools to better support collaboration during early-phase design. Our studies with professional designers showed this integration to be especially helpful for fluidly transitioning to other design tools, access and exploration of design history, and remote collaboration.
Ultrafast excited-state dynamics in the green fluorescent protein variant S65T/H148D. 2. Unusual photophysical properties.

In the preceding accompanying paper [Shu, X., et al. (2007) Biochemistry 46, 12005−12013], the 1.5 A resolution crystal structure of green fluorescent protein (GFP) variant S65T/H148D is presented, and the possible consequences of an unusual short hydrogen bond (≤2.4 A) between the carboxyl oxygen of Asp148 and the phenol oxygen of the chromophore are discussed. This work reports the femtosecond time-resolved emission of this variant at pH 5.6 by ultrafast fluorescence upconversion spectroscopy. Following excitation at 400 nm, green fluorescence is observed at 510 nm with a rise on a time scale that is faster than the 170 fs instrument response. Time-resolved emission spectra at 140 K also exhibit the immediate appearance of green fluorescence, and this extremely fast process is hardly affected by deuteration of exchangeable protons. These results appear to be dramatically different from those of wild-type GFP, in which the green fluorescence at 508 nm is produced on the picosecond time scale as a result ...
An elliptical head tracker

A simple algorithm for tracking a person's head is presented. A two-dimensional model, namely an ellipse, is used to approximate the head's contour. When a new image becomes available, a local search determines the position and size of the best ellipse by maximizing the normalized sum of the image gradient magnitude around the perimeter of the ellipse. The local search begins from a predicted position, using the head's velocity which eliminates the tracker's dependence upon maximum velocity. The tracker operates at 30 Hz and actively controls camera pan and tilt in order to track a person moving in a real environment. The algorithm tolerates full 360-degree rotation of the body as well as moderate amounts of occlusion, and it performs reacquisition of the subject.
Obstructive jaundice from hepatic amyloidosis in a patient with multiple myeloma

A patient with multiple myeloma is described who developed severe intrahepatic cholestasis secondary to hepatic deposition of amyloid. This is the first reported case of this complication's developing in a patient with multiple myeloma.
A thermophile in the shade: light-directed nest relocation in the Costa Rican ant Ectatomma ruidum.

In tropical climates, nest movements by mature ant colonies are probably widespread but the phenomenon of nest relocation is poorly described (McGlynn 2007, McGlynn et al. 2004, Smallwood 1982a). For species that nest in soil, the costs and risks associated with excavating and establishing new nests are consequential, and it is assumed that relocation occurs when the costs are offset by a more advantageous nest location (Avargues-Weber & Monnin 2009, Banschbach & Herbers 1999). Nest movements may occur to areas with greater availability of food resources or to a more favourable microclimate. Here we provide the first report of nest relocation in one of the most widespread and well described ant species in the Neotropics, Ectatomma ruidum (Roger), and we perform a manipulative experiment to test whether food availability or light environment influence nest movement.
Neither Mess nor Menace: Legal Education and the Erudite Apprentice

After providing a condensed history of skills and clinical teaching in American legal education, this article compares and contrasts two salient publications – “Best Practices for Legal Education” (Clinical Legal Education Association) and “Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Profession of Law” (Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching) – both issued in 2007.
Locating rare and weak material anomalies by convex demixing of propagating wavefields

This paper considers the problem of detecting and localizing material anomalies in solid structures, given spatiotemporal observations at a pre-defined grid of points that collectively describe the material displacement resulting from an induced, propagating acoustic surface wave. We propose an approach that seeks to separate or “demix” each temporal snapshot of the propagating wavefield into its constituent components, which are assumed to be morphologically dissimilar in the vicinity of material defects. We cast this demixing approach as a group lasso regression task, characterized by morphologically dissimilar dictionaries, and establish conditions under which material anomalies may be accurately identified using this approach. We demonstrate and validate the performance of this approach on synthetic data as well as real-world data.
A new species of Ptomaphagus ( Appadelopsis ) (Coleoptera: Leiodidae) from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U.S.A.

Recent activities within the beetle component of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) include a substantial collecting effort (Carlton & Bayless in press). Sampling of forest litter-dwelling beetles is an important part of this collecting program, and substantial numbers (217 by the end of 2006) of samples from GSMNP and vicinity has been processed since 2001. The progress of sorting and identification of this material varies depending on taxon, but several new species have been discovered and described (e.g., Konstantinov & Tishechkin 2004; Sokolov et al . 2004; Gimmel & Ślipinski 2007). This paper is the first taxonomic treatment of the genus Ptomaphagus Illiger, 1798 subgenus Appadelopsis Gnaspini, 1996, of the Great Smokies.
On Composite Beams

Numerical calculations are presented to describe the behavior of a composite beam in which the concrete slab does not predominate and the neutral axis of the transformed section is well into the steel section. The general behavior of such a beam is examined and some inadequacies of the present code illustrated.
Book Review: Reimagining Child Soldiers in International Law and Policy

This essay reviews "Reimagining Child Soldiers in International Law and Policy" (2012), in which author Mark Drumbl examines legal doctrine, global activism, and social science research respecting underaged combatants.