cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Virtual infrastructure embedding over software-defined flex-grid optical networks

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) enables efficient and scalable network virtualization. Infrastructure resources, such as computing and networking resources, can be abstracted and outsourced as a service using virtualization technology. These SDN features can be extended to the optical transport networks to enable high capacity, low cost, and long reach transport networks. In this paper, we introduce an architecture for Software-Defined Optical Network (SDON), and study the virtual infrastructure embedding (VIE) problem over SDON with the objective of minimizing the blocking probability of VIE requests. We propose two novel heuristic algorithms, namely Compute followed by Network Load Balance (CNLB) and Network followed by Compute Load Balance (NCLB). Specifically, NCLB is the first ever attempt to solve the VIE problem by allocating the networking resource first followed by provisioning the computing resource. We compare these two algorithms with the Shortest-Path Based Embedding (SPBE) algorithm. The simulation results show that both CNLB and NCLB outperform SPBE in terms of minimizing the request blocking probability, and NCLB achieves the best performance.
Regulation of rat brain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism during graded dietary n-3 PUFA deprivation.

Knowing threshold changes in brain lipids and lipid enzymes during dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deprivation may elucidate dietary regulation of brain lipid metabolism. To determine thresholds, rats were fed for 15 weeks DHA-free diets having graded reductions of α-linolenic acid (α-LNA). Compared with control diet (4.6% α-LNA), plasma DHA fell significantly at 1.7% dietary α-LNA while brain DHA remained unchanged down to 0.8% α-LNA, when plasma and brain docosapentaenoic acid (DPAn-6) were increased and DHA-selective iPLA2 and COX-1 activities were downregulated. Brain AA was unchanged by deprivation, but AA selective-cPLA2, sPLA2 and COX-2 activities were increased at or below 0.8% dietary α-LNA, possibly in response to elevated brain DPAn-6. In summary, homeostatic mechanisms appear to maintain a control brain DHA concentration down to 0.8% dietary DHA despite reduced plasma DHA, when DPAn-6 replaces DHA. At extreme deprivation, decreased brain iPLA2 and COX-1 activities may reduce brain DHA loss.
Extending STI for demanding hard-real-time systems

Software thread integration (STI) is a compilation technique which enables the efficient use of an application's fine-grain idle time on generic processors without special hardware support. With STI, a primary function (with real-time requirements on specific instructions) is automatically interleaved with a secondary function to create a single implicitly multithreaded function which minimizes context switching and hence both improves performance and also offers very fine-grain concurrency.In this paper we extend STI techniques to address two challenges. First, we reduce response time for interrupts or other high-priority threads by introducing polling servers into integrated threads. Currently integrated threads disable interrupts, delaying all other work until their completion. Second, we enable integration with long host threads, expanding the domain of STI. With current techniques, if there are frequent interrupts, only host threads which can finish execution before the next interrupt can be integrated. We derive methods to evaluate the response time for threads in systems with and without these new integration methods.We demonstrate these concepts with the integration of various threads in a sample hard-real-time system on a highly-constrained microcontroller. We use an inexpensive 20 MHz AVR 8-bit microcontroller to generate monochrome NTSC video while servicing a high-speed (115.2 kbaud) serial communication link. We have built and tested this system and demonstrate graphics rendering speed-ups of 3.99x to 13.5x.
The effect of regional ischemia on mitral valve annular saddle shape.

Abstract Background The mitral valve annulus has a distinctive saddle shape. Recent finite element analysis indicates this shape may contribute to normal valve function by increasing leaflet curvature and reducing leaflet stress. This study tests the hypothesis that acute ischemic mitral regurgitation (AIMR) is associated with loss of annular saddle shape. Methods Sonomicrometry array localization (SAL) measured the three-dimensional geometry of the mitral annulus in 6 sheep before and after 30 min of posterior ischemia that produced severe AIMR. Using this SAL data the annular height to commissural width ratio (AHCWR), a measure of annular saddle shape, was calculated throughout the cardiac cycle and reported as a percentage. Results The normal mitral annulus accentuated its saddle shape rapidly during isovolemic contraction: AHCWR increased from 11.6% ± 1.1%–13.9% ± 1.6% ( p p Conclusions The normal mitral annulus accentuates its saddle shape during systole. This accentuation is eliminated during ischemia that causes AIMR. These data suggest an association between annular saddle shape and valve competency.
Ceramics and ceramic composites as high-temperature structural materials: challenges and opportunities

Perspectives are presented on the development of ceramics and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) for high-temperature structural components. The emphasis is on design requirements and their role in directing research toward actual products. An important theme concerns the relative roles of fracture toughness and inelastic strain (ductility) in the application of materials in primary structures. Ceramics with high toughness have been developed, but macroscopic inelasticity has not been achieved. Robust design procedures have yet to be developed for such materials. This deficiency, as well as relatively high manufacturing and qualification costs, has retarded their commercial exploitation. Strategies for addressing this problem are considered.
Cardiovascular abnormalities in Folr1 knockout mice and folate rescue.

BACKGROUND: Periconceptional folic acid supplementation is widely believed to aid in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs), orofacial clefts, and congenital heart defects. Folate-binding proteins or receptors serve to bind folic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, representing one of the two major mechanisms of cellular folate uptake. METHODS: We herein describe abnormal cardiovascular development in mouse fetuses lacking a functional folate-binding protein gene (Folr1). We also performed a dose-response study with folinic acid and determined the impact of maternal folate supplementation on Folr1 nullizygous cardiac development. RESULTS: Partially rescued preterm Folr1 � /� (formerly referred to as Folbp1) fetuses were found to have outflow tract defects, aortic arch artery abnormalities, and isolated dextracardia. Maternal supplementation with folinic acid rescued the embryonic lethality and the observed cardiovascular phenotypes in a dose-dependant manner. Maternal genotype exhibited significant impact on the rescue efficiency, suggesting an important role of in utero folate status in embryonic development. Abnormal heart looping was observed during early development of Folr1 � /� embryos partially rescued by maternal folinic acid supplementation. Migration pattern of cardiac neural crest cells, genetic signals in pharyngeal arches, and the secondary heart field were also found to be affected in the mutant embryos. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that the beneficial effect of folic acid for congenital heart defects might be mediated via its impact on neural crest cells and by gene regulation of signaling pathways involved in the development of the pharyngeal arches and the secondary heart field. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 79:257–268, 2007. 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Intraurethral Ultrasonography: Correlation of Urethral Anatomy with Functional Urodynamic Parameters in Stress Incontinent Women

To determine whether differences in functional urodynamic parameters can be explained by changes in urethral anatomy, 39 patients underwent intraurethral ultrasonography to obtain a 360° view of the urethra. The point of maximal rhabdosphincter thickness was identified in all patients. The thickness, circumference and area of the urethral smooth and skeletal muscle layers were calculated. Data from patient histories and urodynamic evaluations were compared with this anatomical survey. The urodynamic diagnoses were as follows: 10 patients were normal, 24 had genuine stress incontinence and 5 had intrinsic sphincter deficiency. These patients had decreasing rhabdosphincter thicknesses of 3.91, 3.35 and 2.70 mm (P= 0.048). A weak linear relationship was found between maximal urethral closure pressure and rhabdosphincter (r= 0.40, P= 0.013) and longitudinal smooth muscle (r= 0.35, P = 0.027) thickness. It was concluded that a loss of urethral resistance as measured by maximal urethral closure pressure is associated with changes in urethral anatomy identified by intraurethral ultrasonography.
The genetics of hereditary spastic paraplegia and implications for drug therapy

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) comprises a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous diseases that affect the upper motor neurons and their axonal projections. A total of 30 chromosomal loci have been identified for autosomal dominant, recessive and X-linked HSP. The underlying genes for 15 of these loci have been described. The molecular dissection of the cellular functions of the related gene products has already greatly advanced our understanding of the most critical pathways involved in HSP. It is hoped that in the foreseeable future this knowledge will begin to translate into novel pharmacological approaches for this devastating disease.
Engineering managers and sustainable systems: the need for and challenges of using an ethical framework for transformative leadership

Despite multiple efforts, achieving sustainable societies remains an elusive target that will require transformative change at all levels. While such change has to start at the top of an organization, its success depends on effective implementation. For technical organizations, sustainability implementation rests in a large part with the many engineering teams responsible for meeting client needs and organizational targets. Project and line managers have to influence those team members to adopt the moral characteristics necessary to engineer sustainable projects as part of everyday practice. To support their leadership efforts, we draw on care ethics and sustainability ethics in the form of an engineering ethic to propose a framework to orient and ground the reflective practices of those engineering managers. We discuss the challenges involved with internalizing this framework and suggest future empirical work needed before the framework can be operationalized. Embedding sustainability in daily engineering practice has to evolve at the professional level by formulating and propagating the relevant engineering codes, and evolve at the educational level by making sustainability part of the formal engineering curriculum.
Excitatory amino acid receptors in glia: different subtypes for distinct functions?

It is now well established that expression of voltage- and ligand-gated ionic channels, as well as G proteincoupled receptors, is not a property unique to neurons, but is also shared by macroglial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes). These glial cells can receive a variety of signals from neurons at different stages of their development. Activation of membrane receptors may affect glial cell activity, proliferation, maturation, and survival through a complex cascade of intracellular events leading to long-term changes in glial cell phenotype and functional organization. Here we review the experimental evidence for glutamate receptor expression in glial cells in culture and in situ, and the molecular and functional properties of these receptors. We also describe some experimental models that identify possible functions of glutamate receptors in glia. Now that the existence of glutamate receptors in glia has been unambiguously demonstrated, future research will have to (1) determine which receptor subtypes are expressed in macroglial cells in vivo; (2) analyze, in adequate experimental models, the short and long-term changes produced by glutamate receptor activation in glia; and (3) establish whether these receptors play a role in neuron-glia communication in the brain. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
On the invariance principle of scattering theory

Abstract The invariance principle of scattering theory is proved under certain rate-of-convergence conditions. As a consequence we obtain an invariance principle in the case of potential scattering with potentials V(x) satisfying (1+|x|)δV(x)∈l2(R3) for some δ > 0.
Coupling and interface effects in magnetic oxide superlattices

Magnetic oxide superlattices are attractive model systems in which to study coupling and interface effects. After briefly summarizing synthesis and characterization methods, this review describes recent experimental results obtained in investigating epitaxial oxide multilayers comprised primarily of ferromagnetic/paramagnetic, ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic, and antiferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic materials. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for exchange coupling, exchange biasing, and novel magnetic structures.
Semigroups of topological mappings and dimension

We define the dimension of an arbitrary subset with nonempty interior in a finite-dimensional Euclidean space in terms of semigroups of its topological mappings.
Model type selection in an integrated DSS environment

Abstract Effective computer based support for the use of analytic models in management decision making requires model management systems (MMS) that facilitate all phases of the modeling process. Existing approaches to the design of MMS commonly assume that the type of model needed to solve each problem is predetermined by the decision maker. This is a limited view, since determination of the appropriate model type is a difficult task, and is hampered by the subjective preferences of individuals. In this paper, we describe the model (type) selection process, argue why support for this should be integral to MMS design, and overview an approach to the design of the model selection subsystem in an integrated DSS.
Giving Positive HIV Test Results to Clients

Abstract Intensive field studies of HIV testing sites were conducted in order to identify key factors associated with the process of giving HIV positive test results to clients. Direct field observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 HIV test providers/counselors. Five components of the process of giving HIV positive test results were found: (1) verifying clients' identities, (2) collecting contact information, (3) communicating results, (4) linking to treatment and services, and (5) managing client and staff emotions. Results highlight the complex nature of the work of communicating HIV positive test results. Examples include the problem for counselors when they encounter clients who intentionally mislead site staff in order to obtain another person's test result and the difficulty counselors face in separating their work from their personal life.
Effects of gender and mating status on self‐directed dispersal by the whitefly parasitoid Eretmocerus eremicus

Summary 1. The impacts of gender and mating on short-range (< 10 km) dispersal by the whitefly parasitoid Eretmocerus eremicus Rose and Zolnerowich (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) were examined. A fluorescent dust-marking technique was also tested. 2. In a vertical flight chamber, female flight duration was significantly longer than that of males, and unmated parasitoids flew for longer than mated parasitoids. The mean flight durations were: unmated females 34 min, mated females 10 min, unmated males 7 min, mated males < 1 min. 3. The dispersal behaviour of E. eremicus was investigated in the field using fluorescent dust. Before doing so, it was determined in the laboratory that this dust did not affect flight behaviour, was retained over the length of the experiments, and allowed large samples to be processed quickly and inexpensively. 4. In the field, traps were placed along annuli at 3, 5, 7, and 10 m from release points. Eighty-seven per cent of the 4153 parasitoids captured were males. Sex ratios were near parity on release. 5. The difference in dispersal characteristics between males and females may be resource based, suggesting that certain requirements were met within the field plots for males that were not met for females. 6. Locally, males dispersed in a manner consistent with a simple diffusion model while females engaged in wind-directed flight soon after leaving release sites. The fact that the genders exhibited dissimilar dispersal characteristics, supports the claim that insect flight, even by small species, can be self-directed.
Sox4 regulates choroid fissure closure by limiting Hedgehog signaling during ocular morphogenesis

SoxC transcription factors play critical roles in many developmental processes, including neurogenesis, cardiac formation, and skeletal differentiation. In vitro and in vivo loss-of-function studies have suggested that SoxC genes are required for oculogenesis; however the mechanism was poorly understood. Here, we have explored the function of the SoxC factor Sox4 during zebrafish eye development. We show that sox4a and sox4b are expressed in the forebrain and periocular mesenchyme adjacent to the optic stalk during early eye development. Knockdown of sox4 in zebrafish resulted in coloboma, a structural malformation of the eye that is a significant cause of pediatric visual impairment in humans, in which the choroid fissure fails to close. Sox4 morphants displayed altered proximo-distal patterning of the optic vesicle, including expanded pax2 expression in the optic stalk, as well as ectopic cell proliferation in the retina. We show that the abnormal ocular morphogenesis observed in Sox4-deficient zebrafish is caused by elevated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, and this is due to increased expression of the Hh pathway ligand Indian Hedgehog b (ihhb). Consistent with these results, coloboma in sox4 morphants could be rescued by pharmacological treatment with the Hh inhibitor cyclopamine, or by co-knockdown of ihhb. Conversely, overexpression of sox4 reduced Hh signaling and ihhb expression, resulting in cyclopia. Finally, we demonstrate that sox4 and sox11 have overlapping, but not completely redundant, functions in regulating ocular morphogenesis. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Sox4 is required to limit the extent of Hh signaling during eye development, and suggest that mutations in SoxC factors could contribute to the development of coloboma.
Sulfides from Martian and Lunar Basalts: Comparative Chemistry for Ni Co Cu and Se

Here Mars and Moon are used as 'natural laboratories' with Moon displaying lower oxygen fugacities ({approx}IW-1) than Mars ({approx}IW to FMQ). Moon has lower concentrations of Ni and Co in basaltic melts than does Mars. The major sulfides are troilite (FeS) in lunar basalts and pyrrhotite (Fe{sub 1-x}S) in martian basalts. This study focuses on the concentrations of Ni, Co, Cu, and Se. We chose these elements because of their geochemical importance and the feasibility of analyzing them with a combination of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (SXRF) and electron microprobe (EPMA) techniques. The selenium concentrations could only be analyzed, at high precision, with SXRF techniques as they are <150 ppm, similar to concentrations seen in carbonaceous chondrites and interplanetary dust particles (IDPs). Nickel and Co are in higher concentrations in martian sulfides than lunar and are higher in martian olivine-bearing lithologies than olivine-free varieties. The sulfides in individual samples show very large ranges in concentration (e.g., Ni ranges from 50 000 ppm to <5 ppm). These large ranges are mainly due to compositional heterogeneities within individual grains due to diffusion and phase separation. Electron microprobe wavelength-dispersive (WDS) mapping of Ni, Co, and Cu show the diffusion trajectories. Nickel and Co havemore » almost identical diffusion trajectories leading to the likely nucleation of pentlandite (Ni,Co,Fe){sub 9}S{sub 8}, and copper diffuses along separate pathways likely toward chalcopyrite nucleation sites (CuFeS{sub 2}). The systematics of Ni and Co in lunar and martian sulfides clearly distinguish the two parent bodies, with martian sulfides displaced to higher Ni and Co values.« less
Polarization vision: a door to an unseen world

Polarization vision (PV), or the sensitivity to the partial polarization and orientation of polarization of partially linearly polarized light (PLPL), is widely spread among marine animals. Humans however are mostly insensitive to polarized light and therefore the information it carries is not readily available to us. Using an imaging polarizer, capable of analyzing the linear polarization characteristics of a full image on a single pixel basis, I studied the distribution of PLPL in various oceanic environments, its reflection from various surfaces, and its use by marine animals. The polarimeter was based on two twisted nematic liquid crystals and a fixed polarizing filter in series in front of a video camera. Results revealed a great complexity in the marine polarized light environment. Further, several animals such as fish, echinoderms, and crustaceans reflected unique polarization patterns. In the horizontal line of view, the background light is more than 30% horizontally polarized. Under these conditions, transparent targets, which depolarize or rotate the orientation of polarization are expected to be conspicuous through PV. Several species of zooplankton were found to depolarize light in such a fashion. In field measurements PV enabled an increase of more than 80% in detection range for transparent depolarizing targets over intensity imaging.
Longitudinal analysis of T1ρ and T2 quantitative MRI of knee cartilage laminar organization following microfracture surgery

Abstract Objective To quantitate longitudinally the radiographic properties of different layers of repaired tissue following microfracture (MFx) surgery using T 1ρ and T 2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Design 10 patients underwent MFx surgery to treat symptomatic focal cartilage defects (FCD). Sagittal three-dimensional (3D) water excitation high-spatial resolution (HR) spoiled gradient recalled (SPGR) for quantitative T 1ρ and T 2 mapping were acquired for each patient 3–6months and 1year after surgery. Cartilage compartments were segmented on HR-SPGR images, and T 1ρ and T 2 maps were registered to the HR-SPGR images. T 1ρ and T 2 values for the full thickness of deep and superficial layers of repaired tissue (RT) and normal cartilage (NC) were calculated, and compared within and between respective time points. A p-value Results The majority of FCD were found in the MFC. The average surface area of the lesions did not differ significantly overtime. At 3–6months, RT had significantly higher full thickness T 1ρ and T 2 values relative to NC. At 1year, this significant difference was only observed for T 1ρ values. At 3–6months follow-up, the RT's superficial layer had significantly higher T 1ρ and T 2 values than the deep layer of the RT and the superficial layer of NC. At 12months, the superficial layer of the RT had significantly higher T 1ρ values than the RT's deep layer and the NC's superficial layer. Conclusion T 1ρ and T 2 MRI are feasible methods for quantitatively and noninvasively monitoring the maturation of repaired tissue following microfracture surgery over time.
Elevated levels of diacylglycerol and decreased phorbol ester sensitivity in ras-transformed fibroblasts

Diacylglycerol (DG) plays a central role in phospholipid metabolism and is an endogenous activator of protein kinase C (refs 1–3). We have suggested4,5 that constitutive activation of this kinase is one mechanism by which oncogenes transform cells. The ras-encoded proteins are similar to regulatory G-proteins6 and are candidates for the unknown G-protein that modulates phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover1,7,8. Differences in polyphos-phoinositide metabolism have been reported for ras-transformed cells9. But because these experiments were performed on confluent cultures of established cell lines, the differences are difficult to attribute to ras transformation. Here we show that exponentially growing NIH 3T3 fibroblasts recently transformed by Ha-ras or Ki-ras possess elevated DG concentrations without significant alterations in the levels of other polyphosphoinositide metabolites. The basal phosphorylation of protein kinase C substrate of relative molecular mass (Mr) 80,000 (80K) is significantly increased in all the ras-transformed cell lines. Surprisingly, however, further phosphorylation of this protein on addition of phorbol ester was greatly reduced. Ha-ras cells also show less binding of phorbol ester than control cells, suggesting that elevation of DG causes partial down-regulation in addition to activation of protein kinase C.
Paradigms for mechanical signal transduction in the intestinal epithelium. Category: molecular, cell, and developmental biology.

Diverse physical forces including deformation or strain, pressure, and shear stress affect the intestinal mucosa during normal function, and mucosal biology is altered in pathological states in which these forces alter. Taken together with evidence in other tissues and cell types that physical forces can affect cell biology, this has led to the hypothesis that repetitively applied physical forces can initiate intracellular signals that alter intestinal epithelial proliferation and phenotype. This review outlines the nature of such forces and summarizes in vivo and in vitro evidence in support of the paradigm that repetitive force is trophic for the intestinal mucosa via a complex cascade of intracellular signals.
Psychosocial Response to Mass Casualty Terrorism: Guidelines for Physicians.

Background: All physicians would need to address the psychosocial consequences of a mass casualty terrorist attack should it occur. Method: A review of evidence and expert opinion regarding psychosocial response to mass casualty incidents was performed. Data were obtained via the PubMed database in an English-language search using the terms PTSD secondary prevention, psychological first aid, and disaster psychiatry and the dates 1995 through 2004. Results: There is a National Institute of Mental Health consensus statement on the psychiatric response to mass violence, but sparse psychopharmacologic literature. Psychotherapeutic interventions are well studied in posttraumatic settings. Conclusions: The physician's response to mass casualty terrorism must address the high volume of patients with anxiety reactions and somatic symptoms likely to present for care. Supportive interventions include fostering a sense of safety and efficacy, connecting patients with communities and services, and helping parents talk about the trauma with their children. In the future, early pharmacologic interventions may be proven effective.
Stability of discrete linear inclusion

Abstract Let M = {Ai} be a set of linear operators on R n. The discrete linear inclusion DLI(M) is the set of possible trajectories (xi: i ⩾ 0) such that xn = AinAin−1 … Ai1x0 where x 0 ∈ R n and Aij ∈ M. We study several notions of stability for DLI(M), including absolute asymptotic stability (AAS), which is that all products Ain … Ai1 → 0 as n → ∞. We mainly study the case that M is a finite set. We give criteria for the various forms of stability. Two new approaches are taken: one relates the question of AAS of DLI(M) to formal language theory and finite automata, while the second connects the AAS property to the structure of a Lie algebra associated to the elements of M. More generally, the discrete linear inclusion DLI(M) makes sense for M contained in a Banach algebra B . We prove some results for AAS in this case, and give counterexamples showing that some results valid for finite sets of operators on R n are not true for finite sets M in a general Banach algebras B .
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles induce JB6 cell apoptosis through activation of the caspase-8/Bid and mitochondrial pathways.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), a commercially important material, is used in a wide variety of products. Although TiO2 is generally regarded as nontoxic, the cytotoxicity, pathogenicity, and carcinogenicity of TiO2 nanoparticles have been recently recognized. The present study investigated TiO2 nanoparticle-induced cell apoptosis and molecular mechanisms involved in this process in a mouse epidermal (JB6) cell line. Using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, TiO2 nanoparticles were found to exhibit higher cytotoxicity than fine particles. YO-PRO-1 iodide (YP) staining demonstrated that both TiO2 nanoparticles and fine particles induced cell death through apoptosis. The signaling pathways involved in TiO2 particle-induced apoptosis were investigated. Western-blot analysis showed an activation of caspase-8, Bid, BAX, and caspase-3 and a decrease of Bcl-2 in JB6 cells treated with TiO2 particles. Time-dependent poly(ADP)ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage induced by TiO2 nano...
Measurement of airflow in speech.

It has been shown previously that a mask-type wire screen pneumotachograph can be constructed with a time resolution of % msec. In this paper it is shown that with careful design a resolution of ab...
Long-term danazol therapy in autoimmune thrombocytopenia: unmaintained remission and age-dependent response in women.

Abstract Study Objective:To assess the long-term benefit and side effects of danazol therapy, and to delineate factors influencing the responses in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Design...
Pulmonary patch repair of tracheobronchial necrosis with perforation secondary to caustic ingestion.

Corrosive aerodigestive injury complicated by tracheobronchial necrosis is a rare complication after caustic ingestion that carries a high risk of mortality and morbidity. If left untreated, tracheobronchial necrosis results in perforation, mediastinitis, and death. Pulmonary patch repair is a safe, effective, and easily performed surgical technique for the treatment of tracheobronchial necrosis with perforation. Frequent endoscopic surveillance leads to early diagnosis and prompt operative management to prevent significant morbidity. We describe a pulmonary patch repair of a patient who had stage 3b necrosis of the esophagus and the stomach with tracheobronchial necrosis and perforation after caustic ingestion.
THE MAGNITUDE OF INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL VARIATIONS IN DEMAND COEFFICIENTS: A XENIA, OHIO CASE EXAMPLE

Abstract The research reported in this paper develops individual value and choice expressions for a sample of travellers in Xenia, Ohio, U.S.A. A brief description of the methodology for constructing and forecasting with individual-level demand equations is given, relying principally on multiple linear regression and multiple analysis of variance. The research tests the hypothesis that coefficients of individual value functions are systematically associated with experiential, situational and personal characteristics of the individuals. We also obtain data on the distributions of the individual value coefficients and their interrelationships. Finally, the research applies these specifications to the retrospective prediction of transit patronage in a situation of rapidly changing transit system characteristics from 1974 to 1977.
Single-Incision Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been developed with the aim of reducing the invasiveness of traditional laparoscopy. The technique of single-incision laparoscopic gastric bypass performed through a single intra-umbilical incision was adopted in 16 obese patients and minutely described. Fourteen patients underwent single-loop gastric bypass and two patients underwent "double loop" (Roux-en-Y) gastric bypass. Operating time was less than 2 h in all cases. All procedures were completed with the single-access technique. There were no major per-operative complications. Patients were early-discharged after an upper GI examination and restoration of a liquid diet. Emerging technology has contributed to the diffusion of SILS; single-incision laparoscopy is validated and established in cholecystectomy and is gaining acceptance in other techniques also. High technical skill is required for manipulating, measuring, and suturing the bowel with articulated instruments. However, randomized, controlled trials are required to determine the real advantages of this technique in comparison with standard laparoscopy.
Focus grating coupler construction optics: theory, design, and tolerancing

Waveguide grating couplers have important applications to optical data storage. Focusing grating couplers eliminate the need for focusing optics and can be used in both read and write modes. It is convenient to fabricate the gratings at short visible wavelengths although they are used at laser diode radiation wavelengths in the near infrared to visible range. This paper discusses a design technique for introducing compensating aberrations during fabrication which account for the wavelength change. A sample design is presented and the tolerance limits on the alignment parameters are derived. 2. 0
Immunoglobulin synthesis by lymphoid cells transformed in vitro by Abelson murine leukemia virus

Abstract The majority of cell lines derived by infection of murine bone marrow cells with Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) synthesize a μ chain but no detectable light chain. Aside from this μ-only phenotype, lines that make only light chain, both chains or no immunoglobulin-related polypeptides have also been found. Two lines have been studied in detail: one that makes only μ chain and one that makes only κ light chain. Synthesis of both polypeptides can be increased by modifying the culture conditions so as to decrease the growth rate of the cells. Although some κ chain secretion was observed, neither secreted nor surface μ was detected. We suggest that the μ-only phenotype may be an early normal step in the pathway of B lymphocyte maturation.
Doing Change Work: The Many Paths That Come Together AS AHS*

This article, presented as the presidential address at the 2009 Association for Humanist Sociology Annual Meeting, in New Orleans, LA, describes different ways AHS serves as a resource for doing ch...
Enzymes involved in ketone utilization in different types of muscle: adaptation to exercise.

Activity levels of the enzymes involved in ketone utilization were compared in heart, fast-twitch red, slow-twitch red, and fast-twitch white types of muscles in rats. 3-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 3-ketoacid CoA-transferase, and acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase activities were lowest in white muscle, higher in slow red than in fast red muscle, and highest in the heart. The large differences between the four muscle types in the levels of these enzymes reflects differences in both mitochondrial content and composition. Differences in composition were evidenced by large dissimilarities between the different muscle types in the ratios of the activities of the enzymes of ketone oxidation to each other and to citrate synthase and cytochrome c. Of particular interest is the finding that, despite the fact that in the rat slow red muscle has a lower content of mitochondria than fast red muscle, 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase activity is 140% higher and 3-ketoacid CoA-transferase is 70% higher in slow red than in fast red muscle. A 14-week-long program of treadmill running induced increases in the levels of ketone utilization enzymes in all three types of skeletal muscle but not in heart; 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase became measurable, though at very low levels, in white muscle; increased 2.6-fold in slow red muscle, and 6-fold in fast red muscle. 3-Ketoacid CoA-transferase increased 2-fold in both fast red and white types of muscle, but only 26% in slow red muscle. Acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase activity increased 40–45% in all three types of skeletal muscle. In contrast, citrate synthase and cytochrome c increased approximately 2-fold in all three types of skeletal muscle. These adaptive changes tend to make skeletal muscles more like heart muscle in their enzyme patterns and may help to explain why physically trained, as compared to untrained, individuals do not develop post-exercise ketosis.
Adaptive algorithms for managing a distributed data processing workload

Workload management, a function of the OS/390™ operating system base control program, allows installations to define business objectives for a clustered environment (Parallel Sysplex™ in OS/390). This business policy is expressed in terms that relate to business goals and importance, rather than the internal controls used by the operating system. OS/390 ensures that system resources are assigned to achieve the specified business objectives. This paper presents algorithms developed to simplify performance management, dynamically adjust computing resources, and balance work across parallel systems. We examine the types of data the algorithms require and the measurements that were devised to assess how well work is achieving customer-set goals. Two examples demonstrate how the algorithms adjust system resource allocations to enable a smooth adaptation to changing processing conditions. To the customer, these algorithms provide a single-system image to manage competing workloads running across multiple systems.
The typical designs of PLC network in MV distribution network

Using the medium voltage (MV) distribution line as a communication medium of the distribution automation and public communication is a cost-effective, advantage and effective way. The ring, radial and mixed lines distribution network have made the grade on power supply networks in urban areas. This paper presents the typical designs of power line communication(PLC) network for MV distribution automation. First the features of non-intrusive and intrusive inductance couplers are introduced in detail, which have the advantages of convenient installation and low cost. Then the typical designs are proposed and implemented for ring and radial distribution network. A series of successful experiments indicate that the proposed designs work well by using the inductive couplers and PLC equipments, with low bit error rate (BER) and cost.
Bias and frequency dependence of radiation-induced-charge trapping in MOS devices

Trapped-charge densities in 45 nm radiation-hardened MOS oxides were characterized after 0.1 Hz to 1.0 MHz AC bias irradiations using thermally stimulated-current (TSC) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) techniques. We find no significant frequency dependence for the build-up of trapped positive or negative charge in these oxides. Trapped positive charge densities during AC bias exposures are similar to densities during DC bias exposures at the same average applied field during irradiation, but trapped negative charge densities do not scale as simply with average electric field. The majority of negative trapped charge is part of a stable dipole defect, which evidently forms very quickly (<1 /spl mu/s) after the creation of an electron-hole pair in a region of localized space charge. Over the entire frequency range for these devices, the trapped electrons compensate 60/spl plusmn/5% of the trapped positive charge for 5 V/0 V exposures and 70/spl plusmn/6% of the positive charge for 5 V/-5 V exposures. These data agree well with DC bias irradiations of these devices, in which trapped electrons compensate 59/spl plusmn/4% of the trapped positive charge under positive bias and 76/spl plusmn/2% at zero or negative bias, suggesting an enhancement of electron-hole dipole formation at small or negative electric fields. Mechanisms are discussed for the creation of dipoles in SiO/sub 2/, and our results are compared with previous studies of the field dependence of electron-hole recombination rates. Implications for total dose modeling are discussed.
Electron-cloud simulation results for the SPS and recent results for the LHC

We present an update of computer simulation results for some features of the electron cloud at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and recent simulation results for the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS). We focus on the sensitivity of the power deposition on the LHC beam screen to the emitted electron spectrum, which we study by means of a refined secondary electron (SE) emission model recently included in our simulation code.
Optimum pulse amplitude modulation--I: Transmitter-receiver design and bounds from information theory

Intersymbol interference and additive noise are two common sources of distortion in data transmission systems. For pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) communication links, the combination of transmitter waveform and linear receiver that minimizes the mean-squared error arising from these sources is determined. An extension to include the effects of timing jitter is performed in a companion paper. Performance characteristics of the optimal PAM systems, showing the mean-squared error versus the signal-to-noise ratio, are determined explicitly for several examples. These characteristics are compared both with those of certain suboptimal systems and with the optimal performance theoretically attainable (OPTA), derived by combining Shannon's concepts of the capacity of a channel and the rate distortion function of a source. The optimal PAM systems are seen to perform very close to the OPTA for low signal-to-noise ratios. For high signal-to-noise ratios, however, the mean-squared error of optimal PAM systems decreases as the reciprocal of the signal-to-noise ratio, but the OPTA decreases more rapidly, except for band-limited channels. The performance of PAM systems can be improved at high signal-to-noise ratios by coding techniques. One such technique, called Shannon-Cantor coding, is discussed briefly.
Protection of distributed internetworked computers

Current methods of enforcing security policy depend on security patches, anti-virus protections, and configuration control, all updated in the end user's computer at ever decreasing intervals. This research is producing a method of hardening the corporate computer infrastructure by prototyping a mixed hardware and software architecture that enforces policies by pushing distributed security functions closer to the end user's computer, but without modifying, relying on or reconfiguring the end user's computer itself. Previous research has developed highly secure network components. Because it is impractical to replace our entire infrastructure with secure, trusted components, this paper investigates how to improve the security of a heterogeneous infrastructure composed of both trusted and untrusted components.
Management of familial hypercholesterolemias in adult patients: recommendations from the National Lipid Association Expert Panel on Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Hypercholesterolemia, specifically elevated level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, is a major coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor.While environmental factors such as diet and physical activity have important roles in determining an individual’s level of circulating cholesterol, there is also a genetic component. The familial hypercholesterolemias (FH) are a group of inherited genetic defects resulting in severely elevated serum cholesterol concentrations. The genetic defects in FH arise from mutations affecting the LDL receptor, apolipoprotein (Apo) B or proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9
PROJECTING CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS IN DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Historical incremental capital output ratios (ICORs) are investigated as tools for projecting investment requirements for economic development. Possible departures of the actural values of these ratios from the projected ones are examined. The empirical results of the trends of historical as compared to planned ICORs in a number of countries which explicitly or implicitly have used such ICORs in their development plans are presented and analyzed. ICORs can be used with some degree of caution as a guide for allocation of capital investment, both overall and to particular sectors or industries, such as agriculture, manufacturing, housing, transportation and utilities. /DOT/
Parental Practices and Attitudes Related to Smoke-Free Rules in Homes, Cars, and Outdoor Playgrounds in US Households With Underage Children and Smokers, 2010-2011.

Introduction A smoke-free environment protects children from exposure to involuntary smoke and also can reduce or prevent future smoking behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine levels and correlates of parental behavior and attitudes related to voluntary smoke-free rules in homes, cars, and outdoor children's play areas among US households with underage children and 1 or more smoking parents. Methods We used data from the 2010-2011 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey and logistic regressions to model behavior and attitudes related to voluntary smoke-free rules in 3 settings. Results Overall, 60.1% of households with children and at least 1 smoking parent had voluntary smoke-free home rules. Approximately 84.6% and 71.5% of parents thought that smoking should not be allowed inside cars with children present and in outdoor play areas, respectively. Positive parental behavior and attitudes related to voluntary smoke-free rules were more likely among households with 2 parents, parents of higher education and household income, Hispanic parents, and parents of infants (P Conclusion Tobacco control and prevention efforts are needed to promote the voluntary adoption of smoke-free rules in homes, private cars, and outdoor children's play areas. Most parents from smoker households with underage children were supportive of smoke-free laws for cars and outdoor children's play areas, providing evidence and encouragement to policy makers to take action to restrict smoking in these locations.
Ribonucleic Acid, Deoxyribonucleic Acid, and Protein Content of Cells of Different Ages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the Relationship to Immunogenicity

The amount of ribonucleic acid (RNA), protein, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was determined in pellicle cultures of different ages of the H37Ra strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, grown on a synthetic medium. We found that the highest content of RNA and protein was present in 2-week-old cultures, indicating that these cells were in the logarithmic phase of growth. DNA content was highest at 1 and 2 weeks. The amount of all three compounds then decreased about 50% during the following 6 weeks. Two-week-old cells should therefore be used for preparation of the immunogenic ribosomal fraction. The optimal concentration of zinc chloride increased RNA and protein synthesis, and also improved the appearance of the pellicle growth. Two-week-old cells, which contained the largest amount of RNA and protein, immunized mice significantly better than older cells. Since protein and DNA are not involved in the production of immunity, a correlation could be made between amount of RNA and the capacity of viable H37Ra cells to immunize mice. The immunizing capacity of these cells was not affected by ribonuclease, probably because the ribonuclease did not penetrate into the whole cells.