cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adults or Big Kids: What Is the Ideal Clinical Environment for Management of Grown-Up Patients With Congenital Heart Disease?

Background Initiatives to develop Adult Congenital Centers for management of grown-up congenital heart disease (GUCH) patients (aged ≥18 years) have widened without evidence identifying the ideal clinical environment. To elucidate the optimum care paradigm, we investigated whether mortality for patients with GUCH was influenced by the type of hospital where they had surgery, children's specialty hospital (CH) versus general hospital (GH), and by the clinical focus of the surgeon, congenital heart surgery (CHS) or noncongenital (adult acquired) heart surgery (NCHS). Methods In the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 1988–2003, we identified index procedures in patients 18 or more years of age within 12 congenital cardiac disease diagnostic groups. The CHS surgeons were defined as those whose annual practice volume consisted of more than 75% pediatric cardiac operations. Four clinical environment combinations were constructed: CH plus CHS, CH plus NCHS, GH plus CHS, and GH plus NCHS. Years were grouped into quartiles to identify trends in management over time. Results In all, 29,070 operations occurred at GH and 10,971 occurred at CH. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality was lowest in the CH plus CHS environment (1.14%), and highest for in the GH plus CHS environment (9.93%; p Conclusions Case mix varies with the clinical environment, with more complex procedures performed at GH plus CHS. The optimal environment for complex GUCH surgery involved CHS operating within CH. Initiatives to develop adult congenital centers dedicated to the care of GUCH patients are warranted, and should include congenital heart surgeons operating in a setting mimicking children's hospitals.
Relevance of Adenosine Deaminase to Organ Transplantationa

We have presented a discussion on the relevance of ADA to organ transplantation with regard to whether or not purine analogue inhibitors of ADA can prevent allograft rejection, and whether or not cells with high ADA activity may be involved in the rejection of allografts. It is clear that ADA inhibitors do have a modest amount of immunosuppressive activity. The potentiation of this modest effect by the addition of a deoxyadenosine analogue supports studies by others suggesting that it is the metabolism of deoxyadenosine and the presence of this compound as a substrate that is biochemically responsible for the immunosuppressive effects observed. In other studies that we are currently conducting, we have found that the ADA inhibitor EHNA causes a rapid and severe depletion of ATP in resting murine lymphocytes and that EHNA potentiates a similar effect of the new immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine in the same model. Investigations are currently underway to see if ADA inhibitors may potentiate the immunosuppressive effect of cyclosporine in vivo. It appears that cells with high ADA activity that are detectable in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of renal allograft patients may indeed be involved in the rejection of allografts. However, from murine studies allogeneic cells alone do not seem to generate the appearance of these cells nearly as strongly as infection with murine cytomegalovirus. It must be determined if the ADA-rich cells that appear at the time of CMV infection are involved in viral functions or are the ontologic appearance of cytotoxic T cells representing the host's response to the antigens of the virus. The attack of these host cells against allograft cells infected with the virus may then explain the long-standing observation that viral infections seem to trigger allograft rejection responses.
The admissibility of A5

Abstract Examples are constructed of division rings finite-dimensional and central over the rational field Q having subfields with Galois group isomorphic to the alternating group A5. Similar results are obtained for any number field k when √−1 ∉ k.
Computer simulations for organic light-emitting diodes

The physical and chemical properties of tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3), one of the organic materials most commonly used as the light-emitting layer of OLEDs, and the interface with possible metal cathodes are investigated by means of first-principles computer simulations. A number of new insights have emerged from this study, and we emphasize the consequences of the properties thus discovered with respect to the functioning of OLED devices. In particular, novel Alq3 derivatives can be designed with the aid of computations that should enhance the intrinsic luminescence of the pristine material.
Oxidation of methylbenzimidazoles with ceric ammonium nitrate

A convenient method for the preparation of benzimidazole carboxaldehydes by the oxidation of methylbenzimidazoles with cerie ammonium nitrate is described. A series of methyl, dimethyl, and trimethylbenzimidazoles was treated with ceric ammonium nitrate in sulfuric acid, and the major ethyl acetate soluble products were characterized. In addition to carboxaldehyde products, side reactions yielding benzimidazolediones and nitrobenzimidazoles were also observed.
Carbonate equilibria in hydrothermal systems: First ionization of carbonic acid in NaCl media to 300°C

Abstract The ionization quotients of aqueous carbon dioxide (carbonic acid) have been precisely determined in NaCl media to 5 m and from 50° to 300°C using potentiometric apparatus previously developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The pressure coefficient was also determined to 250°C in the same media. These results have been combined with selected information in the literature and modeled in two ways to arrive at the best fits and to derive the thermodynamic parameters for the ionization reaction, including the equilibrium constant, activity coefficient quotients, and pressure coefficients. The variation with temperature of the two fundamental quantities Δ V o and Δ C o p were examined along the saturation vapor pressure curve and at constant density. The results demonstrated again that for reactions with minimal electrostriction changes the magnitudes and variations of Δ C o p and Δ V o with temperature are small and, in addition, Δ C p and Δ V are approximately independent of salt concentration. The results have also been applied to an examination of the solubility of calcite as a function of pH (in a given NaCl medium) for the neutral to acidic region both for systems with fixed CO2 pressure and systems where the calcium ion concentration equals the concentration of carbon. The pH of saturated solutions of calcite with PCO2 of 12 bars increases from 5.1 to 5.5 between 100° and 300°C.
Pathology of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Treated with Sustained Release Intravitreal Ganciclovir

Background: An experimental sustained release intraocular device has been designed to deliver ganciclovir over a long period of time. As part of an efficacy trial, the ganciclovir intraocular device was used to treat cytomegalovirus (CIVIV) retinitis in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods: All patients had active CIVIV retinitis that had progressed despite intravenous ganciclovir therapy. The ganciclovir intraocular device was inserted into the vitreous cavity by making an inferotemporal full-thickness circumferential sclerotomy and anchored to the incision. Intravenous therapy was then discontinued and patients were followed up at 2-week intervals until death. Seven eyes from five patients were obtained 2 to 10 hours postmortem and submitted for histopathologic examination. Light and electron microscopic studies were performed and correlated to the clinical outcome. Follow-up period after device placement ranged from 16 to 82 days (median, 70 days). Results: All seven eyes showed clinical stabilization of the CIVIV retinitis. Light microscopy showed varying degrees of retinal atrophy with areas of gliosis. In addition, we observed syncytial megalic cells containing Cowdrey type A inclusions affecting all layers of the retina. Concurrent choroidal infections with Pneumocystis carinii (1) and Mycobacterium avium (2) also were seen. Electron microscopy showed virus particles located mostly at the junction of uninvolved and "healed" retinitis. No evidence of retinal toxic effects or inflammation at the site of ganciclovir intraocular device implant was noted. Conclusion: The ganciclovir intraocular device appeared to be effective in controlling the progression of CIVIV retinitis. The clinical and pathologic results are similar to those observed in the eyes of patients with intravenously administered ganciclovir. The lack of toxic effects and sustained levels of intravitreal ganciclovir may provide an improved therapeutic method of local treatment of CIVIV retinitis.
Symmetrical-source method for lattice electromagnetic form factors.

A method of extracting electromagnetic form-factor matrix elements from lattice simulations involving periodic hadron propagators is explained in detail. Illustrative results for the gauge group SU(2) are shown.
Anti-thrombotic effects and bleeding risk of AJvW-2, a monoclonal antibody against human von Willebrand factor

1. A murine anti-human vWF monoclonal antibody, AJvW-2, was developed that inhibited the interaction between platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) during the ristocetin- (IC50 = 0.7 +/- 0.1 microgram ml-1) and botrocetin- (IC50 = 1.8 +/- 0.3 microgram ml-1) induced aggregation of human platelets. 2. AJvW-2 inhibited the high shear stress (10.8 N m-2) induced aggregation of human platelets dose-dependently with an IC50 = 2.4 +/- 0.3 micrograms ml-1, but had no effect on low shear stress induced platelet aggregation (1.2 N m-2) up to 100 micrograms ml-1. 3. AJvW-2 also inhibited the high shear stress (5.0 N m-2) induced adhesion of human platelets to collagen I with the same efficacy (IC50 = 2.4 +/- 0.3 micrograms ml-1), but no effect at low shear conditions (1.5 N m-2). 4. AJvW-2 inhibited the botrocetin-induced aggregation of platelets from guinea-pig, rat, rabbit, dog and pig at the same concentration range as human platelets; it likewise also inhibited the high shear stress induced aggregation and adhesion to collagen I of guinea-pig platelets. 5. AJvW-2 prevented arterial thrombus formation in guinea-pigs at a dose of 100 micrograms kg-1 without prolonging the template bleeding time, whereas the GPIIb/IIIa antagonists lamifiban mediated inhibition of thrombosis at 1000 micrograms kg-1 was accompanied by a significant prolongation of the bleeding time. 6. These results suggest that AJvW-2 is a potent inhibitor of the GPIb-vWF interaction and a potential novel antithrombotic agent with lower bleeding risk than GPIIb/IIIa antagonists.
Radiant interaction between fin and base surfaces

Consideration is given to the effects of mutual irradiation occurring between a fin and its adjoining base surfaces. The first part of the analysis deals with black surfaces. It is found that in the range of practical operating conditions, the fin heat loss is significantly reduced by the presence of the base surfaces. Additionally, the base surface heat loss may comprise an important part of the total heat loss from the system. In the second part of the paper, the formulation is extended to include selectively gray surfaces and arbitrary irradiation from external sources. This degree of generality leads to a complex mathematical system composed of several integral equations and a differential equation.
One-step growth curves for vaccinia virus in cultures of monkey kidney cells

Abstract The multiplication of vaccinia virus in cultures of monkey kidney cells has been studied. One-step growth curves indicate that the virus particles in eclipse are responsible for replication, that the eclipse period for vaccinia virus lasts 8–10 hours, that the increase of infectious virus is exponential, and that the yield is 300 plaque-forming units per infected cell at 24 hours. Few particles are released by this time. Adsorption of virus to the cell occurs in two stages, only the first of which is susceptible to neutralization by antibody. Following antibody treatment of infected cells, infectious particles which can be recovered from cells after sonic vibration fall into two classes, only one class being susceptible to neutralization by antibody.
Emerging regulatory mechanisms in ubiquitin-dependent cell cycle control

The covalent modification of proteins with ubiquitin is required for accurate cell division in all eukaryotes. Ubiquitylation depends on an enzymatic cascade, in which E3 enzymes recruit specific substrates for modification. Among ~600 human E3s, the SCF (Skp1–cullin1–F-box) and the APC/C (anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome) are known for driving the degradation of cell cycle regulators to accomplish irreversible cell cycle transitions. The cell cycle machinery reciprocally regulates the SCF and APC/C through various mechanisms, including the modification of these E3s or the binding of specific inhibitors. Recent studies have provided new insight into the intricate relationship between ubiquitylation and the cell division apparatus as they revealed roles for atypical ubiquitin chains, new mechanisms of substrate and E3 regulation, as well as extensive crosstalk between ubiquitylation enzymes. Here, we review these emerging regulatory mechanisms of ubiquitin-dependent cell cycle control and discuss how their manipulation might provide therapeutic benefits in the future.
Opposite effects of anxiety and depressive symptoms on executive function: The case of selecting among competing options

People constantly face the need to choose one option from among many, such as when selecting words to express a thought. Selecting between many options can be difficult for anyone, and can feel overwhelming for individuals with elevated anxiety. The current study demonstrates that anxiety is associated with impaired selection across three different verbal tasks, and tests the specificity of this finding to anxiety. Anxiety and depression frequently co-occur; thus, it might be assumed that they would demonstrate similar associations with selection, although they also have distinct profiles of symptoms, neuroanatomy and neurochemistry. Here, we report for the first time that anxiety and depressive symptoms counter-intuitively have opposite effects on selection among competing options. Specifically, whereas anxiety symptoms are associated with impairments in verbal selection, depressive symptoms are associated with better selection performance. Implications for understanding the mechanisms of anxiety, depres...
High-resolution retinal imaging of cone-rod dystrophy.

Purpose This study examines a patient with cone–rod dystrophy using high-resolution adaptive optics retinal imaging. Conventional ophthalmoscopes provide limited resolution due to their inability to overcome the eye's optical aberrations. In contrast, adaptive optics ophthalmoscopes correct these aberrations to provide noninvasive high-resolution views of the living retina. To date, adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy has been used mainly to examine the normal retina. Here we use adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy to image cone–rod dystrophy in vivo and compare these results with standard clinical tests. Design Observational case report. Methods High-resolution retinal images of a patient with cone–rod dystrophy were obtained with the University of Rochester adaptive optics flood-illuminated ophthalmoscope and the adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope located at the University of Houston and compared with standard clinical tests, including fundus photography, Goldmann visual fields, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, electroretinography, and multifocal electroretinography. Main Outcome Measures Direct measurement of cone density and diameter and comparison of adaptive optics images with standard clinical imaging and functional tests. Results Adaptive optics images were acquired at multiple retinal locations throughout a clinically detected bull's-eye lesion. Within the atrophic regions, we observed large areas devoid of wave-guiding cones. In contrast, regions that appeared relatively spared by clinical examination contained a completely tiled cone mosaic. However, in these areas the cones were abnormally large, resulting in a 6.6-fold reduction from the normal peak cone density (patient peak density: 30 100 cones/mm 2 , normal peak density: 199 200 cones/mm 2 ). Multifocal electroretinography confirmed a 5.5-fold reduction in amplitude of the central peak (10.8 nanovolts/degree 2 vs. 59.8 nanovolts/degree 2 ). Conclusions Adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy is a noninvasive technique to observe a patient's retinal pathology directly at a cellular level. It can provide a quantitative measurement of photoreceptor loss in retinal disease.
Two-photon absorption in strong fields

We present a theoretical formalism to describe simultaneous absorption of two single-mode photons by an atom. The appropriate interaction Hamiltonian, derived by a unitary transformation, is used to obtain a very general master equation for the photon density operator that includes the effects of Stark shifts. The special case in which the atomic levels are in resonance with the field, i.e., zero detuning, is considered. The master equation for the photon probability predicts a linear dependence of absorption on intensity, rather than the usual quadratic dependence, and results in a slower rate of absorption as a function of time. Coherence in the presence of two-photon absorption is also demonstrated.
Measuring the effectiveness of environmental dispute settlement efforts

Abstract Many authors have addressed the question of how to define effectiveness in environmental dispute settlement (EDS). However, to date, we have no standard, measurable definition of what constitutes effectiveness, and the criteria offered thus far are often more philosophical than practical. This article reviews and integrates the literature on the criteria for effectiveness. It translates these criteria into 26 indicators of effectiveness and presents a pragmatic questionnaire that can be used across a broad array of cases to evaluate the effectiveness of EDS processes.
Residual effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on adult nonhuman primates and their offspring

After 18 mo of consuming a diet containing 2.5 and 5.0 ppm PCB (Aroclor 1248), during which they and their offspring experienced marked alterations in physical status, female rhesus monkeys were placed on a control diet for 1 yr. During this year there was a decided improvement in their general body health and reproductive capabilities. Infants born to these animals were small at birth and during their postnatal life developed signs of PCB intoxication similar to those observed in their siblings born during the period of PCB exposure. These data indicate that the residual effects of low‐level ingestion of PCBs by nonhuman primates persist for over 1 yr after discontinuation of exposure. There are also indications that the fetal and neonatal monkeys born to PCB‐exposed mothers are more severely affected for a longer period than are the adult female monkeys.
Fractal materials, beams, and fracture mechanics

Continuing in the vein of a recently developed generalization of continuum thermomechanics, in this paper we extend fracture mechanics and beam mechanics to materials described by fractional integrals involving D, d and R. By introducing a product measure instead of a Riesz measure, so as to ensure that the mechanical approach to continuum mechanics is consistent with the energetic approach, specific forms of continuum-type equations are derived. On this basis we study the energy aspects of fracture and, as an example, a Timoshenko beam made of a fractal material; the local form of elastodynamic equations of that beam is derived. In particular, we review the crack driving force G stemming from the Griffith fracture criterion in fractal media, considering either dead-load or fixed-grip conditions and the effects of ensemble averaging over random fractal materials.
Denitrification and nitrate‐reducing bacterial populations in abandoned and reclaimed minesoils

Microbial populations, nitrogen mineralization potentials, and denitrification enzyme activities were examined in two abandoned carbolithic minesoils. Numbers and activities of bacteria and fungi were lower in nonamended than in lime and/or fly ash amended sites. Rates of aerobic NO3− production (3 to 38 μg-N kg−1 h−1) and anaerobic NO3− reduction to N2O (5 to 68 μg-N kg−1 h−1) were measured. Organisms capable of N2O production under anaerobic soil conditions were present in low numbers, and their activity was restricted in part by low soil pH. Nondenitrifying nitrate-reducing bacteria were more diverse and in greater numbers than respiratory denitrifiers and may have been responsible for N2O production in assays measuring denitrification enzyme activity.
Infidelity Treatment Patterns: A Practice-based Evidence Approach

Infidelity is a common presenting problem in couples therapy and can be challenging for therapists to treat. The current zeitgeist in mental health delivery systems includes a focus on developing treatment guidelines. The essence of this movement is that therapists' practice be informed by clinical research, or at the very least, be guided by the accumulated wisdom of other therapists. Practice-based evidence has been advocated as a method using a bottom-up approach of gathering data relying on the expertise of practicing clinicians to inform treatment guidelines. The goal of this paper was to distill and disseminate such aggregated wisdom related to treating infidelity into a practice-based evidence model. We reviewed the literature related to the treatment of infidelity and identified a core set of clinical recommendations that was similar across sources. The themes and patterns that emerged are divided into the following areas: goals of treatment, treatment engagement, treatment format, assessment, pro...
Support of normal salivary gland morphogenesis by mesenchyme derived from accessory sexual glands of embryonic mice.

The mesenchymal specificity of epithelium from the submandibular salivary gland of embryonic mice was re-investigated employing standard epithelio-mesenchymal separation and recombination techniques. For this purpose, tissue recombinants were constructed with epithelium and mesenchyme of the submandibular salivary gland and the seminal vesicle, preputial gland, and urogenital sinus. Salivary glands were dissected from 13-day and the accessory sexual glands from 13– to 19–day old embryos. Tissue recombinants were grown for two to three weeks in the anterior chamber of the eye of adult male hosts. Mesenchyme from accessory sexual glands supported the growth, branching, and differentiation of epithelium from the salivary gland. After three weeks of intraocular growth, most of these heterotypic recombinants were indistinguishable from intraocular grafts of this gland. However, recombinants constructed with mesenchyme from the urogenital sinus or preputial gland exhibited an age dependent developmental response. Mesenchyme from 15- to 16-day old embryos supported normal morphogenesis of the salivary gland, whereas atypical epithelial differentiation occurred when 13- or 14-day old mesenchyme was employed. On the other hand, the reciprocal recombinants composed of mesenchyme from the salivary gland and epithelium derived from accessory sexual glands resulted in abortive epithelial differentiation regardless of the age of the tissues. These results suggest that the mesenchymal specificity of epithelium from the salivary gland may be related to the morphogenetic sensitivity of the heterotypic mesenchyme to androgens.
Social Impulsivity Inversely Associated with CSF 5-HIAA and Fluoxetine Exposure in Vervet Monkeys

Animal and human research suggests that the central serotonin system is involved in the inhibition of impulsive behavior. Two studies were designed to assess this relationship in male vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) using a standardized test of impulsivity in a social context: the Intruder Challenge. In the first study, an index of impulsivity in response to an unfamiliar adult male intruder (including latency to approach and aggressive and assertive interactions) was inversely correlated with levels of the serotonin metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in cisternal cerebrospinal fluid (r = −0.33, p < .01, n = 138). The approach, but not aggressive, component of the Impulsivity Index was the primary contributor to this relationship (partial r = −0.27, p < .01). The second experiment compared responses to the Intruder Challenge after 9 weeks of daily treatment with fluoxetine (2 mg/kg, i.m.) or vehicle. Fluoxetine-treated subjects (n = 6) had significantly lower Impulsivity Index scores than controls (n = 12). The results from these two investigations provide evidence for serotonergic influences on social impulsivity.
cellTK: Automated Layout for Asynchronous Circuits with Nonstandard Cells

Asynchronous circuits are an attractive option to overcome many challenges currently faced by chip designers, such as increased process variation. However, the lack of CAD tools to generate asynchronous circuits limits the adoption of this promising technology. In this absence of CAD tools, the most time consuming part of chip design is the back-end (physical design) effort. We propose a complete design infrastructure to physically implement an asynchronous digital net list with orders of magnitude time savings over expert human effort. The core of this flow is the ability to generate customized logic that is compatible with available ASIC flows. We evaluate our flow against several asynchronous circuit benchmarks for which full custom physical implementations exist. Compared to hand-optimized custom designs, our flow produces layout that has, on average, a 51% area overhead, with a 12% increase in energy and a 9% increase in delay.
Risk-bearing by the state: When is it good public policy?

Abstract The global financial crisis brought government guarantees to the forefront of the debate. Based on a review of frictions that hinder financial contracting, this paper concludes that the common justifications for government guarantees—i.e., principal-agent frictions or un-internalized externalities in an environment of risk neutrality—are flawed. Even where risk is purely idiosyncratic—and thus diversifiable in principle—government guarantees (typically granted via development banks/agencies) can be justified if private lenders are risk averse and because of the state's comparative advantage over markets in resolving the collective action frictions that hinder risk spreading. To exploit this advantage while keeping moral hazard in check, however, development banks/agencies have to price their guarantees fairly, crowd in the private sector, and reduce their excessive risk aversion. The latter requires overcoming agency frictions between managers and owner (the state), which would likely entail a significant reshaping of development banks’ mandates, governance, and risk management systems.
Biomechanical evaluation of fixation properties of fibrin glue for ventral incisional hernia repair.

Use of adhesives for mesh fixation in hernia is increasing. There has been minimal study of mesh incorporation and interface strength with adhesive fixation for ventral hernia repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fixation properties of fibrin glue as it compared to suture fixation of mesh in an onlay position. Twenty-four mongrel pigs were divided into three study arms based on time points for biomechanical evaluation: 24 h (n = 8), 7 days (n = 8), and 14 days (n = 8). Initial procedures included placement of two 4 × 6 cm pieces of wide-pore polypropylene mesh in an onlay position. One was fixated with 4 ml of fibrin glue and the other with four interrupted 2-0 polypropylene sutures. The shear strength of fixation was evaluated using a uniaxial testing device along with histological evaluation. Maximum force was normalized by the width of the mesh. Mesh–tissue interface of glued and sutured specimens at 7 and 14 days did not fail in our testing configuration. Only at the 24-h time point the mesh detached from the tissue, and the sutured interface (10.4 N/cm) was significantly stronger than glued interface (4.9 N/cm, p = 0.004). Histopathologic and gross evaluations of the specimens revealed similar histologic features at all time points for both glued and sutured specimens. With mesh in the onlay position, fixation to the abdominal wall occurs quickly. Though sutures were stronger at 24 h, as early as 1 week, the strength of the fixation exceeded the tissue or the mesh strength in our testing configuration for both glue and suture groups. Fixation strength is independent of technique at the latter time points. There are potential clinical advantages to the exclusive use of fibrin glue for fixation including acute post-operative pain, chronic post-operative pain, and recurrence for ventral incisional hernia repair.
Amorphous LaNi thin film electrodes

Abstract Amorphous LaNi thin films over a wide range of composition were fabricated by electron beam evaporation in ultra-high vacuum. The structure and composition of these films were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The reversible hydrogen storage capacity was determined by electrochemical cycling. The equilibrium electrochemical potential of these thin-film electrodes was also measured versus the change of hydrogen concentration, ΔH/M, in these films. The smallest value among the maximum ΔH/M of these amorphous films is about 0.38, which is still much larger than the one reported in the literature (∼0.1). Harris's model for hydrogen absorption in amorphous transition metal alloys is applied to the amorphous LaNi system. We found that both the LaNi 3 and the La 2 Ni 2 type of tetrahedral sites can store hydrogen.
A high-power CH/sub 3/F laser for plasma diagnostics

A high-power, optically pumped, methyl fluoride laser operating at 496 mu m has been developed for plasma diagnostic applications. An output power of 100 mW has been measured directly on a calorimeter. The high-pump power utilized in this experiment has also allowed the first observation of saturation in far-infrared output power resulting from severe vibrational bottlenecking. The effect of buffer gases in relieving this bottlenecking is described and compared to a simple rate-equation model. >
Relativistic potential model of proton-proton scattering spin observables

A model has been constructed of the interaction between two protons and applied to the calculation of spin-dependent elastic-scattering parameters over a range of beam momenta from 3 to 24 GeV/c. The interaction is one-boson exchange, augmented by a zero-range core and an imaginary potential to model absorption into inelastic channels. The model provides excellent agreement with experimental measurements of the unpolarized differential cross section, and reproduces the qualitative features of the transverse asymmetry and spin correlation. The absorptive potential is found to dominate the real potential, greatly attenuating the low partial waves. This suggests that perturbative quantum chromodynamics does not apply to elastic scattering at the energy scale examined here, since absorptive effects prevent the quarks from approaching to appropriately small separations.
Attraction to squalene by ticks (Acari: Ixodidae): first demonstration of a host-derived attractant

Abstract We report for the first time that squalene is attractive to adult ticks, Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis. In addition, this is the first report of any single chemical to attract >60% of ticks (vs. 30-40% for well-known tick attractants methyl salicylate, nonanoic acid and o-nitrophenol), and the first demonstration of attraction to nymphs and larvae. Attraction studies using ticks of which their legs and palps are removed indicate that squalene is detected by the tick by using the front pair of legs. The strong attraction response to squalene indicates that this chemical's use in pheromone traps could be of extreme value in tick monitoring. The fact that squalene is a major lipid present in the blood and on the skin of many mammals strongly indicates that squalene is involved in attracting ticks to hosts.
Human regulatory T cells and their role in autoimmune disease

As self-recognition is fundamental to the efficient operation of the immune system, a number of mechanisms have evolved to keep this potential pathologic self-reactivity in check. Thus, even though the majority of strongly self-reactive T cells are deleted in the thymus during T-cell maturation, a number of mature T cells that recognize self-antigens can be found in the peripheral circulation in healthy individuals as well as in patients with autoimmune disease. These self-reactive cells are kept in a non-responsive state in healthy individuals while they appear to be involved in the etiology of a number of autoimmune diseases in patients. The primary role of a relatively recently identified T-cell population, referred to as natural CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells, is to modulate the activity of these self-reactive cells. Although it is still unclear how these regulatory cells function, they can inhibit the activation of other potentially pathologic T cells in in vitro assays. Using such assays, regulatory T cells isolated from patients with a number of autoimmune diseases have been shown to exhibit reduced inhibitory function as compared with those isolated from healthy individuals. In this review, we discuss human natural regulatory T cells, what is known about their function, and their associations with specific autoimmune diseases.
Near-interfacial delamination failures observed in ion-beam-sputtered Ta2O5/SiO2 multi-layer stacks

Abstract Ion-beam-sputtered Ta 2 O 5 /SiO 2 multi-layer stacks have been mechanically stressed to failure. The delamination failures do not occur precisely at the layer interfaces. XPS and AFM analyses indicate that the failures occur near the interfaces where SiO 2 was deposited on Ta 2 O 5 . Delamination is not observed near the interfaces where Ta 2 O 5 was deposited on SiO 2 . The failure location is 2–3 nm into Ta 2 O 5 layers and can occur randomly near multiple interfaces within a test. The delamination failures were induced by performing tape pull tests over lines scribed into the multi-layer coatings.
A microcosm system for the study of cryptoendolithic microbial biofilms from desert ecosystems

Study of natural microbial ecosystems is hampered by our inability to closely duplicate the development of a community in the laboratory environment. The lack of such systems is particularly acute when endolithic microbes are examined. In this study, we have developed a system that enables laboratory growth of cryptoendolithic microbial communities resembling those found in the porous sandstones making up the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah. Microscopic examination of natural and in vitro cryptoendolithic biofilms shows that, on a gross level, the laboratory biofilm is developing in a fashion that is structurally similar to that of the native community. Further confirmation that the laboratory system resembles the native community was obtained by using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and DNA sequence analysis to examine the biofilms for the presence of cyanobacteria and the Geobacteriaceae. We found that the molecular profiles for these two groups of bacteria were nearly identical in the native and in vitro biofilms. These data show that our system for growing cryptoendolithic bacteria in the laboratory is suitable for the study of these ecosystems and will allow for experimental manipulations that are not possible in the field.
Discrepancy Analysis of Activity Sequences: What Explains the Complexity of People's Daily Activity–Travel Patterns?

Sequence alignment, also known as optimal matching, has recently received new attention for use in analysis of activity patterns. The method is almost always combined with a data reduction technique, such as clustering analysis. The cluster-based approach is powerful for discovery of a typology of activity patterns of people. However, the use of the combination of the sequence alignment and cluster analysis methodologies does not seem to be successful for the identification of diverse factors that would affect activity sequence patterns. This outcome is because the loss of too much information may occur when the set of activity sequences is reduced to a small number of clusters. This paper proposes the use of a new combination of the sequence alignment and discrepancy analysis methodologies instead of the cluster-based approach. As a generalization of the principle of analysis of variance, discrepancy analysis allows the association between activity sequences characterized by a pairwise distance matrix an...
Retractor for lumbar microdiscectomy: technical note.

The authors describe a modification of an existing lumbar spine retractor for use in lumbar microdiscectomy. (Neurosurgery 14:69-70, 1984)
Porting irregular reductions on heterogeneous CPU-GPU configurations

Heterogeneous architectures are playing a significant role in High Performance Computing (HPC) today, with the popularity of accelerators like the GPUs, and the new trend towards the integration of CPUs and GPUs. Developing applications that can effectively use these architectures is a major challenge. In this paper, we focus on one of the dwarfs in the Berkeley view on parallel computing, which are the irregular applications arising from unstructured grids. We consider the problem of executing these reductions on heterogeneous architectures comprising a multi-core CPU and a GPU. We have developed a Multi-level Partitioning Framework, which has the following features: 1) it supports GPU execution of irregular reductions even when the dataset size exceeds the size of the device memory, 2) it can enable pipelining of partitioning performed on the CPU, and the computations on the GPU, and 3) it supports dynamic distribution of work between the multi-core CPU and the GPU. Our extensive evaluation using two different irregular applications demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach.
Dichoptic presentation of the contrast asynchrony suggests a retinal locus for the contrast response

The contrast asynchrony is a stimulus configuration that illustrates that the visual system has separable responses to color and color contrast (Shapiro et al, 2004; Shapiro 2008). The basic version of the stimulus consists of two disks whose luminance modulates sinusoidally in time at 1 Hz; one disk is surrounded by a dark ring, and the other disk by a bright ring. The luminance of the disks modulates in phase with each other, and the contrast of the disks relative to their surrounding ring modulates in antiphase. When viewing the contrast asynchrony at 1 Hz, observers perceive the disks to modulate in antiphase relative to each other (consistent with the processing of contrast information), but to get light and dark at the same time (consistent with the processing of luminance information). Here we present the results of experiments in which observers viewed the contrast asynchrony dichoptically. We report that no asynchrony is perceived when one eye is presented with modulating disks, and the other eye is presented with the black and white surround rings, nor is an asynchrony perceived in gradient versions of the contrast asynchrony (like Shapiro et al, 2005). We compare these results to dichoptically presented brightness settings. Consistent with what has been reported elsewhere in the literature, black and white surround rings presented to one eye induce brightness changes in disks presented to the other eye. When we present demonstrations that compare the temporal response of the contrast asynchrony to the temporal response of dichoptic brightness induction, the contrast asynchrony occurs at rates much faster than brightness induction (as expected). The results give further evidence that the contrast response can be separated from brightness induction. The results are consistent with a retinal locus of the contrast asynchrony, whereas aspects of brightness induction may occur cortically. Background Shapiro et al (2004, 2005, 2008) presented two physically identical disks, one surrounded by a dark ring and the other by a light ring. The luminance levels of both disks are modulated simultaneously at 1 Hz. The luminance of the disks modulates in phase, while the contrast between the disks and the rings modulates in antiphase. Contrast asynchrony The stimulus leads to the paradoxical perception that the disks modulate in antiphase yet also get light and dark at the same time. The appearance The contrast asynchrony shows separable responses to color and to color contrast (Shapiro, 2008). What are the origins of the separate responses? There are three possible skeletal models: The Question Can the luminance contrast response be perceived dichoptically? Methods and Equipment Simple Contrast Asynchrony Monocular contrast Binocular contrast Contrast Asynchrony against gradient backgrounds
Recall of descriptive information : The roles of presentation format, annotation strategy, and individual differences

Abstract The benefits of using a comprehensive annotation strategy (employing underlining/circling, making connections, asking questions, and making comments) with knowledge maps (spatial/verbal arrays) and traditional, linear text to improve free recall scores for learners with individual differences in vocabulary and comprehension ability were examined. Types and frequencies of annotations generated were also examined for each stimulus format condition. Multiple regression analyses indicate that the frequency of use of two component annotation strategies, asking questions and making connections, were significant predictors of recall scores, while frequency of underlining/circling and generating elaborations failed to predict recall scores. Text users generated more underlining/circling, while knowledge map users generated more connections between ideas, suggesting that knowledge maps may facilitate the application of more productive annotation strategies. Also examined were the interrelationships between vocabulary ability, comprehension ability, and free recall scores.
Quantum codes from caps

Caps in a finite projective geometry over GF(4) are used for the construction of some quantum error-correcting codes, including an optimal @?27,13,[email protected]? code.
Real-time tumor motion estimation using respiratory surrogate via memory-based learning

Respiratory tumor motion is a major challenge in radiation therapy for thoracic and abdominal cancers. Effective motion management requires an accurate knowledge of the real-time tumor motion. External respiration monitoring devices (optical, etc) provide a noninvasive, non-ionizing, low-cost and practical approach to obtain the respiratory signal. Due to the highly complex and nonlinear relations between tumor and surrogate motion, its ultimate success hinges on the ability to accurately infer the tumor motion from respiratory surrogates. Given their widespread use in the clinic, such a method is critically needed. We propose to use a powerful memory-based learning method to find the complex relations between tumor motion and respiratory surrogates. The method first stores the training data in memory and then finds relevant data to answer a particular query. Nearby data points are assigned high relevance (or weights) and conversely distant data are assigned low relevance. By fitting relatively simple models to local patches instead of fitting one single global model, it is able to capture highly nonlinear and complex relations between the internal tumor motion and external surrogates accurately. Due to the local nature of weighting functions, the method is inherently robust to outliers in the training data. Moreover, both training and adapting to new data are performed almost instantaneously with memory-based learning, making it suitable for dynamically following variable internal/external relations. We evaluated the method using respiratory motion data from 11 patients. The data set consists of simultaneous measurement of 3D tumor motion and 1D abdominal surface (used as the surrogate signal in this study). There are a total of 171 respiratory traces, with an average peak-to-peak amplitude of ∼15 mm and average duration of ∼115 s per trace. Given only 5 s (roughly one breath) pretreatment training data, the method achieved an average 3D error of 1.5 mm and 95th percentile error of 3.4 mm on unseen test data. The average 3D error was further reduced to 1.4 mm when the model was tuned to its optimal setting for each respiratory trace. In one trace where a few outliers are present in the training data, the proposed method achieved an error reduction of as much as ∼50% compared with the best linear model (1.0 mm versus 2.1 mm). The memory-based learning technique is able to accurately capture the highly complex and nonlinear relations between tumor and surrogate motion in an efficient manner (a few milliseconds per estimate). Furthermore, the algorithm is particularly suitable to handle situations where the training data are contaminated by large errors or outliers. These desirable properties make it an ideal candidate for accurate and robust tumor gating/tracking using respiratory surrogates.