cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adeno-Associated Virus —Mediated Gene Transfer for Hemophilia B

Hemophilia is the bleeding diathesis caused by mutations in the gene encoding factor VIII (hemophilia A) or factor IX (hemophilia B). Currently, the disease is treated by intravenous infusion of the missing purified clotting factor. The goal of gene transfer for treating hemophilia is to achieve sustained expression of factor VIII or factor IX at levels high enough to improve the symptoms of the disease. Hemophilia has proven to be an attractive model for those interested in gene transfer, and multiple gene-transfer strategies are currently being investigated for the hemophilias. The most promising preclinical studies have been with adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV); introduction of AAV vectors expressing factor IX into skeletal muscle or liver in hemophilic dogs has resulted in the long-term expression of factor IX at levels that are adequate to improve disease symptoms. Efforts to translate these findings into the clinical arena have proceeded slowly because of the lack of prior clinical experience with parenteral administration of AAV. In a staged approach, AAV-factor IX (AAV-F.IX) was first administered at doses of up to 1.8 X 1012 vector genomes/kg (vg/kg) into the skeletal muscles of men with hemophilia B. This trial established the safety of parenteral administration and also showed that general characteristics of AAV transduction were similar in mice, dogs, and humans. In an ongoing trial, AAV-F.IX is being administered into the hepatic circulation of men with severe hemophilia B. The goal of these studies is to identify a safe dose that reliably yields circulating levels of factor IX >2% of normal levels in all subjects. This goal has already been achieved in the hemophilia B dog model; the ongoing study will determine whether a similar result can be achieved in humans with hemophilia B.Int J Hematol. 2002; 76: 310-318.
State competition in higher education: A race to the top, or a race to the bottom?

How does competition affect higher education? This paper explores this question for public and private universities. Theory indicates that competition can push higher education policy in one of two different directions. On the one hand, competition may increase spending. For states, this would occur if states treat higher education as “developmental;” for private universities this would occur if they view spending as a means to attract students and prestige. On the other hand, competition may decrease spending if states treat higher education spending as “redistributive,” and competition may decrease spending by private schools if lower spending enhances their ability to attract students with low tuition. To determine which of these perspectives is most valid, we examine higher education policy choices in the 1980s and 1990s. We find that states appear to act as if higher education funding is “redistributive” while private schools appear to compete more on the basis of tuition than spending. These results demonstrate the important effects competition and governance structure have on higher education.
Reduction of antidiuretic and pressor activity associated with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) preparations.

SummaryTreatment of sheep ACTH protein or peptide with 0.2 N hydrochloric acid in the boiling water bath for at least one hour, under the conditions described, produces a substantially complete reduction in antidiuretic and pressor activities originally present.
Dose rate effects in silicon during heavy ion irradiation

Abstract Mechanisms for damage nucleation in Si during heavy ion irradiation are discussed. The influence of dose rate on the accumulation of damage is shown to be dependent upon the mass of the implanted ions. For a constant fluence, it was found that damage increases with dose rate for all ions studied, although the effect was consistently smaller as the mass of the ion was increased. This systematic change is interpreted to indicate the increasing importance of cascade effects on damage nucleation as the mass of the ion is increased. However, the large influence of dose rate for lighter ions is an indication of a different mechanism for damage nucleation, one which does not depend on cascade effects and is more homogeneous in nature.
Characteristics of pyrolytic graphite as an analyzer and higher order filter in neutron scattering experiments

Abstract Pyrolytic graphite (PG) has become nearly indispensable in neutron spectroscopy. Its use as a monochromator and/or analyzer crystal in a triple-axis spectrometer has previously been discussed. Since the reflectivity varies as a function of energy, observed neutron intensities must be corrected for the analyzer reflectivity. Presented here are detailed measurements of the reflectivity of the (002) reflection for incident neutron energies from 4.5 to 40.0 meV. There are relatively large dips at 15.3 and 23.6 meV which result from competing Bragg reflections. We also point out that the width of the rocking curve increases as the energy is decreased. This must be considered when making resolution function corrections. PG in bulk form has been extremely useful as a higher order filter in the 13.0–15.0 meV range. It is shown below that it can also be used effectively in the very low energy range, 4.5–6.0 meV.
Dihaploidy yields diploid apomicts and parthenogens in Erigeron (Asteraceae)

 Premise of the study: Dihaploids result when tetraploids produce reduced eggs that develop without fertilization into diploid progeny. This process is useful for reducing genome complexity and studying trait expression at different ploidal levels. In this study we evaluated genetic inheritance and expression of diplospory ( D ) and parthenogenesis ( P ) in a population of dihaploids produced by tetraploid apomictic Erigeron .  Methods: From 400 mostly maternal (tetraploid) progeny, we identifi ed 64 (16%) dihaploids with 2n = 18 (53 plants) or 2n = 19 (11 plants). Differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging of ovules was used to evaluate megasporogenesis (meiosis vs. diplospory) and capacity for parthenogenetic embryo development. Seed production was estimated as the proportion of fi seeds.  Key results: For 60 analyzed dihaploids, diplospory vs. meiosis segregated approximately 1: 1 ( P = 0.44) while all exhibited parthenogenetic embryo development. Parthenogenesis for meiotic progeny ( n = 27) was observed in approximately 50% of ovules. Apomictic dihaploids (combining D and P ; n = 33) produced seeds with mean 24.8% (range 1.3–74.4%) of total fl owers.  Conclusions: The dihaploid population consisted of half apomicts ( D + P ) and half parthenogens ( P only). We infer that formation of dihaploid seeds requires the parthenogenesis locus. The highest seed values obtained for diploid apomicts are comparable to those recorded for wild type polyploid apomicts. This is one of the fi rst reports of diploid apomixis in the Asteraceae and it demonstrates that both diplospory and parthenogenesis can be transmitted and expressed at a high level in the diploid condition.
Socioeconomic status, neighborhood disadvantage, and poverty-related stress: Prospective effects on psychological syndromes among diverse low-income families

Abstract Living with persistent poverty is toxic for one’s psychological health. This study examined SES, income, neighborhood disadvantage, and poverty-related stress as predictors of a wide range of psychological problems including anxiety, depression, aggression, relationship problems, physical problems, and trouble with the law. Longitudinal analyses were conducted with a low-income multiethnic sample of 98 families recruited from the greater Denver, CO metropolitan area (300 family members: 136 adults, 82 preadolescents, 82 adolescents) using hierarchical linear modeling to predict all eight ASEBA narrow band syndromes. Analyses showed that poverty-related stress was directly related to anxious/depressed symptoms and social problems and interacted with prior symptoms, contributing to worsening symptoms for delinquency, attention problems, somatic complaints, and anxious/depressed symptoms. Hollingshead SES also had direct predictive effects for certain syndromes, though these effects were in the opposite direction predicted. In contrast, lower income-to-needs predicted more problems as expected. Neighborhood disadvantage also predicted psychological syndromes. Developmental differences are discussed. Our data show that parents are not the only family members who are affected by stress from living in poverty. SES, neighborhood disadvantage and poverty-related stress take a toll on children, adolescents, and adults.
On the Local Normalization of a Vector Field at a Degenerate Critical Point

In this paper we consider the autonomous system of differential equations (vector field) in (n + l)-space ff = X(x), (* = d/dt), where X is real analytic in a neighborhood of the origin 0, the origin is an isolated critical point, and the Jacobian matrix of X at 0 has exactly one zero eigenvalue and the remaining eigenvalues have real parts of the same sign. In [2] we obtained a canonical form for this system. Here we prove that if the canonical form satisfies a certain diophantine condition plus an assumption on its nonlinear terms, it can be transformed by a Cm change of coordinates into a system integrable by elementary means, that is, a normal form (see Theorem 1). In Section 8 we show that this result cannot be sharpened. Theorem 1 is, essentially, an analog for the degenerate critical point case of the linearization of & = X when the origin is an elementary critical point (i.e., all the eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix of X at 0 have nonvanishing real parts). For results on the linearization problem see Birkhoff and Bamforth [l], Chen [3], Hartman [4; 5; 6, pp. 244-2711, Kelley [S], Poincare [9], Siegel [IO], and Sternberg [ll, 121. Most of the methods employed in the linearization problem cannot be used in the case at hand, because they depend in a basic way on the nonvanishing of the real parts of the eigenvalues; this may explain the apparent nonexistence of results when the real part of at least one eigenvalue is zero.
Behavioral assessment and treatment of insomnia: A review with an emphasis on clinical application

We reviewed behavioral and related nonpharmacologic treatments for insomnia, as well as salient diagnostic and assessment issues. The paper evaluates the scientific status of the existing literature, giving greater weight to the literature of the past decade, and offers practical, clinical recommendations for assessment and treatment that derive from the literature. We found that treatments for insomnia, namely relaxation, cognitive behavior therapy, stimulus control, sleep restriction, and sleep hygiene are all effective to varying degrees, and it is both practically feasible and clinically desirable to favor a tailored package treatment approach rather than relying on unitary interventions. Overall, we underscored the importance of comprehensive, developmentally tuned assessment, and we concluded that behavioral treatment of insomnia has demonstrated strong success. Promising areas for future inquiry include comparing nonpharmacologic vs. hypnotic treatments and exploring the utility of very brief and self-help interventions.
Effect of epidermal growth factor on the growth and radiation sensitivity of human breast cancer cells in vitro

Purpose: To study the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the radiation sensitivity of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Methods and Materials: Radiation dose survival curves were generated for MCF-7 cells under conditions of hormonal deprivation. Epidermal growth factor and/or a monoclonal antibody to its receptor (mAb-225) were added prior to irradiation. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry and cellular glutathione (GSH) levels were measured by a glutathione reductase assay. Results: Under hormonal deprivation (control), more than 90% of the MCF-7 cells were arrested in Go/G1 phase and the Do of their survival curve was 0.66 ± .01 Gy. The addition of EGF resulted in (a) growth stimulation; (b) increased percentage of cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle; (c) increased radioresistance (Do = 0.81 ± .04 Gy; p < .05, compared with controls); (d) increased cellular GSH level. The EGF effect on radiation response was observed in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The addition of mAb-225 blocked the ability of EGF to enhance growth and radioresistance (Do = 0.68 ± .03 Gy). Conclusion: Epidermal growth factor stimulates the growth and when administered prior to irradiation increases the radioresistance of hormone-deprived MCF-7 cells. These effects are inhibited by a specific antibody to the EGF receptor. Epidermal growth factor concomitantly increased the fraction of S-phase cells and intracellular GSH levels. This system of growth factor-altered radiosensitivity in human breast cancer cells provides a useful model for the study of the radiation response mechanisms in human malignancy.
Characterization of chemical waste site contamination and determination of its extent using bioassays

Bioassays were used in a three-phase research project to (a) assess the comparative sensitivity of test organisms to known classes of chemicals, (b) determine if the chemical components in field soil and water samples of unknown chemical composition could be inferred from laboratory studies using pure chemicals and (c) investigate kriging (a relatively new statistical “mapping” technique) and bioassays as methods to define the areal extent of chemical contamination. The algal assay generally was most sensitive to samples of pure chemicals, soil elutriates and water from eight sites with known chemical contamination. Bioassays of nine samples of unknown chemical composition from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal site showed that a lettuce seed soil contact phytoassay was most sensitive. Preliminary evidence suggests that bioassays might be a useful tool in broadly identifying classes of toxic components of contaminated soil. Nearly pure formulations of insecticides and herbicides were less toxic than were their counterpart commercial formulations. This finding indicates that chemical analysis alone may fail to correctly rate the severity of possible environmental toxicity. Finally, we demonstrate that the lettuce seed phytoassay and kriging techniques can be used to map contamination in a portion of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal site and aid in cleanup decisions.
ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE BEACH PLACEMENT ON SURFING RESOURCES

The beach fill was constructed using an innovative feeder beach design, rather than a standard linear fill template. The feeder beach design was adopted to address the concerns of local surfing groups by initially burying fewer structures, and by potentially creating additional surfing opportunities through enhanced bar formation during the equilibration process. Nine months of monitoring results show that roughly 84% of the placed material can be accounted for within the project area and on the downdrift beaches. The immediate impact of the fill on the local surfing conditions was negative within the project area as steep slopes, violent plunging breakers, and narrow surfzones limited the use of the feeder beach area; however traditional surf spots to the north and south were unaffected by the nourishment due to the concentrated nature of its placement. More recently, as the post-nourishment slopes have begun to equilibrate, surfing conditions have improved markedly within the project area, while the up drift and down drift beaches remain relatively unaffected.
Mixed carbonyl-thiocarbonyl dirhenium(III) complexes of the type [Re2(μ-S)(μ-X)X2(CS) (μ-dppm)2(CO)]PF6 (X Cl or Br) and their conversion to the analogous μ-sulphur dioxide compounds

Abstract The reactions of Re2(μ-S)(μ-X)X3(CS)(μ-dppm)2 (X  Cl or Br) with TlPF6 and CO mixtures in CH2Cl2 afford green complexes of the type [Re2(μ-S)(μ-X)X2(CS)(μ-dppm)2(CO)]PF6. The treatment of these carbonyl-containing products with NOPF6/O2 mixtures leads to the formation of the corresponding sulphur dioxide complexes [Re2(μ-SO2)(μ-X)X2(CS)(μ-dppm)2(CO)]PF6. The μ-S and μ-SO2 complexes exhibit a rich redox chemistry, which in the case of [Re2(μ-SO2)(μ-X)(X2(CS)(μ-dppm)2(CO)]PF6 has led to the isolation of the stable one- and two-electron reduction products Re2(μ-SO2)(μ-X)X2(CS)(μ-dppm)2(CO) and [(η5-C5H5)2Co][Re2(μ-SO2)(μ-X)X2(CS)(μ-dppm)2(CO)]. A comparison of the cyclic voltammetric and IR spectral properties of these carbonyl complexes with those of the previously isolated species Re2(μ-S)(μ-X)X3(CS)(μ-dppm)2, [Re2(μ-S)(μ-X)X2(CS)(μ-dppm)2(L)]PF6 (L  RCN or RNC) and their μ-SO2 analogues reveals a clear dependence of the potentials of the metal-based redox couples and the frequencies of the ν(CS) mode upon the electron-withdrawing ability of the ancillary ligand (CO, RCN, or RNC).
Biocultural Diversity in the Southern Amazon

Recent studies in Amazonia historical ecology have revealed substantial diversity and dynamic change in coupled natural human systems. In the southern Amazon, several headwater basins show evidence of substantial pre-Columbian landscape modification, particularly in areas historically dominated by speakers of the Arawak language family. The headwater basin of the Xingu River, the easternmost of these areas occupied by Arawak-speaking peoples, has revealed such a complex built environment. This discussion examines settlement pattern and land-use, which have implications for understanding the dynamics of natural-human systems in the Upper Xingu basin and other areas across the transitional forests of the southern Amazon.
A computational model for arguments understanding

This paper presents a computational model for the understanding of arguments in natural language dialogues. Previous work on argumentation in Artificial Intelligence has been mainly focused on the conceptual aspects. But argumentation is also a linguistic phenomenon. Language provides structures to express arguments, to orient the argumentative interpretation of utterances, or to present a new concept or a new piece of information as an argument in favor of or against a certain conclusion, independently of the actual contents of these propositions. Argumentation also affects the discourse structure. The order in which arguments can be uttered is constrained.
Cathodic protection by means of dispersed anodes

Abstract Cathodic protection has limited application in chemical plant because of the difficulty of locating anodes at suitable positions. The problem may be overcome by dispersing sacrificial anodes on the cathodic portions of the surface, and the paper describes two applications of this principle. Preliminary results are presented in which the action of anodes in fixed and flowing systems are examined. The effectiveness of sacrificial anode action is discussed, and some measurements reported.
Association of prior stroke with cognitive function and cognitive impairment: a population-based study.

Background Defining the nature of the contribution of stroke to cognitive impairment remains challenging. Objective To describe associations between stroke history, APOE genotype, and subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods We randomly selected residents from Olmsted County, Minnesota, aged 70 to 89 years on October 1, 2004, and invited eligible subjects without documented dementia to participate. Participants (n = 2050) were evaluated through an informant interview, a neurological evaluation, and neuropsychological testing. Neuropsychological testing included 9 tests to assess memory, attention, executive function, visuospatial cognition, and language. Subjects were diagnosed by consensus as cognitively normal or as having MCI (either amnestic or nonamnestic) or dementia. A history of stroke was obtained from the subjects and confirmed in their medical records. We computed the odds ratios (ORs) for a clinical diagnosis of MCI or for scoring in the lowest quartile on each cognitive domain. Results There were 1640 cognitively normal subjects and 329 subjects with MCI: 241 with amnestic MCI and 88 with nonamnestic MCI. In fully adjusted models with only subjects without dementia, a history of stroke was associated with a higher OR of nonamnestic MCI (OR, 2.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-5.04) than amnestic MCI (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.14-2.74). A history of stroke was also associated with impaired function in each cognitive domain except memory. The association was strongest for attention and executive function (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.73-3.53). APOE e4 genotype was associated only with amnestic MCI and with impaired memory function. Conclusions In this population-based sample of persons without dementia, a history of stroke was particularly associated with nonamnestic MCI and impairment in nonmemory cognition. The APOE e4 genotype was associated with memory impairment and amnestic MCI.
Binding of formylmethionyl-tRNA to 30S ribosomal sub-units.

Formylmethionyl-tRNAF seems to bind initially at the site used as a decoding site by all aminoacyl-tRNAs. A large part of this entry site must be located on the 30S ribosome particle, but some of it may extend to the 50S particle.
The health maintenance facility

The Health Maintenance Facility (HMF) is the code name for a space-based medical clinic. The HMF is an integral part of the U.S. sponsored space station program due to be launched in the late 1990s. Contained in this module will be equipment, facilities, and supplies that can be used to support space station crew health. The range of medical care will depend upon the skill of the crew, the tools available, and the support systems that can be used from earth. The design of this system and its heavy dependence upon computer resources provide an excellent model for looking forward into the earth based medical clinics of the future.
Choledocho-Choledochostomy in Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

Biliary complications following deceased donor liver transplantation occur with an incidence of approximately 5-10%. The most common type of biliary reconstruction in whole-organ deceased donor liver transplantation remains the choledocho-choledochostomy, which creates an anastomosis between the donor and recipient common bile ducts or common hepatic ducts. Key elements in performing a successful choledocho-choledochostomy include ensuring that bile ducts have adequate blood supply and avoiding mechanical trauma or tension on the anastomosis. Techniques including ductoplasty and spatulation can be used to fashion an anastomosis even in the face of significant size mismatch between donor and recipient bile ducts. This article describes the technique of choledocho-choledochostomy in deceased donor liver transplantation.
Functional Tissue Engineering of Articular Cartilage With Adult Chondrocytes

The concept of cartilage functional tissue engineering (FTE) has promoted the use of physiologic loading bioreactor systems to cultivate engineered tissues with load-bearing properties [1]. Prior studies have demonstrated that culturing agarose constructs seeded with primary bovine chondrocytes from immature joints, and subjected to dynamic deformation, produced equilibrium compressive properties and proteoglycan content matching the native tissue [2]. In the process of translating these results to an adult canine animal model, it was found that protocols previously successful with immature bovine primary chondrocytes did not produce the same successful outcome when using adult canine primary chondrocytes [3]. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a modified FTE protocol using adult (canine) chondrocyte-seeded hydrogel constructs and applied dynamic loading.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Reported pica behavior in a sample of incident dialysis patients

In a prospective study, pica behavior was investigated during baseline interviews with a cohort of incident patients (n = 226) who began chronic dialysis therapy in metropolitan Atlanta, GA, during 1996 to 1997. Pica, defined as current pica behavior and/or reported history of pica behavior, was reported by 16% of the sample. Patients reporting pica were significantly more likely to be African American women and were significantly younger than the remainder of the sample. Approximately two thirds of patients who reported pica behaviors craved and excessively consumed ice; the remainder craved and consumed starch, dirt, flour, or aspirin. Among patients reporting pica, average serum albumin values were low and average phosphorus was increased. The average hematocrit of patients reporting ice pica was low. Over half of the hemodialysis patients reporting pica behavior had excessive usual interdialytic weight gain. Potential symptoms/problems affecting quality of life among patients practicing pica, eg, cramps, are shown in a case report. The data indicate the need for targeted education and support for dietitians' increased interaction with dialysis patients involved in pica behaviors.
Statistical modelling of Poisson/log–normal data

parameters. In order to calculate w 2 one needs an expression for the standard deviation. In this note several alternative expressions for the standard deviation of data distributed according to a Poisson/log–normal distribution are proposed and evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation. Two preferred alternatives are identified. The use of replicate data to obtain uncertainty is problematic for a small number of replicates. A method to correct this problem is proposed. The log–normal approximation is good for sufficiently positive data. A modification of the log–normal approximation is proposed, which allows it to be used to test the hypothesis that the true value is zero.
Carnosic Acid and Promotion of Monocytic Differentiation of HL60-G Cells Initiated by Other Agents

BACKGROUND Carnosic acid is a plant-derived polyphenol food preservative with chemoprotective effects against carcinogens when tested in animals. Recently, we showed that carnosic acid potentiates the effects of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha,25[OH]2D3) and of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on differentiation of human leukemia cells. We now examine the mechanisms associated with carnosic acid-induced enhancement of cell differentiation (in subline HL60-G) initiated by 1alpha,25(OH)2D3, ATRA, or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). METHODS We evaluated monocytic differentiation markers (CD11b, CD14, and monocytic serine esterase), cell cycle parameters, and cell proliferation rates after treatment of cells with different agents with or without carnosic acid. We also assessed the abundance of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), retinoid X receptor (RXR)-alpha, retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-alpha, and cell cycle-associated proteins by immunoblot analysis (p27, early growth response gene [EGR]-1, and p35Nck5a), the expression of corresponding genes by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the activity of VDR by electrophoretic mobility shift analysis. The two-sided nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis-of-variance test with Dunn's adjustment was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS Monocytic differentiation induced by low (1 nM) concentrations of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3, ATRA, or TPA was enhanced by carnosic acid (10 microM), as shown by the increased expression of monocytic serine esterase (P<.001, P<.001, and P =.043, respectively) and of CD11b (P =.008, P =.046, and P =.041, respectively). Increased expression of CD14 was seen only for 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and ATRA (P =.009 and P =.048, respectively) and also for several cell cycle-associated proteins. Carnosic acid in combination with 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and ATRA resulted in decreased cell proliferation and blocked the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase (P<.05). Carnosic acid alone increased the expression of VDR and RXR-alpha, but the expression was greatly enhanced in the presence of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and ATRA. In combination with TPA, carnosic acid potentiated the expression of VDR and RAR-alpha. CONCLUSION Carnosic acid enhances a program of gene expression consistent with 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-, ATRA-, or TPA-induced monocytic differentiation of HL60-G cells.
Effect of Progestins on Androgen Δ4-3-Ketosteroid-5α-A-Ring Reductase System in Rat Oral Mucosa

Rat oral mucosa microsomal Δ 4-3-ketosteroid-5α-A-ring reductase enzyme system, reducing testosterone and 4-androstenedione, was found to be inducible by systemic administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). MPA, when used in a mixture with testosterone and/ or 4-androstenedione in vitro, acted as a competitive inhibitor of the reduction of these substrates.
Absolute gain measurement of microstrip antennas under mismatched conditions

The gain of a single microstrip patch and a two-layer parasitic array is measured using the image method under mismatched conditions. This method produces accurate results, even in the case of low-gain microstrip antennas. The advantages of this method over the gain comparison technique are discussed.
Source coding for a multihop network

Summary form only given. In this paper, we bound the rate-distortion region for a four-node network. The results are the first known expansion of rate-distortion theory from single-hop networks (every source has a direct connection to each of its destinations), to multihop networks, which allow intermediate nodes. While single-hop network source coding solutions may be applied in multihop networks, such applications require explicit rate allocation for each source-destination pair, and the resulting solutions may be suboptimal. We therefore tackle the multihop network source coding problem directly using a diamond network.
Second-Harmonic Generation Measurements of Electrostatic Biopolymer-Surfactant Coadsorption at the Water/1,2-Dichloroethane Interface

The electrostatic coadsorption of the synthetic polypeptide poly-l-glutamic acid (pGlu) and the cationic hemicyanine surfactant trans-4-[4-(dibutylamino)styryl]-1-methylpyridinium iodide (D+−CH3) is observed at the water/1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) interface with the spectroscopic technique of optical second-harmonic generation (SHG). The adsorption isotherm of D+−CH3 to the water/DCE interface is obtained with a combination of resonant surface SHG and interfacial tension measurements. In the presence of polyanionic pGlu in the aqueous phase at a pH of 8.5, the limiting surface coverage of the cationic surfactant is enhanced by a factor of 3.7. In contrast, no such enhancement is observed in the presence of pGlu for the adsorption of the neutral zwitterionic hemicyanine surfactant trans-4-[4-(dibutylamino)styryl]-1-(3-sulfopropyl)pyridinium hydroxide inner salt hydrate (D+−(CH2)3−SO3-) to the water/DCE interface. Additionally, no enhancement in surfactant adsorption is observed for D+−CH3 when the pGlu in th...
Effect of Soy Milk on Warfarin Efficacy

OBJECTIVE:To describe the effect of soy milk on the international normalized ratio (INR) in a patient treated with warfarin.CASE SUMMARY:A 70-year-old white man who was stable on warfarin therapy developed subtherapeutic INR values after ingesting soy protein in the form of soy milk. The subtherapeutic INR values could not be explained by factors known to reduce the INR such as noncompliance, new medications, other alternative therapies, increased physical activity, changes in medication storage, or increased consumption of vitamin K. INR values returned to therapeutic concentrations within 2 weeks after discontinuation of the soy milk. Repeated coagulation test results during the next 2 months remained within the normal range.DISCUSSION:Impaired warfarin metabolism may be ascribed to various pharmacodynamic and pathologic factors. Subtherapeutic INR values may also be the result of concomitant administration of metabolic inducers resulting in drug—drug, drug—herb, or drug—food interactions. An objective ...
Controlling Magnetic Circuits: How Clock Structure Implementation will Impact Logical Correctness and Power

Circuits based on magnetic logic have shown great promise as an extremely low power alternative to CMOS based circuits. However, the success or failure of such circuits hinges on the existence of a locally controllable and low power clock field. Existing work has largely assumed the availability of such a clock field that would be almost impossible to fabricate or that exhibits an ideal distribution in space. This paper uses a fabricatable clock structure proposed in [10] as the basis to investigate all possible non-ideal properties (due to fabrication limitations and variations) of the resulting clock field. How such a clock impacts the logical correctness of a magnetic circuit element is verified via micromagnetic simulation. The impact on performance and power is also considered.
Abnormal Development of Forebrain Midline Glia and Commissural Projections in Nfia Knock-Out Mice

Nuclear factor I (NFI) genes are expressed in multiple organs throughout development (Chaudhry et al., 1997; for review, see Gronostajski, 2000). All four NFI genes are expressed in embryonic mouse brain, with Nfia, Nfib, and Nfix being expressed highly in developing cortex (Chaudhry et al., 1997). Disruption of the Nfia gene causes agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC), hydrocephalus, and reduced GFAP expression (das Neves et al., 1999). Three midline structures, the glial wedge, glia within the indusium griseum, and the glial sling are involved in development of the corpus callosum (Silver et al., 1982; Silver and Ogawa, 1983; Shu and Richards, 2001). Because Nfia(-/-) mice show glial abnormalities and ACC, we asked whether defects in midline glial structures occur in Nfia(-/-) mice. NFI-A protein is expressed in all three midline populations. In Nfia(-/-) mice sling cells are generated but migrate abnormally into the septum and do not form a sling. Glia within the indusium griseum and the glial wedge are greatly reduced or absent and consequently Slit2 expression is also reduced. Although callosal axons approach the midline, they fail to cross and extend aberrantly into the septum. The hippocampal commissure is absent or reduced, whereas the ipsilaterally projecting perforating axons (Hankin and Silver, 1988; Shu et al., 2001) appear relatively normal. These results support an essential role for midline glia in callosum development and a role for Nfia in the formation of midline glial structures.
Closely related DNA sequences specify distinct patterns of developmental expression in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Three short synthetic DNA sequences, which are closely related to one another, confer three distinct patterns of developmental expression on the heat shock hsp70 gene in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster lines. These results show that small variations or even single base pair changes in a repeated element of a regulatory sequence can create promoters that display new specificities of tissue and developmental regulation. Interestingly, the three patterns of developmental expression conferred by the synthetic DNAs resemble in part those of the known developmental genes: glucose dehydrogenase (Gld), Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc), and salivary gland secretory proteins (Sgs), respectively. In each case, the defined regulatory region of the known developmental gene contains multiple sequences that are similar or identical to the synthetic sequence that confers a similar pattern of developmental expression on the hsp70 gene. Thus, these results are congruent with the view that short sequence elements in multiple copies can confer either simple or relatively complex patterns of developmental expression on a receptive promoter like that of hsp70. Furthermore, the fact that the three variants tested produced three distinct patterns of expression in transgenic animals suggests that the number of different elements is large.
Implementing description-logic rules for SNOMED-CT attributes through a table-driven approach

Maintaining a large controlled biomedical vocabulary requires ensuring the content's internal consistency. This is done through rules, specified by the vocabulary's curators, which denote how the vocabulary's concepts should be defined. When individual organizations deploy such vocabularies, local concepts are typically added and linked to concepts in the main vocabulary: the process of maintaining and linking local content should follow the same rules. The operation of content-maintenance software can be facilitated by maintaining such rules in computable form. In this paper, we demonstrate how to implement computable rules for attribute usage in SNOMED CT using a table-driven approach where a given rule is expressed as one or more rows in a table and is consulted by generic code. This approach, which is tailored to database implementations, is computationally efficient and allows new attribute-definition rules to be created as data while needing minimal or no code modification.
Parameterized dependence graph and its applications to multi-stage systolic mapping procedure

A systolic mapping procedure is proposed. A unified representation, the parameterized dependence graph (PDG), is proposed to faithfully represent the possible implementations of a given computing algorithm. A multistage mapping procedure, taking advantage of the PDG, is developed to map a multistage algorithm to a systolic array. Specifically, the multistage mapping problem is formulated as an NP-hard optimization problem. A heuristic best first search method then is devised to efficiently exploit the design space for a design which minimizes a heuristic cost function. >
Miniaturization of a planar‐electrode linear ion trap mass spectrometer

Rationale We describe the miniaturization of a linear-type ion trap mass spectrometer for possible applications in portable chemical analysis. This work demonstrates the potential and the advantages of using lithographically patterned electrode plates in realizing an ion trap with dimension y0 less than 1 mm. The focus of this work was to demonstrate the viability and flexibility of the patterned electrode approach to trap miniaturization, and also to discover potential obstacles to its use. Methods Planar, low-capacitance ceramic substrates were patterned with metal electrodes using photolithography. Plates that were originally used in a linear trap with a half-spacing (y0 ) of 2.19 mm were positioned much closer together such that y0 = 0.95 mm. A capacitive voltage divider provided different radiofrequency (RF) amplitudes to each of 10 electrode elements (5 on each side of the ejection slit), and the capacitor values were adjusted to provide the correct electric field at this closer spacing. The length of the trapping region, 45 mm, is unchanged from the previous device. Results Electron ionization mass spectra of toluene and dichloromethane demonstrate instrument performance, with better than unit mass resolution for the molecular ion and fragment ion peaks of toluene. Compared with the larger plate spacing, the signal is reduced, corresponding to the reduced trapping capacity of the smaller device. However, the mass resolution of the larger device is retained. Conclusions Lithographically patterned substrates are a viable pathway to fabricating highly miniaturized ion traps for mass spectrometry. These results also demonstrate the possibility of significant reduction of the ion trap volume without physical modification of the electrodes. These experiments show promise for further miniaturization using assemblies of patterned ceramic plates. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical Study on the Fluctuation of Free Surface in the Vacuum Vessel of RH-TB

RH vacuum refining is a complex metallurgical process, which includes multiphase flow, heat transfer and different chemical reactions. It plays an important role in the iron and steel making. The fluctuation of free surface in the vacuum vessel has a very significant effect on the quality of the molten steel. In the present study, a 3D mathematical model of the gas-liquid-slag three-phase flow was established in the vacuum vessel of RH-TB. The results show that the fluctuation of free surface in the vacuum vessel and the diameter of slag-hole are both influenced by the injection rate of oxygen and the circulation rate of molten steel. When the injection rate of oxygen is changing from 2.355m3/s to 3.925m3/s, the fluctuation of free surface is changing from 0.175m to 0.28m and the diameter of slag-hole is changing from 0.746m to 0.852m. The present study could be helpful to optimization and refining effect improvement of RH vacuum circulation refining furnace.
Are there interactive processes in speech perception

Lexical information facilitates speech perception, especially when sounds are ambiguous or degraded. The interactive approach to understanding this effect posits that this facilitation is accomplished through bi-directional flow of information, allowing lexical knowledge to influence pre-lexical processes. Alternative autonomous theories posit feed-forward processing with lexical influence restricted to post-perceptual decision processes. We review evidence supporting the prediction of interactive models that lexical influences can affect pre-lexical mechanisms, triggering compensation, adaptation and retuning of phonological processes generally taken to be pre-lexical. We argue that these and other findings point to interactive processing as a fundamental principle for perception of speech and other modalities.
Stratification processes in thermoplastic olefins monitored by step-scan photoacoustic FT-IR spectroscopy

Abstract In this study we utilized step-scan photoacoustic Fourier transform IR (SS-PA-FT-IR) spectroscopy to examine surface/interfacial properties of thermoplastic olefins (TPOs). This approach, combined with 2D FT-IR correlation analysis, allowed us to determine stratification processes in TPOs. These studies showed that the talc and polypropylene (PP) crystalline phase in TPO stratifies within the first 6–30 μm from the surface. Specifically, the PP crystalline phase exists at about 6.5 μm from the surface and its content diminishes at 7.1 μm, followed by reappearance around 11.3 μm, and becomes more prevalent upon approaching the bulk of TPO. Talc concentration levels show a similar pattern of change with depth across the interface, although absolute concentration levels differ from those of crystalline PP. These studies also demonstrated that SS-PA-FT-IR is a powerful tool in surface analysis, in particular for surface/interfacial analysis of multi-component polymeric systems.
Fault tree based diagnostics using fuzzy logic

Fuzzy set theory is investigated as a tool for the diagnostics of systems described by means of a fault tree. The objective is to diagnose component failures from the observation of fuzzy symptoms using the information contained in a fault tree. A two-step procedure is used to solve the problem. In this first step, causal reasoning is used to diagnose failure modes, consisting of minimal cut-sets of basic events, from the observation of triggered gates treated as symptoms. In the second step, the authors identify the particular components which have failed based on the diagnosed failure modes. To perform this second step, the solution of a fuzzy relational equation a= V-product (S/sup T/ alpha x) connecting failure mode a to basic events x is derived. With this method, the diagnostics equations can be symmetrically generated and solved in terms of the tree's basic events. The systematic nature with which a diagnosis can be generated from a fault tree lends this method to potential application of object-based programming techniques. >
Combined robotic lobectomy and adrenalectomy for lung cancer and solitary adrenal metastasis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Surgical resection of isolated adrenal metastasis in primary lung cancer is associated with improved survival. We report a combined robotic lobectomy and adrenalectomy for resection of a primary lung cancer and metastasis to the adrenal gland. METHODS A 69-year-old male with a significant smoking history and shortness of breath was found to have a 3-cm left upper lobe mass with an enlarged left adrenal gland measuring 1.5cm. The adrenal gland was biopsied confirming metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma, likely lung cancer. Computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and mediastinoscopy revealed no evidence of disease outside the adrenal gland. RESULTS Following induction chemotherapy, the patient underwent combination robotic lobectomy, lymphadenectomy, and adrenalectomy while in the same lateral decubitus position. Thoracic and urologic oncology teams performed their respective portions of the operation. Overall operative time was 4 hours, and length of hospital stay was 3 days. Estimated blood loss was 150mL with no narcotic requirements beyond the first postoperative day. Final pathology revealed large cell carcinoma of the lung with metastasis to the adrenal. All surgical margins were negative. CONCLUSIONS Combination robotic lobectomy and adrenalectomy is feasible and can be associated with a short convalescence, minimal pain, and an oncologically sound approach.
Electrocardiogram pattern recognition by means of MLP network and PCA: a case study on equal amount of input signal types

This work proposes a system to help the doctor to detect cardiac arrhythmia. As reference, it uses the normal, fusion and PVC signals of the MIT database. Then, we extract the principal characteristics of the signal by means of the principal component analysis (PCA) technique. One key point in this work is the input signals extraction, which are captured in the same amount. So, the number of segments for each signal is the same. After signal preprocessing, they are applied to a multilayer perceptron (MLP). The MLP with 5 neurons was verified to have the best accuracy. Based on this idea (the use of the same information amount for all input signal types), we achieved better results in comparison with other works in the field. This consideration is very important due to the fact that the ANN could be more sensible to the signal type with major predominance.
Lagrangian Duality and Branch-and-Bound Algorithms for Optimal Power Flow

This paper investigates a Lagrangian dual problem for solving the optimal power flow problem in rectangular form that arises from power system analysis. If strong duality does not hold for the dual, we propose two classes of branch-and-bound algorithms that guarantee to solve the problem to optimality. The lower bound for the objective function is obtained by the Lagrangian duality, whereas the feasible set subdivision is based on the rectangular or ellipsoidal bisection. The numerical experiments are reported to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. We note that no duality gap is observed for any of our test problems.
Barriers and flow as limiting factors in the spread of an invasive crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in southern California streams

Invasive crayfish are a major threat to stream ecosystems, yet research has seldom identified successful ways of preventing their spread. Thirty-two stream sections were surveyed during 2000 and 2001 in the Santa Monica Mountains of southern California to determine the distribution of the invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Streams with large barriers (waterfalls, culverts) often did not have crayfish present upstream of barriers. A mark-recapture study indicated that P. clarkii moved both up and downstream between pools, but that barriers significantly reduced movement between pools. Seasonal high flow velocities likely increase passive movement downstream and reduce movement upstream. Results indicate that crayfish mainly spread downstream from a point of colonization and are restricted in their movement to adjacent upstream sections by both natural and artificial barriers. We suggest management strategies for removing invasive crayfish and reducing their spread by focusing on smaller stream segments that are bounded by a downstream barrier and by timing removal efforts to follow large flow events.