cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A deep learning approach to automatically quantify lower extremity alignment in children.

To develop and validate a convolutional neural network (CNN) capable of predicting the anatomical landmarks used to calculate the hip-knee-ankle angles (HKAAs) from radiographs and thereby quantify lower extremity alignments in children. A search of the image archive at a large children’s hospital was conducted to identify full-length lower extremity radiographs performed in children (≤ 18 years old) for the indication of lower extremity alignment (7/2019–10/2019). A radiologist manually labeled each radiograph’s six requisite anatomical landmarks used to measure HKAAs (bilateral centers of the femoral head, tibial spine, and tibial plafond) and defined the resultant labels as ground truth. A 2D heatmap was generated for each ground truth landmark to encode the pseudo-probability of a landmark being at a particular location. A CNN was developed for indirect landmark localization by regressing across a collection of these heatmaps. The landmarks predicted from this model were used to calculate the HKAAs. Absolute prediction error and intraclass correlation were used to assess the accuracy of the HKAA estimates. The study cohort consisted of 528 radiographs from 517 patients (mean age = 10.8 years, SD = 4.2 years). Evaluation of this CNN showed few HKAA prediction outliers (12/1056 [1.1%]), defined as having an absolute prediction error of > 10°. Excluding these outliers, the study cohort’s mean absolute prediction error for the HKAA was 0.94° ± 0.84°, and the intraclass correlation between the ground truth and prediction was 0.974. The proposed CNN generated promising results and offers potential for using this model as a computer-aided diagnostic tool.
Rawls, Law-Making and Liberal Democratic Toleration: From 'Theory' to 'Political Liberalism' and 'The Law of Peoples.'

This paper articulates Rawls's conception of toleration within international political and law-making activity set out in "The Law of Peoples" within and by reference to the architectonic first set out in "Theory" and then recast in "Political Liberalism." The aim of so doing is to shed much needed light on Rawls's discussion in "Peoples" of so-called decent well-ordered peoples and of benevolent absolutisms.
Vacci-Nation: A Look At Federal Authority to Mandate Vaccines

Vaccine mandates have historically been implemented and regulated by the states, not the federal government .Nevertheless, the federal government has “broad, flexible power” to prevent the spread of communicable disease among the states through Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (Section 361). Although the federal government has never used Section 361 to mandate a vaccine to prevent the spread of disease and the authority to mandate a vaccine is not expressly provided in the statute, there is speculation that the federal government could use Section 361 to mandate a vaccine to prevent the spread of disease. However, there is no authoritative interpretation of the scope of the powers in Section 361, and the text remains ambiguous. This Comment sets aside the question of whether the federal government should mandate a vaccine and instead explores whether the federal government could mandate a vaccine through Section 361. Ultimately, this Comment concludes that Section 361 allows for a federal vaccine mandate and recommends a framework for determining when a federal vaccine mandate is a reasonable and necessary measure.
Natural variant frequencies across domains from different sarcomere proteins cross-correlate to identify inter-protein contacts associated with cardiac muscle function and disease

Coordinated sarcomere proteins produce contraction force for muscle shortening. In human ventriculum they include the cardiac myosin motor (βmys), repetitively converting ATP free energy into work, and myosin binding protein C (MYBPC3) that in complex with βmys is regulatory. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) causing hereditary heart diseases frequently target this protein pair. The βmys/MYBPC3 complex models a regulated motor and is used here to study how the proteins couple. SNVs in βmys or MYBPC3 survey human populations worldwide. Their protein expression modifies domain structure affecting phenotype and pathogenicity outcomes. When the SNV modified domain locates to inter-protein contacts it could affect complex coordination. Domains involved, one in βmys the other in MYBPC3, form coordinated domains (co-domains). Co-domain bilateral structure implies the possibility for a shared impact from SNV modification in either domain suggesting a correlated response to a common perturbation could identify their location. Genetic divergence over human populations is proposed to perturb SNV probability coupling that is detected by cross-correlation in 2D correlation genetics (2D-CG). SNV probability data and 2D-CG identify three critical sites, two in MYBPC3 with links to several domains across the βmys motor, and, one in βmys with links to the MYBPC3 regulatory domain. MYBPC3 sites are hinges sterically enabling regulatory interactions with βmys. The βmys site is the actin binding C-loop (residues 359-377). The C-loop is a trigger for actin-activated myosin ATPase and a contraction velocity modulator. Co-domain identification implies their spatial proximity suggesting a novel approach for in vivo protein complex structure determination.
Why Professional Schools for Engineers

The need for professions, and for professional schools to educate competent practitioners as well as societal leaders becomes more obvious as society becomes more complex technologically. Professional freedom for responsible engineering practice is constrained by excessive regulations, labor unions and corporate patent policies. If future engineers are to serve the public optimally they will have to restructure engineering education so as to motivate such dedication in a new professional environment. They will also need to unite bona fide engineers by dual individual membership in some technical society as well as in a unity organization dedicated to societal leadership and self-regulation. It must be able to enforce its code of professional ethics and to help engineers if their technical judgment is overturned by nontechnical authority, and if the public safety is endangered. A six-year educational program culminating in the first designated engineering degree, plus an internship is suggested as the minimum qualifications now for future practice as a professional and as a societal leader.
Microtubules in the heliozoan axopodium: I. The gradion hypothesis of allosterism in structural proteins

A heliozoan protozoan has been preserved by an improved glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide procedure, and the linkage structures and spacings have been described for the precise, microtubule array of the axopodium. The short link is a paired structure with a length of 2 mμ, whereas the long link is thicker with a length of 28 mμ. The axoneme cross section is composed of a triangular unit, an isosceles triangle with one 30° angle and one 29-mμ and two 55-mμ sides. The axoneme cross section is a paired series of half circles, each larger than the previous inner one by six microtubules. Anomalies that have been observed are all explicable on the basis of bonding preferences in a twelve-subunit microtubule cross section. The precision of normal ordering is also best understood on the basis of distinct subunit bonding preferences and inhibitions induced by linkage bonds. The concept of allosterism is applied; the conformational changes induced by bonding appear to act through several subunits to form an allosteric gradient. This type of gradient is termed a “gradion” and focuses attention on the externally directed bonding site, termed the “gradion site”, of each microtubule subunit. The gradion hypothesis applied to other microtubule and movement systems allows new conceptual approaches to phenomena such as the variable stability, functional variability, intraspecies and interspecies variation, and formation and regulation of microtubule arrays. The concept can also be used to formulate new hypotheses of intracellular transport, cytoplasmic streaming, and axoplasmic flow.
Marktorientiertes Kostenmanagement durch Target Costing und Product Life Cycle Costing

Das Erreichen marktorientierter Kostenziele ist in jungster Zeit umfassend diskutiert worden (Franz 1993, S. 124 ff.; Horvath 1993; Seidenschwarz 1993). Dies geschieht primar unter der von Meffert herausgestellten Maxime des Marketing, eine „konsequente Ausrichtung aller Entscheidungen an den Erfordernissen und Bedurfnissen der Abnehmer bzw. Kaufer“ zu gewahrleisten (Meffert 1994, S. 5). Unter diesem Gesichtspunkt zielt das Target Costing auf die marktorientierte Entwicklung von Produkten, wobei insbesondere die betriebliche Ressourcenbeanspruchung in Abhangigkeit von den am Markt erzielbaren Produktpreisen optimiert werden soll. Idealerweise wird ein solcher Ansatz durch Konzepte erganzt, die eine dynamische Erfolgsbeurteilung des gesamten Produktes uber seinen Lebenszyklus hinweg ermoglichen. Dies wird durch das Product Life Cycle Costing erreicht. Zusatzlich wird der Marktbezug des Target Costing und Product Life Cycle Costing an den Schnittstellen zum Kunden und zur Entwicklungsabteilung durch den gezielten Einsatz des Conjoint Measurement und des Quality Function Deployment erganzt.
Continuous electronic monitoring of fetal heart rate during labor.

Abstract At the University of Utah Medical Center, 749 labors were monitored electronically. All labors were monitored where feasible; there was no distinction between normal and high-risk pregnancies. The cesarean section rate during this time was 6 per cent compared to 3.5 per cent for the 2 previous years. Late and variable deceleration patterns were found in 41 per cent of these cases, and, of these, 66.2 per cent showed Agar scores of 6 or less at one minute. There were 72 cases of late deceleration, 53 had placentas of 400 grams or less, and, of these, 40 had a low Apgar score. Two hundred and thirty-six variable deceleration patterns were found; 178 had cord problems and 145 of these had low Apgar scores. The perinatal mortality rate decreased from 29.49, in 1970, to 18.2 during the monitoring period. Neonatal deaths decreased by two thirds.
Perceptual Correspondences of Abstract Animation and Synthetic Sound

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 1988.
Affine Invariant-Based Classification of Inliers and Outliers for Image Matching

This paper presents a new approach to classify tentative feature matches as inliers or outliers during wide baseline image matching. After typical feature matching algorithms are run and tentative matches are created, our approach is used to classify matches as inliers or outliers to a transformation model. The approach uses the affine invariant property that ratios of areas of shapes are constant under an affine transformation. Thus, by randomly sampling corresponding shapes in the image pair we can generate a histogram of ratios of areas. The matches that contribute to the maximum histogram value are then candidate inliers. The candidate inliers are then filtered to remove any with a frequency below the noise level in the histogram. The resulting set of inliers are used to generate a very accurate transformation model between the images. In our experiments we show similar accuracy to RANSAC and an order of magnitude efficiency increase using this affine invariant-based approach.
Strain-modulated Mott transition in EuNiO 3 ultrathin films

A series of ultrathin epitaxial films of EuNiO${}_{3}$ (ENO) were grown on a set of substrates traversing from compressive ($\ensuremath{-}2.4%$) to tensile (+2.5%) lattice mismatch. On moving from tensile to compressive strain, transport measurements demonstrate a successively suppressed Mott insulating behavior eventually resulting in a complete suppression of the insulating state at high compressive strain. Corroborating these findings, resonant soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Ni ${L}_{3,2}$ edge reveals the presence of a strong multiplet splitting in the tensile strained samples that progressively weakens with increasing compressive strain. Combined with cluster calculations, the results show how cumulatively enhanced covalency (i.e., bandwidth) between Ni $d$ and O $p$ orbital derived states leads to the emergent metallic ground state not attainable in the bulk ENO.
Numerical solutions of the supersonic, laminar flow over a two-dimensional compression corner

Numerical solutions of Navier-Stokes equations are presented for the supersonic laminar flow over a two-dimensional compression corner. A well-known time-dependent method has been used wherein the asymptotic steady solutions of the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations are obtained with the Brailovskaia (1965) finite-difference scheme.
Ultrasonic velocities in ( Ti 1 − x V x ) 2 O 3 in high magnetic fields

Measurements of the velocities of ultrasonic waves in ${({\mathrm{Ti}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{V}}_{x})}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ crystals with $x\ensuremath{\le}0.09$ have been made as a function of magnetic induction up to 130 kG at liquid-helium temperatures. The results indicate that screening of interionic forces by $3d$ electrons is important in metallic ${({\mathrm{Ti}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{V}}_{x})}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ samples but not in semiconducting ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. This implies that a complete explanation of the semiconductor-metal transition in ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ will need to include the effect of screening.
Cellular Regulation of Amylase Secretion by the Parotid Gland

The sections in this article are: 1 Composition of Rat Parotid Saliva 2 Ultrastructure of Rat Parotid Gland 3 Neurotransmitter Receptors 4 Parotid Slice System 5 Cyclic Adenosine 5'-Monophosphate 5.1 Evidence for Involvement in Amylase Release 5.2 Mechanism of Action 6 Calcium 6.1 Evidence for Involvement in Amylase Release 6.2 Source of Calcium Mobilized by β-Adrenergic Agonists 6.3 Mechanism of Calcium Mobilization 6.4 Mechanism of Action 7 Endogenous Protein Phosphorylation 8 Speculations
As Luck Would Have it: The Effect of the Vietnam Draft Lottery on Long‐Term Career Outcomes

Using an original data set matching individual birthdays to Vietnam War draft lottery numbers, I study how wartime draft risk affects representation in a sample of top corporate executives decades after the war's end. I find that men with lottery numbers placing them at risk of induction are underrepresented among top U.S. executives in the 1990s. Furthermore, I find that differences in lottery numbers explain differences in executives' compensation and age of entry into the top executive ranks in a way that is consistent with draft-induced differences in incentives to acquire human capital early in their careers.
Structural dynamics of E. coli single-stranded DNA binding protein reveal DNA wrapping and unwrapping pathways

Escherichia coli single-stranded (ss)DNA binding (SSB) protein mediates genome maintenance processes by regulating access to ssDNA. This homotetrameric protein wraps ssDNA in multiple distinct binding modes that may be used selectively in different DNA processes, and whose detailed wrapping topologies remain speculative. Here, we used single-molecule force and fluorescence spectroscopy to investigate E. coli SSB binding to ssDNA. Stretching a single ssDNA-SSB complex reveals discrete states that correlate with known binding modes, the likely ssDNA conformations and diffusion dynamics in each, and the kinetic pathways by which the protein wraps ssDNA and is dissociated. The data allow us to construct an energy landscape for the ssDNA-SSB complex, revealing that unwrapping energy costs increase the more ssDNA is unraveled. Our findings provide insights into the mechanism by which proteins gain access to ssDNA bound by SSB, as demonstrated by experiments in which SSB is displaced by the E. coli recombinase RecA.
Two-bit SONOS type Flash using a band engineering in the nitride layer

A novel film in the trapping layer of SONOS device has been proposed. With gradually changing Si/N content ratio, the nitrogen-rich in middle (NRM) nitride has better performance and reliability than a conventional standard Si3N4film. This new configuration can increase trapping efficiency by adding the probability of lateral hopping and reduce charge loss tunneling back to substrate from nitride. Besides, the characteristics of the two-bit operation are exhibited in this study. The SONOS of NRM nitride is suitable for a localized trapping storage promising non-volatile memory application.
Methoxy-substituted 9-Aminomethyl-9,10-dihydroanthracene (AMDA) Derivatives Exhibit Differential Binding Affinities at the 5-HT2A Receptor

Abstract The effects of methoxy-substitution at the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-positions of 9-aminomethyl-9,10-dihydroanthracene (AMDA) on h5-HT2A receptor affinity were determined. Racemic mixtures of these compounds were found to show the following affinity trend: 3-MeO > 4-MeO > 1-MeO ∼ 2-MeO. Comparison of the effects of these substitutions, with the aid of computational molecular modeling techniques, suggest that the various positional and stereochemical isomers of the methoxy-substituted AMDA compounds interact differently with the h5-HT2A receptor. It is predicted that for the compounds with higher affinities, the methoxy oxygen atom is able to interact with hydrogen bond-donating sidechains within alternative h5-HT2A receptor binding sites, whereas the lower-affinity isomers lack this ability.
Littorina littorea: Lowered heat tolerance due to Cryptocotyle lingua

Abstract Parasitized ( Cryptocotyle lingua ) and nonparasitized Littorina littorea were exposed to 39, 40, and 41 °C for varying durations and their survival noted. Cumulative data for all exposures show snails parasitized with this trematode to be significantly less tolerant to heat exposure than nonparasitized snails.
Expression of Hostility as a Function of an Encounter Group Experience

Summary.-On the basis of previous research it was hypothesized that Ss undergoing an encounter group experience would show a decrease in covert expression of hostility and a corresponding increase in overt expression of hostility as measured by Bendig's scales of hostility. An experimental group (N = 24) participated in 10 encounter group exercises while a control group (N = 24) similar in terms of zge, sex, and educational background, did not undergo the exercises. No significant difference was found between experimental and control groups' scores on the Bendig scales prior to, or upon completion of the series of encounter exercises for personal growth. Experientially based forms of group training ofren involve emotional confrontations aimed at changing personal behavior patterns (Lakin, 1969). An oft-mentioned target behavior of such training is h-ightened individual awareness of covert, unlabeled, or erroneously labeled emotions (Bradford, Gibb, & Benne, 1964; Schun, 1967). Berzon and Solomon (1964) and Berzon, Reisel, and Davis (1969) have developed a series of Planned Experiences for Effective Relating (PEER Encounter Groups) designed to aid individuals to become more aware of their emotions and more "honest" in their emotional expression. The program, which is presented on audio tape, is commercially distributed for use in a wide variety of situations (Bell & Howell, 1967). An inventory for assessing two factorially distinct modes of emotional expression has been developed by Bendig (1962). The modes of emotional expression are: covert hostility, unaware of and indireciy expressing hostile feelings and impulses; and overt hostility, aware of and openly expressing hostile feelings and impulses. The present study employed this scale to assess thc effects of the PEER Encounter Group exercises upon mode of expressing hostile feelings. On the basis of the literature (Bradford, et al., 1964;
Children in Diverse Family Constellations

The world is an imperfect place. Some would describe an ideal family as one in which a mature man and a mature woman who love each other each have satisfying work, plentiful self-confidence, adequate financial means to live comfortably and save for future needs, supportive friends and kin nearby, consistent and high-quality child care arrangements, and plentiful leisure time and activities. Unfortunately few of us have experienced this ideal, either as children or as parents. Reality is about making the best of what we have, and parenting starts with creating a safe and supportive family environment in which children can grow and thrive. There are many means to that end. The traditional stereotype of a mother at home full time with primary responsibility for home and children and a father employed outside the home and with few primary responsibilities at home no longer serves us well. Over half of married mothers with children under 6 and 85% of single parents are employed outside of their home.1 Only 60% of the 65 million children in the United states currently are living with both biological parents, and more than 1 million children experience divorce each year.2Among the diverse patterns of family structure seen today are reconstituted and blended families, parents …
Entropy function for multifractals

Following an analogy to the formalism of statistical mechanics, an entropy function and a free energy are introduced for multifractals. These functions give a full description of the scaling behaviors of multifractals. The method of Halsey et al. [Phys. Rev. A 33, 1141 (1986)] for characterizing multifractals can naturally be interpreted by the use of these functions. For the invariant set of a dynamical system, these functions are furthermore related to the measure-theoretic (Kolmogolov-Sinai) entropy, the topological entropy, and the Lyapunov exponent.
Seeing the forest through the trees: Recovering large‐scale carbon flux biases in the midst of small‐scale variability

[1] This paper investigates the effect of fine-scale spatial variability in carbon fluxes upon regional carbon flux inversion estimates in North America using simulated data from 1 May through 31 August 2004 and a hypothetical sparse network of eight towers in North America. A suite of random smooth regional carbon flux patterns are created and then obscured with random fine-scale spatial flux "noise" to mimic the effect of fine-scale heterogeneity in carbon fluxes found in nature. Five hundred and forty grid-scale atmospheric inversions are run using the synthetic data. We find that, regardless of the particular fine spatial scale carbon fluxes used (noise), the inversions can improve a priori carbon flux estimates significantly by capturing the large-scale regional flux patterns. We also find significant improvement in the root-mean-square error of the model are possible across a wide range of spatial decorrelation length scales. Errors associated with the inversion decrease as estimates are sought for larger and larger areas. Results show dramatic differences between postaggregated fine-scale inversion results and preaggregated coarse-scale inversion results confirming recent warnings about the "preaggregation" of inversion regions.
Reticular suppression of flash-evoked IPSPs in visual cortex neurons

Abstract In a majority of visual cortex (VC) neurons recorded intracellularly in chronically implanted rabbits, light flashes evoked responses consisting of protracted IPSPs (duration 160–200 msec) followed in some cases by a rebound. Inhibition of spontaneous activity through high frequency reticular stimulation (MRF) or through presentations of non-visual arousing stimuli, was not associated with strong hyperpolarization of the cell membrane. Reticular stimulation evoking both activation and inhibition of spontaneous neuronal activity elicited attenuation or complete elimination (disinhibition) of flash-evoked protracted IPSPs and of the postinhibitory rebounds. Rhythmic neuronal discharges elicited by stimulation of the visual pathway was also reduced during reticular activation, due to attenuation of the IPSP-rebound sequence.
Evaluation of primers on leakage at the bond interface of silicone and methyl methacrylate.

Abstract The bond interface between Silastic 891 and methyl methacrylate was evaluated to determine whether the use of primers would prevent leakage. Three different primers were tested, and the amount of leakage at the bond interface was evaluated by placing the test samples in India ink for periods of 12, 24, and 48 hours and 2 weeks. of the 80 samples studied, 73 showed evidence of leakage—most of which occurred during the initial 12-hour test period.
Probing the reaction coordinate of the p300/CBP histone acetyltransferase with bisubstrate analogs.

Abstract Histone and protein acetylation catalyzed by p300/CBP transcriptional coactivator regulates a variety of key biological pathways. This study investigates the proposed Theorell–Chance or “hit-and-run” catalytic mechanism of p300/CBP histone acetyltransferase (HAT) using bisubstrate analogs. A range of histone peptide tail peptide-CoA conjugates with different length linkers were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of p300 HAT. We show that longer linkers between the histone tail peptide and the CoA substrate moieties appear to allow for dual engagement of the two binding surfaces. Results with D1625R/D1628R double mutant p300 HAT further confirm the requirement for a negatively charged surface on the enzyme to interact with the histone tail.
Binocular Adaptation That Cannot Be Measured Monocularly

The tilt aftereffect (TAE) is used to demonstrate the existence of a purely binocular process in human vision. A purely binocular process is a process that can be activated only by matched inputs to the two eyes. It is insensitive to monocular stimulation. The TAE can be produced by exposure to a bipartite field with the top tilted to the left of vertical, the bottom to the right. After such adaptation a pair of colinear lines appears bent in the opposite direction. A cyclopean random-dot stereogram can be used as an adapting stimulus. It produces a 2° TAE when a cyclopean test stimulus is used and a 1° TAE when a binocular but noncyclopean test stimulus is used. If the same noncyclopean pattern is viewed monocularly, no TAE is measurable. The TAE does not transfer from cyclopean adaptation to monocular testing. Apparently, cyclopean stimuli activate a ‘purely binocular process’ that cannot be activated by either eye alone.
A CHARACTER ANALYSIS OF COLONIES OF IRIS FULVA, IRIS HEXAGONA VAR. GIGANTICAERULEA AND NATURAL HYBRIDS

THE IRISES of southern Louisiana have been of peculiar botanical interest since they were first called to the attention of botanists by the late Dr. John K. Small a little more than a decade ago. Many of these irises differ to a greater or lesser extent in the size and shape of the flower parts and in the amount and distribution of pigments in the flower, and there is so much variation among them that Small and Alexander (1931) have listed more than eighty species from within the borders of Louisiana. This interpretation of thespecies, however, has not been accepted by all botanists, for Viosca (1935), chiefly on the basis of ecological evidence, recognizes but four species from the same territory and maintains that the other types which are listed by Small and Alexander are hybrids.. In a more recent paper, Foster (1937) agrees essentially with Viosca. He considers I. virginica L., I. fuiva Ker-Gaw., and I. brevicaulis Raf. (-I. foliosa Mackenzie and Bush) to be the only species in Louisiana, regards I. giganticaerulea Small as a variety of I. hexagona Walter, and believes with Viosea that many of the remaining types are the result of natural hybridization between I. fulva and I. hexagona var. giganticaerulea (Srhall) R. C. Foster. Throughout this present paper, Foster's treatment of the genus will be followed, since it is the only comprehensive treatment of the American species of Iris. Foster's study has been largely taxonomic but has combined chromosome counts with a study of morphological characters. Cytological and ecological approaches are of great value in supplementing the methods of pure taxonomy and especially in determining the probable hybrid origin of a given type of plant. It is possible that biometric methods may in certain cases furnish even more precise estimates of hybridity, especially such methods as have been suggested by Anderson (1928, 1936). An attempt to apply these methods to some of the Louisiana irises is reported in this paper. MATERIALS AND METHODS.-This investigation represents a comparative study of seven characters on plants of four populations, which consist of a group of clones 2 of Iris hexagona var. giganticaerulea, a group of clones of I. fulva, and two groups of clones located geographically between the other two groups. These four colonies of wild plants were found growing in a. region between Thibodaux and Vacherie, which has often yielded a large number of Iris varieties. As the inhabitants of that area have been
Renal failure and platinum pharmacokinetics in three patients treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and whole-body hyperthermia

Three patients with advanced refractory malignancies were treated with whole-body hyperthermia (WBH: 42–42.3° C) for 2 h during which time they also received an infusion of 60 or 80 mg/m2 of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (DDP). Each patient developed an elevated serum creatinine (2.7–13.6 mg/dl), with maximum creatinine occurring between days 7 and 12 after treatment. WBH did not alter plasma or urinary pharmacokinetics of total or ultrafilterable platinum compared with pharmacokinetic data of the same or other patients given DDP euthermically. Although the mechanism of the renal damage is unclear, it appears that WBH can potentiate the nephrotoxic actions of DDP and that further study of this combination is not warranted.
Modeling of Localized Heating Effect in Sub-Micron Silicon Transistors

The performance and reliability of sub-micron semiconductor transistors demands accurate modeling of electron and phonon transport at nanoscales. The continued downscaling of the critical dimensions, introduces hotspots, inside transistors, with dimensions much smaller than phonon mean free path. This phenomenon, known as localized heating effect, results in a relatively high temperature at the hotspot that cannot be predicted using heat diffusion equation. While the contribution of the localized heating effect to the total device thermal resistance is significant during the normal operation of transistors, it has even greater implications for the thermoelectrical behavior of the device during an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event. The Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) can be used to capture the ballistic phonon transport in the vicinity of a hot spot but many of the existing solutions are limited to the one-dimensional and simple geometry configurations. We report our initial progress in solving the two dimensional Boltzmann transport equation for a hot spot in an infinite media (silicon) with constant temperature boundary condition and uniform heat generation configuration.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Kinetics of Mitochondrial Swelling: Evidence for Specific Receptor Sites for Inducer Compounds

Kinetics of Mitochondrial Swelling: Evidence for Specific Receptor Sites for Inducer Compounds
On the Differential Rotation with Height in the Solar Atmosphere

Spectroscopic measurements of solar rotation having good height discrimination show no change in angular velocity through the photosphere layers but an increase of 8% for the Hα chromosphere (epoch 1968.9). Spectroscopic results in general are compared with measures made with tracers, i.e. sunspots, filaments, etc., and it is seen that the spectroscopic method always shows increased differential rotation with height, while tracers indicate none. A westward flowing wind is proposed that increases in velocity with height, but produces negligible movement to magnetic regions associated with tracers.
Television's mixed messages: Sexual content on all my children

Previous studies of morality on soap operas have exaggerated both the bad and the good. The abundance of sexual activity out of wedlock, which is typically characterized as immoral, ignores the degree of commitment in relationships and the punishment of deception. The fact that rapes are infrequent in the context of socially responsible stories ignores less extreme physical aggression in relationships which is both present and rewarded. The subtle message, that when women say “no” they really mean “yes,” contradicts overt attempts to demonstrate the seriousness of sexual aggression.
Neurodegeneration in the polyglutamine diseases: Act 1, Scene 1.

A mouse model of the neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 reveals that changes in gene expression begin many weeks before the onset of symptoms.
RESEARCH FOR A UNIFORM QUALITY GRADING SYSTEM FOR TIRES VI. COMPARISON OF THE EFFECT OF FRONT AND REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES ON PROJECTED TREAD WEAR OF A TIRE

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MILES THAT COULD BE EXPECTED FOR A TIRE WAS PROJECTED AND COMPARED FROM A TEST INVOLVING A FRONT AXLE DRIVE AND A REAR AXLE DRIVE VEHICLE. ON THE FRONT AXLE DRIVE VEHICLE, THE TIRES WORE AT TWICE THE RATE ON THE FRONT WHEELS AS ON THE REAR; ON THE OTHER VEHICLE THEY WORE AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE ON BOTH AXLES. /AUTHOR/
“Transfer of learning” by injection of brain RNA as a function of time

Brain RNA was extracted from two groups of rats, one of which had learned a passive avoidance of a black chamber, and intraperitoneally injected into independent recipient groups. Significant avoidance of the previously preferred chamber was found at 8 h follwoing injection but not at 1, 2, or 16 h.
The effects of display size on performance

We examined the systematic effects of display size on task performance as derived from a standard perceptual and cognitive test battery. Specifically, three experiments examined the influence of varying viewing conditions on response speed, response accuracy and subjective workload at four differing screen sizes under three different levels of time pressure. Results indicated a ubiquitous effect for time pressure on all facets of response while display size effects were contingent upon the nature of the viewing condition. Thus, performance decrement and workload elevation were evident only with the smallest display size under the two most restrictive levels of time pressure. This outcome generates a lower boundary threshold for display screen size for this order of task demand. Extrapolations to the design and implementation of all display sizes and forms of cognitive and psychomotor demand are considered.
MEM's the word for optical beam manipulation

The best way to switch the direction of an optical beam is simply to rotate a mirror, focus an optical beam by mechanically translating a lens, or extinguish an unwanted optical beam by physically blocking its path. Recent, independent developments in microelectromechanical (MEM) devices promise to remedy the issue of high cost and unreliability associated with the "moving parts" needed for these optical functions. This article describes some aspects of these recent developments undertaken in the "microphotonics" group at U.C. Berkeley on building MEM-based optical systems on a silicon chip.
CHANGES IN PEDIATRIC ADMISSIONS FROM 1975 - 1982: IMPACT ON HOUSE OFFICER (HO) TRAINING PROGRAMS

In the last 10 years, the numbers and types of inpatient pediatric admissions appear to be changing. In an effort to document these differences and determine their effect on HO training, all admissions to the Pediatric Wards for 1975 (n = 2246) and 1982 (n = 2327) were analyzed. Admissions declined at least 2 fold (2x) for the following disorders: mastoiditis (>10x), nephritis (12x), hemophilia (9x), phimosis (8.5x), diabetes M. (5x), esotropia (3.8x), tonsillitis (3.2x), bronchiolitis (3.2x), undescended testes (3x) and hernia (2x). In most cases, these decreases can be accounted for by more efficient outpatient medical/surgical management. Further, the absolute numbers of patients admitted with these disorders may now be below acceptable limits for adequate HO experience; i.e., only 6 patients with diabetes admitted in 1982. By contrast, admissions increased at least 2x for patients with possible sepsis (14x), gastroesophageal reflux (>12x), possible appendicitis (6x), hypospadius (4x), subglottic stenosis (4x), ingestions (3.3x), neutropenia (2.6x) and scoliosis (2.2x). These are accounted for by enhanced awareness of potentially dangerous disorders, better techniques of treatment, and changing faculty interests. These data suggest that the changes in inpatient experiences may limit HO learning in many areas and force reorganization of training programs with a greater emphasis on the ambulatory setting.
Prediction of Lower Pole Stone Clearance After Shock Wave Lithotripsy Using an Artificial Neural Network

ABSTRACTPurpose: We performed this study as a comprehensive evaluation of variables reported to affect lower pole stone clearance after shock wave lithotripsy using artificial neural network analysis.Materials and Methods: The radiographic images and treatment records of 680 patients with lower pole renal calculi treated with primary shock wave lithotripsy using the Wolf Piezolith 2500 (Wolf, Knittlingen, Germany) lithotriptor were retrospectively evaluated by applying artificial neural network analysis. Successful stone clearance was defined as absent fragments of any size detected on plain x-ray with tomography and/or excretory pyelography performed 6 months after treatment. Prognostic variables included patient characteristics, laboratory values, stone characteristics and the spatial anatomy of the lower pole, as defined by infundibular length, diameter, caliceal pelvic height, 2 measurements of the lower infundibulopelvic and infundibuloureteropelvic angles as well as the pattern of dynamic urinary tr...
Clustering search results. Part III: the synergy of metasearching and clustering

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to further examine clustering search results.Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes and illustrates the most powerful synergy created by the intelligent combination of metasearching and clustering on the fly through Central Search and PolyMeta.Findings – The study finds that the combination of metasearching and clustering, although two opposite functions, can produce effective synergy.Originality/value – This paper looks at the intelligent combination of metasearching and clustering in the form of Central Search and PolyMeta, giving a new step in savvy searching.
Effects of Practice and Instructional Set on the Measurement of Lingual Vibrotactile Thresholds

The effects on lingual vibrotactile thresholds of three different instructional sets and three different practice conditions were determined for 30 normal adult subjects. Results showed no measurab...
Historical Fluke: US intelligence at the crossroads

Roy Godson, Ernest R. May, and Gary Schmitt, US Intelligence at the Crossroads: Agendas for Reform, (Washington and London: Brassey's, 1995). Pp.315, no index. $25.95 £20.95. ISBN 0–02–881122–4. Roy Godson, Dirty Tricks or Trump Cards: US Covert Action and Counter‐intelligence (Washington and London: Brassey's, 1995). Pp.337, biblio. index. $24.95 £21.95. ISBN 0–02–881036–8.
Characterization of the ilv-2 gene from Neurospora crassa encoding α-keto-β-hydroxylacyl reductoisomerase

Abstract We have isolated the cDNA and corresponding genomic DNA for the ilv-2 locus of Neurospora crassa. This gene encodes α-keto-β-hydroxylacyl reductoisomerase (Ilv-2), required for the synthesis of isoleucine and valine. The gene contains four introns, maps to the right arm of chromosome V, and encodes a protein of 400 amino acids (aa). Alignment of the aa sequence of Ilv-2 with the two other known eukaryotic sequences encoding this enzyme reveals two conserved regions.
Revision of the genus Chlorocoris Spinola (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The neotropical pentatomid genus Chlorocoris Spinola is revised, with figures of salient taxonomic characters, keys, distributions, and diagnoses for each species. Chlorocoris contains two subgenera: Chlorocoris , with 13 species, most of them South American, and Monochrocerus Stal, with 10 mostly Central American species. Ten species are described as new: C. humeralis from Peru, C. sanguinursus from Bolivia, C. vandoesburgi from Surinam, C. tibialis and C. fabulosus from Brazil, C. sororis from Colombia, C. isthmus from Panama, C. biconicus from Costa Rica, C. loxoides from Mexico, and C. werneri from Arizona. Chlorocoris complanatus (Guerin-Meneville) and C. deplanatus (Herrich-Schaeffer) are raised from synonymy, C. usitatus Distant is placed in synonymy with C. subrugosus Stal, C. aemulus Van Duzee is synonymized under C. depressus (F.), C. rufidens Walker and C. atrispinus Stal are synonymized under C. distinctus Signoret, and C. aberrans Distant is synonymized under C. rufispinus Dallas
Improving Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping Resolution in Experimental Crosses by the Use of Genotypically Selected Samples

One of the key factors contributing to the success of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping experiment is the precision with which QTL positions can be estimated. We show, using simulations, that QTL mapping precision for an experimental cross can be increased by the use of a genotypically selected sample of individuals rather than an unselected sample of the same size. Selection is performed using a previously described method that optimizes the complementarity of the crossover sites within the sample. Although the increase in precision is accompanied by a decrease in QTL detection power at markers distant from QTL, only a modest increase in marker density is needed to obtain equivalent power over the whole map. Selected samples also show a slight reduction in the number of false-positive QTL. We find that two features of selected samples independently contribute to these effects: an increase in the number of crossover sites and increased evenness in crossover spacing. We provide an empirical formula for crossover enrichment in selected samples that is useful in experimental design and data analysis. For QTL studies in which the phenotyping is more of a limiting factor than the generation of individuals and the scoring of genotypes, selective sampling is an attractive strategy for increasing genome-wide QTL map resolution.
DNA data support a rapid radiation of pocket gopher genera (Rodentia: Geomyidae)

In this study, we address the question of phylogenetic relationships in the Geomyidae, focusing primarily on intergeneric relationships within the tribe Geomyini. Our study makes use of DNA sequences from two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes, and we use model-based methods of phylogenetic analysis to infer relationships and determine the level of support for each proposed relationship. Relationships among geomyine pocket gopher genera remain only partially resolved despite a number of earlier attempts to reconstruct their phylogenetic history and despite the newly generated sequence data analyzed in this study. This lack of resolution does not appear to result from insufficient or inappropriate DNA data, nor is it caused by inadequate sampling of taxa. Rather, molecular data and fossil data together lead to the conclusion that diversification within the Geomyini likely occurred during a geologically brief period in the Blancan. Rapid climate change during the Blancan, the origin of patchily distributed grasslands, and the evolution of hypsodonty may have triggered the rapid diversification that eventually produced the five extant genera of the Geomyini.
Ram Raids and Hold-ups

From time to time the media are flooded with news about tragic or fatal ram raids, armed robberies and other violent crimes. Given the high impact of these crimes, they receive the highest priority from the police forces. Regularly operational measures are announced to improve the effectiveness of the police forces and to guarantee quicker responses to these crimes. The proposals range from more directed patrolling, over additional capacity, to the installation of alarm systems. Recently developed OR models can help to weigh the (cost) effectiveness of many of these proposals and to improve the implementation and organisation of current and new resources. In this paper, an application of such techniques is illustrated by means of a case study in the region of Kortrijk, Belgium.
An improved diffusion method for determining submicrogram amounts of fluoride in biological samples

Abstract A method for fluoride determination has been developed in which a level of 0.0–2.5 μg fluoride was determined quantitatively from several milligram samples of biological material. This technique allows the drying, ashing, and diffusion of small samples without transfer. The SPADNS-zirconium lake is a sensitive and convenient color reagent. Recoveries of 96 to 102% were obtained.
Fission of a Spotted Hyena Clan: Consequences of Prolonged Female Absenteeism and Causes of Female Emigration

We describe the fission of one large East African clan of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). During an 8-mo period from late 1989 to early 1990, 8 of 22 adult females vanished from the clan, along with their juvenile offspring. 6 of these 8 adult females formed a new clan in an area adjacent to the parent clan's home range. The 6 adult female dispersers belonged to three mid- or low-ranking matrilines in the parent clan. Two juvenile males returned to the parent clan for temporary visits, and three female members of one matriline rejoined the parent clan after absences of over 8 mo. Returning females, but not males, were targets of severe aggression by adult female residents of the parent clan, and by juvenile residents of both sexes. Returning females fell from their previous mid-ranking positions to the bottom of the adult female hierarchy. Our data suggest that clan fission was promoted by the simultaneous occurrence of low food availability, an unusually high density of higher-ranking conspecific competitors, and the availability of neighboring vacant habitat.
Moving with Bubbles: A Review of the Interactions between Bubbles and the Microorganisms that Surround them

Synopsis Bubbles are ubiquitous in biological environments, emerging during the complex dynamics of waves breaking in the open oceans or being intentionally formed in bioreactors. From formation, through motion, until death, bubbles play a critical role in the oxygenation and mixing of natural and artificial ecosystems. However, their life is also greatly influenced by the environments in which they emerge. This interaction between bubbles and microorganisms is a subtle affair in which surface tension plays a critical role. Indeed, it shapes the role of bubbles in mixing or oxygenating microorganisms, but also determines how microorganisms affect every stage of the bubble’s life. In this review, we guide the reader through the life of a bubble from birth to death, with particular attention to the microorganism–bubble interaction as viewed through the lens of fluid dynamics.
Suprarenal retroperitoneal liposarcoma with intracaval tumor thrombus: an imaging mimic of adrenocortical carcinoma

We report a 57-year-old previously healthy man who presented with dull right upper quadrant pain, weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats. Computed tomography demonstrated a large, heterogeneously enhancing, soft tissue mass with no macroscopic fat above the right kidney with tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava and right atrium. Positron Emission Tomography scanning demonstrated intense Fluorodeoxyglucose avidity in the primary tumor and tumor thrombus. The presumptive radiological diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma, but surgical pathology revealed a dedifferentiated liposarcoma. We conclude that suprarenal retroperitoneal liposarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis for an apparent adrenal mass with venous invasion.