cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SPERT-II benchmarks of a dynamic model for the Advanced Neutron Source reactor

A series of benchmark calculations were performed with a dynamic model of the Advanced Neutron Source reactor against data from the SPERT-II experiments. Satisfactory agreement has been obtained for the SPERT-II long period transients that did not involve localized boiling. The dynamic model represents the reactor core, the vessel, and the primary system as lumped parameter equations. The neutronics module uses the point kinetics approximation and effective reactivity feedbacks computed from one-node representations of the average fuel and coolant channels. Hot-spot fuel temperatures are estimated using the outlet coolant conditions of the hot channel. Single-phase lumped parameter equations are used to model the primary coolant circuits that include piping, heat exchangers, pumps, and a let-down-makeup systems. >
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Prognosis of Familial Versus Sporadic Disease and the Role of Radiotherapy*

A retrospective study of 202 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) diagnosed between 1943 and 1987 was done to compare the prognosis of patients with sporadic disease and those with the familial form of multiple endocrine neoplasia type II and to study the effect of radiotherapy. Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type II had a significantly higher survival rate than did patients with the sporadic variety (P less than 0.005), but most patients with sporadic tumors were older and had more advanced disease. No differences in survival rates were found when patients from these 2 groups were matched for age and involvement of the thyroid gland only (P greater than 0.3), involvement of the thyroid gland plus cervical nodes (P greater than 0.3), and involvement of the thyroid gland, cervical nodes, and soft tissue (P greater than 0.7). When patients with MTC who received radiotherapy were matched for age, extent of disease, and surgery with patients who had had no radiotherapy, the latter group was found to live significantly longer (P less than 0.05). We conclude that 1) the apparently poor prognosis of patients with the sporadic variety of MTC may be related to the patients' older age at detection rather than to inherent differences in the two forms of disease, and 2) radiotherapy has little effect on MTC.
Ricin disturbs calcium homeostasis in the rabbit heart.

Ricin, a toxic lectin from the castor bean, affects the cardiovascular system. Because calcium is very important in cardiotoxicity and cell intoxication, we studied the effects of ricin pretreatment to rabbits on basal intracellular calcium levels and calcium uptake and release from isolated papillary muscle, microsomes, and mitochondria. An increase in basal intracellular calcium levels was observed. Ricin pretreatment nearly doubled the intracellular-free Ca2+ concentration as measured by fura-2 fluorescence microscopy in isolated myocytes (p = 0.002). Ricin did not alter basal calcium efflux in isolated papillary muscles. However, ricin inhibited the NE-induced calcium efflux (expressed as fractional efflux ratios) in papillary muscles from rabbits receiving the minimum lethal dose of ricin at 25–35 minutes (p = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). Ricin depressed basal calcium uptake into isolated papillary muscles at 5 minutes (mean ± SEM, μmol/g wet weight) (control: 3.68 ± 0.57; ricin: 2.31 ± 0.28, p = 0.045, n = 6). Ricin pretreatment significantly depressed calcium uptake into microsomes (mean ± SEM, μmol/g protein) (control: 9.9 ± 1.9; ricin: 3.1 ± 1.9, p = 0.025, n = 6). Calcium uptake into mitochondria was increased at the beginning (2 minutes, p = 0.048), but not thereafter. Thus, administration of ricin disturbed calcium homeostasis in the rabbit heart, which may be at least partially responsible for altering cardiac function and myocardial cell death. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Current-Comparator-Based Wattmeter for High Voltage Power Measurements at Very Low Power Factors

A current-comparator technique for obtaining a wattmeter for accurate high voltage power measurements at very low power factors is described. The quadrature component of the load cturrent is automatically balanced in the current comparator against a quadrature current obtained from a slave supply, thereby reducing the stringent high accuracy requirement of the wattmeter when used for measuring power at very low power factors. The current-comparator-based wattmeter has an estimated accuracy with respect to its readings of better than 3 percent at 0.001 power Factor, 1 percent at 0.005 power factor, and 0.5 percent at 0.01 power factor and higher. It features an internal high-voltage active-divider and displays to indicate source voltage, current, power factor, and reactance of the load, in addition to the power.
Wavelet-based neural pattern analyzer for behaviorally significant burst pattern recognition

Closed-loop neural prosthesis systems rely on accurately recording neural data from multiple neurons and detecting behaviorally meaningful patterns before representing them in a highly compressed form for wireless transmission over a limited-bandwidth link. We present a novel wavelet-based approach for detecting spikes, grouping them as bursts and building a dynamic vocabulary of meaningful burst patterns. Simulation results on pre-recorded in vivo multi-channel extracellular neural data from the buccal ganglion of Aplysia demonstrate the feasibility of behavior recognition as well as data compression (> 500X) by the proposed approach.
Paternity After Bilateral Cryptorchidism A Controlled Study

Objective: To compare paternity among men with former bilateral cryptorchidism (referred to as the bilateral group) with a group of men with former unilateral cryptorchidism (referred to as the unilateral group) and a control group. Design: Epidemiologic survey of study cohort. Setting: Large urban pediatric hospital. Subjects: Men with former bilateral and unilateral cryptorchidism who underwent orchiopexy between 1955 and 1971 at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa, and a group of control men have been surveyed by questionnaire concerning paternity and factors related to paternity. Main Outcome Measure: Paternity. Results: Among the married men who had bilateral cryptorchidism, 50% had fathered children, compared with 76% in the control group and 74% in the unilateral group. Data were similar when the men who were cohabitating were included with the married men. When men who had married and had attempted paternity were evaluated, 62% of the men in the bilateral group had been able to father children compared with 94% of the control group and 89% of the men in the unilateral group. No relationship was noted between the age of orchiopexy or life-style factors and paternity. Paternity among all groups was related to female-related infertility factors and to the presence of varicoceles. Conclusions: Paternity was compromised after bilateral cryptorchidism when compared with men with former unilateral cryptorchidism and a control group. Among the bilateral group, infertility is about 3.5 times as frequent than the unilateral group and more than 6 times as frequent among the control group. No correlation was found between age of orchiopexy and paternity for either group. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997;151:260-263
Sub-surface imaging system for blue ray disk

Sub-surface imaging system using a solid immersion lens (SIL) is introduced. Aberration caused by cover layer of Blue ray disk is minimized with truncated SIL and diffractive optical element (DOE). Sub-surface imaging simulation is achieved by using rigorous coupled wave technique, partial coherence and vector diffraction.
A variational finite element method for source inversion for convective-diffusive transport

We consider the inverse problem of determining an arbitrary source in a time-dependent corvective-diffusive transport equation, given a velocity field and pointwise measurements of the concentration. Applications that give rise to such problems include determination of groundwater or airborne pollutant sources from measurements of concentrations, and identification of sources of chemical or biological attacks. To address ill-posedness of the problem, we employ Tikhonov and total variation regularization. We present a variational formulation of the first-order optimality system, which includes the initial-boundary value state problem, the final-boundary value adjoint problem, and the space-time boundary value source problem. We discretize in the space-time volume using Galerkin finite elements. Several examples demonstrate the influence of the density of the sensor array, the effectiveness of total variation regularization for discontinuous sources, the invertibility of the source as the transport becomes increasingly convection-dominated, the ability of the space-time inversion formulation to track moving sources, and the optimal convergence rate of the finite element approximation.
Effects of freezing and freeze‐drying on the biomechanical properties of rat bone

The effects of various preservation techniques on the biomechanical properties of bone have been investigated in a rat model. Freezing of the specimens to -20 degrees C, -70 degrees C, and -196 degrees C did not adversely affect the strength of long bones tested in torsion or of vertebral bodies tested in compression. Freeze-drying did not markedly affect the compression properties of the vertebral specimens; however, it did produce a significant deleterious reduction in the torsional strength of the long bones.
Determination of First pKa′ Value and Partition Coefficients of Bromothymol Blue

Abstract The first pKa′ value and partition coefficients (between buffered aqueous phases and organic solvents; benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, and toluene) of bromothymol blue have been determined. The pKa′ value was determined using a method similar to that of Reilley and Swayer. Chloroform showed the highest affinity for bromothymol blue, followed by methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, benzene, toluene, and carbon tetrachloride. Even at low concentrations (6 × 10 −5 M ) bromothymol blue appears to undergo polymerization, since partition coefficient values change with pH.
Cognitive radio applications to dynamic spectrum allocation: a discussion and an illustrative example

In an effort to improve radio spectrum management and promote a more efficient use of it, regulatory bodies are currently trying to adopt a new spectrum access model. At the same time, cognitive radio technology has received a lot of interest as a possible enabling technology. In this paper, we provide a brief description of the broad impact of cognitive radios in different markets. At Virginia Tech's Center for Wireless Telecommunications (CWT), we have designed a biologically inspired cognitive engine with dynamic spectrum access (DSA) as one of its intended applications. An experimental software simulation shows a 20 dB SINR improvement using cognitive techniques in an interference environment over that provided by current IEEE 802.11a service PHY standard
Evaluating the XCS learning classifier system in competitive simultaneous learning environments

We would like to evaluate the XCS [1] Learning Classifier System (LCS [2]) to see if it can be applied to a specific aviation industry problem. We are interested in seeing whether it can offer an accessible representation model and evolve feasible strategies to predict future demand patterns endogenously, and in parallel with the supply side simulation.
Realistic Drawing Talent in Typical Adults is Associated with the Same Kind of Local Processing Bias Found in Individuals with ASD

A local processing bias has been found in individuals with autism as well as in typical children with a gift for drawing realistically. This study investigated whether a local processing bias in typical adults is more strongly associated with drawing realism or autistic-like traits. Forty-two adults made an observational drawing (scored for realism), completed four measures that assessed a local processing bias, and completed the Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ) which assesses autistic-like traits. Drawing Realism score and not AQ score was associated with a local processing bias as shown by performance on two of the tasks. Typical adults who score high in the ability to draw realistically show the same kind of local processing bias found in individuals with ASD.
Functional Analysis of Variance for Association Studies

While progress has been made in identifying common genetic variants associated with human diseases, for most of common complex diseases, the identified genetic variants only account for a small proportion of heritability. Challenges remain in finding additional unknown genetic variants predisposing to complex diseases. With the advance in next-generation sequencing technologies, sequencing studies have become commonplace in genetic research. The ongoing exome-sequencing and whole-genome-sequencing studies generate a massive amount of sequencing variants and allow researchers to comprehensively investigate their role in human diseases. The discovery of new disease-associated variants can be enhanced by utilizing powerful and computationally efficient statistical methods. In this paper, we propose a functional analysis of variance (FANOVA) method for testing an association of sequence variants in a genomic region with a qualitative trait. The FANOVA has a number of advantages: (1) it tests for a joint effect of gene variants, including both common and rare; (2) it fully utilizes linkage disequilibrium and genetic position information; and (3) allows for either protective or risk-increasing causal variants. Through simulations, we show that FANOVA outperform two popularly used methods – SKAT and a previously proposed method based on functional linear models (FLM), – especially if a sample size of a study is small and/or sequence variants have low to moderate effects. We conduct an empirical study by applying three methods (FANOVA, SKAT and FLM) to sequencing data from Dallas Heart Study. While SKAT and FLM respectively detected ANGPTL 4 and ANGPTL 3 associated with obesity, FANOVA was able to identify both genes associated with obesity.
The National Cholesterol Education Program–Adult Treatment Panel III, International Diabetes Federation, and World Health Organization Definitions of the Metabolic Syndrome as Predictors of Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

OBJECTIVE —The clinical value of metabolic syndrome is uncertain. Thus, we examined cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes risk prediction by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII), International Diabetes Federation, and World Health Organization definitions of the metabolic syndrome. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —We analyzed the risks associated with metabolic syndrome, the NCEP multiple risk factor categories, and 2-h glucose values in the San Antonio Heart Study ( n = 2,559; age range 25–64 years; 7.4 years of follow-up). RESULTS —Both ATPIII metabolic syndrome plus age ≥45 years (odds ratio 9.25 [95% CI 4.85–17.7]) and multiple (two or more) risk factors plus a 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk of 10–20% (11.9 [6.00–23.6]) had similar CVD risk in men without CHD, as well as CHD risk equivalents. In women counterparts, multiple (two or more) risk factors plus a 10-year CHD risk of 10–20% was infrequent (10 of 1,254). However, either a 10-year CHD risk of 5–20% (7.72 [3.42–17.4]) or ATPIII metabolic syndrome plus age ≥55 years (4.98 [2.08–12.0]) predicted CVD. ATPIII metabolic syndrome increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of a model containing age, sex, ethnic origin, family history of diabetes, and 2-h and fasting glucose values (0.857 vs. 0.842, P = 0.013). All three metabolic syndrome definitions imparted similar CVD and diabetes risks. CONCLUSIONS —Metabolic syndrome is associated with a significant CVD risk, particularly in men aged ≥45 years and women aged ≥55 years. The metabolic syndrome predicts diabetes beyond glucose intolerance alone.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a midgut chymotrypsin-like enzyme from the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica.

A cDNA encoding a chymotrypsinogen-like protein in midguts of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) was cloned and sequenced. The 901 bp cDNA con- tains an 816-nucleotide open reading frame encoding 272-amino acids. The predicted molecular mass and pI of the mature en- zyme are 23.7 kDa and 4.64, respectively. The encoded protein includes amino acid sequence motifs that are conserved with 5 homologous chymotrypsinogen proteins from other insects. Features of the putative chymotrypsin-like protein from R. dominica include the serine proteinase active site (His 90 , Asp 133 , Ser 226 ), conserved cysteine residues for disulfide bridges, the residues (Gly 220 , Gly 243 , Asp 252 ) that determine chymotrypsin specificity, and both zymogen activation and signal peptides. A TPCK-sensitive caseinolytic protein (P6) with an estimated molecular mass of 24 kDa is present in midgut extracts of R. dominica and can be resolved by electrophoresis on 4-16% poly- acrylamide gels. The molecular mass of this caseinolytic en- zyme is similar to that of the chymotrypsin deduced from cDNA. Midgut extracts of R. dominica readily hydrolyzed azocasein and N-succinyl-alanine-alanine-proline-phenylalanine-p- nitroa- nilide (SAAPFpNA), a chymotrypsin-specific substrate. Prop- erties of the enzymes responsible for these activities were partially characterized with respect to distribution in the gut, optimum pH, and sensitivity toward selected proteinase inhibi- tors. Optimal activity against both azocasein and SAAPFpNA occurs in a broad pH range from about 7 to 10. Both azocasein and SAAPFpNA activities, located primarily in the anterior mid- gut region, are inhibited by aprotinin, phenylmethyl sul- phonylfluoride (PMSF), and soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI). TPCK (N-a-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone) and chymostatin inhibited more than 60% of SAAPFpNA but only about 10-20% of azocasein activity. These results provide addi- tional evidence for the presence of serine proteinases, including chymotrypsin, in midguts of R. dominica. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 43:173-184, 2000. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc. †
The Internet and the Rise of a Transnational Chinese Cultural Sphere

Starting with a broad conception of public sphere, this paper analyses the nature, dynamics and political functions of online Chinese cultural spaces, particularly newsgroups, online magazines and bulletin board systems. Although these spaces are located both in and outside of China, the global nature of the Internet gives them a transnational character. The dominant language of communication in these spaces is Chinese and the `publics' are drawn from what Tu Wei-ming calls `cultural China'. Analysis based on ethnographic data reveals the size and diversity of these spaces, as well as their similarities, differences and connections. Further analysis shows that these online spaces have had visible influences on trans-national politics and civil society in China. The picture that emerges from this analysis is that of a transnational Chinese cultural sphere. The article concludes with a discussion of three key conditions of its emergence: media, culture, and society.
l 1 -regularized neural networks are improperly learnable in polynomial time

We study the improper learning of multi-layer neural networks. Suppose that the neural network to be learned has k hidden layers and that the l1-norm of the incoming weights of any neuron is bounded by L. We present a kernel-based method, such that with probability at least 1 - δ, it learns a predictor whose generalization error is at most e worse than that of the neural network. The sample complexity and the time complexity of the presented method are polynomial in the input dimension and in (1/e, log(1/δ), F(k, L)), where F(k, L) is a function depending on (k, L) and on the activation function, independent of the number of neurons. The algorithm applies to both sigmoid-like activation functions and ReLU-like activation functions. It implies that any sufficiently sparse neural network is learnable in polynomial time.
Structure and two-metal mechanism of a eukaryal nick-sealing RNA ligase.

ATP-dependent RNA ligases are agents of RNA repair that join 3′-OH and 5′-PO4 RNA ends. Naegleria gruberi RNA ligase (NgrRnl) exemplifies a family of RNA nick-sealing enzymes found in bacteria, viruses, and eukarya. Crystal structures of NgrRnl at three discrete steps along the reaction pathway—covalent ligase-(lysyl-Nζ)–AMP•Mn2+ intermediate; ligase•ATP•(Mn2+)2 Michaelis complex; and ligase•Mn2+ complex—highlight a two-metal mechanism of nucleotidyl transfer, whereby (i) an enzyme-bound “catalytic” metal coordination complex lowers the pKa of the lysine nucleophile and stabilizes the transition state of the ATP α phosphate; and (ii) a second metal coordination complex bridges the β- and γ-phosphates. The NgrRnl N domain is a distinctively embellished oligonucleotide-binding (OB) fold that engages the γ-phosphate and associated metal complex and orients the pyrophosphate leaving group for in-line catalysis with stereochemical inversion at the AMP phosphate. The unique domain architecture of NgrRnl fortifies the theme that RNA ligases have evolved many times, and independently, by fusions of a shared nucleotidyltransferase domain to structurally diverse flanking modules. The mechanistic insights to lysine adenylylation gained from the NgrRnl structures are likely to apply broadly to the covalent nucleotidyltransferase superfamily of RNA ligases, DNA ligases, and RNA capping enzymes.
N (1),N (2)-Di-methyl-ethane-1,2-diaminium dichloride.

The cation of the title salt, C4H14N22+·2Cl−, is located on a crystallographic inversion center and is bis­ected by a mirror plane, with one quarter of the C4H14N22+·2Cl− formula unit being crystallographically unique. he chloride ions also sit on a mirror plane. The conformation of the cation is a regular straight-chain conformation with all non-H atoms in anti positions. In the crystal, hydrogen bonding between N—H groups and chloride anions yields a zigzag ladder-type structure along [010].
Intratumoral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antisense (AS) DNA in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN): A phase I trial

6009 Background: SCCHN is characterized by upregulation of the EGFR where EGFR expression levels in the tumor correlate with decreased survival. We developed a novel anti-EGFR therapy with a therap...
Differences in insulin biosynthesis pathway between small and large islets do not correspond to insulin secretion

In a variety of mammalian species, small islets secrete more insulin per volume than large islets. This difference may be due to diffusional limitations of large islets, or inherent differences in the insulin production pathways. The purpose of this study was to identify possible differences in the early phase of glucose-stimulated insulin biosynthesis between large and small islets. Isolated small and large rat islets were challenged with 30 minutes of high glucose. The expression of insulin gene transcription factors (MafA, NeuroD/ Beta2, and PDX-1), preproinsulin mRNA, proinsulin and insulin were compared between large and small islets. Under basal (low glucose) conditions, MafA and NeuroD had higher mRNA levels and greater protein amounts in large islets compared to small when normalized to GAPDH levels. 30 minutes of high glucose stimulation failed to alter the mRNA or subsequent protein levels of either gene. However, 30 minutes of high glucose suppressed activated PDX-1 protein levels in both small and large islets. High glucose stimulation did not statistically alter the preproinsulin mRNA (insulin 1 and insulin 2) levels. At the translational level, high glucose increased the proinsulin levels, and large islets showed a higher proinsulin content per cell than small islets. Insulin content per cell was not significantly different between small and large islets under basal or high glucose levels. The results fail to explain the higher level of insulin secretion noted in small versus large islets and may suggest that possible differences lie downstream in the secretory pathway rather than insulin biosynthesis.
Abstract T P404: The Influence Of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, In The Absence Of Infection, On The Relationship Between Intracerebral Hemorrhage Score And Outcomes

Background and Purpose: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) has been recognized as a risk factor for poor outcome in critically ill patients. The ICH score has been identified as a predictor of death and poor outcomes in patients with ICH. We examined the relationship between ICH score, SIRS and outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review of patients presenting to our center from 2008-2013 with primary ICH was conducted, excluding those who were placed on comfort care. SIRS was defined as having 2 or more of the following: (1) body temperature 38°C, (2) heart rate > 90, (3) respiratory rate > 20, or (4) white blood cell count 12,000/mm or more than 10% bands for more than 24 hours. Patients with documented infections were excluded. The outcome was discharge modified-Rankin Scale (dmRS) of 4-6. A mediation analysis was conducted to assess the effect SIRS has on the relationship between ICH score and outcomes. Results: A total of 249 ICH patients admitted to our stroke center from 2008-2013 met inclusion criteria. A total of 53 (21.3%) developed SIRS during their hospital stay. For each increase in the ICH Score, there was a 45% increase in odds of developing SIRS during hospitalization (OR 1.45, 95% 1.07-1.98, p=0.0169). SIRS was associated with an increased odds of poor functional outcome (OR 6.08, 95%CI 2.86-12.9, p<0.0001). For each increase in the ICH Score, adjusting for SIRS, there was a 2.68 fold increase in the odds of poor functional outcome (OR 2.68, 95%CI 1.82-3.96, p<0.001). Using a mediation analysis we found that 33% of the effect of ICH score on poor functional outcome at discharge explained by SIRS (Sobel 2.11, p=0.03). Discussion: In our sample, the odds of poor outcome was significantly associated with ICH score. As expected, the prevalence of SIRS was higher in patients presenting with higher severity of illness. The results of the mediation analysis suggest that SIRS may be one mechanism by which the association of rising ICH score and worsening functional outcome can be explained. This observation raises the question of whether early intervention to prevent or treat incipient SIRS may reduce morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population.
Overcoming treatment challenges in myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera: the role of ruxolitinib

Myelofibrosis (MF) and polycythemia vera (PV) are BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms associated with somatic hematopoietic stem cell mutations leading to over activation of JAK–STAT signaling. MF and PV are pathogenically related and share specific clinical features such as splenomegaly and constitutional symptoms. The MF phenotype is dominated by the effects of progressive bone marrow fibrosis resulting in shortened survival. In contrast, elevated thrombosis risk due to erythrocytosis is the primary clinical concern in PV. Ruxolitinib, an oral JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, is approved in the USA for the treatment of patients with intermediate- or high-risk MF and patients with PV who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea. For MF, results of two phase III studies demonstrated that ruxolitinib therapy reduced spleen volume and MF-related symptom burden, improved quality-of-life measures, and was associated with prolonged overall survival. Treatment benefits were generally sustained with continued therapy. Dose-dependent cytopenias were common but generally manageable with transfusions (for anemia), dose reduction, or treatment interruption. Optimal dosing management is critical to maintain long-term treatment benefit, because cessation of therapy resulted in rapid return of symptoms to baseline levels. Results of the phase III PV trial showed that ruxolitinib was significantly more effective than standard therapy in controlling hematocrit levels and improving splenomegaly and PV-related symptoms. Only 1 of 110 patients in the ruxolitinib arm compared with 6 of 112 patients in the control arm experienced a thromboembolic event through week 32. Grade ≥3 cytopenias were uncommon.
CT and MR colography (Virtual colonoscopy): Status report

Abstract Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) colography (virtual colonoscopy) are new techniques being developed for the purpose of imaging colorectal polyps and cancer. Limited data are available regarding the performance characteristics of either technique, particularly MR. Initial reports suggest that the sensitivity of CT and MR colography for patients with adenomas ≥ 1 cm ranges from 75-90%, and decreases precipitously for smaller polyps. Very early data suggest that the specificity for patient with large adenomas is around 90%, but for patients with adenomas in the 5-9 mm range has been as low as 65%. This review discusses currently available published and abstracted data on CT and MR colography and discusses the real and potential advantages and disadvantages of CT and MR colography compared to current colonic imaging methods. The review discusses problems that must be overcome in order for CT or MR colography to be demonstrated as practical tests, and suggests guidelines for the performance of clinical trials testing the performance characteristics of these methods.
RELATION BETWEEN CORONARY BLOOD FLOW AND MYOCARDIAL OXYGEN CONSUMPTION.

Experiments were done in the isolated supported heart preparation to ascertain whether a change in coronary blood flow would induce a change in myocardial O2 consumption if the activity of the heart (aortic pressure, heart rate and stroke volume) was controlled. Over a wide range of coronary blood flows, the O2 consumption did not vary under such circumstances. If the coronary flow was restricted to levels which produced an unequivocal deteriration of ventricular performance, a modest decrease in O2 consumption was sometimes observed. Reciprocal type experiments were also performed. In these, coronary flow was held constant or nearly so while varying the activity of the heart markedly. Under these circumstances the myocardial O2 consumption did vary directionally with the amount of ventricular myocardial tension developed insofar as this was indicated by the tension-time index. Data were also obtained suggesting that ventricular end diastolic fiber length is not of itself a major determinant of myocardial...
Review of early research on anaerobes.

It has been one hundred years since the appearance of the first clinical paper on infection involving anaerobic bacteria, an article that also detailed recovery of and description of the organisms responsible for the infection. We pay tribute to the author of that landmark paper, Andre Veillon, in celebration of the centennial of this important occasion
Thrombocytosis-promoting activity of normal plasma.

SummaryFiltrates of normal human plasma that had been boiled for 30 minutes were administered by gastric tube to groups of normal rats. Ten daily doses each equivalent to 2 ml of the original plasma per 100 g body weight induced a 30% increase in the recipients'thrombocyte counts. Smaller doses, i.e., 0.5 or 1 ml per 100 g body weight, did not promote thrombocytosis. All other hematologic measurements in these animals remained stable. These findings provide additional support for the hypothesis that thrombopoiesis is subject to humoral regulatory control.
Reasons-Responsiveness and Moral Responsibility: The Case of Autism

In this paper, I consider a novel challenge to John Martin Fischer and Mark Ravizza’s reasons-responsiveness theory of moral responsibility. According to their view, agents possess the control necessary for moral responsibility if their actions proceed from a mechanism that is moderately reasons-responsive. I argue that their account of moderate reasons-responsiveness fails to provide necessary and sufficient conditions for moral responsibility since it cannot give an adequate account of the responsibility of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Empirical evidence suggests that autistic individuals demonstrate impairments in counterfactual thinking, and these impairments, I argue, are such that they cast doubt on Fischer and Ravizza’s construal of moderate reasons-responsiveness. I then argue that modifying the view in order to accommodate individuals with ASD forces them to defend a strong reasons-responsive account despite the fact that they explicitly deny that such an account can adequately characterize what it is to be morally responsible for one’s actions.
Primary Hypothyroidism with Exceptionally High Prolactin—A Really Big Deal

Background Primary hypothyroidism can cause both hyperprolactinemia and pituitary hyperplasia. The degree of hyperprolactinemia is generally modest, and rarely do prolactin concentrations exceed 100 ng/mL (4.34 nmol/L). This combination of hyperprolactinemia and pituitary gland enlargement might raise suspicion for a prolactinoma or a nonfunctioning adenoma limiting the ability of hypothalamic dopamine to inhibit prolactin production, the so-called “stalk effect.” Case Description We describe a 30-year-old female with headaches, galactorrhea, and hyperprolactinemia with a presumptive diagnosis of a prolactinoma. She had hypothyroidism after treatment of Graves disease at age 17 years but was noncompliant with levothyroxine replacement. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was 263 mIU/L, FT4 was 3.01 pmol/L, and prolactin was 323 ng/mL (14.06 nmol/L). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated increased volume of the pituitary gland with homogeneous enhancement with gadolinium. Levothyroxine treatment for 2 weeks decreased her TSH to130 mIU/L, but her total prolactin remained elevated at 386 ng/mL (16.78 nmol/L). Further testing identified that 76% of the total prolactin was macroprolactin. Conclusions Primary hypothyroidism can cause hyperprolactinemia, and prolonged disease may lead to pituitary hyperplasia. However, a marked elevation of prolactin should raise suspicion to investigate additional etiologies for hyperprolactinemia. Our case exemplifies a dual etiology for hyperprolactinemia and pituitary hyperplasia caused by both hypothyroidism and macroprolactin. This knowledge is invaluable for clinicians to avoid unnecessary management with dopamine agonists and/or surgery. This patient's prolactin was 323 ng/mL (14.06 nmol/L). Before our case, the highest prolactin in a hypothyroid patient reported in the literature was 253 ng/mL (11.0 nmol/L).
Effects of Available Time on Confidence Following Choice

This poster reports on three new experiments concerning the effect of the choice procedure, or "half-range method," of probability assessment, which forces the subject to make a binary choice between propositions prior to expressing a probability. These studies show that shortening the time available for assessment is sufficient to induce reduction in generic confidence following choice, compared to the "full-range method" of probability assessment in which no choice is made. When available time is sufficient, (a) choice may either enhance or reduce confidence, depending on subjects’ personal interest in the event in question and the salience of time availability; and (b) willingness to bet on one’s prediction (instead of on a matched chance lottery) is increased by the choice procedure for questions in which choice enhances confidence, and it is reduced by the choice procedure when choice reduces confidence, opposing a normative prediction.
A2 and P2 purine receptor interactions and surfactant secretion in primary cultures of type II cells.

Phosphatidylcholine secretion in type II pneumocytes can be stimulated by P1 (adenosine) and P2 (ATP) purinoceptor agonists. The effect of adenosine is mediated by the A2 subtype of the P1 receptor...
NMN transport by snake renal tubules: choline effects, countertransport, H+-NMN exchange.

Tetraethylammonium (TEA) transport by isolated perfused snake (Thamnophis spp.) proximal renal tubules was examined for effects of choline and evidence of countertransport of organic cations and H+-TEA exchange. Choline in perfusate significantly inhibited unidirectional lumen-to-bath flux of TEA and accumulation of labeled TEA by tubule cells, and choline in bath significantly inhibited unidirectional bath-to-lumen flux of TEA and accumulation of labeled TEA by tubule cells. These data indicate that choline inhibits transport of TEA into the cells across both the luminal and peritubular membranes and suggest that it may share the TEA transporter. To examine transport at single membranes in intact tubules, we examined the efflux of labeled TEA across the luminal membrane of tubules covered with oil and across the peritubular membrane of tubules with oil-filled lumens. Unlabeled TEA, choline, and low pH in the perfusate stimulated efflux of labeled TEA across the luminal membrane. These data suggest that TEA transport across the luminal membrane can involve countertransport of organic cations and H+-TEA exchange. Unlabeled TEA, choline, and, to a small extent, low pH in the bath stimulated the efflux of labeled TEA across the peritubular membrane. These data suggest that TEA transport across the peritubular membrane can involve countertransport of organic cations and, possibly, H+-TEA exchange. The efflux data across both membranes further support the idea that choline may share the TEA transporter.
Dexamethasone stimulates expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in HEP G2 human hepatoma cells

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) serum levels are increased by glucocorticoids and glucagon, and are decreased by insulin; these effects seem to reflect changes in hepatic IGFBP-1 expression. Human HEP G2 hepatoma cells respond to cAMP or insulin with stimulation or inhibition of IGFBP-1 expression, respectively; however, dexamethasone alone does not stimulate IGFBP-1 expression. Studies presented here show that in the presence of cAMP and theophylline, nontransfected HEP G2 cells respond to further addition of dexamethasone with a approximately 70% rise in IGFBP-1 mRNA levels, and HEP G2 cells transfected with IGFBP-1 promoter constructs respond to further addition of dexamethasone with a approximately 70% rise in IGFBP-1 protein levels and a approximately 9-fold rise in IGFBP-1 promoter activity. The stimulatory effect of dexamethasone and cAMP, conferred to the IGFBP-1 promoter between 357 and 103 base pairs 5' to the mRNA cap site, is inhibited by insulin. Thus, the cis elements necessary to confer multihormonal regulation of IGFBP-1 expression appear to reside in a short stretch of DNA just upstream from the IGFBP-1 transcription start site.
Personality Traits and Deception Detection Ability Among College Students with Primary Psychopathic Traits

Because psychopaths are exceptionally good at deceiving others, researchers have proposed that this population of individuals may be more likely than the average person to detect deception. However, previous research has provided mixed results on the ability of individuals with psychopathic traits to detect deception at a greater level than chance. The inconclusive results on this topic have warranted future research on examining sex differences and personality traits that are attributed to individuals with psychopathy that may aid their ability to detect deception at a higher level than others. The current study tested 133 San Jose State University undergraduates by having them indicate whether individuals in 10 different video clips were lying or telling the truth. Participants’ psychopathic tendencies were measured using the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy scale (LSRP) and their personality traits were measured using the Big Five Inventory (BFI). A Fisher’s r to z transformation was conducted to test Hypothesis 1, that sex would moderate the relationship between deception detection accuracy and primary psychopathic traits. However, our analyses revealed no moderating effect by sex. A one-tailed bivariate correlation was also performed to test Hypothesis 2, which stated that low scores on the BFI for Agreeableness and Conscientiousness would be correlated with higher deception detection accuracy. No significant relationships were found. However, non-significant results displayed non-linear relationships between Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and detection accuracy.
Relaxation-induced anxiety: Effects of peak and trajectories of change on treatment outcome for generalized anxiety disorder.

AbstractObjective: Evidence is mixed regarding whether relaxation-induced anxiety (RIA) impedes relaxation training (RT) efficacy. Unlike past studies that averaged RIA across sessions, we examined peak RIA, change in RIA level across sessions, and timing of peak RIA with outcome. Method: This was a secondary analysis of Borkovec, Newman, Pincus, and Lytle [2002. A component analysis of cognitive-behavioral therapy for generalized anxiety disorder and the role of interpersonal problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 288–298. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.70.2.288]. Forty-one GAD participants were assigned randomly to CBT (n = 22) or BT (n = 19). Both treatments contained RT and RIA ratings within 13/14 sessions. Analyses used generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs), which accounted for longitudinal nonindependence and examined nonlinear trajectories of change. Results: All participants improved significantly regardless of RIA. “Change trajectory of RIA level did not predict outcome”. Instea...
U.S. Department of Energy Programs to Evaluate Applications of Heat from Nuclear Reactors

The U.S. Department of Energy program is evaluating the applications of nuclear heat to industrial heat supply, district heating, desalting, and waste heat utilization. The approach emphasizes the study of energy generation at specific sites with well-developed technologies, including light water reactors and coal combustion. Co-generation of electric power and steam for industrial use is being evaluated both to serve individual customers and for a large thermal grid supplying many customers. Integral pressurized water conceptual designs rated at 365 and 1200 MW(thermal) have been developed to support these applications.
Amputation Neuroma of the Orbit: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Two patients developed proptosis and a slowly enlarging mass with increasing discomfort in the orbital socket 17 and 25 years following enucleation. Preoperative CT scans revealed a single cystic structure within the orbits of each case with distinct soft tissue tumors adjacent to the cysts. The cystic structures and the adjacent solid masses were removed en bloc necessitating reconstruction of the orbits with a dermal fat pad (case 1) and a mucous membrane graft (case 2). Postoperatively the patients were free of complaints. Microscopically, the cystic structures were identified as conjunctival inclusion cysts while the soft tissue masses were traumatic neuromas with irregular tangles and whorls composed of proliferated axons, Schwann cells and connective tissue. Only seven amputation neuromas of the orbit have been reported. Pain related to the neuroma is rarely encountered and is probably caused by mechanical irritation of the amputation neuroma, by retracting scar tissue, or compression from an adjacent cystic mass as in one of our cases.
Precision Objects and Precision Concepts

The appended translation presupposes the understanding of the term “concept” which has as many meanings as the instances at which it is used. That is why a special chapter is devoted to that term. And the understanding of it is vital for the understanding of Meinong’s theory of knowledge and object theory. The early Meinong stood very much under the influence of Hume’s philosophy. For Hume, the question of abstract ideas was not even a question. Still there is the problem of abstraction by which the human mind arrives at the recognition of properties as isolated from the complex idea of the individual objects in which properties are exemplified. Abstraction and concept are closely related, as will be seen in the following.
Evaluation of the convergent validity of an estimated cardiorespiratory fitness algorithm

Examine the convergent validity of a cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) algorithm when compared to treadmill-assessed CRF. Data from the 1999–2004 NHANES were used (N = 3259 adults 20–49 years). Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated from an algorithm. Participants completed a submaximal treadmill-based protocol. We (1) evaluated the pairwise association (and ICC) between estimated and measured cardiorespiratory fitness, (2) employed a paired samples t test to examine potential mean differences between estimated and measured cardiorespiratory fitness, (3) constructed a Bland–Altman plot and 95% limits of agreement (LoA) to explore systematic differences and random error between estimated and measured cardiorespiratory fitness, and (4) examined the association (via linear regression) of estimated and measured cardiorespiratory fitness with chronic disease prevalence and C-reactive protein (CRP). Mean estimated CRF (10.68 METs) was lower than the mean measured CRF of 11.37 METs (p < 0.0001). The calculated pairwise correlation was of a moderate strength, r = 0.43 (p < 0.0001), with an ICC of 0.40 (p < 0.001). Calculated LoA indicated that estimated CRF may differ from measured CRF by 40% below to 48% above. Regression analyses yielded statistically significant inverse associations of estimated (unstandardized coefficient = − 0.026; p < 0.001) and measured (unstandardized coefficient = − 0.007; p = 0.002) CRF with chronic disease and estimated (unstandardized coefficient = − 0.08; p < 0.001) and measured (unstandardized coefficient = − 0.03; p < 0.001) CRF with CRP. Measured and estimated CRF were moderately correlated. However, estimated and measured CRF were statistically significant different from one another with noteworthy scatter around the average difference. As such, when feasible, objective measurements of CRF should be taken.
Outcomes of lung transplant recipients with preoperative atrial fibrillation

BackgroundPreoperative atrial fibrillation is associated with poor outcomes after cardiac surgery, but its effect on lung transplantation outcomes remains unknown.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed...
Microscale-Resolution Thermal Mapping Using a Flexible Platform of Patterned Quantum Sensors

Temperature sensors with micro- and nanoscale spatial resolution have long been explored for their potential to investigate the details of physical systems at an unprecedented scale. In particular, the rapid miniaturization of transistor technology, with its associated steep boost in power density, calls for sensors that accurately monitor heating distributions. Here, we report on a simple and scalable fabrication approach, based on directed self-assembly and transfer-printing techniques, to constructing arrays of nanodiamonds containing temperature-sensitive fluorescent spin defects. The nanoparticles are embedded within a low-thermal-conductivity matrix that allows for repeated use on a wide range of systems with minimal spurious effects. Additionally, we demonstrate access to a wide spectrum of array parameters ranging from sparser single-particle arrays, with the potential for quantum computing applications, to denser devices with 98 ± 0.8% yield and stronger photoluminescence signals, ideal for tempe...