cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The combined simulation approach of atomistic and continuum models for the thermodynamics of lysozyme crystals.

We have studied the thermodynamic properties of hen egg white lysozyme crystals using a novel simulation method combining atomistic Monte Carlo simulation to calculate van der Waals interactions and the boundary element method to solve the Poisson−Boltzmann equation for the electrostatic interactions. For computational simplicity, we treat the protein as a rigid body, using the crystallographic coordinates of all non-hydrogen atoms of the protein to describe the detailed shape. NVT Monte Carlo simulations are carried out for tetragonal and orthorhombic crystals to obtain the van der Waals energy, incorporating an implicit solvation effect. For crystal phases, an optimally linearized Poisson−Boltzmann equation is used to include the effect of the Donnan equilibrium of the salt ions. The Helmholtz energy is obtained from expanded ensemble Monte Carlo simulations. By using the force field parameters that had previously been tuned for the solution properties, reasonable agreement with experiment is found for ...
What thyroid nodules are to be feared

IN 1947 two articles appeared from the Eastern Seaboard of the United States minimizing the importance of carcinoma of the thyroid (1) (2). In the first, this disease was described as a rare cause of death. This assumption was based on the low incidence of carcinoma of the thyroid found at autopsy at three hospitals in Boston. The author was unable to explain why the incidence found by him was so low in contrast to reports of others and suggested that the pathologic criteria used in making the diagnosis were responsible. The second article reported a study of both clinical and autopsy material at three hospitals. The incidence of carcinoma of the thyroid in the periods studied was found to be less than that reported elsewhere, and virtually no greater than the mortality rate of prophylactic surgery in nodular goiter at two of the hospitals. Since there was an undesirable complication rate in addition, strong doubt was expressed regarding the advisability of such prophylactic surgery.
In utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) does not increase genomic instability in normal or neoplastic breast epithelium.

BACKGROUND. In 1992, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the Continuation of Follow-Up of DES-Exposed Cohorts to study the long-term health effects of exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES). Genetic effects on human breast tissue have not been examined. The authors investigated whether breast tissue of women exposed in utero to DES might exhibit the genetic abnormalities that characterize other DES-associated tumors. METHODS. Subjects enrolled in the NCI Cohort were queried about breast biopsies or breast cancer diagnoses. Available tissue blocks were obtained for invasive cancers (IC), in situ cancers (CIS), or atypical hyperplasia (AH). Exposure status was blinded, lesions were microdissected, and their DNA was analyzed for microsatellite instability (MI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), or allele imbalance (AI), at 20 markers on 9 chromosome arms. RESULTS. From 31 subjects (22 exposed, 9 unexposed), 273 samples were analyzed (167 normal epithelium, 16 AH, 30 CIS, 60 IC). Exposed and unexposed subjects exhibited no differences in breast cancer risk factors or demographic characteristics, except for age at diagnosis (exposed vs. unexposed: 43.2 vs. 48.8 years of age, P = .02). The authors found that MI was rare and that AI was common, with frequencies consistent with previous reports. The global age-adjusted relative rate (RR) of AI was 1.3, 95% CI = 0.8–2.4. No statistically significant associations were observed after adjustment for risk factors or after stratification by histology or by chromosome arm. CONCLUSIONS. In utero DES exposure does not appear to significantly increase genomic instability in breast epithelium, as measured by MI and AI. Breast tissue may respond differently from that of the reproductive tract to in utero DES exposure. Consequences of in utero DES exposure on the breast may be mediated by proliferative effects of estrogen. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Double beta decay in the generalized-seniority scheme

Abstract We employ a generalized-seniority-based truncation scheme to calculate double beta decay rates in 76 Ge, 82 Se, 128 Te, and 130 Te, avoiding problems associated with other shell-model calculations and the quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA). Our two-neutrino matrix elements are small, reflecting a suppression mechanism first observed in the QRPA. The new results should be most accurate for neutrinoless decay because the closure approximation is reliable and the matrix elements less suppressed. We set limits on the Majorana mass of the neutrino that differ only by factors of two or three from those of previous methods, suggesting that major difficulties in predicting double beta decay are restricted to the two-neutrino process.
The sustained impact of an evidenced-based clinical pathway for acute appendicitis.

Appendicitis is a frequent pediatric surgical condition for which there is great variability among practitioners regarding diagnosis and postoperative management. With this in mind, the authors designed and implemented an evidence-based appendicitis clinical pathway at their institution. Establishment of the pathway resulted in decreased hospital cost, reduced hospital stay, and fewer unnecessary laboratory tests. The purpose of the current study was to determine the sustainability of the pathway beyond its initial implementation phase. The authors showed that several, but not all, favorable outcomes of the pathway were sustained. These data suggest that a clinical pathway for appendicitis at the authors' institution results in sustained beneficial effects in some but not all outcome parameters. Ongoing monitoring of pathway compliance, continued education of practitioners and nursing personnel, and identification of key pathway team member(s) responsible for the pathway system might result in a greater long-term impact of these guidelines.
Time management: An experimental investigation

Abstract Four groups of preservice teachers participating in student teaching seminars were randomly assigned to one of three conditions to test the effectiveness of brief training in time-management techniques. A control group received no training. Experimental Group 2 received basic training in time management, whereas Experimental Group 1 received the same training and, in addition, implemented two specific time- management procedures (written planning and self-monitoring) under the supervision of the experimenters. Significant differences among the groups were observed in the expected direction on measures of promptness in completing tasks during student teaching and on self-ratings of proficiency in time management.
POROUS AND MICROPOROUS HONEYCOMB COMPOSITES AS POTENTIAL BOUNDARY-LAYER BLEED MATERIALS

Results of an experimental investigation are presented in which the use of porous and microporous honeycomb composite materials is evaluated as an alternate to perforated solid plates for boundary-layer bleed in supersonic aircraft inlets. The terms "porous" and "microporous," respectively, refer to bleed orifice diameters roughly equal to and much less than the displacement thickness of the approach boundary-layer. A Baseline porous solid plate, two porous honeycomb, and three microporous honeycomb configurations are evaluated. The performance of the plates is characterized by the flow coefficient and relative change in boundary-layer profile parameters across the bleed region. The tests were conducted at Mach numbers of 1.27 and 1.98. The results show the porous honeycomb is not as efficient at removing mass compared to the baseline. The microporous plates were about equal to the baseline with one plate demonstrating a significantly higher efficiency. The microporous plates produced significantly fuller boundary-layer profiles downstream of the bleed region for a given mass flow removal rate than either the baseline or the porous honeycomb plates.
Effect of Metaraminol on Lipolysis in Isolated Rat Fat Cells

SummaryThe effect of metaraminol on lipolysis was studied in isolated rat fat cells. It was found that metaraminol directly stimulates FFA release from isolated fat cells. However, the lipolytic activity of metaraminol was approximately 1/1000 that of NE. The lipolytic effect of metaraminol was blocked by both propranolol and phenoxybenzamine. In addition, metaraminol reduced NE-induced lipolysis significantly.
Energy loss from reconnection with a vortex mesh

Experiments in superfluid $^{4}\text{H}\text{e}$ show that at low temperatures, energy dissipation from moving vortices is many orders of magnitude larger than expected from mutual friction. Here we investigate other mechanisms for energy loss by a computational study of a vortex that moves through and reconnects with a mesh of small vortices pinned to the container wall. We find that such reconnections enhance energy loss from the moving vortex by a factor of up to 100 beyond that with no mesh. The enhancement occurs through two different mechanisms, both involving the Kelvin oscillations generated along the vortex by the reconnections. At relatively high temperatures the Kelvin waves increase the vortex motion, leading to more energy loss through mutual friction. As the temperature decreases, the vortex oscillations generate additional reconnection events between the moving vortex and the wall, which decrease the energy of the moving vortex by transferring portions of its length to the pinned mesh on the wall.
Cross section for 7Be production from 12C with protons of 3 – 12.5 GeV

Abstract Determinations of σ C ( 7 Be ) were made at seven proton bombarding energies between 3 and 12.5 GeV. The excitation function in this energy range is nearly constant with a slight downward trend from about 9.6 ± 0.8 mb at 3 GeV to 9.2 ± 0.8 mb at 12.5 GeV.
Synchronous multicentric desmoid tumors (aggressive fibromatosis) of the extremities

Synchronous multicentric aggressive fibromatosis does not appear to have been previously reported. Two such cases are described. The tumors were identified by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The incidence of synchronous multicentric aggressive fibromatosis is not known. It is anticipated that increased use of coronal MR imaging will reveal more tumors of this type, both synchronous and metachronous. In a patient with known or suspected aggressive fibromatosis, every other soft tissue nodule or mass in the same limb has to be regarded as an additional tumor of the same histology.
CW fibre optical parametric amplifier with net gain and wavelength conversion efficiency >1

The authors have measured a signal gain of 5 dB and idler conversion efficiency of 4 dB in a CW fibre optical parametric amplifier. The broadening of the idler spectrum resulting from pump dithering used to suppress SBS is observed, and a means to eliminate it is proposed.
Retrieval of the microphysical properties of oceanic particles from light-scattering properties

A short review of the present-day state of the problems in retrieving the microphysical properties of oceanic particles from light scattering properties. It is found that the best procedure for determining particle size distributions uses the small angle method in determining the large particles and a fitting method to determine medium and small particles. Comparing the size distribution determined found using the optical method to the geological method finds similar numbers of large particles, but the optical method finds many more small particles than the geological.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Age trends in femur stresses from a simulated fall on the hip among men and women: evidence of homeostatic adaptation underlying the decline in hip BMD.

Age trends in proximal femur stresses were evaluated by simulating a fall on the greater trochanter using femur geometry from hip DXA scans of 5334 white men and women in the NHANES III survey. Expansion of femur outer diameter seems to counter net bone loss so that stresses remain similar across age groups, but stresses are higher in older women than in older men. Introduction: The age decline in hip BMD is caused by both bone loss and expansion of outer diameter that increases the region size over which mass is measured in a DXA scan. Because expansion has an opposing effect on structural strength, it may be a homeostatic adaptation to net bone loss to ensure that load stresses are kept within a narrow range. Materials and Methods: Age trends in femur stresses were evaluated with an engineering beam simulation of a fall on the greater trochanter. Hip geometry was extracted from hip DXA scans using the Hip Structure Analysis (HSA) software on 2613 non-Hispanic white men and 2721 women from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Using body weight as load, stresses were computed on the inferior-medial and superior-lateral femur neck at its narrowest point and the medial and lateral shaft 2 cm distal to the midpoint of the lesser trochanter. Stresses and the underlying geometries in men and women >50 years oaf age were compared with those 20–49 years of age. Results: Compared with men 50 years of age, stresses on the proximal shaft and inferior-medial neck remained within 3% of young values but were 13% greater on the superior-lateral neck. Neck stresses in young women were lower on the superior-lateral than the inferior-medial neck, but lateral stress increased to the level on the medial surface in older women. Stresses were higher in women than in men, with a greater gender difference in those >50 years of age. Conclusions: We conclude that femur expansion has a homeostatic effect in men and women that opposes bone loss so that stresses change little with age. Because expansion preserves stresses with progressively less bone mass, the process may reduce structural stability in the femoral neck under fall conditions, especially in the elderly female.
Highly sensitive in-situ monitoring of mechanical stress during ion-beam-assisted deposition of thin titanium nitride films

A sample holder based on the cantilever-plate technique was developed for capacitive in-situ monitoring of mechanical stress in thin films during deposition. The stress resolution is better than 0.7 MPa. Using this sample holder, thin titanium nitride films were deposited on silicon substrates by either reactive evaporation or by 2-keV ion-beam-assisted deposition at ambient temperature. The parameters deposition rate, ion to atom arrival rate and ion species were varied to investigate their influence on stress evolution. It was found that reactively evaporated titanium nitride films show a tensile stress value of about 0.5 GPa, which is nearly independent of the deposition rates used. A maximum in tensile stress is observable during the early stages of growth. This indicates the completed coverage of the substrate. The compressive stress of several GPa in films prepared by ion-beam-assisted deposition correlates well with the maximum momentum transfer for the examined parameter range.
Microalgal biomass production pathways: evaluation of life cycle environmental impacts.

Microalgae are touted as an attractive alternative to traditional forms of biomass for biofuel production, due to high productivity, ability to be cultivated on marginal lands, and potential to utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial flue gas. This work examines the fossil energy return on investment (EROIfossil), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and direct Water Demands (WD) of producing dried algal biomass through the cultivation of microalgae in Open Raceway Ponds (ORP) for 21 geographic locations in the contiguous United States (U.S.). For each location, comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed for multiple microalgal biomass production pathways, consisting of a combination of cultivation and harvesting options. Results indicate that the EROIfossil for microalgae biomass vary from 0.38 to 1.08 with life cycle GHG emissions of −46.2 to 48.9 (g CO2 eq/MJ-biomass) and direct WDs of 20.8 to 38.8 (Liters/MJ-biomass) over the range of scenarios analyzed. Further anaylsis reveals that the EROIfossil for production pathways is relatively location invariant, and that algae’s life cycle energy balance and GHG impacts are highly dependent on cultivation and harvesting parameters. Contrarily, algae’s direct water demands were found to be highly sensitive to geographic location, and thus may be a constraining factor in sustainable algal-derived biofuel production. Additionally, scenarios with promising EROIfossil and GHG emissions profiles are plagued with high technological uncertainty. Given the high variability in microalgae’s energy and environmental performance, careful evaluation of the algae-to-fuel supply chain is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of emerging algal biofuel systems. Alternative production scenarios and technologies may have the potential to reduce the critical demands of biomass production, and should be considered to make algae a viable and more efficient biofuel alternative.
Mechanisms and Targets of Deep Brain Stimulation in Movement Disorders

Chronic electrical stimulation of the brain, known as deep brain stimulation (DBS), has become a preferred surgical treatment for medication-refractory movement disorders. Despite its remarkable clinical success, the therapeutic mechanisms of DBS are still not completely understood, limiting opportunities to improve treatment efficacy and simplify selection of stimulation parameters. This review addresses three questions essential to understanding the mechanisms of DBS. 1) How does DBS affect neuronal tissue in the vicinity of the active electrode or electrodes? 2) How do these changes translate into therapeutic benefit on motor symptoms? 3) How do these effects depend on the particular site of stimulation? Early hypotheses proposed that stimulation inhibited neuronal activity at the site of stimulation, mimicking the outcome of ablative surgeries. Recent studies have challenged that view, suggesting that although somatic activity near the DBS electrode may exhibit substantial inhibition or complex modulation patterns, the output from the stimulated nucleus follows the DBS pulse train by direct axonal excitation. The intrinsic activity is thus replaced by high-frequency activity that is time-locked to the stimulus and more regular in pattern. These changes in firing pattern are thought to prevent transmission of pathologic bursting and oscillatory activity, resulting in the reduction of disease symptoms through compensatory processing of sensorimotor information. Although promising, this theory does not entirely explain why DBS improves motor symptoms at different latencies. Understanding these processes on a physiological level will be critically important if we are to reach the full potential of this powerful tool.
Shoot multiplication from mature trees of Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) and sugar pine ( Pinus lambertiana )

Opening of apical and axillary buds of mature Douglas-fir and sugar pine trees was obtained on a newly formulated basal medium (DCR) without growth regulators. Elongation of buds was observed on 1/2 strength DCR with 0.3% activated charcoal (DCR-1). In sugar pine, multiple shoots were obtained when explants on DCR with 0.5 mg/1 BAP for 5–6 weeks were transferred to DCR-1 medium. On subculture, axillary buds again developed when shoots were cultured on DCR with 0.2 mg/1 BAP for Douglas-fir and 0.5 mg/1 BAP for sugar pine. These buds were again elongated on DCR-1 medium. By subculturing 7–10 shoots of Douglas-fir and 2–3 shoots of sugar pine, over 100 shoots can be obtained in a year.
A coated piezoelectric crystal detector for phosgene

Abstract A piezoelectric quartz crystal coated with methyltrioctylphosphonium dimethylphosphate was found to be a good detector for phosgene in air. The coating is sensitive to phosgene in the μg 1 −1 range and has a reasonably long lifetime. The response curve is linear over the concentration range 5–140 μg 1 −1 . The coated crystal can be used for more than six weeks without significant loss in sensitivity, provided that high ammonia concentrations are not encountered.
NATURAL RUBBER/CARBON NANOTUBE NANOCOMPOSITES PREPARED BY ULTRASONICALLY AIDED EXTRUSION

ABSTRACT Natural rubber/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites at loadings from 2 to 25 phr were prepared by ultrasonically aided extrusion at ultrasonic amplitudes up to 7.5 μm. Die pressure significantly decreased with an increase of ultrasonic amplitude, especially at higher loadings. Power consumption increased with ultrasonic amplitude and was almost insensitive to loadings until an amplitude of 5.0 μm. However, lower values of power consumption were observed at an amplitude of 7.5 μm for loadings of 10 and 15 phr. At these loadings, complex viscosity, storage, and loss moduli of compounds and vulcanizates were unaffected by ultrasonic treatment, whereas at other loadings, these properties were reduced with ultrasonic amplitude, indicating chain scission. Bound rubber in compounds decreased with treatment. The induction time during vulcanization was unaffected by ultrasonic treatment but decreased with loading, with the largest decrease observed at the lowest loading. The maximum torque i...
S2-05-02: A randomized trial of a coordinated care management intervention to improve quality and outcomes of dementia care

patients received collaborative care led by an advanced practice nurse who worked with the primary care physician, the patient’s caregiver, and the dementia specialists to provide guideline-level care. Therapies focused on non-pharmacologic management of behavioral disturbances. Treatment protocols were supervised by clinicians with expertise in dementia care and followed standard of care for pharmacotherapy. Usual care patients received a formal diagnosis and education program and referral to community services. We combined clinical trial data from 100 low-income older adults with AD with longitudinal data from an electronic medical record to compare three-year outcomes for mortality and health services use among the experimental groups. Results: The average patient age was 77 and the mean MMSE score among this cohort was 17.5 at baseline. Patients suffered from a high burden of comorbid conditions and less than 20% had a spouse-caregiver. Only 55% of the caregiver’s lived with the patient. Although patients in the intervention group (n 55) had significantly better NPI scores at 18 months compared with controls (n-45), we found no difference in 3-year mortality rates (20% v 29%), hospitalization rates (40% v 47%), mean LOS (5.4 v 7), emergency department utilization rate (82% v 78%), Medicaid nursing home rates (9% v. 18%) or mean total Medicaid nursing home days (39 v. 51). Conclusions: Care for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease is fragmented across multiple providers and site of care. These patients are high utilizers of acute care services. Collaborative care based in primary care can improve quality of care and behavioral disturbances and hold promise for decreasing utilization. However, these interventions will need to be broadened in scope, impact, and reach in order to promote implementation.
Angular distribution of molecular-field- and spin-orbit-split sulfur 2p photoemission in OCS: a sensitive probe of the molecular environment

Angle-resolved sulfur 2p photoelectron spectra from the OCS molecule are reported in very high electron and photon energy resolution. The measurements reveal significant differences in the angular distributions of ejected electrons associated with different core-level ionic multiplet states. A concomitant theoretical analysis relates these data to the perturbing effects of spin-orbit and molecular-field splittings, and indicates that the measured angular distributions in high resolution provide a new and sensitive probe of the molecular body-frame environment in the absence of explicit sample alignment.
ECCENTRIC INLET PORT OF THE PIVOT BEARING SUPPORTED GYRO CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

: An eccentric inlet port is a unique feature of the pivot bearing supported Gyro Compact-1 Eccentric Inlet Port Model 3 (ClE3) centrifugal pump, a completely seal-less centrifugal pump. The latest C1E3 has an eccentric inlet port with a 30 degree vertical angle. To investigate the adequacy of this 30 degree angle, flow visualization studies and in vitro hemolysis tests were performed, comparing 4 pumps, each with a different angle of the eccentric inlet port (0, 30, 60, and 90 degrees). The flow visualization study utilizing a tracer method focused on the flow pattern just distal to the inlet port of each pump, and each pump was operated at 5 L/min against 100 mm Hg and 5 L/min against 350 mm Hg. In the pumps with angles of 90 and 60 degrees, the flow direction changed horizontally, causing a vortex formation. In the pump with the 30 degree angle, the inflow did not change its course, resulting in minimal space for vortex formation. In the pump with the 0 degree angle, the inflow collided with the pump housing, resulting in a small vortex formation along the housing surface. The in vitro hemolysis tests at 5 L/min against 350 mm Hg revealed that the pump with the 30 degree angle was the least hemolytic and the pump with the 90 degree angle was the most hemolytic among the 4 pumps. These results suggest that the angle of the eccentric inlet port of the Gyro C1E3 pump should be 30 degrees to have less vortex formation and less red blood cell trauma.
Effect of water stress during tuber formation on subsequent growth and internal defects in Russet Burbank potatoes

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of early season water stress on yield, quality, and internal disorders of Russet Burbank potatoes grown on sandy soil. There were trends for decreased internal disorders early in the season as the water stress increased. However, these trends did not persist. At harvest in mid-September there was no consistent association between internal disorders of U.S. No. 1 tubers and early season irrigation treatments. Yield, grade, and specific gravity were affected to a minor degree by the treatments.
Rare World: Towards Technology for Rare Diseases

Researchers have created innovative technological solutions to support people with common chronic illnesses. In this study, we investigate design opportunities for people with rare diseases who are not well studied or have smaller populations to work with, because although an individual's disease may be rare, the number of people living with a rare disease is substantial. We conducted an interview study with 19 individuals with rare diseases from around the world to understand common problems and experiences that could be supported through design. We found that communicating with friends, family, and providers about her disease were challenges for participants. Additionally, participants thought of their disease as being a large part of who they were. We discuss these findings in the context of prior work on common chronic illnesses, addressing the potential relevance of existing technological interventions for people with rare diseases.
Baló's concentric sclerosis: imaging findings and pathological correlation.

Balo's concentric sclerosis is a primary inflammatory central nervous system demyelinating disease that is considered a rare, radiographically and pathologically distinct variant of multiple sclerosis. Balo's concentric sclerosis is characterized by alternating rings of demyelinated and myelinated axons, and it is most frequently diagnosed postmortem by autopsy or, more recently, by magnetic resonance imaging without pathologic verification. This report is of a case of Balo's concentric sclerosis in which the patient presented with left-sided focal sensorimotor deficits. The patient's lesion demonstrated characteristics of Balo's concentric sclerosis by magnetic resonance imaging, but since a neoplastic process was also suspected initially, the patient underwent a surgical biopsy. This pathology sample now provides the opportunity to correlate the tissue diagnosis of demyelination with characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings; this comparison is infrequently found in the literature.
Transcript mapping for handwritten Arabic documents

Handwriting recognition research requires large databases of word images each of which is labeled with the word it contains. Full images scanned in, however, usually contain sentences or paragraphs of writing. The creation of labeled databases of images of isolated words is usually tedious, requiring a person to drag a rectangle around each word in the full image and type in the label. Transcript mapping is the automatic alignment of words in a text file with word locations in the full image. It can ease the creation of databases for research. We propose the first transcript mapping method for handwritten Arabic documents. Our approach is based on Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) and offers two primary algorithmic contributions. First is an extension to DTW that uses true distances when mapping multiple entries from one series to a single entry in the second series. Second is a method to concurrently map elements of a partially aligned third series within the main alignment. Preliminary results are provided.
Importance of telescope alignment for the performance of a stellar interferometer

The visibility performance of a stellar interferometer can be expressed by means of the instrumental visibility factor, defined as the ratio of measured to intrinsic object visibility, in the absence of atmospheric distortion. The instrumental visibility factor can be approximated by a product of Strehl ratios, each related to one of the main components of the instrument. For IOTA, which uses telescopes to collect starlight, the Strehl factor related to telescope alignment is a potentially significant term. This paper focuses on estimating instrumental visibility due to telescope misalignment. In practice we align each telescope using a collimated optics-filling laser beam projected out from the laboratory to the telescope and siderostat, adjusted so that the beam is returned to the laboratory. The return beam is viewed in either of two ways: (a) intensity mode, where the beam is simply;y displayed on a white card; (b) interference mode, where the beam is interfered at a beamsplitter with either a locally retroreflected plane wave, or a return beam from a second telescope.Both modes were simulated with a computer program that displays the expected fringe pattern. Many misalignment combinations were calculated. In either mode, the collection of resulting beam patterns is useful in guiding an iterative alignment procedure, and also in estimating any remaining residual error.
Elastin and fibrillin mRNA and protein levels in the ontogeny of normal human aorta.

Elastin associated microfibrils (EAMF) are ubiquitous connective tissue structures that are believed to provide tensile strength and flexibility to numerous tissues. In this study the ontogeny of EAMF in normal human aorta was examined using immunohistochemical analysis of fibrillin, an EAMF component, and mRNA levels of fibrillin and elastin. Specimens of infra-renal aorta from ages 11 months to 44 years were obtained following organ procurement. Decreasing amounts, as judged by computer digitized image analysis, of immunoreactive fibrillin when compared to elastin auto-fluorescence were observed in aortic sections with increasing age. Elastase treatment would un-mask the anti-fibrillin reactive epitope reinforcing the suggestion that EAMF act as a “scaffold” for elastin deposition. Northern and dot blot hybridizations demonstrated a decrease in relative fibrillin message levels with increasing age. The abundance of fibrillin in relation to elastin may suggest a role for EAMF independent of their associa...
Calretinin-like immunoreactivity in mormyrid and gymnarchid electrosensory and electromotor systems

Calretinin-like immunoreactivity was examined in the electrosensory and electromotor systems of the two families of mormyriform electric fish. Mormyrid fish showed the strongest immunoreactivity in the knollenorgan electroreceptor pathway; in the nucleus of the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) and the big cells of the nucleus exterolateralis pars anterior. Mormyromast and ampullary zones of the ELL showed calretinin-like immunoreactivity in the ganglion, granule, and intermediate cell and fiber layers. Mormyromast zones additionally showed labeling of apical dendrites and commissural cells, but the ampullary zone did not. In the electromotor system, two nuclei in the corollary discharge pathway showed labeling: in the paratrigeminal command-associated nucleus and the juxtalobar nucleus. Gymnarchus niloticus (Gymnarchidae) showed strongest calretinin-like immunoreactivity in part of the phase-coding pathway; in S-type electroreceptor afferents. Zones of the ELL not receiving phase-coder input had weak labeling. The electromotor system showed labeling in the lateral relay nucleus and less strongly in the medullary relay nucleus, but none in the pacemaker. The concentration of calcium-binding proteins in mormyrid and gymnarchid time-coding electrosensory pathways is consistent with the hypothesis that they play a role in preserving temporal information across synapses. Cell types that encode temporal characteristics of stimuli in precise spike times have high levels of calcium-binding proteins, but cells that re-code temporal information into presence or magnitude of activity have low levels. Some cell types in the electromotor pathways and early in the time-coding electrosensory pathways do not follow this hypothesis, and therefore preserve temporal information using a mechanism independent of calcium-binding proteins. In particular, electromotor systems may use extensive electrotonic coupling within nuclei to ensure precise timing.
Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors and logic circuits

In this paper, we present recent advances in the understanding of the properties of semiconducting single wall carbon nanotube and in the exploration of their use as field-effect transistors (FETs). Both electrons and holes can be injected in a nanotube transistor by either controlling the metal-nanotube Schottky barriers present at the contacts or simply by doping the bulk of the nanotube. These methods give complementary nanotube FETs that can be integrated together to make inter- and intra-nanotube logic circuits. The device performance and their general characteristics suggest that they can compete with silicon MOSFETs. While this is true when considering simple prototype devices, several issues remain to be explored before a nanotube-based technology is possible. They are also discussed.
Intrinsic Injury Signals Enhance Growth, Survival, and Excitability of Aplysia Neurons

Neurons undergo extensive changes in growth and electrophysiological properties in response to axon injury. Efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms that initiate these changes have focused almost exclusively on the role of extrinsic signals, primarily neurotrophic factors released from target and glial cells. The objective of the present investigation was to determine whether the response to axonal injury also involves intrinsic axoplasmic signals. Aplysia neurons were removed from their ganglia and placed in vitro on a substratum permissive for growth, but in the absence of glia and soluble growth factors. Under these conditions, neurites emerged and grew for approximately 4 d. Once growth had ceased, the neurites were transected. In all, 46 of 50 cells regenerated, either by resorbing the remaining neurites and elaborating a new neuritic arbor or by merely replacing the neurites that had been severed. Cut cells also exhibited enhanced excitability and, paradoxically, prolonged survival, when compared with uninjured neurons. These findings indicate that axons contain intrinsic molecular signals that are directly activated by injury to trigger changes underlying regeneration and compensatory plasticity.
Involvement of c-jun NH2-terminal kinases in resveratrol-induced activation of p53 and apoptosis

Resveratrol, a constituent of grapes and other foods, is one of the most promising agents for cancer prevention. In a previous study, we showed that the antitumor activity of resveratrol occurs through extracellular signal–regulated protein kinases (ERKs) and p38 kinase–mediated p53 activation. In this study, we also determined that c-jun NH2terminal kinases (JNKs) are involved in resveratrol-induced p53 activation and induction of apoptosis. In the JB6 mouse epidermal cell line, resveratrol activated JNKs dose-dependently within a dose range of 10–40 mM, the same dosage responsible for the inhibition of tumor promoter–induced cell transformation. Stable expression of a dominant negative mutant of JNK1 or disruption of the Jnk1 or Jnk2 gene markedly inhibited resveratrol-induced p53-dependent transcription activity and induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, resveratrol-activated JNKs were shown to phosphorylate p53 in vitro, but this activity was repressed in the cells expressing a dominant negative mutant of JNK1 or in Jnk1 or Jnk2 knockout (Jnk1 � /� or Jnk2 � /� ) cells. These data suggested that JNKs act as mediators of resveratrolinduced activation of p53 and apoptosis, which may occur partially through p53 phosphorylation. 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
People's Accounts Count: The Sociology of Accounts

Humans are inexorably driven to search for order and meaning in their own and others' lives; accounts are a major avenue for sociologists to depict and understand the ways in which individuals experience and identify with that meaning and their social world. The accounts concept has a solid foundation and history in early sociological analysis and research. The current work on accounts focuses on “story-like” interpretations or explanations and their functions and consequences to a social actor's life. The concept is useful for gaining insight into the human experience and arriving at meanings or culturally embedded normative explanations. This concept deserves greater explicit attention in sociology and is in need of further theoretical development and stimulation. I argue that sociologists should embrace the concept of accounts; the foundation is set for a resurgence of work on accounts in sociology.
Sparse Bayesian learning machine for real‐time management of reservoir releases

[1] Water scarcity and uncertainties in forecasting future water availabilities present serious problems for basin-scale water management. These problems create a need for intelligent prediction models that learn and adapt to their environment in order to provide water managers with decision-relevant information related to the operation of river systems. This manuscript presents examples of state-of-the-art techniques for forecasting that combine excellent generalization properties and sparse representation within a Bayesian paradigm. The techniques are demonstrated as decision tools to enhance real-time water management. A relevance vector machine, which is a probabilistic model, has been used in an online fashion to provide confident forecasts given knowledge of some state and exogenous conditions. In practical applications, online algorithms should recognize changes in the input space and account for drift in system behavior. Support vectors machines lend themselves particularly well to the detection of drift and hence to the initiation of adaptation in response to a recognized shift in system structure. The resulting model will normally have a structure and parameterization that suits the information content of the available data. The utility and practicality of this proposed approach have been demonstrated with an application in a real case study involving real-time operation of a reservoir in a river basin in southern Utah.
Endstage Liver Disease Associated with Nitrofurantoin Requiring Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVE:To report the apparent development of endstage liver disease secondary to nitrofurantoin administration.PATIENT:A 40-year-old woman developed hepatic failure after receiving nitrofurantoin 200 mg po bid for one month for prophylaxis against urinary-tract infections. Symptoms first occurred after two weeks of nitrofurantoin therapy. Other causes of hepatic failure (e.g., viral infection, autoimmune disorder, concomitant medications, cancer, Wilson's disease, ethanol abuse, pregnancy) were ruled out.CONCLUSIONS:Acute and chronic hepatic injury has previously been reported with the use of nitrofurantoin. The proposed mechanism may be immunoallergic or metabolic in origin. On evaluating concomitant diseases and medications in our patient as well as the temporal sequence of her signs and symptoms, it appears that she developed hepatic failure secondary to the use of nitrofurantoin, ultimately necessitating orthotopic liver transplantation. The potential for the development of such a severe adverse re...
Data Assimilation for a Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Model. Part II: Parameter Estimation

Abstract The parameter estimation problem for the coupled ocean–atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific Ocean is investigated using an advanced sequential estimator [i.e., the extended Kalman filter (EKF)]. The intermediate coupled model (ICM) used in this paper consists of a prognostic upper-ocean model and a diagnostic atmospheric model. Model errors arise from the uncertainty in atmospheric wind stress. First, the state and parameters are estimated in an identical-twin framework, based on incomplete and inaccurate observations of the model state. Two parameters are estimated by including them into an augmented state vector. Model-generated oceanic datasets are assimilated to produce a time-continuous, dynamically consistent description of the model’s El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). State estimation without correcting erroneous parameter values still permits recovering the true state to a certain extent, depending on the quality and accuracy of the observations and the size of the discrepancy in ...
Infrared birefringence imaging of residual stress and bulk defects in multicrystalline silicon

We explore the potential of infrared birefringence imaging (IBI) to reveal a complete picture of macro- and microscopic internal stresses and their origins in multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si). We present a method to decouple macroscopic thermally induced residual stresses and microscopic bulk defect-related stresses, and validate this method in mc-Si wafers via microstructural analysis. We then describe the unique IR birefringence signatures, including stress magnitudes and directions, of common microdefects in mc-Si solar cell materials: β-SiC and β-Si 3 N 4 microdefects, twin bands, non-twin grain boundaries, and dislocation bands. We relate observed stresses to other topics of interest in solar cell manufacturing, including wafer mechanical strength and minority carrier lifetime.
On-chip technologies for multidimensional separations

We review microfluidic devices designed for multidimensional sample analysis, with a primer on relevant theory, an emphasis on protein analysis, and an eye towards future improvements and challenges to the field. Image shows results of an on-chip IEF-CE separation of a protein mixture; unpublished surface plot data from A. E. Herr.
The analysis of olfactory communication among animals

Methods are presented for determining those parameters of olfactory communication systems most closely related to the diffusion process. Four general cases of diffusion are considered: instantaneous release of the communicating substance in still air, continuous release in still air, continuous release from a moving source as in an odor trail, and continuous release in a wind. The techniques have been applied in the analysis of three real communication systems, involving an alarm substance, a recruitment trail, and a sex attractant respectively. It has been possible to demonstrate the effect of differing values of the parameters in fulfilling the design requirements of a particular system with respect to range of the signal, its rate of spread, and its persistence.
Using binocular stereopsis for vision-based vehicle control

Proposes a new approach for vision based longitudinal and lateral vehicle control which makes extensive use of binocular stereopsis. Longitudinal control-i.e. maintaining a safe, constant distance from the vehicle in front-is supported by detecting and measuring the distances to leading vehicles using binocular stereo. A known camera geometry with respect to the locally planar road is used to map the images of the road plane in the two camera views into alignment. Any significant residual image disparity then indicates an object not lying in the road plane and hence a potential obstacle. This approach allows the separation of image features into those lying in the road plane, e.g. lane markers, and those due to other objects. The features which lie on the road are stationary in the scene and appear to move only because of the egomotion of the vehicle. Measurements on these features allow (a) a dynamic camera calibration update and (b) support the search for lane marker, which are used for lateral control.
Interaction of the RAGE cytoplasmic domain with diaphanous-1 is required for ligand-stimulated cellular migration through activation of Rac1 and Cdc42

Cellular migration is a fundamental process linked to diverse pathological states such as diabetes and its complications, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and cancer. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multiligand cell surface macromolecule which binds distinct ligands that accumulate in these settings. RAGE-ligand interaction evokes central changes in key biological properties of cells, including proliferation, generation of inflammatory mediators, and migration. Although RAGE-dependent signal transduction is critically dependent on its short cytoplasmic domain, to date the proximate mechanism by which this RAGE domain engages and stimulates cytoplasmic signaling pathways has yet to be identified. Here we show that the RAGE cytoplasmic domain interacts with Diaphanous-1 (Dia-1) both in vitro and in vivo. We employed the human RAGE cytoplasmic domain as "bait" in the yeast two-hybrid assay and identified the formin homology (FH1) domain of Dia-1 as a potential binding partner of this RAGE domain. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that the RAGE cytoplasmic domain interacts with the FH1 domain of Dia-1. Down-regulation of Dia-1 expression by RNA interference blocks RAGE-mediated activation of Rac-1 and Cdc42 and, in parallel, RAGE ligand-stimulated cellular migration. Taken together, these findings indicate that the interaction of the RAGE cytoplasmic domain with Dia-1 is required to transduce extracellular environmental cues evoked by binding of RAGE ligands to their cell surface receptor, a chief consequence of which is Rac-1 and Cdc42 activation and cellular migration. Because RAGE and Dia-1 are implicated in the regulation of inflammatory, vascular, and transformed cell migration, these findings highlight this interaction as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in inflammation, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer.
The transfer of disruptive technologies: lessons learned from Sandia National Laboratories

Sandia National Laboratories has learned through their process of technology transfer that not all high tech transfers are alike. They are not alike by the nature of the customers involved, the process of becoming involved with these customers and finally and most importantly the very nature of the technology itself. Here, the authors focus on technology transfer in the microsystems arena and specifically the sacrificial surface version of microsystems. They have learned and helped others learn that many MEMS applications are best realized through the use of surface micromachining (SMM). This is because SMM builds on the substantial integrated circuit industry. In this paper, the authors review Sandia's process for transferring a disruptive MEMS technology in numerous cases.