cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using diffusion tensor imaging and immunofluorescent assay to evaluate the pathology of multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To determine the ability of the principal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) indices to predict the underlying histopathology evaluated with immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Materials and Methods: Conventional T2 and 3D multishot-diffusion weighted echoplanar imaging (3D ms-DWEPI) was performed on a fixed, ex vivo human cervical spinal cord (CSC) from a patient with a history of multiple sclerosis (MS). In all, 170 regions of interest (ROIs) were selected within the white matter and categorized as a high intensity lesion (HIL), low intensity lesion (LIL), and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM). The longitudinal diffusivity (λl), radial diffusivity (λr), and fractional anisotropy (FA) were obtained from each ROI. The underlying histopathology was then evaluated using immunofluorescent assay with antibodies directed to myelin and neurofilament staining. Results: The mean values for λl and λr were significantly elevated within HIL relative to NAWM and LIL. IFA analysis of HIL demonstrated significant demyelination, without significant if any axon loss. The FA values were significantly reduced in HIL and LILs. FA values were also reduced in lesions with increased λl and λr values relative to normal. Conclusion: Aberrant λl, λr, and FA relative to normal values are strong indicators of demyelination. DTI indices are not specific for axon loss. IFA analysis is a reliable method to demonstrate myelin and axon pathology within the ex vivo setting. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:557–564. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Quantitation of uterine activity preceding preterm, term, and postterm labor

To assess uterine activity before labor in patients delivering preterm, at term, and postterm, the maximum spontaneous contraction frequency per 10-minute window during the initial portion of antepartum fetal heart rate monitoring was analyzed. Patients with multiple gestation, third trimester bleeding, polyhydramnios, or premature rupture of membranes and those already diagnosed with preterm labor were eliminated from the study. Of the 2446 remaining patients (7247 antepartum fetal heart rate tests) who went into spontaneous labor, 237 did so before 37 completed weeks of gestation, 1077 entered labor at term (38 to 42 completed weeks), and 1132 did so after 42 weeks. There was a significant increase in maximum uterine activity per 10-minute window from 30 to 44 weeks of gestation (average 4.7% per week; r = 0.97, p < 0.0001). When compared with patients delivering spontaneously at term, average maximum uterine activity per 10-minute window was greatest in the preterm labor group (p < 0.05) and least in the postterm labor group (p < 0.05). These differences were present for several weeks preceding the onset of spontaneous labor. All three groups showed a surge of uterine activity during the 3 days before the onset of spontaneous labor.
Effects of Calcium, Indoleacetic Acid & Distance From Stem Apex on Potassium & Rubidium Absorption by Excised Segments of Etiolated Pea Epicotyl

The enhancing effect of Ca on K uptake by excised roots has been known for some time (25) and has been referred to as the Viets effect; however, whether or not such an enhancement occurs in stem tissue has not been established. Indoleacetic acid (IAA) may enhance Rb uptake by stem segments (11) and this effect in Jerusalem artichoke tuber tissue has been attributed to an increase in capacity of the tissue for cation exchange (8) rather than accumulation. The fact that each, Ca and IAA, may enhance cation absorption suggests that both may play some important role in cellular ion exchange or ion transport. One obvious possibility is that they separately or together may be involved in the formation, or activity, of an ion carrier; however, other explanations are possible (7) and the present study was done in an attempt to ascertain whether or not Ca would enhance K accumulation by pea stem segments and if so, what the effect of auxin is on this system.
Compression of laminated composite beams with initial damage

The effect of isolated damage modes on the compressive strength and failure characteristics of laminated composite test specimens were evaluated experimentally and numerically. In addition to specimens without initial damage, specimens with three types of initial damage were considered: (1) specimens with short delaminations distributed evenly through the specimen thickness, (2) specimens with few long delaminations, and (3) specimens with local fiber damage in the surface plies under the three-point bend contact point. It was found that specimens with short multiple delamination experienced the greatest reduction in compression strength compared to the undamaged specimens. Single delaminations far from the specimen surface had little effect on the final compression strength, and moderate strength reduction was observed for specimens with localized surface ply damage.
CT scanning and interstitial therapy

Computerized tomography is of considerable value in determining tumor volume at many anatomic sites that are otherwise difficult to visualize. The ability to define volume accurately by means of a CT scan can be employed in interstitial radiotherapy. First, CT scan information may be used to plan the implant volume by defining the tumor location and extent prior to implantation of radioactive materials. Second, radioactive sources and/or afterloading devices can be localized after implantation by means of a CT scan. Third, follow-up of tumors to assess both tumor regression and recurrence is facilitated.
The impact of RCA treatment of glass substrates on the properties of polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors

Abstract We report on the effects of RCA leaching of glass substrates on the performance and hot-carrier reliability of n-channel and p-channel polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs). The characteristics of the TFTs on RCA-treated glass are contrasted to those of TFTs on untreated glass. It is found out that RCA treatment of the glass significantly enhances transistor’s properties. This is attributed to the formation by the RCA treatment of a silica-rich layer on the glass surface. The layer acts as a barrier for impurity diffusion from the glass to the active poly-Si layer in the TFT: this impurity diffusion is the mechanism responsible for the degradation of the TFT on bare glass.
Measurement of temperature generated by visible-light-cure lamps in an in vitro model

The dental pulp is vulnerable to cavity preparation and restoration procedures. This vulnerability may be a result of the temperature rise generated by those procedures. When visible-light-cure lamps are used to place composite restorations, they cause the temperature in the pulp to rise. This study measured the temperature rise recorded when six visible-light-cure lamps were tested for 20- and 60-second exposure times. They were also tested in conjunction with an air current passed along the face of the lens in order to lower the temperature. Analysis of the data indicates that the lamps do cause a temperature rise within the pulp chamber--a higher rise the longer the lamp is used. Dentin thickness is important, and air lowers the temperature generated.
Isolation of a substrate-containing active-site peptide from aspartokinase I.

Summary A Co(III) affinity-labelled peptide has been isolated from the kinase-active site of aspartokinase-homoserine dehydrogenase in 17% yield. Approximately equivalent amounts of peptide, Co(III), and ATP were present in the isolated complex. The peptide has the following composition: Asx2,Thr1–2,Ser2,Glx3,Gly4,Ala2,Val,Leu,Arg.
Low temperature hydrothermal maturation of organic matter in sediments from the Atlantis II Deep, Red Sea.

Hydrocarbons and bulk organic matter of two sediment cores within the Atlantis II Deep are analyzed, and microbial inputs and minor terrestrial sources are found to represent the major sedimentary organic material. Results show that extensive acid-catalyzed reactions are occurring in the sediments, and the Atlantis II Deep is found to exhibit a lower degree of thermal maturation than other hydrothermal or intrusive systems. The lack of carbon number preference noted among the n-alkanes suggests that the organic matter of these sediments has undergone some degree of catagenesis, though yields of hydrocarbons are much lower than those found in other hydrothermal areas, probably due to the effect of lower temperature and poor source-rock characteristics.
Precipitate/austenite equilibrium in a titanium-niobium ultra low carbon steel

Abstract The variation in the equilibrium compositions of austenite and titanium-niobium-carbonitride precipitates in Fe-Ti-Nb-C-N-Mn-Si-Mo is considered over a range of temperatures between 1050 and 1500K and for an alloy composition which is typical of ultra-low carbon titanium-niobium microalloyed steels. The Kohler temperature dependent-subregular solution model is used to describe the austenite phase. The (Ti,Nb)(C,N)x precipitate phase is described by the Hillert-Staffansson sublattice model for a four-component solution, with components mixed in pairs. The equilibrium between the two phases is explored while allowing for the nonstoichiometry of the precipitate phase. The results are shown to be in good agreement with experimental data on ultra-low carbon microalloyed steels.
Microgravity droplet combustion: effect of tethering fiber on burning rate and flame structure

Droplets tethering on fibers has become a well established technique for conducting droplet combustion experiments in microgravity conditions. The effects of these supporting fibers are frequently assumed to be negligible and are not considered in the experimental analysis or in numerical simulations. In this work, the effect of supporting fibers on the characteristics of microgravity droplet combustion has been investigated numerically; a priori predictions have then been compared with published experimental data. The simulations were conducted using a transient one-dimensional spherosymmetric droplet combustion model, where the effect of the supporting fiber was implicitly taken into account. The model applied staggered convective flux finite volume method combined with high-order implicit time integration. Thermal radiation was evaluated using a statistical narrow band radiation model. Chemical kinetics and thermophysical properties were represented in rigorous detail. Tether fiber diameter, droplet di...
Anthrax: the disease in relation to vaccines

The authors trace the origins and history of anthrax and anthrax vaccines. They describe the aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease and the variety of symptoms which result from infection. The authors relate the early work performed by Pasteur, the development of existing vaccines and the efficacy of these vaccines, and predict the type of non-living vaccines which may be used to combat anthrax in the future.
The effect of hypoxia upon learned escape from carbon dioxide

A group of five mice was trained to press a lever to remove 4% CO2 from its inspired air. The effect of six levels of hypoxia upon the latent period for learned escape from the added CO2 was determined. Mild hypoxia produced a shortened latent period, severe hypoxia a lengthened latent period. The correlation between the behavioral and ventilatory responses to CO2 and hypoxia are discussed.
Synthesis and properties of novel crosslinkable phthalocyanine monomers

Polymer films incorporating phthalocyanine rings are useful for third-order nonlinear optical applications. Two axially modified silicon phthalocyanine monomers containing crosslinkable sites have been synthesized. A monomer containing acrylate groups was crosslinked thermally whereas a monomer containing cinnamate groups was crosslinked both thermally and photochemically. Both monomers can be made into solid polymeric films incorporating over 20% (w/w) of the phthalocyanine ring with no observable phase segregation. Elemental analysis, 1H NMR, FT-IR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy were employed for the structural characterization of the monomers. The kinetics of crosslinking such as reaction conversion versus time and temperature, heat of reaction (ΔH), activation energy (ΔE) and reaction order (n), and the thermal properties of the crosslinked films have also been investigated.
Performance evaluation of three microcomputer based systems in a small business dataprocessing environment.

In March, 1977 a team of students under the guidance of the author began studying three personal computer systems to determine their strengths and weaknesses when placed in a data processing environment. The three systems were chosen to represent a broad spectrum of contemporary microcomputer based data processing equipment. System W is a firmware BASIC computer originally designed for scientific applications but found being used in a variety of business processing applications. System T is a storage display graphics computer based on the Motorola 6800 microprocessor ROM BASIC, and ROM operating system. System D is an Intel 8080 based computer designed specifically for business dataprocessing.
Continued evidence for safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography during pregnancy.

Continued evidence for safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography during pregnancy
Nanosystems for Simultaneous Imaging and Drug Delivery to T Cells

The T-cell response defines the pathogenesis of many common chronic disease states, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and transplant rejection. Therefore, a diagnostic strategy that visualizes this response can potentially lead to early therapeutic intervention, avoiding catastrophic organ failure or prolonged sickness. In addition, the means to deliver a drug dose to those cells in situ with the same specificity used to image those cells would provide for a powerful therapeutic alternative for many disease states involving T cells. In this report, we review emerging nanosystems that can be used for simultaneous tracking and drug delivery to those cells. Because of their versatility, these systems—which combine specific receptor targeting with an imaging agent and drug delivery—are suited to both basic science and applications, from developing therapeutic strategies for autoimmune and alloimmune diseases, to noninvasive tracking of pathogenic T-cell migration.
A Test of the Equality of Survival Distributions Based on Paired Observations from Conditionally Independent Exponential Distributions

A model describes the joint distribution of paired survival times based on certain reasonable assumptions appropriate for biological data generated in a clinical trial setting or for certain failure data. An exact parametric test for equality of mean survival times for data following this distribution is developed. The power of the exact test is investigated by a computer simulation study for various sample sizes and values of the model parameters and compared to that of alternative tests. Heretofore, researchers desiring to analyze paired survival data have resorted to paired t tests or nonparametric procedures such as the sign test or signed ranks test. The t-test is invalid for non-normally distributed data although the robustness of the test might minimize the difficulty. The nonparametric tests, by their nature, fail to use the data completely. This paper presents an exact parametric test based on a distribution whose justification requires rather modest and reasonable assumptions. Critical values for the test can be obtained from a table of the chi-square distribution. This exact test appears to be a viable alternative to non-parametric approaches to the analysis of paired survival data. It is extremely easy to calculate on a hand calculator. In fact, since no data storage is required (unlike the signed ranks test), the calculations can be readily programmed on a programmable calculator. The modeling of bivariate and multivariate survival data we believe has not been adequately addressed in the statistical and engineering literature. We hope that this paper will spark additional work.
Growth, Maturation, and Production of Northern Pike in Three Michigan Lakes

Abstract Differences in the age at first maturation, as well as timing and magnitude of growth (body and gonad) were examined for northern pike Esox lucius from three lakes in Michigan. The lakes varied in latitude (42 to 46°N), ice-free season (210 to 248 days), and total mortality (Z = 0.28 to 0.85). Body and gonad calorific equivalents were similar among all three lake populations. Male and female northern pike from all lakes and age classes 1–3 had significant accumulation of somatic energy during summer and winter and depletion of reserves over spawning. Testicular growth occurred entirely in the summer, whereas ovarian growth occurred mainly over winter. Females invested 6- to 18-fold more energy into gonads than did males. Total winter growth was significant in both sexes and all lakes. Individual body and gonad growth over the first 3 years of life for northern pike varied little among lakes. Age at first maturation varied significantly among lakes; the earliest maturation occurred in the lake of ...
Enzymatic acidolysis of tristearin with lauric and oleic acids to produce coating lipids

Triacylglycerols with potential for coating application were prepared by acidolysis of tristearin with lauric and oleic acids using Lipozyme IM60 lipase in n-hexane. The effects of reaction parameters such as time, temperature, substrate mole ratio, water content, enzyme load, and enzyme reuse were studied. Five-gram scale synthesis was carried out to obtain the melting profile of products by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). An acceptable melting profile was obtained for the product obtained with a 1∶4∶1 (tristearin/lauric acid/oleic acid) mole ratio of reactants. The DSC melting peak for this product was 31.4°C. Synthesis of 1200 g of this product was carried out at a 1∶4∶1 substrate ratio in a stirred tank batch reactor under optimal conditions. The reaction product, purified by short-path distillation, was coated onto crackers and studied for its moisture inhibition ability, under water vapor-saturated atmosphere, in a desiccator over different time intervals. The effectiveness of the synthesized lipid as a coating material was compared against uncoated crackers as a control and with cocoa butter-coated crackers. The synthesized lipid was better in preventing moisture absorption than cocoa butter.
Are satisfaction with and self-management of personal assistance services associated with the life satisfaction of persons with physical disabilities?

Purpose. To examine the relationships between satisfaction with and self-management of personal assistance services ((PAS)) and the quality of life ((QoL)) of persons with disabilities. To test the postulate that consumer-directed PAS can fulfil the human need for control and contribute to a satisfactory life.Method. A survey compared the perspectives of persons using consumer-directed PAS versus those using agency-directed. A Personal Data Form obtained demographics and PAS characteristics. The Quality of Life Inventory measured life satisfaction. A PAS questionnaire measured perceptions about the management of, desire for control of, and satisfaction with PAS. Data were analysed using SPSS®− 14.Results. Significant relationships were found between QoL and satisfaction with PAS ((p < 0.001)) and between perceived control of PAS and satisfaction with PAS ((p < 0.001)). Significant group differences were also found. Consumer-directed participants reported higher satisfaction with their PAS ((p < 0.01...
Transient layers in the topside ionosphere of Mars

[1] Radar soundings from the MARSIS instrument on board the Mars Express spacecraft have shown that distinct layers can occur in the topside ionosphere of Mars, well above the main photo-ionization layer. These layers appear as cusps, or sometimes steps, in plots of the time delay as a function of frequency. Usually only one topside layer is observed, typically at altitudes from 180 to 240 km. However, occasionally an additional layer occurs at even higher altitudes. The layers are transient features and are present about 60% of the time near the subsolar point, decreasing with increasing solar zenith angle to less than 5% at the terminator and the nightside. The transient nature of the layers suggests that they are produced by a dynamical process, most likely involving an interaction with the solar wind in the upper levels of the ionosphere.
Initial observations of cavitation-induced erosion of liquid metal spallation target vessels at the Spallation Neutron Source

Abstract During operation of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory the mechanical properties of the AISI 316L target module are altered by high-energy neutron and proton radiation. The interior surfaces of the target vessel are also damaged by cavitation-induced erosion, which results from repetitive rapid heating of the liquid mercury by high-energy proton beam pulses. Until recently no observations of cavitation-induced erosion were possible for conditions fully prototypic to the SNS. Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE) of the first and second operational SNS targets was performed to gain insight into the radiation-induced changes in mechanical properties of the 316L target material and the extent of cavitation-induced erosion to the mercury vessel inner surfaces. Observations of cavitation-induced erosion of the first and second operational SNS target modules are presented here, including images of the target vessel interiors and specimens removed from the target beam-entrance regions.
Partitioning of deep versus superficial intracranial sources using current source densities is not valid.

An analytic method has recently been proposed for partitioning scalp-recorded EEG and evoked potential (EP) data into parts arising from deep (i.e., subcortical) vs. superficial (i.e., cortical) sources. The method is based on the observation that the current source density (CSD) is selectively sensitive to electrical activity arising from superficial sources, and the conjecture that the residual potential which remains after subtracting the CSD from the scalp potentials, represents activity from deep sources. We investigated the validity of this procedure by simulating scalp potential data for superficial and deep dipole sources with known locations and orientations. Our single-dipole simulations demonstrated that, when the actual location of the source was superficial, the partitioning procedure erroneously attributed a sizeable proportion of the total topographic variance to the activity of deeper sources. This produced a consistent bias in the simulations with two dipoles, when both superficial and deep sources were present. In such cases, the relative contribution of the deeper source was consistently overestimated, and the scalp topography of the deep source activity was profoundly misrepresented by the residual which results from subtracting the CSD from the scalp potential. We conclude that the proposed method for partitioning EEG and EP data into components arising from deep vs. superficial intracranial sources is not valid.
Inducer-dependent phenotypic divergence in an embryonal-carcinoma cell line.

Abstract In monolayer cultures, embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells from the cell line Nulli-SCCI can be induced to differentiate at high efficiency by exposure to either retinoic acid or hexamethylenebisacetamide. Depending on which inducing agent is used, two distinct differentiated phenotypes result. These phenotypes resemble two of the earliest differentiated derivatives of the cells of the inner cell mass of a mouse blastocyst, i.e., parietal and visceral endoderm. Both differ from EC cells as well as from each other on the basis of their morphology, antigenic expression, secretion of plasminogen activator, and protein-synthetic profiles.
Biofeedback in the treatment of anxiety disorders

Abstract Studies which have used various forms of biofeedback in the treatment of anxiety disorders are summarized and examined in regard to whether biofeedback-mediated physiological changes are responsible for reductions in subjective reports of anxiety. The evidence suggests that frontal EMG biofeedback training to reduce muscle tension is the most promising biofeedback training technique to date. Studies of heart rate and EEG alpha biofeedback offer only minimal support for the use of these methods to facilitate anxiety reduction. The limited literature on the application of skin resistance level, finger pulse volume, and temperature biofeedback in the treatment of anxiety disorders suggests that these may be viable treatment techniques. The role of factors other than physiological change that may render biofeedback a successful treatment are discussed.
Comments on “An Algorithm for Solving the Linear Goal-Programming Problem by Solving Its Dual”

Goal Programming within a pre-emptive priority structure has been one of the most widely used multi-objective mathematical model formulations. By considering its dual problem, Ignizio has shown that a very efficient computational procedure for solving linear goal-programming problems can be problems can be implemented with any conventional large-scale simplex system. This note gives an overview of Ignizio's dual formulation, and identifies when a certain dual variable must be incorporated in the model to preserve the pre-emptive priority structure.
KRAS Gene Mutation in Colorectal Cancer Is Correlated With Increased Proliferation and Spontaneous Apoptosis

KRAS mutation occurs in 30% to 50% of colorectal cancers (CRCs) and has been suggested to be associated with proliferation and decreased apoptosis. In this study, we analyzed KRAS in 198 CRCs and compared the clinicopathologic variables between KRAS-mutated and wild-type CRCs. Also, a subset of 90 and 66 CRCs from this cohort underwent microsatellite instability testing and histomorphologic evaluation, and the frequency of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and histomorphologic variables were compared between KRAS-mutated and wild-type CRCs. Clinicopathologic features (age, sex, and tumor site, depth, size, grade, and metastasis) were not different between KRAS-mutated and wild-type CRCs. Compared with wild-type KRAS CRCs, KRAS-mutated CRCs had a lower frequency of MSI-H (15% vs 42%; P = .015), a higher chance of having brisk mitosis (77% vs 43%, P = .022) and apoptosis (77% vs 28%; P = .00012), and a greater mean of mitotic figures (P = .0002) and apoptotic cells (P = .0008). KRAS mutation was associated with higher tumor cell turnover.
Sustainability and Energy Conversions

A sustainable global energy system requires a transition away from energy sources with high greenhouse emissions. Vast energy resources are available to meet our needs, and technology pathways for making this transition exist. Lowering the cost and increasing the reliability and quality of energy from sustainable energy sources will facilitate this transition. Changing the world's energy systems is a huge challenge, but it is one that can be undertaken now with improvements in energy efficiency and with continuing deployment of a variety of technologies. Numerous opportunities exist for research in material sciences to contribute to this global-scale challenge.
In Lieu of Legislation Executive Unilateral Preemption or Support during the Legislative Process

In the legislative process, presidents may negotiate with Congress or use unilateral action as a bargaining tool. When presidents issue a unilateral order during the legislative process, do these o...
Cloning and Characterization of the 5′-Flanking Region of the Human Cardiotrophin-1 Gene☆

Abstract To enable the analysis of the regulation of the human cardiotrophin-1 gene expression, the 5′-flanking region of the human cardiotrophin-1 gene was cloned and sequenced. Data bank search revealed severalcis-active DNA elements (SP1, CREB, C/EBP, AP1 and AP-2 like and GATA) in the proximal 1.1 kb region. Six nested 5-′terminal deletion mutants from −1091/+39 to −218/+39 were fused to a luciferase reportergene and proved to be functionally active after transfection into COS-7 cells.
Help and Hindrance: Parents of Divorcing Children.

Much research exists on the impact of divorce on the nuclear family. Less is known about the response of the extended family to a divorce. In this study, the authors examined divorcing children's perceptions of their parents' behavior; divorcing children experienced their parents' reactions as supportive, non-supportive, or “mixed.” Types of helpful behaviors were categorized and patterns of unhelpful parental behavior were elaborated. Implications of the study for therapy and for an understanding of parent-adult child relationships are discussed.
A decision procedure for subset constraints over regular languages

Reasoning about string variables, in particular program inputs, is an important aspect of many program analyses and testing frameworks. Program inputs invariably arrive as strings, and are often manipulated using high-level string operations such as equality checks, regular expression matching, and string concatenation. It is difficult to reason about these operations because they are not well-integrated into current constraint solvers.We present a decision procedure that solves systems of equations over regular language variables. Given such a system of constraints, our algorithm finds satisfying assignments for the variables in the system. We define this problem formally and render a mechanized correctness proof of the core of the algorithm. We evaluate its scalability and practical utility by applying it to the problem of automatically finding inputs that cause SQL injection vulnerabilities.
A unifying and robust method for efficient envelope-following simulation of PWM/PFM DC-DC converters

The envelope-following (EF) simulation of practical DC-DC converters is challenging due to the presence of digital behavior, strong nonlinearity, complex frequency module schemes and feedback loops. This paper presents a novel EF method for time-domain analysis of DC-DC converters based upon a numerically robust time-delayed phase condition to track the envelopes oaf circuit states under a varying switching frequency. We further develop an EF technique that is applicable to both fixed and varying switching frequency operations, thereby providing a unifying solution to converters with pulse-width modulation (PWM) and/or pulse-frequency modulation (PFM). The robustness and efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated using several DC-DC converter and oscillator circuits modeled using the industrial standard BSIM4 transistor models. A significant runtime speedup of 30× with respect to the conventional transient analysis is achieved for PFM DC-DC converters with strong nonlinear switching characteristics.
The role of mental imagery and emotion in imagined interaction

Imagined interactions, internal dialogues experienced as conversations with significant others, are conceptualized as a form of social cognition. Imagined interactions have important affective components and mental imagery. Results of an investigation demonstrate that verbal imagery is associated with self‐dominance, rehearsal and understanding while visual imagery is associated with more pleasantness. Pleasant imagined interactions are lower in self‐dominance and more similar to actual communication than unpleasant imagined interactions. The results are explained in terms of information processing and relational communication; two categories of imagined interaction reflecting verbal and mixed imagery are also proposed.
Residents' perceptions of effective community representation in local health decision-making.

Abstract Community participation in local health decision-making has been envisioned as a key strategy to improve the design and delivery of health services in the USA. While much literature has sought to understand this participatory approach, considerably fewer studies have engaged the essential first-order question: How would we know who the appropriate community representatives are? An important first analytic step is to learn from community members themselves what characteristics they feel a ‘good' representative should possess. Two primary research questions are addressed: 1) To what degree can low-income adults identify and articulate what they believe constitutes an effective community health representative and 2) What do low-income adults believe are the specific characteristics an effective community health representative should possess? In-depth, open-ended interviews were conducted with 14 African-American and Latino residents of four low-income communities on the Southside of Chicago, USA. A theoretical sampling strategy was used with residents varying by age, education, employment, and years of residence on the Southside. We found that respondents had difficulty articulating what a community health representative might do or generating the names of potential representatives, but were able to express clear preferences for what would constitute good representation when given meaningful choices. Three primary characteristics were identified: 1) outcomes 2) expertise, and 3) active communication. These characteristics did not operate in isolation but together communicated the trust and commitment that respondents found fundamental to representation. In exploring this essential yet often neglected question, we sought to build an empirical foundation to more fully examine the precursors to effective community health representation. These data provide important clues as to how to build an inclusive process that expands rather than constrains the pool of community-based representatives.
Energy transfer between fluorescent organic pigments

Energy transfer between fluorescent organic pigments (fluorophors) dispersed in a paint vehicle was studied for mixtures of a yellow, a red, and an orange fluorescent pigment, and for mixtures of these with titanium dioxide. Radiative energy transfer occurs among the fluorophors, but not between them and titanium dioxide A shift to longer wavelengths of the emission peak of a fluorophor with increasing paint-film thickness was noted and was ascribed to reabsorption and reemission of fluoresced radiation within the overlapping excitation and emission region typical of these organic fluorophors.
Confidential enquiry of stillbirths in current obstetric practice

Objective: Confidential panel enquiry into sub-optimal factors relating to stillbirths. Method: All 121 stillbirths in KK Women's and Children's Hospital in the years 1995 and 1996 were studied. Three assessors reviewed the case records of each death, and panel consensus was reached regarding sub-optimal antenatal care and factors leading to stillbirths. Result: The incidence rate of stillbirth was 4.04 per 1000 deliveries. A total of 76 cases (62.8%) were found to have grade II and III sub-optimal factors in their management. Patients themselves were involved in the sub-optimal management of their own pregnancy in 52.9% of the stillbirths. Primary healthcare givers were involved in 8.3% of all stillbirths, specialist caregivers 12.4% and antenatal care system 4.1%. Conclusion: The study has identified sub-optimal antenatal management in over 60% of cases. As patients' factors form the major contribution towards sub-optimal care, management strategy aimed towards improving patients' education and compliance to antenatal care should be a priority.
Stigmatization of Individuals Who Receive Psychotherapy: An Interaction Between Help-seeking Behavior and the Presence of Depression

Abstract The nature and extent of stigmatization attached to individuals who seek outpatient psychotherapy for depression was investigated. Three hundred and eighty undergraduates were presented one of four case vignettes that were identical, with the exception of the last paragraph in which the treatment history (sought help vs. did not seek help) and type of problem (depression vs. back pain) of the target were manipulated. Participants rated the target on various personality dimensions. An interaction between help-seeking behavior and problem type in perceptions of emotional instability was found. Specifically, whereas an individual experiencing depression was viewed as more emotionally unstable than one who had a back injury, the target who sought help for his depression was viewed as particularly unstable. The findings are discussed in the context of disorders that might go untreated due to stigmatization.
Methods for estimating volatile organic compound emissions from batch processing facilities

Abstract As emphasis changes away from end-of-pipe control technologies to cleaner production technologies, industrial processors seeking to identify and prioritize process changes need first to identify significant sources of waste, both in the form of air emissions as well as in energy and solid waste production. To this end, this paper presents a summary of methods of quantifying and characterizing air pollutants, specifically volatile organic compounds, from batch processing operations as well as from ancillary equipment such as storage tanks, leaking piping components, and wastewater treatment processes. In addition to presenting the basis for the methodologies, some discussion of the degree of confidence that should be imparted on the obtained values is provided.
Review of the mechanisms of action of antiepileptic drugs

Summary Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have measurable effects on neuronal membrane and synaptic function. These mechanisms of action partially predict effectiveness in animal models of epilepsy and in human epilepsy. Carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine and valproic acid (sodium valproate) block voltagedependent sodium channels. Ethosuximide reduces T-type calcium currents. Phenobarbital (phenobarbitone), benzodiazepines, gabapentin, vigabatrin, tiagabine, valproic acid and felbamate enhance the neuronal inhibition induced by y-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Felbamate also decreases the activity of excitatory neurotransmitters. AEDs with known mechanisms of action will further increase the range of options for patients with epilepsy. A rational approach to poly therapy may emerge in the near future, in which medications with complementary, synergistic mechanisms of action are used. Until then, cautious use of medications alone and in combination, with consideration given to mechanisms of action, will enable the large majority of patients with epilepsy to achieve the best possible control of their seizures within the limits of current therapy.
Low-severity Musculoskeletal Complaints Evaluated in the Emergency Department

Patients with musculoskeletal disorders represent a considerable percentage of emergency department volume. Although patients with acute or high-severity conditions are encouraged to seek care in the emergency department, patients with nonacute, low-severity conditions may be better served elsewhere. This study prospectively assessed patients presenting to the emergency department with nonacute, low-severity musculoskeletal conditions to test the hypothesis that these patients have access to care outside the emergency department. One thousand ten adult patients with a musculoskeletal complaint were identified, and a detailed questionnaire was completed by 862 (85.3%) during their emergency department stay. Three hundred fifty (40.6%) patients presented with nonacute, low-severity conditions. Patients with nonacute, low-severity problems were less likely to have a primary care physician (62.5% versus 72.3%) or to have medical insurance (82.5% versus 87.7%), but a majority had both (59.3%). Only 14.3% had neither. Forty-four percent of all patients with primary care physicians believed their primary care physician was incapable of managing musculoskeletal problems. Appropriate use of the emergency department by patients with musculoskeletal disorders may require not only increased access to insurance and primary care, but also improved public understanding of the scope of care offered by primary care physicians and the conflicting demands placed on emergency department providers.
Capsaicin and its effects upon meal patterns, and glucagon and epinephrine suppression of food intake

Abstract The neurotoxin capsaicin has been shown to selectively interfere with unmyelinated sensory fibers, as well as leading to depletions of substance P and other peptides. Meal pattern analysis was performed both before and after treatment with capsaicin in twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Capsaicin treatment only briefly altered feeding patterns. No long term effect on body weight was noted. These same animals were then tested for the appetite suppressing effects of IP injections of glucagon (125 μg/kg) and epinephrine (30 μg/kg). Capsaicin treated rats decreased their intake of sweetened condensed milk during a 30 minute test in response to glucagon and epinephrine. Controls failed to suppress intake in response to glucagon, but drank less milk after epinephrine than did capsaicin treated rats. Efficacy of capsaicin treatment was obtained using similarly treated animals subject to histological evaluation within 2 days of capsaicin treatment. These results suggest that peripherally generated information relayed to the CNS via small-diameter sensory neurons is not a necessary component of the normal hunger/satiety sequence, nor body weight regulation.
Two-dimensional modeling of an optical disk readout.

The design of high density digital optical storage systems requires a thorough understanding of the various interactions affecting the integrity of both data and servo signals under various readout conditions. Here, a 2-D Fourier optic model of the readout system is presented along with an efficient calculational procedure based on 2-D fast Fourier transforms (FFT). The model is utilized to examine the effects of data density, focus errors, tracking errors, lens fill conditions, phase pit depth, etc. on the quality of the readout signal. The derivation of servo signals is also studied through the modeling of a simple diffraction based scheme. It is shown that a reasonably constant servo signal (small variations with focus errors, track depth, or added amplitude data) can be generated by this technique provided that a λ/8 phase groove is present. The same technique can be shown to be unacceptable if an amplitude or λ/4 phase groove is utilized.
Potassium inhibition of calcium and magnesium accumulation in roots of intact maize seedlings

Abstract The effects of solution potassium (K) on the accumulation of magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) in roots was assessed with 7‐day‐old corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Root accumulation of Ca and Mg was studied in replacement type experiments, i.e. the ratio of Ca to Mg was altered but the concentration of Ca plus Mg was kept constant at 2 mM. Concentrations of Ca in the tissue after 12 h exceeded that of Mg, except when Mg comprised over 85% of the divalent cations in the uptake solution. The addition of 0.1 mM K to the Uptake solutions significantly altered the accumulation of Ca and Mg. The concentration of Mg was affected more than that of Ca. The relative effects of solution K on Mg and Ca accumulation in roots could be explained by comparing the relative acid‐base characteristics of the metals.
Abstract B4: An important regulatory role of HDM2 in tumor angiogenesis pathway.

HDM2 is a master regulator and plays an important role in Tumor angiogenesis. To confirm this hypothesis, we used wild type LNCaP and HDM2 transfected LNCaP-MST prostate cancer cells for our study. In the HDM2 transfected cells we observed 96% higher HDM2 protein expression compared to LNCaP cells. In general, HDM2 over expression has been reported to be a potential cause for p53 degradation in many cancer cells. To confirm this negative correlation, p53 level was observed in HDM2 transfected cells. Compared to the wild type cells, only 10% of the p53 level was found in the HDM2 transfected LNCaP-MST cells. This confirms our speculation that, HDM2 mediated degradation of p53 may occur in LNCaP-MST cells. Following HDM2 transfection, the VEGF level was also increased by 180% in LNCaP-MST cells compared to LNCaP cells. Since, previous studies have indicated that HIF-1α has a major role in inducing VEGF transcription, we determined the level of HIF-1α in both cells. In LNCaP-MST cells, nearly 90% higher HIF-1α protein level was observed, this might be due to the inhibition of both prolyl hydroxylase and factor inhibiting HIF (FIH) activity by HDM2, which are essential to hydroxylate HIF-1α in critical position. Once, hydroxylated, HIF-1α can no longer bind to p300 and induce VEGF transcription. In addition, an increase in the activated form of STAT3 (p-STAT3) causing elevated VEGF transcription has been previously reported in many cancer cells. Accordingly, the p-STAT3 protein expressions observed in HDM2 transfected LNCaP-MST cells were 15 folds higher compared to the non-transfected wild type LNCaP cells. A negative regulatory role of p53 in controlling the levels of active STAT3 has also been previously reported in prostate cancer cell lines. Hence, it is suggested that HDM2 might be inducing the expression of active STAT3 by degrading p53 protein in LNCaP-MST cells. Overall, our results demonstrate that HDM2 has an important role in regulating the VEGF transcription via modulating HIF-1α and STAT3 protein expressions. We thank the Royal Dames of Fort Lauderdale, Inc. for their support. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B4.
Optimization of the Activated Sludge Process

AbstractThis paper presents a multiobjective model for optimization of the activated sludge process (ASP) in a wastewater-treatment plant (WWTP). To minimize the energy consumption of the activated sludge process and maximize the quality of the effluent, three different objective functions are modeled [i.e., the airflow rate, the carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) of the effluent, and the total suspended solids (TSS) of the effluent]. These models are developed using a multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network based on industrial data. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the controlled variable in these objectives. A multiobjective model that included these objectives is solved with a multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm. Computation results are reported for three trade-offs between energy savings and the quality of the effluent. A 15% reduction in airflow can be achieved by optimal settings of dissolved oxygen, provided that energy savings take precedence over the quality of the ...