cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Grain growth in nanocrystalline nickel films at low temperature and stress

The influence of temperature and stress on grain growth was investigated in nanocrystalline nickel thin films in situ inside a transmission electron microscope. Independently, temperature and stress did not show any appreciable effect. However, concurrent loading at only 20% of melting temperature and 20% of yield stress resulted in significant grain boundary mobility and grain growth. We propose that grain growth in nanocrystals is a stress-heterogeneity-relieving mechanism that may not necessarily be associated with plasticity as proposed in the literature.
The Design of Current Carrying Mechanisms Operating in a Magnetic Field

Extensions to earlier work presented on the electrodynamics of a planar mechanism moving in a magnetic field are considered in this paper. The effects of damping and self-fields are added to the equations of motion. These equations are then integrated numerically for an example design having a constant torque input, a constant angular velocity input, and a constant voltage input. The results of numerous parametric studies are then presented as a basis for design of these devices. Finally the results of experimental work are presented in order to verify the numerical model.
Exercise Stress Echocardiography After Childhood Ross Surgery: Functional Outcome in 26 Patients From a Single Institution

Adult studies suggest a better functional outcome after aortic valve replacement with a pulmonary autograft compared with mechanical or homograft valves. Little is known about functional results after Ross surgery in growing children. This study reports formal exercise stress echocardiographic data from 26 pediatric Ross patients. A retrospective cohort study analyzed stress echocardiographic data of patients who underwent Ross surgery as a child (<17 years old). All patients were operated by a single surgeon and underwent a Bruce protocol stress echocardiogram on the treadmill. Twenty-six patients (4 girls) were 9.3 ± 5.0 years at surgery and 14.9 ± 3.5 years (range 6.6–19.7 years) at follow-up. Mean follow-up was 5.4 ± 3.7 years (median 4.2). All were asymptomatic. The exercise time was normal in 87% of cases at 12.8 ± 2.5 min. On stress echocardiography, the mean right-ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) gradient increased from 38 ± 22 mmHg at rest to 82 ± 33 mmHg after exercise, but this did not correlate with exercise times. Stress echocardiography is useful in evaluating patients after childhood Ross surgery for aortic valve disease. In this pediatric cohort, most patients achieved normal exercise capacity. The presence of mild or moderate RVOT obstruction had no significant impact on exercise capacity.
Exacerbation of Asthma by Florida “Red Tide” During an Ocean Sailing Trip

A 36-year-old man with adult-onset nonallergic triad asthma developed acute bronchospasm and copious sputum production during an offshore sailing excursion on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Symptoms were linked to proximity to blooms of the marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis ("red tide") and heavy aerosolized brevetoxin exposure, and symptoms recurred during rechallenge. Patients with respiratory disease who are planning a visit to red tide-prone seaside areas should be cautioned to bring their pulmonary medications, and clinicians should be aware that reactive airway symptoms may be triggered by exposure to red tide.
Cars spectroscopy of gas phase CD3

Abstract Transient CARS spectroscopy has been used to study the Raman-active ν 1 (symmetric C-D stretch) vibration-rotation band of CD 3 radicals formed by gas phase laser photolysis of azomethane- d 6 . The following spectroscopic constants have been deduced: band origin=2157.5 cm −1 , Δ B =−0.026 cm −1 , Δ C =−0.018 cm −1 , and X 12 =−5 cm −1 .
Astrometric Observations of the Faint Outer Satellites of Jupiter During the 1993 Opposition

Astrometric positions for the faint outer Jovian satellites VI-XIII during the 1993 opposition have been obtained from the measurement of plates taken with the 2.1 m Otto Struve reflector at McDonald Observatory.
Fouling of nanofiltration membranes in full- and bench-scale systems treating groundwater containing silica

Abstract To better understand full-scale fouling of nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes, it is common to autopsy a membrane element from a specific location in the full-scale system of interest, or conduct fouling tests at bench and pilot scale. However, several factors that may impact fouling at full scale vary along full-scale membrane systems and are difficult to recreate at bench and pilot scale. Thus, we performed an in-depth comparison of fouling in membranes at the lead and tail ends of a full-scale nanofiltration system treating a groundwater containing silica, as well as in a membrane fouled at bench scale with concentrate water from the full-scale system. We characterized the elemental composition, chemistry and structure of the foulant layers, and water permeability recovery upon chemical cleaning. Results showed that while there were apparent physico-chemical differences between the foulant layers of membranes fouled at the lead and tail ends of the full-scale system, water permeability recovery upon cleaning was similar for the two membranes. Bench-scale fouling tests produced foulant layers that were different in composition from those generated at full scale and led to the incorrect conclusion in terms of which was the optimum cleaning solution at full-scale. The dissimilarities between bench and full scale results were likely caused by the various challenges in reproducing full-scale conditions at bench-scale, particularly the inability to maintain anoxic conditions and use a one-pass filtration scheme. Thus, to determine the optimum cleaning solutions for the full-scale system, it was preferable to conduct bench-scale cleaning tests on a membrane fouled at full scale than to attempt recreating fouling at bench scale; this finding may hold true for other anoxic waters. In this study, we also introduce Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) for elemental and structural characterization of foulant layers. Our results showed that RBS is able to depth profile the elemental composition of the first few microns from the surface of foulant layers, which is information that the more commonly used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses cannot provide.
Efficient SIMD evaluation of image processing programs

SIMD parallel systems have been employed for image processing and computer vision applications since their inception. This paper describes a system in which parallel programs are implemented using a machine-independent, retargetable object library that provides SIMD execution on the Lockheed Martin PAL-I SIMD parallel processor. Programs' performance on this machine is improved through on-the-fly execution analysis and scheduling. We describe the relevant elements of the system structure, the general scheme for execution analysis, and the current cost model for scheduling.
Purification of Hsp104, a Protein Disaggregase

Hsp104 is a hexameric AAA+ protein1 from yeast, which couples ATP hydrolysis to protein disaggregation2-10 (Fig. 1). This activity imparts two key selective advantages. First, renaturation of disordered aggregates by Hsp104 empowers yeast survival after various protein-misfolding stresses, including heat shock3,5,11,12. Second, remodeling of cross-beta amyloid fibrils by Hsp104 enables yeast to exploit myriad prions (infectious amyloids) as a reservoir of beneficial and heritable phenotypic variation13-22. Remarkably, Hsp104 directly remodels preamyloid oligomers and amyloid fibrils, including those comprised of the yeast prion proteins Sup35 and Ure223-30. This amyloid-remodeling functionality is a specialized facet of yeast Hsp104. The E. coli orthologue, ClpB, fails to remodel preamyloid oligomers or amyloid fibrils26,31,32. Hsp104 orthologues are found in all kingdoms of life except, perplexingly, animals. Indeed, whether animal cells possess any enzymatic system that couples protein disaggregation to renaturation (rather than degradation) remains unknown33-35. Thus, we and others have proposed that Hsp104 might be developed as a therapeutic agent for various neurodegenerative diseases connected with the misfolding of specific proteins into toxic preamyloid oligomers and amyloid fibrils4,7,23,36-38. There are no treatments that directly target the aggregated species associated with these diseases. Yet, Hsp104 dissolves toxic oligomers and amyloid fibrils composed of alpha-synuclein, which are connected with Parkinson's Disease23 as well as amyloid forms of PrP39. Importantly, Hsp104 reduces protein aggregation and ameliorates neurodegeneration in rodent models of Parkinson's Disease23 and Huntington's disease38. Ideally, to optimize therapy and minimize side effects, Hsp104 would be engineered and potentiated to selectively remodel specific aggregates central to the disease in question4,7. However, the limited structural and mechanistic understanding of how Hsp104 disaggregates such a diverse repertoire of aggregated structures and unrelated proteins frustrates these endeavors30,40-42. To understand the structure and mechanism of Hsp104, it is essential to study the pure protein and reconstitute its disaggregase activity with minimal components. Hsp104 is a 102kDa protein with a pI of ~5.3, which hexamerizes in the presence of ADP or ATP, or at high protein concentrations in the absence of nucleotide43-46. Here, we describe an optimized protocol for the purification of highly active, stable Hsp104 from E. coli. The use of E. coli allows simplified large-scale production and our method can be performed quickly and reliably for numerous Hsp104 variants. Our protocol increases Hsp104 purity and simplifies His6-tag removal compared to a previous purification method from E. coli47. Moreover, our protocol is more facile and convenient than two more recent protocols26,48.
Low-dose dietary resveratrol has differential effects on colorectal tumorigenesis in adiponectin knockout and wild-type mice.

Obesity is associated with a decrease in the antiinflammatory hormone, adiponectin, and increases in the circulating concentrations of multiple proinflammatory cytokines. These changes contribute to colon tumorigenesis. Resveratrol increases adiponectin production in adipocytes and attenuates the development of colon cancer. Thus, we hypothesized that adiponectin is an integral component of the mechanism by which resveratrol antagonizes colorectal tumorigenesis. To investigate this, we induced tumorigenesis in adiponectin knockout (KO) and wild-type (Wt) C57BL/6 mice through combined azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate treatment during which mice were fed a high-fat, lard-based diet, or the same diet containing 20 mg/kg resveratrol. After 14 wk on diet, Wt mice gained more weight and, on a percentage basis, had higher fat mass and lower lean mass than KO mice. Resveratrol tended to attenuate this response in male Wt mice. Resveratrol also tended to reduce aberrant crypt foci development and decrease c...
Short-Term Enzyme Replacement in the Murine Model of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B

Abstract The Sanfilippo syndrome type B (MPS III B) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by deficiency of α- N -acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.50), one of the lysosomal enzymes required for the degradation of heparan sulfate. The disease is characterized by profound neurodegeneration but relatively mild somatic manifestations, and is usually fatal in the second decade. A mouse model had been generated by disruption of the Naglu gene in order to facilitate the study of pathogenesis and the development of therapy for this currently untreatable disease. Recombinant human α- N -acetylglucosaminidase (rhNAGLU) was prepared from secretions of Lec 1 mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells. The enzyme, which has only unphosphorylated high-mannose carbohydrate chains, was endocytosed by mouse peritoneal macrophages via mannose receptors, with half-maximal uptake at ca. 10 −7 M. When administered intravenously to 3 month-old mice, rhNAGLU was taken up avidly by liver and spleen but marginally if at all by thymus, lung, kidney, heart, and brain (in order of diminishing uptake). The half-life of the enzyme was 2.5 days in liver and spleen. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy showed that only macrophages were involved in enzyme uptake and correction in these two organs, yet the storage of glycosaminoglycan was reduced to almost normal levels. The results show that the macrophage-targeted rhNAGLU can substantially reduce the body burden of glycosaminoglycan storage in the mouse model of Sanfilippo syndrome III B.
On the Throughput of Channel Access Algorithms with Limited Sensing

We consider some access protocols for Aloha type multiaccess channels. We argue, and show in an important case, that they can be modified to allow new transmitters to join the system at arbitrary times. This feature, known as "limited sensing" or "continuous entry," need not reduce throughput performances. In the case presented, the modified algorithm is also robust with respect to feedback errors.
Photometric and interferometric observations of recent SAR arc events

Intensification de la temperature de l'arc SAR observe en octobre 80, mai et octobre 1981 a Albany
INVERSE ENERGY CASCADES IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL TURBULENCE

Fully three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence at large kinetic and low magnetic Reynolds numbers is considered in the presence of a strong uniform magnetic field. It is shown by numerical simulation of a model of MHD that the energy inverse cascades to longer length scales when the interaction parameter is large. While the steady-state dynamics of the driven problem is three-dimensional in character, the behavior has resemblance to two-dimensional hydrodynamics. These results have implications in turbulence theory, MHD power generator, planetary dynamos, and fusion reactor blanket design.
Generation of multivariate Weibull random variates

A simple and efficient method for generating correlated multivariate Weibull random variables with arbitrary fading parameters and arbitrary average powers is proposed. The multivariate Weibull random variables generated via this method can be used to simulate the performance of wireless communication systems with any diversity order or channel impulse response length, under arbitrary correlated Weibull fading conditions.
Metastable Pitting of Aluminum and Criteria for the Transition to Stable Pit Growth

Analysis of current spikes associated with pitting events was performed on high purity Al loop wire electrodes over a range of Cl[sup [minus]] concentrations (10[sup [minus]4] to 1M) and potentiostatically applied potentials. A distribution of pitting and repassivation potentials was observed at each Cl[sup [minus]] concentration. Factors controlling the transition from metastable to stable pitting were identified by comparing the electrochemical behaviors of stable pits at elapsed times equal to the mean lifetime of metastable pits. This comparison also provided insight on the origins of statistical distributions of pitting potentials. The key differences were that (1) stable pits had a faster rate of rise in pit current which implies a faster growth rate and subsequently, larger pit radii at times equal to metastable pit lifetimes, and (2) stable pits satisfied the criterion I[sub pit]/r[sub pit] > 10[sup [minus]2] A/cm, at all times during growth, indicating that a concentrated AlCl[sub 3] solution must be maintained for pit survival. However, the pit growth rates were ohmically limited near the pitting potential. Chromate inhibitor decreased the metastable pit nucleation rate and minimized pit growth rates so that the 10[sup [minus]2] A/cm criterion was difficult to achieve; hence the chance for pit stabilization wasmore » reduced.« less
Synthesis of methyl α-glycosides of some higher oligosaccharide fragments of the O-antigen of Vibrio cholerae O1, serotype Inaba and Ogawa

The title oligosaccharides, the tri- through the hexasaccharide in the Inaba series and the penta- and the hexasaccharide in the Ogawa series, have been synthesized using 1-thioglycosides of precursors to 3-O-benzyl-perosamine (4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-D-mannose) as building blocks and N-iodosuccinimide/silver triflate as a promoter. The azido groups in the assembled oligosaccharides were reduced to amino groups, which were then acylated using 2,4-O-benzylidene-3-deoxy-L-glycero-tetronic acid as the derivatizing reagent. Catalytic hydrogenolysis, simultaneously of the benzyl and benzylidene groups, gave the desired products that were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.
Markets, Democracy, and New Private Business in Russia

A political scientist examines the relationship between private property and elections, using a survey of 500 business elites in Russia. Specific attention is paid to how the type of property held by company managers influences their support for promarket parties and the holding of elections.
Electrical properties of the inorganic papers

A discussion of the electrical properties of both the naturally occurring paper-forming inorganic materials and the synthetically prepared fine inorganic fibers is followed by a presentation of various applications.
Buddhism and Romanticism

Although Buddhism was quite likely first encountered by Europeans during the Greek military incursion into Central Asia led by Alexander the Great, complete knowledge of the religion inaugurated by the historical Buddha only emerged into European consciousness during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a temporal period when economic colonialism, enlightenment epistemology, linguistic Orientalism, and emergent romanticism combined to create the conditions for the full flowering of the dharma in Europe. The following essay provides a preliminary analysis of the historical conditions governing phases of punctuated encounters between Europeans and Buddhist cultures and the developing intellectual contexts during the period of romanticism that ultimately led to the emergence and subsequent reception of Buddhism in European literature and philosophy. The opening section of the essay briefly maps critical coincidences between these seemingly disparate systems of thought and practice; the second section thoroughly traces the long history of punctuated encounters that peaks during the romantic period itself; and the third section analyzes the counterflow of textual materials from colonial circumferences like Nepal and Tibet to centers of Orientalist scholarship in Russia, England, France, and Germany and their subsequent reception and assimilation within Western thought.
5,10,15-tris(o-aminophenyl) corrole (TAPC) as a versatile synthon for the preparation of corrole-based hemoprotein analogs.

The atropisomers of 5,10,15-tris(o-aminophenyl) corrole (αβα, ααβ, and ααα) are metastable at room temperature as a result of the low rotational barrier of the o-aminophenyl pickets adjacent to the bipyrrole moiety. Atropisomer enrichment of TAPC was required for the preparation of picket fence, triazacyclononane-capped, and trisimidazole-ααα-corroles. A racemic α2β model of cis-A2B geometry was also obtained by linking two cis anilines with a short strap and inserting an imidazole tail on the opposite face of TAPC.
Two-phase (air-water) flow patterns and pressure drop in the presence of helical wire ribs

Abstract An examination of two-phase flow patterns and pressure drops in single and double helically ribbed circular tubes has been performed. The present studies were conducted in both a 2.54 and 5.1 cm circular tube using low pressure air—water mixtures maintained at room temperature. Ribs of a circular cross section were utilized with heights of 0.32, 0.64 and 1.27 cm. Helical twist ratios of 1.2, 2.1, 2.3 and 2.5 were used. Results indicate that swirling annular flow is seen at low qualities once a minimum liquid velocity is exceeded. Therefore, it is expected that an enhancement of the critical heat flux would also occur above this minimum liquid velocity. Dimensionless correlations have been devised for the various flow pattern transitions which were observed.
Goniometric and conoscopic measurements of angular display contrast for one-, three-, five-, and nine-million-pixel medical liquid crystal displays.

Active-matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs) have become the preferred choice for displaying digital diagnosticimages because of their low cost of ownership, high contrast, and small footprint. However, the contrast and luminance of AMLCDs changes significantly with viewing direction. In this paper, we use a goniometric and a conoscopic method to measure angular contrast and luminance in one-, three-, five-, and nine-million-pixel medical AMLCDs. The viewing angle characteristics of the displays are compared by evaluating the compliance with the desired grayscale and recommended tolerance limits. Using the measuredcontrast responses, we determined the angle along each of the orthogonal and diagonal axes for which the luminance ratio drops to 0.5, 0.2, and 0.1 of the maximum ratio, seen at perpendicular viewing. The results show a reduction as large as 54% in available JND levels between the perpendicular and off-normal viewing directions. All of the display systems proved to have better angular response in the horizontal and vertical direction as compared to the diagonal directions, and none were able to satisfy a 20% contrast tolerance limit for any viewing direction lying in a cone at an angle of 45° from the normal. Additionally, we show that the measuredcontrast can be significantly affected by the measurement method used to record the angular change in luminance.
A Comment on Ridge Regression. Biased Estimation for Non-Orthogonal Problems

In a recent issue of Technometrics, Hoer1 and Kennard [l] presented a comprehensive discussion of the problem of biased estimation in multiple regression that fits into the general linear hypothesis model of full rank. An alternative characterization of the form of the biased estimator has been presented in this note, and an “existence theorem” proven indicating that there exists a k such that the biased estimation based on the proposed characterization would still lead to increased accuracy.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: Laboratory Support for Management and Treatment

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition in which hemostasis is altered, resulting in unregulated activation of the coagulation cascade. The hallmarks of DIC are thrombosis (from excess clotting), bleeding (from consumption of the coagulation proteins), and thrombocytopenia and anemia (from mechanical destruction of red cells and platelets by coagulation in the microvasculature). DIC is not an isolated disease, it is a symptom of another illness such as endothelial trauma, sepsis, malignancy, or a complication of pregnancy. Therefore, treatment of the underlying medical condition and supportive care with blood products is the mainstay of therapy for DIC. Measurement of platelet count, prothrombin time/activated partial thromboplastin time (PT/aPTT), fibrinogen, and D-dimer, can help diagnose DIC, but treating with blood components only to correct abnormal laboratory tests may not be efficacious. Replenishing coagulation factors, platelets, and red cells should be attempted cautiously as dictated by the clinical scenario. In this report, we discuss the role of the blood bank in helping to manage DIC in hematologic malignancy. * RBC : red blood cells; PT : prothrombin time; aPTT : activated partial thromboplastin time; DIC : disseminated intravascular coagulation; FFP : fresh frozen plasma; TRALI : transfusion-related acute lung injury; AHF : antihemophilic factor; UK : United Kingdom; APL : acute promyelocytic leukemia ; MCV : mean corpuscular volume; AML : acute myelogenous leukemia; PML : promyelocytic leukemia; RARA : retinoic acid receptor-alpha; FP24 : plasma frozen within 24 hours after phlebotomy; TP : thawed plasma
Weight Loss and Wasting in Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Weight loss and muscle wasting remain significant clinical problems, even in the era of potent antiretroviral therapy. In patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), wasting, particularly loss of metabolically active lean tissue, has been associated with increased mortality, accelerated disease progression, loss of muscle protein mass, and impairment of strength and functional status. Factors that may contribute to wasting include inadequate intake, malabsorptive disorders, metabolic alterations, hypogonadism, and excessive cytokine production. Evidence now demonstrates that nutritional counseling and support, appetite stimulants, progressive resistance training, and anabolic hormones can reverse weight loss and increase lean body mass in HIV-infected patients. Despite a growing body of evidence on the importance of nutritional intervention to prevent wasting in adults, maintain growth velocity in children, and promote restoration of weight and lean body mass in stable, low-weight patients, no therapeutic guidelines currently exist for the management of weight loss and wasting in HIV-infected patients. Principles and guidelines for assessment and management of weight loss and wasting in patients with HIV/AIDS are presented.
Assortative preferences for stripes in danios

Decisions about joining social groups are often contingent on one’s own phenotypic characteristics and those of existing group members. Zebrafish and their allies (genus Danio) vary substantially in the expression of conspicuous lateral stripes. We presented wild-type zebrafish (D. rerio), two artificially selected D. rerio strains with reduced stripe expression, as well as the stripeless D. albolineatus and the striped D. nigrofasciatus, with simultaneous choices between synthetic, computer-animated shoals of stripeless and striped Danio. Each species and strain of Danio preferred the phenotype that most resembled its own, with a strong preference for striped stimuli by fish with dark-stripe phenotypes, and a strong preference for no stripes by fish lacking stripes. Stripes are therefore a key shoaling cue in Danio. Individuals appear to acquire a general preference for stripes, or no stripes, as a consequence of experience with a specific stripe phenotype.
From global discourse to local action: the makings of a sexual rights movement?

This paper focuses on the development of discourses around sexual rights, linking tendencies in official global dialogues with national and local realities. Recognizing some of the factors that have facilitated or impeded discourses and action to promote sexual rights around the world, we explore the principles and processes of framing sexual rights and sexual citizenship. We consider political opportunity and the mobilization of resources as important as cultural and emotional interpretations of sexual rights in conceptualizing a "sexual rights movement". Throughout the paper we question whether a movement based on solidarity can be forged between different social movements (i.e., feminist movements, HIV/AIDS movements, LGBT movements, etc.) that are advocating for distinct sexual rights. While theoretically sexual rights range from protection from sexual violation to the celebration of sexual pleasure, in reality the agendas of sexual rights movements are still largely fragmented, heteronormative, and focused on negative rights.
Talking drums and ethical conundrums

Malian women and children represent the poorest as well as the most difficult to reach through written media. The interrelated practices of dancing, drumming, and storytelling transmit history, cultural beliefs, and current events for people who do not read and write. Researchers in the social sciences and officials for international aid organizations struggle with the circulation and reception of public health literature. They now recognize that native non-governmental organizations with staff that are fluent not only in the native languages but also in the social mores, better communicate with under-served populations through means other than billboards, pamphlets, or power-point presentations. The body, in both a general Western and Malian tradition, plays a particular role in how we come to know the world. This paper describes research conducted in Mali on female circumcision with international aid organizations, native NGOs, and independent human rights activists. Three interconnected areas form a triangular framework: how different research methods like dancing, drumming, storytelling, and soccer can offer valuable phenomenological insights to lived experience; the ethics of learning and listening to these various voices that transmit sexual health knowledge; and the ethics of engaging and disseminating such knowledge. The talking drums elicit new ways of seeing, being, and listening along with ethical ethnographic conundrums.
Rapamycin suppresses seizures and neuronal hypertrophy in a mouse model of cortical dysplasia

Malformations of the cerebral cortex known as cortical dysplasia account for the majority of cases of intractable childhood epilepsy. With the exception of the tuberous sclerosis complex, the molecular basis of most types of cortical dysplasia is completely unknown. Currently, there are no good animal models available that recapitulate key features of the disease, such as structural cortical abnormalities and seizures, hindering progress in understanding and treating cortical dysplasia. At the neuroanatomical level, cortical abnormalities may include dyslamination and the presence of abnormal cell types, such as enlarged and misoriented neurons and neuroglial cells. Recent studies in resected human brain tissue suggested that a misregulation of the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)-Akt-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway might be responsible for the excessive growth of dysplastic cells in this disease. Here, we characterize neuronal subset (NS)-Pten mutant mice as an animal model of cortical dysplasia. In these mice, the Pten gene, which encodes a suppressor of the PI3K pathway, was selectively disrupted in a subset of neurons by using Cre-loxP technology. Our data indicate that these mutant mice, like cortical dysplasia patients, exhibit enlarged cortical neurons with increased mTOR activity, and abnormal electroencephalographic activity with spontaneous seizures. We also demonstrate that a short-term treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin strongly suppresses the severity and the duration of the seizure activity. These findings support the possibility that this drug may be developed as a novel antiepileptic treatment for patients with cortical dysplasia and similar disorders.
Measurement and automatic correction of high-order B0 inhomogeneity in the rat brain at 11.7 Tesla.

Abstract In vivo B 0 inhomogeneity in the rat brain at 11.7 Tesla was measured and decomposed up to the fourth-order spherical harmonic terms using an automatic slice shimming routine derived from the FLATNESS method. In vivo shimming of horizontal slices showed that significant improvement in the T 2 *-weighted echo-planar imaging was achieved after correction of all first-, second- and third-order in-slice shims. For localized proton spectroscopy, reproducible, high quality data were obtained after correcting all first- and second-order shims. The measured high-order in vivo B 0 inhomogeneity in terms of spherical harmonic terms should provide a useful guide for designing shims to meet in vivo requirements.
Is Helicobacter pylori a cause of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

My hypothesis is that infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is caused in some cases by Helicobacter pylori (HP) a bacterium commonly found in the human stomach. IHPS is an idiopathic condition of infancy. It occurs at about 5 weeks of age in 3 per 1000 newborns. Children with IHPS have structurally normal pylori at birth and do not resemble children with congenital anomalies. Some nonspecific evidence (temporal distribution, seasonality, familial clustering, leukocytic infiltrates, and increased risk with bottle feeding) are compatible with an infectious etiology. Some other epidemiologic features of IHPS, such as its strong male predominance, its racial and social class variation, and a possible drop in its incidence, are also features of HP infection. Clinical features of IHPS, such as vomiting, hematemesis, and esophagitis, are also consistent with HP. Finally, children with IHPS appear to be more likely to develop chronic conditions, such as peptic ulcers, now known to be caused by HP.
Variation in the Group-Specific Carbohydrate of Group A Streptococci. II. Studies on the Chemical Basis for Serological Specificity of the Carbohydrates.

Soil organisms have been isolated which elaborate induced enzymes capable of attacking group A and variant (V) streptococcal carbohydrates. The V enzyme hydrolyzes V carbohydrate extensively to dialyzable split products with resultant total loss of precipitating activity with homologous antisera. The split products inhibit the reaction between intact V carbohydrate and its antiserum: evidence is presented which indicates that rhamnose oligosaccharides are responsible for the inhibitory effect. The serological specificity of the V carbohydrate thus appears to be primarily dependent on a rhamnose-rhamnose linkage. The effect of the A enzyme on A carbohydrate is characterized by the removal of 50 to 70 per cent of the total glucosamine in the form of free N-acetyl-glucosamine. As a result of this treatment, the residual carbohydrate loses its reactivity with specific group A antisera and at the same time develops markedly increased cross-reactivity with V antisera. This cross-reactivity is in turn eliminated by treatment with V enzyme. The evidence suggests that the specificity of group A carbohydrate is determined to a large extent by side chains of N-acetyl-glucosamine which also serve to mask underlying rhamnose-rhamnose linkages with V specificity.
Incidence of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome in adolescents who have pelvic inflammatory disease.

Abstract Purpose We determined the incidence of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome (FHCS) in adolescents who had mild to moderately severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Harris County Juvenile Detention Center, April 2000–April 2006. Participants Incarcerated female adolescents. Intervention In patients who met accepted criteria for the diagnosis of PID, we determined the proportion that had right upper quadrant pain that responded to therapy for PID. They were diagnosed as having FHCS. Results The 117 subjects' mean age (SD) was 15.6 (1.8) years; 37% were Hispanic, 34% black, and 26% white. 5/117 (4.3%, 95% confidence interval 1.4–9.7%) had symptomatic FHCS. Fifteen (13%) of all subjects, including 1 with FHCS, had fever and/or nausea and vomiting (moderately severe PID): none had generalized peritonitis or tubo-ovarian abscess (severe PID). Thirty-four had chlamydial, 4 gonorrheal, and 9 combined infections. All improved with standard outpatient PID therapy. Conclusion FHCS was uncommon (4%) in adolescents who had mild to moderate PID and chlamydia as the most common pathogen.
Rhythmic robot arm control using oscillators

This paper presents an approach to robot arm control based on exploiting the dynamical properties of a simple oscillator circuit coupled to the joints of an arm. Using the same architecture, a wide variety of tasks can be achieved without any explicit modeling of the arm or its environment. The inherent properties of the oscillators give robustness to perturbations and changes in frequency. The approach is implemented on two compliant arms, and is demonstrated to swing pendulums at their natural frequencies, turn cranks and manipulate 'Slinky' toys.
BMI cut points to identify at-Risk asian americans for type 2 diabetes screening

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an Asian is a person with origins from the Far East (China, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia), Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Laos, etc.), or the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal); each region has several ethnicities, each with a unique culture, language, and history. In 2011, 18.2 million U.S. residents self-identified as Asian American, with more than two-thirds foreign-born (1). In 2012, Asian Americans were the nation’s fastest-growing racial or ethnic group, with a growth rate over four times that of the total U.S. population. International migration has contributed >60% of the growth rate in this population (1). Among Asian Americans, the Chinese population was the largest (4.0 million), followed by Filipinos (3.4 million), Asian Indians (3.2 million), Vietnamese (1.9 million), Koreans (1.7 million), and Japanese (1.3 million). Nearly three-fourths of all Asian Americans live in 10 states—California, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, Washington, Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania (1). By 2060, the Asian American population is projected to more than double to 34.4 million, with its share of the U.S. population climbing from 5.1 to 8.2% in the same period (2). Although it is clear that increased body weight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, the relationship between body weight and type 2 diabetes is more properly attributable to the quantity and distribution of body fat (3–5). Abdominal circumference and waist and hip measurements, although highly correlated with cardiometabolic risk (6,7), do not differentiate subcutaneous from visceral adipose abdominal depots and are subject to interobserver variability. Imaging and other approaches can be used to more accurately assess fat distribution and quantify adiposity (4,8), but they are not readily available, economical, or useable on …
The Internet and consumer electronics

The Internet is the new infrastructure. It requires that we rethink the nature of devices. They no longer need be isolated. The cost of tapping into the global network is very low and the new capabilities are compelling. The designs need not be limited by what the device can do alone. We need to learn how to create such devices. What capabilities should be available locally and which can be shifted to a more sophisticated device such as a personal computer. How does a device maintain a relationship to the manufacturer? In order to take advantage of these opportunities we need simple and robust protocols. Unlike an isolated device where one manufacturer can take full responsibility for the devices' function, the new device can be affected by the misbehavior of other devices and must be resilient even when other devices fail. A device that cannot cooperate with other devices will be like the typewriter-a story for one's grandchildren. Like the days we used to multiply numbers by using a slide rule.
CELL CONTACT DEPENDENCE OF SURFACE GALACTOSYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY AS A FUNCTION OF THE CELL CYCLE

Mitotic, nonmalignant Balb/c 3T3 cells exhibit endogenous, surface galactosyltransferase activity that does not require intercellular contact throughout the assay period. In this respect, mitotic 3T3 cells resemble malignant Balb/c 3T12 cells which similarly show no contact requirement for optimum transferase activity in any phase of their cell cycle. Previously, it was shown that randomly growing populations of 3T3 cells have lower galactosyltransferase activity when assayed under conditions which decreased cell contact. This led to the conclusion that these normal (3T3) and malignant (3T12) cells differed in that intercellular contact is required for optimum activity of surface galactosyltransferases on the normal cell type. The present data indicate that mitotic 3T3 cells may be capable of expressing enzyme activities exhibited at all times by malignant cells. That is, mitotic 3T3 cells and randomly growing 3T12 cells may readily catalyze galactosyltransferase reactions between enzymes and acceptors on the same cell. Interphase 3T3 cells, on the other hand, might require that enzymes glycosylate acceptors on adjacent cells. A model is proposed that suggests that changes in the spatial arrangement of surface enzymes and acceptors or variations in the fluidity of the cell membrane can account for this contact-related glycosylation.
Fibre optics systems for space applications

Abstract Fibre optics offer many advantages over conventional wire systems for satellite communications; they include low weight, large bandwidth capacity, simple architecture for data bussing, electromagnetic interference (EMI) invulnerability, and cost-effectiveness. However, additional development work and reliability data are required for better performance and system implementation. Radiation effects on fibre optics are reviewed, and potential areas of fibre optics space systems application are explored.
Network cache model for wireless proxy caching

We propose a wireless network cache model to facilitate the cooperative proxy caching in wireless base stations. A self-configured and adaptive virtual proxy graph (VPG) is used to achieve efficient data search, data cache and data replication. Based on demand, the aggregate effect of data caching, searching and replicating actions by individual proxies automatically distributes cached Web documents closer to the interested mobile clients. Our performance study demonstrates that the proposed individual-based wireless proxy caching scheme outperforms existing caching schemes in terms of different performance metrics.
Suicide Attempt Patterns Among the Navajo Indians

THIS IS A REPORT of seven and one-half months of an on-going study of suicide and suicide attempts among the Navajo people. The study was undertaken in order to define the magnitude of the problem and to identify the high risk population. To date there have been only a few studies on successful suicides and even less on suicide attempts.A suicide report form was constructed. Copies were made available to all facilities serving the Navajo Indian Reservation. The psysician first having contact with a pateint filled out the form and returned it to the authors for review and tabulation.Results show that the highest risk group is younger than the general psychiatric population served. Drug ingestion is the most common method used. We have not found great differences between this population and other non- Indian populations described in the literature. This is true in respect to methods used as well as precipitating events.It seems clear that suicide attempt is a real problem for the Navajo. It is no greater, h...
Models for overlapping coverage areas in cellular and micro-cellular communication systems

Several models are presented for overlapping coverage areas based on hexagonal, square and linear layouts of cells. Mixtures of these arrangements, as well as less regular configurations, are likely to arise as cellular and microcellular systems are deployed in high-density communication traffic areas and along roadways. For each layout, the fraction of total area that is covered by a given number of fixed sites is determined and plotted as a function of transceiver range. >
The MMST computer-integrated manufacturing system framework

Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) is the harmonious connection, integration, and interoperation of automation equipment within a manufacturing facility. In a semiconductor wafer fab, this includes integration of the processing equipment with all of the supporting systems for product and process specification, production planning and scheduling, and material handling and tracking. Traditionally, CIM systems have been characterized as monolithic mainframe-based systems and/or inflexible islands of automation with limited interoperability. Today's manufacturing demands fully integrated dynamic systems which directly support the concepts of lean, flexible and agile manufacturing to high quality standards. These requirements drove the design of a new CIM system which was developed for the Microelectronics Manufacturing Science and Technology (MMST) program. This paper provides an overview of the MMST CIM system framework which is based on open distributed system and object technologies. The CIM system was demonstrated in a 1000 wafer pilot production run in 1993 which achieved world record cycle time, and is now being commercialized as part of the WORKS product family from Texas Instruments. >
The automated function prediction SIG looks back at 2013 and prepares for 2014.

The mission of the Automated Function Prediction Special Interest Group (AFP-SIG) is to coalesce the community of computational biologists, experimental biologists and biocurators who are addressing the challenge of protein function prediction, thereby sharing ideas and creating collaborations. The AFP-SIG holds annual meetings alongside the Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology, the leading conference of the International Society for Computational Biology. The AFP–SIG also runs the ongoing Critical Assessment of Functional Annotation (CAFA) challenge (Radivojac et al., 2013.
Compatibility of Fe–40Al with various fibers

Chemical reaction can occur at the fiber/matrix interface of intermetallic matrix composites, leading to a degradation of mechanical properties. Fe–40Al matrix composites were fabricated using SiC, B, W, Mo-base, and Al2O3 fibers. Composite samples were heat treated up to 1500 K to study the reaction kinetics, and reaction rates were determined from reaction zone thickness measurements. The Al2O3 and W fibers were found to be compatible with the Fe–40Al matrix, while the Mo-based fibers reacted moderately and the B and SiC fibers reacted severely. Experimental results are compared to theoretical thermodynamic predictions.
DISCORDANT OMPHALOCELE-EXSTROPHY-IMPERFORATE ANUS-SPINAL DEFECTS (OEIS) COMPLEX AND CARDIAC MALFORMATIONS IN MONOCHORIONIC TWINS

The omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects (OEIS) complex was first described by Carey et al. in 1978. It constitutes a specific combination of malformations. There are very few case reports of discordant OEIS in monozygotic twins and very few reports of OEIS in association with both hypoplastic left heart and ventricular septal defect. Our case represents the fifth reported case of cardiac malformations in a fetus with OEIS complex.