cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formal specifications on industrial-strength code—from myth to reality

The research community has long understood the value of formal specifications in building robust software. However, the adoption of any specifications beyond run-time assertions in industrial software has been limited. All of this has changed at Microsoft in the last few years. Today, formal specifications are a mandated part of the software development process in the largest Microsoft product groups. Millions of specifications have been added, and tens of thousands of bugs have been exposed and fixed in future versions of products under development. In addition, Windows public interfaces are formally specified and the Visual Studio compiler understands and enforces these specifications, meaning that programmers anywhere can now use formal specifications to make their software more robust. How did this happen? The key ingredients of success were picking a critical programming error that costs software companies real money (buffer overruns), and building an incremental solution in which programmers obtain value proportional to their specification effort. The key technical aspects of this incremental approach include SAL, a lightweight specification language for describing memory access behaviour of C/C++ programs; espX, a heavyweight modular checker that enforces consistency between the code and the specification and validates memory accesses; and SALinfer, a lightweight global analysis that infers and inserts a large fraction of the memory specifications automatically. The goal of this talk is to share the technical story of the insights that enabled SAL, espX and SALinfer, as well as the social and practical story of how we were able to move organizations with thousands of programmers to an environment where the use of specifications is routine.
An Extended Logic for Analyzing Timed-Release Public-Key Protocols

A logic is presented for analyzing public key protocols which provide time-dependent confidentiality using a trusted party. The logic is developed as an extension to an existing cryptographic modal logic with time due to Coffey and Saidha. The extension is designed to help capture aspects of timed-release public key protocols that are not captured in the Coffey-Saidha logic. The explicit use of time in the logic is shown to facilitate reasoning about the correctness of an example protocol.
Abstract W MP4: Stentriever Mediated Manual Aspiration Thrombectomy (SMAT) for Acute Ischemic Stroke in 93 Consecutive Patients

Background and Purpose: Both stentriever technology and manual aspiration thrombectomy have been demonstrated to independently lead to high rates of recanalization in acute ischemic strokes presenting with large vessel occlusions. We sought to describe the safety and efficacy of a multimodal approach combining the two techniques. Methods: Retrospective review of a prospectively acquired acute endovascular stroke database. Results: 93 consecutive patients were identified presenting between July 2013 and July 2014. Median age: 67. Median NIHSS: 17. Patients had the following baseline features: 48% female gender, 72% hypertension, 12% diabetes, 39% atrial fibrillation, 29% CAD. Occlusion distribution included 71% M1, 13% M2, 13% ICAT, 16% VB. On presentation, 28% received IV tpa and 34% presented beyond 8 hours. High quality recanalization (TICI2b/3) was achieved in 88% of patients. Recanalization required an average of 2.36 passes. The Solitaire stentriever was used in 81% of cases and the Trevo device was used in the remainder of cases. The aspiration catheter employed was the 072/058 Navien in 74% of cases, 043 DAC in 4% of cases and 5Max ACE in 27% of cases. Median door to groin puncture time was 69 minutes and median groin puncture to recanalization time was 47 minutes. Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in 5% of patients. Good outcomes were noted in 42% of patients. In anterior circulation stroke patients who received IV tpa prior to IA therapy, good outcomes were noted in 50% of patients. Conclusions: SMAT is a safe and efficacious method of achieving rapid revascularization in acute stroke patients. Future prospective comparisons of MAT, stentreiver alone and SMAT are necessary to establish the most clinical effective therapy for acute thrombectomy.
Abstract 3666: Tumor microenvironment modulation enhances macrophage polarization and T-cell activation resulting in synergized anti-cancer effect

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Solid cancer microenvironment is heterogeneous in nature, comprised of many stromal cell types that work in concert with malignant tumor cells for its maintenance and growth. Among these cell types, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent a dominant cell population with immunosuppressive and proangiogenic properties. Present in most human cancers, histologic evidence of increased TAMs is often associated with poorer prognosis. Here, we show that the immunosuppressive properties of TAMs can be overcome by modulating tumor microenvironmental parameters. By restoring tumor vascular network and tissue perfusion via anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) antibody, significant reduction of tumor tissue hypoxia and acidosis can be accomplished. Alteration of these local environmental factors directly results in the polarization of TAMs from an immune inhibitory (M2-like) towards immune stimulatory (M1-like) phenotype. In addition, the restoration of aberrant and dysfunctional tumor vessels leads to changes in local cytokine and protein expression profiles that favor the recruitment of immune effector cells, including increased CXCL9 expression. As a result, both CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T cell populations were significantly increased within the tumor. Based on these findings, we tested the utility of combining the optimal dose of anti-VEGFR2 antibody therapy with B7-H4 blockade in breast cancer models. Our preliminary data suggests that such treatment enhanced TAM polarization to an anti-tumor phenotype, increased tumor immune cell infiltration and decreased T-cell inhibition, resulting in synergized anti-cancer effects. Therefore, these results suggest that tumor microenvironment modulating therapy provides a new and interesting strategy to augment active immunotherapy for breast as well as other cancer types. Citation Format: Yuhui Huang, Wen Jiang, Betty Y.S. Kim. Tumor microenvironment modulation enhances macrophage polarization and T-cell activation resulting in synergized anti-cancer effect. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3666. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3666
Degradation of nucleic acid in aqueous solution by ionizing radiation: III. The correlation of radiation damage with change in melting transition - model experiments

Abstract The melting behavior of polydeoxynucleotide double helices of known structure is analyzed in terms of the thermodynamics of helix stability, taking into account separately those contributions to the transition free energy that are proportional to the numbers of polymer molecules and those that are proportional to the numbers of base pairs formed. From the analysis of the melting transitions of helices having an alternating (d-) A-T, G-C base-pair sequence and containing either single-strand nicks or both nicks and damaged thymine bases, the effects of these structural lesions are assessed; it is concluded that, in a moderately long helix of this sequence (400 base pairs), the initial introduction of one mid-chain doublestrand break or single-strand break produces respectively some 3.5 or 4 times as much depression in the transition temperature ( T m ) as does the destruction of a single internal A-T base pair.
Where's (the) computer science in service-learning?

Service-learning is a form of experiential learning that integrates classroom concepts with related community service. Computer science faculty and students stand to reap great benefit from the integration of service-learning practice and philosophy into curricula. Many faculty are already doing so, yet computer science is not very visible in the service-learning community. Similarly, service-learning is not very visible in the computer science education community. It is imperative for those computer science faculty involved in service-learning to develop, apply and disseminate effective frameworks for integrating service learning into undergraduate computer science curricula so that its benefits may be more fully realized.
Detection of QTc interval prolongation using jacket telemetry in conscious non-human primates: comparison with implanted telemetry

Background and Purpose During repeat-dose toxicity studies, ECGs are collected from chemically or physically-restrained animals over a short timeframe. This is problematic due to cardiovascular changes caused by manual restraint stress and anesthesia, and limited ECG sampling. These factors confound data interpretation, but may be overcome by using a non-invasive jacket-based ECG collection (JET). The current study investigated whether a jacketed external telemetry system could detect changes in cardiac intervals and heart rate in non-human primates (NHPs), previously implanted with a PCT transmitter. Experimental Approach Twelve male cynomolgus monkeys were treated weekly with vehicle or sotalol (8, 16, 32 mg kg−1) p.o. ECGs were collected continuously for 24 hours, following treatment, over 4 weeks. A satellite group of six NHPs was used for sotalol toxicokinetics. Key Results Sotalol attained Cmax values 1–3 hours after dosing, and exhibited dose-proportional exposure. In jacketed NHPs, sotalol dose-dependently increased QT/QTc intervals, prolonged PR interval, and reduced heart rate. Significant QTc prolongation of 27, 54 and 76 msec was detected by JET after 8, 16, and 32 mg kg−1 sotalol, respectively, compared with time-matched vehicle-treated animals. Overall, JET-derived PR, QT, QTc intervals, QRS duration, and heart rate correlated well with those derived from PCT. Conclusions and Implications The current findings clearly support the use of JET to quantify cardiac interval and rhythm changes, capable of detecting QTc prolongation caused by sotalol. JET may be a preferred method compared to restraint-based ECG because high-density ECG sampling can be collected in unstressed conscious monkeys, over several weeks.
Saturated fatty acids enhance TLR4 immune pathways in human trophoblasts

STUDY QUESTION What are the effects of fatty acids on placental inflammatory cytokine with respect to toll-like receptor-4/nuclear factor-kappa B (TLR4/NF-kB)? SUMMARY ANSWER Exogenous fatty acids induce a pro-inflammatory cytokine response in human placental cells in vitro via activation of TLR4 signaling pathways. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The placenta is exposed to changes in circulating maternal fatty acid concentrations throughout pregnancy. Fatty acids are master regulators of innate immune pathways through recruitment of toll-like receptors and activation of cytokine synthesis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Trophoblast cells isolated from 14 normal term human placentas were incubated with long chain fatty acids (FA) of different carbon length and degree of saturation. The expression and secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies against TLR4 ligand binding domain, downstream signaling and anti-p65 NFkB-inhibitor were used to characterize the pathways of FA action. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS General approach used primary human term trophoblast cell culture. Methods and end-points used real-time quantitative PCR, cytokine measurements, immunohistochemistry, western blots. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The long chain saturated fatty acids, stearic and palmitic (PA), stimulated the synthesis as well as the release of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 by trophoblast cells (2- to 6-fold, P < 0.001). In contrast, the unsaturated (palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic) acids did not modify cytokine expression significantly. Palmitate-induced inflammatory effects were mediated via TLR4 activation, NF-kB phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION TNF-α protein level was close to the limit of detection in the culture medium even when cells were cultured with PA. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These mechanisms open the way to a better understanding of how changes in maternal lipid homeostasis may regulate placental inflammatory status. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS X.Y. was recipient of fellowship award from West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University (NIH HD 22965-19). The authors have nothing else to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER None.
Payment of Emergency Department Bills by Medicaid Patients

Objective: To analyze ED services used by and payment received from patients who request to stay and assume responsibility for their bills after being denied emergency care payment by their Medicaid providers. Methods: A retrospective chart review over an 18-month period was conducted. Charges for these visits were obtained from the physician billing service and hospital finance records. Results: Of 193 patient visits identified, 192 charts were located and reviewed for chief complaint, diagnostic tests, and interventions performed. In total, the visits resulted in $18,120 in physician charges and $28,126 in hospital charges. Three payments amounting to $134 were collected, leaving $46,246 in nonreimbursed charges. Conclusions: Nearly all patients who elect to be seen in this pediatric ED after being denied by their Medicaid managed care providers do not pay their bills. ED resources, including laboratory studies, radiographs, and consultations, are used to evaluate and treat these patients without compensation. The cost of this nonreimbursed care must be recovered from other patient care charges.
Suspension Kinematics: A Method for Determining Steer Induced Angles and Displacements

The lateral force created by a tire necessary for a vehicle to change direction is generated by slip and camber angles. Camber angle may be defined as the angle between a vertical line passing through a wheels' center and the horizontal projection of this line onto the wheel. If the axis which the tire turns about is not parallel to the vertical axis, a change in camber will be induced as a result of the change in steer angle. This axis is called the steering axis and can be determined by the caster and lean angles relative to the wheel position in a body coordinate frame. The relation between the steer and camber angles may favor or detract from the lateral force being generated by the tire. This paper describes a method for determining the induced camber angle with respect to steer angle. In this method the wheel is defined throughout the steering range as a circle. The lowest point of the circle with respect to the global coordinate frame may then be defined via a method for determining maxima and minima. This point is then used to determine camber angle with respect to steer angle throughout the steering range. The lowest point of the tire may also be used in finding ride height and body roll due to change in steer angle. A sensitivity analysis reflects the suspension behavior for a variety of different suspension parameters. The relative difference between the induced steer angle about the steering axis and the actual steer angle with respect to the body coordinate frame are relevant in developing more accurate vehicle dynamics models.
Cohomology for Operator Algebras: The Mayer–Vietoris Sequence

Abstract For an inclusion B ⊆ A of operator algebras we introduce the B -nil cohomology groupsHn( A ∣ B ), which can be easier to compute than the standard cohomology groupsHn( A ). We then develop two long exact sequences, the first linkingHn( A ∣ B ),Hn( A ) andHn( B ), the second corresponding to the Mayer–Vietoris sequence of algebraic topology. These sequences provide powerful computational tools, as illustrated by the examples in the last two sections of the paper.
Membrane electrode-based method for the determination of leucine aminopeptidase

An ammonia gas-sensing membrane electrode is used as a potentiometric sensor for the assay of leucine aminopeptidase. The method utilizes hydrolysis of L-leucinamide to release ammonia which is detected by the electrode through initial rate measurements and related to the enzymatic activity. A within-run relative imprecision of ± 2.5% was established for the method with a working range up to 70 mU ml−1 enzyme. Recovery experiments in pooled serum showed an average recovery of 96.6% added enzyme. Good agreement with a spectrophotometric method was obtained for synthetic laboratory samples.
Prediction of Contrast‐Induced Nephropathy With Persistent Renal Dysfunction and Adverse Long‐term Outcomes in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Using the Mehran Risk Score

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has been generally considered to be transient and associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate whether Mehran risk score could predict CIN with persistent renal dysfunction and long-term clinical outcomes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: We analyzed the clinical data of 1041 AMI patients. The primary end point was defined as major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) including death, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, heart failure requiring hospital admission, and stroke. Patients were categorized into 4 groups according to risk scores: low (≤ 5, n = 596), moderate (6–10, n = 265), high (11–15, n = 111), and very high (≥16, n = 69). Results: Among the 148 patients (14.2%) who developed CIN, persistent renal dysfunction was observed in 68 patients. Presence in high- or very high-risk groups was the most important independent risk factor of CIN with persistent renal dysfunction (odds ratio: 3.35, 95 confidence interval [CI]: 1.89–5.92, P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients in higher-risk groups experienced significantly more MACCE and mortality 2 years after PCI. Using multivariate analysis, significant increase in the hazard ratio (HR) for MACCE was noted in moderate- (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 0.97–2.03, P = 0.075), high- (HR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.22–3.15, P = 0.006), and very high-risk (HR 2.40, 95% CI: 1.36–4.21, p = 0.002) groups, compared with the low-risk group. The very high-risk group had approximately 6-fold increase in mortality over the low-risk group (HR: 6.22, 95% CI: 2.77–13.95, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Mehran risk score predicted CIN with persistent renal dysfunction and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with AMI. Drs. Jin Wi and Young-Guk Ko contributed equally to the preparation of the article. This study was supported partly by grants from the Korea Healthcare Technology RD the Korea Health 21 RD Yonsei University (6-2009-0008); Korea Institute of Medicine; and the Cardiovascular Research Center, Seoul, Korea. The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Theory of standing waves in electron tunneling

It is shown from simple tunneling theory that standing-wave states give peaks in conductance, not steps, when the voltage dependence of the barrier penetration probability is accounted for properly. Hence, an alternative mechanism suggested by Wolf should be considered within the context of these findings. Location of the commensurate state when the standing waves have a finite lifetime is also discussed.
Optoelectronic measurements of picosecond electrical pulse propagation in coplanar waveguide transmission lines

Observations are presented concerning the effects of coplanar waveguide transmission lines on the propagation of picosecond electrical pulses using an optoelectronic time-domain measurement technique. Effects of various test structure design factors such as substrate thickness, thickness of transmission line metallization, discontinuity spacing, ground plane width, pulser/sampler line length, and pulser/sampler geometry on picosecond electrical pulse propagation in microwave/millimeter wave coplanar waveguide transmission lines are discussed, and schemes for minimizing the adverse effects of each of the above factors are provided. >
Serum ATP: Creatine Phosphotransferase Activity in Guinea-pigs with Experimental Muscular Dystrophy

HOSENFELD et al.1 have recently reported investigations of plasma creatine kinase (ATP : creatine phosphotransferase) activity in mice with hereditary muscular dystrophy indicating that the disease in mice is more closely related to the limb girdle type of human muscular dystrophy than the Duchenne type of muscular dystrophy.
A data collection procedure to assess behavioral individuality in the neonate.

Behavioral individuality in the neonate can be observed and measured. However, a discrepancy exists between that which is known about individual behavior and practical application. The author proposes that nurse practitioners could effectively assess neonatal behavior during postpartum hospitalization. She devised a procedure to collect data on behavior of the individual neonate and offers suggestions for interpreting the data for parents. Knowledge of behavior patterns of their infant can aid parents in the initial adjustments.
Analysis of acousto-optic devices for angle tuning of optical parametric oscillators

An optical parametric oscillator (OPO) produces coherent optical radiation which is tunable over a wide range. In this paper, a novel technique for angle tuning an OPO by an acousto-optic Bragg cell is discussed. It is shown that the proposed scheme provides course as well as fine tuning of signal wavelengths with high speed, and hence is a promising alternative to the conventional tuning techniques.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Metabolism of Desciclovir, a Prodrug of Acyclovir, in Humans After Multiple Oral Dosing

Desciclovir (DCV), a prodrug of the antiherpetic agent acyclovir (ACV), is converted in humans to ACV, presumably by xanthine oxidase. Further metabolism of these two compounds was investigated in six human volunteers given 250 mg DCV orally every eight hours for ten days plus one dose on day 11. The mean percent dose recovered in urine (24 hr) on days 2, 5, and 10 as carboxy-DCV (2%) and as carboxy-ACV (14%) along with recoveries of DCV (6%) and ACV (62%) gave a mean total of 84% cleared over a 24-hour period at steady state. Carboxyl metabolites were not found in the plasma of these same subjects at peak DCV concentration on dose day 11. The ratios of DCV and ACV to their corresponding carboxyl metabolites in urine were 4:1 and 3:1, respectively, suggesting that there is little or no difference in the efficiency of these two substrates for oxidation to their carboxylic acid metabolites.
A Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy Study to Detect Activation of Somatosensory Cortex by Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a method for non-invasively monitoring of relative concentrations of oxygenated, deoxygenated, and total hemoglobin. This technique has found expanding application in brain mapping and functional imaging. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether activation of somatosensory cortex can be detected without the necessity of the patient’s cooperation in performing a task. Real-time bilateral parietotemporal cerebral oxygenation was monitored in 12 healthy volunteers. The median nerve at the wrist was electrically stimulated repeatedly at an amplitude below the threshold of discomfort. Interstimulus intervals were randomized between 13 and 31 s to minimize synchronization with respiration or other natural oscillations in cerebral oxygenation. In 8 of the 12 subjects, activation over the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex was detected, correlating significantly with the predicted hemodynamic response function. To our knowledge, this is the first time functional NIRS has been used to detect activation of somatosensory cortex with peripheral nerve stimulation. While the sensitivity for detection of the functional hemodynamic response was inadequate for clinical diagnostics, these findings are uniquely important in critical care imaging in that the regional blood flow and oxygenation changes can be detected without the requirement of a volitional task. This advancement potentially expands the capability of this modality to be used in brain mapping and in the evaluation of patients with impaired cognitive or motor function at the bedside.
Motivations and Relationship Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Trust and Satisfaction

ABSTRACT This research explores the relationship of four individual psychological motivations (i.e., aesthetics, eustress, recreation, and self-esteem enhancement) with important relationship marketing outcomes, word-of-mouth and supportive behaviors. Trust and satisfaction are hypothesized to mediate this relationship. The findings provide support for the model and indicate that the investigated relationship benefits are mediated by satisfaction; however, for patrons motivated by self-esteem enhancement there is also an indirect relationship through trust. The relationship of trust to word-of-mouth is both direct and indirect through satisfaction, while the relationship of trust to supportive behavioral intentions is only indirect, through satisfaction. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results and directions for future research.
Normal perinatal rise in serum cholesterol is inhibited by hepatic delivery of adenoviral vector expressing apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme (Apobec1) in rabbits.

Abstract Background. Prenatal or neonatal hepatic gene delivery may result in more effective therapy for inborn errors of metabolism due to the immature immune system of the perinatal animal, and the ability to intervene prior to any significant cellular damage. Newborn New Zealand White rabbits have low serum levels of cholesterol at birth, with a significant and sustained rise of cholesterol while they are nursing. We used this physiologic hypercholesterolemia model to study the effect of adenovirus-mediated hepatic gene transfer of rat apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme (Apobec1) on modulation of plasma cholesterol levels. Methods and results. Transcutaneous injection of recombinant adenovirus expressing Apobec1 (AvApobec1) into the liver of newborn rabbits in vivo resulted in efficient Apobec1 expression until Day 50, as detected by PCR-Southern blot analysis. By in vitro editing assay, liver extracts of AvApobec1-treated rabbits were found to have apoB mRNA editing activities of ∼12, 15, and 15%, on Days 2, 10, and 20 after AvApobec1 administration, compared with 0% editing activity in AvLacZ control vector-injected animals. This physiological level of Apobec1 expression was associated with the production of apoB-48-containing lipoprotein particles from rabbit liver, with a concomitant 30% reduction in total plasma cholesterol compared to AvLacZ-treated or untreated control animals. Conclusion. Neonatal intrahepatic delivery of a first-generation adenoviral vector results in efficient gene transfer with little immune response, suggesting that repeated administration may be possible in the neonatal period.
National Energy and Transportation Systems: Interdependencies within a Long Term Planning Model

The most significant energy consuming infrastructures and the greatest contributors to greenhouse gases for any nation today are electric and freight/passenger transportation systems. Technological alternatives for producing, transporting, and converting energy for electric and transportation systems are numerous. Addressing costs, sustainability, and resiliency of electric and transportation needs requires long-term assessment since these capital-intensive infrastructures take years to build with lifetimes approaching a century. Yet, the advent of electrically driven transportation, including cars, trucks, and trains, creates potential interdependencies between the two infrastructures that may be both problematic and beneficial. We are developing modeling capability to perform long-term electric and transportation infrastructure design at a national level, accounting for their interdependencies. The approach combines network flow modeling with a multiobjective solution method. We describe and compare it to the state of the art in energy planning models. An example is presented to illustrate important features of this new approach.
Attitudes of Chinese and American male students towards mental illness.

Attitudes towards mental illness were measured by the Opinion About Mental illness Scale (OMI) for 83 male graduate college students from American and Chinese cultural backgrounds. The OMI questionnaire consisted of five factors: A) Authoritarianism, B) Benevolence, C) Mental Hygiene Ideology, D) Social Restricti veness, and E) Interpersonal Etiology. Statistically significant differences between the two groups of subjects on Factors A, B, D and E of the OMI were found. American students performed lower on "Authoritarianism", on "Social Restrictiveness", and on "Interpersonal Etiology", and higher on "Benevolence" than Chinese subjects.
Ternary sulfide compounds AB2S4: The crystal structures of GePb2S4 and SnBa2S4

Abstract Syntheses of compounds with the stoichiometry AB2S4 were carried out where A included group IV elements and tetravalent Ti, V, and Mo, and B were alkaline earths and divalent Pb, Sn, Ge, and Cd. The crystal structures were predicted to be of the K2SO4 and olivine type, and SiBa2S4, GeBa2S4, and TiBa2S4 were found to have the former structure while SiCa2S4, GeCa2S4, and SnCa2S4 have the latter. Two new structures, related to K2SO4, were found for GePb2S4 and SnBa2S4. GePb2S4 is monoclinic, P2 1 c , a = 7.9742(6) A , b = 8.9255(8) A , c = 10.8761(8) A , β = 114.171(9)°, Z = 4. The structure consists of isolated GeS4 tetrahedra and Pb2+ ions are in six- and sevenfold coordination. The GeS bond lengths are 2.20 A and the tetrahedron is nearly perfect. The PbS bond lengths vary 2.81−3.37 A. SnBa2S4 is orthorhombic, Pna21, a = 17.823(3) A , b = 7.359(1) A , c = 12.613(2) A , Z = 8. The structure consists of isolated, distorted SnS4 tetrahedra and Ba2+ ions are in eight- and sixfold coordination. SnS bond lengths vary 2.32−2.41 A and BaS distances vary 3.05−3.47 A. The formation of the K2SO4-type structure is favored when the A atom has a large electronegativity value and a small ionic radius and the B atom has a small electronegativity and a large ionic radius. B site occupancy by atoms which fit into the octahedral voids formed by close packing of sulfur ions from As4 tetrahedra favor the formation of olivine structure types. When some of these conditions are not favorable distorted structures related to K2SO4 are observed.
Building Bridges: Teresa of Avila and self psychology

Utilizing concepts from self psychology, the author demonstrates the ways in which God functioned as a selfobject for Teresa of Avila. In addition, parallels are drawn between the spiritual journey as described by Teresa of Avila and the psychotherapeutic journey. Building bridges between the psychological and spiritual realms of experience can greatly increase our understanding of each, and enable us to help our clients become more integrated, whole persons.
Functional antagonism of IL-1α induced gene expression profiles define the cAMP/PKA pathway as a unique regulator of IL-1α signaling networks

Interleukin-1 (IL-1α) induced inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses in human lung fibroblasts are mediated by activation of MAPK and NFκB pathways. The purpose of the present study was to broadly profile the activity of a variety of compounds which function as inhibitors of these key signaling pathways that may affect IL-1α mediated gene changes. A reference set of genes was derived from microarray analysis of IL-1α stimulated cells. The genes were chosen to provide a range of expression profiles which serve to represent the actions of the underlying signaling network. We show that Gs-coupled receptor agonists have a unique pattern of activity as represented by their impact on IL-1α dependent gene changes. These effects were not mimicked by direct inhibitors of p38, JNK, MEK or IKK but were mimicked by forskolin and cAMP analogs. These findings indicate that cAMP/PKA serves as a point of convergence for regulation of IL-1α responses by multiple Gs-coupled receptors and regulates IL-1α responses by a dis...
A structural health monitoring system for self-repairing

Shape memory alloy (SMA) washers expand axially when heated, and the expansion for the one-way type SMA is permanent even if the heat is removed. We investigated a method to repair bolted joint loosening defects using SMA washers. We incorporated such a feature into our impedance-based structural health monitoring (SHM) system. An SMA washer wrapped with a heater is installed between a bolt and the nut. Upon detection of a loosening defect, the heater is turned on to expand the SMA washer, which in turn repairs the defect. Our experimental results show that (i) our enhanced SHM system can detect bolted-joint loosening defects, and (ii) it can repair such defects effectively. Our system suggests that self-repairing of some structural defects is feasible without human interventions.
Microstructure of carbon fibers prepared laser CVD

Abstract A layered plate-like microstructure was observed parallel to the deposition surface in carbon fibers prepared by laser CVD from methane at pressures lower than 1 atm. Periodic cracks existed in the fibers parallel to the layers. Cracking was likely caused by thermally induced stress, and by weak bonds between layers. In fibers deposited at higher temperatures, the volcano effect was observed. A striped structure composed of loosely piled graphitic plates was observed along the axial direction in the center part of the fibers.
Eye stabilization by statocyst mediated oculomotor reflex inNautilus

Nautilus pompilius can rotate its eye relative to its body so as to compensate for changes in its body orientation and maintain its eye fixed with respect to gravity. An ocular compensation reflex stabilizes its eye about the pitch axis against the rocking motions that occur as the animal swims by jet propulsion. The eye is not held absolutely still, as 1–2° spontaneous rotations occur even if the animal is clamped. If the animal is held in an unnatural orientation (rotated about the axis through its laterally directed eyes) the counterrotation of the eye is maintained for many minutes; it may compensate for 50–90% of imposed tilts up to ±30°. If the nautilus is tilted suddenly forward or backward, its compensation reflex is 50% complete within 0.3 s, and is complete in 1–2 s. The time course of the responses explains how the eye, during the 1 Hz rocking caused by swimming, can be held fixed in space to within 1–4°. The ocular compensation of each eye is mediated largely by the homolateral statocyst, as is shown by unilateral and bilateral ablation. The effect of ocular compensation is to keep image orientation on the retina fixed relative to gravity, and to prevent large rotational image motions from being caused by the nautilus's own swimming.
Seroprevalence of two Babesia spp. isolates in selected bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations in California.

Sera from 111 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and 95 mule deer (Odocoileus hem-ionus) were tested using an indirect immunofluorescence assay for antibodies to two isolates of Babesia spp. recently obtained from these hosts in California (USA). The study populations were from six locations: three areas of real or potential sympatry of bighorn sheep and deer, one area with deer only, and two areas with bighorn sheep only. Antibody titers from seroreactive individuals were similar with both babesial isolate antigens (P < 0.05), and seroprevalence was highest in the areas of host sympatry. A moderate to high seroprevalence (≥ 30%) in some of the study populations was evidence that babesial parasites may be common in bighorn sheep and mule deer in some areas of California.
The Ecology of Fear: Host Foraging Behavior Varies with the Spatio-temporal Abundance of a Dominant Ectoparasite

Prey engage in myriad behaviors to avoid predation, and these indirect effects of predators on their prey are often measured by the amount of food abandoned by a forager (the “giving-up density”, or GUD) in a given habitat. Recent evidence suggests that hosts may engage in comparable behaviors to avoid exposure to parasites. We investigated changes in local foraging and regional space use by mammal hosts for the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), using GUDs as an indicator of the perceived risk of parasitism. At eight study sites at the Tyson Research Center (Eureka, MO), we placed two feeding trays, one on the ground and one at 1.5 m height in a tree, in order to assess how the emergence of ground-dwelling ticks affected foraging by several mammal species both locally (between the two GUD stations) and regionally (among the eight sites, mean distance 1064 m apart). Though GUDs did not differ between the ground and tree GUD stations, we did find that greater amounts of food were “given-up” at sites with higher abundances of ticks. This increase in food abandonment suggests that hosts respond to the risk of parasitism and alter their space use accordingly, potentially affecting a cascade of other ecological interactions across large spatial scales.
The role of government research laboratories

The Government laboratory is one of the most important assets of national science. Within the framework of the need for an enlarged national scientific effort, it plays a unique role. It is vital that its work be strengthened and its responsibilities appreciated.
MRI detection of cervical metastasis from differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Background: With the advent of the use of serum thyroglobulin as a marker for the recurrence of well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) after total thyroidectomy, clinicians are increasingly faced with the diagnostic dilemma of detecting the site of recurrence in thyroglobulin-positive patients with normal clinical examinations. The high protein content of this thyroglobulin may make it specifically detectable by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Objective: To determine the ability of MR imaging to detect the presence of metastatic WDTC in cervical lymph nodes. Study Design: Retrospective cohort. Methods: Blinded review by two independent head and neck radiologists of 34 head and neck MR scans obtained from 26 patients with thyroid cancer (12 with primary disease and 14 with recurrent disease) all of whom subsequently underwent surgical removal of the lymph nodes considered at risk by imaging. Results: The average overall percent sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of MR imaging were 95%, 51%, 84%, 78%, and 83%, respectively. The concordance between the two radiologists was 69%. There was no overall difference in the ability of the MR scan to detect the presence of disease in the upper jugular, lower jugular, or paratracheal nodal stations. However, it was more useful for papillary carcinoma (PPV 86%, accuracy 85%) than for follicular carcinoma or the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma (PPV 63%, accuracy 67%). Conclusion: MR imaging is a sensitive and accurate technique for the detection of WDTC, particularly papillary carcinoma, metastatic to cervical lymph nodes. However, the lower specificity of this modality precludes its use as a screening tool.
Early simultaneous appearance of antigen binding cells in the foetal sheep.

THE two classes of theory on the generation of diversity in the immune system differ as to when the genetic capacity for producing a full repertoire of antibody clonotypes is achieved. The germline theory1 proposes that diversification occurs mainly on an evolutionary timescale at the species level, with the immune capacity of an individual predetermined at the instant of fertilisation; the various somatic theories2–8 propose a much briefer period of diversification from a minimal complement of V genes, occurring during the ontogeny of the individual or even later in life. We have attempted to study the time course of generation of diversity by following the appearance of lymphoid cell receptors binding any of several antigens in foetal sheep.
Oxidative damage in colon and mammary tissue of the HFE-knockout mouse

The HFE mutation is common and, when homozygous, can lead to a morbid accumulation of body iron and the disease hereditary hemochromatosis. Heterozygotes compose 10-15% of the European-American population, and have evidence of elevated body iron compared to homozygous normal people. Dietary iron content was hypothesized to interact with the HFE genotype to influence oxidative damage in mammary and colon tissue. Two groups of HFE-knockout mice were fed a standard iron diet (300 ppm) or a low iron diet (30 ppm). There was a significantly elevated concentration of malondialdehyde (by HPLC) in mammary (305 pmol/g vs. 166, p =.04) and colon (349 pmol/g vs. 226, p =.02) tissue among those mice on the standard iron diet compared to those on the low iron diet. These results suggest that dietary modification may affect the course of iron overload from HFE mutations.
Effect of Centrifugal Force Effect on Magneto-Rheological Fluid Clutches

The property of magnetorheological fluids to change their yield stress depending on applied magnetic fields can be employed to develop many controllable devices one of them being MR fluid based clutches. One major problem however with MR fluid based clutches is that at high rotational speeds, the iron/ferrous particles in the MR fluid centrifuge due to very high centrifugal forces. Thus the particles move outward as the speed increases thereby making the fluid non-homogeneous. Many times however the initial analysis assumes fluid homogeneity, which is really not the case. In this paper this problem is addressed by assuming various volume fraction profiles describing the fluid particle orientation. Two cases, one with a linear profile and the other with an exponential profile are discussed. Expressions for the torque transmitted are derived at for both disc shaped and cylindrical shaped clutches. In addition, the use of a MR sponge based clutch that may indeed reduce the effect of centrifugal forces significantly is described. The design methodology and configuration for the sponge clutch are also discussed. An experimental set up used to test the clutch is also described.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Sequence-specific binding of DNA to liposomes containing di-alkyl peptide nucleic acid (PNA) amphiphiles.

We present a method to covalently attach peptide nucleic acid (PNA) to liposomes by conjugation of PNA peptide to charged amino acids and synthetic di-alkyl lipids (“PNA amphiphile,” PNAA) followed by co-extrusion with disteroylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and cholesterol. Attachment of four Glu residues and two ethylene oxide spacers to the PNAA was required to confer proper hydration for extrusion and presentation for DNA hybridization. The extent of DNA oligomer binding to 10-mer PNAA liposomes was assessed using capillary zone electrophoresis. Nearly all PNAs on the liposome surface are complexed with a stoichiometric amount of complementary DNA 10-mers after 3-h incubation in pH 8.0 Tris buffer. No binding to PNAA liposomes was observed using DNA 10-mers with a single mismatch. Longer DNA showed a greatly attenuated binding efficiency, likely because of electrostatic repulsion between the PNAA liposome double layer and the DNA backbone. Langmuir isotherms of PNAA:DSPC:chol monolayers indicate miscibili...
Safety-modelling on neural networks

Abstract Safety modelling of fault-tolerant hardware is as important as reliability modelling for some applications. Neural networks are employed in this paper to realize the safety model of a Duplex system under design. The failure rate which is adequate for the desired safety of the hardware, is acquired from the neural weights at convergence.
A Composite Heterogeneous Model of Brand Choice and Purchase Timing Behavior

A stochastic model of purchase behavior is developed to aid marketing managers analyze and predict consumer purchase behavior. The model is based upon a composite structure, that is, it integrates several submodel components e.g., brand choice and purchase incidence behavior within its structure. Although the overall model is founded upon individual consumer behavior assumptions, it provides measures of market behavior by aggregating individual behavior parameters over a heterogeneous population of consumers. Thus, the model is developed from assumptions of relevant probability laws that relate to individual consumer's probability of brand choice and the time between product class purchases; as well as the distributions of brand choice probability and the average product class purchase rate of individuals over the population of consumers. The model provides aggregate market behavior measures including brand market share, expected brand sales and the distribution of brand purchase probability over the consumer population through time. Other measures of market behavior of potential use to marketing managers, such as the cumulative penetration, trial and repeat purchase ratio for a given brand, are also derived from the brand's aggregate theoretical purchase distribution.
Consumer response to the tris controversy: A research study

Abstract The purpose of the research was to study the possible long-term effects of the public controversy that arose when the most widely used flame retardant (FR) finish. Tris, was first identified as a potential carcinogen. Parents of children enrolled in 15 selected nursery schools and day care centers in Rhode Island were surveyed to determine changes in their practices and in their attitudes toward the use of FR finishes for children's sleepwear. Almost 85% of the 269 respondents had heard or read about problems with FR chemicals. Of these, only 68% remembered that Tris was considered to be a carcinogen and/or health hazard and only 20% reported appropriate changes, such as reading labels, in their purchasing behavior. Absence of Health Risk was the primary consideration used in the purchase of children's sleepwear followed, in order, by Flame Retardancy, Comfort, Durability. Price, Ease of Care and Attractiveness. Despite the problems with Tris, most respondents felt strongly that FR garments should be available for a variety of population groups. They were less convinced that the government should set flammability standards and the majority wanted the freedom to choose between flame retardant and non-flame retardant garments for themselves and their children. Cluster and chi square analyses based on the criteria used in the selection of children's sleepwear showed seven distinct patterns of response but few significant differences between the clusters in respect to opinions and practices. Additional chi square analyses did, however, show some relationships between demographic variables and respondents' shopping practices, understanding of terminology, sources of information and opinions regarding the importance of FR garments and the expansion of government regulation. Many consumers appeared to be confused by the controversy. Specific recommendations for dealing with such problems need to be presented in a variety of media in order to reach different segments of the population; the often misunderstood term “flame resistant” should be retired from use; some non-toxic FR garments should be made available to all population groups: labels and promotional materials should be more informative; consideration should be given to the long-range health, safety and cost effectiveness of government regulations and more research should be conducted to increase understanding of consumer behavior.