cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interstitial cystitis: Modern tools for an accurate diagnosis

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disease defined by a constellation of signs and symptoms; its etiology is not well understood. There are multiple theories regarding the cause of IC; however, no one cause has been proven conclusively. In the meantime, physicians are trying to accurately diagnose a disease that has no identified definitive cause. There have been multiple tests designed to aid in the diagnosis of IC and there are new tests on the horizon that appear promising. However, the diagnosis of IC still is one of exclusion and based primarily on clinical findings. The most useful tests are described in this article, which may make diagnosis a more accurate, less arduous process.
Embedding holomorphic discs through discrete sets

The most interesting case is n = 2. For n > 3 this was proved by a different method in [16] for f~ = C n and in [9] for all convex domains O C C n. In the case when f2 = C" (n > 3) one can in addition prescribe a discrete set {~/} C C and require that f ( ~ j ) = z j for all j [16]. For n = 2 the methods of [9] and [16] only give proper holomorphic immersions of the disc through a given discrete set in 12. The main problem of course is that, in dimension two, one cannot remove self-intersections o f complex curves by small deformations. We do not know whether our Theorem holds for non-Runge pseudoconvex domains in cn; our methods do not seem to extend to this case. In this direction it was proved in [6] that for every finite subset Z in an arbitrary connected pseudoconvex domain f2 C C n (n > 1) there exist proper holomorphic mappings f : D ~ D o f the disc into 12 such that Z c f ( D ) . It is likely that a refinement of the construction in [6] gives proper holomorphic immersions f : D ~ f2 whose image contains a given discrete subset of 12. An example
Composite Structured Mesh Generation With Automatic Domain Decomposition In Complex Geometries

AbstractThis paper presents a novel automatic domain decomposition method to generate quality composite structured meshes in complex domains with arbitrary shapes, in which quality structured mesh generation still remains a challenge. The proposed decomposition algorithm is based on the analysis of an initial Delaunay triangulation on the closed boundary of the computational domain. The virtual edges with the so-called shortest effective length of the effective concave points are identified as candidates of the interface line between neighboring blocks. As demonstrated by examples and application, the proposed algorithm is capable of effectively decomposing complex domains without holes or islands (inner boundaries) into simpler patched blocks and thus significantly alleviated the difficulties of structured mesh generation in those domains.
Isolation of Microvascular Endothelial Tubes from Mouse Resistance Arteries

The control of blood flow by the resistance vasculature regulates the supply of oxygen and nutrients concomitant with the removal of metabolic by-products, as exemplified by exercising skeletal muscle. Endothelial cells (ECs) line the intima of all resistance vessels and serve a key role in controlling diameter (e.g. endothelium-dependent vasodilation) and, thereby, the magnitude and distribution of tissue blood flow. The regulation of vascular resistance by ECs is effected by intracellular Ca2+ signaling, which leads to production of diffusible autacoids (e.g. nitric oxide and arachidonic acid metabolites)1-3 and hyperpolarization4,5 that elicit smooth muscle cell relaxation. Thus understanding the dynamics of endothelial Ca2+ signaling is a key step towards understanding mechanisms governing blood flow control. Isolating endothelial tubes eliminates confounding variables associated with blood in the vessel lumen and with surrounding smooth muscle cells and perivascular nerves, which otherwise influence EC structure and function. Here we present the isolation of endothelial tubes from the superior epigastric artery (SEA) using a protocol optimized for this vessel. To isolate endothelial tubes from an anesthetized mouse, the SEA is ligated in situ to maintain blood within the vessel lumen (to facilitate visualizing it during dissection), and the entire sheet of abdominal muscle is excised. The SEA is dissected free from surrounding skeletal muscle fibers and connective tissue, blood is flushed from the lumen, and mild enzymatic digestion is performed to enable removal of adventitia, nerves and smooth muscle cells using gentle trituration. These freshly-isolated preparations of intact endothelium retain their native morphology, with individual ECs remaining functionally coupled to one another, able to transfer chemical and electrical signals intercellularly through gap junctions6,7. In addition to providing new insight into calcium signaling and membrane biophysics, these preparations enable molecular studies of gene expression and protein localization within native microvascular endothelium.
Improving the Practical Space and Time Efficiency of the Shortest-Paths Approach to Sum-of-Pairs Multiple Sequence Alignment

ABSTRACT The MSA program, written and distributed in 1989, is one of the few existing programs that attempts to find optimal alignments of multiple protein or DNA sequences. The MSA program impleme...
The development of BCB-sealed galvanic cells. Case study: aluminum-platinum cells activated with sodium hypochlorite electrolyte solution

Energy on demand is an important concept in remote sensor development. The fabrication process for silicon-wafer-based, totally enclosed galvanic cells is presented herein. Benzocyclyobutene (BCB), a photo-patternable material, is used as the adhesive layer between the silicon wafers on which metal electrodes are patterned to form the cells' electrolyte cavity. As a case study, and since aluminum is an anode material with thermodynamic high energy density, this metal is evaporated onto a wafer and used as an anode. A sputtered platinum film collects the charge and provides a catalytic surface in the cell cathode. The metal film patterning process and wafer-to-wafer bonding with BCB is detailed. The difficulties encountered, and design modifications to overcome these, are presented. Cells of the mentioned design were activated with sodium hypochlorite solution electrolyte. Typical potential outputs for the cells, as a function of operational time, are also presented. With a 5 k? load, a potential of 1.4 V was maintained for over 240 min, until depletion of the electrolyte occurred. Average cell energy outputs under electrical loads between 100 ? and 5 k? were in the range of 4?10 J with columbic densities ranging from 45 to 83 Ah L?1.
Anisotropic superconductivity in C4KHg-GICs

Abstract Superconducting phenomena in GICs are unusual with regard to the anisotropy and the temperature dependence of the upper critical field H c 2 . These effects are illustrated in the stage-1 KHg-GICs having an approximate stoichiometry C 4 KHg. Measurements of the angular dependence of the critical field suggest that the pink stage-1 KHg-GICs ( T c ∼ 1.5K) have type I character for a range of applied field orientations near H → ‖ c , similar to the behavior found for C 8 K at much lower temperatures. The temperature dependence of the upper critical field of C 4 KHg shows linear T behavior down to low reduced temperatures. Similarities between the superconducting GICs and high T c layered superconductors are discussed.
Day persons, night persons, and variability in hypnotic susceptibility.

Day persons (those most alert during daytime hours) and night persons participated in 2 experiments to examine within-subject variability of scores over time on the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A, and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C. Regardless of scale used, day persons exhibited peak susceptibility at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; for night persons, peak susceptibility was found at 1 p.m. and between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Furthermore, 2 peaks of temperature increase (1 p.m. and 6 p.m.) appeared to be associated with peaks in hypnotic susceptibility. However, such was shown to be associated with periods of food intake rather than with increases in hypnotic susceptibility. Results are examined with respect to methodological concerns and the potential existence of ultradian rhythms for hypnotic responsiveness.
Coupling of Iodotyrosine Catalyzed by Human Thyroid Peroxidase in Vitro

The coupling of iodotyrosine (coupling reaction) i s one of the least studied in the formation of thyroid hormone, particularly in human thyroid diseases. This paper describes a method of measuring iodotyrosine coupling catalyzed by human thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in vitro. There were two important requirements to demonstrate the coupling reaction: 1) thyro-globulin with a low thyroid hormone content, and 2) partially purified TPO. Thyroglobulin with low thyroid hormone content was obtained from Grave's and follicular adenoma tissues after propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy and L-T4 therapy, respectively. TPO was prepared from Graves' thyroid by solubilizing the 100,000 × g pellet of thyroid homogenate with sodium deoxycho-late and trypsin, followed by Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. Before the coupling reaction, thyroglobulin was iodinated with chloramine-T and potassium iodide, followed by dialysis. The coupling reaction was carried out by incubating newly iodinated thyroglobulin with TPO, diiodotyrosine, a ...
Polaron–excitons and electron–vibrational band shapes in conjugated polymers

The neutral excitations in poly(p-phenylenevinylene) are studied in conjunction with the vibronic structure of the lowest optical transitions. Combining the configuration interaction of Wannier-localized electron–hole pairs with an empirical description of electron–phonon coupling, we obtain the potential energy surfaces of monoexcited states and the Condon electron–vibrational spectra in absorption and emission. The S1→S0 luminescence band shape is found compatible with self-localization of S1 within about 10 monomers, driven exclusively by electron–phonon coupling. The singlet and triplet polaron–excitons are exchange–split by about 1 eV and differ substantially in terms of average electron–hole separation.
Comparison of seasonal terrestrial water storage variations from GRACE with groundwater-level measurements from the High Plains Aquifer (USA)

This study presents the first direct comparison of variations in seasonal GWS derived from GRACE TWS and simulated SM with GW-level measurements in a semiarid region. Results showed that variations in GWS and SM are the main sources controlling TWS changes over the High Plains, with negligible storage changes from surface water, snow, and biomass. Seasonal variations in GRACE TWS compare favorably with combined GWS from GW-level measurements (total 2,700 wells, average 1,050 GW-level measurements per season) and simulated SM from the Noah land surface model (R = 0.82, RMSD = 33 mm). Estimated uncertainty in seasonal GRACE-derived TWS is 8 mm, and estimated uncertainty in TWS changes is 11 mm. Estimated uncertainty in SM changes is 11 mm and combined uncertainty for TWS-SM changes is 15 mm. Seasonal TWS changes are detectable in 7 out of 9 monitored periods and maximum changes within a year (e.g. between winter and summer) are detectable in all 5 monitored periods. Grace-derived GWS calculated from TWS-SM generally agrees with estimates based on GW-level measurements (R = 0.58, RMSD = 33 mm). Seasonal TWS-SM changes are detectable in 5 out of the 9 monitored periods and maximum changes are detectable in all 5 monitored periods. Good correspondence between GRACE data and GW-level measurements from the intensively monitored High Plains aquifer validates the potential for using GRACE TWS and simulated SM to monitor GWS changes and aquifer depletion in semiarid regions subjected to intensive irrigation pumpage. This method can be used to monitor regions where large-scale aquifer depletion is ongoing, and in situ measurements are limited, such as the North China Plain or western India. This potential should be enhanced by future advances in GRACE processing, which will improve the spatial and temporal resolution of TWS changes, and will further increase applicability of GRACE data for monitoring GWS.
Reversible changes in the activities and amounts of tyrosine hydroxylase in dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra in response to axonal injury as studied by immunochemical and immunocytochemical methods.

Summary The effects of unilateral electrolytic lesions of axons of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons of the rat brain on the activity and amount of the neurotransmitter synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the axon terminals in the striatum and in the parent cell bodies in the substantia nigra (A9 group) were examined. Lesions in posterolateral hypothalamus damaging axons close to cell bodies resulted, by 72 h, in a permanent anterograde reduction of TH activity to 20% of control in the ipsilateral striatum. By immunochemical titration and immunocytochemical localization with a specific antibody to TH, the reduction was demonstrated as due to loss of enzyme protein. In the reactive A9 cell bodies TH activity was increased to 175% of control by 24 h followed by a gradual and permanent fall to 40% of control by day 14. The retrograde reduction of TH was due to a loss of enzyme protein in turn reflecting retrograde cell death. Striatal lesions of moderate size resulted in a fall in the activity and amount of TH in A9 substantia nigra cell bodies by day 7 to 60–65% of control, with full recovery by day 21. We conclude that the retrograde reaction in central dopamine neurons is dependent upon the proximity of the lesion to the parent cell body: proximal lesions result in retrograde cell death; distal lesions result in a reversible retrograde reduction in the amount and activity of TH. The findings confirm previous evidence that: (a) a reduced accumulation of neurotransmitter synthesizing enzymes is a biochemical concomitant of the retrograde reaction in central neurons; (b) that intrinsic neurons of the CNS may undergo a retrograde response which is reversible. The reduction of TH may indicate a reordering of protein biosynthesis favoring production of protein required for axonal regeneration at the expense of those involved in neurotransmission.
The Impact of an HIV Risk-Reduction Program Among Street Drug Users in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This article assesses the impact of an HIV risk-reduction program on risky behaviors in a population of street cocaine users in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pre- and postintervention data were collected, and changes in the frequency of drug use, sexual risk behaviors, and other life-situation variables were examined. Participation in the program was associated with a significant decrease in the average number of days of cocaine use and a significant increase in employment and income. Significant increases in condom use were also documented. The data suggest that this population of street cocaine users was capable of understanding the severity of AIDS as well as learning and applying specific risk-reduction techniques to their behavior. The results further demonstrate the feasibility of conducting street research among an at-risk population of cocaine users in Brazil and in other countries in which there is little tradition of research with out-of-treatment drug users.
Electron-photoejection in solutions of radical-anions and dianions☆

Abstract Kinetics of electron photoejection and electron-capture processes in solutions of radical anions and dianions was investigated. The effect of counterions and solvents upon the equilibria and kinetics of these processes was stressed and it was shown that these effects could lead, in some systems, to changes greater than 10 10 of the respective rate or equilibrium constants. The following classes of reactions were studied: electron or e − ,Na + capture by aromatic hydrocarbons and by radical ions — the latter reaction yields dianions, electron transfers like A − + B ⇄ A + B − , the reversible disproportionation of radical anions to dianions, the electron transfer initiated cis—trans isomerization, and some reactions involving radical cations.
Effects of variations in temperature on impulse conduction along nonmyelinated axons in the mammalian brain

Abstract The effects of changes in brain temperature on conduction velocity and minimal interspike interval were examined in nonmyelinated callosal axons in awake and in barbiturate-anesthetized rabbits. These two parameters exhibited different sensitivities to brain temperature. For a range of 4.0°C, increases in brain temperature resulted in a decrease of approximately 2.5%/°C in antidromic latency and in a decrease of approximately 10%/°C in minimal interspike interval. Significant variations in conduction velocity and interspike interval can therefore be expected to occur with normally occurring changes in brain temperature. These variations may have implications for mechanisms of neural coding.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, polycystic-ovary syndrome, and thrombophilia

We studied thrombophilia, hypofibrinolysis, and polycystic-ovary syndrome (PCOS) in 65 women consecutively referred because of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) as a means of better understanding the origin of IIH, with the ultimate goal of developing novel medical therapies for IIH. Our hypothesis: IIH results in part from inadequate drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) resulting from thrombotic obstruction to CSF resorption-outflow, favored by thrombophilia-hypofibrinolysis. We conducted the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and assessed serologic coagulation measures in 65 women (64 of them white) with IIH, PCR in 102 healthy white female controls (72 children, 30 age-matched adults), and serologic measures in the 30 adults. Of the 65 patients, 37 (57%) were found to have PCOS; 16 (43%) were obese (BMI ≥ 30 to 150%) were present in 9 of 65 (14%) IIH cases, compared with 0 of 30 controls (0%) (Fisher’s p [pf] = .053). An increased concentration of lipoprotein A (≥ 35 mg/dL), associated with hypofibrinolysis, was present in 19 of 65 IIH cases (29%), compared with 3 of 30 controls (10%) (pf = .039). IIH occurred in 18 of 65 IIH patients taking estrogen-progestin contraceptives (28%), in 6 patients taking hormone-replacement therapy (9%), and in 5 pregnant subjects (8%). We speculate that PCOS, associated with obesity and extreme obesity, is a treatable promoter of IIH. We also speculate that if thrombophilia-hypofibrinolysis and subsequent thrombosis are associated with reduced CSF resorption in the arachnoid villi of the brain, thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis—often exacerbated by thrombophilic exogenous estrogens, pregnancy, or the paradoxical hyperestrogenemia of PCOS—are treatable promoters of IIH.
Tracking the train of thought from the laboratory into everyday life: an experience-sampling study of mind wandering across controlled and ecological contexts.

In an experience-sampling study that bridged laboratory, ecological, and individual-differences approaches to mind-wandering research, 72 subjects completed an executive-control task with periodic thought probes (reported by McVay & Kane, 2009) and then carried PDAs for a week that signaled them eight times daily to report immediately whether their thoughts were off task. Subjects who reported more mind wandering during the laboratory task endorsed more mind-wandering experiences during everyday life (and were more likely to report worries as off-task thought content). We also conceptually replicated laboratory findings that mind wandering predicts task performance: Subjects rated their daily-life performance to be impaired when they reported off-task thoughts, with greatest impairment when subjects’ mind wandering lacked metaconsciousness. The propensity to mind wander appears to be a stable cognitive characteristic and seems to predict performance difficulties in daily life, just as it does in the laboratory
Morphologie and enzymatic differences in caries-resistant and caries-susceptible albino rats

In 1944, Hunt, Hoppert, and Erwin1 de­ veloped two inbred strains of rats of d if­ ferent caries-susceptibility. Animals of the caries-susceptible strain, if placed on a cariogenic diet at the age o f 35 days, de­ velop the first clinically visible carious lesions at the age o f 70 days. Animals of the resistant strain under the same condi­ tions are found free of caries until 400 to 500 days o f age. Mechanisms underlying the different caries-susceptibility o f these two strains have been sought in the struc­ ture o f the enamel, in the bacterial flora and in the salivary secretion. Nakfoor, Hunt and Hoppert2 showed «that when the rats were 60 days o f age, the lower molars o f the resistant strain fractured less readily than those in ani­ mals o f the susceptible strain. This was not thought to be an important factor in the initiation of dental caries, since few spontaneous fractures had occurred in the molar teeth o f the susceptible rats at a time when caries had appeared in nearly half o f these animals. Further­ more, the relative weakness of the molars in the susceptible rats may have been in­ fluenced by incipient decay. Jay3 re­ covered lactobacilli more frequently and in greater numbers in the susceptible than in the resistant rats. Jay’s observa­ tion was confirmed in later studies by Rosen and others,4 who further stated that Streptococcus salivarius was found more often in the caries-susceptible ani­ mals. Their data, however, do not permit an estimate of the quantitative difference in the flora of the two strains. Cheyne5’ 6 has shown that in the rat a considerable increase in caries incidence occurs when the submaxillary and parot­ id glands are extirpated. This observa­ tion makes it seem that the presence of saliva has a caries-preventing effect. A similar conclusion for the human being had been reached by Weinmann7 in 1936,
Leukotriene C4-stimulated contractions in bullfrog lung are affected by cold acclimation and calcium antagonists.

Abstract Leukotriene C 4 (LTC 4 ) contracts isolated bullfrog lung. This study examined effects of cold-acclimation and the involvement of extracellular and intracellular Ca ++ on the contractile response to LTC 4 . The response to LTC 4 was greater in lungs from warm-acclimated (22°C) frogs compared with cold-acclimated (5°C) frogs at incubation temperatures of both 22°C and 5°C. LTC 4 , LTC 5 , and N-methyl LTC 4 were equally effective in stimulating lung contraction at concentrations from 1–100 nM. Nicardipine (3 μM) partially antagonized the response to LTC 4 , but verapamil, nifedipine, or nitrendipine at the same concentration was ineffective. Ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA, 0.3 mM) prevented the response to 30 nM LTC 4 , but the response was restored when the lung was retested in EGTA-free medium containing Ca ++ , suggesting that extracellular Ca ++ was involved in the response. Caffeine (10 mM) or thapsigargin (1 mM) inhibited the responses to LTC 4 , suggesting a role for intracellular Ca ++ in the contraction.
Variation in Microsporum gypseum. I. A genetic study of pleomorphism.

Studies on the nature of pleomorphism were made possible by the rediscovery of sexual reproduction in the dermatophyte, Microsporum gypseum (Bodin) Guiart & Grigorakis. Ascus analysis of progeny resulting from crosses between certain pleomorphic cultures and wild-type revealed a 1:1 segregation of mutant to wild-type. Several other variants not considered pleomorphic by conventional definition, showed a similar segregation pattern. Crosses between mutant cultures revealed linkages among several loci. Most of the white, fluffy, aconidial cultures were sexually sterile; however, five such cultures capable of crossing with wild-type were found to have resulted from two gene mutations. Ascus analysis of crosses between these double mutants and wild-type have indicated loose linkage between the two mutant loci in one culture, and the absence of linkage in the other four cultures. Pleomorphism is thus shown to be the result of one or more gene mutations. It is suggested that the term pleomorphism be discarded i...
The developing role of prosody in novel word interpretation

This study examined whether children use prosodic correlates to word meaning when interpreting novel words. For example, do children infer that a word spoken in a deep, slow, loud voice refers to something larger than a word spoken in a high, fast, quiet voice? Participants were 4- and 5-year-olds who viewed picture pairs that varied along a single dimension (e.g., big vs. small flower) and heard a recorded voice asking them, for example, "Can you get the blicket one?" spoken with either meaningful or neutral prosody. The 4-year-olds failed to map prosodic cues to their corresponding meaning, whereas the 5-year-olds succeeded (Experiment 1). However, 4-year-olds successfully mapped prosodic cues to word meaning following a training phase that reinforced children's attention to prosodic information (Experiment 2). These studies constitute the first empirical demonstration that young children are able to use prosody-to-meaning correlates as a cue to novel word interpretation.
The Political Impact of Prime-Time Television: "The Day After"

The attitudinal effects of the television docudrama "The Day After," which depicted the aftermath of a Soviet nuclear attack on the Kansas City area, are analyzed through data from a panel conducted immediately before and after the program was shown. The effects of the program's byproducts (associated coverage and discussion) outweighed the effects of the program itself. The program seems to have had its greatest direct impact on the salience of and information about nuclear war rather than on attitudes as such.
Collaborative Group Supervision of Practicum Students and Interns

Abstract University supervisors must consult regularly with on-site practicum and intern supervisors, although collaboration between university educators in providing group supervision simultaneously to both prac-ticum students and interns is not likely to be a common practice in counselor training programs. This article uses the Systematic Peer Group Supervision format (Borders, 1991) and principles of group work and human development to illustrate one method for conducting this type of collaborative training.
The Impact of Types of Distractors on Child-Critical Statements by a Caregiver During Chemotherapy Injections: A Case Study

Although distraction is a useful strategy for reducing child distress during medical procedures, few guidelines exist for matching distraction strategies to child and parent characteristics. This case study evaluated the effects of two distractors with a caregiver observed to be critical of her child's behavior during chemotherapy injections. The participants were a 4-year-old girl diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor and her grandmother. A reversal design was employed to compare the effects of the distractors. The first, an "evaluative" distractor, required the child to perform pre-academic tasks, and the second, a "nonevaluative" distractor, was an interactive book. Caregiver critical statements were moderately high during baseline, increased with the evaluative distractor, decreased dramatically with the nonevaluative distractor, and returned to elevated levels with reversal to the original distractor. These findings suggest the potential benefit of encouraging critical caregivers to use nonevaluative distracto...
Bradykinin induces a rapid release of inositol trisphosphate from a neuroblastoma hybrid cell line NCB-20 that is not antagonized by enkephalin

Abstract In mouse neuroblastoma × Chinese hamster brain clonal cell line NCB-20, bradykinin (BK) receptor stimulation causes phosphoinositide hydrolysis and release of inositol phosphates. Maximum stimulation (4-fold) of [2- 3 H]inositol trisphosphate (IP 3 ) release in the absence of Li + from NCB-20's prelabelled for 20–24 hours with [2- 3 H]myo-inositol (15 μCi/confluent 60 mm dish) occurred after 5–10 seconds of bradykinin exposure, with an EC 50 of approximately 100 nM. Inositol bisphosphate (IP 2 ) and inositol monophosphate (IP 1 ) also showed increases (2.9-fold and 1.5 fold, respectively), with peaks at 15–20 seconds and 50 seconds, respectively. Under these same conditions, D-Ala 2 -D-Leu 5 enkephalin (DADLE) (10 μM), an opiate agonist with 2 nM affinity, gave no stimulation of IP 3 release. Furthermore, it did not block BK-initiated release, both when applied simultaneously with BK and when cells were preincubated with DADLE for 100 minutes to lower cyclic AMP levels. These results show that (1) pain-inducing BK has a major acute stimulatory effect on receptor-phospholipase C-coupled IP 3 release, (2) the opioid peptide DADLE has no such effect and (3), DADLE does not block the IP 3 release induced by BK.
A low-power structured light sensor for outdoor scene reconstruction and dominant material identification

We introduce a compact structured light device that utilizes a commercially available MEMS mirror-enabled hand-held laser projector. Without complex re-engineering, we show how to exploit the projector's high-speed MEMS mirror motion and laser light-sources to suppress ambient illumination, enabling low-cost and low-power reconstruction of outdoor scenes in sunlight. We discuss how the line-striping acts as a kind of “light-probe”, creating distinctive patterns of light scattered by different types of materials. We investigate visual features that can be computed from these patterns and can reliably identify the dominant material characteristic of a scene, i.e. where most of the objects consist of either diffuse (wood), translucent (wax), reflective (metal) or transparent (glass) materials.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) "brain reading": detecting and classifying distributed patterns of fMRI activity in human visual cortex.

Traditional (univariate) analysis of functional MRI (fMRI) data relies exclusively on the information contained in the time course of individual voxels. Multivariate analyses can take advantage of the information contained in activity patterns across space, from multiple voxels. Such analyses have the potential to greatly expand the amount of information extracted from fMRI data sets. In the present study, multivariate statistical pattern recognition methods, including linear discriminant analysis and support vector machines, were used to classify patterns of fMRI activation evoked by the visual presentation of various categories of objects. Classifiers were trained using data from voxels in predefined regions of interest during a subset of trials for each subject individually. Classification of subsequently collected fMRI data was attempted according to the similarity of activation patterns to prior training examples. Classification was done using only small amounts of data (20 s worth) at a time, so such a technique could, in principle, be used to extract information about a subject’s percept on a near real-time basis. Classifiers trained on data acquired during one session were equally accurate in classifying data collected within the same session and across sessions separated by more than a week, in the same subject. Although the highest classification accuracies were obtained using patterns of activity including lower visual areas as input, classification accuracies well above chance were achieved using regions of interest restricted to higher-order object-selective visual areas. In contrast to typical fMRI data analysis, in which hours of data across many subjects are averaged to reveal slight differences in activation, the use of pattern recognition methods allows a subtle 10-way discrimination to be performed on an essentially trial-by-trial basis within individuals, demonstrating that fMRI data contain far more information than is typically appreciated.
Influence of radial head prosthetic design on radiocapitellar joint contact mechanics.

Hypothesis Our aim was to test whether anatomically designed metallic radial head implants could better reproduce native radiocapitellar contact pressure and areas than nonanatomic implants. Methods The distal humerus and proximal radius from 6 cadaveric upper extremities were serially tested in supination with 100 N of compression force at 4 angles of flexion (0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°). By use of a thin flexible pressure transducer, contact pressures and areas were measured for the native radial head, an anatomic implant, a nonanatomic circular monopolar implant, and a bipolar nonanatomic implant. The data (mean contact pressure and mean contact area) were modeled using a 2-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance with P ≤ .05 considered to be significant. Results The mean contact areas for the prosthetic radial heads were significantly less than those seen with the intact radial heads at every angle tested (P < .01). The mean contact pressures increased significantly with all prosthetic radial head types as compared with the native head. The mean contact pressures increased by 29% with the anatomic prosthesis, 230% with the monopolar prosthesis, and 220% with the bipolar prosthesis. Peak pressures of more than 5 MPa were more commonly observed with both the monopolar and bipolar prostheses than with the anatomic or native radial heads. Conclusions The geometry of radial head implants strongly influences their contact characteristics. In a direct radius-to-capitellum axial loading experiment, an anatomically designed radial head prosthesis had lower and more evenly distributed contact pressures than the nonanatomic implants that were tested.
Members of the Kpnl family of long interspersed repeated sequences join and interrupt α-satellite in the monkey genome

Three different members of a family (KpnI-family) of interspersed repeated DNA sequences were found linked to alpha-satellite sequences in cloned segments of the African green monkey genome. In two of these segments the KpnI-family member is over 6 kbp in length and one of them is flanked by alpha-satellite on both sides indicating that it was inserted into a satellite array. Hybridization of subcloned portions of the family members to restriction endonuclease digests of monkey and human DNA and to a genomic library of African green monkey DNA indicate that 1) family members are interspersed in both the monkey and human genomes, 2) some family members may include sequences in addition to those in the three characterized here, 3) some family members may contain only parts of the sequences characterized here and 4) while the overall organization of the family is similar in the human and monkey genome the majority of the family members in each of the two genomes are distinctly identified by the variant position of certain restriction endonuclease sites. This last observation suggests that within each genome there is a tendency to maintain particular versions of the sequence. Observations 2) and 3) suggest that the KpnI family is complex and includes a variety of subfamilies.
Innate Invariant NKT Cells Recognize Mycobacterium tuberculosis–Infected Macrophages, Produce Interferon-γ, and Kill Intracellular Bacteria

Cellular immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) requires a coordinated response between the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, resulting in a type 1 cytokine response, which is associated with control of infection. The contribution of innate lymphocytes to immunity against Mtb remains controversial. We established an in vitro system to study this question. Interferon-γ is produced when splenocytes from uninfected mice are cultured with Mtb-infected macrophages, and, under these conditions, bacterial replication is suppressed. This innate control of bacterial replication is dependent on CD1d-restricted invariant NKT (iNKT) cells, and their activation requires CD1d expression by infected macrophages as well as IL-12 and IL-18. We show that iNKT cells, even in limiting quantities, are sufficient to restrict Mtb replication. To determine whether iNKT cells contribute to host defense against tuberculosis in vivo, we adoptively transferred iNKT cells into mice. Primary splenic iNKT cells obtained from uninfected mice significantly reduce the bacterial burden in the lungs of mice infected with virulent Mtb by the aerosol route. Thus, iNKT cells have a direct bactericidal effect, even in the absence of synthetic ligands such as α-galactosylceramide. Our finding that iNKT cells protect mice against aerosol Mtb infection is the first evidence that CD1d-restricted NKT cells mediate protection against Mtb in vivo.
Participatory design in the development of a web-based technology for visualizing writing activity as knowledge work

This study raises the question of how to make an analytical tool developed for and by researchers for visualizing writing activity as knowledge work into a useful tool for a broader community, and in particular students. The development of GEMviz, a web-based technology for creating Genre Ecology Models in research and instructional contexts, provides the context for this study. Our study examines the process of using participatory design techniques to develop GEMviz with students and researchers working in different institutions. The study illustrates a 4-stage participatory design process in which contributors voluntarily participate in varied events that contributed to the design effort, refining the technology that is meant to provide insight into the communicative practices of knowledge workers. This paper reports on this design process in light of six design and functional requirements for visualizations of writing activity and knowledge work more broadly. The paper proposes new design and functional requirements for visualizing writing activity and future directions for the technology.
Modeling of B cell Synapse Formation by Monte Carlo Simulation Shows That Directed Transport of Receptor Molecules Is a Potential Formation Mechanism

The formation of the protein segregation structure known as the “immunological synapse” in the contact region between B cells and antigen presenting cells appears to precede antigen (Ag) uptake by B cells. The mature B cell synapse consists of a central cluster of B cell receptor/Antigen (BCR/Ag) complexes surrounded by a ring of LFA-1/ICAM-1 complexes. In this study, we used an in silico model to investigate whether cytoskeletally driven transport of molecules toward the center of the contact zone is a potential mechanism of immunological synapse formation in B cells. We modeled directed transport by the cytoskeleton in an effective manner, by biasing the diffusion of molecules toward the center of the contact zone. Our results clearly show that biased diffusion of BCR/Ag complexes on the B cell surface is sufficient to produce patterns similar to experimentally observed immunological synapses. This is true even in the presence of significant membrane deformation as a result of receptor–ligand binding, which in previous work we showed had a detrimental effect on synapse formation at high antigen affinity values. Comparison of our model’s results to those of experiments shows that our model produces synapses for realistic length, time, and affinity scales. Our results also show that strong biased diffusion of free molecules has a negative effect on synapse formation by excluding BCR/Ag complexes from the center of the contact zone. However, synapses may still form provided the bias in diffusion of free molecules is an order-of-magnitude weaker than that of BCR/Ag complexes. We also show how diffusion trajectories obtained from single-molecule tracking experiments can generate insight into the mechanism of synapse formation.
A 32 bit microcontroller with an embedded flash EEPROM

The development of a versatile 32 bit microcontroller containing various peripheral functional modules including a 512 K bit flash EEPROM is described. A modular process approach was employed to integrate high voltage transistors and flash EEPROM cells into the baseline 08 mu m twin well double metal CMOS process. A modular circuit design approach was utilized to simplify chip design and to reduce development time. >
Short-Term MPEG-4 AVC Bandwidth Prediction for Broadband Cable Networks

In this paper, we propose and evaluate the accuracy of a new traffic model that predicts, in the short term, the size of the B-frames of MPEG-4 AVC compressed video. To quantify the prediction accuracy, a model for the prediction error is also proposed. In a broadband cable network, the prediction model can be employed by a cable headend to provision video bandwidth efficiently or more importantly, reduce bit rate variability and bandwidth requirements via selective B-frame dropping, thereby minimizing buffering requirements and packet losses at the set top box. It will be shown that the model provides highly accurate prediction for a wide variety of video types, in particular, high action and regular movies encoded in high quality resolution. This is an important benefit since high motion MPEG videos demand the highest bandwidth and generate the widest range of bit rate requirements. Although the prediction model is very simple to implement, this paper also proposes two methods to simplify its operation further without sacrificing prediction accuracy.
One- and two-sample nonparametric inference procedures in the presence of a mixture of independent and dependent censoring.

SUMMARY In survival analysis, the event time T is often subject to dependent censorship. Without assuming a para- metric model between the failure and censoring times, the parameterof interest, for example, the survival function of T , is generally not identifiable. On the other hand, the collectionof all attainable values formay be well defined. In this article, we present nonparametric inference procedures for � in the presence of a mixture of dependent and independent censoring variables. By varying the criteria of classifying censoring to the dependent or independent category, our proposals can be quite useful for the so-called sensitivity analysis of censored failure times. The case that the failure time is subject to possibly dependent interval censorship is also discussed in this article. The new proposals are illustrated with data from two clinical studies on HIV-related diseases.
The Nicolsburg Articles a Problem of Eary Anabaptist History

In the middle of May, 1527, a religious debate took place at the castle of the manorial Lords of Liechtenstein at Nicolsburg, Moravia, which aroused widest attention and strong passions. On the one side was Dr. Baithasar Hubmaier, highly respected by the Lords of Liechtenstein and by a large section of the city of Nicolsburg which Hubmaier not so long ago had congregated into a peculiar Anabaptist (mass-) church of his own creation. He was supported by his fellow believers Martin Goschl, formerly auxiliary bishop in Moravia, and Hans Spittlemayer, previously Catholic clergyman but now a coworker with Hubmaier.On the other side of the debate was Hans Hut, the outstanding Anabaptist missioner-apostle of South Germany and Austria, his friends and fellow-believers Oswald Glaidt, Hans Nadler, and several more, all of whom disagreed strongly with the way Hubmaier had guided the “radical reformation” in the city of Nicolsburg. We do not know exactly the topic of this debate and most likely will never know it with certainty. The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren claims that the topic had been the issue of the “sword,” that is, the question whether or not a Christian may serve as a soldier or as a civic magistrate who, too, is bound to use the “sword” to enforce law and order. It is said that Hubmaier defended the sword even for “radical” Christians while Hut was passionately opposed to it.
Extracting Edge Voxels from 3D Volumetric Maps to Reduce Map Size and Accelerate Mapping Alignment

For effective mobile robots we need a concise yet adequately descriptive mechanism for representing their surroundings. Traditionally 2D occupancy grids have proven effective for task such as SLAM, path planning and obstacle avoidance. Applying this to 3D maps requires consideration due to the large memory requirements of the resulting dense arrays. Approaches to address this, such as octrees and occupied voxel lists, take advantage of the relative sparsity of occupied voxels. We enhance the occupied voxel list representation by filtering out those voxels that are on planar sections of the environment to leave edge-like voxels. To do this we apply a structure tensor operation to the voxel map followed by a classification of the eigen values to remove voxels that are part of flat regions such as floors, walls and ceilings. This leaves the voxels tracing the edges of the environment producing a wire-frame like model. Fewer edge voxels require less memory and enable faster alignment. We compare the performance of scan-to-map matching of extracted edge voxels with that of the corresponding full 3D scans. We show that alignment accuracy is preserved when using edge voxels, while achieving a five times speedup and reduced memory requirements, compared to matching with all occupied voxels. It is posited that these edge voxel maps could also be useful for appearance based localisation.
Role Playing as a Leadership Development Tool

Agribusinesses seek university graduates who have leadership ability. Role playing, one method of teaching leadership skills, is used in a university agricultural policy course. It has been a fun and effective leadership learning tool. Students improve their communication skills, conduct in-depth research about a topic of their choice, and develop a better understanding of other sides of issues. Graduates who have gone into leadership positions cite role playing as an important part of their leadership development.
Interaction cutoff effect on ruggedness of protein-protein energy landscape.

The concept of the energy landscape is important for better understanding of protein–protein interactions and for designing adequate docking procedures. The intermolecular landscape has a rugged terrain that impedes search procedures. Its inherent ruggedness is related to the conformational characteristics of the molecules and to the form of the potential function—more rugged for short-range potentials and less rugged for “soft,” typically long-range potentials. Our study determined that the landscape ruggedness is further substantially exacerbated by truncation of the potentials. This additional ruggedness appears below certain critical interaction ranges that depend on the form of the potential. The theoretical model describing the cutoff effect on the landscape ruggedness is confirmed by the energy calculation on a dataset of protein–protein complexes. The negative effect of the potentials cutoff is well known. However, revealing its physical basis in terms of the energy landscape is important for better understanding of intermolecular interactions. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.