cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Population-Based Study of Pre-Existing Health Conditions in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Health factors impacting both the occurrence of, and recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) vary in complexity, and present genuine challenges to researchers and healthcare professionals seekin...
C2CD6 is required for assembly of the CatSper calcium channel complex and fertilization

Summary The CatSper cation channel is essential for sperm capacitation and male fertility. The multi-subunit CatSper complexes form highly organized calcium signaling nanodomains on flagellar membranes. Here we report identification of an uncharacterized protein C2CD6 as a novel subunit of the CatSper ion channel complex. C2CD6 contains a calcium-dependent membrane targeting C2 domain. C2CD6 interacts with the CatSper calcium-selective core forming subunits. Deficiency of C2CD6 depletes the CatSper nanodomains from the flagellum and results in male sterility. C2CD6-deficient sperm are defective in hyperactivation and fail to fertilize oocytes both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, transient treatments with either Ca2+ ionophore, starvation, or a combination of both restore the fertilization capacity of C2CD6-deficient sperm in vitro. C2CD6 interacts with EFCAB9, a pH-dependent calcium sensor in the CatSper complex. We postulate that C2CD6 may regulate CatSper assembly, target the CatSper complex to flagellar plasma membrane, and function as a calcium sensor. The identification of C2CD6 as an essential subunit may facilitate the long-sought reconstitution of the CatSper ion channel complex in a heterologous system for male contraceptive development.
Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Measures As Clinical Trial Endpoints: Experience From a Multi-Center Pragmatic Trial in Children With Crohn's Disease.

Objectives To evaluate whether PROMIS pediatric patient-reported outcome measures serve as valid endpoints in a clinical trial of a chronic pediatric illness. Study design We evaluated the responsiveness of PROMIS Pediatric measures collected through the Clinical Outcomes of Methotrexate Binary Therapy in Practice (COMBINE) trial, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pragmatic clinical trial in pediatric patients with CD. We examined the relationships between changes in PROMIS pediatric measures and changes in disease activity by evaluating patient-reported outcome (PRO) score changes among patients who did or did not experience improvement in disease activity. Results Participants included 266 children and adolescents with CD from a total of 35 institutions. Over the course of follow-up, participants showed improvement in most PRO domains, with the largest effect sizes observed for the clinically improved group. Patients who maintained steroid-free remission showed significantly lower PRO scores for Pain Interference, Fatigue and IBD Symptom and higher Positive Affect scores. Conclusions This study demonstrates the responsiveness of the Pediatric PROMIS measures of Fatigue and Pain Interference as study endpoints in a large, multi-center pragmatic trial in pediatric CD, extending a growing body of research supporting the use of PROMIS Pediatric measures as reliable PRO endpoints for clinical trials.
MHD SEAWATER PROPULSION

This paper discusses the reasons for the renewed interest in the concept of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) seawater propulsion. The main advantages of this concept are presented, together with some of the technical challenges that need to be overcome to achieve reliability and performance. The paper discusses in simple terms some of the technical issues and loss mechanisms influencing the thruster performance in terms of its electrical efficiency. These issues include the jet losses and nozzle efficiency, Ohmic losses, frictional losses, three-dimensional effects and electrolysis inside the thruster. Furthermore, a parametric study has been performed using a developed two-dimensional model to investigate the effects of electrical end losses, the magnetic field, thruster diameter, wall roughness, flow velocity, and electrical load factor on the thruster performance. These studies show that the frictional and end losses can have strong adverse effects on the thruster performance and that the thruster efficiency increases with the strength of the magnetic field and thruster diameter and decreases with the wall roughness and the flow velocity.
Issues of Data Aggregation Methods in Wireless Sensor Network: A Survey☆

Abstract In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) sensor nodes are deployed in a region to sense the information. These sensor nodes sense the similar information and sends it to sink node. This thing leads to redundancy at sink node. Sink node wastes most of its energy in processing redundant packets. To save the energy of node in order to prolong the network lifetime there is need to eliminate redundancy. Data aggregation is a process in which intermediate node receives multiple input packets performs aggregation and produce single output packet in the network. This process will reduce the number of redundant packets in the network. But redundancy sustains reliability. Therefore there is need to maintain redundancy but it should be up to an adequate level. In this paper we have focused on different issues in data aggregation process such as delay, redundancy elimination, accuracy and traffic load and mentioned various methods to solve those issues and then we compared some data aggregation techniques based on strategy, delay, redundancy, average energy consumption and traffic load. Further we have proposed a model based on our study which performs data aggregation at multiple levels and not only maintains the tradeoff between energy conservation and reliability but also addresses all the issues in data aggregation technique.
Increased Reactivity of Dendritic Cells from Aged Subjects to Self-Antigen, the Human DNA

Diminished immune functions and chronic inflammation are hallmarks of aging. The underlying causes are not well understood. In this investigation, we show an increased reactivity of dendritic cells (DCs) from aged subjects to self-Ags as one of the potential mechanisms contributing to age-associated inflammation. Consistent with this, DCs from aged subjects display increased reactivity to intracellular human DNA, a self-Ag, by secreting enhanced quantities of type I IFN and IL-6 compared with the DCs from young subjects. Furthermore, this is accompanied by an increased up-regulation of costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. These DNA-primed DCs from aged subjects enhanced T cell proliferation compared with the young subjects, further substantiating our findings. Investigations of signaling mechanisms revealed that DNA-stimulated DCs from aged subjects displayed a significantly higher level of IFN regulatory factor-3 and NF-κB activity compared with their young counterparts. More importantly, DCs from aged subjects displayed a higher level of NF-κB activation at the basal level, suggesting an increased state of activation. This activated state of DCs may be responsible for their increased reactivity to self-Ags such as DNA, which in turn contributes to the age-associated chronic inflammation.
The relationship between early biochemical failure and perineural invasion in pathological T2 prostate cancer.

Objectives To evaluate, in patients with pathologically localized prostate cancer, the relationship between early biochemical failure, i.e. an increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and perineural invasion (PNI) on final pathology. Patients and methods The records were reviewed of 171 patients with prostate cancer who underwent prostatectomy at one institution between January 1992 and December 1995. Data on the histology, therapy and PSA level were collected and evaluated. Results Of the 171 patients with pathologically localized (pT2) prostate cancer, 131 were evaluable; 17 (13%) had a detectable PSA level in the first 5 years after surgery and 63 had PNI in the pathological specimen. Of those with PSA recurrence, 14 had PNI, one had no PNI and in two there was no comment on PNI. In comparison, only 10 of the 17 patients with recurrence had a Gleason sum of 7. Conclusion Perineural invasion seems to be an important predictor of early outcome in patients with organ-confined prostate cancer treated by prostatectomy. In this series it was the most sensitive predictor of biochemical failure. A more detailed pathological evaluation of prostate cancer may allow the clinician to provide closer surveillance and better informed clinical decision-making.
High-energy particle Monte Carlo at Los Alamos

A major computational effort at Los Alamos has been the development of a code system based on the HETC code for the transport of nucleons, pions, and muons. The Los Alamos National Laboratory version of HETC utilizes MCNP geometry and interfaces with MCNP for the transport of neutrons below 20 MeV and photons at any energy. A major recent effort has been the development of the PHT code for treating the gamma cascade in excited nuclei (the residual nuclei from an HETC calculation) by the Monte Carlo method to generate a photon source for MCNP.
Wintertime atmospheric response to Atlantic multidecadal variability: effect of stratospheric representation and ocean–atmosphere coupling

The impact of the Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) on the wintertime atmosphere circulation is investigated using three different configurations of the Community Atmospheric Model version 5 (CAM5). Realistic SST and sea ice anomalies associated with the AMV in observations are prescribed in CAM5 (low-top model) and WACCM5 (high-top model) to assess the dependence of the results on the representation of the stratosphere. In a third experiment, the role of ocean–atmosphere feedback is investigated by coupling CAM5 to a slab-ocean model in which the AMV forcing is prescribed through oceanic heat flux anomalies. The three experiments give consistent results concerning the response of the NAO in winter, with a negative NAO signal in response to a warming of the North Atlantic ocean. This response is found in early winter when the high-top model is used, and in late winter with the low-top model. With the slab-ocean, the negative NAO response is more persistent in winter and shifted eastward over the continent due to the damping of the atmospheric response over the North Atlantic ocean. Additional experiments suggest that both tropical and extratropical SST anomalies are needed to obtain a significant modulation of the NAO, with small influence of sea ice anomalies. Warm tropical SST anomalies induce a northward shift of the ITCZ and a Rossby-wave response that is reinforced in the mid-latitudes by the extratropical SST anomalies through eddy–mean flow interactions. This modeling study supports that the positive phase of the AMV promotes the negative NAO in winter, while illustrating the impacts of the stratosphere and of the ocean–atmosphere feedbacks in the spatial pattern and timing of this response.
Multiple-balloon-kymograph recording of variations in motility of the upper small intestine in man during long observation periods before and after placebo administration.

Summary 1.Fourteen observations have been made of the variations in motility of the upper small intestine in 12 adult subjects. Motor activity was recorded graphically with a multiple-balloon water manometer system for an average period of four hours. Placebos were given without verbal suggestion after an average control period of 48 minutes. 2.After administration of placebos propulsive and total contractions were found to decrease on an average of 32 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively, with the passage of time. From one 15-minute period to another the mean "tone" levels varied less than did the levels of contractile activity. "Tone" both increased and decreased and in some instances remained essentially unchanged. 3."Spasms" or temporary sudden elevations of "tone" were associated with both temporary and prolonged decreases in contractions. 4.The character of the motility pattern was often fairly constant for a given individual. 5.With one exception, it was felt that any downward movement of the tube during the experiments was not an important factor in determining the changes in motility which were observed. 6.These results have been useful as control data in estimating the effect of drugs on the motility of the upper small intestine.
Motor Vehicle Exterior Lighting

A review is made of recent research, primarily by the author and his colleagues, concerned with vehicle marking and signaling and headlighting. Insofar as vehicel marking and signaling is concerned, it was concluded that the most effective likely approach to the reduction of rear-end crashes would come from development of a suitable display of the speed of a vehicle which is visible to drivers of following vehicles. Further improvements in headlighting, other than polarization, which will be dependent upon concomitant reductions in errors in headlamp aim and alignment, can be expected to take the form of three-beam headlighting systems incorporating a low or city driving beam, a mid beam, and a high beam.
The Contributions of W. H. Hutt

We feel that we understand another when his points seem consistent with our prior beliefs. The great difficulty that Hutt faced was that the concepts comprising the macroeconomic superstructure, in which—by now—so many have so much invested, are difficult to integrate with an understanding of how a money-using catallaxy functions. He believed that he had to go beneath them, to some kind of foundation on which we could all agree, and then construct almost a “parallel universe,” a new (which he always insisted was old) conceptual structure adequate to the task. His exposition is considerably less unfamiliar to those already well acquainted with the subjectivist analysis of catallactic processes. William Hutt was driven by his understanding that the market excels at producing and equitably distributing wealth. Economists could help, or at least not get in the way, only if they understood the functioning of a monetary catallaxy. Developing and conveying that understanding was Hutt's life work, and in it there is much of value that the well-read Austrian cannot afford to miss.
Application of the level-set method to the analysis of an evolving microstructure

Abstract Examination of three-dimensional microstructures and their evolution requires accurate quantification of morphologies. We developed a smoothing algorithm, termed “level-set smoothing,” that smoothes a discontinuous or nearly discontinuous function that describes interfaces. The proposed method can be applied to any voxel-based data describing a two-phase structure. The level-set smoothing method is a set of sequential data-processing schemes that consists of first generating the signed distance function for the given microstructure using the level-set method, followed by smoothing via diffusion. This algorithm is designed to substantially reduce the artificial shift in the interfacial positions, as compared to simple smoothing methods, so that interfacial properties, including their rate of change, are accurately calculated. The accuracy of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparisons of the numerically calculated interfacial properties from data sets smoothed by the proposed method with their analytical solutions and of the interfacial locations of a complex microstructure from unsmoothed and smoothed data sets. Higher accuracy in calculating time derivatives of curvatures is achieved by using the advective method and choosing the time difference such that interfacial displacement is about two to three Cartesian grid points.
Nanoparticle-laden tubeless and open siphons

Tubeless and open siphons operate without conduits, in the open, supported only by extensional stresses. Here, we demonstrate that the addition of silica nanoparticles in modest concentrations (on the order of 1% by weight) to an aqueous Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solution of a moderately low concentration (0.5% by weight) has a dramatic effect on the power of the siphon as well as on the ability of the siphon to completely clean substrates. These enhanced effects may have a partly fluid mechanical explanation, since they also occur when the siphon is laden with inert sub-millimetre particles (Wang & Joseph, J. Fluid Mech. vol. 480, 2003, p. 119). The extensional properties of PEO solutions are greatly enhanced when they are loaded with silica nanoparticles. The degradation of the PEO solution is suppressed by the addition of silica nanoparticles.
Sequencing Paired Reads using True Single Molecule Sequencing (tSMS)™ Technology

Single molecule DNA sequencing provides novel methods for interrogating DNA molecules. For example, genomic rearrangements such as insertions, deletions, and inversions that are often associated with cancers or variations within the transcriptome of specific genes can be difficult to detect with conventional sequencing strategies. Paired reads sequencing, where a spacer is inserted between two single molecule sequencing reads, offers a more viable method for detecting genomic rearrangements. We have developed a paired reads strategy using True Single Molecule Sequencing (tSMS)™ in which a large number of individual templates of DNA were analyzed using a proprietary form of sequencing-by-synthesis. To create paired reads DNA strands are attached to a surface and sequenced-by-synthesis for a known number of cycles. A spacer was then added to the DNA strands in a controlled manner and then sequencing by synthesis continued for the same number of cycles. Data on test oligonucleotides of known length and sequence demonstrate the viability of the technique and our ability to control the length of the spacer between the two reads on an individual strand. We have now extended our Paired Reads technique to biological samples, initially with a 12kb PCR product encompassing the CETP gene to demonstrate our ability to sequence the whole gene product and identify mutations which have been inserted into the CETP reference. Finally we have utilized this novel method to examine a human placental transcriptome cDNA library to demonstrate the ability to span exon boundaries.
Effect of Water on the Heck Reactions Catalyzed by Recyclable Palladium Chloride in Ionic Liquids Coupled with Supercritical CO2 Extraction

The Heck coupling of iodobenzene with olefins occurs with high efficiencies at low temperatures in imidazolium-based ionic liquids catalyzed by PdCl2/Et3N, and the catalyst can be recycled after extraction of the products by supercritical CO2. The coupling efficiency is dependent on water content of the ionic liquid. With a low water content ( 90% yield at room temperature using this catalytic system.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Incident Hypertension Among Patients with Diabetes: a U.S. Multi-Disciplinary Group Practice Observational Study

BACKGROUND Early hypertension control reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications among patients with diabetes mellitus. There is a need to improve hypertension management among patients with diabetes mellitus.
Chromatin proteins of sea urchin embryos: dual origin from an oogenetic reservoir and new synthesis.

Abstract The chromatin proteins of different embryonic stages, ranging from 16 cell to gastrula, of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus were labeled, in vivo, with 14C and were labeled, in vitro, with 3H. The proteins thus labeled were separated by high resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis. The extent of possible cytoplasmic contamination has been examined with reconstruction experiments. Gastrula chromatin contains over 200 separable nonhistone proteins, and about 90% of them are also detected at the 60-cell stage; cleavage stages have over all protein gel patterns displaying numerous differences with the pattern shown by chromatin from later stages. Differences in the proportion of histone to nonhistone proteins that are synthesized are observable at the different embryonic stages, with histones predominating in midcleavage. About half of the nonhistone proteins of the developing embryo that can be labeled with 3H, in vitro, are not labeled with 14C, in vivo, and hence, must originate from a reservoir of nonhistone proteins assembled during oogenesis.
Potassium catalysed gasification of Kentucky oil shale char

The steam gasification of a Kentucky oil shale char has been studied in a semi-batch fixed bed reactor. The effects of temperature (973–1173 K), catalyst loading (0–15% K2CO3) and pressure (up to 0.65 MPa) on the gasification rates and make-gas composition have been determined. Although gasification rates were increased by a factor of about three in the presence of 10% K2CO3, they were still significantly lower than those previously measured with western shale chars. The reason for this could be attributed to the relatively high hydrogen concentrations produced in the fixed-bed configuration since severe hydrogen inhibition has been previously reported for a similar shale char. There was no significant effect of the potassium catalysis on either the make-gas composition or the quantities of sulphur released during gasification. The only significant influence of pressure was to increase the methane make and this was independent of the catalyst loading.
ENU mutagenesis in the mouse electrophoretic specific-locus test, 1. Dose-response relationship of electrophoretically-detected mutations arising from mouse spermatogonia treated with ethylnitrosourea.

Abstract The mouse electrophoretic specific-locus test for induced germ-cell mutations, was used to determine the response of spermatogonial stem cells to a series of doses of the germ cell mutagen N -ethyl- N -nitrosourea (ENU). Male DBA/2J and C57B1/6J mice were treated with doses of 50, 100, 200 or 250 mg/kg ENU and their progeny screened for electrophoreticall--detectable mutations at 32 separate loci. As expected, increasing doses of ENU led to increasing mutant frequencies. The differences in mutant frequencies between treated DBA/2J and C57B1/6J males were not statistically significant.
Production of 10Be in stony meteorites: Composition dependence

The relationship between the production rate of Be-10 in stony meteorites and its element composition was investigated by measuring the contents of Be-10 in 21 samples from 17 meteorites with known major-element composition, and comparing the experimental Be-10 values with those obtained by the regression analysis. The Be-10 production was modeled by the equation of Stauffer (1962). The measured Be-10 contents were found to range from 16 dpm/kg in the oxygen- and magnesium-poor eucrites and the Indarch meteorite to 28 dpm/kg in the oxygen- and magnesium-rich aubrites and the mineral separates from Bruderheim. Using the regression analyses and taking in account various corrections, an equation was obtained which reproduces the measured Be-10 content with an accuracy of about 10 percent.
Distinguishing the cognitive and behavioral consequences of attitude importance and certainty: A new approach to testing the common-factor hypothesis

Some published factor analyses have suggested that attitude importance and certainty are distinct psychological constructs, but other factor analytic investigations have suggested they are largely redundant reflections of a more general underlying construct. This latter sort of finding has led investigators to average measures of importance and certainty together into a composite index and then explore its cognitive and behavioral consequences. In this paper, we report three studies gauging the underlying structure of these strength-related attitude attributes by assessing whether they in fact relate in the same ways to information processing and action tendencies. We found that importance and certainty both independently predicted the likelihood that a person attempted to persuade others to adopt his or her attitude. Importance (but not certainty) was associated with the tendency to seek out information that would enable people to use their attitudes in a subsequent judgment and only importance predicted whether or not they turned out to vote in an election to express their attitudes. Certainty (but not importance) was related to the tendency to find more than one political candidate acceptable. And importance and certainty interacted to predict the frequency with which people performed attitude-expressive behaviors. All this suggests that importance and certainty have distinct effects on thinking and behavior and supports the maintenance of conceptual and empirical distinctions between them in social psychological theory building.
Fluoride abstraction and reversible photochemical reduction of cationic uranyl(VI) phosphine oxide complexes

The syntheses, structural and spectroscopic characterization, fluoride abstraction reactions, and photochemical reactivity of cationic uranyl(VI) phosphine oxide complexes are described. [UO2(OPPh3...
On capacity-quality tradeoffs in HTTP adaptive streaming over LTE networks

The growing consumer demand for mobile video services is one of the key drivers of the evolution of new wireless multimedia solutions requiring exploration of new ways to optimize future wireless networks for video services towards delivering enhanced capacity and quality of experience (QoE). One of these key video enhancing solutions is HTTP adaptive streaming (HAS), which has recently been spreading as a form of internet video delivery and is expected to be deployed more broadly over the next few years. This paper summarizes our proposed capacity and QoE evaluation methodology for HAS services based on the notion of rebuffering percentage as the central indicator of user QoE, and associated empirical data based on simulations conducted over 3GPP LTE networks. Further details on our work can be found in the papers listed in the references.
Collagens and cartilage matrix homeostasis

At least 27 types of collagen, the products of forty genes, are expressed in the tissues of higher vertebrates. Cartilage has a distinctive collagen phenotype. Two-thirds of the dry weight of adult articular cartilage is collagen. Proteolysis of this collagen framework is integral to the process of
A multimedia construction delay management system

The need for acquiring, storing, processing, and presenting quality data in a timely manner in support of construction project management is well recognized. Therefore, a properly developed information system that manages the required data is crucial to the success of project management. However, one type of useful data and information, namely, multimedia (pictures, videos, and audio), has not been appropriately acquired and/or managed in construction. Researchers are just beginning to explore and evaluate the benefits of multimedia information in construction applications. This paper discusses some of the potential applications of multimedia in construction and describes the implementation of a prototype multimedia information system for construction delay management. The system tracks a variety of data types related to delays, including pictures, videos, and audio.
The use of urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase in human renal toxicology II. Elevation in human excretion after aspirin and sodium salicylate

Abstract The use of human urinary N -acetyl-β-glucosaminidase in the detection of drug nephrotoxicity was investigated using aspirin as a toxic probe with which to exert a subtle stress upon the tubular epithelium. Aspirin, which is nephrotoxic only at much higher or protracted doses, caused an increase in the cumulative excretion of N -acetyl-β-glucosaminidase that was dose and dose-rate dependent. Using each subject as his own control, 3.6 g of aspirin caused a 15% average increase in the cumulative excretion at 24–32 hr, and the elevated excretory rate returned to control at 32–40 hr; 4.8 g of aspirin administered over 16 hr caused a 54% increase in cumulative excretion at 16–24 hr, and the excretory rate returned to control by 56 hr. When the first dose rate was doubled to 3.6 g administered over 8 hr, the cumulative enzyme release was 170% above control at 16–24 hr, and at 72 hr the excretory rate was still slightly elevated. Since sodium salicylate caused a similar effect, the initial presence of the acetyl group is not a structural determinant of the toxicity of aspirin to the tubular epithelium. It is concluded that the excretory rate of human urinary N -acetyl-β-glucosaminidase will serve as a sensitive and predictive indicator of drug toxicity to the tubular epithelium and structure-activity modification of such.
Lower Devonian Algae and Encrusting Foraminifera from New South Wales: ABSTRACT

An algal florule of 13 species, belonging to 11 genera, is described from New South Wales, Australia. Of these, one genus and 7 species are new. The majority are green algae mixed with a few attributed to the blue-green. Five of these genera have been previously known only from the Kasbas region of the U.S.S.R. End_of_Article - Last_Page 361------------
Visual and cutaneous triggering of rapid step initiation.

The effects of a cutaneous imperative stimulus trigger cue (sural nerve stimulation) versus visual cuing of rapid step initiation were assessed in young, healthy subjects (n = 18). Two sets of experiments were conducted in which the vertical ground reaction force and EMG in tibialis anterior (TA) and gluteus medius (GM) were recorded in nine subjects and the vertical ground reaction force and center of pressure were recorded in a separate group of nine subjects. Subjects stood with one foot on a force platform with weight equally distributed and asked to take three steps as quickly as possible. A visual ready signal was followed at random times (0.5–2 s) by either a second visual go cue or stimulation of the sural nerve. Results revealed that sural cuing produced: (1) earlier onset times, greater vertical ground reaction forces and a greater rate of rise of force, (2) earlier onsets of TA and GM and greater mean EMG amplitudes in these muscles and (3) greater COP displacements in both the posterior and lateral direction. These results confirm previous reports on the functions of TA and GM in step initiation and further show that sural cuing enhances these EMG responses and the subsequent kinetic and kinematic changes associated with them.
Mesh Optimization Guided by Just-Noticeable-Difference and Stereo Discretization

Although network speed has been increased over the years, bandwidth limitation continues to pose challenges to online applications requiring dynamic visualization. This is because the demand for instantaneous multimedia content far surpasses the network capability. It is therefore beneficial to suppress redundant data which does not contribute to visual quality in order to optimize resource utilization. When modeling photorealistic objects in 3D space, joint transmission of texture and mesh is required. In this paper, we propose an optimization strategy to reduce mesh data by transmitting only data perceptible to the human visual system. This strategy is motivated by the experimental finding on the just-noticeable-difference approach and the concept of stereo vision.
Random sampling of random processes: Stationary point processes

Randomly sampled random processes, discussing sampling time statistics and stationary point processes
Alzheimer's disease: treatments in discovery and development

Alzheimer's disease is the single biggest unmet medical need in neurology. Current drugs are safe, but of limited benefit to most patients. This review discusses the scientific basis and current status of promising disease-modifying therapies in the discovery and development stages. I describe the major targets of anti-amyloid therapy and the main focus of disease modification approaches. In addition, two new potential treatment approaches supported by retrospective epidemiology are outlined.
Content-aware photo-on-photo composition for consumer photos

We propose an approach to automatically generate photo-on-photo compositions using only a consumer's own image collection, without imposing a strong theme constraint dictated by typical background art designs. Our goal is to ensure adequate foreground and background photo sizing, avoid occlusion of important background photo content, and respect simple aesthetic rules in photo arrangement. We propose a novel image content redundancy measure to extract the informative zone, which is a rectangular region of the background photo that should not be occluded by foreground content. Background photo layout and foreground layout regions are then calculated based on a placement algorithm that deals with possible aspect ratio mismatch of the canvas and background photo, as well as cases of insufficient foreground photo layout area.
High precision photoelastic and ultrasonic techniques for determining absolute and differential thermal expansion of titania-silica glasses.

Photoelastic analysis of a large fused sandwich seal, composed of two glasses with slight composition differences, permits reliable measurement of the thermal expansion difference to 0.0002 ppm/°C. If the expansion of one of the glasses is known, the method becomes absolute. For the titania–silica system, it is shown that for any two compositions with small titania differences the expansion coefficient differential remains constant from −195°C to 925°C. A direct correlation between ultrasonic velocity and thermal expansion has been established for this glass system and has led to successful nondestructive measurements. With an experimentally defined relationship, the measurement of the ultrasonic velocities yields absolute or differential expansions. Excellent agreement with seal testing data is shown to exist with differential data taken by both methods.
Emergence of Collective Action in a Groundwater Commons: Irrigators in the San Luis Valley of Colorado

Under what conditions are irrigators able to develop adaptive governance arrangements? This article addresses this question by developing an empirically grounded theory of self-governance of a snowmelt commons in southern Colorado. Drawing on previous work in collective action and institutional theory, we argue that self-regulation of the hydro-commons is driven by changes in shared user perceptions with regard to the salience and scarcity of the resource, as well as the perceived probability of salvaging the resource system. We further posit that several conditioning factors affect the likelihood of effective local responses, including the existing institutional arrangements for self-governance, techno-institutional complementarities, and vested interests. We test and refine our theoretical argument by conducting a historical analysis of regional responses to hydrologic, social, and institutional disturbances in Colorado's San Luis Valley.
Methylglyoxal-bovine serum albumin stimulates tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion in RAW 264.7 cells through activation of mitogen-activating protein kinase, nuclear factor κB and intracellular reactive oxygen species formation

Accumulating evidence suggests that the pathophysiology of diabetes is analogous to chronic inflammatory states. Circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) are increased in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. TNFalpha plays an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. However, the reason for this increase remains unclear. Levels of the dicarbonyl methylglyoxal (MGO) are elevated in diabetic plasma and MGO-modified bovine serum albumin (MGO-BSA) can trigger cellular uptake of TNF. Therefore we tested the hypothesis that MGO-modified proteins may cause TNFalpha secretion in macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment of cells with MGO-BSA induced TNFalpha release in a dose-dependent manner. MGO-modified ribonuclease A and chicken egg ovalbumin had similar effects. Cotreatment of cells with antioxidant reagent N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited MGO-BSA-induced TNFalpha secretion. MGO-BSA stimulated the simultaneous activation of p44/42 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. PD98059, a selective MEK inhibitor, inhibited MGO-BSA-induced TNFalpha release as well as ERK phosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells with NAC also resulted in inhibition of MGO-BSA-induced ERK phosphorylation. MGO-BSA induced dose-dependent NFkappaB activation as shown by electrophoresis mobility shift assay. The MGO-BSA-induced NFkappaB activation was prevented in the presence of PD98059, NAC, and parthenolide, a selective inhibitor of NFkappaB. Furthermore, the NFkappaB inhibitor parthenolide suppressed MGO-BSA-induced TNFalpha secretion. Confocal microscopy using dichlorofluorescein to demonstrate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) showed that MGO-BSA produced more ROS compared with native BSA. MGO-BSA could also stimulate protein kinase C (PKC) translocation to the cell membrane, considered a key signaling pathway in diabetes. However, there was no evidence that PKC was involved in TNFalpha release based on inhibition by calphostin C and staurosporine. Our findings suggest that the presence of chronically elevated levels of MGO-modified bovine serum albumin may contribute to elevated levels of TNFalpha in diabetes.
Stagewise Mortality, Ovipositional Biology, and Egg Viability of Boophilus annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) on Boselaphus tragocamelus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

The stagewise mortality, ovipositional biology, and egg viability of the cattle tick, Boophilus annulatus (Say), on nilgai antelope, Boselaphus tragocamelus Pallas, was compared with ticks reared on Bos taurus (Hereford) cattle. Mortality was highest during the larval stage on both host species, but larval mortality on nilgai (78.6%) was significantly higher than on cattle (45.6%) hosts. Mortality during the nymphal stage was also significantly higher on nilgai (49.3%) than on cattle (13.9%). During adult female development, although the mortality rate on nilgai was 40.9% compared with no mortality of females on cattle, this difference was not significant. Significantly fewer ticks reached repletion on nilgai (4.0 females per animal) than on cattle (48.5 females per animal). The mean female weight and egg mass weight of ticks obtained from cattle were significantly higher than ticks produced from nilgai. On the other hand, no differences in mean conversion efficiency index (CEI), preoviposition period, incubation period, or egg hatch were observed among ticks obtained from the two host animals. Although nilgai produce fewer replete females, and the females that do survive are smaller and produce smaller egg masses, nilgai cannot be disregarded in an eradication program. The fact that even a small number of viable ticks is able to reproduce successfully on nilgai could lead to the failure of current eradication strategies by compromising the required quarantine interval.
A letter on the Kilgore bill from Vannevar Bush (F '24) to Senator H. M. Kilgore

As I promised in my letter of August 18, I am now writing you a further letter in regard to S 702. It is a long letter, for I have commented not only on the bill itself, but also more broadly on the general subject, in the attempt to give you my thoughts in a constructive manner. These comments apply not only to S 702 but also to its companion bill, HR 2100, which was introduced by Mr. Patman on March 5, 1943, and was referred to the House of Representatives' committee on patents.
The microstructure of chromium-tungsten steels

Chromium-tungsten steels are being developed to replace the Cr-Mo steels for fusion-reactor applications. Eight experimental steels were produced and examined by optical and electron microscopy. Chromium concentrations of 2.25, 5, 9 and 12 pct were used. Steels with these chromium compositions and with 2 pct W and 0.25 pct V were produced. To determine the effect of tungsten and vanadium, three other 2.25Cr steels were produced as follows: an alloy with 2 pct W and 0 pct V and alloys with 0 and 1 pct W and 0.25 pct V. A 9Cr steel containing 2 pct W, 0.25 pct V, and 0.07 pct Ta also was studied. For all alloys, carbon was maintained at 0.1 pct. Two pct tungsten was required in the 2.25Cr steels to produce 100 pct bainite (no polygonal ferrite). The 5Cr and 9Cr steels were 100 pct martensite, but the 12Cr steel contained about 25 pct delta-ferrite. Precipitate morphology and precipitate types varied, depending on the chromium content. For the 2.25Cr steels, M3C and M7C3 were the primary precipitates; for the 9Cr and 12Cr steels, M23C6 was the primary precipitate. The 5Cr steel contained M7C3 and M23C6. All of the steels with vanadium also contained MC.
Lean NOx reduction on LNT-SCR dual-layer catalysts by H2 and CO

Abstract Lean reduction of NOx (NO & NO2) by H2 and CO was conducted over monolithic catalysts consisting of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst layer deposited on top of a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst. An increase in the CO/H2 ratio decreased the cycle-averaged NOx conversion for the ceria-free LNT catalyst. CO poisoning was especially significant below 250 °C. The low-temperature NOx reduction was increased either by use of an LNT-SCR dual-layer catalyst or deposition of CeO2 on the LNT catalyst. However, the ceria decreased the high-temperature reductive conversion of NOx due to promotion of the undesired NH3 oxidation. Ceria zoning enhanced the monolith NOx conversion. Downstream loading of ceria led to the highest NOx reduction at both low- and high- temperatures due to the beneficial interaction of the ceria and H2. The low-temperature NOx conversion of an aged dual-layer catalyst could be increased by a higher SCR catalyst loading. However, at high temperatures NOx reduction was independent of the SCR loading. The ratio of the lean to rich feed duration and the total cycle time were optimized to improve the NOx conversion in a temperature range from 150 to 400 °C. The highest cycle-averaged NOx conversion was obtained with a 30s:5s lean-rich cycle containing 1.25% total reductant for all CO/H2 ratios for a lean feed containing 500 ppm NO and 5% O2.
Multidrug-Binding Transcription Factor QacR Binds the Bivalent Aromatic Diamidines DB75 and DB359 in Multiple Positions

Staphylococcus aureus QacR is a multidrug-binding transcription repressor. Crystal structures of multiple QacR-drug complexes reveal that these toxins bind in a large pocket, which is composed of smaller overlapping "minipockets". Stacking, van der Waals, and ionic interactions are common features of binding, whereas hydrogen bonds are limited. Pentamidine, a bivalent aromatic diamidine, interacts with QacR differently as one positively charged benzamidine moiety is neutralized by the dipoles of side-chain and peptide backbone oxygens rather than a formal negative charge from proximal acidic residues. To understand the binding mechanisms of other bivalent benzamidines, we determined the crystal structures of the QacR-DB75 and QacR-DB359 complexes and measured their binding affinities. Although these rigid aromatic diamidines bind with low-micromolar affinities, they do not use single, discrete binding modes. Such promiscuous binding underscores the intrinsic chemical redundancy of the QacR multidrug-binding pocket. Chemical redundancy is likely a hallmark of all multidrug-binding pockets, yet it is utilized by only a subset of drugs, which, for QacR, so far appears to be limited to chemically rigid, bivalent compounds.
An independently addressable microbiosensor array: What are the limits of sensing element density?

A microdisc sensor array, prepared by thin film technology, has been used as a model for miniaturized multi-functional biosensors. It consists of a series of wells, 20 μm in diameter, possessing a 1000 A Pt layer at the bottom that serves as the indicating electrode. The depth of the wells ranged from 2.3–24 μm, depending on the photoresist employed and the spinning speed used to coat the electrode interconnect grid. Ten such wells were arranged in a circular array within an area of radius 130 μm. The center to center distance between any two of the discs ranged from 30 to 155 μm. Each disc is connected by a conductive film line to corresponding pads on the side of the sensor chip. A cylinder placed on top of the chip array formed the electrochemical cell into which a common reference and counter electrode were placed. The reference electrode was operated at ground potential.Prior to the evaluation of enzyme sensors, an assessment of “chemical cross-talk”, the perturbation of sensor response resulting from the overlap of proximal diffusion layers, was made using Fe(CN)64−. The preliminary conclusion is that the sensing elements probably must be separated by about 100 μm in order to avoid interference from adjacent sensors.A technique was developed for the precision delivery of enzyme and cross-linking agent to the 2.3 μm cavity, having a capacity of 4 pL. This procedure makes possible the preparation of sensor arrays capable of detecting different analytes by employing different enzymes. The sensors gave reasonably rapid (2–4 s) response with linearity (up to about 10 mM. However, the sensors in the center of the array clearly showed the effects of depletion of substrates by the surrounding sensors.
Sonography of the Neonatal Brain

Neurosonography is a critical part of the care of the sick newborn. Sonography is superior to other modalities in imaging of the brain because it can be performed at the bedside, is easily reproducible, and does not require ionizing radiation or sedation. This article refreshes the sonographer in the normal anatomy and appearance of the neonatal brain using sonography, as well as some of the more common pathologic conditions that may be encountered.
Rise and Decay Time in Vigilance for Weak Auditory and Cutaneous Stimuli

Most experiments on monitoring behavior have employed visual signals. Because the visual modaliry is frequently pre-empted by task requirements, the characteristics of vigilance warning signals for non-visual modalities should be ascertained. Broadbent (1958) has suggested that there may be less deterioration of performance in monitoring auditory signals than in monitoring visual ones, as it is harder to not listen to a noise than not to look at a visual cue. The cutaneous channel also might have advanrages in that it is less likely to be occupied by other task requirements than is either the visual or auditory channel. While there have been very few vigilance experiments involving cutaneous cues, there have been a number employing auditory ones. In general, it appears that when 0's task was to report the presence or absence of an auditory signal, no decrement as a function of time on task was observed (Elliott, 1957; Martz 8: Harris, 1961 ). When changes in auditory signals were to be detected, a progressive deterioration of performance was reported (Solandt & Partridge, 1946; Mackworch, 1950; McGrath, 1960; Buckner, Harabedian, 8: McGrath, 1960). A similar generalizarion can probably be made regarding monitoring of visual signals (see Broadbent, 1958). Some recent experiments have reported conflicting results, however. The experiments by Elliott and by Martz and Harris, cited above, involved an ascending method of limits rather than a simple derection of the stimulus. In experiments by Loeb and Schmidt ( 1960a, b), which required Ss to respond rapidly to the presence of faint [lo db, sensation level (SL)] low frequency pure tones, there was a small but significant progressive increase in response time to the signals. Similarly, McCormack (1959) has reported a progressive increase in response time for detection of the presence of faint visual signals. In a more recent experiment (Hawkes & Loeb, 1961) involving response to slightly louder bursts of white noise (of rapid onset and decay) no progressive increase was exhibired. Whether the discrepancy in the findings in these experiments was due to differences in intensity, rise time, or spectrum of the signals was not established. In the latter experiment (Hawkes & Loeb, 1961), 0s also were required to respond to electrical cutaneous stimuli. Interestingly, though the electrical 'This investigation was aided by a contract between the Office of the Army Surgeon General and the University of Louisville. Appreciation for help in data colleaion is expressed to D. Kaufrnan, C. Roulston, C. Gettys, and E. A. Schmidt, and for administrarive support to R. H. Bixler.