cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen peroxide production by mitochondria may be a biomarker of aging

Abstract The hypothesis that rate of intracellular prooxidant production is associated with the rate of aging was tested by comparing the rate of H 2 O 2 generation by mitochondria in houseflies of similar chronological but different physiological ages. Physiological age represents the life expectancy or ‘nearness to death’. Average and maximum life spans of flies were extended 2-fold by the elimination of flying activity. In addition, using senescence-related loss of flight ability as a phenotypic marker of impending death, relatively short-lived and long-lived subpopulations of flies were isolated from cohort populations. Rate of H 2 O 2 generation was measured fluorometrically in mitochondria from thoracic flight muscles using α-glycerophosphate as a substrate and without employing any respiratory inhibitors as is often the case in mammalian studies. The rate of mitochondrial H 2 O 2 release was found to be associated with life expectancy or the physiological age of flies rather than the chronological age. At the same chronological age, mitochondria from flies with a shorter life expectancy had a markedly higher rate of H 2 O 2 generation than those with a longer life expectancy. Results of this and some previous studies in this laboratory are interpreted to suggest that the rate of prooxidant generation rather than the level of antioxidant defenses may be a key correlate of the rate of aging.
The 27-28 October 1986 FIRE IFO cirrus case study : cloud microstructure

Using aircraft in-situ measurements, the microphysics of cirrus clouds observed on 28 Oct. 1986 during FIRE were examined. Results are presented as one component of a coordinated study of the cirrus on the day. The study contributes to the understanding of cold clouds by: (1) providing microphysical data to supplement satellite and aircraft data for investigating cirrus cloud radiative effects; (2) providing more complete information on ice particle evolution and cloud forcing mechanisms than has been available through the use of instrumentation with higher resolution and more accurate calibration; (3) expanding the knowledge of the particle characteristics in cold liquid water clouds, through improved instrumentation and by making use of sensors on other platforms, such as lidar; and (4) by estimating the ice nucleus concentrations active at low temperatures in the upper troposphere from the concentrations of ice particles in colloidally stable liquid water clouds.
Inhaled selective pulmonary vasodilators

p ULMONARY hypertension (PH) is a feature of many cardiac and pulmonary diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and left ventricular failure. Increased pulmonary pressures are secondary to multiple factors, including pulmonary vasoconstriction, pulmonary vascular hypervolemia, pulmonary edema, distortion of normal pulmonary vascular anatomy, increased airway pressure with positive airway pressure therapy, and changes in lung volume. PH leads to maldistribution of pulmonary perfusion and intrapulmonary shunting with resultant arterial hypoxemia 1'2 and fight ventricular strain with potential for fight ventricular failure. Hypoxemia may contribute to fight and left ventricular dysfunction. Mortality and morbidity associated with conditions characterized by PH remain extremely high) Reduction of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) by vasodilation may improve fight ventricular function and improve ventilation perfusion relationships. Systemically administered vasodilators can be effective, but they also induce changes in systemic vascular resistance with potential adverse effects on blood pressure, cardiac output, and organ perfusion. Furthermore, they act on all perfused pulmonary vessels, including shunt vessels, which may lead to increases in intrapulmonary shunting and worsening hypoxemia. Selective inhaled pulmonary vasodilators (SPVs) offer some advantage over systemic vasodilators by acting on pulmonary vessels in ventilated regions of the lung only, thus avoiding the hazard of increased intrapulmonary shunting. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the progress that has been made in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension with SPVs.
Electrical conductivity of Portland cement mortars

Abstract Mortars containing volume fractions of aggregate less than 0.35 were prepared at w c = 0.35, 0.40, and 0.45 and hydrated for 1, 14, and 28 days. Mortar electrical conductivities were determined by impedance spectroscopy, and the experimental data were fitted to the polynomial, where, σm is the mortar σ m = A + B V a V m + C V a V m 2 + D V a V m 3 conductivity, Va is the aggregate volume, Vm is the mortar volume, and A, B, C, and D are constants. Mortar electrical conductivity behavior appears to involve a competition between the insulating aggregate which lowers the mortar electrical conductivity and the development of a transition zone between the paste and aggregate which increases the conductivity. Values for the transition zone electrical conductivity were determined.
Reproductive aging: accelerated ovarian follicular development associated with a monotropic follicle-stimulating hormone rise in normal older women

Women experience a decline in fertility that precedes the menopause by several years. Previous studies have demonstrated a monotropic rise in FSH associated with reproductive aging: however, the mechanism of this rise and its role in the aging process are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize ovarian follicular development and ovarian hormone secretion in older reproductive age women. Sixteen women, aged 40-45 yr, with regular ovulatory cycles were studied. The control group consisted of 12 ovulatory women, aged 20-25 yr. Serum obtained by daily blood sampling was analyzed for FSH, LH, estradiol (E), progesterone, and inhibin (Monash polyclonal assay). Follicle growth and ovulation were documented by transvaginal ultrasound. Older women had significantly higher levels of FSH throughout the menstrual cycle. E, progesterone, LH, and inhibin levels did not differ between the two age groups when compared relative to the day of the LH surge. Ultrasound revealed normal growth, size, and collapse of a dominant follicle in all subjects. Older women had significantly shorter follicular phase length associated with an early acute rise in follicular phase E, reflecting accelerated development of a dominant follicle. We conclude that older reproductive age women have accelerated development of a dominant follicle in the presence of the monotropic FSH rise. This is manifested as a shortened follicular phase and elevated follicular phase E. The fact that ovarian steroid and inhibin secretion were similar to those in the younger women suggests that elevated FSH in women of advanced reproductive age may represent a primary neuroendocrine change associated with reproductive aging.
Impulsivity, negative expectancies, and marijuana use: A test of the acquired preparedness model

According to the 'acquired preparedness model,' expectancies mediate the relationship between an impulsive personality style and alcohol use. The current study evaluated whether the model can also be applied to marijuana use. Estimated probabilities and subjective evaluations of personally expected marijuana effects, along with impulsivity and frequency of marijuana use, were assessed in 337 college undergraduates. Tests of mediation examining positive and negative marijuana expectancies showed negative expectancies to be a significant mediator for both males and females. That is, participants who were higher on impulsivity had fewer negative expectancies and in turn used more marijuana. This study provides evidence that the acquired preparedness model may help to explain marijuana use.
A longitudinal study of the detection of otitis media in the first two years of life.

Summary A number (210) of children were followed longitudinally through the first two years of life with pneumatic otoscopy and electroacoustic immitance, tympanometry, at every physician encounter. Tympanometry proved to have a high predictive value (86%) for detecting normal ears but relatively poor predictive value (58%) for detecting abnormal ears when utilized as a routine screening procedure with every clinic visit. In part the tympanometrically abnormal ears which appeared normal in otoscopic exam were temporally related to recent episodes of otitis and concurrent upper respiratory congestion, but many were unrelated to detectable middle ear pathology. These observations detract from the utility of tympanometry as a screening tool for middle ear pathology.
The viscoelastic properties of monolayers of red cell membrane proteins

Abstract The rheological properties of spectrin-actin (S + A) surface films have been studied from the point of view of their possible role in the red cell membrane structure and function. Our observations indicate the following: (1) The amount of S + A that is normally present in the membrane can form at least one monolayer and probably two when one considers that other membrane components (e.g., band 3 protein) are intermixed with it; (2) the viscoelastic properties of S + A films vary with the film thickness and the composition of the adjacent phases; (3) The magnitudes of the rheological parameters of the films are close to the analogous parameters of the red cell membrane and thus may account for these properties in the intact red cell.
Transhiatal Esophagectomy for Distal and Cardia Cancers: Implications of a Positive Gastric Margin

Background A common operation for cancer of the esophagus and cardia consists of transhiatal esophagectomy, proximal gastrectomy, and a cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. The oncologic adequacy of dividing the stomach 4 to 6 cm distal to palpable tumor is not well documented, and when a positive gastric margin is present on the final pathologic analysis, the appropriate management is not established. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of a positive gastric margin in these patients and the impact of adjuvant treatment. Methods A retrospective review was performed of 1044 patients undergoing transhiatal esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus or cardia. Twenty (1.9%) had a positive gastric margin on final the pathologic evaluation and met inclusion criteria for this study. Results Nine patients (45%) received adjuvant therapy consisting of radiation in 3, chemotherapy in 4, or both in 2. Their average postoperative survival was 477 days, compared with 455 days in those not receiving adjuvant therapy (p = 0.898). Local tumor recurrence developed in 1 patient (11%) in the treatment group and in 3 (27%) in the no treatment group (p = 0.386). Conclusions A transhiatal esophagectomy and proximal gastrectomy for carcinoma of the distal esophagus and cardia, dividing the stomach 4 to 6 cm from palpable tumor, provides a negative gastric margin in 98% of patients. In the few patients who have a positive gastric margin, 80% die with distant metastases, which would not be influenced by more extensive gastric resection, and in about 20%, local tumor recurrence develops in the intrathoracic stomach, seldom causing dysphagia. Adjuvant therapy for a positive gastric margin neither improves survival nor reduces local tumor recurrence.
The Zonal Men Westerlies over the Southern Hemisphere

Abstract A brief review and evaluation of various analyses of the Southern Hemisphere westerlies is given along with the presentation of some relent results. Several features characterize the westerlies of the Southern Hemisphere as quite different from those in the Northern Hemisphere and, in the past, thew have typically been difficult to reproduce well in general circulation modes. They are the double jet structure in winter, the stronger midlatitude tropospheric winds in summer than in winter, and the ensuing much smaller amplitude of the annual cycle which is associated with a maximum of global atmospheric angular momentum in January. New values for the hemispheric angular momentum integrals are than previously reported. Two estimates of the distribution and strength of the southern westerlies that have been widely used are considered to be seriously biased. Factors contributing to discrepancies among different results am large natural variability, missing data and biases in observing systems, and me...
Value of Surveillance Studies for Patients With Stage I to II Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era

Background The role of surveillance studies in limited-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the rituximab era has not been well defined. We sought to evaluate the use of imaging (computed tomography [CT] and positron emission tomography [PET]-CT) scans and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in surveillance of patients with stage I to II DLBCL. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of patients who received definitive treatment between 2000 and 2013. Results One hundred sixty-two consecutive patients with stage I to II DLBCL were treated with chemotherapy +/− rituximab, radiation, or combined modality therapy. The 5-year rates of overall survival (OS) and freedom from progression (FFP) were 81.2% and 80.8%, respectively. Of the 162 patients, 124 (77%) were followed up with at least 1 surveillance PET scan beyond end-of-treatment scans; of those, 94 of 124 (76%) achieved a complete metabolic response on PET scan after completion of chemotherapy, and this was associated with superior FFP ( P =.01, HR=0.3) and OS ( P =.01, HR 0.3). Eighteen patients experienced relapse after initial response to therapy. Nine relapses were initially suspected by surveillance imaging studies (8 PET, 1 CT), and 9 were suspected clinically (5 by patient-reported symptoms and 4 by symptoms and physical examination). No relapses were detected by surveillance LDH. The median duration from initiation of treatment to relapse was 14.3 months among patients with relapses suspected by imaging, and 59.8 months among patients with relapses suspected clinically ( P =.077). There was no significant difference in OS from date of first therapy or OS after relapse between patients whose relapse was suspected by imaging versus clinically. Thirteen of 18 patients underwent successful salvage therapy after relapse. Conclusions A complete response on PET scan immediately after initial chemotherapy is associated with superior FFP and OS in stage I to II DLBCL. The use of PET scans as posttreatment surveillance is not associated with a survival advantage. LDH is not a sensitive marker for relapse. Our results argue for limiting the use of posttreatment surveillance in patients with limited-stage DLBCL.
The localization of a peroxidase associated with hard cuticle formation in an insect, Calpodes ethlius stoll, Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae.

Abstract The distribution of a peroxidase associated with the formation of hard cuticle has been studied in developing larvae of Calpodes ethlius . It occurs in granules in several cell types but is most easily observed in the cells making the proleg spines at the 4th to 5th molt. Light microscopy shows peroxidase in numerous granules about 0·5μ in diameter at the time the cuticle of the spine shaft is being deposited. Electron microscopy shows these granules to be multivesicular bodies with peroxidase in the matrix. Peroxidase is also found in cisternae of the rough ER near Golgi complexes, in vesicles of Golgi complexes and in the secretory vesicles which discharge to make cuticle at the apical surface. The cuticle above the plasma membrane where peroxidase is being deposited reacts with DAB in the absence of hydrogen peroxide. Presumably this cuticle has been ′peroxidized‵ as a first stage in stabilization by cross-linking. Some of the peroxidase secreted at the apical surface is pinocytosed and transported to the multivesicular bodies, suggesting that there may be a precise control of the cuticular environment through the turnover of its soluble components.
Physical sciences: how significant are the sharp peaks in the frequency distribution of QSO redshifts?

RECENT work by Plagemann, Feldman and Gribbin1 seems to show that quasar redshifts are not intrinsic. I take no issue here with the more specific result of the Cambridge group, that there is no significant evidence for periodicity of peaks in the distribution of z (redshift). But, using the same observational material, which was taken from a list by Burbidge and Burbidge2, I find that the well known peak at z = 0.060 cannot be due to chance, although there is some uncertainty of the significance level. On the other hand, the conclusion of Burbidge3 that the peak at z = 1.95 is highly significant is not confirmed. It can be shown that the difference between our result and that of Burbidge is due to the interpretation of the statistics.
Modeling and optimization of shape memory-superelastic antagonistic beam assembly

Superelasticity (SE), shape memory effect (SM), high damping capacity, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility are the properties of NiTi that makes the alloy ideal for biomedical devices. In this work, the 1D model developed by Brinson was modified to capture the shape memory effect, superelasticity and hysteresis behavior, as well as partial transformation in both positive and negative directions. This model was combined with the Euler beam equation which, by approximation, considers 1D compression and tension stress-strain relationships in different layers of a 3D beam assembly cross-section. A shape memory-superelastic NiTi antagonistic beam assembly was simulated with this model. This wire-tube assembly is designed to enhance the performance of the pedicle screws in osteoporotic bones. For the purpose of this study, an objective design is pursued aiming at optimizing the dimensions and initial configurations of the SMA wire-tube assembly.
Assessing irrigators’ preferences for water market lease attributes with a stated preferences approach

We recruited irrigators to participate in a series of stated preference exercises with real monetary payoffs. Four attributes of the hypothetical lease offers varied across tasks: the type of buyer, the management of the water bank, the lease type, and the offer price. Controlling for differences in profits, we find that irrigators are more likely to accept split-season than full-season leases, more likely to reject offers from developers than from the State, and indifferent over bank management. We use these results along with those from a parallel mail survey to predict market participation rates.
ABSORPTION OF SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACIDS IN HUMAN STOMACH AND RECTUM

Increased interest in the metabolism and therapeutic potential of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) prompted this study of the absorption rates of acetate, propionate, and butyrate in the human rectosigmoid, and in the human stomach. In human rectosigmoid, all SCFA were absorbed from neutral infusates, but propionate and butyrate absorption exceeded that of acetate. In human stomach, acetate was absorbed in the protonated form only, and butyrate was absorbed at a faster rate than acetate. These observations are compatible with both popular models of SCFA absorption: non-ionic diffusion, and carrier-mediated anionic exchange.
SMALL-SCALE COMMUNITY ANALYSES OF ALPINE RIDGE VEGETATION IN THE CENTRAL SIERRA NEVADA

ABSTRACT Most studies of alpine vegetation communities focus on the variation occurring across large scales, in which diverse environmental habitats are assessed across the landscape and detailed plant associations are described. However, community patterns occurring at more intricate scales are easily concealed by such a broad perspective. To complement large-scale studies, we assessed smaller-scale patterns occurring at the extremes of moisture and exposure gradients in an alpine environment. We studied the variation in plant community composition among and within seven ridges extending down two rocky metamorphic peaks in Yosemite National Park. Species cover and environmental factors (proximity to a summit, elevation, aspect, slope, and substrate size) were sampled in 281 2 × 2-meter plots. Variation among ridges was primarily determined by differences in aspect. Within the ridges, although the physical environment in which we sampled was seemingly homogenous, ordinations identified two distinct vegeta...
Adaptive radiofrequency hyperthermia-phased array system for improved cancer therapy: phantom target measurements

A computer-controlled adaptive radio-frequency hyperthermia system for improved therapeutic tumour heating is experimentally investigated. Adaptive array feedback techniques are used to modify the electric-field and temperature distribution in hyperthermia experiments with homogenous and heterogeneous phantom targets. A commercial hyperthermia phased-array antenna system at the SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, New York, has been modified to implement adaptive nulling and adaptive focusing algorithms. The hyperthermia system is the BSD Medical Corporation Model BSD-2000 with Sigma-60 annular phased-array antenna applicator. The transmit phased array system is made adaptive by software modifications which invoke a gradient-search feedback algorithm. The gradient-search algorithm implements the method of steepest descent for adaptive nulling (power minimization) and the method of steepest ascent for adaptive focusing (power maximization). The feedback signals are provided by electric-field short-dipol...
HEMOGLOBIN REGENERATION IN THE CHRONIC HEMORRHAGIC ANEMIA OF DOGS (WHIPPLE) : I. THE EFFECT OF IRON AND PROTEIN FEEDING.

1. A group of dogs on a standard salmon bread diet with a slowly regenerating anemia were studied. The addition of liver to this diet during a 2 week period promoted a definitely greater regeneration of hemoglobin than did the addition of an amount of inorganic iron which was equivalent to that contained in the added liver. The more effective result attained with liver cannot, therefore, be attributed solely to the iron intake. 2. The greater response to liver is not due to its content of amino acids which are present in casein, since a diet containing an exactly similar amount of calories, iron and protein nitrogen, made up of inorganic iron and casein does not cause a greater response than that obtained by the addition of that amount of inorganic iron alone to the standard basal diet. 3. Furthermore, the salmon bread diet does not produce a deficiency of the amino acids represented in casein, since dogs eating the high protein (casein) Cowgill dog ration show the same basal hemoglobin regeneration rate and a similar greater response to liver than to inorganic iron. The Cowgill ration, however, supplies some non-ferrous factor involved in hemoglobin regeneration which is not contained, to as great a degree at least, in the salmon bread. 4. Whipple's chronic hemorrhagic anemia of dogs serves as an accurate assay method for measuring the hemoglobin producing power of a substance. Quantitatively reproducible responses can be obtained.
Maintenance issues for very long-lived robotic space systems

With the robotic exploration of the Solar System well underway, a logical next step is the development of spacecraft capable of exploring the regions beyond the orbit of Pluto (e.g., the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud), or capable of exploring in situ the nearer extra-solar planetary systems. Barring unforeseen advances in propulsion and communications technologies, the mission times for such voyages will be measured in decades or centuries, and the spacecraft will be required to achieve a m~ch higher degree of autonomous operation than fuas been the case for previous and current planetary missions. These characteristics pose significant maintenance challenges that must be overcoflle if such systems are to be successfully fielded.1 Recent work at the Jet Propuls~on Laboratory (JPL) has identified technologies that will be required to develop these types of spacecraft [I]. The list below, taken from [I], summarizes some of the advances that will be required. b) Self -repair/self -healing techniques 2) On-Board Autonomy a) Goal-oriented software, autonomous planning and execution b) Autonomous fault-handling c) Self -learning/self -discovery
early orthodontic growth modification treatment for Class II patients may provide better skeletal and dental outcomes after subsequent comprehensive permanent dentition orthodontic treatment with less need for complex interventions and greater efficiency.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Outcomes in a 2-phase randomized clinical trial of early Class II treatment. Tulloch JFC, Proffit WR, Phillips C. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2004;125:657-67. Reviewer Gregory King, DMD, DrMedSci Purpose/Question Primary question: Does Class II treatment aimed at growth modification, started in the mixed dentition before adolescence and followed by a second phase of treatment in the early permanent dentition during adolescence, provide superior results to a single-phase treatment delayed until adolescence? Secondary question: Does Phase 1 Class II treatment improve the efficiency and reduce the complexity of Phase 2 treatments? Source of Funding Government: NIH grant DE-08708 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Type of Study/Design Randomized controlled trial Level of Evidence Level 1: Good-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Grade A: Consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence
Very-long-term and short-term chromatic adaptation: Are their influences cumulative?

Very-long-term (VLT) chromatic adaptation results from exposure to an altered chromatic environment for days or weeks. Color shifts from VLT adaptation are observed hours or days after leaving the altered environment. Short-term chromatic adaptation, on the other hand, results from exposure for a few minutes or less, with color shifts measured within seconds or a few minutes after the adapting light is extinguished; recovery to the pre-adapted state is complete in less than an hour. Here, both types of adaptation were combined. All adaptation was to reddish-appearing long-wavelength light. Shifts in unique yellow were measured following adaptation. Previous studies demonstrate shifts in unique yellow due to VLT chromatic adaptation, but shifts from short-term chromatic adaptation to comparable adapting light can be far greater than from VLT adaptation. The question considered here is whether the color shifts from VLT adaptation are cumulative with large shifts from short-term adaptation or, alternatively, does simultaneous short-term adaptation eliminate color shifts caused by VLT adaptation. The results show the color shifts from VLT and short-term adaptation together are cumulative, which indicates that both short-term and very-long-term chromatic adaptation affect color perception during natural viewing.
Surface gravity wave effects in the oceanic boundary layer: large-eddy simulation with vortex force and stochastic breakers

The wind-driven stably stratified mid-latitude oceanic surface turbulent boundary layer is computationally simulated in the presence of a specified surface gravity-wave field. The gravity waves have broad wavenumber and frequency spectra typical of measured conditions in near-equilibrium with the mean wind speed. The simulation model is based on (i) an asymptotic theory for the conservative dynamical effects of waves on the wave-averaged boundary-layer currents and (ii) a boundary-layer forcing by a stochastic representation of the impulses and energy fluxes in a field of breaking waves. The wave influences are shown to be profound on both the mean current profile and turbulent statistics compared to a simulation without these wave influences and forced by an equivalent mean surface stress. As expected from previous studies with partial combinations of these wave influences, Langmuir circulations due to the wave-averaged vortex force make vertical eddy fluxes of momentum and material concentration much more efficient and non-local (i.e. with negative eddy viscosity near the surface), and they combine with the breakers to increase the turbulent energy and dissipation rate. They also combine in an unexpected positive feedback in which breaker-generated vorticity seeds the creation of a new Langmuir circulation and instigates a deep strong intermittent downwelling jet that penetrates through the boundary layer and increases the material entrainment rate at the base of the layer. These wave effects on the boundary layer are greater for smaller wave ages and higher mean wind speeds.
Visual Quality Determines the Direction of Neural Repetition Effects

One ubiquitous finding in functional magnetic resonance imaging studies is that repeated stimuli elicit lower responses than novel stimuli. In apparent contradiction, some studies have reported the exact opposite effect—greater responses to repeated than novel stimuli—in many of the same brain regions. Interestingly, these latter enhancement effects are typically obtained when stimuli have been degraded. To explore this observation, the present study examines the degree to which visual quality mediates repetition effects in a stimulus-selective ventral visual area. Subjects were presented with grayscale photographs of scenes that were either near or substantially above visual threshold, as determined by calibrating image contrast to behavioral performance. The presentation of 2 identical high-contrast scenes elicited lower blood oxygen level--dependent (BOLD) responses than the presentation of 2 different high-contrast scenes (repetition attenuation). Conversely, the presentation of 2 identical low-contrast scenes elicited greater BOLD responses than the presentation of 2 different lowcontrast scenes (repetition enhancement). Neurophysiological studies suggest that repetition attenuation in ventral visual areas may reflect the reactivation of perceptual representations that have become sparse and selective as a result of prior experience, whereas repetition enhancement may reflect spared access to existing representations by severely degraded input.
Small efficient vertical cavity lasers with tapered oxide apertures

The authors demonstrate vertical cavity lasers utilising tapered apertures to close the active region, permitting good current confinement combined with low optical scattering losses. Because the slope efficiency remains high at small sizes, devices as small as 2 µm in diameter have wall-plug efficiencies of > 20%. By better scaling, wall-plug efficiencies of 17–25% are achieved at low output powers of 100–500 µW.
Training Conditional Random Fields for Maximum Labelwise Accuracy

We consider the problem of training a conditional random field (CRF) to maximize per-label predictive accuracy on a training set, an approach motivated by the principle of empirical risk minimization. We give a gradient-based procedure for minimizing an arbitrarily accurate approximation of the empirical risk under a Hamming loss function. In experiments with both simulated and real data, our optimization procedure gives significantly better testing performance than several current approaches for CRF training, especially in situations of high label noise.
Lipid Oxidation Products Have Opposite Effects on Calcifying Vascular Cell and Bone Cell Differentiation A Possible Explanation for the Paradox of Arterial Calcification in Osteoporotic Patients

Abstract Atherosclerotic calcification and osteoporosis often coexist in patients, yielding formation of bone mineral in vascular walls and its simultaneous loss from bone. To assess the potential role of lipoproteins in both processes, we examined the effects of minimally oxidized low-density lipoprotein (MM-LDL) and several other lipid oxidation products on calcifying vascular cells (CVCs) and bone-derived preosteoblasts MC3T3-E1. In CVCs, MM-LDL but not native LDL inhibited proliferation, caused a dose-dependent increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, which is a marker of osteoblastic differentiation, and induced the formation of extensive areas of calcification. Similar to MM-LDL, oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (ox-PAPC) and the isoprostane 8-iso prostaglandin E2 but not PAPC or isoprostane 8-iso prostaglandin F2α induced alkaline phosphatase activity and differentiation of CVCs. In contrast, MM-LDL and the above oxidized lipids inhibited differentiation of the MC3T3-E1 bone cells, as evidenced by their stimulatory effect on proliferation and their inhibitory effect on the induction of alkaline phosphatase and calcium uptake. These results suggest that specific oxidized lipids may be the common factors underlying the pathogenesis of both atherosclerotic calcification and osteoporosis.
The Constitution Can Do No Wrong

Preserving constitutional legitimacy by holding that constitutional text can be “redeemed” from incorrect perceptions is an important theme in Jack Balkin's Living Originalism. That premise stems from the text's reference to a “more perfect union,” which encompasses an ideal that sits above doctrines of the U.S. Supreme Court at any given time. This piece explores the concept of redemption by drawing comparisons between our constitutional text and the British Crown, with a special emphasis on the influential English journalist, Walter Bagehot, and his work, The English Constitution. Exploring Bagehot's analysis of the British Crown reveals an infallibility principle similar to the constitutional text. The infallibility principle empowers government by preserving reverence. It also provides a fiction whereby the Supreme Court can make errors, but the constitutional text itself remains flawless. The comparison between the British Crown and the Constitution leads to three consequences emanating from the presumption that the Constitution “can do no wrong.” First, some things are too awful to be constitutional. Second, some things are too awful to have been constitutional. And third, some things about the Constitution are too sensitive to discuss in public. These interpretive principles exemplify the role that legal fictions must play in successful constitutionalism.
DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES OF THE STREET-LEVEL DRUG TRADE

This paper examines the short-term battle being conducted by streetlevel drug suppression units in two cities, Minneapolis (MN) and Kansas City (MO). It details features of point-of-sale drug markets that have not been widely explored in the research literature to date, and illuminates an aspect of the crack trade not yet widely discussed: the resilience and adaptability of drug dealers to street-level interdiction tactics.1 Data were gathered in two separate phases of participant observation. The Minneapolis operations were observed over a three-year period, while the author was serving as on-site Director for the Crime Control Institute (CCI) during the RECAP and Hot Spots of Crime experiments. A specialty unit charged with problem-solving at addresses which produced
New applications of failure functions

Presented are several algorithms whose operations are governed by a principle of failure functions: When searching for an extremal value within a sequence, it suffices to consider only the subsequence of items each of which is the first possible improvement of its predecessor. These algorithms are more efficient than their more traditional counterparts.
Direct visualization of endogenous Salmonella‐specific B cells reveals a marked delay in clonal expansion and germinal center development

CD4(+) T cells and B cells are both essential for acquired immunity to Salmonella infection. It is well established that Salmonella inhibit host CD4(+) T-cell responses, but a corresponding inhibitory effect on B cells is less well defined. Here, we utilize an Ag tetramer and pull-down enrichment strategy to directly visualize OVA-specific B cells in mice, as they respond to infection with Salmonella-OVA. Surprisingly, OVA-specific B-cell expansion and germinal center formation was not detected until bacteria were cleared from the host. Furthermore, Salmonella infection also actively inhibited both B- and T-cell responses to the same coinjected Ag but this did not require the presence of iNOS. The Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI2) locus has been shown to be responsible for inhibition of Salmonella-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses, and an examination of SPI2-deficient bacteria demonstrated a recovery in B-cell expansion in infected mice. Together, these data suggest that Salmonella can simultaneously inhibit host B- and T-cell responses using SPI2-dependent mechanisms.
Do metallic ports in tissue expanders affect postmastectomy radiation delivery

Purpose: Postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) is often delivered to patients with permanent breast implants. On occasion, patients are irradiated with a tissue expander (TE) in place before their permanent implant exchange. Because of concern of potential under-dosing in these patients, we examined the dosimetric effects of the Magna-Site (Santa Barbara, CA) metallic port that is present in certain TEs. Methods and Materials: We performed ex vivo film dosimetry with single 6-MV and 15-MV photon beams on a water phantom containing a Magna-Site disc in two orientations. Additionally, using in vivo films, we measured the exit dose from 1 patient's TE-reconstructed breast during chest wall treatment with 15-MV tangent beams. Finally, we placed thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) on 6 patients with TEs who received PMRT delivered with 15-MV tangent beams. Results: Phantom film dosimetry revealed decreased transmission in the region of the Magna-Site, particularly with the magnet in the parallel orientation (at 22 mm: 78% transmission with 6 MV, 84% transmission with 15 MV). The transmission measured by in vivo films during single beam treatment concurred with ex vivo results. TLD data showed acceptable variation in median dose to the skin (86–101% prescription dose). Conclusion: Because of potential dosimetric effects of the Magna-Site, it is preferable to treat PMRT patients with permanent implants. However, it is not unreasonable to treat with a TE because the volume of tissue affected by attenuation from the Magna-Site is small. In this scenario, we recommend using 15 MV photons with compensating bolus.
DIFFUSE X-RAY AND NEUTRON REFLECTION FROM SURFACES AND INTERFACES

Neutron and X-ray reflectometry were initially conceived as tools for studying the average structure of materials in a direction perpendicular to planar surfaces or interfaces. As such, they probed the variation of the intensity of specular scattering at grazing incidence as the momentum transfer perpendicular to the surface was changed. Any offspecular or diffuse scattering observed in these experiments was regarded as a nuisance, i.e. background that simply had to be subtracted to obtain reliable values for the specular reflectivity. More recently, both neutrons and X-rays have been used to study diffuse scattering from surfaces and interfaces in order to learn about lateral inhomogeneities within the reflecting surface. A variety of phenomena ranging from capillary waves on liquids to roughness correlations in the growth of thin films have been studied in this way. Because diffuse scattering is generally weak, the intense beams of X-rays available from modern synchrotron sources have been more widely used in the study of diffuse surface scattering than neutrons. Nevertheless, in certain cases, such as the study of magnetic systems or certain polymer problems, neutrons still have a role to play. In all cases, diffuse scattering observed in reflectometry experiments arises from inhomogeneities in the reflecting medium, and by far the most common cause of such inhomogeneity is surface roughness. Rough surfaces give rise to diffuse scattering when waves (i.e. neutrons or x-rays) scattered from “valleys” and “peaks” of the surface are significantly out of phase with one another. A calculation of the difference in path length for such waves quickly leads to the conclusion that a surface will appear smooth when
Linear motion microactuators using piezoelectric thin films

Two novel types of microactuators for linear displacements are presented which use piezoelectric thin films for the electrical-to-mechanical energy process. One actuator uses a folded path or meander line geometry to produce tethered linear displacements. The other actuator uses an inertial recoil mechanism in conjunction with an electrostatic clamp to produce incremental stepping motion. Sufficient repetition of the stepping sequence produces virtually unlimited travel range, being limited by practical considerations such as electrical connections. Electromechanical models for both actuators are developed and are used to quantitatively estimate the performance of actuators designed to a particular set of dimensions. Fabrication procedures for making both microactuators have been developed, and the status of the fabrication efforts is presented. >
Proteomic analysis of β-aminobutyric acid priming and abscisic acid – induction of drought resistance in crabapple (Malus pumila): effect on general metabolism, the phenylpropanoid pathway and cell wall enzymes

In a variety of herbaceous, model and crop plants, DL-β-aminobutyric acid (BABA), has been shown to enhance both biotic and abiotic stress resistance by potentiating rather than inducing resistance responses but studies in woody plants are lacking. In the present study, two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (DIGE) was used to quantify differences in protein abundance in leaf tissue from BABA-treated, abscisic acid (ABA)-treated and untreated (control) plants during a 10 d drought stress. ABA-treated seedlings were most resistant to water loss followed by BABA-treated seedlings and then untreated seedlings. Although some similarity was observed in the proteome of ABA- and BABA-treated seedlings, a dramatic shift in the proteome occurred earlier in ABA-treated seedlings. Some proteins showed almost identical patterns of increase or decrease in abundance in both BABA- and ABA-treated seedlings, supporting the concept that BABA-induced abiotic stress resistance in plants is achieved by potentiating an ABA-regulated pathway. Some proteins, however, were induced or suppressed only in BABA-primed plants, indicating that BABA may also mediate resistance via some ABA-independent pathways. Based on the putative function of the identified proteins, we propose that changes in cell wall enzymes and a suppression of lignin biosynthesis may play a specific role in BABA-primed drought resistance.
A note on the spin-up from rest of a stratified fluid

Abstract A principal mechanism in the spin-up from rest of a stratified fluid is the development of intense penetrative vortices produced by flow instabilities. The main features of this process are described.
Semiautomatic 3-D image registration as applied to interventional MRI liver cancer treatment

The authors evaluated semiautomatic, voxel-based registration methods for a new application, the assessment and optimization of interventional magnetic resonance imaging (I-MRI) guided thermal ablation of liver cancer. The abdominal images acquired on a low-field-strength, open I-MRI system contain noise, motion artifacts, and tissue deformation. Dissimilar images can be obtained as a result of different MRI acquisition techniques and/or changes induced by treatments. These features challenge a registration algorithm. The authors evaluated one manual and four automated methods on clinical images acquired before treatment, immediately following treatment, and during several follow-up studies. Images were T2-weighted, T1-weighted Gd-DTPA enhanced, T1-weighted, and short-inversion-time inversion recovery (STIR). Registration accuracy was estimated from distances between anatomical landmarks. Mutual information gave better results than entropy, correlation, and variance of gray-scale ratio. Preprocessing steps such as masking and an initialization method that used two-dimensional (2-D) registration to obtain initial transformation estimates were crucial. With proper preprocessing, automatic registration was successful with all image pairs having reasonable image quality. A registration accuracy of /spl ap/3 mm was achieved with both manual and mutual information methods. Despite motion and deformation in the liver, mutual information registration is sufficiently accurate and robust for useful applications in I-MRT thermal ablation therapy.
Risk factors for coronary artery disease and the use of neural networks to predict the presence or absence of high blood pressure

The Framingham Heart Study was initiated in 1948 as a long-term longitudinal study to identify risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Over the years the scope of the study has expanded to include offspring and other family members of the original cohort, marker data useful for gene mapping and information on other diseases. As a result, it is a rich resource for many areas of research going beyond the original goals. As part of the Genetic Analysis Workshop 13, we used data from the study to evaluate the ability of neural networks to use CVD risk factors as training data for predictions of normal and high blood pressure. Applying two different strategies to the coding of CVD risk data as risk factors (one longitudinal and one independent of time), we found that neural networks could not be trained to clearly separate individuals into normal and high blood pressure groups. When training was successful, validation was not, suggesting over-fitting of the model. When the number of parameters was reduced, training was not as good. An analysis of the input data showed that the neural networks were, in fact, finding consistent patterns, but that these patterns were not correlated with the presence or absence of high blood pressure. Neural network analysis, applied to risk factors for CVD in the Framingham data, did not lead to a clear classification of individuals into groups with normal and high blood pressure. Thus, although high blood pressure may itself be a risk factor for CVD, it does not appear to be clearly predictable using observations from a set of other CVD risk factors.
Random Insertion Mutagenesis of Sindbis Virus Nonstructural Protein 2 and Selection of Variants Incapable of Downregulating Cellular Transcription

Sindbis virus nonstructural protein 2 (SINV nsP2) is an important determinant of virus pathogenesis and downregulation of virus-induced cell response. This protein efficiently inhibits transcription of cellular messenger and ribosomal RNAs and, thus, is capable of inhibiting the activation of genes whose products are involved in development of the antiviral response. Alphavirus nsP2 has a number of predicted functional domains, some of which were confirmed by crystal structure. Our current study demonstrated that none of the putative or known structural domains alone or their combinations was capable of functioning in transcription inhibition. By using random, transposon-mediated mutagenesis, we generated a library of SINV nsP2 variants having short peptide insertions and selected those that lost the ability to inhibit cellular transcription and cause a cytopathic effect. Insertions abrogating the nuclear functions of the protein were found in the three different functional nsP2 domains. Some of the mutated protein variants retained the enzymatic functions required for replication of the viral genome. Such viruses were capable of efficient, productive replication in cells defective in interferon (IFN) signaling but were attenuated and incapable of spreading in cells with an intact type I IFN response. These results revealed new information about the structure of SINV nsP2 and interaction of its domains.