cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency severely restricts the biotransformation of daunorubicin in human erythrocytes☆

Recognition and analysis of distinct mechanisms by which primaquine and other hemolytic drugs activate the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS) have suggested a hitherto unsuspected pharmacogenetic interaction between daunorubicin metabolism and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Because this deficiency is very common, and because anthracyclines are indispensable antitumor antibiotics that are biotransformed mainly by carbonyl reductase, we have compared the reductase-mediated conversion of daunorubicin to daunorubicinol and the conversion of doxorubicin to doxorubicinol in G6PD-deficient and nondeficient erythrocytes. We found that even without G6PD deficiency, the HMS dehydrogenases selectively limited daunorubicin metabolism, as contrasted with that of doxorubicin. The milder GdA- variety of G6PD deficiency restricted the biotransformation of daunorubicin at therapeutic levels, in hemolysates and intact erythrocytes, within 15 minutes, for at least 24 hours. The bioconversion defect was even more severe in Gd Mediterranean G6PD deficiency. Primaquine aldehyde competed with daunorubicin as a substrate for carbonyl reductase. These studies show that HMS dehydrogenase activity controls carbonyl reductase-dependent biotransformation. New issues arise concerning possible effects of G6PD deficiency on the oncolytic and toxic properties of anthracyclines that are effective substrates for carbonyl reductase and also on non-xenobiotic reactions catalyzed by this enzyme.
Phenylephrine in treating maternal hypotension due to spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery: effects on neonatal catecholamine concentrations, acid base status and Apgar scores.

Maternal and neonatal catecholamine concentrations, following the use of either phenylephrine or ephedrine to treat a drop in maternal blood pressure after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery, were compared. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group 1 patients (n = 20) were treated with ephedrine given as 5 mg intravenous bolus injections; Group 2 patients (n = 20) were treated with phenylephrine given as 40 micrograms intravenous bolus injections, for decreases in maternal systolic blood pressure to maintain maternal systolic blood pressure above 100 mmHg. Maternal vein (MV), umbilical vein (UV), and umbilical artery (UA) blood samples were taken at the time of delivery. Samples were analyzed for catecholamine concentrations and blood gas values. Noradrenaline concentrations in UA, UV and MV (at delivery) samples were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2; they were 6858 +/- 3689 vs 1674 +/- 944 pg.ml-1 (P < 0.0001), 1265 +/- 758 vs 395 +/- 470 pg.ml-1 (P < 0.001) and 239 +/- 165 vs 103 +/- 93 pg.ml-1 (P < 0.01), respectively. Comparing blood gas values between groups 1 and 2, statistically significant differences were observed in UA pH (7.28 +/- 0.01 and 7.32 +/- 0.01 pH units, P = 0.01), UA pCO2 (7.32 +/- 0.24 and 6.68 +/- 0.21 kPa, P = 0.03), UA base excess (2.2 +/- 0.4 and 0.9 +/- 0.4 mmol.1-1, P = 0.04) and UV base excess (2.0 +/- 0.3 and 0.7 +/- 0.3 mmol.1-1, P = 0.004). No significant differences in maternal characteristics, acid base values, incidence of nausea and vomiting, and Apgar scores were observed between groups. Phenylephrine appears to be as safe and effective as ephedrine in treatment of drop in blood pressure in healthy non-labouring parturients undergoing caesarean delivery. The use of phenylephrine was also associated with significantly lower noradrenaline concentrations in both mother and neonate.
Drinking behavior in the spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) following putative dipsogenic challenges.

Abstract Male spiny mice ( Acomys cahirinus ) were challenged with several putative dipsogenic stimulus conditions: hypertonic sodium chloride (NaCL), 24-h water deprivation, d , l -isoproterenol HCl, angiotensin II (AII) and polythylene glycol (PEG), or control conditions, in within-subjects designs. Water intake and drinking pattern were monitored electronically in the home cage over a 2–6-h test period without food present, during the light portion of the L/D cycle. In addition, hematocrits were measured following several treatments and mean arterial blood pressure was monitored in response to several doses of AII. As expected, both water deprivation and hypertonic NaCl led to robust drinking with short latencies. PEG was also an effective dipsogen; while quite variable, latencies were often shorter than are typically reported for the rat. Isoproterenol induced a modest, but significant, dose-related drinking. Interference by AII's prominent pressor action might account, at least in part, for its relative ineffectiveness as a dipsogen. Comparisons are made with other rodent species similarly challenged.
Predictors of utilization of early colonoscopy vs. radiography for severe lower intestinal bleeding.

Background The management of acute lower intestinal bleeding is not standardized. This study assessed factors associated with early (within 24 hours of presentation) colonoscopy vs. radiographic evaluation of patients with severe acute lower intestinal bleeding in routine practice. Methods A cohort of 252 patients admitted with acute lower intestinal bleeding to a teaching hospital (August 1996 to June 1999) was studied retrospectively. Severe bleeding was defined as transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells and/or a greater than 20% decrease in hematocrit within 24 hours of presentation. If both colonoscopy and radiography were performed, the initial procedure was analyzed. Multivariable regression was used to identify independent factors related to each of the two initial interventions. Results A total of 118 patients met criteria for severe bleeding; 33 (28%) underwent an initial, early colonoscopy and 20 (17%) underwent an initial, early radiographic procedure (17 radionuclide scintigraphy, 3 angiography). Independent factors related to early colonoscopy were post-polypectomy bleeding (OR 6.3: 95% CI[1.4, 28.0]), admission on a weekday (OR 3.0: 95% CI[1.0, 8.6]), and admission late in the day (OR 2.7: 95% CI[1.0, 7.0]). Independent factors related to early radiography were tachycardia (OR 5.1: 95% CI[1.7, 14.9]), syncope (OR 3.8: 95% CI[1.1, 13.2]) and bleeding during the first 4 hours after admission (OR 3.1: 95% CI[1.0, 9.0]). Colonoscopy was associated with shorter hospital stay (p=0.025), increased diagnostic yield (p=0.005), and fewer red blood cell transfusions (p=0.024). Rates of therapeutic intervention, surgery, and death did not differ significantly between the two strategies. Conclusions Logistical factors and the likelihood of a localized source of bleeding influence the performance of early colonoscopy for the evaluation of acute lower intestinal bleeding, whereas patients with clinical indicators of severe bleeding often undergo radiographic procedures. Because early colonoscopy may improve outcomes, further studies are needed to compare available strategies and to standardize the management of acute lower intestinal bleeding.
Identifying coding exons by similarity search: alu-derived and other potentially misleading protein sequences.

Abstract The search for significant local similarities with known protein sequences is a powerful method for interpreting anonymous cDNA sequences or locating coding exons within genomic DNA sequences at a stage where the average contig size is still very small. The BLASTx program, implemented on the National Center for Biotechnology Information server, allows a sensitive search of all putative translations of a nucleotide query sequence against all known proteins in a matter of seconds. From an analysis of the current databases, I report a set of protein sequences exhibiting high local similarity to Alu repeat or vector sequences. These entries can lead to misleading interpretations of similarity searches. During the course of this study, the protease of a human spumaretrovirus was found to have integrated the 3′ end half of the U2 snRNA.
Stochastic Pulse Regulation in Bacterial Stress Response

Gene regulatory circuits can use dynamic, and even stochastic, strategies to respond to environmental conditions. We examined activation of the general stress response mediated by the alternative sigma factor, σB, in individual Bacillus subtilis cells. We observed that energy stress activates σB in discrete stochastic pulses, with increasing levels of stress leading to higher pulse frequencies. By perturbing and rewiring the endogenous system, we found that this behavior results from three key features of the σB circuit: an ultrasensitive phosphorylation switch; stochasticity (“noise”), which activates that switch; and a mixed (positive and negative) transcriptional feedback, which can both amplify a pulse and switch it off. Together, these results show how prokaryotes encode signals using stochastic pulse frequency modulation through a compact regulatory architecture.
Renal expression of genes that promote interstitial inflammation and fibrosis in rats with protein-overload proteinuria.

Renal expression of genes that promote interstitial inflammation and fibrosis in rats with protein-overload proteinuria. Rats with significant proteinuria induced by daily injections of bovine serum albumin develop interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. The present study was designed to investigate the molecular basis of interstitial monocyte (Mo) recruitment and early interstitial fibrosis. Groups of rats were sacrificed after one, two and three weeks. Despite an increase in interstitial Mo at week 1, whole kidney mRNA levels were not elevated for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), osteopontin or vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Only osteopontin mRNA levels were significantly elevated in the renal cortex at four days. At two and three weeks, MCP-1 and osteopontin mRNA levels were increased and the proteins showed distinct tubular patterns of distribution. By immunostaining increased expression of VCAM-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was restricted to their presence or the surface of the interstitial inflammatory cells. TGF-β1 mRNA levels were increased at weeks 1, 2 and 3 (2.1, 2.9, 3.6x); interstitial and occasional cortical tubular cells expressed TGF-β1 mRNA and protein. There was a progressive rise in the number of cortical interstitial fields with increased staining for collagen (col) 1 (18, 29, 44%), col III (39, 61, 63%), col IV (7,13, 29%), laminin (4,10, 30%), fibronectin (14, 28, 37%), tenascin (19, 22, 14%) and in total renal col measured biochemically (1.1,1.4,2.0x) at weeks 1,2 and 3, respectively. Renal matrix protein mRNA levels were variable and not always predictive of fibrosis. Only col I and tenascin levels were increased at week 1; all matrix protein mRNA levels except col IV were increased at week 2; but only tenascin, laminin and col IV mRNA levels remained elevated at three weeks. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 mRNA levels were significantly increased at two weeks. During the three weeks there was no change in urokinase, stromelysin or TIMP-3 mRNA levels. These results suggest that both increased matrix protein synthesis and altered matrix remodeling/degradation contribute to the final interstitial fibrogenic process in rats with protein-overload proteinuria. Mo, one of the sources of TGF-β1, infiltrate the interstitium by complex recruitment mechanisms which may depend in part on osteopontin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression.
Differences between rats and mice in the involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide-induced ovarian follicle loss

Abstract Repeated dosing with the occupational chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) selectively depletes small pre-antral follicles in the ovaries of rats and mice via apoptosis. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a role in mediating the effects of several xenobiotics. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate a potential role of the AhR in VCD-induced ovotoxicity. Female F344 rats, C57BL/6 mice, or AhR-deficient (−/−, AhRKO) mice were dosed daily (15 days) with vehicle, VCD (80 mg/kg, i.p.) and/or the AhR antagonist, alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF; 80 mg/kg, i.p.). Compared with controls, VCD caused a 60% reduction (P
All Two-Dimensional, Flexible, Transparent, and Thinnest Thin Film Transistor

In this article, we report only 10 atomic layer thick, high mobility, transparent thin film transistors (TFTs) with ambipolar device characteristics fabricated on both a conventional silicon platform as well as on a flexible substrate. Monolayer graphene was used as metal electrodes, 3–4 atomic layers of h-BN were used as the gate dielectric, and finally bilayers of WSe2 were used as the semiconducting channel material for the TFTs. The field effect carrier mobility was extracted to be 45 cm2/(V s), which exceeds the mobility values of state of the art amorphous silicon based TFTs by ∼100 times. The active device stack of WSe2–hBN–graphene was found to be more than 88% transparent over the entire visible spectrum and the device characteristics were unaltered for in-plane mechanical strain of up to 2%. The device demonstrated remarkable temperature stability over 77–400 K. Low contact resistance value of 1.4 kΩ-μm, subthreshold slope of 90 mv/decade, current ON–OFF ratio of 107, and presence of both electr...
Random sampling of random processes: Mean-square behavior of a first order closed-loop system

This paper discusses the mean-square performance of a first order random sampled-data system with feedback, where the sampling times constitute a stationary point process, with independent and identically distributed sampling intervals. The paper presents some new results for the cases of periodic sampling, periodic sampling with skips, and Poisson sampling.
Prenatal exposure to excess testosterone modifies the developmental trajectory of the insulin-like growth factor system in female sheep

Experimental elevation of maternal testosterone (T) from 30 to 90 days of gestation leads to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and increased prepubertal growth rate in female lambs. This study tested the hypothesis that prenatal T treatment during mid-gestation alters the trajectory of the fetal insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) system to promote IUGR and subsequent postnatal catch-up growth in female lambs. Plasma IGF-I and IGFBPs were measured by radioimmunoassay and Western ligand blot, respectively, on 65, 90 and 140 days (d) of gestation, at birth, approximately 5 months (prepubertal, the catch-up growth period), and approximately 9.5 months (postpubertal). Northern blot analysis was used to measure hepatic mRNA content of IGF system components during fetal stages. At fetal 65 d, plasma protein and hepatic mRNA content of IGFBP-1, an inhibitor of IGF bioactivity, was elevated in prenatal T-treated fetuses although body weight did not differ. There was a transient increase in plasma IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations at fetal 90 d in prenatal T-treated fetuses. Hepatic IGF-I mRNA and plasma IGFBP-3 content were reduced by 140 d when body weight was reduced in prenatal T-treated fetuses. Plasma IGFBP-2 content was significantly reduced in prenatal T-treated newborns, but by 4 months these females had significantly higher circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations and faster growth rates than control females. After puberty, plasma IGF-I remained elevated in prenatal T-treated females. These findings provide evidence that prenatal T excess programmes the developmental trajectory of the IGF/IGFBP system in female sheep to reduce IGF bioavailability during IUGR and increase IGF bioavailability during prepubertal catch-up growth.
Infrared-laser spectroscopy, 1980-1983

The text for the Short Course on Infrared Laser Spectroscopy given at the Los Alamos Conference on Optics '83 is R. S. McDowell, "Vibrational Spectroscopy Using Tunable Lasers," in Vibrational Spectra and Structure, J. R. Durig, ed. (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1981) 10, 1-151, which includes references through 1979. The present paper summarizes progress in this field from 1980 to early 1983.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
n-hexane neuropathy due to rubber cement sniffing

n-Hexane neuropathy has been described after glue sniffing and industrial exposure. Onset may be subacute and reminiscent of Guil- lain-Barresyndrome. Although the primary pathology is axonal, electro- physiologic evaluation is frequently most remarkable for conduction slowing. We describe a patient with a severe subacute neuropathy following n- hexane exposure via glue sniffing. Although symptoms worsened after ter- mination of exposure (''coasting''), strength gradually improved to near nor- mal. Sources of toxic exposure should be sought in all patients with subacute demyelinating neuropathies. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 20: 1445-1450, 1997
Training the Clinician Investigator

Medicine today presents daunting challenges to the young clinician aspiring to an investigative career. Among these are the ever-increasing vastness of the scientific literature, a highly competitive grant environment, and the allure of private practice. Despite these challenges, never have the investigative opportunities been greater. The “gap” between the basic laboratory and the wards is rapidly narrowing, rendering accessible a number of big clinical questions (eg, who really needs an implantable defibrillator? How can we repair injured organs?) that seemed elusive only 5 or 10 years ago. Here, we reflect on the general question of how to train the clinician investigator. Both of us have spoken on this topic, notably at the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association; the present document distills the essence of our reflections and recommendations. Although primarily intended as a primer for trainees and junior faculty facing crucial career decisions, the reflections have important policy implications for addressing a problem that threatens to undermine the future of academic medicine. In facing the prospect of whether or not to go down the clinician investigator path, the trainee must consider a number of issues and possible roadblocks. ### Motivation Are you truly curious and passionate about finding the answer to a significant question? Research should be the end in itself and not the means to an end, such as promotion or recognition (although both of these will ultimately come to the successful clinical investigator). ### Length of Training Specialty boards have generally reacted to the expansion of medical knowledge by steadily increasing the minimal requirements for certification. For example, 12 years or more after college …
The Radio Frequency Subsystem and Radio Science on the MESSENGER Mission

The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) Radio Frequency (RF) Telecommunications Subsystem is used to send commands to the spacecraft, transmit information on the state of the spacecraft and science-related observations, and assist in navigating the spacecraft to and in orbit about Mercury by providing precise observations of the spacecraft’s Doppler velocity and range in the line of sight to Earth. The RF signal is transmitted and received at X-band frequencies (7.2 GHz uplink, 8.4 GHz downlink) by the NASA Deep Space Network. The tracking data from MESSENGER will contribute significantly to achieving the mission’s geophysics objectives. The RF subsystem, as the radio science instrument, will help determine Mercury’s gravitational field and, in conjunction with the Mercury Laser Altimeter instrument, help determine the topography of the planet. Further analysis of the data will improve the knowledge of the planet’s orbital ephemeris and rotation state. The rotational state determination includes refined measurements of the obliquity and forced physical libration, which are necessary to characterize Mercury’s core state.
Pose-Invariant Physiological Face Recognition in the Thermal Infrared Spectrum

We present a novel framework for face recognition based on physiological information. The motivation behind this effort is to capitalize on the permanency of innate characteristics that are under the skin. To establish feasibility, we propose a specific methodology to capture facial physiological patterns using the bioheat information contained in thermal imagery. First, the algorithm delineates the human face from the background using the Bayesian framework. Then, it localizes the superficial blood vessel network using image morphology. The extracted vascular network produces contour shapes that are characteristic to each individual. The branching points of the skeletonized vascular network are referred to as Thermal Minutia Points (TMP) and constitute the feature database. To render the method robust to facial pose variations we collect for each subject to be stored in the database five (5) different pose images (center, mid-left profile, left profile, mid-right profile, and right profile). During the classification stage, the algorithm first estimates the pose of the test image. Then, it matches the local and global TMP structures extracted from the test image with those of the corresponding pose images in the database. We have conducted experiments on a sizeable database of thermal facial images collected in our lab. The good experimental results show that the proposed methodology has merit. More important, the results demonstrate the feasibility of the physiological framework in face recognition and open the way for further methodological and experimental research in the area.
Micropropagation of Populus trichocarpa ‘Nisqually-1’: the genotype deriving the Populus reference genome

Populus serves as a model tree for biotechnology and molecular biology research due to the availability of the reference genome sequence of Populus trichocarpa (Torr. & Gray) genotype ‘Nisqually-1’. However, ‘Nisqually-1’ has been shown to be very recalcitrant to micropropagation, regeneration and transformation. In this study, a highly efficient micropropagation protocol from greenhouse-grown shoot tips of ‘Nisqually-1’ was established. The optimal micropropagation protocol involves growing in vitro shoots in plant growth regulator-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 0.3% Gelrite® and 5–10 g L−1 of activated charcoal. Plants grown on this medium were significantly longer, and contained significantly higher concentrations of chlorophyll. This highly effective protocol provides a consistent supply of quality leaf and stem materials throughout the year for transformation experiments and other in vitro manipulations, therefore eliminating inconsistency due to seasonal and greenhouse environmental variations and the need for repetitive tissue sterilization.
Ontogeny of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area

An area of increased cell density in the medial preoptic area of the adult rat brain which is markedly larger in volume in the male has been named the Sexually Dimorphic Nucleus of the Preoptic Area (SDN-POA). It has been further shown that the presence of the testes or exogenous androgen during the first week of postnatal life significantly increases the volume of the SDN-POA in the brain of the adult. The present study was conducted to describe the time course of the prenatal and postnatal development of the SDN-POA in the intact male and female rat. Sprague-Dawley females were housed with males on proestrus. The presence of sperm in the vaginal smear on estrus was used to define day 1 of gestation. Male and female prenatal and postnatal pups were sacrificed and perfused with 10% neutral formalin on days 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, and 32 postfertilization. Following histological sectioning at 60 mm and staining with thionin, three investigators independently drew the boundaries of the SDN-POA on successive sections, using a microprojector at a magnification of 43.5. A fourth investigator averaged the three drawings; from this average, the nuclear volume was determined with a calibrated planimeter. All drawings and measurements were performed without knowledge of age or sex since the brains were coded according to a random number generator. The volume of the SDN-POA was found to be significantly larger in males than in females on days 23, and 25 through 32. Moreover, the volume of the SDN-POA increased significantly with age in the male, but there was no change in SDN-POA volume in the female. In order to test the specificity of the sexual dimorphism of the SDN-POA, five different linear measurements were taken of brain size. There was a significant increase in these parameters in both sexes with increasing age; however, there was no significant sex difference found. Thus, the sex difference in volume of the SDN-POA cannot be accounted for by sex differences or age-related changes in brain size per se. These data suggest that the development of the SDN-POA (as measured by volume) is itself sexually dimorphic. There are dramatic increases in the male, but not in the female, during a time-period which is known to be critical for sexual differentiation of the brain.
A 1.1 GHz Fifth Order Active- LC Butterworth Type Equalizing Filter

This paper describes architectural and design considerations for low power, GHz range wideband low-pass active filters. A series LC resonator based biquad is proposed and its power efficiency is shown to be over 7 times better than an equivalent Gm-C biquad. Reduced number of active elements and readily available bandpass and low-pass signals make this topology particularly suitable for efficient realization of equalizing functions. Also demonstrated is a common-mode feedback scheme that allows for a stable, high accuracy common-mode control with loop bandwidth which can exceed twice the filter's bandwidth. A fifth order active-LC Butterworth filter prototype is fabricated in a standard 0.18 CMOS technology. It provides a bandwidth of 1.1 GHz and features equalization gain programmable over a 0-23 dB range. It is experimentally verified to achieve 47 dB SNR and 48 dB IM3 with 250 mVpp swing while consuming 72 mW of power.
Self-Cutting and Suicidal Ideation among Adolescents: Gender Differences in the Causes and Correlates of Self-Injury

In recent years, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents has been identified as alarmingly common place. Some studies have suggested that more than one in eight adolescents have engaged in self-cutting or other self-injuring behaviors. Even more of a concern is that self-injury often foreshadows suicide or suicide attempts. With self-cutting common in middle and high schools, understanding the antecedents and correlates of such behavior may help counselors and others public health officials identify troubled students and initiate preventative measures. This study utilizes data from 2,639 high school students from the Delaware Youth Risk Behavior Survey to investigate the gender differences in NSSI and suicidal ideation. Overall, 13% reported engaging in NSSI within the past year, with females reporting significantly higher rates (17%) of NSSI than males (9%). Results indicate that there are significant gender differences in NSSI and suicidal thoughts based upon previous victimization experiences...
Buck modulator with improved large-power bandwidth

A dynamic pulsewidth modulator (DPM) is synthesized to generate a PWM (pulsewidth modulated) signal from dynamic converter variables and from a (quasi-)static control signal. Based on a pragmatic principle with simple hardware implementation, the DPM can be functionally integrated with a PWM converter to broaden the converter power bandwidth, enhancing the converter's ability to meet stringent dynamic specifications. Even if bandwidth broadening is not the prime objective, the smaller phase shift associated with the broader bandwidth simplifies the design of the regulation loop. The DPM principle can also linearize the large-signal behavior of a nonlinear converter. The theory is demonstrated and verified for a buck converter, whose PWM bandwidth is extended from 1/50 of the switching frequency to about 1/3 of the switching frequency.
McTV Understanding the Global Popularity of Television Formats

Globalization has intensified interconnectivity among television industries worldwide. Interconnectivity happens through structural and institutional linkages among television systems and industrie...
The design of a semi-autonomous robot avatar for family communication and education

Robots as an embodied, multi-modal technology have great potential to be used as a new type of communication device. In this paper we outline our development of the Huggable robot as a semi-autonomous robot avatar for two specific types of remote interaction - family communication and education. Through our discussion we highlight how we have applied six important elements in our system to allow for the robot to function as a richly embodied communication channel.
A high resolution holographic particle sizing system

This paper will review briefly the requirements of holography with respect to particle sizing techniques. A holographic construction system and the appropriate reconstruction system will be discussed regarding their characteristics and performance (i.e. system resolution, magnification, system aberration and correction of aberrations, and maximum total test volume). The capabilities of a commercial particle sizing system used to obtain particle sizes and distribution information from reconstructed holograms will be described and characterized. It will be shown that by using the methods described, high resolution throughout large test volumes can be achieved.
Physiological, biochemical, and morphological characteristics of myocardial anoxia: the use of a semi-perfusion canine preparation

Regional myocardial anoxia was produced in dogs by perfusion of the left circumflex artery (LCA) with deoxygenated blood. Isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum fragments (cardiac relaxing system) showed decreased Ca2+ binding and uptake. The ability of isolated mitochondria to utilise long-chain fatty acids was markedly reduced. This model has revealed inherent biochemical differences between ischaemia and anoxia.
Mechanisms for microstructure enhancement in flux-assisted growth of barium titanate on sapphire

A low-temperature thin-film processing method for BaTiO3 is studied to understand microstructure development in the presence of a liquid-forming phase. The addition of a eutectic barium borate flux is found to prevent nucleation of BaTiO3 during pulsed-laser deposition on sapphire substrates at 400 °C. Subsequent thermal annealing above the flux’s eutectic temperature dramatically enhances the film’s microstructural development and crystallinity. A secondary reaction phase of barium aluminate is identified at the substrate interface in both unfluxed and fluxed films, although it is more pronounced in the fluxed films. This barium aluminate phase in conjunction with the liquid flux serves to nucleate {111} twins in the barium titanate, which subsequently lead to enhanced grain growth. The resulting large-grained and dense thin films result in markedly improved dielectric properties.
Making nested rotations convenient for the user

Subimage motion in a three-dimensional computer graphic system is much easier for the user to control if the subimage moves the same direction as his hand while he manipulates the control device. The implementation of such coordinated motion of hand and subimage implies modification of the normal procedure for calculating transformations. The convenience of such manipulation also depends on appropriate selection or design of the input device.This paper reviews the relevant attributes of locator devices and presents an approach to selection. It presents the mathematics of transformation nesting and “compensation” to preserve motionsynchrony. Finally, it offers a case history of an interactive graphic system whose human factors were improved by these techniques.
National Goals for the Education of Children and Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Honoring the Past While Moving Forward

Abstract This article describes the process by which members of the Education Strand of the National Goals 2015 Conference identified recommendations for goals for the next 10 years designed to build on the best of our field's current research and practice knowledge. We describe the Education Strand's five research goals, developed to help the field meet the challenges of the future, and discuss the process that the group of experts who participated in the Education Strand used to reach consensus on these goals.
Democratic Deficit: Trends in the United States and Western Europe

The assumption that the general public in established democracies has become deeply disillusioned with government and politics is so pervasive today that many accounts jump straight into the discussion of consequences and solutions without questioning the evidence. To understand these claims, Part I summarizes what is known about system support from the previous research literature, where concern about trust and confidence in governing institutions has usually waxed and waned over the years, with scholarly accounts reflecting the impact of contemporary political events, realpolitik, and global waves of democratization. Part II sets out the interpretive framework used for describing and interpreting trends in citizens' orientations, emphasizing the importance of paying close attention to the when , where , and what has changed. This chapter focuses upon comparing established democracies, as the longest and richest time-series survey data is available in these societies. Longitudinal trends are documented in the United States and Western Europe, all affluent societies with extensive historical experience of democracy. Using the Eastonian framework discussed earlier, the chapter first compares developments in the most specific levels of support, including attitudes toward particular government agencies, and then moves upward to consider more diffuse indicators of satisfaction with the general performance of democratic regimes and the strength of core attachments to the nation-state. The longitudinal evidence available within the United States and Western Europe challenges conventional claims that an inevitable downward spiral of public disenchantment with politics has occurred across all established democracies.
Complex Litigation: Inroads on Eisen

Commentary and analysis of the so-called “Eisen” rule in the class certification process and the inroads made on the Eisen rule in Szabo v. Bridgeport Machinery Inc., 249 F.3d 672 (7th Cir. 2001). The Eisen rule, derived from Eisen v. Carlisle & Jacquelin, 417 U.S. 156 (1974), has led to considerable confusion concerning the extent to which federal judges may consider the merits of the underlying litigation in evaluating whether to certify a proposed class action. A prevailing general gloss on the Eisen rule holds that judges are prohibited from considering the merits of the underlying litigation in assessing whether a class action is suitable for class certification. This article discusses the Seventh Circuit’s decision in Szabo, which called into question this interpretation of the Eisen rule. The court indicated courts may not accept the incontestable plaintiff’s allegations as true for the purpose of evaluating class certification, and that the standards for evaluating class certification motions are more similar to those under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) or 12(b)(2). The article also comments on the rigorous analysis standard for class certification set forth by the Supreme Court in General Telephone Co. of Southwest v. Falcon, 457 U.S. 147 (1982), and the numerous Seventh Circuit decisions that have adopted the Szabo rule, as well as other federal circuits that have followed or rejected the Szabo approach.
Cardiac tissue response to endotoxin.

Summary And ConclusionAdministration of catechol amines together with endotoxin to normal rabbits results in a greater degree of inflammation and necrosis of cardiac muscle than is produced by either agent alone. The damage is prevented or markedly reduced by pretreatment with dibenamine. It can be produced by endotoxin in shocked animals without the catechol amines, presumably because the amines are already present in high concentration. Although the data obtained do not demonstrate that a specific cardiac lesion attributable to endotoxin is a key factor in development of irreversibility to transfusion in hemorrhagic shock, they are not inconsistent with such a hypothesis.
Two Problems in Melito's Homily on the Passion

Even at the cost of a slight delay to the publication of the Homily on the Passion, it has seemed prudent to submit to the readers of this Review two problems arising out of Melito's language, which are not without their difficulties. If the view here taken about the first of these is open to other objections than those which the writer has anticipated, he will be grateful to any reader who will call them to his attention. As to the second, it is likely that Hebrew and patristic scholars may be able to add further illustrations. Such contributions will be most welcome.
Intermodulation Distortion of a Comb-Based RF Photonic Filter Using Balanced Detection

We investigate intermodulation distortion of a tunable radio frequency photonic filter utilizing an optical frequency comb, an interferometric configuration, and a balanced detection. When the filter passband is tuned from 2 to 7 GHz, this scheme has the third-order spurious free dynamic range of $\cdot $ Hz $^{\mathrm {2/3}}$ . In addition, we investigate the effect of Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) configuration on second-order intermodulation. A high extinction ratio MZM results in 43-dB lower power in the second-order intermodulation tones compared with that obtained with a conventional MZM.
ET-15APPLICATION OF A COMBINATORIAL NATURAL PRODUCT THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF HIGH-GRADE GLIOMAS

Application of toxic compounds used at maximum tolerated dose until resistance develops is the most commonly experienced outcome in cancer therapy. Based on successful concepts borrowed from the field of ecology to manage pest populations, we developed a therapeutic strategy relying on the use of multiple independent and non-toxic stressors that enable efficient horizontal and vertical targeting of the tumor. Our treatment (CA.001) uses a combination of two distinct approaches. The first aspect of our approach involves the simultaneous application of three natural products (curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and sulforaphane) that have previously demonstrated anticancer properties and have a documented safety profile. Each individual natural product (NP) is able to inhibit in vitro the expansion of glioma cancer stem cells with the combination of all three compounds producing a synergistic effect. The NP combination also demonstrated greater ability to decrease tumor progression and increase survival in a clinically relevant orthotopic xenograft model of glioma. The second component of our treatment is a metabolic targeting through dietary alteration limiting the intake of carbohydrates, thereby reducing glucose metabolism, which represents the main source of energy production for cancer cells (for details see poster Martuscello et.al.). Animals intracranially xenografted with glioma cells show greater survival when treated with the combination of the metabolic treatment coupled with the NPs. Notably, CA.001 works synergistically with the conventional chemotherapy temozolomide (TMZ) and has proven to be an effective therapeutic against TMZ-resistant glioma cells. Interestingly, CA.001 is able to sensitize TMZ-resistant cells to TMZ. Additionally, we demonstrated the absence of toxicity related to CA.001 treatment based on organ health- evaluated by clinical chemistry measuring blood enzyme levels and by organ weight comparison, as well as hematology- using complete blood count. Collectively, these data suggest CA.001 as a viable non-toxic and affordable antineoplastic treatment to treat high-grade glioma.
Does It Matter If I Feel Sorry or Sorry for You? Testing the Roles of Empathy and Sympathy as Mechanisms Driving Viewer Response to a Dramatic Ad

Narrative messages on average produce higher levels of involvement, intention, and behavior than other message formats. Narratives also generate feelings of sympathy and empathy, although few studies have directly compared the roles of each emotion in the persuasion process. This article presents the results of two studies that tested the effect of exposure to a narrative or nonnarrative ad on persuasive outcomes and the roles sympathy and empathy play in the persuasion process. Both studies found that the narrative ad produced higher levels of involvement, intention, and behavior and that empathy played a more important role in persuasion than sympathy.
Capsule Commentary on Danan et al., Does Motivation Matter? Analysis of a Randomized Trial of Proactive Outreach to VA Smokers.

I n this multicenter randomized controlled trial, the authors examined the effectiveness of proactive smoking cessation intervention and its impact on veteran smokers’ level of motivation to quit.Using the transtheoretical model of behavioral stages of change (SOC), they assessed veterans’ readiness to quit smoking after categorizing them under precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation phases while receiving either usual or proactive care. SOC was assessed at baseline and follow-up with the 10-point Readiness to Quit Ladder (RQL). Proactive care offered telephone or in-person smoking cessation counseling and access to cessation pharmacotherapy. The usual care group had access to smoking cessation services through the VA, but did not receive proactive outreach. The outcomes were self-reported 6month abstinence and uptake of smoking cessation therapies and quit attempts at baseline and follow-up. The study recruited 3006 veterans of diverse age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) representing four different VA medical centers. The authors report a statistically significant result among smokers in contemplation and preparation phases achieving prolonged abstinence after proactive care. Smokers at all SOC receiving proactive care had statistically significant uptake of smoking cessation therapies. However, there was no difference in quit attempts between proactive and usual care groups. The literature indicates that smoking is highly prevalent among veterans and remains a major cause of excess morbidity, mortality, and loss of productivity. Routine advice from providers increases the likelihood that a smoker will make a quit attempt. Studies indicate that the interventions that proactively offer evidence-based smoking cessation therapies to all smokers, regardless of SOC, may provide further opportunity for reducing smoking prevalence. Veterans with psychiatric disorders and other comorbidities smoke at higher rates, however, this information is not provided. With the exception of participation and recall biases, current findings are highly encouraging for clinicians. Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) promote the use of best practices, condition-specific guidelines, and population-based management. By leveraging CDSS within the electronic medical record (EMR), VA providers can identify at-risk groups, and can provide evidence-based risk assessment and targeted intervention to our veteran smokers. Future studies should utilize electronic tools, including CDSS, to enhance proactive outreach strategies while providing tobacco cessation therapy.
Association Between Travel Distance and Choice of Treatment for Prostate Cancer: Does Geography Reduce Patient Choice?

Objective To determine whether the distance between a prostate cancer patient's home and treatment facility was related to the choice of treatment received among those opting for surgery or radiation. Methods and Materials We identified 222,804 patients diagnosed with National Comprehensive Cancer Network low-, intermediate-, or high-risk N0M0 prostate cancer and treated with local therapy (surgery or radiation alone, with or without hormone therapy) using the National Cancer Database. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine whether the choice of radiation therapy vs radical prostatectomy varied by distance among patients living in rural and urban areas. Analyses were adjusted for geographic location within the United States, age, race, Charlson/Deyo comorbidity score, year of diagnosis, income quartile, education quartile, Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen level, and T stage. Results Patients living in urban or rural areas were less likely to receive radiation compared with surgery if they lived farther from the treatment facility. Among urban patients living ≤5 miles from the treatment facility, 53.3% received radiation, compared with 47.0%, 43.6%, and 33.8% of those living 5 to 10, 10 to 15, or >15 miles away, respectively ( P 75 miles: 23.8%; P Conclusion Patients with prostate cancer in both urban and rural settings were less likely to receive radiation therapy rather than surgery the farther away they lived from a treatment center. These findings raise the possibility that the geographic availability of radiation treatment centers may be an important determinant of whether patients are able to choose radiation rather than surgery for localized prostate cancer.
Characterization of carbon tritide particles in a Tokamak Fusion Reactor

Amorphous tritiated carbon films are formed through co-deposition of the radioactive isotope tritium ( 3 H or T) with carbon onto plasma facing surfaces in fusion plasmas. The Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR), operated by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, was fueled by tritium and deuterium neutral beam injection and gas puffing. Tritium was co-deposited as amorphous hydrogenated carbon onto graphite tiles and stainless steel surfaces inside the reactor. Since termination of plasma operations, carbon tritide particles have remained in the air in the vessel. Dosimetric limits for occupational exposure to carbon tritide particles need to be established. The purpose of this study was to characterize carbon tritide particle samples inside the TFTR in terms of size, self-absorption of tritium beta, and dissolution rate in simulated lung fluid. Dose estimates of the inhaled carbon tritide particles can be calculated based on the dissolution rate, particle size, and self-absorption factor. The count median diameter and geometric standard deviation were 1.23 μm and 1.72, respectively, indicating that they are respirable particles and can stay suspended in the air for a longer time. The dissolution rate in the lung-simulated fluid was determined in a static system. The dissolution rate ranged from 10 -1 -10 -3 per day in the first few hours, then it decreased to between 10 -3 and 10 -4 . The retention curve of tritium in carbon indicated that >90% of the tritium remained in the particles after 110 d in the simulated lung fluid. This information is being used to support the establishment of respiratory protection requirements.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Thyroid Gland: Clinical Correlates to Thyroid Cancer

Detailed knowledge of thyroid gland anatomy and physiology is extremely important for any physician that manages thyroid disorders, including thyroid malignancies. The thyroid gland is a relatively small butterfly-shaped organ located in the lower neck, anteriorly to the trachea. A large number of ectopic sites of thyroid tissue have been described, including thyroglossal duct cysts, lingual thyroid, or struma ovarii. The thyroid gland is in close proximity to several important structures, such as the recurrent laryngeal nerves, the parathyroid glands, as well as the large cervical blood vessels like the carotid artery and the jugular vein.