cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Testes exhibit elevated expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor component protein.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor component protein (RCP) is a novel protein that modulates CGRP responsiveness in a variety of cell types. Using probes based on the isolation of CGRP-RCP complementary DNA (cDNA) from a guinea pig organ of Corti cDNA library, we cloned human (h) and mouse (m) CGRP-RCP cDNAs, both of which encode 148-residue proteins that at the amino acid levels are approximately 88% identical to each other and to the 146-residue guinea pig CGRP-RCP. Northern blot analysis confirmed the presence of CGRP-RCP messenger RNA in all of the human and mouse tissues tested. In these human tissues, hCGRP-RCP messenger RNA (major band at ∼3.1 kb, minor band at ∼7.5 kb) was most prevalent in the testis. In the mouse, the highest abundance of CGRP-RCP RNA was clearly in the testis (major band at ∼1.6 kb, minor band at ∼1.1 kb). Based on this tissue distribution of RNA, we sought to identify the cells in the murine testis that contained CGRP-RCP protein. Numerous antisera generated again...
SU‐GG‐I‐68: Calculation and Evaluation of Internal and External Radiation Exposure to Adult and Pediatric Patients from PET/CT Examinations

Purpose: To assess organ and effective dose for patients undergoing whole‐body F‐18 FDG PET/CT examinations using available software. Materials and Methods: The OLINDA/EXM 1.1 code was used in conjunction with an F‐18 FDG biokinetic model to assess PET dose for adult male/female and pediatric patients of various ages. For the PET emission scan it was assumed that 555 MBq of F‐18 was administered to adults and that the activity for pediatric patients ranged from 18.5 to 370 MBq according to weight. The dose from the CT portion of the exam was assessed using the recently developed VirtualDose dose‐reporting software. The calculations assume a GE LightSpeed 16 scanner was used to perform a CTattenuation correction scan at 140 kVp and 25 mAs and a diagnoisic CT at 140 kVp and 200 mAs. Results: The effective doses for adult male and female patients undergoing PET/CT procedures were estimated to be ∼30 mSv and ∼40 mSv respectively with the CT portion contributing two‐thirds of the overall dose. A disadvantage of the OLINDA/EXM 1.1 code is that it utilizes stylistic phantoms which are not anatomically realistic and does not use the recently adopted ICRP 103 tissue weighting factors. VirtualDose does not have these shortcomings, but a potential weakness is that the current version does not calculate CT dose for pediatric phantoms. If F‐18 was administered by weight at 8 MBq/kg, the effective dose from the PET portion of the scan for the 1‐, 5‐, 10‐, and 15‐year‐old phantoms was 6.9, 8.3, 9.5, and 10.8 mSv respectively. Conclusions: This work has identified that there is a need for a single software package for assessing PET/CT dose which combines the strengths of OLINDA/EXM 1.1 and VirtualDose and utilizes state‐of‐the art voxel phantoms of various ages/sizes as well as up‐to‐date ICRP effective dose schemes.
Simulation-based design using wavelets

Abstract The design of large scale systems requires methods of analysis which have the flexibility to provide afast interactive simulation capability, while retaining the ability to provide high order solution accuracywhen required. This suggests that a hierarchical solution procedure is required which allows us to trade oft' accuracy for solution speed in a rational manner. In this paper, we examine the properties of the biorthogonal wavelets recently constructed by Dahikeand Weinreich show how they can be used to implement a highly efficient multiscale solution procedurefor solving a certain class of one-dimensional problems, yu=f; 1EZ, 1>0. For these problems, the fast bio'iihogonal wavele transform allows us to setup a system of Wavelet- Galerkin equations in which the stiffness matrix is almost perfecily diagonal, so that scales in the solution are uncoupled and can be solved for separately. 1 Introduction In this paper we investigate the applicability of wavelets to the real time simulation of large scale systems.We note that the analysis of complex systems using traditional numerical methods usually involves tens ofthousands of degrees of freedom, making real-time simulation a difficult task to accomplish.
Living carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene with BCl3 coinitiation in the presence of di-tert-butylpyridine as proton trap

The living polymerization of isobutylene (IB) has been achieved with the 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl chloride (TMPCl) or cumyl chloride (CumCl)/BCl3/(IB)/methyl chloride/-40°C system in the presence of proton trap 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (DTBP) in concentrations comparable to that of protic impurities. According to kinetic studies the polymerization is first order both in respect to monomer and BCl3. The polymerization rate is not effected by the excess DTBP which suggests that the livingness is not due to carbocation stabilization. Comparison of the results in the presence of DTBP and/or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) demonstrated that the main function of the electron donor (ED) DMSO is to trap protic impurities. The assumption of carbocation stabilization is unnecessary, and reversible termination and the absence of chain transfer is sufficient to explain livingness. In the absence of proton trap or ED however, fast polymerization by the protic impurities occurs masking the much slower living polymerization and the monomer is consumed mainly by this process unless the protic impurities are scavenged.
Phase I/II study of subcutaneous homoharringtonine in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who have failed prior therapy

BACKGROUND. Homoharringtonine (HHT) is a cephalotaxus alkaloid that inhibits the synthesis of proteins leading to apoptosis. Intravenous HHT has demonstrated activity in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after failure with interferon. METHODS. A Phase I study was completed of subcutaneous (s.c.) HHT in patients with CML in accelerated or blast phases and demonstrated efficacy and good tolerance at the same doses used by intravenous (i.v.) administration. The maximal tolerated dose (MTD) was 1.25 mg/m2 s.c. twice daily. The cohort was then expanded to treated at the MTD to include patients in late chronic phase CML after imatinib failure. Therapy consisted of an i.v. loading dose of HHT 2.5 mg/m2 over 24 hours, followed by 1.25 mg/m2 s.c. twice daily for 14 days every 28 days until remission, then for 7 days every 28 days. Six patients (median age, 53 years) who had failed imatinib were treated and 5 were evaluable. Patients received a median of 4.5 courses of s.c. HHT. RESULTS. Complete hematologic remission was obtained in all 5 evaluable patients and 3 had cytogenetic (CG) responses: 1 complete and 2 minor. The 2 patients with BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations at the start of therapy with HHT had a CG response and in both instances the mutations became undetectable. All patients developed myelosuppression and 3 had their HHT dose reduced due to prolonged neutropenia. Nonhematologic toxicity was mild and manageable. CONCLUSIONS. Subcutaneous HHT is well tolerated and may have clinical activity in patients with CML after imatinib failure. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Acquisition of domain-related information in relation to high and low domain knowledge.

This research was concerned with how knowledge of a given topic influences the acquisition of topic-related information. The knowledge domain studied was baseball, and a knowledge structure was postulated which included the goal structure as well as the states and actions of the game. In each of five experiments, passages of domain-related information were presented and performance was compared for individuals with high (HK) or low (LK) baseball knowledge. Experiment 1 indicated that HK recognition performance was superior to LK, and that this difference was greater for changes in “New” material that were more important in terms of the game. Experiment 2 showed that HK individuals need less information to make recognition judgments than LK individuals. Experiment 4 showed that HK individuals anticipated a greater percentage of high-level goal state outcomes than LK individuals. Experiments 3 and 5 indicated that HK individuals are superior at recalling event sequences, a finding attributed to the greater ability of HK individuals to relate successive segments of input information. The results are considered in relation to a conceptual framework and to related literature.
The structure of light-induced metastable defects in a-Si:H☆

Recent experiments indicate that the present models for the structure of light-induced defects (LID) in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) are inadequate. Photoconductivity measurements showed that LID are different from native dangling-bond defects. Electron-spin-echo envelope-modulation studies showed that LID are formed in hydrogen-depleted regions and separated from each other by more than 10 nm. Structures for LID that agree with these observations are proposed.
Machine learning on Big Data

Statistical Machine Learning has undergone a phase transition from a pure academic endeavor to being one of the main drivers of modern commerce and science. Even more so, recent results such as those on tera-scale learning [1] and on very large neural networks [2] suggest that scale is an important ingredient in quality modeling. This tutorial introduces current applications, techniques and systems with the aim of cross-fertilizing research between the database and machine learning communities. The tutorial covers current large scale applications of Machine Learning, their computational model and the workflow behind building those. Based on this foundation, we present the current state-of-the-art in systems support in the bulk of the tutorial. We also identify critical gaps in the state-of-the-art. This leads to the closing of the seminar, where we introduce two sets of open research questions: Better systems support for the already established use cases of Machine Learning and support for recent advances in Machine Learning research.
Second sound, osmotic pressure, and Fermi-liquid parameters in /sup 3/He-/sup 4/He solutions

Second-sound velocities and osmotic pressures are analyzed to obtain the first experimental values for the Landau compressibility parameter F/sub 0//sup s/ in /sup 3/He-/sup 4/He solutions. Data are presented as a function of pressure and /sup 3/He concentration, and are compared to theoretical predictions. The square of the second-sound velocity at finite temperature is found to be accurately proportional to the internal energy of a perfect Fermi gas. Using inertial effective masses given by the Landau-Pomeranchuk theory, the square of the velocity is found to separate into two parts: a temperature-dependent part characterized completely by ideal Fermi-gas behavior and a temperature-independent part containing all the Fermi-liquid corrections. This is related to a similar separation found in the osmotic pressure.
The GluK4 kainate receptor subunit regulates memory, mood, and excitotoxic neurodegeneration

Though the GluK4 kainate receptor subunit shows limited homology and a restricted expression pattern relative to other kainate receptor subunits, its ablation results in distinct behavioral and molecular phenotypes. GluK4 knockout mice demonstrated impairments in memory acquisition and recall in a Morris water maze test, suggesting a previously unreported role for kainate receptors in spatial memory. GluK4 knockout mice also showed marked hyperactivity and impaired pre-pulse inhibition, thereby mirroring two of the hallmark endophenotypes of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Furthermore, we found that GluK4 is a key mediator of excitotoxic neurodegeneration: GluK4 knockout mice showed robust neuroprotection in the CA3 region of the hippocampus following intrahippocampal injection of kainate and widespread neuroprotection throughout the hippocampus following hypoxia-ischemia. Biochemical analysis of kainate- or sham-treated wild-type and GluK4 knockout hippocampal tissue suggests that GluK4 may act through the JNK pathway to regulate the molecular cascades that lead to excitotoxicity. Together, our findings suggest that GluK4 may be relevant to the understanding and treatment of human neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
Applied Survival Analysis: Regression Modeling of Time-to-Event Data

THE MOST PRACTICAL, UP-TO-DATE GUIDE TO MODELLING AND ANALYZING TIME-TO-EVENT DATANOW IN A VALUABLE NEW EDITION Since publication of the first edition nearly a decade ago, analyses using time-to-event methods have increase considerably in all areas of scientific inquiry mainly as a result of model-building methods available in modern statistical software packages. However, there has been minimal coverage in the available literature to9 guide researchers, practitioners, and students who wish to apply these methods to health-related areas of study. Applied Survival Analysis, Second Edition provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to regression modeling for time-to-event data in medical, epidemiological, biostatistical, and other health-related research. This book places a unique emphasis on the practical and contemporary applications of regression modeling rather than the mathematical theory. It offers a clear and accessible presentation of modern modeling techniques supplemented with real-world examples and case studies. Key topics covered include: variable selection, identification of the scale of continuous covariates, the role of interactions in the model, assessment of fit and model assumptions, regression diagnostics, recurrent event models, frailty models, additive models, competing risk models, and missing data. Features of the Second Edition include: Expanded coverage of interactions and the covariate-adjusted survival functions The use of the Worchester Heart Attack Study as the main modeling data set for illustrating discussed concepts and techniques New discussion of variable selection with multivariable fractional polynomials Further exploration of time-varying covariates, complex with examples Additional treatment of the exponential, Weibull, and log-logistic parametric regression models Increased emphasis on interpreting and using results as well as utilizing multiple imputation methods to analyze data with missing values New examples and exercises at the end of each chapter Analyses throughout the text are performed using Stata Version 9, and an accompanying FTP site contains the data sets used in the book. Applied Survival Analysis, Second Edition is an ideal book for graduate-level courses in biostatistics, statistics, and epidemiologic methods. It also serves as a valuable reference for practitioners and researchers in any health-related field or for professionals in insurance and government.
Race-Ethnic Differences in Sexual Health Knowledge

Despite extensive research examining the correlates of unintended fertility, it remains a puzzle as to why racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to experience an unintended birth than non-Hispanic whites. This paper focuses on sexual literacy, a potential precursor of unintended fertility. Analyses use a unique dataset of unmarried young adults aged 18-29, the 2009 Survey of Unmarried Young Adults' Contraceptive Knowledge and Practices, to examine beliefs regarding pregnancy risks, pregnancy fatalism, and contraceptive side effects. At the bivariate level, foreign-born Hispanics hold more erroneous beliefs about the risk of pregnancy than other groups, and non-Hispanic blacks are more likely to believe in contraceptive side effects than non-Hispanic whites. Both foreign-born Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to hold a fatalistic view towards pregnancy. Race-ethnic differences are attenuated for pregnancy misperceptions and fatalism in multivariate models controlling for sources of health information, sexual and fertility experiences, and sociodemographic characteristics. However, non-Hispanic blacks remain more likely than non-Hispanic whites to believe there is a high chance of reduced sexual desire and serious health consequences when using hormonal contraceptives. These differences may contribute to race-ethnic variation in contraceptive use and, ultimately, unintended fertility.
Effects of 1α,25(OH)2D3 and its analogs on dendritic cell function

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25(OH)2D3) and non-calcemic vitamin D analogs induce a persistent state of immaturity in dendritic cells both in vitro and in vivo. These effects are transcriptional in nature, involve alterations in surface ligands as well as cytokine synthesis and release, and are dependent upon the presence of the vitamin D receptor. The vitamin D endocrine system could also play a role in altering immune function in normal physiological conditions. Distinct differences exist in lymph node dendritic cells of vitamin D receptor null mutant mice when compared to normal mice. J. Cell. Biochem. 88: 323–326, 2003. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Efficacy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in male breast cancer.

Background Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is rapidly becoming the standard of care in the treatment of women with early stage breast cancer. Male breast cancer although relatively rare, has typically been treated with mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Men who develop breast carcinoma have the same risk as their female counterparts of developing the morbidities associated with axillary dissection. SLNB has been championed as a procedure aimed at preventing those morbidities. We recently have evaluated the role of SLNB in the treatment of men with early stage breast cancer. Methods Among the 18 men treated at the University of Michigan Medical Center for breast cancer from May 1998 to November 2002, 6 were treated with SLNB. Results The mean tumor size was 1.6 cm. The mean patient age was 59.8 years. All of the patients had one or more sentinel lymph nodes identified. Two of the six did not have confirmatory axillary dissection. Three of the six had positive sentinel lymph nodes (50%). Only one of the three patients with a positive sentinel node had more nodes positive. One of the six patients had a positive node on frozen section and underwent immediate complete axillary dissection. This patient had no additional positive nodes. No patients in our series had immunohistochemical studies of the lymph nodes. Conclusions Men with early stage breast carcinoma may be offered the management option of SLNB since in the hands of experienced surgeons it has a success rate apparently equal to that in their female counterparts. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;86:74–77. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Salinity tolerance and extracellular osmoregulation in two species of euryhaline teleosts, culaea inconstans and fundulus diaphanus

Abstract 1. The 96 hr TL 50 at 20 ± 1°C for Culaea inconstans was 21% sea water, and for Fundulus diaphanus , 34% sea water. 2. With acclimation followed by gradual increase in salinity, the maximum salinity tolerance for F. diaphanus was increased to 40% sea water. 3. Culaea inconstans is a hyperosmoregulator, while F. diaphanus is both a hyper- and a hypoosmoregulator. 4. Blood osmolality of both species is maintained relatively constant at salinities tested, predominantly by regulation of blood sodium and chloride. 5. Increased blood glucose and potassium in F. diaphanus held in distilled water appears to be a response to stress rather than an osmoregulatory response.
Career Advancement: Does Gender Make a Difference?

Barriers to women's advancement in the public sector continue to be very real. Debate has shifted from concern about equal employment opportunity and access to entry- and middle-level leadership positions to an examination of the glass ceiling phenomenon, which prevents many women from reaching upper level management positions. Using a conceptual and analytical framework developed for my doctoral dissertation and data generated from a survey of 253 upper level administrators in the Florida State government, this paper compares the experiences of women to those of men in elite public management positions. The paper underscores the barriers women encounter as they attempt to advance their careers and argues that it is not gender difference, but rather the difference that gender makes that explains why these barriers persist.
A Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) patient education conference and its impact on patients and families

Background Individuals with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) require increased lifelong surveillance due to the high risk of colorectal cancer and extracolonic features. Despite the existence of well-established surveillance guidelines, studies have shown that lack of patient knowledge is a major hurdle to adherence. Patient education conferences represent an avenue for patients to obtain disease-specific information directly from experts. There is ap aucity of data addressing the educational needs and characteristics of individuals who attend such conferences and the impact on their FAP-related knowledge. Methods Individuals with FAP identified through the institution’s FAP registry and their family members were invited to attend an educational conference. Adult attendees were provided IRB approved baseline and follow-up surveys as part of their conference packets. The paired surveys were matched through the use of a unique survey identifier and contained items pertaining to demographic and clinical history, FAP knowledge, and effectiveness of the conference and presenters. Results Of the 50 conference attendees, 35 (70%) completed baseline assessments, and 32 (64%) completed the postconference counterpart. Respondents’ median age was 51 (range: 24 72), and 66% were female. Nineteen (54%) indicated that they had FAP, of which 12 (63%) had undergone colorectal surgery. Fundic gland polyps, duodenal polyps, and desmoid tumors were present in 9 (47%), 11 (58%), and 3 (16%) affected participants, respectively. Hepatoblastoma, duodenal cancer, and osteomas were reported in 1 individual each. Regarding surveillance, 14 (74%) and 13 (68%) of the affected respondents received upper and lower GI surveillance at least once every 3 years, respectively. Participants indicated that among healthcare professionals, their primary sources of information on FAP were primary care physicians (n=15), surgeons (n=12) and/or genetic counselors (n=13). Additional sources of information included internet based resources (n=32), print materials (n=22), and/or other individuals familiar with FAP (n=27). Respondents scored on average 69% correct on a 14-item measure of FAP-related knowledge prior to the conference; post-conference responses showed a statistically significant increase in mean scores (mean=77%, p<0.05). Thirty-one of post-conference respondents (97%) agreed or strongly agreed with items affirming conference effectiveness. Most attendees stated that the FAP conference provided them with information critical to informed medical decision making. All respondents stated a desire to attend future FAP conferences.
Integrating Synthetic Cells and Flexible Electronics for the Control of Bio-Opto-Fluidic Materials

The integration of optofluidics and soft materials has ushered in a new generation of flexible devices for drug delivery, biosensors, and tissue engineering. These devices are biocompatible and allow complex control of device dynamics using fluidic and pneumatic controls. Importantly, these devices could be combined with synthetic biological systems to increase sensory and control capabilities of the devices through exploitation of complex genetic controls in synthetic cells. Here, we take the first step towards such bio-opto-fluidic systems by constructing a hybrid device that consists of soft materials, synthetic bacteria, fluidic systems and electronics. Specifically our device consists of a flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chamber for culturing synthetic Escherichia coli that express green fluorescent proteins (GFP) and a flexible electronic layer housing an LED with an emission spectrum peak at 395 nm. The PDMS chamber has high gas permeability that facilitates aerobic cell growth conditions, high translucence that allows for optical control of the synthetic bacteria, and high viscoelasticity that provides mechanical versatility. We demonstrated that the synthetically modified bacteria can be excited internally by an electronic component without sacrificing the flexibility and transparency of the device. We have also shown that isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) can be delivered via micro channels over a flexible micro-porous PDMS membrane to modulate gene expression of the synthetically modified bacteria inside the device. Furthermore we optimized the geometry of the device with respect to bacterial growth rates, fluorescence expression, and fluid flow properties. Finally, we tested the device during mechanical deformation by bending to demonstrate the robust function of the device in strain-induced conditions. Our work will have wide impact on the development of the next-generation bio-opto-fluidic devices and the integration of synthetic biological systems with soft electronic materials.
Vaccination and acute phase mediator production in chickens challenged with low pathogenic avian influenza virus; novel markers for vaccine efficacy?

a b s t r a c t Methods to determine vaccine efficacy of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) isolates are limited in poultry because experimental infections with LPAI virus in specific pathogen free chickens rarely causes clinical disease. The most commonly used method to compare LPAI vaccine efficacy is to quan- tify viral shedding after challenge, but it is time and labor intensive. Therefore, we sought alternative methods to demonstrate vaccine efficacy, and examined whether vaccination of chickens affected the production of acute phase mediators in serum (e.g., alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, ovotransferrin and prostaglandin E2) following challenge with homologous (A/Chicken/Hidalgo/232/94 H5N2) or heterol- ogous (A/Chicken/167280-4/02 H5N3) LPAI isolates. Vaccination significantly reduced oropharyngeal viral shedding, and serum concentration of acute phase mediators, regardless of whether homologous or heterologous challenge viruses were used. Examining the expression of acute phase mediators post- challenge may serve as additional markers to determine LPAI vaccine efficacy in chickens. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Cranial Electrical Stimulation Improves Symptoms and Functional Status in Individuals with Fibromyalgia

To investigate the effects of microcurrent cranial electrical stimulation (CES) therapy on reducing pain and its associated symptoms in fibromyalgia (FM), we conducted a randomized, controlled, three-group (active CES device, sham device, and usual care alone [UC]), double-blind study to determine the potential benefit of CES therapy for symptom management in FM. Those individuals using the active CES device had a greater decrease in average pain (p = .023), fatigue (p = .071), and sleep disturbance (p = .001) than individuals using the sham device or those receiving usual care alone over time. Additionally, individuals using the active CES device had improved functional status versus the sham device and UC groups over time (p = .028).
A note on the efficiency of seemingly unrelated regression

Abstract The variance-covariance matrix for the seemingly unrelated regression estimator is expressed as an ordinary-least-squares variance-covariance matrix. This permits new insights into the efficiency of seemingly unrelated regression, especially the role of correlations among variables.
Design and Characterization of a Novel Lipid‐DNA Complex that Resists Serum‐induced Destabilization

Abstract Ineffectiveness of cationic lipids to enhance DNA transfection has been attributed to serum‐mediated dissociation and perhaps complement activation of lipid‐DNA complexes. To overcome these problems, we have developed a novel lipid‐DNA complex that greatly reduces serum‐mediated dissociation. The complexes were prepared by mixing cationic liposomes containing 1,2‐dioleoyl‐3‐trimethylammonium‐propane and dioleoylphosphatidyl‐ethanolamine and DNA in ethanolic (20% v/v ethanol) solution containing 5% sucrose followed by dehydration via rotating evaporation. Upon hydration in H 2 O, the lipid‐DNA complexes [ethanol‐dried lipid‐DNA (EDL) complexes] were formed. The complexes exhibit a low positive zeta potential and enhanced transfection efficiency in contrast to the suppressed efficiency detected with admixed lipid‐DNA complexes in the presence of serum across several cell lines. This result may be attributed to the inability of serum to dissociate DNA from lipids in EDL complexes. Using displacement of ethidium bromide intercalation analysis, we found that in serum, only 50% of DNA was exposed in the EDL complexes, compared with 100% in the admixed lipid‐DNA complexes. The EDL complexes also showed increased resistance to DNase digestion in the presence of negatively charged lipid, while reducing complement activation in serum. The EDL complexes may improve the transfection activity of lipid‐DNA complexes in serum and, perhaps, in vivo . © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 92:2373–2385, 2003
Ultrasound monitoring of temperature change during radiofrequency ablation: preliminary in-vivo results

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is an interstitial focal ablative therapy that can be used in a percutaneous fashion and permits in situ destruction of hepatic tumors. However, local tumor recurrence rates after RF ablative therapy are as high as 34% to 55%, which may be due in part to the inability to monitor accurately temperature profiles in the tissue being ablated, and to visualize the subsequent zone of necrosis (thermal lesion) formed. The goal of the work described in this paper was to investigate methods for the real-time and in vivo monitoring of the spatial distribution of heating and temperature elevation to achieve better control of the degree of tissue damage during RF ablation therapy. Temperature estimates are obtained using a cross-correlation algorithm applied to RF ultrasound (US) echo signal data acquired at discrete intervals during heating. These temperature maps were used to display the initial temperature rise and to continuously update a thermal map of the treated region. Temperature monitoring is currently performed using thermosensors on the prongs (tines) of the RF ablation probe. However, monitoring the spatial distribution of heating is necessary to control the degree of tissue damage produced.
Optimality and efficiency of small chessboard designs for correlated errors

Optimal p × q row–column designs are obtained via complete enumeration of all possible designs for two treatments in some fixed effects models with errors specified by a doubly geometric covariance structure. This is done, in part, by a computer search, for a finite set of sizes of the correlation coefficients and in cases where p and q are small enough to make such a search feasible.
Evaluation of the EPA Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) low-speed wind tunnel protocol.

The EPA’s proposed Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) low-speed wind tunnel evaluation protocol was tested across a series of modified ASAE reference nozzles. Both droplet size and deposition and flux volume measurements were made downwind from the nozzles operating in the tunnel at airspeeds of 1 m/s and 2.5 m/s, following the prescribed protocol. Overall, the data followed anticipated trends with a few unanticipated results observed, which could be addressed in future iterations of the protocol. There were some difficulties meeting the proposed protocol data quality requirements. Refined quality requirements would address this with no detrimental effect to the overall data set. Major concerns, at this point, are the feasibility of the overall protocol as well as the applicability of the final collected data. The protocol was tailored such that the collected data would directly input into a dispersion model (most likely WTDISP). However, not having access to such a model puts into question the validity and practicality of the protocol in its present form. Given the time requirements, which require approximately nine times that of the high speed protocol (90 min versus 10 min, unpublished data), there is a definite need to modify the existing protocol to insure equitable implementation of the overall DRT program.
Identification of skate nursery habitat in the eastern Bering Sea

Identification of habitat used for skate egg deposition has been rarely studied or reported worldwide. Four nursery sites for the Alaska skate Bathyraja parmifera, 2 for the Aleutian skate B. aleutica and 2 for the Bering skate B. interrupta were identified along the upper continental slope in the eastern Bering Sea. All sites were located near undersea canyons from 145 to 380 m depth in relatively flat sandy to muddy bottom habitat. Bottom temperatures were relatively constant throughout the year, varying from 3.7 to 4.6°C. Egg case densities varied between nursery sites and were encountered at the Alaska skate nursery in Bering Canyon at densities greater than 800 000 eggs km -2 . Based on egg case composition, sites were predominantly used by a single skate species for egg deposition; however, up to 6 skate species used the habitat commonly. Seasonal sam- pling indicated that sites were continuously occupied throughout the year, and embryo length com- position showed multiple cohorts developing simultaneously. Data from bottom trawl surveys suggest juvenile skates occupy habitats different than nursery sites. The movement of juvenile skates out of nursery habitat after hatching may lessen predation by common predators such as the Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus and the Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis.
Polarization-dependent phase-changing nanoswitch

We fabricate a hybrid nanoswitch with polarization-dependent properties by tailoring the near-field nanoenvironment of a plasmonic nanoantenna. Positioning a phase-transforming na-noparticle at the nanoantenna's optical focus allows modulation of nanoscale light fields with specific polarizations.
Inequities in liver transplant allocation.

In our recent Policy Forum “Waiting for organ transplantation” (14 Jan., p. [237][1]), we reported findings of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) study of Organ Procurement and Transplantation ([1][2]), including the finding that Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) ([2][3]) serving smaller
ON THE SO-CALLED 'INFINITIVE' IN ATLANTIC CREOLES*

Abstract This paper defends the position that there is no finite/non-finite distinction, hence no infinitive, in the basilects of Atlantic pidgins and creoles (PC). It argues that in languages where it is attested the infinitive is a morphologically-based distinction, and that, cross-linguistically, there is no constant syntactic or semantic characteristic that can be associated with it. Syntactic criteria commonly invoked to justify the infinitive are reviewed and shown to argue generally against assuming the distinction in Atlantic PC's. Parallel diachronic evidence is adduced from the development and partial loss of the infinitive in, respectively, Yoruba and Kituba to support the conclusion.
Factors that predict the probability of a successful clinical outcome after induction of oocyte maturation with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

Objective To determine factors predicting cycle success after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in high-risk patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol with a GnRH agonist to induce oocyte maturation. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting University-based tertiary fertility center. Patient(s) Women who underwent a GnRH antagonist protocol during IVF-ICSI cycles and received a GnRH agonist for oocyte maturation. Intervention(s) GnRH-agonist trigger. Main Outcome Measure(s) Clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates and any occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Result(s) The serum luteinizing hormone (LH) level on the day of trigger of oocyte maturation was the single most important predictor of clinical pregnancy. Patients with a peak estradiol (E 2 ) level ≥4,000 pg/mL also had statistically significant higher serum LH on the day of the GnRH-agonist trigger and had a higher clinical pregnancy rate compared with those with a peak E 2 level Conclusion(s) Serum LH and E 2 levels ≥4,000 pg/mL on the day of the GnRH-agonist trigger are important predictors of success in patients at high risk of OHSS development. As none of the patients in this high-risk population developed OHSS, the GnRH-agonist trigger is effective in the prevention of this iatrogenic complication.
Mass Incarceration and Working Class Interests Which Side Are the Unions On

Since the early 1980s mass incarceration has become a critical fixture on the U.S. social landscape. Prison and jail populations have increased almost fivefold since 1980 with similar increments in...
A communication framework for applications

The author proposes a communication framework for applications that is reusable and extensible. An existing recursively defined language is modified so that the message interpretation scheme can determine whether the message is meant to be interpreted literally or not. This makes it possible for the system to take advantage of its foundations in speech act theory with a minimum of inferential overhead. It is also extended to incorporate discourse management information. The author recommends that discourse be represented in a general planning language such as Petri nets. Actual discourse is allowed to deviate from these plans in unexpected ways so applications get the benefit of automated message management but without the inflexibility this usually requires. >
The effects of walking speed on obstacle crossing in healthy young and healthy older adults

The effects of walking speed and age on the peak external moments generated about the joints of the trailing limb during stance just prior to stepping over an obstacle and on the kinematics of the trailing limb when crossing the obstacle were investigated in 10 healthy young adults (YA) and 10 healthy older adults (OA). The peak hip and knee adduction moments in OA were 21-43% greater than those in YA (p<or= 0.046). The angular velocity of hip flexion from toe-off to when the toe was over the obstacle in OA was 20% less than that in YA (p=0.048). Eight external peak moments about the hip, knee, or ankle increased significantly with speed in both groups (p<or=0.01); the largest in the sagittal plane was 62% for knee flexion (p<or=0.0001). Toe-obstacle clearance was not affected. Trailing foot placement was affected by speed, but not by age. Speed produced a small change ( approximately 1 degrees ) in knee abduction-adduction, the only joint angle affected (p=0.022). The greater magnitudes of hip and ankle adduction moments occurring in the trailing limb of OA place larger demands on the hip and ankle abductors of the trailing limb to maintain dynamic balance when stepping over the obstacle with the leading limb.
Effects of Low pH on Survival of Crayfish (Orconectes virilis)

ABSTRACT Crayfish (Orconectes virilis), collected from the wild, were exposed for 10 weeks in the laboratory to water with pH adjusted to 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. No crayfish mortality occurred at any pH until after two weeks of exposure, and many of the deaths under the most acid conditions occurred during or shortly after molting. In water with pH of 5 or greater, 25% or less of the crayfish died within the 10-week exposure period. At pH of 4, 70% of the animals died; at pH of 3, 95% died. There was no significant difference in survival rates at pH 5, 6, or 7. However, the survival of crayfish at pH 3 and 4 was significantly less than at the higher pH levels. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.97) between acidity and mortality.
Community Succession in a Devonian Patch Reef (Onondaga Formation, New York)--Physical and Biotic Controls

ABSTRACT Thompsons Lake reef, a small reef complex within the Edgecliff Member of the Onondaga Formation (Devonian, New York), displays a progressive pattern of faunal and lithologic succession. A crinoidal calcarenite represents the establishment of a substrate-stabilizing community. It is abruptly overlain by an irregularly bedded Acinophyllum-bearing calcisiltite, marking the colonization by reef-inhabiting organisms. Perturbations in the environment are evidenced by alternating thin interstratified beds of these lithologies. These are overlain by a blanket of rugosan detritus which marks the final stabilization stage. Establishment of domal tabulate coral heads (both underlying and flanking the reef's inner core) initiated reef development. The reef proper is marked by distinct lateral zonation. As domal tabulates achieved relief above the substrate, they acted as sediment baffles, trapping crinoidal sands and creating current shadows where silt- and clay-sized grains were deposited. Rugose corals flourished in these quieter waters. Apparently, buildup into the surf zone destroyed the zonation: the reef is capped by a deposit of sheet tabulates in a detritus of crinoidal sands and reef talus. Reef geometry and facies distribution reflect the prevailing current directions and energies. However, local alteration of these conditions by reef-forming organisms is the key to the development of this patch reef community. The pattern of development of Thompsons Lake reef is compared to currently existing models for the succession of reef communities. The Walker and Alberstadt (1975) model, while applicable, is found to be too general to yield much additional information on the nature of the reef. The Hoffman and Narkiewicz (1977) model for Paleozoic reefs does not show good correlation with the Thompsons Lake reef. It is suggested that a model dealing specifically with patch reef communities throughout the Phanerozoic record is required.
Cerebral NIRS as a marker of superior vena cava oxygen saturation in neonates with congenital heart disease

Summary Objectives: To investigate the correlation between cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) (rSO2c) and superior vena cava venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) in newborn patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Background: NIRS is a noninvasive method to monitor hemoglobin oxygen saturation using nonpulsatile oximetry. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed perioperative data from 100 newborn patients who underwent cardiac surgery for CHD. rSO2c, ScvO2 from 24 h before to 72 h after surgery were recorded. Results: rSO2c had a fair correlation with ScvO2 (r 0.37; P <0.001). The relationship between rSO2c and ScvO2 did not change when analyzed between patients with cyanotic or acyanotic CHD. During the preoperative period, rSO2c levels overestimated ScvO2; in the first 18 postoperative hours, rSO2c underestimated ScvO2; after that period, they showed very close trends. Hypocapnia caused rSO2c to underestimate ScvO2; in normocapnic patients, rSO2c–ScvO2 average differences were close to zero; in hypercapnic neonates, rSO2c tended to overestimate ScvO2. The best performance of rSO2c as a surrogate of ScvO2 was found in the venous saturation ranges from 40% to 60% (r 0.3, P: 0.03). Conclusions: rSO2c in newborn patients with cyanotic and acyanotic CHD provides a continuous noninvasive information with a fair correlation with ScvO2%: some predictable variables (i.e., time from surgery, carbon dioxide, and venous saturation levels), should guide the operators to adjust rSO2c values in terms of ScvO2. Serial measures of ScvO2 seem recommended to tailor rSO2c information on actual venous saturation percentage.
Estimating the Fault Coverage of Functional Test Sequences Without Fault Simulation

Functional test sequences were shown to detect defects that are not detected by structural tests. They also help in avoiding overtesting. However, fault simulation to compute the stuck-at fault coverage of functional test sequences can be time consuming especially in applications where a large number of test sequences need to be evaluated and compared. To obtain fast yet accurate estimates of the stuck-at fault coverages of functional test sequences, we describe a fault coverage metric based only on logic simulation of the gate level circuit. The metric is based on the set of states that the circuit traverses under the test sequence. We define several versions of the metric suitable for different applications. We present experimental results demonstrating the effectiveness of the metric for ranking of test sequences based on their fault coverage.
An Evaluation of Self-Organizing Map Networks as a Robust Alternative to Factor Analysis in Data Mining Applications

Kohonen's self-organizing map (SOM) network is one of the most important network architectures developed during the 1980s. The main function of SOM networks is to map the input data from ann-dimensional space to a lower dimensional (usually one- or two-dimensional) plot while maintaining the original topological relations. Therefore, it can be viewed as an analog of factor analysis. In this research, we evaluate the feasibility of using SOM networks as a robust alternative to factor analysis and clustering for data mining applications. Specifically, we compare SOM network solutions to factor analytic and K-Means clustering solutions on simulated data sets with known underlying factor and cluster structures.The comparisons indicate that the SOM networks provide solutions superior to unrotated factor solutions in general and provide more accurate recovery of underlying cluster structures when the input data are skewed. Our findings suggest that SOM networks can provide robust alternatives to traditional factor analysis and clustering techniques in data mining applications.
"Who Am I?": The Biblical Moses as a Metaphor for Teaching.

This essay presents Moses, the protagonist of the biblical books of Exodus and Deuteronomy in the Hebrew Bible, as a playful but generative metaphor for current teaching practices and experiences in higher education, including my own. Among numerous similarities (such as the fact that Moses, other teachers, and I are all bound by context), the most humbling insights come from Moses's role as a mediator or intermediary. It is a role that we also inhabit – standing, as it were, between our students and the knowledge of our discipline – and that we might consider further, particularly in terms of our responsibilities.