cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3560: Targeting the MIF receptor CD74 in bladder cancer tumorigenesis

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that can stimulate cellular proliferation in multiple tumors. Our previous data indicates genetic deletion of MIF results in T1 stage arrest in the N-Butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN) induced bladder cancer model. Similarly, pharmacological inhibition of MIF results in lower stage tumors and reduced bladder weights when given therapeutically. CD74 is a human leukocyte antigen class II trafficking and processing protein that also functions as an extracellular receptor for MIF. Additionally, CD74 complexes with CD44 to act as the cognate MIF receptor complex, and upregulation of CD74 has been noted in high grade bladder cancer. We hypothesized CD74 would be upregulated in malignant bladder cancer cell lines, and knockout of CD74 would reduce bladder cancer tumorigenesis in the murine BBN model. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of CD74 knockout on development and progression of urothelial cell carcinoma; as well as evaluate expression of the putative MIF signaling axis in BCa cell lines. BCa cell lines HTB-9, HTB-5, RT-4, T24 and HT-1376 and benign urothelial UROtsa cells were analyzed for MIF, CD74, and CD44 expression via quantitative PCR or western blot to assess expression of the MIF signaling axis. CD74 and CD44 expression by q-PCR were dramatically elevated in BCa cell lines vs. benign cell lines. Protein levels of CD74 and CD44 were elevated in multiple cell lines as well. MIF expression levels did not change between cell lines. To ascertain differences in BCa tumorigeneis, WT C57Bl/6J mice or CD74-/- mice were given 0.05% BBN in the drinking water for 22 weeks. Bladders were weighed and evaluated for pathologic staging by histology. After exposure to BBN, bladders from CD74-/- mice had a 33% reduction in weight vs. WT bladders (p=.062). Pathological analysis revealed lower stage tumors in bladders of CD74-/- mice (33% incidence; 6.7% pTa, 0% pTis, 6.7% pT1, 20% pT2, 6.7% pT3) as compared to bladders of WT mice (81.3% incidence; 0% pTa, 6.3% pTis, 25% pT1, 12.5% pT2, 37.5% pT3), which was a statistically significant reduction in tumor stage. Lower tumor stage correlated significantly with the CD74-/- genotype (p=0.02, Fisher9s Exact Test). These data suggest CD74 likely mediates a portion of the effects of MIF in BCa, raising the possibility of both CD74 dependent, and independent MIF signaling pathways. Citation Format: Justin Penticuff, Sambantham Shanmugam, Joshua Warrick, Brian Chase, Erika Abbott, Benjamin L. Woolbright, John A. Taylor. Targeting the MIF receptor CD74 in bladder cancer tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3560.
Protos: An Exemplar-Based Learning Apprentice1

Building Protos, a learning apprentice system for heuristic classification, has forced us to scrutinize the usefulness of inductive learning and deductive problem solving. While these inference methods have been widely studied in machine learning, their seductive elegance in artificial domains (e.g. mathematics) does not carry-over to natural domains (e.g. medicine). This paper briefly describes our rationale in the Protos system for relegating inductie learning and deductive problem solving to minor roles in support of retaining, indexing, and matching exemplars. The problems that arise from “lazy generalization” are described along with their solutions in Protos. Finally, an example of Protos in the domain of clinical audiology is discussed.
Integrated supply- and demand-side energy management for expeditionary environmental control

Abstract This paper examines efficiencies achieved by optimal scheduling of power generation equipment and electrical loads in a hybrid smart micro-grid under conditions where load activity may be delayed or advanced with negligible impact to system performance. We model military expeditionary energy systems to analyze the performance of existing unmanaged components and estimate potential savings obtained by coordinated management of battlefield heating and cooling systems. We employ rolling horizon optimization models to examine performance under varying degrees of uncertainty about future load demand and renewable production. We propose a novel mechanism to reduce power production costs through optimal prescriptive scheduling of loads, reducing peak demand and generator peak-to-average power ratios and facilitating a persistent shift to higher fuel efficiencies. In contrast to existing methods that employ either supply-side or demand-side management, we propose intelligently coordinating both sides to achieve greater efficiency. Using sensitivity analysis, this paper quantitatively demonstrates how grid composition, temperature band tolerance, and energy storage capabilities contribute to fuel efficiency under this approach.
Social status and demographic effects of the kappa opioid receptor: a PET imaging study with a novel agonist radiotracer in healthy volunteers.

Kappa opioid receptors (KORs) have been characterized as an aversive system in the brain and implicated in social behavior in preclinical models. This work investigated the effect of social status on the KOR system in humans using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the novel KOR agonist radiotracer [11C]EKAP. Eighteen healthy participants (mean age 41.2 ± 9.3) completed the Barratt Simplified Measure of Social Status (BSMSS), an MRI and an [11C]EKAP PET scan on the High Resolution Research Tomograph. Arterial blood sampling and metabolite analysis were conducted to obtain the input function. Regions of interest were based upon an MR template and included the reward/aversion areas of the brain. The multilinear analysis-1 (MA1) method was applied to the regional time-activity curves (TACs) to calculate [11C]EKAP regional volume of distribution (VT). Mixed models and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for body mass index (BMI), gender and age, with age being dropped in subsequent analyses because of nonsignificance. An overall effect of primary ROIs (F7, 112 7.43, p < 0.0001), BSMSS score (F1, 13 7.45, p = 0.02), BMI (F1, 13 23.5, p < 0.001), and gender (F1, 13 23.75, p < 0.001), but not age (F1, 13 1.12, p = 0.35) was observed. Regional [11C]EKAP VT and BSMSS were found to be negatively correlated in the amygdala (r = −0.69, p < 0.01), anterior cingulate cortex (r = −0.56, p = 0.02), caudate (r = −0.66, p < 0.01), frontal cortex (r = −0.52, p = 0.04), hippocampus (r = −0.60, p = 0.01), pallidum (r = −0.59, p = 0.02), putamen (r = −0.62, p = 0.01), and ventral striatum (r = −0.66, p < 0.01). In secondary (non-reward) regions, correlations of [11C]EKAP VT and BSMSS were nonsignificant with the exception of the insula. There was an inverse correlation between social status and KOR levels that was largely specific to the reward/aversion (e.g., saliency) areas of the brain. This finding suggests the KOR system may act as a mediator for the negative effects of social behaviors in humans.
Neoliberal Ideologies in Outdoor Adventure Education: Barriers to Social Justice and Strategies for Change

Outdoor adventure education utilizes expeditions and experiential education to provide students with opportunities for personal growth. However, by selling the possibility of adventure and character development, outdoor adventure education organizations unknowingly entangle the field with neoliberal ideologies. Neoliberalism is a political and economic ideology that promotes decentralization of governance, the rule of law, individual rights, and a free market. Despite its prevalence in the literature of related fields, outdoor adventure education scholars seldomly address neoliberalism, especially its effect on the field’s social justice efforts. In this paper, we examine how outdoor adventure education’s subscription to neoliberal principles, most notably individual rights and the free market, inhibits the field’s attempts to contribute to social justice. Social justice is a process that seeks to unearth the institutional and systemic roots of injustice to work toward greater social equity. Institutions working toward social justice must disentangle from elements of a dominating neoliberal system that actively perpetuates social inequities. By understanding neoliberalism’s influence, the outdoor adventure education field can become a leader for social justice by identifying the problems, and subsequent inequities, associated with neoliberalism. However, if outdoor adventure education hopes to progress beyond the oppressive structures imposed by neoliberal ideologies, we argue that the field needs to critique its current political, economic, and pedagogical practices. Outdoor adventure education organizations must embrace their role in developing citizens for a more just society by taking systematic and collective action. In an effort to make a tangible contribution, we offer potential strategies for mitigating the effects of neoliberalism and advancing social justice efforts in outdoor adventure education.
Removal of a urinary catheter before discontinuation of epidural analgesia is associated with an increased risk of postoperative urinary retention and hospital episode costs in patients undergoing surgical correction for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The spelling of Erin Ohliger's name was incorrect.
Lightweight kernel isolation with virtualization and VM functions

Commodity operating systems execute core kernel subsystems in a single address space along with hundreds of dynamically loaded extensions and device drivers. Lack of isolation within the kernel implies that a vulnerability in any of the kernel subsystems or device drivers opens a way to mount a successful attack on the entire kernel. Historically, isolation within the kernel remained prohibitive due to the high cost of hardware isolation primitives. Recent CPUs, however, bring a new set of mechanisms. Extended page-table (EPT) switching with VM functions and memory protection keys (MPKs) provide memory isolation and invocations across boundaries of protection domains with overheads comparable to system calls. Unfortunately, neither MPKs nor EPT switching provide architectural support for isolation of privileged ring 0 kernel code, i.e., control of privileged instructions and well-defined entry points to securely restore state of the system on transition between isolated domains. Our work develops a collection of techniques for lightweight isolation of privileged kernel code. To control execution of privileged instructions, we rely on a minimal hypervisor that transparently deprivileges the system into a non-root VT-x guest. We develop a new isolation boundary that leverages extended page table (EPT) switching with the VMFUNC instruction. We define a set of invariants that allows us to isolate kernel components in the face of an intricate execution model of the kernel, e.g., provide isolation of preemptable, concurrent interrupt handlers. To minimize overheads of virtualization, we develop support for exitless interrupt delivery across isolated domains. We evaluate our approach by developing isolated versions of several device drivers in the Linux kernel.
A framework for glass-box physics rule learner and its application to nano-scale phenomena

Attempts to use machine learning to discover hidden physical rules are in their infancy, and such attempts confront more challenges when experiments involve multifaceted measurements over three-dimensional objects. Here we propose a framework that can infuse scientists’ basic knowledge into a glass-box rule learner to extract hidden physical rules behind complex physics phenomena. A “convolved information index” is proposed to handle physical measurements over three-dimensional nano-scale specimens, and the multi-layered convolutions are “externalized” over multiple depths at the information level, not in the opaque networks. A transparent, flexible link function is proposed as a mathematical expression generator, thereby pursuing “glass-box” prediction. Consistent evolution is realized by integrating a Bayesian update and evolutionary algorithms. The framework is applied to nano-scale contact electrification phenomena, and results show promising performances in unraveling transparent expressions of a hidden physical rule. The proposed approach will catalyze a synergistic machine learning-physics partnership. Using machine learning to interpret complex phenomena and reveal unknown physical rules is an active research frontier. Here, the authors address how to combine basic physics, a convolved information index, and a transparent flexible link function to identify mathematical expressions of the underlying physical processes of nanoscale contact electrification.
Beam-loss detection for the high-rate superconducting upgrade to the SLAC Linac Coherent Light Source

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) x-ray free-electron laser is driven by the third kilometer of the 3-km SLAC linac, which accelerates electrons in normal-conducting copper cavities pulsed at 120 Hz. The first kilometer is being replaced by LCLS-II, a superconducting (SC) electron linac driven by continuous rf at 1.3 GHz and with a normal-conducting photocathode gun using continuous rf at a subharmonic, 186 MHz. Its 4-GeV, 120-kW beam has a 1-MHz maximum rate, with an upgrade to 8 GeV in planning. The beam from either linac can be switched pulse by pulse to either of two new undulators, to generate hard and soft x rays. Control of beam loss is critical for machine and personnel safety. Previous SLAC protection systems have depended on ionization chambers, including both local devices at expected loss sites and long gas-dielectric coaxial cables providing distributed coverage. These devices are unsuited to the SC-linac beam, because their ion collection time, over 1 ms, may allow the space charge of accumulated ions to null the electric field inside the detector, blinding it to an increase in loss. Instead, both the local and the distributed detectors have been replaced with faster devices. The full 4 km will be spanned by multiple radiation-hard optical fibers in lengths of up to 200 m, each coupled to a photomultiplier tube, to capture Cherenkov light from loss showers. These are supplemented by single-crystal diamond detectors at expected loss sites. Signals are integrated with a 500-ms time constant; the beam is stopped within $\mathrm{200}\mathrm{\text{ }}\mathrm{\text{ }}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ if a threshold is exceeded. We report on our extensive tests of the detectors and the new signal processing.
Active noise control using remotely placed sources: Application to magnetic resonance imaging noise and equivalence to the time reversal inverse filter

Abstract This paper explores the feasibility of active control of noise from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems using control sources placed outside of the region that MRI scanners are sensitive to ferrous materials. Active noise control (ANC) is shown here to be equivalent to the time reversal (TR) inverse filter technique with a 180° phase shift. Since TR is capable of remotely focusing sound energy to a point in space, it follows that ANC may also be remotely focused. This paper explores the remote delivery of a noise-canceling signal to a desired location (e.g. a patient’s ears). A parameterization study testing frequency dependence and signal length is conducted to determine the effectiveness of the remote delivery. The reduction of MRI noise using ANC is demonstrated using recordings of MRI noise. The parameterization and MRI noise reduction studies are conducted in a reverberation chamber and in a laboratory room with a lower reverberation time. Frequencies below 1 kHz and narrowband signals are easier to control, with reductions up to 20 dB. MRI noise is reduced by up to 18 dB in overall sound pressure level. These results utilized a single control loudspeaker; further reductions should be possible with multiple control sources.
The Role of Trauma-Informed Training in Helping Los Angeles Teachers Manage the Effects of Student Exposure to Violence and Trauma

Exposure to trauma, such as community violence, has far-reaching effects on childrens’ learning and behavior. While schools are a critical place to provide positive and safe spaces for students, teachers have self-reported a lack of knowledge on how to work effectively with traumatized students. In response to this, there has been an increase in teacher training on trauma-related topics. However, it is unclear how training impacts teachers’ trauma knowledge and difficulty responding to traumatized students in the classroom. As such, this exploratory study used a survey (N = 94) with Los Angeles teachers to assess whether training on violence and trauma is related to trauma knowledge and reported difficulty responding to traumatized students. Regression analyses indicate that total training increased teachers’ trauma knowledge, which was found to mediate teachers’ difficulty responding to traumatized students. Findings from this study support the need for a focus on trauma-informed training within the education context.
Teaching Underachieving Algebra Students to Construct Models Using a Simple Intelligent Tutoring System.

An algebraic model uses a set of algebraic equations to describe a situation. Constructing such models is a fundamental skill, but many students still lack the skill, even after taking several algebra courses in high school and college. For underachieving college students, we developed a tutoring system that taught students to decompose the to-be-modelled situation into schema applications, where a schema represents a simple relationship such as distance-rate-time or part-whole. However, when a model consists of multiple schema applications, it needs some connection among them, usually represented by letting the same variable appear in the slots of two or more schemas. Students in our studies seemed to have more trouble identifying connections among schemas than identifying the schema applications themselves. This paper describes a newly designed tutoring system that emphasizes such connections. An evaluation was conducted using a regression discontinuity design. It produced a marginally reliable positive effect of moderate size (d = 0.4).
Silent Sinus Syndrome

A 45-year-old male with chronic nasal airway obstruction and post-nasal drip was referred to an otolaryngologist for further management. Prior treatment had included topical intranasal steroid sprays and oral antihistamines. There was no prior allergy testing or sinus surgery. He was otherwise asymptomatic from a sinonasal perspective. Preoperative nasal endoscopy noted bilateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy, mild rightward septal deviation and lateralized right middle turbinate with polypoid edema bilaterally. No ophthalmologic nor ophthalmometry examination was obtained preoperatively. Non-contrast sinus CT showed unilateral opacification of the right maxillary sinus with inferior displacement of the orbital floor, inward bowing of the medial wall of the maxillary sinus and atelectasis of the ethmoid infundibulum (Fig. 6.1).
Racism and Poverty are Barriers to the Treatment of Youth Mental Health Concerns.

Objective Traditional studies of treatment moderators have focused largely on psychological factors such as clinical severity. Racial and economic inequity exert large effects on youth mental health, on treatment efficacy, and on the likelihood of receiving treatment altogether. Yet, these factors are studied less often by clinical psychological scientists. Method We conducted a narrative review of literature on racial and economic inequities and their impact on youth mental health. Results First, systemic problems such as racism and poverty increase the risk of developing complex health issues and decrease the likelihood of benefiting from treatment. Second, attitudinal barriers, such as mistrust associated with treatments provided by researchers and government agencies, decrease the likelihood that minoritized groups will engage with or benefit from evidence-based treatments. Third, minoritized and underserved communities are especially unlikely to receive evidence-based treatment. Conclusion Clinical psychological science has unique insights that can help address systemic inequities that can decrease treatment efficacy for youth mental health treatment. Psychological scientists can help eliminate disparities in accessing evidence-based treatment and help end violent policies in underserved minoritized communities by at the very least (1) building and supporting scalable community-based treatments as well as (2) publicly advocating for an end to violent policies that impose negative social costs.
Web Wisdom: How To Evaluate and Create Information Quality on the Web

From the Publisher: Here is the essential reference for anyone needing to evaluate or establish information quality on the World Wide Web. Web Wisdom: How to Evaluate and Create Information Quality on the Web addresses the key concerns of Web users and Web page authors regarding reliable and useful information on the Internet. Authors Janet E. Alexander and Marsha Ann Tate introduce critical Web evaluation principles and present the theoretical background necessary to evaluate and create quality information on the Web. They include easy-to-use checklists for step-by-step quality evaluations of virtually any Web site. Alexander and Tate also address important issues related to information on the Web, such as understanding the ways that advertising and sponsorship may effect the quality of information found on the Web.
Middle Eastern Assimilation, Migration And Trade To Europe And North America

Why are immigration and trade flows positively related? While many studies have documented this complementary relationship, we cannot definitively say what factors drive this relationship. On one hand, migration leads to the formation of social networks across borders, driving down trade costs. On the other hand, immigrants may retain a preference for their native country's products, creating a local market for exports. This study examines these two competing theories by estimating the immigration‐trade linkage separately for migrants moving from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to both Europe and North America. While these two groups originate in the same location and have similar preferences, they are quite different in terms of both income and education, with MENA migrants to North America tending to be less numerous but more educated. While the greater degree of economic assimilation for North American migrants should strengthen migrant network effects, the fact that these migrants are more culturally assimilated should weaken both network and preference effects. I find that the migration‐trade link is stronger for migrants to Europe, with the strongest effect for imports. The migration‐trade link is stronger for differentiated goods than for homogeneous goods, and strongest for differentiated goods imports into Europe. These results suggest that while network effects matter, immigrant preferences for native country goods are the key factor driving the migration‐trade link. The results in this study also provide quantitative evidence of weaker assimilation among MENA migrants to Europe, a widely accepted result that has had little empirical support in the existing literature. JEL: F1, F22
HIGHLY ACCURATE SHOCK FLOW CALCULATIONS WITH MOVING GRIDS AND MESH REFINEMENT

Five one-dimensional (1D) problems and one 2D shock wave problem which propagate obliquely to the coordinate axes are solved by a second-order time-marching method. The solution region is assumed to be piecewise continuous, with any “discontinuities” which may develop being represented by an arctan approximation to a step function. Immediately behind or ahead of a flagged “discontinuity”, appropriate one-sided derivatives are used. An explicit moving grid technique is combined with the time-integration scheme which yields the correct velocity at “discontinuities”. Shock fitting is not only simply handled, but it is handled automatically and correctly by the choice of the grid velocities. The regularization problem associated with moving grids is handled by a rezoning based on equidistributing the component averaged third derivative. Because the approximate step-function and the above-mentioned rules for derivative formation are mathematically consistent, artificial viscosity is unnecessary. The same second-order time integration scheme is used throughout the entire spatial domain. For accurate physics of wave interactions, a nonlinear Riemann solver is applied. In conjunction with the Riemann solver, adaptive mesh refinement injects mesh points into the computational domain automatically to define a post collision structure.
9-V Algorithm for Test Pattern Generation of Combinational Digital Circuits

An algorithm for generating test patterns for combinational circuits has been developed and programmed. The algorithm is definitive and finds a test for all faults including those that require multiple paths to be sensitized, by sensitizing a single path at a time and trying at most each single path. This is achieved by using a new calculus based on nine values (0,1,D,D,0/D,0/D, 1/D,1/D,U). One path is deliberately sensitized while the alternative paths are assigned values which permit the option of desensitizing or sensitizing them as the sensitized path is developed. Experimental results are presented for a variety of cases.
The mammalian intervertebral disk: fibrous structures of the whale nucleus pulposus.

Striated fibres showing a beaded appearance in the electron microscope were prepared from the insoluble collagen residue of foetal nucleus pulposus. The assembling and stability of the beaded fibres are controlled to a significant degree by electrostatic forces. In acid solutions (pH 2·0) the organization of the structures is preserved. Analytical data on the preparations show the presence of proteoglycans containing chondroitin sulphate and keratan sulphate, as well as collagen.
Violet-Pigmented Pseudomonads With Antifungal Activity From the Rhizosphere of Beans

Bean rhizosphere bacteria antagonistic to four root-infecting fungi and an antibiotic produced by these bacteria were studied. The bacteria were violet-pigmented gram-negative rods, probably belonging to the genus Pseudomonas. The antibiotic, which was localized largely in the bacterial cell mass, was easily extracted with acetone. It was selectively active against a wide variety of plant-pathogenic and saprophytic fungi tested in vitro but was relatively inactive against bacteria. The compound, partially purified by chromatography, was soluble in all organic solvents tried, but nearly insoluble in water. It demonstrated no characteristic ultraviolet- or visible-absorption spectrum and was chemically unidentified. The antagonistic bacteria or crude antibiotic applied to buried buckwheat segments suppressed the colonization of this substrate by Rhizoctonia spp. The data suggested that the bacteria or the antibiotic may play a role in the suppression of root-infecting fungi in soil.
Technology: advancing retail buyer performance in the twenty‐first century

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain how buyers can more effectively and efficiently utilize technologies to improve their performance and to inform top executives in retail firms how these technologies can be used to improve the overall performance of the retail store.Design/methodology/approach – Using a descriptive approach, the paper identifies current technologies that are being used and shows how technology can be used by retail buyers.Findings – Technologies developed over the past 20 years have changed the way buyers execute their responsibilities with advancements in various technologies; faster transmission of data results in the ability of buyers to immediately react to inventory and pricing issues. However, given that technology investments can exceed millions of dollars, and that many retailers' margins and inventory productivity have been eroding over the last ten years, the stakes for information technology decisions have grown exponentially, so care must be taken in making the...
Conflicting cues and competition in subject–verb agreement

Traditional theories of agreement production assume that verb agreement is an essentially syntactic process. However, recent work shows that agreement is subject to a variety of influences both syntactic and non-syntactic, which raises the question of how these different sources of information are integrated during agreement production. We propose an account of agreement production in which several information sources contribute activation to singular and plural verb forms. Conflict between cues leads to competition which can in turn magnify the influence of subtle cues. Three fragment completion experiments tested key predictions of this constraint satisfaction approach. Experiment 1 demonstrated competition effects on verb choice and sentence initiation latencies. Experiments 2 and 3 demonstrated that conflicts between semantic and grammatical cues allow morphological regularity to exert a small but detectable effect on agreement. These results suggest that the constraint-satisfaction framework may provide a productive approach for understanding agreement production.
Comparison of the GenMark Diagnostics eSensor Respiratory Viral Panel to Real-Time PCR for Detection of Respiratory Viruses in Children

A novel eSensor respiratory viral panel (eSensor RVP) multiplexed nucleic acid amplification test (GenMark Diagnostics, Inc., Carlsbad, CA) was compared to laboratory-developed real-time PCR assays for the detection of various respiratory viruses. A total of 250 frozen archived pediatric respiratory specimens previously characterized as either negative or positive for one or more viruses by real-time PCR were examined using the eSensor RVP. Overall agreement between the eSensor RVP and corresponding real-time PCR assays for shared analytes was 99.2% (kappa = 0.96 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.94 to 0.98]). The combined positive percent agreement was 95.4% (95% CI, 92.5 to 97.3); the negative percent agreement was 99.7% (95% CI, 99.4 to 99.8). The mean real-time PCR threshold cycle (C(T)) value for specimens with discordant results was 39.73 (95% CI, 38.03 to 41.43). Detection of coinfections and correct identification of influenza A virus subtypes were comparable between methods. Of note, the eSensor RVP rhinovirus assay was found to be more sensitive and specific than the corresponding rhinovirus real-time PCR. In contrast, the eSensor RVP adenovirus B, C, and E assays demonstrated some cross-reactivity when tested against known adenovirus serotypes representing groups A through F. The eSensor RVP is robust and relatively easy to perform, it involves a unique biosensor technology for target detection, and its multiplexed design allows for efficient and simultaneous interrogation of a single specimen for multiple viruses. Potential drawbacks include a slower turnaround time and the need to manipulate amplified product during the protocol, increasing the possibility of contamination.
Bandwidths of orientation channels in human vision

The ability of observers to discriminate between stimuli differing in orientation was measured using low contrast, foveally viewed stimuli. Detection and discrimination performance were measured simultaneously. A model is presented which permits bandwidths of orientation-tuned mechanisms to be estimated from the data. In a group of five observers, half-amplitude bandwidths varied from 10° to 20°.
Wet etching of heat treated atomic layer chemical vapor deposited zirconium oxide in HF based solutions

Alternative materials are being considered to replace silicon dioxide as gate dielectric material. Of these, the oxides of hafnium and zirconium show the most promise. However, integrating these new high-k materials into the existing complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) process remains a challenge. One particular area of concern is the wet etching of heat treated high-k dielectrics. In this paper, work done on the wet etching of heat treated atomic layer chemical vapor deposited (ALCVD) zirconium oxide in HF based solutions is presented. It was found that heat treated material, while refractory to wet etching at room temperature, is more amenable to etching at higher temperatures when methane sulfonic acid is added to dilute HF solutions. Selectivity over SiO2 is still a concern.
First 0.96–1.46 micron near-IR spectra of meteors

Abstract During the 2002 Leonid Multi-Instrument Aircraft Campaign, spectra were obtained of two Leonid meteors in the near-IR wavelength range of an InGaAs camera (0.96–1.46 micron). The spectrum contains atomic oxygen and nitrogen lines that are well-described by a typical warm 4400 K meteoric plasma emitting in local thermodynamic equilibrium, but the First Positive Δν = 0 band of N2 is weaker than expected. A quite bright continuum is also present, with a blackbody temperature of ∼4400 K, much higher than that expected from hot debris. The cause of the continuum blackbody emission is a puzzle, as are several unidentified features.
In vitro clearance of trace elements via continuous renal replacement therapy

Objective Trace element loss during continuous renal replacement therapy in patients with acute renal failure has not been quantified sufficiently. Design Trace element loss was quantified using an in vitro model of continuous venovenous hemofiltration. Bovine blood was used for the experiment, and the plasma was analyzed for its chromium, copper, selenium, manganese, and zinc content. Two different polysulfone hemodiafilters, a low-flux F8 and high-flux F70 were used, and tested at two different ultrafiltrate flow rates of 1 L/hr and 2 L/hr, respectively. Trace element concentrations in the plasma and ultrafiltrate were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The sieving coefficient and clearance of each trace element were calculated and compared between the two hemodiafilters. Setting In vitro bovine model of continuous venovenous hemofiltration. Patients or other participants Not applicable. Results Mean sieving coefficients of both F8 and F70 hemodiafilters were similar for each trace element. Copper, chromium, manganese, selenium, and zinc all were detected in the ultrafiltrate. Estimated trace element loss using typical trace element blood concentrations and study-derived sieving coefficients suggest that daily losses of selenium are greater than what is replenished with a standard daily trace element supplement in total parenteral nutrition. Conclusion These data suggest that the degree of continuous venovenous hemofiltration clearance chromium, copper, selenium, manganese, and zinc differ between elements and that selenium and copper might need to be replaced with doses that exceed typical supplementation guidelines.
Estimation of locations of multiple sources in a multi-layer volume conductor using medium filters

An estimate is made of the number and locations of planar bioelectric sources in a horizontally layered volume conductor, from noisy surface measurements of electrical potential on a plane. The effects of the volume conductor are modeled by a medium filter, a 2-D filter which relates the potential on one plane to the potential on another plane; this permits simple regularization. The location estimation problem can then be formulated as a multiple hypothesis minimum error probability generalized likelihood ratio test. Numerical results are presented. The Cramer-Rao bound on the variance of any unbiased depth estimator is discussed to interpret the results. >
Television in Contemporary Chinese Art

Established in 1958 at the onset of the Great Leap Forward, Beijing Television—the first TV network in China—realized its mandate by demonstrating the country’s determination to transform itself into a modern society despite the embargo of the West.1 Only fifty black-and-white monitors—the total number of TV sets in the capital—received the inaugural broadcast on International Labor Day, but the People’s Daily proudly announced that China had made another technological breakthrough. More TV stations appeared during the following years in major cities like Shanghai, Tianjin, and Guangzhou, but the quantity of television sets remained small: even eight years later, when Mao Zedong started the Cultural Revolution in 1966, the whole country had fewer than 12,000 televisions, mainly belonging to government institutions, factories, schools, and neighborhood committees.2 Such collective ownership of television sets remained basically unchanged during the ten years of the Cultural Revolution, but great efforts were made to capitalize on the media’s potential in political education and mass entertainment, creating a vast visual culture based on numerous communal TV viewing spaces throughout the country.3 This visual culture sharply declined after the Cultural Revolution, but has never entirely disappeared: even though today’s TV audiences in China are
Hybrid tool with both fixed-abrasive and loose-abrasive phases

Abstract The use of multiple pole tips in a Magnetic Abrasive Finishing (MAF) system allows for shorter processing times, but it can also exacerbate any difficulties encountered in abrasive insertion and distribution. This paper proposes a hybrid tool that initially works as fixed abrasive but works as loose abrasive once the abrasive binder dissolves into the lubricant. The fixed-abrasive configuration simplifies the abrasive insertion, and the loose-abrasive configuration ensures the abrasive uniform distribution along the workpiece surface. The internal finishing of needles demonstrated that the hybrid tool saves about 80% abrasive insertion time while achieving a smooth surface equivalent to the conventional MAF method.
SUBGRID-SCALE MODEL FOR THE TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS IN REACTING HYPERSONIC TURBULENT FLOWS

A direct numerical simulation (DNS) database is used to develop a model of subgrid-scale temperature fluctuations for use in large-eddy simulations of turbulent, reacting hypersonic flows. The proposed model uses a probability density representation of the temperature fluctuations. The DNS database reveals a physically consistent relation between the resolved-scale flow conditions that may be used to predict the standard deviation of the Gaussian probability density function (PDF). The model is calibrated and tested by comparison to simulations of decaying isotropic turbulence. The conditional single-variable PDF model is found to capture the fluctuations in temperature and product formation.
Complex craniosynostoses: a review of the prominent clinical features and the related management strategies

The protocols for clinical evaluation and management of children with complex craniosynostoses are significantly different from those used in single suture forms. The time at which the various anatomical and functional anomalies observed in the affected subjects become clinically relevant varies from patient to patient, consequently requiring a tailored approach. The clinical course is variable and influenced by multiple factors, acting at different steps of the children growth. Intracranial hypertension is a major concern already in the first months of life; active cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics disorders, venous hypertension, and progressive craniocerebral disproportion are considered the main pathogenetic factors. Cranial vault and skull base sutures synostoses account for the frequently observed increased venous pressure. Skull base abnormalities lead to upper airways obstruction, which, on one side, might create significant upper airways obstructive problems and, on the other, contribute to the increase in the intracranial pressure. Secondary Chiari malformation is common and considered as a progressive disorder, mainly due to progressive craniocerebral disproportion, venous hypertension, and CSF dynamics disorders. Optic nerve and orbit-related eye-globe diseases are also a major concern. Papilledema is mostly related to increased intracranial pressure. The skull base synostotic process is the base of significant abnormalities of the orbital space, ending in the common feature of significant proptosis with the consequent risk of corneal ulcers. Aims of this paper are to analyze the physiopathogenetic mechanisms at the base of the clinical manifestations presented by children with complex craniosynostoses, and the therapeutic options currently available.
Protection of southern pine from fungal decay and termite damage with N,N-naphthaloylhydroxylamine

The design of environmentally benign methods for preserving wood in service requires an understanding of the precise sequence of the biochemical events that occur as wood is colonized. We hypothesize that in-situ precipitation of existing calcium ions in association with pectin in wood may prevent the cascade of biochemical events involved in fungal colonization. Preliminary experiments showed that pretreatment of wood blocks with the selective water-soluble calcium-precipitating agent N,N-naphthaloylhydroxylamine (NHA) inhibited decay caused by brown-rot and white-rot fungi as well as damage caused by eastern subterranean termites.
Clozapine increases rat serum prolactin levels.

Abstract Clozapine differs from other anti-psychotic drugs in that is produces little or no extrapyramidal side effects. The effects of clozapine on rat brain dopamine differ markedly from those of the neuroleptic drugs. The neuroleptics increase rat serum prolactin levels which has been attributed to their dopamine receptor blocking properties. We found that clozapine markedly increased serum prolactin levels in male rats when injected intraperitoneally in doses of 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg. Serum prolactin levels after 5 mg/kg clozapine were significantly less than in rats given 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg which did not significantly differ from each other. Serum prolactin after 10 mg/kg clozapine was significantly greater than after chlorpromazine, 5 mg/kg and haloperidol, 0.5 mg/kg. The increases in serum prolactin are attributed to clozapine's ability to produce dopamine blockade or to inhibit nerve impulse-dopamine release, or both. The capacity of clozapine to affect brain serotonin and norepinephrine metabolism and its strong anti-cholinergic properties are probably not involved in its ability to increase serum prolactin.
The Superconducting and Normal Heat Capacities of Niobium

Data on the heat capacity of niobium in the normal and superconducting phases are presented in the temperature interval 2.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to 11\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The normal heat capacity ${c}_{n}$ was found to be given by the usual relation: ${c}_{n}=\ensuremath{\gamma}T+\frac{464{T}^{3}}{{\ensuremath{\Theta}}^{3}}$, where $\ensuremath{\gamma}=20.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ cal/M ${\mathrm{deg}}^{2}$ and $\ensuremath{\Theta}=252\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K. The zero-field transition temperature ${T}_{0}$ was found to be 8.70\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and the heat capacity discontinuity $\ensuremath{\Delta}c$ at this temperature to be 0.0368 cal/M deg. The heat capacity in the superconducting phase was found to depart from a ${T}^{3}$ dependence below 5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The entire curve could not be represented by either the Koppe relation or the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ model. The ${H}_{T}$ vs $T$ curve deduced from the heat capacity data was found to be very nearly parabolic, with the value of ${H}_{0}=2000$ gauss and $\frac{d{H}_{T}}{\mathrm{dT}}$ at the zero-field transition temperature equal to 453 gauss/deg.
Amoebae and Legionella pneumophila in saline environments

Amoeboid protists that harbor bacterial pathogens are of significant interest as potential reservoirs of disease-causing organisms in the environment, but little is known about them in marine and other saline environments. We enriched amoeba cultures from sediments from four sites in the New England estuarine system of Mt. Hope Bay, Massachusetts and from sediments from six sites in the Great Salt Lake, Utah. Cultures of amoebae were enriched using both minimal- and non-nutrient agar plates, made with fresh water, brackish water or saltwater. Recovered amoeba cultures were assayed for the presence of Legionella species using nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and primers specific for the genus. Positive samples were then screened with nested amplification using primers specific for the macrophage infectivity potentiator surface protein (mip) gene from L. pneumophila. Forty-eight percent (185 out of 388) of isolated amoeba cultures were positive for the presence of Legionella species. Legionella pneumophila was detected by PCR in 4% of the amoeba cultures (17 out of 388), and most of these amoebae were growing on marine media. Our results show that amoebae capable of growing in saline environments may harbor not only a diverse collection of Legionella species, but also species potentially pathogenic to humans.
Aircraft Performance Sensitivity to Icing Cloud Conditions

The question of “How good is good enough?” has yet to be fully answered in regard to the accuracy of simulated icing conditions. This paper addresses this question in the form of an aerodynamic performance sensitivity to icing cloud parameter variations. Ice tracings were taken from an existing NASA study that examined the effects of icing parameter variations on ice accretion geometry. These ice accretions were simulated using SLA, and then aerodynamic testing was conducted at the University of Illinois subsonic wind tunnel. A sensitivity of aerodynamic performance to icing parameter variations was formed by relating the aerodynamic results of this test to the corresponding icing cloud parameter variations of the NASA study. To judge the real-world effect of icing cloud parameter variations, this sensitivity was extended from airfoil performance to aircraft performance. For the conditions of this study, it was found that if Vstall was required to be known within ±0.5 knots, the required accuracy in LWC was ±0.025 g/m, and in MVD was ±1.1 μm. For ∆Vstall = ±3 knots, the required accuracy in LWC was ±0.12 g/m, and in MVD was ±5.5 μm.
Measurement and Compartmental Modeling of the Effect of CYP3A5 Gene Variation on Systemic and Intrarenal Tacrolimus Disposition

We evaluated the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) expression can affect intrarenal tacrolimus accumulation. Tacrolimus was administered orally to 24 healthy volunteers who were selected on the basis of their CYP3A5 genotype. As compared with CYP3A5 nonexpressors, expressors had a 1.6-fold higher oral tacrolimus clearance and 2.0- to 2.7-fold higher metabolite/parent area under the curve (AUC) ratios for 31-desmethyl tacrolimus (31-DMT), 12-hydroxy tacrolimus, and 13-desmethyl tacrolimus (13-DMT). In addition, the apparent urinary tacrolimus clearance was 36% lower in CYP3A5 expressors as compared with nonexpressors. To explore the mechanism behind this observation, we developed a semiphysiological model of renal tacrolimus disposition and predicted that tacrolimus exposure in the renal epithelium of CYP3A5 expressors is 53% of that for CYP3A5 nonexpressors, when normalized to blood AUC. These data suggest that, at steady state, intrarenal accumulation of tacrolimus and its primary metabolites will depend on the CYP3A5 genotype of the liver and kidneys. This may contribute to interpatient differences in the risk of tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity.
Kinetic modelling and optimization of the trifluoropropylmethylsiloxane polymerization

Etude de la cinetique de la polymerisation du tris(trifluoro-3',3',3' propyl)-1,3,5 trimethyl-1,3,5-cyclotrisiloxane en presence du melange promoteur-amorceur OMSO-butyllithium. Developpement d'un modele cinetique permettant la prediction des conditions optimales pour cette polymerisation