cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intraepidermal and dermal Merkel cell carcinoma with squamous cell carcinoma in situ: a case report with review of literature

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma, occurs on sun-damaged skin, especially in the elderly. Its unique co-expression of cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and neuroendocrine markers, including neuron-specific enolase (NSE), is diagnostic. Most MCCs are located in the dermis, rarely has an intraepidermal component been reported. We report a case of MCC with an intraepidermal component admixed with squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS). We were able to identify the differences in the immunohistochemical expression pattern between that of the intraepidermal and the dermal components. Most intraepidermal neoplastic cells of MCC in this case showed a less intense immunoreactivity to CK20 and NSE compared to that of dermal neoplastic cells. This case reports an unusual occurrence of combined SCC and MCC that shows both intraepidermal and dermal components.
Aberrations and fringing effects in a 180° double focussing magnetic spectrometer

Abstract Second and third order effects, including fringing, are considered for a 180° symmetrical double focussing spectrometer. The optic axis and focal points for particles of a definite momentum are found. Values are calculated for β and γ, the coefficients of the quadratic and cubic terms in the expansion of the magnetic field, which eliminate second and third order aberrations due to radial motion. The linear dispersion and the orientation of the focal plane for paraxial trajectories of slightly different momenta are determined. Numerical values are presented for a high transmission alpha-particle spectrometer designed for this laboratory.
Epinephrine induces association of pp60src with Giα in human platelets

Using specific antibodies against the alpha subunit of the inhibitory GTP-binding protein Gi, we analyzed the association of Gi alpha with other cellular components in human platelets. Three tyrosine phosphorylated proteins with molecular mass of 63, 58, and 55 kDa were specifically associated with Gi alpha in resting platelets. Stimulation of platelets with epinephrine, but not with thrombin, induced an increase of the reactivity of the 63- and 55-kDa proteins to anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies on western blotting. By in vitro kinase assay we found that epinephrine induced the association of kinase activity with Gi alpha and that the 63-kDa protein was phosphorylated by this activity. The association of kinase activity with Gi alpha in epinephrine-stimulated platelets paralleled the association of pp60src with Gi alpha, as detected by western blotting analysis using specific anti-pp60src monoclonal antibodies. The interaction of pp60src with Gi alpha may play a role in the mechanism of platelet activation by epinephrine or in the epinephrine-induced potentiation of the action of other platelet agonists.
The “tunneling time problem”: fundamental incompatibility of the Bohm trajectory approach with the projector and conventional probability current approaches

Abstract The systematic projector approach of Brouard, Sala and Muga generates an infinite number of expressions for the mean transmission time, as does the probability current method also considered by them. It is shown that none of these can be equal to the (unique) Bohm trajectory result. Implications are discussed.
Cyclotron Resonance in Antimony

Measurements of cyclotron resonance using the trigonal plane in single-crystal antimony have been made with linearly- and circularly-polarized radiation (23.5 kMc/sec) in magnetic fields up to 8500 oe at liquid helium temperatures. The observed oscillations for magnetic field directions parallel to the crystal surface were identified as Azbel'-Kaner resonances. The tilted-ellipsoidal Fermi-surface model proposed by Shoenberg was successfully used to interpret the data. The mass parameters in this model were determined from a combination of present data with some of Shoenberg's de Haas-van Alphen data to be $\frac{{m}_{1}}{{m}_{0}}=0.050$, $\frac{{m}_{2}}{{m}_{0}}=1.03$, $\frac{{m}_{3}}{{m}_{0}}=0.53$, and $\frac{|{m}_{4}|}{{m}_{0}}=0.67$. Analysis of data obtained with circularly polarized radiation suggests that the carriers responsible for these Azbel'-Kaner resonances in antimony are electrons.
Scaling laws for evaporative cooling in time-dependent optical traps

We derive scaling laws for the number of atoms, collision rate, and phase-space density as a function of trap depth for evaporative cooling in an adiabadically lowered optical trap. The results are in excellent agreement with a Boltzmann equation model and show that very large increases in phase-space density can be obtained without excessive slowing of the evaporation rate. Predictions are in reasonable agreement with a recent experiment that achieves Bose-Einstein condensation by evaporation in an optical trap. We also discuss evaporation of fermionic mixtures and explain why Pauli blocking does not strongly inhibit cooling.
Organ-resident, nonlymphoid cells suppress proliferation of autoimmune T-helper lymphocytes

Local presentation of autoantigen by organ-resident cells inappropriately expressing Ia determinants has been implicated in organ-specific autoimmunity. Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis, induced in rats by immunization with retinal soluble antigen, is used as a model of organ-specific autoimmunity. In an in vitro system derived from this model, uveitogenic rat T-helper lymphocytes specific to the retinal soluble antigen, or control T-helper lymphocytes reactive to the purified protein derivative of tuberculin, were cocultured with Ia-expressing syngeneic retinal glial cells (Muller cells) in the presence of specific antigen. Antigen presentation was not apparent under ordinary culture conditions, and the Muller cells profoundly suppressed the proliferative response of primed T-helper lymphocytes to antigen presented on conventional antigen-presenting cells, as well as their subsequent interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent expansion. Suppression of proliferation was accompanied by inhibition of IL-2 production in response to antigen, as well as by reduction in high-affinity IL-2 receptor expression, and proceeded via a contact-dependent mechanism. These results suggest a role for locally acting suppression mechanisms in immune regulation and maintenance of tissue homeostasis.
Insulin Receptor Substrate 1-induced Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Uptake in β-Cells AUTOCRINE REGULATION OF INTRACELLULAR Ca2+HOMEOSTASIS AND INSULIN SECRETION

Abstract To understand the role of the insulin receptor pathway in β-cell function, we have generated stable β-cells (βIRS1-A) that overexpress by 2-fold the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and compared them to vector-expressing controls. IRS-1 overexpression dramatically increased basal cytosolic Ca2+ levels from 81 to 278 nm, but it did not affect Ca2+ response to glucose. Overexpression of the insulin receptor also caused an increase in cytosolic Ca2+. Increased cytosolic Ca2+ was due to inhibition of Ca2+ uptake by the endoplasmic reticulum, because endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake and content were reduced in βIRS1-A cells. Fractional insulin secretion was significantly increased 2-fold, and there was a decrease in βIRS1-A insulin content and insulin biosynthesis. Steady-state insulin mRNA levels and glucose-stimulated ATP were unchanged. High IRS-1 levels also reduced β-cell proliferation. These data demonstrate a direct link between the insulin receptor signaling pathway and the Ca2+-dependent pathways regulating insulin secretion of β-cells. We postulate that during regulated insulin secretion, released insulin binds the β-cell insulin receptor and activates IRS-1, thus further increasing cytosolic Ca2+ by reducing Ca2+ uptake. We suggest the existence of a novel pathway of autocrine regulation of intracellular Ca2+homeostasis and insulin secretion in the β-cell of the endocrine pancreas.
Scalp EEG's of patients receiving oral benactyzine

Abstract Nineteen patients in a psychiatric hospital were given oral doses of Benactyzine ranging from 1 mg. to 15 mg. three times a day. Clinically, some claimed no subjective effects, while others reported a loss of sensations in the limbs and a feeling of apprehension. Scalp EEG's of these patients did not show any specific changes with respect to the alpha rhythms. In general, those rhythms were partially replaced by beta rhythms and muscle artifact, but this was thought to be non-specific for the drug and merely an aspect of increased alertness and vigilance. There were occasional instances of possible slight reduction in the frequencies of the alpha rhythms, and in most patients the voltages were slightly increased. It is possible that larger doses and intravenous administration might give more striking results or that basal or depth tracings might show significant changes. Finally, there are distinct limitations to the effectiveness of visual analysis of the electroencephalogram in a problem of this degree of complexity.
A four-region, moving-boundary model of a once-through, helical-coil steam generator

Abstract A dynamic model of a once-through, helical-coil steam generator is presented. The model simulates the advanced liquid metal reactor superheated cycle steam generator with a four-region, moving-boundary, draft-flux flow model. The model is described by a set of nonlinear differential equations derived from the fundamental equations of conservation of mass, energy, and momentum. Sample results of steady-state and transient calculations are presented.
The effects of kernel choices in density estimation with biased data

Abstract This paper considers the effects of kernel choices on the large sample behaviors of a class of kernel estimates of the underlying density function f(x) when s independent selection biased samples are observed. Under the popular twice differentiable assumption on f, the main results show that, contrary to the well-known results in i.i.d. direct samples, the choices of kernels are important and the optimal kernels may be asymmetric and discontinuous when the weight functions of the biased samples have jumps.
Inhibition of Rabbit Reticulocyte Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Activity by Heparin and Its Reversal by Polyamines

We have previously demonstrated that phosphorylation of the 82-kDa subunit of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, eIF-2B, by casein kinases I and II stimulates eIF-2B activity. In the present report, we show that heparin binds to eIF-2B (KD approximately 0.3 microM) and inhibits the GDP/GTP exchange activity of eIF-2B. The effect is dose dependent, with half-maximal inhibition (IC50) achieved at 0.03 microM heparin. Although spermidine alone does not stimulate or inhibit guanine nucleotide exchange, it reverses the inhibitory effect of heparin up to 90 percent (IC50 = 0.22 mM). ATP and NADPH which interact with the 65 and 55-kDa subunits also partially relieve heparin inhibition of nucleotide exchange, and the effects of ATP and NADPH are additive. By using a gel overlay technique, we demonstrate that 125I-heparin binds to the 82, 65 and 55-kDa subunits of eIF-2B.
Pemphigus Vulgaris in Older Adults

OBJECTIVE: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) affects primarily middle-aged persons in North America. Conventional therapy suggests use of high doses of systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. We have observed a group of older patients with PV and determined their clinical characteristics, treatment, and clinical course. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen patients with PV, in whom the onset of the disease was at age 65 or older, were observed and followed at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, between 1985 and 1992. We determined sex and race distribution, disease severity, clinical presentation, autoantibody levels, treatment, response to treatment, and clinical course in these patients. RESULTS: Men and women were affected equally. All the patients were white, and 50% were Jewish. Extensive disease was observed in only 27.8%. The disease was localized in 44.4%; in eight patients (44.4%), the use of sublesional corticosteroid (SLS) injection alone produced satisfactory clinical response. In patients with severe disease, the maximum dose of 60 mg/day of prednisone was sufficient. Patients with moderate disease responded to 20 to 40 mg/day of prednisone. Immunosuppressive agents were used in only four patients. The patients were followed for 3 to 15 years (mean 5.2 years). None of them died of the disease or the complications of therapy. At the time we reported this experience, most of the patients were in clinical remission without any therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that prognosis for older patients with PV is favorable. In several older patients, PV was controlled by SLS or lower doses of systemic corticosteroids. Systemic agents should be used cautiously and judiciously, and supportive measures should be offered frequently and aggressively.
Meeting the Civil Legal Needs of Low-Income Marylanders: An Evaluation of a Judicare Pilot

To address the unmet legal needs for low-income litigants in the United States, some states are turning to Judicare programs. This article discusses Maryland’s pilot Judicare program where services to low-income litigants are provided by private attorneys who are paid on a reduced fee-for-service basis. Using a distributive justice framework, this mixed methods study assessed the effectiveness of Judicare through a process and outcome evaluation. Findings suggest that Judicare is effective in providing civil legal services to low-income litigants. The pilot program was successful in engaging attorneys from the private sector. Detailed findings for client and attorney experiences are presented.
Lifetimes of vibrational levels in the B̃2A′ state of HCO

Abstract We measure the fluorescence decays for low-lying rotational states in the first eight vibrational levels of HCO B 2 A′. Some long-lived decays exhibit weak quantum beats that we attribute to a higher-order hyperfine perturbation in the B state. We estimate fluorescence quantum yields by combining measured fluorescence intensities and a calculated electronic transition moment. The estimated nonradiative decay rates increase with increasing vibrational excitation and exhibit mode specificity. We discuss possible vibronic coupling mechanisms, including spin-orbit coupling to quartet states and predissociation via the A 2 Π ( 2 A ″) and X 2 A′ states.
Titanium aluminides - Surface composition effects as a function of temperature

Results are presented from an AES investigation of the surface characteristics of pure Ti, Ti-14Al-21Nb (alpha-2 aluminide), and Ti-33Al-6Nb-1.4Ta (gamma aluminide) under ultrahigh vacuum conditions over the 20-1000 C temperature range. The observed variations in surface composition are noted to be dramatic and indicative of a direct relationship between the amount of retained oxygen and carbon on the surface and the quantity of Al in that surface's vicinity. While TiO2 was the main surface oxide for pure Ti and the alpha-2 and gamma aluminides, only metallic peaks were observable at 600 C; at 1000 C, metallic Al and Ti were observed.
“What Are You Going to Do With That Major?” Colloquial Speech and the Meanings of Work and Education:

This article explores the function of the ubiquitous question, “What are you going to do with that major?,” in advancing particular meanings of work, higher education, and the work–higher education...
Spontaneous and induced reactivation of eel acetylcholinesterase inhibited by three organophosphinates

Abstract This paper constitutes the first report on the spontaneous reactivation of a cholinesterase following inhibition by an organophosphinate. The spontaneous reactivation of eel acetylcholinesterase following inhibition by p -nitrophenyl diphenylphosphinate (DPP), p -nitrophenyl methyl(phenyl)phosphinate (MPP), and p -nitrophenyl dimethylphosphinate (DMP) at 25.0°C in 0.10 M 3-( N -morpholino)propanesulfonic acid buffer of pH 7.60 reflected the following order of activity: MPP > DPP > DMP. Hydrolysis studies of the phosphinate esters under these conditions exhibited the same order of reactivity. Kinetic studies on the spontaneous reactivation of methyl(phenyl)phosphinylated eel acetylcholinesterase at pH 7.60 and pH 9.10 showed a 100% recovery of enzymatic activity, thus demonstrating the absence of aging. The absence of aging was further supported by oxime-induced reactivation studies.
Multiple Myeloma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Commonalities and Differences in Biology and Therapy

Multiple myeloma (MM) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are monoclonal tumors of differentiated B-cells arising late in life with a protracted clinical course that frequently terminates with signs of dedifferentiation. The major clinical differences (extramedullary spread in CLL, bone marrow confinement in MM) may relate to distinctive tumor cell phenotypes and cytokine networks, explaining the frequent bone involvement and uncommon thrombocytopenia in advanced MM. Cytogenetically, CLL is characterized by relatively uniform chromosomal abnormalities with a predominance of trisomy 12 without further changes with disease progression, whereas complex and seemingly random numeric and structural chromosomal aberrations predominate in MM. Multilineage expression and the association with acute myelogenous leukemia suggest that MM may result from transformation of a pluripotent progenitor cell, whereas CLL is thought to develop from a transformed committed B-cell precursor compartment. Survival of patients with MM and CLL is shorter in the presence of higher tumor burden, reflected in increasing anemia in both diseases and in high levels of serum beta-2-microglobulin in MM. Both tumors respond to alkylating agents providing disease palliation but no cures. Glucocorticoids are highly effective in MM and control autoimmune disease associated more frequently with CLL. The marked efficacy of fludarabine in CLL and its lack of activity in MM may provide additional clues about the different biology of CLL and MM.
Quasilinearization and the solution of nonlinear design problems in structures undergoing creep deformations

Abstract A class of multipoint-value problems involving generally nonlinear integro-differential equations of Volterra type, arising in applications of structural design in the presence of nonlinear creep is formulated and thoroughly investigated. First, a nonlinear multipoint-value problem is formulated and solved algorithmically by quasilinearization. This is done in Sections 2 and 3. Relaxation of design specifications yields a class of optimization problems whose solution is then outlined in Section 4. Sections 5–7 are devoted to computational aspects. In Section 6, a method to overcome some of the computational drawbacks of the classical Newton-Raphson-Kantorovich sequence in function space, is presented and applied to the problem under consideration. Section 7 deals with the reduction of large systems of Volterra integral equations to initial-value differential systems, while in Section 8 a numerical example is presented to illustrate the application and feasibility of the method.
Messenger RNA for manganese and copper-zinc superoxide dismutases in hepatomas: Correlation with degree of differentiation

Total and polyadenylylated RNA have been isolated from two Morris hepatomas with different degree of differentiation and from the normal liver of the corresponding tumor-bearing inbred rats. The analysis of mRNA has been performed by Northern hybridization using 32P-dA-tailed synthetic deoxyoligonucleotide probes, 33-mer for Mn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 36-mer for CuZnSOD, derived from the nucleotide sequences of the rat enzyme cDNAs. Two distinct mRNA species (about 850 and 1080 nucleotides) have been identified by using the MnSOD probe. CuZnSOD is translated from a single message of about 720 nucleotides. The total MnSOD mRNA concentration is decreased by 43% and 57% in the hepatomas 9618A (highly differentiated) and 3924A (poorly differentiated), respectively. CuZnSOD mRNA is practically unchanged in the hepatoma 9618A whereas it is reduced by 80% in the hepatoma 3924A. Comparison of the enzyme activities and mRNA levels indicates a good correlation only for hepatoma 3924A, suggesting that the changes of both SODs are regulated pretranslationally. From the data obtained it is also inferred that the mRNA levels of MnSOD respond more readily than those of CuZnSOD to changes in differentiation.
Cholinergic innervation in the human striatum: a three-compartment model.

The mammalian striatum is divided into compartments that are anatomically and neurochemically distinct. The dorsal striatum has been described as containing two compartments, striosomes and matrix, while the ventral striatum is thought to have a more complex, multi-compartmental organization. In this study, we sought to characterize the compartmentalization of the dorsal and ventral portions of the human striatum using choline acetyltransferase as a marker. Image analysis was used to assess relative densities of immunostaining, and three distinct, choline acetyltransferase-immunostained compartments were demonstrated: intensely immunostained, moderately immunostained and weakly immunostained areas. The dorsomedial portion of the striatum was made up of moderately immunostained regions embedded within a densely immunostained background, thus manifesting the characteristic striosome/ matrix organization of the dorsal striatum. However, the ventral and lateral two-thirds of the striatum were made up of a mixture of densely immunostained, moderately immunostained and weakly immunostained areas, with the moderately immunostained region forming the bulk of the background tissue, and smaller, densely immunostained and weakly immunostained regions embedded within it. These compartments were compared to regions defined by distinct levels of acetylcholinesterase immunostaining in adjacent sections; the staining patterns produced by the two cholinergic markers were found to be identical except in some portions of the nucleus accumbens, where acetylcholinesterase immunostaining was found to be more intense than choline acetyltransferase immunostaining. The immunoreactive somata were mapped within sections stained for choline acetyltransferase taken from different rostrocaudal levels of the striatum, and the distributions and densities of immunoreactive somata within these three cholinergic compartments were determined. In general, the densities of cholinergic somata roughly correlated with immunostaining intensity of regions, e.g. the most intensely immunostained compartment also had the highest densities of cholinergic somata. However, in the rostroventral striatum, the densities of cholinergic somata in the weakly immunostained compartment roughly equalled the densities of cholinergic somata in the moderately immunostained compartment, suggesting that local axonal arborizations of cholinergic cells may differ in density or orientation between the two compartments, or, alternatively, that some of the cholinergic cells in the weakly immunostained compartment may project outside of the striatum. The large proportion of striatum displaying ventral striatal characteristics (a complex, multi-compart-mental organization) in humans relative to that observed in other mammals suggests that the role of the ventral striatum may be expanded and more highly differentiated in the human brain.
Inhibin B is lower and anti-Müllerian hormone is similar in serum of men with spinal cord injuries compared to controls

AbstractMen with spinal cord injury have a unique semen profile characterized by normal sperm concentration but abnormally low sperm motility and viability. The purpose of our study was to determine if new diagnostic information could be obtained for this population by measuring serum concentrations of inhibin B and anti-Mullerian hormone. These hormones, as well as follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, were measured in 30 men with spinal cord injury and 15 age-matched control subjects. Serum concentrations of inhibin B and testosterone were significantly lower in the spinal cord injury group compared to the control group. A statistically significant negative relationship was observed between serum concentrations of inhibin B and follicle stimulating hormone in both the spinal cord injury group and the control group, and between inhibin B and luteinizing hormone in the spinal cord injury group only. A significant positive relationship was also observed between inhibin B and ...
A Multistep Surface Mechanism for Ethane Oxidative Dehydrogenation on Pt- and Pt/Sn-Coated Monoliths

A computational study of ethane oxidative dehydrogenation to ethylene on Pt- and Pt/Sn-coated monoliths is presented as an improvement to previous kinetic models in reproducing experimental findings over a wide range of feed conditions. The multistep surface mechanism containing 20 reversible reactions among 11 surface species is based on published reaction steps for hydrogen and methane oxidation combined with lumped steps for ethane surface chemistry and coupled with an established homogeneous mechanism to form the detailed chemistry model. Simulation results at 1 atm are in good agreement with experimental data obtained on Pt at variable C2H6/O2 and C2H6/O2/H2 ratios and predict experimentally observed phenomena such as ignition temperatures and homogeneous ethylene formation. The model is also used to predict Pt monolith performance over an industrially relevant range of space velocities (0.7−3.4 × 105 h-1) and pressures (1−10 atm). Furthermore, the Pt mechanism is extended to a Pt/Sn catalyst by chan...
Does The Earth Have an Adaptive Infrared Iris

Observations and analyses of water vapor and clouds in the tropics over the past decade suggest a different approach to radiative climate feedbacks: namely, that high clouds and high free-tropospheric relative humidity are largely tied to each other, and that the main feedback consists in changing the relative areas of cloudy/moist regions vis a vis clear/dry regions in response to the surface temperature of the cloudy/moist regions - as opposed to altering the humidity in either of the regions. This is an intrinsically 2-dimensional (horizontal and vertical) effect which does not readily enter simple 1-dimensional (vertical) radiative-convective schemes which emphasize average humidity, etc. Preliminary analyses of cloud data for the eastern part of the Western Pacific from the Japanese GMS-5(Geostationary Meteorological Satellite), are supportive of this suggestion - pointing to a 15% reduction in cloudy/moist area for a 1C increase of the sea surface temperature as measured by the cloud-weighted SST (sea surface temperature). The implication of this result is examined using a simple 2-dimensional radiative-convective model. The calculations show that such a change in the tropics would lead to a strong negative feedback in the global climate, with a feedback factor of about -1.7, which, if correct, would easily dominate the positive water vapor feedback found in current models. This new feedback mechanism, in effect, constitutes an adaptive infrared iris that opens and closes in order to control the OLR (outgoing longwave radiation) in response to changes in surface temperature in a manner similar to the way in which an eye's iris opens and closes in response to changing light levels. The climate sensitivity resulting from this thermostatic mechanism is consistent with the independent determination by Lindzen and Giannitisis (1998). Preliminary attempts to replicate observations with GCMs (General Circulation Models) suggest that models lack such a negative cloud/moist areal feedback.
Peering into the Fog of War: The Geography of the WikiLeaks Afghanistan War Logs, 2004-2009

A team of U.S. political geographers analyzes the secret Afghanistan war logs released by WikiLeaks.org. They offer the chance to examine in detail the dynamics of the conflict in that country. Doing so in a spatial framework is possible because each of the 77,000 events has geographic coordinates and dates. Using cartographic and geostatistical tools, the authors map the changing distribution of the events and compare them to the well-known violent-events ACLED database (see O'Loughlin et al., 2010 in this issue). They conclude that ACLED comprises a representative set of the more comprehensive data in the released files. The released war logs show that the Afghan insurgency spread rapidly in 2008-2009, that the insurgency is moving out of its traditional Pashtun heartlands, and remains mostly rural in location. Hotspot and cluster analysis identifies the key locations of the current war, which indicate that it is relocating to new provinces in Afghanistan while intensifying in the eastern border regions...
Future directions in computational nursing sciences

The advent of the supercomputer and its capabilities for dealing with terabyte-sized data bases has provided a unique opportunity for nursing sciences to enhance and add to its theories. An interdisciplinary team has formed at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), to provide new tools and methodologies for analyzing large-scale data bases. Their first project is a study of infant mortality. The strategy and goals for this project are presented, along with an assessment of the present state of health care data base analysis.
A study on the vibration induced transport of nanoabrasives in liquid medium

Abstract Vibration Assisted Nano-Impact-machining by Loose Abrasives (VANILA) is an emerging process suitable for the target specific nanomachining of hard and brittle materials. Understanding the transport of nanodiamond powders in fluid is essential to determine the effective gap between the tool and the work surface in VANILA process. In this paper, various forces acting on the abrasive nanoparticle in aqueous slurry are analyzed. It is understood that transient cavitation force and acoustic streaming forces have the most dominating effects in causing the nanoparticle impact on the workpiece surface. A model to predict the impact velocity of the nanoabrasive grain on the workpiece surface is developed and it is found that during the machining process, an impact velocity in the order of 102 m/s is achieved. molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) is used to simulate the nanoparticle transportation during the process. The MDS study reveals that the machining gap during the VANILA process needs to be maintained at less than 200 nm for an abrasive grain size range of 5–20 nm. The MDS results are in conformance with the theoretical modeling results.
Evaluation of chemotherapy of cancer by regional perfusion.

At Tulane Department of Surgery 597 patients with cancer have been perfused regionally 690 times—350 patients with melanoma, 164 with carcinoma and 83 with sarcoma. Early objective responses were noted in about 70% of patients with melanoma and in 60% with carcinoma and sarcoma. The duration of response in many instances was short whereas the expenditure of operating time and medical manpower was large. In poor-risk patients with advanced disease the mortality rate was appreciable. In some patients, however, perfusion offered more than conventional therapy and is a valuable technique. In secondary melanoma—involvement of regional nodes, satellitosis or local recurrence—control has been obtained in 10 of 38 patients five years after perfusion. In primary melanoma confined to a limb the disease has been controlled in 10 of 11 patients five years after perfusion, conservative excision and node dissection. In sarcoma confined to the limbs perfusion and wide excision produced control of disease in 10 of 14 patients at five years. Perfusion as an adjunct to excision in patients with carcinoma adds little. Good palliation has been obtained in patients with a variety of malignant tumors by control of primary disease, even in the presence of systemic metastases.
Unbounded hardware is equivalent to deterministic turing machines

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate models of computation from a realistic viewpoint. We introduce the concept of physical computation as opposed to functional computation, and by referring to the laws of physics we study the basic criteria which a model of computation must meet in order to be realistic. With this formal apparatus, we define a very general, realistic model of planar, digital circuits, which allows for full parallelism. This model is especially well suited to describe systolic architectures. Actually, the assumption of planarity serves only practical purposes, and can be removed without altering our main results. We compare the complexity classes in this parallel model with those associated with sequential models such as the Deterministic Turing Machine (DTM) model. Our main result is that both models are space and time equivalent in the polynomial class. In particular, any circuit can be simulated in polynomial time on a DTM. One consequence is that unbounded hardware does not make NP-hardness tractable. We also address the issue of area-time tradeoffs and show that the area of a circuit can always be bounded by a polynomial function of the sequential time.
Black Conservatism in America

Current discussions about black conservatism lack historical perspective. They assume that conservatism in the black community is a new phenomenon. However, this assumption ignores a large literature that discusses the history of blacks and the political thought of major black intellectuals who espouse a conservative ideology. This research seeks to fill the gaps left by previous research by discussing the development of black conservative political thought. It also seeks to find out if contemporary black conservative intellectuals have support among blacks. We find they do have support albeit less than a majority of blacks, there is a segment of the black population that identifies with the conservative label.
The utility of routine preoperative computed tomography scanning in the management of veterans with colon cancer.

Abstract Background: The aim of this study is to assess the clinical utility of routine preoperative computed tomography (CT) scanning in patients with cancer of the intraperitoneal colon. Methods: From November 1997 to June 2001, all patients at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System with a diagnosis of colon cancer were referred for a preoperative CT scan. Medical records and operative notes were reviewed to determine the influence of preoperative CT on clinical management. Results: Seventy patients received a CT per protocol. Preoperative CT provided information that was used in treatment planning and management in 26 (37%) cases. However, if preoperative scans had not been performed, the clinical management would have been definitively altered in only 13 (19%) patients. Conclusions: Although these data suggest potential benefit for routine preoperative CT scanning, we believe additional study, including cost analysis, should precede the adoption of CT scanning as a routine preoperative study in patients with colon cancer.
Extreme tuning of microphotonic structures using optical forces

We show evidence of extreme tuning of micro-photonic resonances (31.4 nm) using optical gradient forces. We estimate the static mechanical displacements to be as large as 60 nm using mW level optical powers.
Evidence for active transport of alkali metal cations by calf lens.

Additional experimental support is presented for an active transport of sodium and potassium across the surface of the calf lens. Since the energy required can be derived from anaerobic glycolysis, and since ouabain is a relatively specific inhibitor of cationic transport, the amount of energy needed for transport can be calculated in a rather simple manner. The inhibitory effects of 10 −6 M ouabain were measured with respect to the amounts of lenticular sodium and potassium, and the lactate produced. Because each lactate is equivalent to a labile phosphate with a hexose as the source of energy, the ratio of the changes in cations and in labile phosphate could be evaluated. The ratios found were from 3 to 4 when mannose or fructose were used. With glucose, it appeared to be necessary to correct the ratio for a direct inhibition by ouabain of transport of this sugar. Application of the correction increased the ratio from 2·0 – 2·5 to 3·5 − 4·5. There was no evidence in experiments with 22 Na that ouabain altered the rates of passive diffusion or of diffusional exchange, leading to the conclusion that the net change in lenticular cations equalled the change in actively transported sodium.
Microfinance as FDI: Distance and Investment in Microlending

In recent years, microfinance has increasingly been viewed as a potential mechanism to provide entrepreneurs and businesses at the bottom of the economic pyramid (Hart & Prahalad, 2002; Prahalad, 2...
Some physicochemical properties of the montmorillonites

The swelling, moisture sorption, particle size, cation-exchange, and drug adsorption properties of selected montmorillonites were studied. The swelling of montmorillonite was found to depend on both adsorptive and osmotic phenomena. The study of the sorption of alkaloidal drugs by the clay showed that brucine was sorbed by both adsorption and ion-exchange reactions, forming a monomolecular layer on the interior surface of the clay; methapyrilene and triethylamine were sorbed by an ion-exchange reaction; and niacinamide was neither adsorbed nor ion-exchanged.
Comments on: optimization and data mining in biomedicine

In this review paper, Pardalos et al. discuss selected applications of operation research and system analysis in biomedicine. Some of the results presented in this paper, such as consistent biclustering and seizure prediction algorithms, are developed by Pardalos and his research group. As for the material included in each of the sections, I believe that it is an excellent primer for young researchers who seek for introductory literature on applying optimization to solving problems in biomedicine. The part on radiation therapy introduces the background on the application and the underlying optimization techniques with references to the medical instrumentation. Then models and solution approaches are presented and discussed. The theoretical results discussed by Busygin et al. for consistent biclustering are of particular importance since, in general, there are not many papers discussing the theoretical foundations of biclustering. The third application presents an alternative and innovative use of operations research in the electrode selection problem of EEG for improving the epileptic seizure prediction algorithm based on nonlinear dynamic time series analysis. This application shows how a formulation that is typically applied to problems of industrial interest can be modified and applied in a totally new framework. The inclusion of EEG source localization problem in this survey is also a nice addition to the paper since the algorithms developed in this field are mainly based on signal processing approaches. An operations research point of view may give some more insight and new ideas for this inverse problem. This paper is a good reference paper for operational researchers and mathematicians and I believe it will be well received by the readers of TOP.
Analysis of defect displacements in GaP film using convergent beam electron diffraction

Abstract Sensitivity of the convergent beam electron diffraction on three dimensional strain field was utilized to determine the Burgers Vector of 60° dislocations and the displacement vector of stacking faults in GaP crystal grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Analysis was accomplished from the observations of splitting of HOLZ lines in the convergent electron beam Bragg disc and from splitting of Kikuchi lines associated with the HOLZ Bragg reflection. A limited sucess of analysis was obtained by using the electron beam orientations other than [111]. The CBED method seems to be useful for the determination of non-ZOLZ fault vector components particularly in a specimen situated in a microscope with a limited tilt range.
An improved synthesis of 18F-5-fluorouracil.

Abstract 18F-F2 produced by the 20 Ne (d, α) 18 F reaction was used to synthesize 25–35 mCi of 18F-5-fluorouracil. The mechanism of reaction of 18F-F2 with uracil in acetic acid was studied by NMR and radiochemical techniques, and the primary reaction intermediate, 18F-5-fluoro-6-acetoxy-5,6-dihydrouracil, was isolated and identified. A novel fractional sublimation technique used in the synthesis and purification of 18F-5-fluorouracil is described.
Advances in early kidney specification, development and patterning

The kidney is a model developmental system for understanding mesodermal patterning and organogenesis, a process that requires regional specification along multiple body axes, the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells, and integration with other tissues. Recent progress in the field has highlighted the essential roles of intrinsic nuclear factors and secreted signaling molecules in specifying renal epithelial stem cells and their self-renewal, in driving the complex dynamics of epithelial cell branching morphogenesis, and in nephron patterning. How these developments influence and advance our understanding of kidney development is discussed.
Job Feedback: Giving, Seeking, and Using Feedback for Performance Improvement

The article presents a review of the book “Job Feedback: Giving, Seeking, and Using Feedback for Performance Improvement,” 2nd ed., by Manuel London.
Designer protein-based scaffolds for neural tissue engineering

A key attribute missing from many current biomaterials is the ability to independently tune multiple biomaterial properties without simultaneously affecting other material parameters. Because cells are well known to respond to changes in the initial elastic modulus, degradation rate, and cell adhesivity of a biomaterial, it is critical to develop synthetic design strategies that allow decoupled tailoring of each individual parameter in order to systematically optimize cell-scaffold interactions. We present the development of a family of biomimetic scaffolds composed of chemically crosslinked, elastin-like proteins designed to support neural regeneration through a combination of cell adhesion and cell-induced degradation and remodeling. Through use of a modular protein-design strategy, a range of biomaterials is created that allows independent tuning over the initial elastic modulus, degradation rate, cell adhesivity, and neurite outgrowth. By combining these engineered proteins into composite structures, biomaterials are created with 3D patterns that emerge over time in response to cell-secreted enzymes. These dynamic 3D structures enable the delivery of multiple drugs with precise spatial and temporal resolution and also enable the design of biomaterials that adapt to changing scaffold needs.
A wireless communication system for remote medical monitoring

Remote medical monitoring is of increasing importance as it enables low cost in-situ monitoring of patients regardless of their location. Realization of this technology requires that medical sensors (forming a body sensor network, BSN) are capable of detecting physiological data and transferring this data to physicians via wireless links. In this paper, we will present a wireless communication platform to provide a reliable and secure pathway for transferring health informatics data from on-body medical sensors to a mobile device or remote database server.
Excitation energies in neutron-rich rare isotopes as indicators of changing shell structure

The quest for a predictive model of atomic nuclei fuels experimental and theoretical research programs worldwide. The properties of rare isotopes emerge as crucial ingredients for the development of nuclear models valid also towards the nucleon driplines. Many important aspects of the interactions between the constituent protons and neutrons are amplified in the regime of large isospin and can best be isolated and characterized there. The energies of excited states offer a unique view into the structure of nuclei and are often some of the first quantities accessible by experiment. Excitation energies can be measured directly and in model-independent ways and thus are among the key observables that can guide our understanding of atomic nuclei.
Current carrying properties of double layers and low frequency auroral fluctuations

A summary is given of a systematic parametric study in which the ion-transit time effects on double-layer fluctuations are investigated in a series of numerical simulations involving several lengths of finite extent plasmas. Typical values of ion drift velocities both smaller and larger than the ion-thermal speed on the high potential end of the simulation plasma are given. It is shown that the link between the electron-current fluctuations and ion-transit time is the Langmuir criterion for the existence of double layers. The time period of the recurring phenomena depends on the ion dynamics; for ions entering the simulation plasma in such a way that the ion drift velocity is less than approximately the ion thermal speed, the time period is governed by the ion transit time from the location of ion injection to the location of the double layer.
Numerical methods for improved efficiency in macrosegregation modeling

New algorithms developed for the simulation of macrosegregation in directionally solidified alloys are presented. The work has been motivated by the inefficiency of models that have been used in the past. Three different developments are reported, the use of a fractional step projection finite element method to solve the momentum equations, the use of mesh-less element free Galerkin formulations, and the combination of the Galerkin finite element method with adaptive mesh refinement. The formulation of the different algorithms is given and a two-dimensional example of application in which the efficiency of the methods is compared is presented. The results of a three-dimensional calculation using the Galerkin finite element method show that very significant gains are effected when compared with previously published simulations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MRI-Guided Robot-Assisted Interventions: An Opportunity and a Challenge in Computational Surgery

Currently, we are witnessing the rapid evolution of minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) and image-guided interventions (IGI) for offering improved patient management and cost effectiveness. It is well recognized that sustaining and expanding this paradigm shift would require new computational methodology that integrates multimodal sensing (including imaging), controlled systems (including robots and smart actuators), the patient and the operator (e.g., [1–9] and references therein). Looking into the potential future evolution in MIS and IGI among the sought directions is the incorporation of real-time image guidance (RTIG) that can provide volumetric and high information-content visualization of the Area of Operation (AoO). Such approach would include (1) assessing in real-time tissue deformation secondary to the procedure and physiologic motion, (2) monitoring the tool(s) in 3D, and (3) updating information about the pathophysiology of the targeted tissue. With those capabilities, RTIG may facilitate a paradigm shift and methodological leap from “keyhole” visualization (i.e., endoscopy or laparoscopy) to one that uses a volumetric and information-rich perception of the AoO. This capability may eventually enable a wider range and level of complexity IGI and MIS [8, 10–12].