cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angioplasty for intracranial artery stenosis

Background Intracranial artery stenosis causes up to 10% of all ischaemic strokes. The rate of recurrent vascular ischaemic events is very high. Angioplasty with or without stent placement is a feasible procedure to dilate the vessel affected. However, its safety and efficacy have not been systematically studied. Objectives To determine the efficacy and safety of angioplasty combined with best medical treatment compared with best medical treatment alone in patients with acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) resulting from intracranial artery stenosis for preventing recurrent ischaemic strokes, death, and vascular events. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched March 2006). In addition we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2006), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2006), EMBASE (1980 to February 2006) and Science Citation Index (1945 to March 2006). To identify further published, unpublished and ongoing trials we searched reference lists of relevant articles and contacted authors and experts in the field. Selection criteria Randomised or otherwise controlled studies comparing best medical care plus angioplasty of the intracranial cerebral arteries, with or without stent placement, with best medical care alone. Studies were only included if data for clinical significant endpoints such as recurrent ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke and death were available. Data collection and analysis Two review authors selected trials for inclusion, and independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Calculation of relative treatment effects with subgroup analysis was done if possible. Main results No randomised controlled trials were found. There were 79 articles of interest consisting of open-label case series with three or more cases. The safety profile of the procedure showed an overall perioperative rate of stroke of 7.9% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 5.5% to 10.4%), perioperative death of 3.4% (95% CI 2.0% to 4.8%), and perioperative stroke or death of 9.5% (95% CI 7.0% to 12.0%). No comments can be made on the effectiveness of the procedure. Authors' conclusions At present there is insufficient evidence to recommend angioplasty with or without stent placement in routine practice for the prevention of stroke in patients with intracranial artery stenosis. The descriptive studies show that the procedure is feasible although carries a significant morbidity and mortality risk. Evidence from randomised controlled trials is needed to assess the safety of angioplasty and its effectiveness in preventing recurrent stroke.
Cognitive Neuroscience of Skill Acquisition

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of present research on the cognitive neuroscience of human motor skill learning. Skill acquisition has been defined as “a set of processes associated with practice or experience leading to relatively permanent changes in the capability for responding”. Researchers studying skill acquisition have classified learning into at least two broad categories, including sensorimotor adaptation and sequence learning. In sensorimotor adaptation paradigms, participants modify movements to adjust to changes in either sensory input or motor output characteristics. Sensorimotor adaptation tasks are used to gain insight into how humans represent their environment, the mechanics of the body, and interactions between the two during movement planning and production. These tasks can be described as either (1) dynamic paradigms, which alter anticipated proprioception by having participants move the limb through an opposing force field or (2) kinematic paradigms, which disrupt visual feedback of movements through the use of displacing wedge prisms or altered visual feedback on a computer screen For sequence learning, individuals learn to combine isolated movements into one smooth, coherent action. The chapter reviews some of the major current theories on the cognitive neuroscience of skill learning, and draws attention to the overlap and differences among these theories.
Symbolic Heuristic Search Using Decision Diagrams

We show how to use symbolic model-checking techniques in heuristic search algorithms for both deterministic and decision-theoretic planning problems. A symbolic approach exploits state abstraction by using decision diagrams to compactly represent sets of states and operators on sets of states. In earlier work, symbolic model-checking techniques have been used to find plans that minimize the number of steps needed to reach a goal. Our approach generalizes this by showing how to find plans that minimize the expected cost of reaching a goal. For this generalization, we use algebraic decision diagrams instead of binary decision diagrams. In particular, we show that algebraic decision diagrams provide a compact representation of state evaluation functions. We describe symbolic generalizations of A* search for deterministic planning and of LAO* search for decision-theoretic planning problems formalized as Markov decision processes.We report experimental results and discuss issues for future work.
Canine prostate cancer cell line (Probasco) produces osteoblastic metastases in vivo.

BACKGROUND In 2012, over 240,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and over 28,000 died from the disease. Animal models of prostate cancer are vital to understanding its pathogenesis and developing therapeutics. Canine models in particular are useful due to their similarities to late-stage, castration-resistant human disease with osteoblastic bone metastases. This study established and characterized a novel canine prostate cancer cell line that will contribute to the understanding of prostate cancer pathogenesis.
A driver model for velocity tracking with look-ahead

Understanding the dynamics of the combined system of driver and vehicle opens up for improving the performance of powertrain controls. To this end, a new model structure is formulated for accelerator pedal behavior of human drivers. The structure is comprised of feedback and feedforward with preview of the reference. A system identification approach is developed for determining the parameters in the structure. Models are identified on data from experiments with different driver and vehicle combinations where the drivers are tracking the common FTP and US06 drive cycles. Experiments where the same individual drives different cycles show the driver adapting in response to how demanding the drive cycle is and individual driving styles are studied with another data set with different drivers on the same cycle. The results show that drivers have similar feedforward for a given vehicle while the look-ahead and feedback is variable based on drive cycle and driving style. The potential of using the driver model for prediction is demonstrated. For the first time, for longitudinal experiments, it is shown that the open loop frequency response for the driver cascaded with the vehicle is approximated by the so-called crossover model near the crossover frequency.
Selection for Hyoscyamine and Cinnamoyl Putrescine Overproduction in Cell and Root Cultures of Hyoscyamus muticus.

Hairy root cultures of Hyoscyamus muticus have been shown to produce stable levels of tropane alkaloids comparable to those found in whole plants. In contrast, cell cultures of this and other solanaceous species produce only trace amounts of alkaloids but can be used for selection of metabolic variants. We have taken advantage of both systems and the ability to convert between them in vitro in an effort to select for increased production of the tropane alkaloid hyoscyamine. Hairy roots were converted into cell suspensions by addition of 1 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to Murashige-Skoog medium (T. Murashige and F. Skoog [1962] Physiol Plant 15: 473–497) and screened for resistance to the amino acid analog p-fluorophenylalanine (PFP). Cells that could grow in media containing 400 [mu]M PFP were selected and cloned from single cells. The resistant cells accumulated high levels of cinnamoyl putrescines, which share the same biosynthetic precursors as hyoscyamine. Hairy root cultures were regenerated from both PFP-sensitive and PFP-resistant cells by removing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from the medium. Resistance to PFP continued to be expressed in regenerated roots. Higher levels of hyoscyamine were found in hairy roots regenerated from PFP-resistant cells than were found in controls. We suggest that the precursors overproduced by the PFP-resistant cells can be diverted into the hyoscyamine pathway upon the regeneration of root cultures.
Numerical modelling of Bora winds

The Bora winds are produced by cold stable air which pours over the Dinaric Alps, often producing intense winds along the Adriatic Coast. Although the flow appears qualitatively similar to the hydraulic flow described by the shallow-water equations, there are certain significant differences: the cold low-level air is continuously stratified and a critical layer in the winds typically occurs near the inversion which caps the cold pool of air. Through two-dimensional numerical mountain wave simulations, we investigate the extent to which hydraulic theory can be used to describe the Bora winds. We analyze the structure of the Bora flow derived from aircraft observations collected during the ALPEX field phase on 15 April 1982 and compare it with a numerical simulation initialized from upstream sounding data. By varying the environmental sounding in our simulations, we find that for this case, neither the critical layer nor the inversion layer play a fundamental dynamical role in generating the strong winds along the lee slope. Instead, the wave overturning which occurs beneath the inversion appears to be the most important factor in producing the strong response. This overturning produces shooting flow over the lee slope and strongly resembles the hydraulic flow which occurs both in shallow water theory and in simulations in which over-turning is suppressed. We believe the hydraulic jump-like mechanism producing the strong Bora slope winds is fundamentally similar to the underlying mechanism which produces the intense winds along the lee slope of the Rocky Mountains. This occurs despite significant differences in the character of the larger scale flow in these two situations.
Extinct 244 Pu: Chronology of Early Solar System Formation

Early and recent work on Pu-Xe dating of achondrites (eucrites) is discussed here; the latter has focused on establishing the time of closure for Xe, not on the estimation of the time interval between the cessation of nucleosynthesis and the crystallization of solid bodies in our solar system. By using various Angra dos Reis dates as standard, the Xe closure of some eucrites were found to be early in the solar system, about 4.56 Gyr ago, synchronous within error with chondrites. The light cosmic ray produced Xe isotopes were found to be a good surrogate for the Nd content. Using the measured cosmic ray exposure age allows accurate closure times to be established. Combining this new information with data from CAIs and chondrules and chondrites suggests that the achondritic differentiation was accomplished within about 10 Myr or less. Pu-Xe dating in chondrites is not covered in this review.
Rapid charger for high repetition rate pulse generator

The design and operation of a command resonant charger feeding a high repetition rate pulse generator using an advanced pseudospark device is presented. An application - corona assisted flame ignition and combustion - is discussed briefly. This application requires operation of the pseudospark switch at 30 kV charging voltage and 1 kHz repetition rate. The charging time of the 6 nF / 30 kV quasi Blumlein pulse forming circuit capacitance is 50 /spl mu/s. Operation is burst mode, with maximum 100 pulses per burst.
Effects of isomorphic compounds on the purity and morphology of L-isoleucine crystals

L-Isoleucine and the isomorphic amino acids L-leucine and L-valine serve as a model system in the examination of the effects of impurities on the purity and morphology of crystals recovered from batch crystallizations. Factors are determined that influence crystal purity and, concomitantly, crystal size and shape. Characteristics of the L-isoleucine crystal are determined by X-ray analysis and compare favorably with the literature. These and literature characteristics of L-leucine and L-valine are used in simulations to evaluate possible mechanisms by which lattice substitutions with impurities lead to size and morphological changes.
The structure and organization of, and the relationship between, the inorganic crystals and the organic matrix of the prismatic region of Mytilus edulis

Electron microscope and electron diffraction studies of the prismatic region of the young blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, have revealed the structure and organization of, and the relationship between the inorganic crystals and the organic matrix. The inorganic crystals within the prisms are predominantly calcite, but also evident are impurities of celestite (SrSO4), strontianite (SrCO3), barite (BaSO4), and witherite (BaCO3). The crystals are approximately 700 long, 330 wide, and 140 thick. They are roughly rectangular in shape, have the habit of plates, are structurally organized within the uniquely anvil-like shaped prisms, and they show a well defined three-dimensional morphological orientation. Their morphological long dimensions parallel the width, their wide dimensions parallel the length, and their thick dimensions parallel the thickness of the prisms in which they are located. This three-dimensional morphological orientation of the crystals coincides with a well defined three-dimensional crystallographic orientation. Decalcified sections have revealed that the organic matrix is a striking fingerprint of the mineralized matrix. Like the mineralized matrix, it is structurally organized into prisms, which are delineated from one another by prism sheaths, and an intraprismatic matrix. The intraprismatic organic matrix when viewed in any two perpendicular profiles is remarkably similar in general orientation and organization to the fully mineralized tissue. It is structurally organized into closely packed sheet-like compartments and subcompartments in which the inorganic crystals are deposited. Like enamel, the prismatic organic matrix of Mytilus beautifully exemplifies the architectural principal of organization within mineralized tissues which permits large amounts of mineral (in this case, 100% of the crystalline phase) to be deposited in the highly ordered organic matrix without disruption of its structural organization. Moreover, the sheet-like compartments exert intimate restricting influences over the growing crystals by limiting their habit to rectangular-shaped plates, their size and more specifically, their highly ordered, three-dimensional morphological orientation, which coincides with a well defined three-dimensional crystallographic orientation within the prisms.
The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times – By Odd Arne Westad

This study is a comprehensive, well‐documented, and well‐written history of the Cold War in the Third World. The author does a superb job of explaining the ideologies and other motives that prompte...
Taking the Wheel: Women and the Coming of the Motor Age

Though millions of women drive regularly, the image of the flighty woman driver continues to stigmatize their abilities. Scharff travels back in time to explore how the first automobiles collided with cultural and sexual notions of feminine nature and how women have influenced the car industry as a whole.
Submicrometer device design for hot-electron reliability and performance

Hot-electron stressing effect on different lightly doped drain device (LDD), As/P, and conventional As source/drain device structures are investigated. Increasing the overlap between the gate and drain is found to reduce hot-electron degradation significantly when stressed under the same substrate current level. By increasing the gate-to-drain overlap, it is possible to design LDD and As/P devices with a shorter n-region and still have good hot-electron reliability. These devices have better current drive and are scalable down to the submicrometer region. The As/P device with a short n-region is a good candidate for a submicrometer VLSI device because of the simplicity in processing, the good device performance, and the low susceptibility to hot-electron degradation.
Rendering translucency with Perlin noise

Translucent photon mapping is a technique developed for the realistic rendering of translucent materials such as milk, skin, and fog. In the physical world, however, no material is perfectly translucent at a constant density. By using a 3D density map for a rendered object and jittering the values of the map by using a Perlin noise function will create a non-perfect density throughout the object and thereby present a more realistic image.
Selecting the instrument closest to a gold standard

Abstract We consider the comparison of two instruments with a gold standard with the goal of finding the best one—the one that agrees most with the gold standard. Using natural log of the mean squared deviation as the measure of agreement, we present a large sample two-stage procedure with good small sample properties. When the differences of the paired measurements are bivariate normal, a first-stage sample of size 15 is adequate for its application. We illustrate the procedure using a dataset from the literature.
Metal Ion and Exopolymer Interaction: A Surface Analytical Study

Abstract Various concentrations of molybdate (MoO42−) were added to the protein-containing and deproteinated exopolymers of the marine bacterium Deleya marina. Interaction was investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron spin resonance (ESR). MoO42− reduction was observed exclusively in the deaerated protein-containing exopolymer, resulting in the formation of a Mo5+ species. This species appeared susceptible to reoxidation in the presence of soluble oxygen. Only hexavalent molybdenum (Mo6+) was seen in the aerated suspension. The reducing agents may have been the residual proteins that remained in the exopolymer without subsequent deproteination. The influence of this reduction on corrosion resistance of Mo-bearing stainless steels (SS) was simulated with an austenitic type 304 SS (UNS S30400), whose surface was treated with MoO42− before exposure to the exopolymer. In addition to formation of the Mo5+ species, a small amount of molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) was detected, and hydrat...
Measurement of CD2 expression levels of IFN‐α–treated fibrosarcomas using cell tracking velocimetry

METHODS: A methodology and a mathematical relationship have been developed that allow quantitation of the expression levels of cellular surface antigens, in terms of antibody binding capacities (ABC). This methodology uses immunomagnetically labeled cells and calibration microbeads combined with cell tracking velocimetry (CTV) technology to measure magnetophoretic mobilities corresponding to cellular ABC. The mobility measurements were accomplished by microscopically recording and calculating the velocity of immunomagnetically labeled QSC microbeads and cells in a nearly constant magnetic energy gradient. RESULTS: Transformed fibrosarcoma cells were given controlled treatments of interferon-alpha in order to manipulate CD2 antigen expression levels. These cells were then immunomagnetically labeled with anti-CD2 FITC antibodies and anti-FITC MACS paramagnetic nanoparticles. Measured magnetophoretic mobilities were used to calculate ABC for these cells, corresponding to CD2 expression levels. CONCLUSION: The results from CTV and flow cytometry (FCM) qualitatively verify that these fibrosarcoma cells express elevated levels of CD2 molecules with increasing interferon-alpha treatment from 0 to 24 h. The mean basal CD2 expression level, in terms of ABC, was calculated to be 27,000 from CTV analysis, whereas FCM indicates a comparable ABC value of 33,000.
Interactions of Radiation and Convection in Simulated Tropical Cloud Clusters

Abstract A two-dimensional cumulus ensemble model is used to study the interactions of radiation and convection in tropical squall cloud clusters. The model includes cloud-scale and mesoscale dynamics, an improved bulk ice microphysics parameterization, and an advanced interactive radiative transfer scheme. The life cycle of a tropical squall line is simulated over a 12-h period using thermodynamic and kinematic initial conditions as well as large-scale advective forcing typical of a GATE Phase III squall cluster environment. The focus is on the interaction and feedback between longwave (or IR) radiation and cloud processes. It will be shown that clew-sky IR cooling enhances convection and, hence, surface precipitation. Simulation results reveal an increase of surface precipitation by ∼15% (∼1.7 mm) over a 12-b period due to this clear-sky cooling. With fully interactive IR radiative heating, direct destabilization of clouds via IR radiative top cooling and base warming generates more turbulence and contr...
Application and stress analysis of laminated composites for high-speed impellers of process centrifugal compressors

A new study for laminated composite rotating disk fabricated from symmetric sequential quasi-isotropic layers to predict three-dimensional (3D) stress and deformation is addressed. It is used to evaluate the mechanical stress and integrity of fibre reinforced multi-layer laminates used for ultra high-speed impellers of modern process centrifugal compressors. Composite laminates are relatively weak in out-of-plane loading, inter-laminar stress, stress concentration near the edge, and stress singularities. 3D stresses and deformations shall be investigated for laminated composite rotating disk applications.
Long-term outcomes of Shiga toxin hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is an important cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). The outcomes of STEC HUS have improved, and the acute mortality rate in children is 1–4 %. About 70 % of patients recover completely from the acute episode and the remainder have varying degrees of sequelae. Only a few retrospective studies have reviewed these patients over long periods. Methodological flaws include a lack of strict definitions, changing modes of treatment, ascertainment bias and loss of subjects to follow-up. The kidneys bear the brunt of the long-term damage: proteinuria (15–30 % of cases); hypertension (5–15 %); chronic kidney disease (CKD; 9–18 %); and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD; 3 %). A smaller number have extra-renal sequelae: colonic strictures, cholelithiasis, diabetes mellitus or brain injury. Most renal sequelae are minor abnormalities, such as treatable hypertension and/or variable proteinuria. Most of the patients who progress to ESKD do not recover normal renal function after the acute episode. Length of anuria (more than 10 days) and prolonged dialysis are the most important risk factors for a poor acute and long-term renal outcome. After the acute episode all patients must be followed for at least 5 years, and severely affected patients should be followed indefinitely if there is proteinuria, hypertension or a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Effects of metals and organic compounds on hepatic glutathione, cysteine, and acid-soluble thiol levels in mullet (Mugil cephalus L.).

The hepatic acid-soluble thiol content of striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) exposed to cadmium (10 mg/liter seawater), mercury (200 μg/liter), fluorene (100 μg/liter), dibenzofuran (750 μg/liter), or a 20% water-soluble fraction of a No. 2 fuel oil, and of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) exposed to pentachlorophenol (200 μg/liter) for up to 3 weeks was determined. Exposure to these chemicals caused an elevation of hepatic acid-soluble thiol content over control values. Similarly, the acid-soluble thiol content was 1.75 times control values 24 hr after injection with acetaminophen (40 g/100 g body wt, ip). In contrast, hepatic acid-soluble thiol concentrations did not fluctuate after feeding or during short-term starvation, or after acute or chronic physical trauma. Thus, the increase in hepatic acid-soluble thiols observed in mullet appears to be a specific response to chemical insult. The effect of chemical exposure on specific thiols can vary with the compound under investigation. Glutathione accounted for most of the acid-soluble thiol increase observed in mullet exposed to oil, whereas other acid-soluble thiols were also elevated after exposure to cadmium. Injection of [14C]glycine into cadmium- and oil-treated mullet showed that hepatic uptake of this amino acid substrate and its incorporation into hepatic glutathione increased after chemical exposure. The proportion of the total [14C]glycine in the liver incorporated into glutathione was unchanged after oil exposure, but was significantly increased in cadmium-exposed fish. These results suggest that chemicals may elevate glutathione content by enhancing the hepatic uptake of amino acid substrates and also the activity of biosynthetic enzymes.
Effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and their combination on pregnancy and offspring in rats

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride (Librium) or a combination of these drugs, were administered to pregnant mice on gestation days 6 to parturition. Levels of THC in blood were dose-related and approximated levels attained in humans after smoking one to two marijuana cigarettes. Blood cannabinoid levels in mice were elevated by concurrent administration of chlordiazepoxide. Maternal weight gain was significantly reduced by THC but not by chlordiazepoxide. Neither drug affected implantations, but THC significantly increased resorptions. Both THC and chlordiazepoxide decreased fetal weight. There was no indication of synergism between the two drugs for any of the measures examined in this study.
A Cross-sectional Exploration of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Depression and Musculoskeletal Pain among Migrant Farmworkers

In this study the authors estimated the prevalence of elevated daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms, and musculoskeletal pain among Latino migrant farmworkers, and examined the relationship among these symptoms. Data are from a cross-sectional survey of migrant farmworkers (N = 300) conducted in eastern North Carolina in 2009. Eleven percent of Latino farmworkers reported elevated levels of daytime sleepiness, 28% reported elevated levels of depressive symptoms, and 5% reported moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain on a daily or weekly basis. Depressive symptoms and daytime sleepiness were positively associated. Depression and daytime sleepiness may increase risk of injury; further research regarding sleep issues is warranted.
Stability constants of Np(V) complexes with fluoride and sulfate at variable temperatures

A solvent extraction method was used to determine the stability constants of Np(V) complexes with fluoride and sulfate in 1.0M NaClO4 from 25 to 60 °C. The distribution ratio of Np(V) between the organic and aqueous phases was found to decrease as the concentrations of fluoride and sulfate were increased. Stability constants of the 1 : 1 Np(V)-fluoride complexes and the 1 : 1 Np(V)-sulfate and 1 : 2 Np(V)-sulfate complexes, dominant in the aqueous phase under the experimental conditions, were calculated from the effect of [F-] and [SO42-] on the distribution ratio. The enthalpy and entropy of complexation were calculated from the stability constants at different temperatures by using the Van't Hoff equation.
Convection, type II supernovae, and the early evolution of neutron stars

Abstract We discuss some of the issues attending the study of the early evolution of neutron stars. In particular, the effect of convection during the protoneutron star stage is investigated. We conclude that convection not only affects a young neutron star's first seconds in interesting ways, but also that it makes the long-term mechanism for Type II supernova explosions more viable and energetic.
CAV1 siRNA Reduces Membrane Estrogen Receptor-α Levels and Attenuates Sexual Receptivity

Although classic estrogen receptors (ER) have been proposed to mediate estradiol signaling, it has been relatively recently that mechanisms of trafficking these receptors have been elucidated. ERα is palmitoylated and associates with caveolin proteins to be targeted to the cell membrane. Caveolins are scaffold proteins that not only traffic ERα to the membrane but also are involved in establishing metabotropic glutamate receptor interactions that are necessary for activating G protein signaling. To demonstrate the role of caveolin proteins in regulating an estradiol-dependent behavior, sexual receptivity, we used small interfering RNA to knock down caveolin-1 (CAV1) expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. In CAV1 knockdown rats, membrane, but not intracellular levels of ERα, were significantly reduced. As expected, estrogenic stimulation of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus to medial preoptic nucleus projection was abrogated in CAV1 knockdown rats, indicating that the membrane-initiated activation of this circuit was compromised. Moreover, estradiol-induced lordosis behavior that is dependent on activation of μ-opioid receptors in the medial preoptic nucleus was also significantly reduced. Thus, CAV1-mediated ERα trafficking to the cell membrane is required for estradiol activation of circuits underlying female sexual receptivity.
The reduction of l-methyl-3-methoxy-5-arylpyrrole-2- and -4-carboxylic esters with selected reducing agents†

Three new rnethoxypyrrole esters, ethyl 1-methyl-3-methoxy-5-phenylpyrrole-2-earboxylate, diethyl l-methyl-3-methoxy-5-phenylpyrrole-2,4-diearboxylate, and ethyl l-methyl-2-phenyl-4-methoxypyrrole-3-carboxylate were reduced with diborane/tetrahydrofuran, lithium aluminum hydride, and some related reducing agents. In each case diborane reduced the ethoxycarbonyl group to a methyl group and lithium aluminum hydride reduced it to a hydroxymethyl group.
The impact of structural biology on neurobiology

Canavan disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder whose symptoms, including loss of motor skills and muscle control, appear in early infancy and typically progress very rapidly, with death usually occurring within the first decade of life. Unlike the case with many neurological disorders where the underlying genetic defects remain to be elucidated, Canavan disease is caused by defects in a single gene, the acy2 gene that encodes for the enzyme aspartoacylase. Recent biochemical studies have begun to characterize the mechanistic properties (1) and structural properties (2) of aspartoacylase, but progress in our understanding of this disease has been slowed by the absence of high-resolution structures of this critical metabolic enzyme. This gap has now been filled by the determination of the structures of both the rat and human forms of aspartoacylase reported by Bitto et al. (3) in this issue of PNAS.
EUS-guided FNA of local recurrence of pancreatic cancer after surgical resection.

Background EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) is a sensitive test for the preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Its use for diagnosing local tumor recurrence after surgical resection has not been described. Objective To determine the sensitivity of EUS-FNA for this indication. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary referral hospital in the United States. Patients Consecutive patients referred for EUS with clinical and/or radiographic suspicion of pancreatic cancer recurrence. Interventions EUS ± FNA of retroperitoneal mass. Main Outcome Measurement Sensitivity of EUS-FNA. Results Seventeen patients (9 male, median age 71 years) underwent EUS at a median of 17 months (range 7-46 months) after a classic Whipple procedure (n = 7), pylorus-sparing Whipple procedure (n = 7), or distal pancreatectomy (n = 3) for suspected local recurrence of pancreatic cancer. The primary tumor (median size 2.5 cm, range 1.5-7.9 cm) was located in the head in 14 patients, the body in 1, and the tail in 2. Final surgical margins at any site were positive in only 1 of 17 patients (+ retroperitoneal margin). At the time of suspected recurrence, 4 patients (24%) were asymptomatic. EUS disclosed a mass (median size 21 mm, range 12-30 mm) in 16 of 17 patients (94%). Transgastric EUS-FNA (n = 16, median 4.5 passes, range 2-10) disclosed recurrent malignancy in 13 of 16 (79%), atypical cells in 1 of 16 (7%), and benign cytology in 2 of 16 (14%). Subsequent radiographic evidence of increasing tumor burden was seen in 1 of 2 patients with benign cytology; however, follow-up for the 2 other patients with benign biopsy specimens was not available. Depending on the status of the 2 patients without available follow-up, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of recurrent cancer ranged from 81% to 93%, was 100%, and ranged from 81% to 93%, respectively. Limitations Small, single-center retrospective cohort. Conclusions EUS-FNA is sensitive for the diagnosis of retroperitoneal recurrence of pancreatic cancer after surgical resection.
Rigid body impact with moment of rolling friction

In this paper, the impact between a rigid pendulum and rough surfaces is studied. The rolling friction moment and the coefficient of rolling friction are introduced, and an improved mathematical model of the planar impact with friction is presented. The influence of the moment of rolling friction on the energy dissipated by friction during the impact is analyzed. For a simple pendulum, using the energetic coefficient of restitution, more energy is dissipated for larger values of the coefficient of kinetic friction and contact radius, and for smaller values of the length of the beam. For a double pendulum using the kinematic coefficient of restitution, some energetically inconsistent results can be solved for some values of the coefficient of rolling friction.
Theoretical study of cisplatin binding to purine bases: why does cisplatin prefer guanine over adenine?

The thermodynamics and kinetics for the monofunctional binding of the antitumor drug cisplatin, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), to a purine base site of DNA were studied computationally using guanine and adenine as model reactants. A dominating preference for initial attack at the N7-position of guanine is established experimentally, which is a crucial first step for the formation of a 1,2-intrastrand cross-link of adjacent guanine bases that leads to bending and unwinding of DNA. These structural distortions are proposed ultimately to be responsible for the anticancer activity of cisplatin. Utilizing density functional theory in combination with a continuum solvation model, we developed a concept for the initial Pt−N7 bond formation to atomic detail. In good agreement with experiments that suggested ΔG‡ = ∼23 kcal/mol for the monofunctional platination of guanine, our model gives ΔG‡ = 24.6 kcal/mol for guanine, whereas 30.2 kcal/mol is computed when adenine is used. This result predicts that guanine i...
Using Software-Defined Radio to Validate Wireless Models in Simulation

Simulation is an efficient and powerful tool for studying wireless networking. The lack of physical layer (PHY) accuracy in many popular network simulators such as ns-2 and OPNET has been observed to produce misleading results. In this paper, we demonstrate a technique for validating the packet-level PHY models in network simulators against the physical layer of a software-defined radio testbed. Specifically, we evaluate the accuracy of model-based simulations against hybrid (i.e., joint packet and waveform) simulations of the real PHY implementation directly executing in a simulation environment. We demonstrate that this direct-execution approach is an effective means of evaluating the accuracy of packet-level PHY models from the perspectives of different protocol layers using a broad set of operating conditions. Moreover, this is an effective means of establishing when a packet-level PHY model can be used to generate trustworthy simulation results.
Signal processing and image formation using low-frequency ultra-wideband radar data

In support of the U.S. Army Night Vision And Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) has developed infrastructures, tools, and algorithms to evaluate the data set. This paper focuses on the signal processing and image formation using data from a low-frequency ultra-wideband sensor. We examine various issues that are associated with this class of SAR databases such as radio frequency interference (RFI), the effects of spectral notches, and errors in motion measurement to image quality. We show the pre-processing steps such as frequency and phase calibration, radio frequency interference extraction. We also show the application of digital spotlight technique to correct motion errors introduced by the measurement system. Finally, we show the resulting SAR imagery of various minefields.
Co-occurrence analysis of speech waveforms

The co-occurrence matrix, a two-dimensional histogram of pairs of sample amplitudes, is explored as a representation of the digital speech waveform. Co-occurrence matrix representations support a hypothesis-testing approach to digital speech analysis. This approach is pursued in the formulation of a quantitative (chi-square) measure of sample amplitude dependence, based on co-occurrence matrices. This measure, which is higly sensitive to quasi-periodicity, is shown to lead to a good estimator of the pitch period of voiced speech. Co-occurrence matrix representations are employed in conjunction with pattern classification methods in experiments involving the voiced-unvoiced-silence analysis of speech, and in an experimental pitch extraction algorithm which is tested on continuous speech.
Outcome of locally recurrent and metastatic angiosarcoma.

Background Angiosarcoma (AS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma with an enhanced propensity for local and systemic failure. The outcome of locally recurrent and metastatic AS treated at a single institution was evaluated.
Application and limitations of a mass transfer VOC emission model for a dry building material

Abstract Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission from building materials into air has been quantified, characterized and modeled. Internal diffusion of VOC through a material based on Fick's law of diffusion is the basis for mass transfer modeling of diffusive emission used to estimate VOC concentrations in air over time. Current mass transfer models have been shown to appropriately estimate air VOC concentrations at approximate room temperature, while other research has shown that temperature has a profound effect on the diffusion coefficient, D , of VOC in a material. Here, a mass transfer model is operated at 23 °C and 40 °C using input parameters applicable for each temperature. The model estimates are validated against environmental test chamber data for styrene emission from a vinyl ester resin thermoset composite material. The model correlates well with the 23 °C chamber data, but underestimates chamber data by as much as 10 −4 at 264 h for the 40 °C modeling. This suggests that the model requires adjustment for predicting VOC air concentrations at temperatures other than 23 °C.
Law and Memory. The Many Aspects of the Legal Inquisition in the Medieval Crown of Aragon

This article discusses the importance of the legal inquisition in the medieval Crown of Aragon. The form is reviewed from its Roman origins through the influence of Visigothic law and that of the various law codes of eastern Spain during the Middle Ages. The use of the legal inquisition by the crown, the church, the nobility and town governments clearly demonstrates how adaptable it could be. The form's manipulation of both written evidence and witness testimony is crucial for the understanding of how Iberian law perceived and shaped the memory of past events.
Low-energy electron-impact single ionization of helium

A study is made of low-energy electron-impact single ionization of ground-state helium. The time-dependent close-coupling method is used to calculate total integral, single differential, double differential, and triple differential ionization cross sections for impact electron energies ranging from 32 to $45\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$. For all quantities, the calculated cross sections are found to be in very good agreement with experiment, and for the triple differential cross sections, good agreement is also found with calculations made using the convergent close-coupling technique.
Synthesis and study of a polysilole

Abstract The thermal polymerization of Ph 2 Si(C≡CH) 2 reported in 1968 by Luneva et al. has been reexamined and spectroscopic analysis reveals that it does not produce the claimed structure. Different synthetic procedures yeild either a deep red polymer of molecular weight (MW ∼ 55,100 or a violet polymer of MW ∼ 105,300. Structural models and spectral examination of both systems strongly suggest that they are a polysilole of the form: If this structure is correct, this is the first example of a polymetallole with the heteroatom devoid of lone-pair electrons. The red polymer remains insulating even after doping with AsF 5 or I 2 . The conductivity of the intially semiconducting violet polymer ( σ ∼ 10 −7 S/cm), however, increases by four orders of magnitude upon doping with I 2 . Photoabsorption, photoluminescence, and ESR measurements are also described and discussed. The results suggest that this polysilole is intrinsically an insulator.
Age-related behavioral phenotype of an astrocytic monoamine oxidase-B transgenic mouse model of Parkinson's disease

We have previously shown that increases in astrocytic monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) expression, mimicking that which occurs with aging and in neurodegenerative disease, in a doxycycline (dox)-inducible transgenic mouse model evokes neuropathological similarities to what is observed in the human parkinsonian brain. Additional behavioral and neuropathological studies could provide further validation for its usage as a model for Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, we utilized a battery of behavioral tests to evaluate age-related phenotype in this model. In the open field test, we found that dox-induction impaired motor ability with decreases in movement and ambulatory function as well as diminished stereotypical, repetitive movement episodes in both young and old mice. Older mice also showed decreased motor performance in the pole test when compared to younger mice. Furthermore, dox-induced older mice displayed severe hindlimb clasping and the most significant loss of dopamine (DA) in the striatum when compared to young and non-induced animals. Additionally, increased MAO-B activity significantly correlated with decreased expression of striatal DA. The results of our study further confirms that the dox-inducible astrocytic MAO-B transgenic mouse displays similar age-related behavioral and neuropathological features to other models of PD, and could serve as a useful tool to study PD pathophysiology and for the evaluation of therapeutic interventions.
Pupal X-ray irradiation influences protein expression in adults of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis.

Abstract The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is a pest of fruit in the Asia–Pacific region and also, due to quarantine restrictions, a threat to California fruit production. Area-wide suppression of B. dorsalis integrated several approaches including the sterile insect technique (SIT). SIT involves exposing juveniles to gamma radiation and releasing sterile males in substantial numbers, where they successfully compete for wild females. The resulting infertile eggs lead to reduction of the pest populations. Although these protocols are well documented, arising issues about the international transport and distribution of radioactive products is creating difficulties in use of radioactive sources for sterilizing radiation. This led to a shift toward use of X-ray irradiation, which also sterilizes male and female insects. However, use of X-ray technologies is in its infancy and there is virtually no information on the effects of irradiation, other than sterilization, at the physiological and molecular levels of fruit fly biology. We posed the hypothesis that sterilizing male oriental fruit flies via radiation treatment also influences protein expression in the flies. We found that exposing pupae to X-ray irradiation impacted expression of 26 proteins in adult females and 31 proteins in adult males. Seven proteins (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, larval cuticle protein 2, sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein alpha-B and A chains, general odorant-binding protein 99b, polyubiquitin, and protein disulfide-isomerase) were impacted in both sexes. Some of the proteins act in central energy-generating and in pheromone-signal processing pathways; we infer that males sterilized by X-ray irradiation may be enfeebled in their ability to compete with wild males for females in nature.
Membrane Electrical Potentials in the Cortex and Stele of Corn Roots

This paper reports the results of experiments which are of interest concerning the relationship of root cortex and stelar transmembrane electrical potentials to ion transport into the xylem vessels. Specifically, the electrical potential difference between cells in the cortex and stele of corn root segments and the external solution is reported. It has been suggested (6, 10) that if cells of the cortex or stele participate in ionic delivery to the vessels-as with the symplast theory (1, 5), for which there is considerable supporting evidence (11)-then knowledge of the PD2 between cortical and stelar parencyhma cells and the xylem vessels would be important. Previous studies of this nature have considered only the PD between the xylem exudate and the external solution (2-4, 14, 15). The results reported here are also of interest regarding the theory that inner root cells leak ions into the vessels (11, 12). Leaky inner root cells should be at a lower (less negative) potential than outer cortical cells, and the PD of the inner cells should change dramatically in response to changes of external ion concentration; PD measurements are, therefore, reported at two concentrations of external K+.
Mast cells in the epithelial layer of human gingiva.

Electron microscopic study of human marginal gingiva revealed that mast cells are present within the epithelium, separated from the lamina propria by a basal lamina and keratinocyte processes. These epithelial mast cells possess fine structural features characteristic of mast cells in other sites. It appears as though mast cells migrate from perivascular regions of the lamina propria and pass across the basal lamina into the epithelium. These observations indicate that mast cells cannot be considered exclusively as connective tissue cells. The function of the epithelial mast cell remains to be elucidated.