cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review: Michael von Savoyen und der Fassadenriss des Kölner Doms, by Johann Josef Böker

Johann Josef Boker Michael von Savoyen und der Fassadenriss des Kolner Doms Cologne: Bohlau Verlag, 2018, 170 pp., 53 b/w illus. €30 (cloth), ISBN 9783412501006 Johann Josef Boker's new book stands as a coda of sorts to one of the most significant publishing enterprises in medieval architecture undertaken in recent years. Two decades ago, Boker began to study the hundreds of medieval architectural drawings in the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, by far the largest such collection in the world. His lavishly produced catalogue of this collection appeared in 2005, followed by two similarly grand volumes written with a group of younger colleagues, the first published in 2011 on drawings from Ulm and the Danube region, the second in 2013 on drawings from the Rhineland.1 With their superb illustrations and comprehensive coverage, these catalogues constitute an essential new resource for the study of medieval architecture in the Germanic world. The texts of these catalogues are also rich in revisionist hypotheses, especially involving dating and attribution, some of which work better than others. For example, while Boker's rehabilitation of the fifteenth-century Viennese designer Laurenz Spenning makes excellent sense on documentary and stylistic grounds, his treatment of the earlier Rhenish builder Erwin von Steinbach is more problematic; he attributes to Erwin nearly every important architectural design made in the upper Rhineland in the decades around 1300, often neglecting evidence that would complicate this thesis. He thus credits Erwin not only with the original design drawing for Strasbourg Cathedral's west facade but also with the facade as built, where ideas from the drawing were dramatically transformed. Boker also assigns to Erwin the design of Freiburg Minster's magnificent spire, a pyramid of openwork tracery whose format has no precedent in the early drawings for the Strasbourg facade. The origins of the openwork spire format have long been controversial. The Freiburg spire was certainly the first of this type to be built, but many scholars have suspected that …
Predictive Sampling-Based Robot Motion Planning in Unmodeled Dynamic Environments

Author(s): Ruiz, Javier Matias | Advisor(s): Martinez, Sonia | Abstract: This thesis describes a predictive sampling-based algorithm for real-time robot motion planning to reach dynamic goals. The planner utilizes all available information about future obstacle and goal positions over a time window to select a path that approximately minimizes the time to reach this goal. Then, we integrate the proposed method with an online learning algorithm that predicts future goal and obstacle positions. Because future states are predicted by propagation, an incorrect model would result into a greater prediction error for large horizons. Thus, using a pool of candidate models, we utilize a Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation~(MMAE) method with online parameter estimation to learn an appropriate model that keeps this error bounded. Several simulations show the efficacy of the proposed algorithms.
Distinct clinical characteristics of young-onset pancreatic cancer patients.

674Background: Young-onset pancreatic adenocarcinoma (YOPC) is uncommon but there are limited studies for these patients. We used a population based registry to compare the characteristics and outc...
Carbon and Microstructure Effects on the Magnetic Properties of Fe–CN Soft Magnetic Materials (Minnealloy)

In this report, we investigated the effects of carbon and microstructure of the precursor on the magnetic performances based on a developed method for bulk preparation to synthesize Fe–CN (Minnealloy) soft magnetic materials. The melt-spun ribbons of Fe1−xCx were obtained to improve the efficiency of the nitrogen diffusivity by introducing porous and defects inside the grains, which increases the volume fraction of α″-Fe16N2 phase. The carbon effects were studied by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Wavelength-dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) to reveal the redistribution of carbon during the thermal treatment and its effects on nitridation. The microstructure variation during the thermal treatment for the Fe–C precursor was observed, which could be explained by the formation of non-uniform porous structure during the oxidation and reduction steps and also the migration of the carbon atoms.
Derivation of macaque trophoblast stem cells

Abstract Nonhuman primates are excellent models for studying human placentation as experimental manipulations in vitro can be translated to in vivo pregnancy. Our objective was to develop macaque trophoblast stem cells (TSC) as an in vitro platform for future assessment of primate trophoblast development and function. Macaque TSC lines were generated by isolating first trimester placental villous cytotrophoblasts followed by culture in TSC medium to “reprogram” the cells to a proliferative state. TSCs grew as mononuclear colonies, whereas upon induction of syncytiotrophoblast (ST) differentiation multinuclear structures appeared, indicative of syncytium formation. Chorionic gonadotropin secretion was >4,000-fold higher in ST culture media compared to TSC media. Characteristic trophoblast hallmarks were defined in TSCs and ST including expression of C19MC miRNAs and macaque placental nonclassical MHC class I molecule, Mamu-AG. TSC differentiation to extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) with or without the ALK-5 inhibitor A83-01 resulted in differing morphologies but similar expression of Mamu-AG and CD56 as assessed by flow cytometry, hence further refinement of relevant EVT markers is needed. Our preliminary characterization of macaque TSCs suggests that these cells represent a proliferative, self-renewing TSC population capable of differentiating to STs in vitro thereby establishing an experimental model of primate placentation.
Beyond Developmental Supports for a Child Refugee.

CASE Zahid is a 10-year-old boy who moved to the United States 18 months ago with his parents and 3 younger siblings. He and his family are refugees from Syria. Zahid was born in Syria after an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery. Zahid's parents first became concerned about Zahid's development when he was 9 months old because he had not started cooing or babbling and did not respond to his name. At 3 years, a doctor in Syria expressed concern that Zahid may have autism spectrum disorder; however, his parents did not know what symptoms triggered the concern and believed his behavior was because of his ongoing exposure to trauma.Zahid underwent a full evaluation 1 year ago in the United States and was found to meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Coaching was provided to his parents in obtaining appropriate educational support for their son, and a referral was placed for applied behavior analysis (ABA) to be provided by an organization in the community. After several meetings between the parents and school administration, an Individualized Education Program was initiated. Despite acceptance into a community-based ABA program, Zahid has not begun the intervention because of transportation difficulties. In-home ABA was offered but was refused by the family.The family is under significant stress. Zahid is nonverbal and has displayed behaviors affecting safety, including wandering/eloping and turning on kitchen appliances resulting in a kitchen fire. Zahid's mother completed high school, and his father completed sixth grade. Both parents speak limited English, and neither is employed. The family receives financial support through the government, but this will be ending soon. Zahid's father is concerned that employment outside of the home will further limit his ability to transport Zahid to necessary appointments. Zahid's mother does not drive. Zahid's father requests that the physician provide a letter requesting exemption from requirements to participate in work or training programs because of Zahid's needs. How would you respond to this overwhelmed father?
Chromosome-directed oocyte spindle assembly depends HP1 and the Chromosomal Passenger Complex

The chromosomes in the oocytes of many animals appear to promote bipolar spindle assembly. In Drosophila oocytes, spindle assembly requires the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), which consists of INCENP, Borealin, Survivin and Aurora B. To determine what recruits the CPC to the chromosomes and its role in spindle assembly, we developed a strategy to manipulate the function and localization of INCENP, which is critical for recruiting the Aurora B kinase. We found that an interaction between Borealin and HP1 is crucial for the initial recruitment of the CPC to the chromosomes and is sufficient to build kinetochores and recruit spindle microtubules. We also found that HP1 moves from the chromosomes to the spindle microtubules along with the CPC, and based on this, propose a mechanism for how the CPC moves from the chromosomes to the microtubules. Within the central spindle, rather than at the centromeres, the CPC and HP1 are required for homologous chromosome bi-orientation.
Draft Genome Sequences of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae Serotype IIIb_61:I,v:1,5,(7) Strains Isolated from Wheat Grains

Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae serotypes are primarily involved in reptile-associated salmonellosis in humans. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of three S. enterica subsp. diarizonae strains belonging to the serotype IIIb_61:1,v:1,5,(7), isolated from wheat grains collected at the time of harvest. Strains of serotype IIIb_61:1,v:1,5,(7) have been isolated from feces of reptiles, cattle, and sheep and from infections in humans.
Machine learning for alloys

Alloy modelling has a history of machine-learning-like approaches, preceding the tide of data-science-inspired work. The dawn of computational databases has made the integration of analysis, prediction and discovery the key theme in accelerated alloy research. Advances in machine-learning methods and enhanced data generation have created a fertile ground for computational materials science. Pairing machine learning and alloys has proven to be particularly instrumental in pushing progress in a wide variety of materials, including metallic glasses, high-entropy alloys, shape-memory alloys, magnets, superalloys, catalysts and structural materials. This Review examines the present state of machine-learning-driven alloy research, discusses the approaches and applications in the field and summarizes theoretical predictions and experimental validations. We foresee that the partnership between machine learning and alloys will lead to the design of new and improved systems. Machine learning is enabling a metallurgical renaissance. This Review discusses recent progress in representations, descriptors and interatomic potentials, overviewing metallic glasses, high-entropy alloys, superalloys and shape-memory alloys, magnets and catalysts, and the prediction of mechanical and thermal properties.
Essay: Facebook and Me (Using Friend as a Verb)

This essay describes the use of social media platform Facebook and acquiring hundreds of friends and how this activity is viewed both positively and sometimes negatively.
Racial/ethnic differences in lifestyle-related factors and prostate cancer risk: the Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Purpose Older age, African ancestry, and family history of prostate cancer are well-established risk factors for prostate cancer, and all are non-modifiable. Various lifestyle factors have been examined in relation to prostate cancer risk, including diet, obesity, and physical activity; however, none of them has been consistently related to risk. In the Multiethnic Cohort Study, we investigated whether lifestyle-related factors are associated with prostate cancer risk and whether such factors explain the racial/ethnic differences in risk.
Finding matched rms envelopes in rf linacs: A Hamiltonian approach

Author(s): Ryne, Robert D | Abstract: We present a new method for obtaining matched solutions of the rms envelope equations. In this approach, the envelope equations are first expressed in Hamiltonian form. The Hamiltonian defines a nonlinear mapping, $\cal M$, and for periodic transport systems the fixed points of the one-period map are the matched envelopes. Expanding the Hamiltonian around a fiducial trajectory one obtains a linear map, $M$, that describes trajectories (rms envelopes) near the fiducial trajectory. Using $\cal M$ and $M$ we construct a contraction mapping that can be used to obtain the matched envelopes. The algorithm is quadratically convergent. Using the zero-current matched parameters as starting values, the contraction mapping typically converges in a few to several iterations. Since our approach uses numerical integration to obtain all the mappings, it includes the effects of nonidealized, $z$-dependent transverse and longitudinal focusing fields. We present numerical examples including finding a matched beam in a quadrupole channel with rf bunchers.
Growth of e‐financial services: Introduction to the special issue

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a bird's eye overview of the special issue and its significance.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews relevant topics and provide perspective.Findings – Critical areas and future focus are identified in the paper.Practical implications – This work may stimulate future academic research and identify practical implementation challenges.Originality/value – The paper provides perspective and impetus for future research.
Do Displaced Workers Benefit from Community College Courses? Findings from Administrative Data and Directions for Future Research

Over the past 25 years policy makers have sought to reduce the long-term losses experienced by displaced workers by substantially expanding their opportunities for retraining. Much of this retraining has taken place in the nation's community colleges. In our analysis of community college-based retraining, we define a displaced worker as any worker with three or more years of tenure who filed a valid claim for Unemployment Insurance benefits following the loss of a job. Although this definition is narrower than definitions that sometimes have been used in programs that target such workers, this group should be of special interest to policy makers, because, unlike most unemployed workers, their job losses have long-term consequences for their earnings. To analyze the effect of community college schooling we rely on a large sample of administrative records from Washington State. Our analysis indicates that one year of community college schooling raises the earnings of male displaced workers by 7 percent and by even more for females. These estimates are consistent with those reported in the schooling literature. However, these impacts are significantly larger when displaced workers complete more quantitatively-oriented courses and significantly smaller when they complete less quantitatively-oriented courses. We also find that older displaced workers, those 35 and older, who enroll in community college-based retraining experience similar earnings gains as younger displaced workers. The net benefits from such retraining, however, are smaller for older displaced workers which is consistent with our finding that they participate in retraining at lower rates than their younger counterparts.
A Definition of Folklore: A Personal Narrative

La meva definicio de folklore com a «comunicacio artistica en petit grup» va sorgir en el context dels estudis folklorics dels anys seixanta, com a resultat de la meva insatisfaccio amb les definicions que circulaven en aquell moment, i sota la influencia de l’antropologia, la linguistica –en particular ‹l’etnografia de la parla›– i el formalisme rus. El meu treball de camp entre els habitants d’Edo a Nigeria va tenir un impacte formatiu en la meva concepcio del folklore, quan vaig observar els seus narradors, cantants, ballarins i endevins en accio. La resposta a la definicio va ser inicialment negativa o, en el millor dels casos, ambivalent, pero a mesura que passava el temps, va prendre un gir mes positiu.
Linking risk and efficacy in biological control host–parasitoid models

Abstract Exotic invasive arthropods present an increasing threat to native species, ecosystem function, crop production, forests, and other natural resources. Importation (‘classical’) biological control can be a cost-effective tactic for long-term pest management that reduces insecticide use. However, while importation of biological control agents has great potential benefits, it also entails risks to non-target native species. Therefore, candidate biological control agents are studied prior to release to predict safety. Little is known, however, about how traits affecting the safety of biological control agents may impact their efficacy in terms of reducing pest populations. We use a difference equation model to simulate a one-parasitoid two-host system and evaluate conditions under which biological control safety and efficacy interact. We vary the search efficiency and resistance to parasitism of both host species and interpret the results from the standpoint that one host is a target pest and the other a non-target species. We find that apparent competition can have important benefits for increasing biological control efficacy, even at low levels of non-target impact. However, under conditions of parasitoid egg limitation, high attack rates on resistant non-target hosts can dramatically decrease biological control efficacy while concurrently increasing non-target risk. These findings are discussed in the context of biological control agent pre-release risk–benefit assessment.
Violent police behavior: Past, present, and future research directions

This manuscript contains a review of the literature concerning violent police behavior. Areas of interest include the history of violent police misconduct, characteristics of the officers and citizens, situational circumstances, theoretical explanations, and an exploration of the various methods for controlling violent police behavior. Suggestions are made for improving our knowledge in the area of violent police behavior.
CAN FUNCTION AT THE ORGANISMAL LEVEL EXPLAIN ECOLOGICAL PATTERNS

Brown et al. (2004) propose that "first principles of chemistry, physics, and biology" can be used to link the function of individual organisms to ecological processes. By arguing that metabolic rate controls ecological processes at all levels of organization, from the individual to the biosphere, they propose that a metabolic theory of ecology can be a powerful unifying principle. Because the scope of their vision is so broad, and because the models on which these ideas are based
Sampling of post-Riley visual artists surreptitiously probing perception

Attending any conference on visual perception undoubtedly leaves one exposed to the work of Salvador Dali, whose extended phase of work exploring what he dubbed, “the paranoiac-critical method” is very popular as examples of multiple perceptions from conflicting input. While all visual art is intertwined with perceptual science, from convincing three-dimensional illusion during the Renaissance to the isolated visual illusions of Bridget Riley’s Op-Art, direct statements about perception are rarely uttered by the artists in recent times. However, there are still a number of artists working today whose work contains perceptual questions and exemplars that can be of interest to vision scientists and imaging engineers. This talk will start sampling from Op-Art, which is most directly related to psychophysical test stimuli and then will discuss “perceptual installations” from artists such as James Turrell’s, whose focus is often directly on natural light, with no distortions imposed by any capture or display apparatus. His work generally involves installations that use daylight and focus the viewer on its nuanced qualities, such as umbra, air particle interactions, and effects of light adaptation. He is one of the last artists to actively discuss perception. Next we discuss minimal art and electronic art, with video artist Nam June Paik discussing the “intentionally boring” art of minimalism. Another artist using installations is Sandy Skoglund, who creates environments of constant spectral albedo, with the exception of her human occupants. Tom Shannon also uses installations as his media to delve into 3D aspects of depth and perspective, but in an atomized fashion. Beginning with installation concepts, Calvin Collum then adds the restrictive viewpoint of photography to create initially confusing images where the pictorial content and depth features are independent (analogous to the work of Patrick Hughes). Andy Goldsworthy also combines photography with concepts of physical object manipulation inherent in installation, but takes the “installation” out of the gallery into the outdoor natural world. In doing so, he highlights perceptual interactions of scene spectra, color induction, and color constancy. The sculptor Shigeo Fukuda creates intentionally designed multiple-view sculptures, where the perceived subject matter of the sculpture changes with viewing angle. Lastly, Doug Aitken explores the interaction of the functional and emotional aspects of vision.
Experimental study of micromachined electrostatic torsion actuators with full travel range

Abstract By studying pull-in behavior, we investigate the stability of single-crystal silicon, rectangular, electrostatic torsion actuators in a variety of ambients and configurations. These structures are designed for full travel range using partial-plate buried electrodes on either oxidized silicon or nitrided glass substrates. We find that the presence of charge in both systems, due at least in part to moisture on insulating surfaces surrounding the buried partial plate, has a large effect on pull-in performance, even in vacuum and flowing dry nitrogen. We are able to minimize this charge effect by using devices fabricated with ground shield electrodes. These improved structures exhibit stable actuation in air without pull-in at a travel range that exceeds 90%. This is among the highest measured stable values reported in the literature.
Influence of Purified Materials on the Development of the Ruminant Stomach

Summary Young dairy calves equipped with rumen cannulae were fed on milk and housed on elevated wood platforms. Various materials such as plastic sponges, cellulose sponges, a purified diet, solutions of the sodium salts of acetic, propionic, butyric, and lactic acids were introduced through the cannulae for periods up to 12 wk. The presence of plastic sponges alone did not elicit development of the rumen papillae. The rumens of calves receiving either the purified diet or the fatty acid solutions, with or without sponges, showed marked development. These data confirm the view that end-products of rumen fermentation rather than the coarse nature of the feed are the stimuli for the development of rumen papillae.
Pattern recognition in hyperspectral imagery using Gaussian filter with post-processing

Pattern recognition in hyperspectral imagery often suffers from a number of limitations, which includes computation complexity, false alarms and missing targets. The major reason behind these problems is that the spectra obtained by hyperspectral sensors do not produce a deterministic signature, because the spectra observed from samples of the same material may vary due to variations in the material surface, atmospheric conditions and other related reasons. In addition, the presence of noise in the input scene may complicate the situation further. Therefore, the main objective of pattern recognition in hyperspectral imagery is to maximize the probability of detection and at the same time minimize the probability of generating false alarms. Though several detection algorithms have been proposed in the literature, but most of them are observed to be inefficient in meeting the objective requirement mentioned above. This paper presents a novel detection algorithm which is fast and simple in architecture. The algorithm involves a Gaussian filter to process the target signature as well as the unknown signature from the input scene. A post-processing step is also included after performing correlation to detect the target pixels. Computer simulation results show that the algorithm can successfully detect all the targets present in the input scene without any significant false alarm.
Zooplankton ecology in the eastern tropical Pacific oxygen minimum zone above a seamount: 2. Vertical distribution of copepods

Abstract The abundance and vertical distribution (0-1230 m) of copepods were studied in the eastern tropical Pacific near the seamount Volcano 7 to examine the influence of the extreme oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Maximum zooplankton biomass and copepod abundance were in the thermocline zone. A secondary peak in biomass and copepod abundance was evident between 600 and 1000 m, which included the depth of the lower interface of the OMZ. This prominent secondary peak in zooplankton is a feature unique to OMZ regions. There were four general trends of vertical distribution of copepod abundance. These trends appeared to be related to the oxygen concentration and gradients. The most common vertical distribution was a pattern of maximum abundance in the mixed layer and thermocline zones, with a secondary maximum in the zone of the lower OMZ interface (600-1000 m). Clausocalanus spp., Oncaea , spp., Euchaeta spp., Oithona spp. and Corycaeus spp. showed this trend. Low oxygen concentration did not appear to restrict these groups, since they were present throughout the OMZ. The second vertical distributional pattern was vertical migration between the thermocline and the OMZ. Pleuromamma robusta showed this pattern, with maximum abundance at night in the thermocline zone and during the day in the core of the OMZ. In addition, there was a secondary maximum of abundance at the lower OMZ interface zone. The third type of distribution was shown by copepods that were abundant in the upper OMZ and at the lower OMZ interface zones. Eucalanus inermis, Haloptilusparalongicirrus and Heterostylites longicornis were dominant copepod species that exhibited this pattern. They were either absent from the mixed layer or at similar abundances in the mixed layer and upper OMZ. The fourth pattern was shown by copepod species that live primarily above the OMZ day and night. The majority of the species appeared to be tolerant of the extreme low oxygen concentrations. Rhincalanus spp. was the dominant copepod that was excluded by low oxygen concentrations. In general, species also found in other OMZ regions showed similar distributions in this study, indicating that low oxygen is a major controlling factor. Some vertical niche separation among congeneric species was indicated for Eucalanidae, Metridiidae and Augaptilidae.
Structural Features and Selective Expression of Three Ly-5 + Cell-Surface Molecules

Conventional Ly-5 alloantisera precipitate cell-surface molecules of three sizes: 200K, 205K, and 220K. In SDS-PAGE, the rat monoclonal antibody 74/8′ precipitates the same three molecules from both Ly-5.1 and Ly-5.2 cells. Cleveland mapping of the three molecules, precipitated by reaction of conventional Ly-5 alloantisera or 74/8′ monoclonal antibody with lysates of 125I-labeled cells, disclosed no differences among the three molecular forms, but markedly distinguished all three Ly-5.1 molecules from all three Ly-5.2 molecules. Each of the three molecular forms can be expressed independently of the other two by cloned culture lines of Ly-5+ cells of different hematopoietic lineage. All of the seven cloned lines tested expressed only one form. However, two of the seven uncloned culture lines tested, plasmacytoma MOPC-70A and the X.1 putative macrophage line which originated from an SJL tumor, yielded both 200K and 205K forms.
EXTENDED VALIDATION OF A SIMPLIFIED EXTRACTION AND GRAVIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF TOTAL FAT TO SELECTED FOODS

A simplified method for chloroform/methanol extraction and gravimetric determination of total fat previously published for diet composites was tested on additional foods, including milk, cheese, fried snack foods, nuts/seeds, salad dressings, baked goods, meat, fish/shellfish and fruits/vegetables. Homogenized food composites and certified reference materials (CRMs) were analyzed using the existing method involving, briefly, orbital shaking of a subsample with chloroform/methanol/buffer in specific proportions, then recovery of total lipid in the chloroform extract. For meat, fish, shrimp, cheese and fried plantains, total fat recovery was low and/or variability was high with the unmodified assay versus results from other standard total fat methods (e.g., ether extraction, acid hydrolysis) or to CRM assigned values. Reducing the sample size or adding a homogenization step during extraction resulted in relative standard deviations of <3% for all matrices and also values consistent with those generated by other standard total fat methods and within assigned ranges for total fat in most CRMs.
Toward Metabolic Phenomics: Analysis of Genomic Data Using Flux Balances

Small genome sequencing and annotations are leading to the definition of metabolic genotypes in an increasing number of organisms. Proteomics is beginning to give insights into the use of the metabolic genotype under given growth conditions. These data sets give the basis for systemically studying the genotype-phenotype relationship. Methods of systems science need to be employed to analyze, interpret, and predict this complex relationship. These endeavors will lead to the development of a new field, tentatively named phenomics. This article illustrates how the metabolic characteristics of annotated small genomes can be analyzed using flux balance analysis (FBA). A general algorithm for the formulation of in silico metabolic genotypes is described. Illustrative analyses of the in silico Escherichia coli K-12 metabolic genotypes are used to show how FBA can be used to study the capabilities of this strain.
Redesigning hospital alarms for patient safety: alarmed and potentially dangerous.

Because hospital alarms alert clinicians to deviations from a defined normal state, these auditory and visual signals are designed to improve patient safety. Contemporary alarms are diverse, ranging from devices that monitor heart rate to those that sound when patients try to leave their beds. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine modern health care without these electronic sentinels of safety. Despite their benefits, alarms may also increase the possibility of harm. In a sentinel event alert, the Joint Commission called medical alarms a “frequent and persistent” patient safety problem and designated them 2014 National Patient Safety Goal No. 6 following reports of several alarm-associated deaths.1 Since 2010, the nonprofit ECRI Institute has also rated alarm problems among the top 10 health technology hazards, recently calling them “the number one medical hazard of 2014.”2 Notably, because alarm-associated adverse events are voluntarily reported, the true magnitude of this problem might exceed published estimates. Why may this technology have resulted in adverse outcomes?
Cyclic AMP differentiation of the oligodendroglial cell line N20.1 switches staurosporine-induced cell death from necrosis to apoptosis.

Understanding the regulation of cell death pathways is critical for protecting myelin-producing cells and their associated axons during injury resulting from multiple sclerosis and other degenerative diseases. The immortalized N20.1 oligodendroglial cell line provides a useful model for identifying mechanisms that can be exploited to attenuate cell death in myelin-producing cells and their precursors. In our hands, the N20.1 cell line exhibits different characteristics and morphology depending on temperature (permissive or non-permissive) and the presence of cAMP-elevating agents (Studzinski et al. [1998] Neurochem. Res. 23:435-441; Boullerne et al. [1999] J. Neurochem. 72:1050-1060; Studzinski et al. [1999] J. Neurosci. Res. 57:633-642). Our laboratory previously observed that NO donors cause primarily necrotic death in N20.1 cells grown at permissive temperature, but the NO donor SNP switched a portion of cell death to the apoptic pathway. We have continued our study of apoptotic death in these cells by comparing the effects of staurosporine, a known apoptotic agent, on cells grown at the permissive temperature ("undifferentiated") vs. the non-permissive temperature in the presence of forskolin ("differentiated"). Undifferentiated N20.1 cells exhibit maximal cell death after 24 hr of exposure to 50 nM staurosporine, whereas differentiated cells show delayed cell death, with maximal death seen after 48 hr. Pyknotic nuclei were observed in both growth conditions; however, differentiated cells were protected by caspase inhibitors, whereas undifferentiated cells were not. Increased ssDNA staining and DNA laddering were found following 24-hr staurosporine treatment in the differentiated cells only. These results support the conclusion that N20.1 cells can switch from necrotic to apoptotic cell death when cell division is slowed and cyclic AMP is elevated.
AlGaN/GaN HFETs fabricated from maskless selectively grown mesas on Si(111) substrates

AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field effect transistors (HFETs) fabricated from maskless selectively grown mesas by ammonia molecular beam epitaxy on Si(111) substrates are demonstrated. With 0.8 μm gate length, the devices exhibited maximum drain current and transconductance of 425 mA/mm and 140 mS/mm, respectively. Values of f T and f MAX of 8 and 19 GHz, respectively, were obtained from RF measurements. A 50 nm-thick SiN x passivation layer was found to be very effective in mitigating the current collapse.
Benign reduction of carbon nanotube agglomerates using a supercritical carbon dioxide process

A method was developed to deagglomerate commercially available multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) bundles while maintaining the carbon nanotube aspect ratio. The process utilizes the rapid expansion of a supercritical carbon dioxide/MWCNT mixture to separate large primary carbon nanotube agglomerates. High levels of deagglomeration of Baytubes® C 150 P and Nanocyl™ NC-7000 MWCNT bundles were observed on the macroscale and nanoscale, resulting in 30-fold and 50-fold decreases in bulk density, respectively, with median agglomerate sizes <8 μm in diameter. These results were obtained while retaining the aspect ratio of the as-received nanomaterial, irrespective of the MWCNT agglomerate morphology. It was found that a temperature and pressure of 40 °C and 7.86 MP resulted in maximum deagglomeration without damage to the MWCNTs. Thermodynamic principles were applied to describe the effect of processing variables on the efficiency of the deagglomeration. These results suggest that combining this process with a composite processing step, such as melt compounding, will result in nanocomposites with enhanced electrical properties.
Ingrown toe-nail

Abstract Extensive review of the literature and considerable clinical experience with the handling of ingrown toe-nails have prompted the writer to summarize the present status of the subject, and to outline a simplified mode of management that will be applicable to any stage of the lesion, and that will incur a minimum loss of time to the patient. The symptoms and signs of ingrown toe-nail are conveniently divided into three stages: (1) inflammatory swelling and redness, (2) inflammatory secretion, (3) granulation tissue formation. The numerous methods of treatment encountered in the literature can only lead to confusion to the average practitioner of minor surgery. The writer has attempted to facilitate treatment by advocating a simplified mode of management, consisting of a conservative method for handling early cases and cases not amenable to operative procedures, and a radical method for handling the more advanced cases. Both types of treatment allow the patient to be ambulatory. The use of cotton packing, if properly applied, is one of the simplest and most effective means of conservative treatment, and is recommended for most cases in the first stage and some in the second stage of the lesion. Radical operation is greatly simplified in the method of Winograd, which the writer uses with a few modifications in all cases in the third stage and most cases in the second stage of the lesion. With a knowledge of the main etiological factors, a recognition of the three stages of the lesion, and a thorough acquaintance with these two procedures, it is possible to manage intelligently and adequately the vast majority of the cases of ingrown toe-nail with assurance that the results will be satisfactory and that the incapacitation will not be out of proportion to the apparent severity of the lesion.
Conflict and Interdependence East-West Trade and Linkages in the Era of Detente

This article investigates the relationship between interdependence and conflict, using U.S.-Warsaw Pact trade and conflict data during detente as a case study. A theoretical framework is developed ...
Integrating biotechnology and the behavioral sciences

Abstract The Biotechnology and the Integration of Behavioral Science Workshop was held at the US National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA, USA, from 15 to 17 August 2000.
Reactions of polyfunctional amines with 3-amino-4-(anilinothio-methylidene)-2-cyano-2-pentenedioic acid diethyl ester

3-Amino-4-(anilinothiomethylidene)-2-cyano-2-pentenedioic acid diethyl ester reacts with ethylenedi-amine, 1,3-propylenediamine and 1,4-butylenediamine affording bicyclic cyclocondensation products. The title compound reacts with diethylenetriamine and 2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol to give new seven membered ring tricyclic compounds. The mechanism for these reactions is discussed.
Ultraspherical potential approximation in nonlinear symmetric free oscillations

Abstract A new technique for approximating the period-amplitude relation for free symmetric nonlinear oscillations is presented. It involves the linearization, in ultraspherical polynomials, of a function derived from the potential. This technique is applied to systems with hardening and softening cubic nonlinearities, and the optimum ultraspherical parameter values for small and large nonlinearities are determined. The results obtained for these cubics are compared with the exact solutions, and with those of other methods. The new results constitute a substantial improvement over previous ones.
Modelling cement microstructure: Pixels, particles, and property prediction

During the past ten years, a comprehensive model for the three-dimensional microstructural development of cement paste during hydration has been developed and validated. The model employs a number of computational and analytical tools including cellular automata, digital image processing and reconstruction, percolation theory, and the maturity method. The model has been successfully applied to predicting the percolation and diffusion properties of cement pastes. Through a kinetics calibration, the evolution of heat release, chemical shrinkage, and compressive strength with time have been predicted. The variation of curing temperature and availability of external curing water can also be simulated using the developed model. This paper reviews the computational tools employed in the model, summarizes the experimental and modelling approaches, and presents representative predicted properties.
Human uterine tissue throughout the menstrual cycle expresses transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1), TGF beta 2, TGF beta 3, and TGF beta type II receptor messenger ribonucleic acid and protein and contains [125I]TGF beta 1-binding sites

The use of isoform-specific transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) primers, 35S-labeled 40-mer oligonucleotide probes and polyclonal antibodies, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical observations has revealed that human uterine tissue at various reproductive stages expresses TGF beta s and TGF beta type II receptor messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and proteins. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed the predicted 443-, 310-, 524-, and 431-basepair fragments for TGF beta 1, TGF beta 2, TGF beta 3, and TGF beta type II receptor, respectively, in both endometrial and myometrial tissues, which were further verified by restriction enzyme analysis. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical observations indicated that all uterine cell types express TGF beta s mRNAs and proteins. In the functionalis region, endometrial luminal and glandular epithelial cells are the primary cell types expressing TGF beta s mRNAs and proteins, with lesser expression in stromal cells, whereas in the basalis region, they are equally expressed in both cell types. In myometrium, TGF beta mRNA and protein expression in smooth muscle cells occurs at a substantially lower level than in endometrial tissue. In endometrial tissue, the highest level of TGF beta mRNA and protein expression appeared in the late proliferative and early to midsecretory phases of the menstrual cycle, with a considerable reduction during the late secretory and postmenopausal periods. The pattern and cellular distribution of TGF beta type II receptor protein were similar to those seen with TGF beta isoforms in both endometrial and myometrial tissues. Quantitative autoradiography (net grain density per 100 microns 2) of specific binding of [125I]TGF beta 1 for different uterine cell types indicated that the stromal cells contain a higher grain density than other uterine cell types (P < 0.05), without a significantly different density in the proliferative, compared with the secretory, phase of the menstrual cycle. These data suggest that TGF beta s acting through their specific receptors may play an important role in a variety of uterine functions in an autocrine/paracrine manner, and ovarian steroids may also regulate their expression in endometrial tissue.
The v- fms oncogene induces factor independence and tumorigenicity in CSF-1 dependent macrophage cell line

The McDonough strain of feline sarcoma virus (SM-FeSV) transforms fibroblast cell lines in culture and produces fibrosarcomas in domestic cats. SM-FeSV does not induce haematopoietic malignancies in spite of the fact that its viral oncogene, v-fms, codes for a glycoprotein related to the receptor for the mononuclear phagocyte colony stimulating factor, CSF-1. The v-fms-coded polypeptide includes the complete extracellular domain of the c-fms proto-oncogene product and retains the ability to bind CSF-1 specifically. The two molecules have very similar sequences except at their extreme carboxyl terminal ends where 40 amino acids of the c-fms-coded glycoprotein are replaced by 11 unrelated residues in the v-fms product. Autophosphorylation of the c-fms gene product on tyrosine is enhanced by CSF-1 addition, whereas phosphorylation of the v-fms-coded glycoprotein appears to be constitutive. We now show that introduction of the v-fms gene into simian virus-40 (SV40)-immortalized, CSF-1 dependent macrophages renders them independent of CSF-1 for growth and tumourigenic in nude mice. These factor-independent cell lines express unaltered levels of the c-fms product which is down-modulated in response to either CSF-1 or the tumour promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The induction of factor independence by a non-autocrine mechanism suggests that the v-fms product is an unregulated kinase that provides growth stimulatory signals in the absence of ligand.
Anemia: progress in molecular mechanisms and therapies

Anemia is a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Here we review recent insights into how red blood cells (RBCs) are produced, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying various forms of anemia, and novel therapies derived from these findings. It is likely that these new insights, mainly arising from basic scientific studies, will contribute immensely to both the understanding of frequently debilitating forms of anemia and the ability to treat affected patients. Major worldwide diseases that are likely to benefit from new advances include the hemoglobinopathies (β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease); rare genetic disorders of RBC production; and anemias associated with chronic kidney disease, inflammation, and cancer. Promising new approaches to treatment include drugs that target recently defined pathways in RBC production, iron metabolism, and fetal globin-family gene expression, as well as gene therapies that use improved viral vectors and newly developed genome editing technologies.
Role of shock dynamics in transonic flutter

A computational study of the influence of shock motion on flutter and divergence in transonic flow is presented. The numerical scheme models the entire fluid-structure system as a single continuum dynamics problem, by using a mixed Eulerian-Lagrangian formulation. No assumptions of small displacements are made, but the effect of viscosity is neglected. The results from this study indicate that the shock dynamics gives rise to limit cycles and highly nonlinear aeroelastic phenomena, such as weak divergence and flutter-divergence interactions. Although the shocks typically are destabilizing at the linear flutter boundary, they often have a strongly stabilizing effect for moderate-amplitude motions. The shocks are thus capable of quenching an emerging bending-torsion flutter motion and turning it into limit cycle flutter. The usefulness of classical flutter and divergence boundary diagrams is severely limited in transonic flow, because much of the global dynamic stability information is lost in such a presentation.
Transactional terminal system on micro-processor: a method for identifying & modeling overall performance

A typical banking, financial and administrative system involves specific characteristics: a large number of devices around a processor, with several different kinds of work stations (displays, keyboards, printers, badge and document readers...), a heterogeneous workload (by linkage of specialized micro-transactions using local or remote files), versatile operating facilities on displays for untrained administrative personnel (form-loading on the display, selecting key words, spotting errors, generating operational messages...), and working with several sets of typical functions (savings operations, cheque accounting, fund transfer, deposits, withdrawals, and mainly data entry).In this case it was mandatory to approach the system performance evaluation study by first building and observing a typical workload model in the forecast operating enwironment. Measurement steps were then scheduled from outside to inside operating procedures to get analysis from the user's point of view (a bank teller's operations, for example).Then, overall performance results were derived by direct measurement, which established relationships between throughput, response time, processor overhead, and space and time parameters related to system behavior.That was done by progressively increasing the number of terminals and exercising the workload on two levels of technical and functional saturation.Simultaneously, a simulation model used the same description of the workload, and after validation with the preceding direct measurement results, was used to extend the previous relationships on various systems. (The full range of Erlang distribution parameters is assumed with unknown servers; the trace-driven method was not possible.)The final results are shown in tables and charts which exhibit system boundaries, providing useful guidelines for designing network stations and performing workload forecasting.