cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving CAD performance in pulmonary embolism detection: preliminary investigation

In this preliminary study, a new computer-aided detection (CAD) scheme for pulmonary embolism (PE) detection was developed and tested. The scheme applies multiple steps including lung segmentation, candidate extraction using intensity mask and tobogganing method, feature extraction, false positive reduction using a multifeature based artificial neural network (ANN) and a k-nearest neighbor (KNN) classifier to detect and classify suspicious PE lesions. In particular, a new method to define the surrounding background regions of interest (ROI) depicting PE candidates was proposed and tested in an attempt to reduce the detection of false positive regions. In this study, the authors also investigated following methods to improve CAD performance, which include a grouping and scoring method, feature selection using genetic algorithm, and limitation on allowed suspicious lesions to be cued in one examination. To test the scheme performance, a set of 20 chest CT examinations were selected. Among them, 18 are positive cases depicted 44 verified PE lesions and the remaining 2 were negative cases. The dataset was also divided into a training subset (9 examinations) and a testing subset (11 examinations), respectively. The experimental results showed when applying to the testing dataset CAD scheme using tobogganing method alone achieved 2D region-based sensitivity of 72.1% (220/305) and 3D lesion-based sensitivity of 83.3% (20/24) with total 19,653 2D false-positive (FP) PE regions (1,786.6 per case or approximately 6.3 per CT slice). Applying the proposed new method to improve lung region segmentation and better define the surrounding background ROI, the scheme reduced the region-based sensitivity by 6.5% to 65.6% or lesion-based sensitivity by 4.1% to 79.2% while reducing the FP rate by 65.6% to 6,752 regions (or 613.8 per case). After applying the methods of grouping, the maximum scoring, a genetic algorithm (GA) to delete "redundant" features, and limiting the maximum number of cued-lesions in one examination, CAD scheme further reduced FP rate to 50 per case. Based on the FROC curve, an operating threshold was set up in which the CAD scheme could ultimately achieve 63.2% detection sensitivity with 18.4 FP regions per case when applying to the testing dataset. This study investigated the feasibility of several methods applying to the CAD scheme in detecting PE lesions and demonstrated that CAD performance could depend on many factors including better defining candidate ROI and its background, optimizing the 2D region grouping and scoring methods, selecting the optimal feature set, and limiting the number of allowed cueing lesions per examination.
Performing a symbolic inference step on distributed representations

Abstract An investigation has been carried out into performing resolution, an inference step usually associated with symbolic inference systems. Distributed representations are generated by a neural network. A variable binding process, unification, is carried out on these representations and then a resolution step is performed.
Sperm interaction with fallopian tube apical membrane enhances sperm motility and delays capacitation

Abstract Objective: To understand the effect of sperm contact with the apical plasma membrane of tubal epithelial cells on sperm motility, velocity, and capacitation. Design: Prospective, controlled in vitro study. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): Women of reproductive age undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecologic indications and normozoospermic donors of proved fertility. Main Outcome Measure(s): Sperm motility as measured manually, velocity as measured by computer-assisted sperm motility analysis, and capacitation status as measured by the chlortetracycline fluorescence assay. Result(s): Sperm incubated with apical membrane vesicles had a significantly higher motility at 12 (87.4% ± 3.4% versus 69.2% ± 4.8% [mean ± SEMI), 24 (85.2% ± 3.1% versus 60.5% ± 7.2%) and 48 hours (78.9% ± 5.3% versus 42.4% ± 11.3%) compared with control (sperm incubated with human tubal fluid media in the absence of apical membrane vesicles) (n = 4). Progressive velocity was significantly higher at 12 (78.2 ± 1.4 versus 61.7 ± 16.1μm/s) and 24 (66.2 ± 3.9) versus 34.4 ± 9.8μm/s) hours (n = 4). Incubation with apical membrane vesicles significantly slowed the transition from uncapacitated to capacitated chlortetracycline fluorescence pattern (n = 5). Conclusion(s): Contact with the apical plasma membrane of tubal epithelial cells enhances sperm motility and delays sperm capacitation in vitro.
Transient absorption spectral evidence for phenyl nitrene as the chain propagator in the photo-initiated autocatalytic chain decomposition of phenyl azide and phenyl isocyanate

Abstract Transient absorption spectra were recorded 15 ns to 6 μs following a 266 nm laser pulse for phenyl azide and for phenyl isocyanate in aerated acetonitrile and 3-methylpentane solutions. Transient spectra which are independent of concentration and of delay time, are essentially identical for phenyl azide and for phenyl isocyanate, except at higher energies where phenyl azide absorbs, and are assigned as that of triplet phenyl nitrene. Since there is no spectral evidence for a second species, phenyl nitrene is thought the chain propagator in the autocatalytic chain decomposition that occurs for phenyl azide and for phenyl isocyanate.
Baby Boom Parents and Homosexuality: Continued Challenge for College Health Educators

(1991). Baby Boom Parents and Homosexuality: Continued Challenge for College Health Educators. Journal of American College Health: Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 141-143.
Reactions to Others' Mistakes: An Empirical Test of Fairness Theory

Drawing on fairness theory (R. Folger & R. Cropanzano, 1998, 2001), the authors examined undergraduates' reactions to advisor mistakes made in an academic advisement scenario. The authors hypothesized that perceived fairness, blame, and behavioral intentions to address wrongdoing would be influenced by outcome severity and the nature of the mistake (knowledgeable mistakes vs. ignorant mistakes; errors of commission vs. errors of omission). Results partially supported the hypotheses. Participants perceived scenarios as less fair and expressed higher intent to address the wrongdoing when the consequences were high in severity and when a knowledgeable person made the mistake. Participants attributed significantly more blame to the advisor in the high severity outcome conditions. Counterfactual thoughts mediated the effects of target knowledge but not outcome severity. The authors discuss theoretical and practical implications.
Effect of cocaine, desipramine and angiotensin on uptake of noradrenaline in tissues of pithed rats.

SYMPATHETIC nerves have been shown to be the site of uptake of circulating noradrenaline. The extent of sympathetic innervation of an organ seems to determine the uptake of radioactive noradrenaline after intravenous injection if allowance is made for the volume of blood flow to the organ and its endogenous noradrenaline content1.
Ionic strength effects on nucleoproteins

Abstract 1. 1. Homogenization of calf (Bos bovinus) thymus cells in 0.15 M triethanolamine hydrochloride (TEA-HC1) prior to the extraction of deoxyribonucleoprotein (DNP) with 0.01 M glycine results in the recovery of a fractionated DNP when compared to extracts from cells initially exposed to lower ionic strength TEA-HC1 solutions. 2. 2. The DNP from cells homogenized in 0.15 M TEA-HC1 contains approximately 10% less protein than the DNP from cells exposed to 0.007 M TEA-HC1.
Personality disorders as predictors of severe postsurgical psychiatric complications in epilepsy patients undergoing temporal lobe resections.

Abstract Purpose. Psychiatric disorders emerging after temporal lobe resections are a serious problem threatening the surgical success of patients with epilepsy. The present study aims to find psychiatric predictors that would indicate patients’ risk to developing severe psychiatric complications after surgery. Methods. One hundred adult patients who had temporal lobe resections were followed prospectively over 2 years. Preoperative psychiatric diagnoses and postoperative development of the patients were documented. As a criterion of severe postoperative complication, admission to a psychiatric hospital was chosen. Results. Patients with personality disorders are at higher risk of suffering from postoperative psychiatric complications as compared with patients with other preoperative psychiatric conditions (such as depression) or with patients with no preoperative psychiatric diagnosis whatsoever. Conclusions. Personality disorders are caused by organic dispositions and negative environmental influence. They indicate a high mental vulnerability and compromise the brain’s ability to combat stress. As a consequence patients with personality disorders are prone to suffer from severe psychiatric complications after epilepsy surgery. To minimize the negative influence of personality disorders in the process of surgical interventions, psychotherapeutic efforts are needed to reduce perisurgical stress factors and to strengthen the self-efficacy and social skills of these patients.
Autoradiographic localisation of benzodiazepine receptors in the brains of humans and animals

THE benzodiazepine (BZ) drugs are used as anxiolytics, hypnotics, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants. They are the most widely prescribed of all psychotropic drugs and seem to exert their action by binding to a specific receptor site on brain membranes1–2. This receptor appears to interact with neurotransmission mediated by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)3–8. Biochemical studies of BZ receptor distributions in brain reveal large regional variations9,10. An increase in resolution of localisation of BZ receptors would provide greater insight into mechanisms of actions of BZs. In this study, we report for the first time the light microscopic autoradiographic localisation of BZ receptors in mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and, to our knowledge, the first receptor autoradiography in human brain tissue. We observed striking variations in receptor densities in different areas which, in some cases, were species dependent.
A spatial panel data approach to estimating U.S. state-level energy emissions

We take advantage of a long panel data set to estimate the relationship between U.S. state-level carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, economic activity, and other factors. We specify a reduced-form energy demand model to account for energy consumption activities that drive energy-related emissions. We contribute to the literature by exploring several spatial panel data models to account for spatial dependence between states. Estimation results and rigorous diagnostic analysis suggest that: (1) economic distance plays a role in intra- and inter-state CO2 emissions; and (2) there are statistically significant, positive economic spillovers and negative price spillovers to state-level emissions.
Effects of n-dominance and group composition on task efficiency in laboratory triads.

Task-oriented triads were formed into various homogeneous and heterogeneous combinations according to their scores on the n-dominance personality trait of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule. Five group categories were used. The group task required a consensus decision on each trial. High cooperation and interdependence were reinforced by partially restricting the communication network. Results showed heterogeneous groups significantly better at organizing their group communication processes. They consequently performed the task more efficiently than homogeneous triads.
Lung texture in serial thoracic CT scans: correlation with radiologist-defined severity of acute changes following radiation therapy.

This study examines the correlation between the radiologist-defined severity of normal tissue damage following radiation therapy (RT) for lung cancer treatment and a set of mathematical descriptors of computed tomography (CT) scan texture (“texture features”). A pre-therapy CT scan and a post-therapy (median: 33 days) CT scan were retrospectively collected under IRB approval for each of 25 patients who underwent definitive RT (median dose: 66 Gy). Sixty regions of interest (ROIs) were automatically identified in the non-cancerous lung tissue of each post-therapy scan. A radiologist compared post-therapy scan ROIs with pre-therapy scans and categorized each as containing no abnormality, mild abnormality, moderate abnormality, or severe abnormality. Twenty texture features that characterize gray-level intensity, region morphology, and gray-level distribution were calculated in post-therapy scan ROIs and compared with anatomically matched ROIs in the pre-therapy scan. Linear regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to compare the percent feature value change (ΔFV) between ROIs at each category of visible radiation damage. Most ROIs contained no (65%) or mild abnormality (30%). ROIs with moderate (3%) or severe (2%) abnormalities were observed in 9 patients. For 19 of 20 features, ΔFV was significantly different among severity levels. For 12 features, significant differences were observed at every level. Compared with regions with no abnormalities, ΔFV for these 12 features increased, on average, by 1.5%, 12%, and 30%, respectively, for mild, moderate, and severe abnormalitites. Area under the ROC curve was largest when comparing ΔFV in the highest severity level with the remaining three categories (mean AUC across features: 0.84). In conclusion, 19 features that characterized the severity of radiologic changes from pre-therapy scans were identified. These features may be used in future studies to quantify acute normal lung tissue damage following RT.
Document raj: writing and scribes in early colonial south India, by Bhavani Raman

Early on, in the preface to Document Raj, Bhavani Raman turns to the phrase ‘textual habitus’ that comes from a particular French lineage of sociology and anthropology: ‘official intervention to mo...
T Cell Variant of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia with Chromosome Abnormality and Defective Response to Mitogens

Summary. Lymphocytes from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, in whom therapy was ineffective, were defined as thymus-derived (T) cells by membrane markers (sheep erythrocyte rosettes, complement rosettes, surface immunoglobulin). The lymphocytes responded weakly to two mitogens, phyto-haemagglutinin and the calcium ionophore A23187, but not to concanavalin A. Cytogenetic studies of leukaemic cells from unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated cultures revealed an abnormal karyotype with 45 chromosomes and multiple rearrangements. The T cell variant of classical chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is relatively rare; additional reports are needed to determine if the clinical course is typically less benign than in the common B cell variety, or whether this patient simply represented a late, unresponsive phase of the disease.
Visna virus-induced fusion of continuous simian kidney cells

Syncytium formation was observed in four continuous monkey kidney cell lines (BS-C-1, VERO, LLC, MK2 and CV-1) after inoculation with visna virus at high multiplicity. Visna virus-induced cell fusion occurred most rapidly and extensively in BS-C-1 and VERO cells; it was least prominent in CV-1 cells. No evidence of significant visna virus multiplication was detected in any of the four monkey kidney cell lines. BS-C-1 cells were successfully used as an indicator cell line in a visna virus plaque assay.
Fast yield-driven fracture for variable shaped beam mask writing

Increasing transistor densities, smaller feature sizes, and the aggressive use of RET techniques with each successive process generation have collectively presented new challenges for current fracture tools, which are at the heart of layout data preparation. One main challenge is to reduce the number of small dimension trapezoids ( slivers ) to improve mask yield since the sliver count reflects the risk of mask critical-dimension errors. Some commercial tools are available for handling the sliver minimization problem in fracture, such as CATS from Synopsys and Fracturem from Mentor Graphics. However, the number of slivers in the existing fracture solutions can be significantly reduced. The integer linear programming (ILP) method has been previously applied to find the optimal fracture but has not explored potential benefits from additional ray-segments. Unfortunately, the ILP becomes prohibitively slow for polygons with the large number of vertices and heuristic partitioning of large polygons may severely degrade the solution quality. In this paper, we propose a new ray-segment selection heuristic which can find a near-optimal fracture solution in practical time while being flexible enough to take into account all specified requirements. We fist divide the rectilinear region with all rays from the concave points and formulate the fracture problem as a sequential ray-segment selection problem. Each ray segment is assigned a weight based on its probability to form a sliver. All ray segments to be selected are placed in a candidate pool. An iterative "gain" based process is used for fast and efficient selecting ray segments from the candidate pool and dynamic update of ray segments and their gains. Further reduction of the number of slivers is achieved by auxiliary ray-segments. The resulted runtime overhead is reduced by a rule-based auxiliary ray-segments addition method which achieves a tradeoff between the sliver number reduction and runtime overhead. Compared with state-of-art sliver-driven fracturing tools, the proposed method reduces the number of slivers in the fractures of two industry testcases by 76.7% and 58.6%, respectively, without inflating the runtime and shot count. Similarly, compared with the previous ILP based fracture methods, the new method reduces the number of slivers by 56.1% and 2.2%, respectively, with more than 60X speedup and insignificant shot count overhead. The reduction in the sliver number is primarily due to the introduction of additional ray-segments. The proposed method can also solve the reverse-tone fracture problem in practical time for large industry testcases.
32.4: Driver IC Integrated LTCC-M PDP Back Panel

Currently Plasma Display Panel (PDP) is the best promising candidate for large area digital display, especially hang-on-the-wall digital TVs. Many processes have been developed to manufacture the competitive PDP. We have researched the unique process for fabricating plasma display back panel by the Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics on Metal (LTCC-M) technology, which is very simple and cost effective manufacturing process. In the year 2000 we presented the evaluation results of 40′ LTCC-M plasma display back panel and succeeded in fabricating LTCC-M PDP module. In this paper, we present a new LTCC-M PDP back panel on which the driver ICs are integrated by using LTCC package technology. This new PDP back panel gives us many advantages by directly integrating the driver ICs, which leads to elimination of connection parts and driver IC's circuit boards, enhancing signal speed, reducing the PDP module size and lowering the material cost.
Assessment of Carotenoid Intakes in Humans

The availability of new food composition carotenoid values for fruits and vegetables increases our ability to test hypotheses concerning the role of antioxidant nutrients and cancer risk. To estimate the usual carotenoid intakes, a quantitative diet history covering a one-year period is recommended for epidemiologic studies on diet and cancer. The particular food items in the diet history questionnaire should be representative of the eating patterns of the study population, should contribute more than 85% of the individual carotenoid intakes, and should distinguish between the high and low consumers of particular carotenoids.
Effect of morphology and space charge on conduction through porous doped ceria

Abstract Porous samples of samaria (Sm 2 O 3 )-doped ceria (CeO 2 ) (SDC) were fabricated using two methods: (1) conventional sintering of powder compacts; and (2) fabrication of sintered NiO + SDC two-phase samples, reduction of NiO to Ni, and acid leaching of Ni. Electrical conductivities of as-fabricated bar samples were measured using a four-probe DC technique. The conductivity of samples made by acid leaching of Ni was up to two orders of magnitude higher than that of conventionally fabricated samples of the same porosity. This difference was attributed to differences in relative inter-particle neck sizes. A simple analytical model was developed to describe conductivity of porous bodies in terms of inter-particle neck sizes. The total electrical conductivity of samples fabricated by the leaching process was measured as a function of oxygen pressure and temperature. The effect of space charge was included in the model describing electrical conduction through porous bodies. The adverse effects of space charge on conductivity are more pronounced in porous ceria as compared to dense ceria.
Twice considered: Charter schools and student achievement in Utah

Abstract A relatively small state, Utah presents an interesting case to study charter schools given its friendly policy environment and its significant growth in charter school enrollment. Based on longitudinal student-level data from 2004 to 2009, this paper utilizes two approaches to evaluate the Utah charter school effectiveness: (a) hierarchical linear growth models with matched sample, and (b) general methods of moments with student-fixed effects regressions. Both methods yield consistent results that charter schools on average perform slightly worse as compared to traditional public schools, a result that is primarily affected by the low effectiveness and high student mobility of newly opened charter schools. Interestingly, when charter schools gain more experience they become as effective as traditional public schools, and in some cases more effective than traditional public schools. This research has implications for local and state charter school policies, particularly policies that avoid “start-up” costs associated with new charter schools.
Algebraic processing of programming languages

Abstract Current methodology for compiler construction evolved in small increments over a long period of time. Its heritage is machine-dependent and derived from sequential Von Neumann machines. There is a growing emphasis on increasingly abstract paradigms for new programming languages. At the same time today's high performance distributed/parallel computing facilities depart from Von Neumann machines and provide a much more intricate execution environment. Therefore current methodology is being stretched beyond its intrinsic capacity in order to accommodate these two accelerating trends. We develop an alternative compiler construction methodology whose fundamental principles are: 1. (1) decomposition of programming languages into simpler components 2. (2) development of machine independent specification and implementation tools for each language component 3. (3) mathematical integration of language component processing algorithms into an algebraic compiler. This allows the specification and implementation of provably correct (commercial) compilers. This paper is a tutorial dedicated to presenting the infrastructure of an algebraic compiler in a do-it-yourself manner.
Can imaging techniques measure neuroprotection and remyelination in multiple sclerosis

MRI is the most important paraclinical measure for assessing and monitoring the pathologic changes implicated in the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Conventional MRI sequences, such as T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced and spin-echo T2-weighted imaging, are unable to provide full details about the degree of inflammation and underlying neurodegenerative changes. Newer nonconventional MRI techniques have the potential to detect clinical impairment, disease progression, accumulation of disability, and the neuroprotective effects of treatment. Unenhanced T1-weighted imaging can reveal hypointense black holes, a measure of chronic neurodegeneration. Two- and three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences allow better identification of cortical lesions. Ultrahigh-field strength MRI has the potential to detect subpial cortical and deep gray matter lesions. Magnetization transfer imaging is increasingly used to characterize the evolution of MS lesions and normal-appearing brain tissue. Evidence suggests that the dynamics of magnetization transfer changes correlate with the extent of demyelination and remyelination. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which provides details on tissue biochemistry, metabolism, and function, also has the capacity to reveal neuroprotective mechanisms. By measuring the motion of water, diffusion imaging can provide information about the orientation, size, and geometry of tissue damage in white and gray matter. Functional MRI may help clarify the brain's plasticity-dependent compensatory mechanisms in patients with MS. High-resolution microautoradiography and new contrast agents are proving to be sensitive means for characterizing molecular markers of disease activity, such as activated microglia and macrophages. Optical coherence tomography, a new research technique, makes it possible to investigate relevant physiologic systems that provide accurate measures of tissue changes secondary to the MS disease process. Although detecting the status of neuronal integrity using MRI techniques continues to improve, a "gold standard" model remains to be established.
Progress in decreasing maternal mortality

Summary Pregnancy and anesthesia for delivery has never been safer than it is today, at least in the United States. However, if it is possible, we must do better. Even a few hundred deaths a year are tragic, in that they occur in young women with many years of life ahead of them and families dependent on their presence. We we may never reduce maternal mortality to zero because some women develop severe, often life-threatening, illnesses that are pregnancy related. But anesthetic mortality is rarely disease related. It occurs because of lappes in vigilance, technique, or judgment. It would be wonderful if the next survey showed that although some women tragically lost their lives because of a decision to have a child, none of these deaths were a result of anesthesia. We still have work to do.
C-factor: a cell-cell signaling protein required for fruiting body morphogenesis of M. xanthus.

Abstract During fruiting body development, the product of the csgA gene is necessary for cellular aggregation, for spore differentiation, and for gene expression that is initiated after 6 hr of starvation. From nascent wildtype fruiting bodies we have purified a polypeptide of 17 kd called C-factor, which, at approximately 1 to 2 nM, restores normal development to csgA mutant cells. C-factor activity is not recovered from extracts of unstarved, growing cells or csgA mutant cells. The amino acid sequence from purified C-factor demonstrates that it is the product of the csgA gene. C-factor is active over a narrow range of concentration and has properties of a morphogenetic paracrine signal.
Supernormal response and conduction in depressed isolated canine ventricular muscle exposed to high potassium concentration

The size and conductivity of the premature response were compared with those of basic responses in canine ventricular tissue perfused with a high potassium ion (K+) (21 mM), high calcium ion (Ca2+) (10 mM) solution. After eight driving stimuli (S1) of 0.5 Hz, premature stimuli (S2) were applied at variable intervals. Action potentials elicited by S1and S2of equal strength and duration were recorded by conventional microelectrode techniques at proximal and distal points 3 to 6 mm apart. The amplitude and duration of action potentials and interelectrode conduction time were examined. The basic response recorded at proximal points was small (30 ± 6 mV, 34 ± 12 ms) (mean ± standard deviation) and did not conduct to distal points. However, a premature response elicited between 188 ± 58 and 523 ± 107 ms after S1was larger than the basic response and conducted successfully to distal points, although with delay. Its amplitude, duration and conduction velocity decreased progressively as the S1-S2interval was increased further. In addition, in response to increasing the stimulus strength, there was a progressive and marked augmentation of the premature response despite little change in the basic action potential. Verapamil (5 × 10-6g/ml) depressed and isoproterenol (10-7g/ml) augmented both basic and premature responses; augmented premature responses were still observed in the presence of high concentrations of propranolol (10-4g/ml). There was no evidence for either summation or oscillatory potentials as the mechanism involved in this phenomenon. Additional experiments using locally depressed tissue sandwiched between normal tissues revealed that spontaneous repetitive responses were elicited after the augmented premature depolarization, and suggested that the supernormal response could be responsible for the initiation of some cardiac arrhythmias, such as the appearance of a reentrant phenomenon.
Disability in the Christian Tradition's Potential Contribution to Teaching

The author of this article constructs a response to Disability in the Christian Tradition: A Reader (Brock & Swinton, 2012) from the working context of teaching a course on “Disability, Ethics, and Theology” at a Jesuit Catholic university. She explores the usefulness of the volume for the course and anticipates a possible response from her students, as well as highlighting theological insights from select theologians. Interspersed throughout the article are suggestions for how the book might enhance theological reflection in the current course.
An example of the application of production system design tools for the implementation of business process reengineering

Abstract The concepts behind business process reengineering (BPR) have become an important management tool and are likely here to stay. There have been a variety of BPR implementation approaches developed, but many of them lack the specifies required for an actual BPR implementation. This paper illustrates how borrowing from the approaches developed for production system design, specifically, binary ordering for machine cell formation for forming business process teams, can open up a whole area of existing tools that can assist in BPR implementation. Simple, yet powerful, the resulting methodology can increase the efficacy of BPR efforts.
Effects of angiographic contrast medium on left ventricular function in coronary artery disease. Comparison with static and dynamic exercise

To evaluate several types of cardiovascular stress tests adaptable to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, modified ventricular function curves were constructed in 60 selected patients with a chest pain syndrome by plotting left ventricular stroke work index (SWI) against left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (EDP). After infusion of angiographic contrast medium, all normal control subjects exhibited an ascending ventricular function curve (λ[ΔSWI/ΔEDP]>0.1). Nine of the 10 patients with coronary artery disease and abnormal resting dynamics had a flat or depressed ventricular function curve. Twenty-six of the 37 patients with coronary artery disease and normal resting dynamics also had a depressed ventricular function curve. Nine normal subjects, when challenged by both static and dynamic exercise, exhibited an ascending ventricular function curve similar to the response to angiographic contrast medium. When 21 patients with coronary artery disease and normal dynamics underwent stress, flat or depressed ventricular function curves were seen in 71 percent of patients after infusion of angiographic contrast medium, 48 percent of the patients after static exercise, and 38 percent of patients after dynamic exercise. No patient with a normal response to the contrast medium had an abnormal response to either form of submaximal exercise. Thus, the combined hypervolemic and myocardial depressant effects of angiographic contrast medium serve as a convenient and reliable intervention to elicit left ventricular dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease and normal ventricular function at rest.
Acute administration of leptin produces anxiolytic-like effects: a comparison with fluoxetine

Our previous studies in rats have shown that the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin induces antidepressant-like effects with a behavioral profile similar to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Acute SSRI treatment causes paradoxical anxiogenic responses, although chronic treatment has therapeutic effects on anxiety. However, the role of leptin in anxiety remains to be established. The scope of this study was to investigate the acute effects of leptin on anxiety-related behaviors in comparison with the SSRI antidepressant fluoxetine. Adult male C57BL/6J mice received intraperitoneal injection of leptin or fluoxetine. Thirty minutes after injection, mice were subjected to the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) for evaluating antidepressant activity. Anxiety-like behavior was assessed in the elevated plus maze (EPM), social interaction, and open field tests 30 min following drug treatment. While leptin and fluoxetine showed similar antidepressant-like behavioral effects in the TST and FST, they differed in the behavioral assays for anxiety. Open arm exploration in the EPM was increased by leptin but decreased by fluoxetine. Analysis of social interaction revealed that distinct social behavioral components were modulated by leptin and fluoxetine. The total time of active social behaviors was increased by leptin but reduced by fluoxetine. In addition, self-grooming, a non-social behavior, was suppressed by leptin treatment. Neither leptin nor fluoxetine produced significant effects in the open field test. In contrast to anxiogenic-like effects induced by acute fluoxetine, leptin elicits anxiolytic-like effects after acute administration. These results suggest that leptin has both antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like properties.
Application of pharmacokinetic principles in the extrapolation of animal data to humans.

(1976). Application of Pharmacokinetic Principles in the Extrapolation of Animal Data to Humans. Clinical Toxicology: Vol. 9, No. 5, pp. 709-722.
Nonoperative management of solid organ injuries in children. Is it safe

OBJECTIVE: The authors reviewed their experience with life-threatening blunt injuries in approximately 2900 children (0-14 years) admitted to the designated state pediatric shock trauma unit between 1990 and 1993. METHODS: During this time, the authors treated all severely injured children with a prospective, nonoperative protocol if they were hemodynamically stable after less than 40 mL/kg fluid replacement, had proven evidence of solid organ injuries and remained stable in the pediatric intensive care unit under surgical management. RESULTS: Twenty-eight children had computed tomography (CT) or operatively proven lacerations of the spleen, 25 had lacerations of the liver, 18 had lacerations of the kidney, 7 had lacerations of the pancreas, and 11 had two or more solid organ injuries. Three of the 28 children with injured spleens required laparotomy (two splenectomy, one splenorrhaphy). Two of the 25 children with liver injuries required laparotomy (one suturing, one partial resection). One of the 18 children with kidney injuries required laparotomy (nephrectomy), and 3 of the 7 children with pancreas injuries required laparotomy (two resection, one pseudocyst). There were three deaths after laparotomy (two head, one chest/abdominal). There were no deaths in the children managed nonoperatively, and there were no immediate or long-range complications. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of the authors' data with the National Pediatric Trauma Registry shows similar results. The authors believe that nonoperative management of solid organ injuries under careful surgical observation in a pediatric intensive care unit is safe and appropriate. Language: en
Trait Mindfulness and Work-Family Balance among Working Parents: The Mediating Effects of Vitality and Sleep Quality.

Abstract The present study investigates the relationship between trait mindfulness and work–family balance among a sample of working parents. Sleep quality and vitality are tested as mediators of this relationship. Results indicate that those with greater mindfulness report greater work–family balance, better sleep quality, and greater vitality. As expected, the relationship between mindfulness and work–family balance was mediated by sleep quality and vitality. Results support the usefulness of further examination of the benefits of mindfulness in the work–family context.
An electron microscope study of sunflower crown gall tumor

The inception and developmental phases of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) crown gall tumor growth induced byAgrobacterium tumefaciens were studied submicroscopically. Bacteria were found only in the inception phase. Chloroplasts from tumor cells of both phases showed several kinds of structural variation. Other cytoplasmic organelles remained more or less normal.
FGF is an essential mitogen and chemoattractant for the air sacs of the drosophila tracheal system.

Abstract The Drosophila adult has a complex tracheal system that forms during the pupal period. We have studied the derivation of part of this sytem, the air sacs of the dorsal thorax. During the third larval instar, air sac precursor cells bud from a tracheal branch in response to FGF, and then they proliferate and migrate to the adepithelial layer of the wing imaginal disc. In addition, FGF induces these air sac precursors to extend cytoneme-like filopodia to FGF-expressing cells. These findings provide evidence that FGF is a mitogen in Drosophila , correlate growth factor signaling with filopodial contact between signaling and responding cells, and suggest that FGF can act on differentiated tracheal cells to induce a novel behavior and role.
Decomposition techniques for optimal design-space exploration of streaming applications

Streaming data programs are an important class of applications, for which queueing network models are frequently available. While the design space can be large, decomposition techniques can be effective at design space reduction. We introduce two decomposition techniques called convex decomposition and unchaining and present implications for a biosequence search application.
AGIS: Towards automatic generation of infection signatures

An important yet largely uncharted problem in malware defense is how to automate generation of infection signatures for detecting compromised systems, i.e., signatures that characterize the behavior of malware residing on a system. To this end, we develop AGIS, a host-based technique that detects infections by malware and automatically generates an infection signature of the malware. AGIS monitors the runtime behavior of suspicious code according to a set of security policies to detect an infection, and then identifies its characteristic behavior in terms of system or API calls. AGIS then statically analyzes the corresponding executables to extract the instructions important to the infectionpsilas mission. These instructions can be used to build a template for a static-analysis-based scanner, or a regular-expression signature for legacy scanners. AGIS also detects encrypted malware and generates a signature from its plaintext decryption loop. We implemented AGIS on Windows XP and evaluated it against real-life malware, including keyloggers, mass-mailing worms, and a well-known mutation engine. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique in detecting new infections and generating high-quality signatures.
Interactive POMDPs: Properties and Preliminary Results

This paper presents properties and results of a new framework for sequential decision-making in multiagent settings called interactive partially observable Markov decision processes (I-POMDPs). I-POMDPs are generalizations of POMDPs, a well-known framework for decision-theoretic planning in uncertain domains, to cases when an agent needs to plan a course of action in an environment populated by other agents.
Calcium-Induced Alterations in Mitochondrial Morphology Quantified in Situ with Optical Scatter Imaging

Optical scatter imaging (OSI), a technique we developed recently, was used to measure the ratio of wide-to-narrow angle scatter (OSIR) within endothelial cells subjected to calcium overload (1.6 mM) after permeabilization by ionomycin. Within a few minutes of calcium overload, the mitochondria, which started as elongated organelles, rounded up into spherically shaped particles. This change in morphology was accompanied by a statistically significant 14% increase in OSIR in the cells' cytoplasm. Mitochondrial rounding and OSIR increase were suppressed by cyclosporin A (25 microM), implying that the observed geometrical and scattering changes were directly attributable to the mitochondrial permeability transition. The angular scattering properties of a long mitochondrion rounding up were approximated by numerical simulations of light scatter from an ellipsoid rounding up into a sphere. The simulations predicted a relative increase in OSIR comparable to that measured experimentally for the case where the shape transition takes place with little or no volume increase. The simulations also suggested that mitochondrial refractive index changes could not account for the OSIR changes observed. Our data show that changes in OSIR correlate with mitochondrial morphology change in situ. OSI provides a new tool for subcellular imaging and complements other microscopy methods, such as fluorescence.
Strain measurement in lateral ankle ligaments

We measured strain in the lateral ligaments of 10 human cadaver ankles while moving the ankle joint and apply ing stress in a variety of ways. We studied the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, posterior talofibular, ante rior tibiofibular, and posterior tibiofibular ligaments. Strain measurements in the ligaments were recorded continuously while the ankle was moved from dorsiflex ion into plantar flexion. We then repeated measure ments while applying inversion, eversion, internal rota tion, and external rotation forces.Strain in the anterior talofibular ligament increased when the ankle was moved into greater degrees of plantar flexion, internal rotation, and inversion. Strain in the calcaneofibular ligament increased as the talus was dorsiflexed and inverted. These findings support the concept that the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments function together at all positions of ankle flexion to provide lateral ankle stability. We measured maximum strain in the posterior talofibular ligame...
Clock distribution networks for 3-D ictegrated Circuits

Three-dimensional (3D) integration is an important technology that addresses fundamental limitations of on-chip interconnects. Several design issues related to 3D circuits, such as multi-plane synchronization, however, need to be addressed. A comparison of three 3D clock distribution network topologies is presented in this paper. Experimental results of a 3D test circuit manufactured by the MIT Lincoln Laboratories are also described. Successful operation of the 3D test circuit at 1.4 GHz is demonstrated. Clock skew and power dissipation measurements for the different clock topologies are also provided.
Anaerobic Respiration in EngineeredEscherichia coliwith an Internal Electron Acceptor to Produce Fuel Ethanol

Environmental concerns and unease with U.S. dependence on foreign oil have renewed interest in converting biomass into fuel ethanol. The volume of plant matter available makes lignocellulose conversion to ethanol desirable, although no one isolated organism has been shown to break bonds in lignocellulose and efficiently metabolize resulting sugars into one product. This work reviews directed engineering coupled with metabolic evolution resulting in microbial biocatalysts that produce up to 45 g L(-1) ethanol in 48 hours in a simple mineral salts medium and that convert various compounds of lignocellulosic materials to ethanol. Mutations contributing to ethanologenesis are discussed along with adding enzymatic capabilities to existing biocatalysts in order to decrease the commercial enzymes required to reduce plant matter into fermentable sugars.
Optical frequency combs from semiconductor lasers and applications in ultrawideband signal processing and communications

Modelocked semiconductor lasers are used to generate a set of phase-locked optical frequencies on a periodic grid. The periodic and phase coherent nature of the optical frequency combs makes it possible for the realization of high-performance optical and RF arbitrary-waveform synthesis. In addition, the resulting optical frequency components can be used for communication applications relying on direct detection, dense wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), coherent-detection WDM, optical time-division multiplexing, and optical code division multiple access. This paper highlights the recent results in the use of optical frequency combs generated from semiconductors for ultrawideband signal processing and communication applications.
Study of thioglycosylation in ionic liquids

A novel, green chemistry, glycosylation strategy was developed based upon the use of ionic liquids. Research studies demonstrated that thiomethyl glycosides could readily be activated with methyl trifluoromethane sulfonate, using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as a solvent. This green chemistry glycosylation strategy provided disaccharides with typical yields averaging 75%. The ionic liquid solvent could be readily reused for five sequential glycosylation reactions with no impact on product yield.
DIAGENETIC DEVELOPMENT OF KAOLINITE

Experimental solubility data for gibbsite and kaolinite are reviewed and applied to the pro- blem of gibbsite stability within the natural environment. It is concluded that free alumina compounds formed (only) in lateritic soils will tend to silicify spontaneously in all sedimentary environments. This metasomatic reaction should be accompanied by massive volume expansion: unusual textures are to be anticipated. Petrographic and field descriptions of a number of ancient kaolinitic sediments (some with, some without free alumina) are reviewed. It is concluded that silicification of hydrated aluminum oxides was an important mechanism of kaolinite formation in ancient sediments and that free alumina com- pounds persist only as a result of the unusual volume expansion associated with kaolinite formation.
Preliminary Results on Shock Wave/Boundary Layer Interaction Control Using Localized Arc Filament Plasma Actuators

Localized Arc Filament Plasma Actuators (LAFPAs) are used to excite natural instabilities within a shock wave / boundary layer interaction for separation control. A newly built supersonic wind tunnel with 76.2mm × 76.2mm test section and with a variable-angle wedge shock generator is used. The Mach 2.33 flow in the new facility is characterized using schlieren imaging, streamwise PIV measurements, time-resolved surface pressure measurements, and surface oil flow visualization. The naturally developed boundary layer before the interaction region is fully turbulent with a boundary layer thickness of 5.35 mm and Reynolds number based on boundary layer momentum thickness of 24,800. The unsteadiness observed in the interaction region is similar to the recent experimental and computational results in the literature—the Strouhal number gradually changes from approximately 0.03 to 0.5 in the downstream direction. In this paper, we present characterization of the baseline Mach 2.33 flow with several shock angles.