cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear fitting with missing data: applications to structure-from-motion and to characterizing intensity images

Several vision problems can be reduced to the problem of fitting a linear surface of low dimension to data, including the problems of structure-from-affine-motion, and of characterizing the intensity images of a Lambertian scene by constructing the intensity manifold. For these problems, one must deal with a data matrix with some missing elements. In structure-from-motion, missing elements will occur if some point features are not visible in some frames. To construct the intensity manifold missing matrix elements will arise when the surface normals of some scene points do not face the light source in some images. We propose a novel method for fitting a low rank matrix to a matrix with missing elements. We show experimentally that our method produces good results in the presence of noise. These results can be either used directly, or can serve as an excellent starting point for an iterative method.
Microfluidic Synthesis of Polymeric Nanoparticles

A central challenge in the development of drug-encapsulated polymeric nanoparticles is the inability to control the nanoparticle physicochemical properties that affect their biodistribution, drug release, and efficacy. Nanoparticles may be developed by mixing and nanoprecipitation of polymers and drugs dissolved in organic solvents with non-solvents. Inadequate control over this mixing process is a source of variability in the synthesis of these nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation. We demonstrate that rapid and tunable mixing through hydrodynamic flow focusing in a microfluidic device can be used to control nanoprecipitation of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-bpoly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG) diblock copolymers as a model polymeric biomaterial for drug delivery.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
A technique for generating solutions of Einstein’s equation

A technique is given for generating, from any one-parameter family of stationary, axisymmetric, vacuum solutions of Einstein’s equation with a certain dependence on the parameter, a two-parameter family. The technique is applicable to almost all known families of stationary axisymmetric solutions. Some new solutions are also presented.
Inoculating against the aversive effects of ostracism with acceptance: The role of attachment styles

Ostracism's immediate impact is painful. We investigated whether affirming an accepting relationship prior to being ostracized can inoculate against this pain, and whether this approach would only be effective for those with a secure attachment style. Participants completed an attachment style measure and wrote about an unconditionally accepting or neutral relationship prior to being either ostracized or included in Cyberball, a virtual ball-toss game. Unconditional acceptance buffered the basic needs and the mood of participants with a secure attachment style, but provided no relief for those with an insecure style. Findings suggest that reminders of acceptance prior to social exclusion can be beneficial, but only for some.
Cyclic regulation of transcription factor C/EBP beta in human endometrium

The transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) beta is a critical mediator of murine endometrial function during embryo implantation. Our objective is to characterize changes in C/EBP beta mRNA abundance and protein localization over the normal human menstrual cycle. Fifty normally cycling volunteers without reproductive disorders were randomized to undergo endometrial sampling on a specific cycle day, with secretory phase samples timed using urinary LH surge. Samples were assessed for relative C/EBP beta mRNA expression using quantitative real-time RT-PCR and for C/EBP beta protein localization using immunohistochemistry. The semiquantitative histologic scoring (HSCORE) system was used to compare staining intensity in each tissue compartment between each cycle phase. C/EBP beta mRNA expression by whole endometrium peaks in the late secretory phase and is significantly higher than that in the proliferative and mid-secretory phases. A marked increase in nuclear C/EBP beta protein immunostaining is seen in stromal cells beginning about cycle day 20, coincident with the start of endometrial receptivity. This increased staining continues for the remainder of the cycle. In the normal human menstrual cycle, C/EBP beta mRNA and protein expression also change, with increased nuclear immunostaining in the mid-secretory phase, suggesting a possible role for C/EBP beta in human endometrial receptivity.
Immunoreactions involving platelets. II. Theoretical analysis of the model.

Theoretical equations have been derived, using the methods of statistical mechanics, for associations between platelets, antibody, quinidine, and complement, based on a model of an immunoreaction described in the preceding paper of this series. The two cases considered (i.e. the possibilities that quinidine can attach first to antibody or platelets) lead to the same final equations. The comparison of the theoretical results with experimental results is contained in the preceding paper.
External radiation fields for isotropically scattering finite atmospheres bounded by a Lambert law reflector

Abstract Formulas for obtaining the diffusely transmitted and reflected radiation fields for a planetary, isotropically scattering atmosphere of finite thickness in terms of the solution to the problem with no planetary surface are provided. Numerical results then show that these reflected and transmitted fluxes are essentially the same whether isotropic or Rayleigh scattering laws are assumed.
Hydroxychloroquine: a treatable cause of cardiomyopathy.

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4] A 52-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with a 1-month history of exertional dyspnea and lower-extremity edema. She had been taking hydroxychloroquine as a disease-modifying agent for about 15 years. A
A study of ZnxZryOz mixed oxides for direct conversion of ethanol to isobutene

ZnxZryOz mixed oxides were studied for direct conversion of ethanol to isobutene. Reaction conditions (temperature, residence time, ethanol molar fraction, steam to carbon ratio), catalyst composition, and pretreatment conditions were investigated, aiming at high-yield production of isobutene under industrially relevant conditions. An isobutene yield of 79% was achieved with an ethanol molar fraction of 8.3% at 475 °C on fresh Zn1Zr8O17 catalysts. Further durability and regeneration tests revealed that the catalyst exhibited very slow deactivation via coking formation with isobutene yield maintained above 75% for more than 10 h time-on-stream. More importantly, the catalysts activity in terms of isobutene yield can be readily recovered after in situ calcination in air at 550 °C for 2.5 h. XRD, TPO, IR analysis of adsorbed pyridine (IR-Py), and nitrogen sorption have been used to characterize the surface physical/chemical properties to correlate the structure and performance of the catalysts.
Psychosocial aspects of genital herpes: a review of the literature.

:Understanding the psychosocial aspects of genital herpes will enable community health nurses to be aware of the range of responses by young adults to the disease and of interventions suggested by research. Reviewed are the epidemiology of genital herpes infection; the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to it; the psychosocial consequences of and techniques for coping and adaptation to living with the disease; responses to treatment; and implications for community health nursing.
Inhibition of the Activities of P450 Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage and 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and the Amount of P450 Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage by Testosterone and Estradiol-17β in Hen Granulosa Cells

We have found that androgens and estradiol-17 beta (E2) produced by theca cells suppress progesterone (P4) secretion by granulosa cells of the domestic hen in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, testosterone (T) and E2 inhibited the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone (P5) and of P5 to P4, respectively. The aim of this study was to determine if T and E2 suppress P4 biosynthesis by changing activities of the cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage (P450scc) and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) (Exp I) and the amount of P450scc (Exp II). Granulosa layers of the largest follicle of two to four hens were obtained 22 h before ovulation, pooled, and isolated granulosa cells were prepared. In Exp I, the specific activities of the P450scc and 3 beta-HSD were measured in mitochondrial and microsomal proteins of granulosa cells, respectively, in the presence of T or E2 (0-10 microM). Addition of T to mitochondrial proteins increased the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) with no change in the maximum velocity (Vmax) of the P450scc, which suggests competitive inhibition (Ki = 30.9 microM), whereas E2 had no effect on Km and Vmax of the P450scc. Likewise, addition of E2 to microsomal proteins increased the Km with no change in the Vmax of the 3 beta-HSD, which suggests competitive inhibition (Ki = 15.1 microM), whereas T had no effect on Km and Vmax of the 3 beta-HSD. In Exp II, granulosa cells (3 x 10(5)/3 ml.tube) were incubated for 0-12 h in triplicate for each combined treatments of 25-OH-cholesterol (8 microM) and cyanoketone (10 microM), T, or E2 (0-10 microM) in the presence or absence of LH (25 ng). Protein content and P5 secretion were measured and the amount of P450scc was determined by Western blot analysis. Incubation of granulosa cells with T decreased the amount of the P450scc in granulosa cells cultured for 12 h and P5 secretion in granulosa cells cultured for 3 h or longer (P less than 0.05), without a change in protein content and cell viability. Our results suggest that P4 production by granulosa cells is suppressed by T and E2 acting as competitive inhibitors of the P450scc and 3 beta-HSD, respectively, and by T decreasing the amount of the P450scc. We conclude that steroidogenesis in the follicle of the chicken is regulated through the interaction of theca and granulosa layers.
A distinctive follicular hyperplasia in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the AIDS related complex

The histological features of a distinctive follicular hyperplasia observed in twenty-nine male patients with AIDS or the AIDS related complex are described. The group includes four patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, five with lymphoma, 16 with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, and four with hemophilia. Histopathology is correlated with lymphocyte phenotyping and clinical findings and a model for the pathogenesis of this unique syndrome is presented.
Comparison of six examinations given in Rhetoric 101, at the University of Illinois, fall 1965

Two forms of the College Entrance Examination Board's (CEEB) English Composition Test were compared with four rhetoric final examinations in the basic English composition course at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign during fall semester 1965. This comparison was made to determine if the CEEB test could be used to predict course grade as well as the departmental final examination. In addition, an analysis of the examinations was conducted to determine the stability of the tests. The results indicated that the CEEB test was much more stable and yielded better item statistics, which seemed to characterize a norm-referenced measuring instrument. The departmental examinations, on the other hand, were more highly related to course grade and seemed to more nearly characterize a criterion-referenced measuring instrument.
Estimation of H2O2 gradients across biomembranes

When cells are exposed to an external source of H2O2, the rapid enzymatic consumption of H2O2 inside the cell provides the driving force for the formation of the gradient across the plasma and other subcellular membranes. By using the concepts of enzyme latency, the following gradients - formed after a few seconds following the exposure to H2O2 - were estimated in Jurkat T-cells: [H2O2](cytosol)/[H2O2](peroxisomes)=3; [H2O2](extracellular)/[H2O2](cytosol)=7. The procedure presented in this work can easily be applied to other cell lines and provides a quantitative framework to interpret the data obtained when cells are exposed to an external source of H2O2.
Three-coordinate zinc amide and phenoxide complexes supported by a bulky Schiff base ligand.

Three-coordinate zinc complexes are potential catalysts for the ring-opening of cyclic monomers such as lactide and oxiranes. By use of a bulky Schiff base ligand, monomeric zinc amide and phenoxide are prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography.
T.R.E.A.T: A Model for Constructing Counseling Goals and Objectives for Students with Special Needs

The T.R.E.A.T. model was designed as a blueprint for constructing counseling goals and objectives during Individualized Education Program meetings. Our model provides the multidisciplinary team-specifically, school counseling professionals— with a procedure for systematically organizing all relevant information when addressing students with special needs. Use of this model results in measurable, manageable, and defensible goals and objectives.
On the localization of collapse in cylindrical shells under external pressure

Abstract It is well known that long cylindrical shells used in many practical applications involving external pressure loading collapse catastrophically due to a limit load instability. The limit load is due to interaction between geometric nonlinearities and material nonlinearities due to plasticity. This paper addresses the mechanism of collapse triggered by the limit load instability. It is found that following the limit load the collapse quickly localizes to a section of the shell a few diameters long. The deformations and stresses in the region of localization grow with a decreasing overall pressure whereas the rest of the structure remains intact and retains only a small residual effect from the limit load instability as it unloads. However, under favorable conditions the localized collapse triggers an instability which propagates along the length of the shell and has the potential of catastrophically collapsing the whole structure. The characteristics of the localization are studied parametrically through experiment and analysis.
Investigation of Elastomer Graphite Composite Material for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate

The bipolar plate is an important and integral part of the proton exchange membrane(PEM) fuel cell and PEM fuel cell stacks. Currently bipolar plates represent more than80% by weight and 40% by cost of the fuel cell stack. Traditional materials used forbipolar plates are primarily graphite and metal. Search for alternative materials toimprove weight and cost considerations is needed. This paper discusses the results of aninvestigation of two elastomeric materials being developed for bipolar plate applications.Perceived advantages of the use of elastomers for this application include improvedsealability without additional gasket material, reduction in the contact resistance betweenindividual cells, improved formability, and weight reduction. The ﬁrst elastomer investi-gated is a two component liquid silicone rubber, and the second is a polyoleﬁn thermo-plastic elastomer. These polymer matrix materials are made electrically conductive by theaddition of conductive ﬁllers including thermal graphite ﬁbers (Cytec DKD & CKD),high surface area conductive carbon black nanoparticles (Cabot Black Pearls 2000), andgraphite ﬂakes (Asbury 4012). Electrical conductivity, processability, and elastic behav-ior measurements of the composites have been conducted. Some of silicone-graphite ﬁbercomposites material exhibit conductivity values comparable to those of the traditionalgraphite plate materials. Elasticity of all composites is maintained even at high ﬁllerconcentrations.
Processing stereotactic breast biopsy specimens: impact of specimen radiography system on workflow.

To the Editor: After breast tissue cores are obtained from a patient during a stereotactic biopsy performed for suspicious calcifications with potential atypia and/or breast malignancy, the presence of target calcifications within the tissue cores must be verified before sending the tissue to pathology. At our breast imaging center, there are two commercial imaging systems being used for this, the Bioptics CoreVision System, located in the biopsy room, and the GE 2000D System, which is a free-standing mammography unit located outside the biopsy room. They are essentially equivalent in terms of specimen radiography capabilities. The only difference is the location of the equipment and the rapidity of acquiring a specimen radiograph of the core tissue samples. The Bioptics unit allows for quickly evaluating the core tissue specimens in the biopsy room and efficiently transferring them to the collection jars sent to pathology. Otherwise, the core tissue specimens must be taken out of the biopsy room to the reading room workstation for specimen radiograph evaluation and separating core samples before sending them to pathology. This is relevant for institutions where the specimen is separated into “with calcifications” and “without calcifications” collection jars, which is often standard operating procedure. This also obviates the need to “hold” another mammography unit in a separate room, in addition to the biopsy unit, for obtaining the specimen images, which is an interruption in the usual work flow and an inconvenience for scheduled screening mammography patients. Using the Bioptics CoreVision increases overall efficiency of imaging the core tissue samples, and decreases time required to determine whether target calcifications are obtained so that a biopsy clip can be placed and the procedure completed. Prior to this study, the mammographers at our institution reported that although the overall quality of the two systems is equivalent, it seemed to take less time with one system compared with the other. Although there have been reports on interpretation workflow in mammography (1–4), as well as biopsy
Applications of Liquid Scintillation Counters

The liquid scintillator, in just a few years of development, has shown itself to be an extremely versatile chemical system for radiation detection. Its evolution has been characterized by penetration into almost every phase of experimental science. A survey of the most notable applications of liquid scintillation counting is presented.
Molecular diversity and derivations of populations of Silene acaulis and Saxifraga oppositifolia from the high Arctic and more southerly latitudes

A survey of allozyme diversity within and between populations of Silene acaulis from Spitsbergen, Norway, Iceland and Scotland, showed that populations from the high Arctic (Spitsbergen, > 76°N) contained high levels of diversity and were genetically similar to populations from more southern locations. Indirect measures of gene flow (Nm), calculated from Wrigh's F indicated that there had been extensive gene flow between Spitsbergen and some Norwegian populations. A restriction site analysis of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) in S. acaulis revealed that all populations contained a single identical cpDNA haplotype, except one population from Norway which also contained a second haplotype. In contrast, five different cpDNA haplotypes were distinguished in a more limited survey of cpDNA variation in Saxifraga oppositifolia, with all five haplotypes present in one of two Spitsbergen populations surveyed. The contrasting cpDNA results for the two species suggest that whereas high-Arctic populations of Silene acaulis have most likely been derived from immigrants which arrived from the south after the last glacial period, high-Arctic populations of Saxifraga oppositifolia may be derived, in part, from ancient northern stocks which survived the last glaciation in high-Arctic refugia.
Evolution equation for N relativistic charged particles

Abstract The evolution equation, correct to second order in the charge, for N relativistic point charges in zero external field is derived. This is done by writing down the Liouville equation for the system of charges and fields, assuming appropriate initial conditions, and integrating the Liouville equation over the field variables. The initial conditions imply that the field has initially no statistical dispersion, and is the field of N stationary point charges. Renormalization is carried out, and the k integrals are performed. The evolution equation exhibits an explicit time dependence. It reaches its asymptotic form in the time necessary for light signals to connect the mean positions of all the charges. The results are checked by deriving the asymptotic evolution, to order (v/c)2, by a different method, related to the Lorentz gauge analogue of the Coulomb gauge Darwin Hamiltonian.
NERC's integration of Variable Generation Task Force: Status report — Planning work group update

State and potential federal policies are expected to increase renewable generation in North America in the immediate future. Much of this growth will be from variable resources such as wind generation and solar photovoltaic (PV). As the amount of variable generation increases, the reliability of the bulk power system can be negatively impacted if provisions are not made to accommodate the additional variability and uncertainty. As such, in December 2007, NERC created the Integration of Variable Generation Task Force (IVGTF) to prepare a report to identify technical considerations associated with integrating high penetrations of variable generation and specific mitigating actions needed to ensure bulk system reliability. The special report, released in April 2009, identified several follow-on tasks to further investigate measures to ensure reliability. This paper summarizes the efforts of one of four IVGTF work groups tasked with system planning related activities.
The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein is required for efficient processing and repair of trapped topoisomerase II-DNA-cleavable complexes.

Type II topoisomerases (TOP2) introduce transient double-stranded DNA breaks through a covalent TOP2-DNA intermediate. Anticancer agents like etoposide kill cells by trapping covalent TOP2-DNA cleavable complexes. Pathways influencing the repair of cleavable complexes are expected to be major determinants of therapeutic response to etoposide. Rb1 is required to enforce cell cycle checkpoints in response to DNA damage, but evidence for a direct role in the processing and repair of DNA lesions is lacking. We observe that degradation of trapped TOP2 cleavable complexes, liberation of DNA strand breaks, and repair of those breaks occurs more efficiently in cells expressing Rb1 protein (pRb). Cells lacking pRb are more sensitive to etoposide induced cytotoxicity. Rb1 mediated processing and repair of TOP2 cleavable complexes is genetically separable from its ability to bind E2F and enforce DNA damage induced cell cycle checkpoints. Rb1 protein binds both TOP2 and BRCA1 in intact cells, and pRb is required for association between TOP2 and BRCA1. These results suggest that pRb facilitates processing and repair of TOP2 cleavable complexes by recruiting proteins like BRCA1 to the damaged site. The functional status of pRb, therefore, may influence sensitivity to etoposide by facilitating the repair of trapped TOP2-DNA complexes as well as by enforcing cell cycle checkpoints.
Factors predicting the efficacy of viscosupplementation in knee osteoarthritis

s / Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 21 (2013) S63–S312 S258 Correlation coefficients > 0.50 or < -0.50 were interpreted as strong associations. Results:Ouranalyses includeddata from37patientswith an average age of 61.7 (SD 1⁄4 10.6) years and body mass index of 33.0 (SD 1⁄4 7.7) kg/m2. The samplewas 68% female and 86% had a Kellgren/Lawrence grade 2. All correlations were in the hypothesized direction and can be viewed in Table 1. Mindfulness scores demonstrated strong inverse correlations with psychological symptoms as measured by the BDI-II and the PSS. In contrast, mindfulness scores had moderate-strong positive correlations with quality of life as measured by the SF-36 Mental Component Summary and Physical Component Summary. A moderate to strong positive correlation was also seen between mindfulness scores and the CPSS. We found no significant correlations between mindfulness scores and measures of pain and function. Conclusions: Our results suggest that mindfulness is associated with psychological symptoms, self-efficacy, and quality of life among patients with symptomatic KOA. As patients reported higher levels of mindfulness they tended to report less depression and stress as well as greater self efficacy and quality of life. Future studies should evaluate the efficacy of mind-body therapies aimed at increasing mindfulness in this patient population.
Kinetics of the reaction: H+HI→H2+I at 298 K and very low pressures

The reaction \scriptfont4=\seveni \scriptscriptfont4=\fivei $\rm H+HI\mathop\rightarrow\limits ^{1}H_{2}+I$ was studied at 298 K and millitorr pressures employing the “Very Low Pressure Reactor” (VLPR) kinetic technique. H-atoms were generated by dissociating H2 molecules (of a H2/Ar mixture) in a microwave discharge cavity that preceded the very low pressure well-mixed reaction vessel. Quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to analyze molecules and atoms. The mass signal intensities of I and HI were measured at both 20 and 40 eV ionizing potentials while those of H and H2 were measured at 40 eV due to the very weak signal of these species at lower ionization potentials. Three different exit flow orifices were utilized in the reported VLPR experiments of about 2, 3, and 5 mm inner diameter to vary the species concentration under steady-state reaction conditions. A rate constant of k1=(2.1±0.2)×10−11 cm3/molecule.s was determined for the forward reaction at 298 K, which lies between the two previously reported values directly measured at 298 K. Satisfactory mass balance relations were obtained for the iodine atoms (from the HI and I species) which were better than 90% for most of the experiments. The value of the reported rate constant (k1) is 14.3% higher than the value measured by Umemoto et al. [6], and 33.3% lower than the value measured by Lorenz et al. [4]. Based on this comparison, the activation energy E1 of the forward reaction probably lies between those two previously reported values of 580 and 720 cal/mol. Transition State Calculations of A1 and A2 for the reaction of \scriptfont4=\seveni \scriptscriptfont4=\fivei $\rm H+I_{2}\mathop\rightarrow\limits ^{2}HI+I$ are in good agreement with the data on both reactions and suggest an activation energy of about 500±100 cal/mol for E2.© 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 29: 915–925, 1997.
Nitric oxide-induced resistance to hydrogen peroxide stress is a glutamate cysteine ligase activity-dependent process

Nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive nitrogen species known to be involved in cytotoxic processes. Cells respond to cytotoxic injury by stress response induction leading to the development of cellular resistance. This report describes an NO-induced stress response in Chinese hamster fibroblasts (HA1), which leads to glutathione synthesis-dependent resistance to H2O2-mediated oxidative stress. The development of resistance to H2O2 was completely abolished by the inhibition of glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) during the first 8 h of recovery after NO exposure. Altered thiol metabolism was observed immediately after NO exposure as demonstrated by up to 75% decrease in intracellular thiol pools (glutathione, γ-glutamylcysteine, and cysteine), which then reaccumulated during the NO-mediated development of resistance. Immunoreactive protein and activity associated with GCL decreased immediately after exposure to NO and then reaccumulated during the development of resistance to H2O2 challenge. Moreover, compared to N2 controls the activity levels of GCL in NO-exposed cells increased approximately twofold 24 h after H2O2 challenge. These results demonstrate that NO exposure is capable of inducing an adaptive response to H2O2-mediated oxidative stress in mammalian cells, which involves alterations in thiol metabolism and is dependent upon glutathione synthesis and increased GCL activity.
SU-E-T-259: Particle Swarm Optimization in Radial Dose Function Fitting for a Novel Iodine-125 Seed

Purpose: To determine the coefficients of bi- and tri-exponential functions for the best fit of radial dose functions of the new iodine brachytherapy source: Iodine-125 Seed AgX-100. Methods: The particle swarm optimization (PSO) method was used to search for the coefficients of the biand tri-exponential functions that yield the best fit to data published for a few selected radial distances from the source. The coefficients were encoded into particles, and these particles move through the search space by following their local and global best-known positions. In each generation, particles were evaluated through their fitness function and their positions were changed through their velocities. This procedure was repeated until the convergence criterion was met or the maximum generation was reached. All best particles were found in less than 1,500 generations. Results: For the I-125 seed AgX-100 considered as a point source, the maximum deviation from the published data is less than 2.9% for bi-exponential fitting function and 0.2% for tri-exponential fitting function. For its line source, the maximum deviation is less than 1.1% for bi-exponential fitting function and 0.08% for tri-exponential fitting function. Conclusion: PSO is a powerful method in searching coefficients for bi-exponential and tri-exponential fitting functions. The bi- and tri-exponential models of Iodine-125 seed AgX-100 point and line sources obtained with PSO optimization provide accurate analytical forms of the radial dose function. The tri-exponential fitting function is more accurate than the bi-exponential function.
Academic research opportunities at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency(NGA)

The vision of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is to "Know the Earth...Show the Way." To achieve this vision, the NGA provides geospatial intelligence in all its forms and from whatever source-imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial data and information-to ensure the knowledge foundation for planning, decision, and action. Academia plays a key role in the NGA research and development program through the NGA Academic Research Program. This multi-disciplinary program of basic research in geospatial intelligence topics provides grants and fellowships to the leading investigators, research universities, and colleges of the nation. This research provides the fundamental science support to NGA's applied and advanced research programs. The major components of the NGA Academic Research Program are: *NGA University Research Initiatives (NURI): Three-year basic research grants awarded competitively to the best investigators across the US academic community. Topics are selected to provide the scientific basis for advanced and applied research in NGA core disciplines. *Historically Black College and University - Minority Institution Research Initiatives (HBCU-MI): Two-year basic research grants awarded competitively to the best investigators at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Minority Institutions across the US academic community. *Intelligence Community Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships: Fellowships providing access to advanced research in science and technology applicable to the intelligence community's mission. The program provides a pool of researchers to support future intelligence community needs and develops long-term relationships with researchers as they move into career positions. This paper provides information about the NGA Academic Research Program, the projects it supports and how researchers and institutions can apply for grants under the program. In addition, other opportunities for academia to engage with NGA through training programs and recruitment are discussed.
Designing Creativity Support Tools for Failure

Creative tools today strive to amplify our ability to create high-quality work. However, experiencing failure is also an important part of mastering creative skills. While experts have developed strategies for engaging in risky experiments and learning from mistakes, novices lack the experience and mindset needed to use failures as opportunities for growth. Current tools intimidate the unsure novice, as they are designed around showcasing success or critiquing finished work, rather than providing safe spaces for experimentation. To better support experiences of failure for novices, we instead propose flipping the value of failure in creativity tools from something to avoid to something to pursue actively. To do this, we develop a taxonomy of creative activities that people engage in when they aim to succeed. We then invert this taxonomy to derive a new set of creative activities where deliberate failure can provide a path towards creative confidence. Lastly, we envision possible creativity support tools as examples of the potential value of supporting activities where failure is encouraged and showcased.
Surface sensitivity and angular dependence of X-ray photoelectron spectra☆

Abstract By using an ultra-high vacuum X-ray photoelectron spectrometer designed specifically for surface studies, the surface sensitivity (ratio of surface to volume signal) of the technique was found to be enhanced by approximately one order of magnitude at low angles of electron emission measured from the surface plane. While the Mo(3d 5 2 ) peak intensity from a clean polycrystalline target of molybdenum was independent of angle, the Cs(3d 5 2 ) intensity from an adsorbed cesium layer on molybdenum increased and the Mo(3d 5 2 ) signal from the molybdenum substrate decreased as the angle of emission was decreased. A model is presented to account for the angular dependence and it is proposed that the angular dependence of spectral intensities can be used to differentiate surface from bulk species.
Use of Biomonitoring to Control Toxics in the United States

A biomonitoring program has been developed in support of the National Policy for the Development of Water Quality-Based Permit Limitations for Toxic Pollutants. The program focuses on the use of laboratory toxicity tests on aquatic plants and animals to predict ecosystem impact caused by toxic pollutants. Both acute and chronic toxicity tests were developed to test effluents and ambient waters. Laboratory and biological field studies were conducted at nine sites. Single species laboratory toxicity tests were found to be good predictors of impacts on the ecosystem when two or more species were used. Biomonitoring can be undertaken either on effluents and/or on the receiving waters. In that toxicity related to seeps, leachates and storm sewers has often been found upstream from dischargers, it is beneficial to conduct both effluent and ambient biomonitoring.
Biogenic amine participation in histamine stimulation of ACTH release

Evidence of some interaction of adrenergic and serotonergic pathways with histamine induction of ACTH release is presented. Phentolamine, propranolol andp-chlorophenylalanine augmented this endocrine response to histamine, while the dopaminergic antagonist haloperidol had no effect.
Kaliumcarbonatocuprate als korrosionsprodukte von kupfer (ein beitrag zur korrosion von kupfer im bauwesen)

It has been found in the building trade that copper sheet in contact with moist concrete or mortar may corrode with the formation of blue or bluishgreen corrosion products. These compounds are potassium carbonatocuprates of various composition. One of them K [Cu2,2(CO3)2(OH)1,4] · 2 H2O has been identified by X-ray diffraction in comparison with the synthesized compound which was characterized. The lattice is monoclinic, spacegroup P21/n, a = 15.639 A; b = 8.781 A; c = 12.706 A; β = 106.116°; Z = 8; DM = 2.88 ± 0.05 g · cm−3; Dx = 2.843 g · cm−. An indexed powder pattern is given. The experimental magnetic moment is 1.64 B.M. Thermal analysis reveals decomposition in three stages. At 170°C the compound looses 1.7 H2O without change of structure, at 250°C an amorphous intermediate compound has formed and at 650°C the decomposition yields CuO + K2CO3. The infrared spectrum of the original compound and of the intermediate at 250°C was taken and the bands were provisionally assigned. Two further potassium carbonatocuprates which occur likewise as corrosion products were characterized by their powder patterns.
Delayed Cervical Epidural Hemorrhage Associated with Silastic Dural Implant: Case Report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: This is the first report of delayed cervical epidural hemorrhage caused by an onlay silastic graft placed over the dura after laminectomy. There are several reports of intracranial hemorrhage associated with silastic implants in the literature. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old woman suddenly developed severe neck pain and quadriplegia during sexual intercourse. A C5-C7 laminectomy had been performed 17 years earlier for cervical stenosis. INTERVENTION: Magnetic resonance imaging showed an epidural mass compressing the cord at the level of the previous laminectomy. Laminectomy was performed within 5 hours of symptom onset. Postoperatively, the patient regained leg strength. After 2 months of physical therapy, she had minimal residual leg rigidity and returned to work. TECHNIQUE: At surgery, the cervical cord was compressed by a solid fibrous scar surrounding a silastic onlay graft and the dura. An epidural hematoma was beneath the silastic implant. The dense scar tissue, hematoma, and silastic implant were removed. CONCLUSION: Bleeding associated with silastic sheets starts with movement of this nonadherent implant. The movement disrupts the underlying fine vessels on the surface of an encasing connective tissue membrane. Overgrowth of this membrane can cause mass effect and simulate a tumor, even without associated bleeding, within weeks. Delayed hemorrhage is more common. We recommend removal of these implants electively, especially if a thick membrane surrounding the dura is detected with postcontrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.
Prospective phase II study of rituximab with alternating cycles of hyper‐CVAD and high‐dose methotrexate with cytarabine for young patients with high‐risk diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma

Summary We conducted a prospective randomized phase II study to evaluate two chemotherapy regimens: (i) rituximab plus hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (R-HCVAD) alternating with rituximab, high-dose methotrexate, and cytarabine (R-MA) and (ii) rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This study randomized patients aged ≤60 years with DLBCL and an age-adjusted international prognostic index ≥2 to R-HCVAD/R-MA or R-CHOP based on a Bayesian adaptive algorithm. Interim analysis of the first 26 eligible patients showed that the complete response rate (CRR) was higher with R-HCVAD/R-MA than R-CHOP (P = 0·03); thus, R-CHOP arm was closed. In the final analysis, 49 and 10 eligible patients were treated in R-HCVAD/R-MA and R-CHOP arms respectively; CRR were 82% and 60% respectively (P = 0·13); 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 75·7% and 77·8% respectively (P = 0·53). In the R-HCVAD/R-MA arm, 3-year PFS rates in patients aged 46–60 years and ≤45 years were 70·3% and 87·1% respectively (P = 0·13), and the treatment-associated early mortality rate in patients >45 years was 12%. In conclusion, R-HCVAD/R-MA is associated with excellent outcome in patients ≤45 years old. However, in patients >45 years old, R-HCVAD/R-MA is associated with unacceptable mortality rates.
Rapid plastic response following early retinal lesions in rats

Following an early retinal lesion, aberrant uncrossed projections from the opposite, undamaged, retina form in the target visual nuclei. The present study has examined the development of such aberrant projections by making retinal lesions in newborn rat pups, and then examining the nature of the uncrossed retinocollicular projection at different ages following the lesion. Intravitreal injections of horseradish peroxidase were made into the intact eye, and the uncrossed projection was subsequently revealed histochemically. A mature aberrant projection forms as early as postnatal day 9. On postnatal days 5 and 2, aberrant projections are discernable amongst the exuberant uncrossed terminals of normal developing rats, although the former have not matured to form the dense terminal fields characteristic of older projections. Aberrant projections were also detectable as early as 12 h following the lesion, revealed as a relative increase in the density of uncrossed label. These results indicate that lesion-induced plastic responses by intact retinal arbors are initiated shortly after the insult, and they caution the use of retinal lesions in studies of normal retinotopic connectivity during development.
Cross section and polarization of recoil electron in inelastic electron-deuteron scattering

In the one-photon-exchange approximation to inelastic electron-deuteron scattering, the cross section and polarization of the outgoing electron are calculated in terms of the eight nuclear form factors for arbitrary initial spin states of the incident particles. A procedure for the determination of the form factors is described.
Environmental chemicals targeting thyroid

Thyroid hormones (THs) are required for normal brain and somatic development and for the proper regulation of physiology in both children and adults. Thyroid function is controlled by the dynamic interrelationships between the hypothalamus, the pituitary and the thyroid. These dynamic relationships maintain circulating levels of THs within a narrow range under normal conditions. Normally, there is likely to be a tight relationship between changes in circulating levels of THs and changes in TH action in various target tissues. This relationship is maintained by tissue-level mechanisms that include TH metabolism and transport. Environmental chemicals that interfere with TH signaling mechanisms (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, EDCs) may produce adverse effects both in the individual and in a population. Because of the complex nature of the regulation of thyroid function and TH action, the consequences of EDC exposure is also likely to be complex and our ability to understand these effects as well as to screen for potential EDCs must consider this complexity. Specifically, if there are chemicals in the environment that directly interfere with TH action through their receptors but do not affect circulating TH levels, they would not be identified as thyroid toxicants by currently applied screening methods or by epidemiological studies. The goal of this review is therefore to identify the issues that must be clearly resolved before effective risk assessment can be performed.
Registration of in vivo MR to histology of rodent brains using blockface imaging

Registration of MRI to histopathological sections can enhance bioimaging validation for use in pathobiologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic evaluations. However, commonly used registration methods fall short of this goal due to tissue shrinkage and tearing after brain extraction and preparation. In attempts to overcome these limitations we developed a software toolbox using 3D blockface imaging as the common space of reference. This toolbox includes a semi-automatic brain extraction technique using constraint level sets (CLS), 3D reconstruction methods for the blockface and MR volume, and a 2D warping technique using thin-plate splines with landmark optimization. Using this toolbox, the rodent brain volume is first extracted from the whole head MRI using CLS. The blockface volume is reconstructed followed by 3D brain MRI registration to the blockface volume to correct the global deformations due to brain extraction and fixation. Finally, registered MRI and histological slices are warped to corresponding blockface images to correct slice specific deformations. The CLS brain extraction technique was validated by comparing manual results showing 94% overlap. The image warping technique was validated by calculating target registration error (TRE). Results showed a registration accuracy of a TRE < 1 pixel. Lastly, the registration method and the software tools developed were used to validate cell migration in murine human immunodeficiency virus type one encephalitis.
Predicting where faults can hide from testing

Sensitivity analysis, which estimates the probability that a program location can hide a failure-causing fault, is addressed. The concept of sensitivity is discussed, and a fault/failure model that accounts for fault location is presented. Sensitivity analysis requires that every location be analyzed for three properties: the probability of execution occurring, the probability of infection occurring, and the probability of propagation occurring. One type of analysis is required to handle each part of the fault/failure model. Each of these analyses is examined, and the interpretation of the resulting three sets of probability estimates for each location is discussed. The relationship of the approach to testability is considered. >
Hexose oxidase from Chondrus crispus: improved purification using perfusion chromatography(*).

1An improved method for purifying hexose oxidase (d-hexose: O2 1-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.3.5) from the marine red alga Chondrus crispus is described for obtaining enzyme suitable for structural characterization and use in bioconversion of lactose to lactobionic acid. This involved extracting enzyme from finely ground lyophilized tissue in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7) containing 20% ammonium sulfate, eliminating the previously used solvent extraction and protease treatments, and by applying Poros perfusion chromatography media to achieve rapid separations of high resolution. Primary separation of contaminating phycobiliproteins and carrageenans was achieved using Poros DEAE-50. Sequential HPLC purification steps using Poros HP2 and Poros HQ were followed by Sephacryl S200 h chromatography. Enzyme activity was determined with a peroxidase-coupled assay using 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) substrate. A final specific activity of 69 U/mg was obtained, representing a 100-fold purification with an activity recovery of about 10%. A native size of approximately 117,000 Da was determined by size exclusion chromatography, and SDS-PAGE revealed the presence of 38,000 and 29,000 Da polypeptides that appear to be derived from a 65,000 Da subunit. Further properties of the enzyme are described.
Maximum likelihood estimation of synchronous machine parameters from standstill time response data

This paper presents a systematic approach for identification of a three-phase salient-pole synchronous machine rated at 5 kVA from standstill time-domain data. Machine time constant models and the equivalent circuit models are identified and their parameters are estimated. The initialization of the estimated parameters is achieved by the Laplace transformation of the recorded standstill time-response data and the derivation of the well-known operational inductances. The estimation is performed using the Maximum Likelihood algorithm. Based on the best estimated equivalent circuit models, simulation studies using the measured on-line dynamic responses are performed to validate the identified machine models. >