cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extended Duration of Anti-Thymocyte Globulin (ATG) Administration May Reduce the Risk of Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Patients with Aplastic Anemia Undergoing Matched-Related Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

Bone marrow is the preferred stem cell source for allogeneic transplantation in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia (AA) due to a higher risk of GVHD associated with peripheral blood stem cell allografting. Higher doses or longer durations of administration of lympholytic agents such as antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or alemtuzumab may prevent GVHD and reduce graft failure rate. We treated a 19 y/o AA woman with transfusion and antibiotic dependent severe AA associated with a small PNH clone using 12/12 HLA-match allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells (allo-PBSCT) from her brother. Conditioning regimen consisted of Cyclophosphamide (CY) at 50 mg/kg/day intravenously on day -5 through day -2 before transplant. Twelve hours after each doses of CY, she was given horse ATG (Atgam; Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) at 30 mg/kg IV per dose infused over a period of 10 hours. ATG was given for 4 days, instead of 3 days as in the original study (R. Storb et al, Blood 1994;84:941-9). She received premedication with oral acetaminophen, intravenous diphenhydramine, and methylprednisolone at 100 mg, 30 minutes prior to each dose of ATG. During the first infusion of ATG, the patient received hydrocortisone 50 mg IV twice for infusion-related reactions, but tolerated all subsequent infusions.She received prophylaxis with acyclovir, levofloxacin, and fluconazole. Unmanipulated, G-CSF-mobilized allo-PBSCs at dose of 4.125 x 106 CD34+cells/kg were transplanted fresh in 48 hours after the last dose of CY. She received GVHD prophylaxis with tacrolimus and low dose methotrexate (5 mg/kg/day) on Days +1, +3, +6, and +11. Her transplant course was notable for breakthrough vaginal spotting despite leuprolide administration, and neutropenic fever with negative infectious workup. On day +14, the patient was given a single dose of G-CSF to expedite WBC recovery. Based on CIBMTR criteria, neutrophil and platelet engraftments occurred on day +15 and day +20, respectively. She was started on steroids with a quick taper for suspected engraftment syndrome with ongoing fevers with negative cultures. She was discharged on day +16 after transplant with a total length of hospital stay of 22 days. Her outpatient course was completely uneventful with no GVHD, infection or any other transplant-related complications. The patient was never readmitted. Her blood counts remained within normal range and blood chimerism analysis showed 100% donor in myeloid and lymphoid on day+30 and day+100 evaluations. She is currently day+120 on continuous tacrolimus. This case illustrates a successful early outcome after peripheral blood allogeneic stem cell transplantation in a young patient with aplastic anemia using modified ATG protocol. The concept of T cell in vivo purging after allo-PBSCT with extended administration of ATG in aplastic anemia warrants a prospective trial. Disclosures Seddon:Sanofi: Speakers Bureau.
Multivariate Analysis, Bayesian: Overview with Examples

This article discusses Bayesian multivariate analysis. It focuses on higher-dimensional statistical inference based upon the posterior distribution, so inference involves multidimensional prior, posterior, and predictive probability distributions. The article describes credibility intervals and regions, and hypothesis testing. There is reference to both vague and natural conjugate prior distributions. Computer-intensive methods of numerical evaluation such as MCMC and Metropolis–Hastings algorithms are considered. There is an illustrative example involving Bayesian factor analysis. Keywords: multivariate prior distributions; multivariate posterior distributions; factor analysis; credibility regions; predictive distributions; subjective probability assessment; hyperparameters; natural conjugate priors; Markov Chain Monte Carlo
Large Scale Data Clustering Using Memristive k-Median Computation

Clustering is a crucial tool for analyzing data in virtually every scientific and engineering discipline. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has recently announced "the seven giants of statistical data analysis" in which data clustering plays a central role [1]. This research also emphasizes that more scalable solutions are required to enable time and space clustering for the future large-scale data analyses. Therefore, hardware and software innovations are necessary to make the future large scale data analysis practical.This project proposes a novel mechanism for computing bit serial medians within resistive RAM (RRAM) arrays with no need to read out the operands from memory cells.
Sentinel Lymph Node Assessment and Biopsy for Eyelid and Conjunctival Malignancies

In the 1990s, the technique of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy was developed as a less morbid alternative to complete lymphadenectomy [1–3]. SLN biopsy is based on the principle that the disease status of the first node in the lymphatic chain to which the tumor drains is representative of the disease status of the rest of the nodes in the chain. If pathologic analysis demonstrates that the SLN is cancer-free, then there is no need for complete lymphadenectomy. As many malignancies in the periocular region have the potential to metastasize to the regional lymph nodes , sentinel lymph node biopsy has been evaluated for early identification of microscopic lymph node metastasis in patients with cancers of the eyelid and conjunctiva. This chapter summarizes the anatomic considerations, technical modifications, and indications for SLN biopsy in the periocular region and will review the published reports to date on this topic.
Imaging Alpha Signal Modulation Using an ICA-Based EEG Inverse Approach

Dynamic behaviors of coordinated neural activities often manifest themselves as large-scale modulations of rhythmic electrophysiological signals. Although such modulations are sometimes observable in human electroencephalography (EEG), it remains technically challenging to pinpoint the neural origins of EEG rhythmic modulations. In the present study, we propose to use a novel ICA-based spatiotemporal source imaging approach to image the neural activities that give rise to the modulation of alpha-band EEG signals during an eye-open-eye-closed task. The results indicate that the alpha signal modulation, due to the alternation between two resting states (i.e. eye-open vs. eye-closed), originates primarily from extended regions within the occipital and parietal lobes.
Mechanisms of Adhesion in Elastomer-to-Textile Bonding

Elastomer adhesion mechanisms are discussed first from the viewpoint of vulcanization bonding to metals. The approaches of brass plate bonding, bonding with ebonite, with butadiene-methacrylic acid copolymers, and with proprietary adhesives are cursorily reviewed to invoke theories of chemisorption, diffusion, and directed chemical reaction. The time dependency of peel strength as an adhesion response through the vulcanization cycle is cited as a possible indication of mechanism.
Engel on Internalism & Externalism in Epistemology

Mylan Engel, Jr. has proposed a straightforward and attractive explanation of the internalism-externalism controversy (IEC) in contemporary epistemology. Engel's explanation posits that there are two distinct kinds of epistemic justification, and the IEC has arisen because epistemologists have inadvertently overlooked the fact that they are not all concerned with the same subject matter (internalists are concerned with one kind of epistemic justification while externalists are concerned with another kind). In this paper, I will explain two difficulties with Engel's proposed explanation. The first difficulty concerns the claim that there are two kinds of epistemic justification. The second difficulty concerns whether Engel's proposed explanation is adequate to explain internalist concerns
All-trans-retinoic acid-mediated modulation of p53 during neural differentiation in murine embryonic stem cells.

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) plays an important physiological role in embryonic development and is teratogenic in large doses in almost all species. p53, a tumor suppressor gene encodes phosphoproteins, which regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Temporal modulation of p53 by retinoic acid was investigated in murine embryonic stem cells during differentiation and apoptosis. Undifferentiated embryonic stem cells express a high level of p53 mRNA and protein followed by a decrease in p53 levels as differentiation proceeds. The addition of retinoic acid during 8–10 days of differentiation increased the levels of p53 mRNA and protein, accompanied by accelerated neural differentiation and apoptosis. Marked increase in apoptosis was observed at 10–20 h after retinoic acid treatment when compared with untreated controls. Retinoic acid-induced morphological differentiation resulted in predominantly neural-type cells. Maximum increase in p53 mRNA in retinoic acid-treated cells occurred on day 17, whereas maximum protein synthesis occurred on days 14–17, which coincided with increased neural differentiation and proliferation. Increased p53 levels did not induce p21 transactivation, interestingly a decrease in p21 was observed on day 17 on exposure to retinoic acid. The level of p53 declined by day 21 of differentiation. The results demonstrated that retinoic acid-mediated apoptosis preceded the changes in p53 expression, suggesting that p53 induction does not initiate retinoic acid-induced apoptosis during development. However, retinoic acid accelerated neural differentiation and increased the expression of p53 in proliferating neural cells, corroborated by decreased p21 levels, indicating the importance of cell type and stage specificity of p53 function.
Introduction to Divergent Views

In the last quarter century we have seen an explosion of interest in the field of language evolution, and the pace is only picking up. This is deservedly so, as without understanding how human language evolved, we can hardly understand what language really is, or what defines humanhood.
Credentials for Teaching Accounting: Faculty’s Opinions

The purpose of this study is to interpret accounting faculty’s opinions regarding the value of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, other professional accounting credentials, and educational credentials relative to teaching. The population for this study was 131 accounting faculty members at ten New Jersey public institutions. Faculty member’s names, credentials, and contact information were obtained from their institutions’ websites. Faculty members were asked to participate in an online, anonymous survey. The survey collected basic demographic and opinion data. Responses indicate that accounting professors may not have an appreciation for the value that credentials other than their own bring to the teaching of accounting. It was found that higher education institution websites did not display accounting professor’s professional accounting credentials, including the CPA, as consistently and prominently as educational credentials. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining faculty perception of the value of the various credentials of those teaching accounting, and sheds light on impediments to improving accounting education in the current environment. Further investigation on the divide within accounting departments between those with educational credentials and those with practice credentials is warranted. Key words: Accreditation, Accounting Faculty, CPA, Pathways Commission
Epidemiology of Female Youth Ice Hockey Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Department’s from 2007 to 2016:

Objectives:Female youth ice hockey players are an overlooked population. No national study has established incidence rates for injuries in female youth ice hockey. The objective of this study was t...
Overview of Mast Cells in Human Biology

Mast cells are derived from hematopoietic precursors and as mature cells reside in tissues. Mast cells express receptors that endow their function in innate and acquired immunity. In addition to FceRI, the high-affinity receptor of IgE, and other immunoglobulin Fc receptors, mast cells express microbial pattern recognition receptors; Toll-like and NOD-like receptors (TLR and NLR); Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor member X2 (MRGX2) that recognizes cationic neuropeptides, antimicrobial peptides, and insect-venom peptides; and receptors that recognize molecules associated with tissue damage, such as ST2, the IL-33 receptor. Mast cells are thus able to respond to both exogenous and endogenous stimuli with release of histamine and lipid mediators, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteases. Mast cells are potentially lethal cells (anaphylaxis) or can cause tissue damage if their activation is sustained. Mutations, principally in KIT, the receptor for stem cell factor (SCF), lead to excess mast cell proliferation and mastocytosis.
Developing and implementing successful exposure-based interventions

Abstract Conducting exposure-based interventions with youth requires careful planning. Development of the hierarchy, which is relied on to guide later exposure exercises, is a phenomenological process designed to identify salient features of the feared stimulus complex. Clinicians occupying the perspective of the anxious child can develop more effective and thorough hierarchies, and in turn, develop thorough exposure-based treatment plans. The chapter discusses these processes, how to implement exposure therapy under a wide range of circumstances, as well as how to incorporate imagery into in vivo exposure procedures. A complex phobia case (emetophobia or fear of vomiting) in a youth is used to illustrate the key concepts, from hierarchy development through early exposure exercises up to advanced interventions aimed at alleviating central disabling aspects of the phobic situations. Consideration is given to barriers to treatment, including therapist and client factors, and methods for overcoming these potential limiting features in treatment.
Risk of Prostate Cancer after a Negative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Biopsy.

Purpose:Magnetic resonance imaging guided biopsy which reveals no cancer may impart reassurance beyond that offered by ultrasound guided biopsy. However, followup of men after a negative magnetic r...
Definition and Theory of Transmission Network Planning

With increasing interest in building large-scale solar parks and wind farms and the implementation of new environmental regulations that will result in retirement of some conventional power plants, the need for building new transmission is inevitable even in regions with low demand growth. Planning of such network expansion is therefore increasingly important, particularly because the cost of new transmission is typically higher in real terms than historical costs. This chapter contains five sections. In the first section, the impact of different factors affecting transmission expansion planning (TEP) is investigated, and different models for transmission investment financing and coordination are reviewed. The second section covers a literature review on TEP studies. Different TEP optimization formulations and available decomposition techniques are explained in the third section. Then, a general framework for solving large-scale TEP studies is reviewed, and computational challenges/potential solutions are investigated from different perspectives in section four. The chapter concludes with a section on numerical analysis, in which large-scale network models are used to demonstrate capabilities of optimization-based TEP studies.
Perioperative outcomes of goal-directed versus conventional fluid therapy in radical cystectomy with enhanced recovery protocol

The aim of this study is to evaluate the intra/perioperative fluid management and early postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent radical cystectomy with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol, using goal-directed fluid therapy compared to conventional fluid therapy. This cohort study included patients who underwent open RC for urothelial bladder carcinoma with intent to cure and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol between May 2012 and August 2019. Patients who had palliative or salvage cystectomy and/or adjunct procedures, as well as those with missing detailed perioperative data were excluded. Data were compared between patients who received goal-directed fluid therapy using stroke volume variation by FloTrac™/Vigileo system (n = 119) and conventional fluid therapy based on the anesthesiologist discretion (n = 192). Primary outcome variable was 90-day complications and secondary outcome measures included in-hospital GFR trend, length of stay, and 90-day readmission. The goal-directed fluid therapy group received less total and net intra/perioperative fluid, yet early postoperative glomerular filtration rate trends were similar between both groups (p = 0.7). Estimated blood loss, blood transfusion, index hospital stay, 90-day complication and readmission rates were also comparable between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression showed no significant association between perioperative fluid management method and 90-day complication rate (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.8–2.4, p = 0.2). Stroke volume variation guided goal-directed fluid therapy is safe in radical cystectomy without compromising the renal function. It is associated with less intra- and perioperative fluid infusion; however, no association with hospital stay, 90-day complication or readmission rates were noted.
The neurovascular unit in diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas

Aims: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a childhood brainstem tumor with a median overall survival of eleven months. Lack of chemotherapy efficacy may be related to an intact blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study we aim to investigate the neurovascular unit (NVU) in DIPG patients. Methods: DIPG biopsy (n = 4) and autopsy samples (n = 6) and age-matched healthy pons samples (n = 20) were immunohistochemically investigated for plasma protein extravasation, and the expression of tight junction proteins claudin-5 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), basement membrane component laminin, pericyte marker PDGFR-β, and efflux transporters P-gp and BCRP. The mean vascular density and diameter were also assessed. Results: DIPGs show a heterogeneity in cell morphology and evidence of BBB leakage. Both in tumor biopsy and autopsy samples, expression of claudin-5, ZO-1, laminin, PDGFR-β and P-gp was reduced compared to healthy pontine tissues. In DIPG autopsy samples, vascular density was lower compared to healthy pons. The density of small vessels (<10 µm) was significantly lower (P<0.001), whereas the density of large vessels (≥10 µm) did not differ between groups (P = 0.404). The median vascular diameter was not significantly different: 6.21 µm in DIPG autopsy samples (range 2.25-94.85 µm), and 6.26 µm in controls (range 1.17-264.77 µm). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates evidence of structural changes in the NVU in DIPG patients, both in biopsy and autopsy samples, as well as a reduced vascular density in end-stage disease. Adding such a biological perspective may help to better direct future treatment choices for DIPG patients.
Justice, the Liberal Arts, and Some Basic Training for Lawyers

When thou didst not, savage, Know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like A thing most brutish, I endowed thy purposes With words that made them known. —Prospero to Caliban A solid grounding in the liberal arts could once be presupposed for anyone seriously undertaking a legal education, that training appropriate for the ministers of justice that lawyers properly aspire to be.2 Reminders of what could once be taken for granted are provided in the three parts of this article. Each of these parts draws upon talks given by me at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2003 and 2004. In Part A, there is a discussion of poetry and geometry as two forms of reasoning.3 The arts and mathematics are brought together, for example, in the dialogues of Plato.4
An Introduction to Hyperbolic Barycentric Coordinates and their Applications

Barycentric coordinates are commonly used in Euclidean geometry. The adaptation of barycentric coordinates for use in hyperbolic geometry gives rise to hyperbolic barycentric coordinates, known as gyrobarycentric coordinates. The aim of this chapter is to present the road from Einstein’s velocity addition law of relativistically admissible velocities to hyperbolic barycentric coordinates, along with applications.
The relevance of age and disease duration for intervention with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation surgery in Parkinson disease

Object The optimal age and disease duration for consideration of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery are not well characterized in patients with Parkinson disease. The aim of this study was to assess variation in motor response to surgery among subgroups stratified by age and disease duration. Methods A total of 46 patients referred for DBS were recruited for the study. Preoperative dyskinesia and rigidity scores were recorded, and then patients received bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation. Preoperative motor scores were then compared with postoperative scores over 1 year. Results At 1 year postoperatively, patients with ≤ 10 years' disease duration showed a significant (45%) reduction in rigidity and a significant (64%) reduction in dyskinesia. Patients with > 10 years disease also showed a significant (70%) reduction in dyskinesia at 1 year postoperatively, but failed to show significant improvement in rigidity (31% reduction). Patients < 70 years old showed a significant (58%) improvement in rig...
Studies on the Binding of Concanavalin A to Rat Liver Mitochondria

Abstract The binding of concanavalin A (con A) to intact and detergent-solubilized fractions of rat liver mitochondria has been studied quantitatively using a turbidimetric agglutination assay and by a radioactive binding procedure employing [acetyl-3H]con A. The reaction appears to involve oligosaccharide residues associated with glycoproteins of the mitochondrion since glycosides such as methyl-α-d-mannopyranoside and methyl-α-d-glycopyranoside, which are specifically bound by con A, will inhibit this interaction. Solvent extraction (10% water in acetone) did not affect the ability of mitochondria to bind [acetyl-3H]con A. Based on gel filtration studies of Triton X-100 (1%) solubilized preparations of mitochondria, the majority (70%) of the con A-reactive components have molecular weights of 40,000 to 80,000. Since approximately 40% of the total [acetyl-3H]con A-binding capacity can be demonstrated using intact mitochondria, it appears that a considerable number of binding sites are located on the outer surface of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Seventy per cent of the con A-reactive components are released in soluble form together with most (85%) of the intracristate marker enzyme adenylate kinase by treatment with 0.108 mg of digitonin per mg of mitochondrial protein. The remainder of the con A-binding material is distributed equally between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes. When the digitonin-solubilized intracristate space fraction is subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis five periodic acid-Schiff's base staining bands are observed. When the soluble, intracristate protein fraction is subjected to trypsin digestion or periodic acid oxidation, extensive destruction of [acetyl-3H]con A-binding activity is observed. These observations indicate that con A may be a useful probe for investigating the function and distribution of glycoproteins in the mitochondrion.
DipM links peptidoglycan remodelling to outer membrane organization in Caulobacter

Cell division in Gram-negative organisms requires coordinated invagination of the multilayered cell envelope such that each daughter receives an intact inner membrane, peptidoglycan (PG) layer and outer membrane (OM). Here, we identify DipM, a putative LytM endopeptidase in Caulobacter crescentus, and show that it plays a critical role in maintaining cell envelope architecture during growth and division. DipM localized to the division site in an FtsZ-dependent manner via its PG-binding LysM domains. Although not essential for viability, DeltadipM cells exhibited gross morphological defects, including cell widening and filamentation, indicating a role in cell shape maintenance and division that we show requires its LytM domain. Strikingly, cells lacking DipM also showed OM blebbing at the division site, at cell poles and along the cell body. Cryo electron tomography of sacculi isolated from cells depleted of DipM revealed marked thickening of the PG as compared to wild type, which we hypothesize leads to loss of trans-envelope contacts between components of the Tol-Pal complex. We conclude that DipM is required for normal envelope invagination during division and to maintain a sacculus of constant thickness that allows for maintenance of OM connections throughout the cell envelope.
Diffusional transport of macromolecules in developing nerve processes

Passive transport of macromolecules in growing nerve processes was analyzed quantitatively by measuring the rate of diffusion of fluorescently labeled molecules injected into the soma of cultured Xenopus neurons. We found that the diffusion of globular proteins in the neurite's cytoplasm was about five times slower than that in aqueous solution, a rate considerably higher than those inferred from previous studies on cultured non-neuronal cells. The dependence of the diffusion coefficient, D, on the size of diffusing molecules was examined by measuring the diffusional spread of fluorescently labeled dextrans over a wide range of molecular weights. We found that the size dependence of D deviates considerably from that expected for diffusion in a viscous aqueous medium: larger dextrans encounter disproportionately higher viscous resistance. Treatment of the neuron with the microfilament-disrupting agent cytochalasin B, or pre-loading of the cells with dephospho-synapsin I, a molecule that induces bundling of actin filaments, significantly increased the diffusion rate for large dextrans without affecting that of small dextrans. Taken together, these results provide a quantitative basis for assessing diffusion as a potential transport mechanism along nerve processes, and suggest that the microfilament meshwork imposes a selective constraint on the diffusion of large macromolecular components within the neuronal cytoplasm.
Neuroscience and the Exaggerated Death of Responsibility

A growing body of work in neuroscience is sometimes claimed to imply the “death” of free will and moral responsibility. While results from neuroscience can usefully inform our understanding of human beings, the startling nature of claims about free will and moral responsibility typically depend on understandings of responsibility, free will, or human decision-making that were implausible long before we had access to the results of neuroscience. A more telling test of the significance of experimental results is to consider the plausibility of responsibility and free will given our best accounts of them. That is, a genuine test of the significance of neuroscience on these matters requires something more carefully worked out than the armchair theories of free will and responsibility offered by neuroscientists. When we test experimental results in light of our best pictures of motivation and the basis for moral responsibility, the picture that emerges is not one where neuroscience is a threat. Rather, neuroscience emerges as one more supplement to a nuanced picture of the basis of moral responsibility.
A matched biphasic microstimulator for an implantable retinal prosthetic device

This paper describes the design and implementation of an implantable microstimulator chip designed for stimulating electrodes in a retinal prosthetic device. The chip is capable of providing biphasic current pulses up to 600 /spl mu/A amplitude to a maximum load of 10 k/spl Omega/ with anodic/cathodic matching of 1.3%. The current source operates at low voltage headroom of 0.5 V by using an active feedback setup. The gain variations for output currents are less than 3%. A 1:8 demultiplexing is used for a stimulus frequency of 50-60 Hz. A variable amplification scheme is implemented to maintain a high resolution throughout the entire stimulus range. The outputs are equipped with charge cancellation mechanism to ensure safety of the tissue. Measurement results of a prototype fabricated in AMI 1.6 /spl mu/m bulk CMOS technology are presented.
Modification of the Action of Ionizing Irradiation on Escherichia coli by 2-Fluoroadenosine

IN the course of routine screening for radiation modifiers in bacterial systems, 2-fluoroadenosine1 has been observed to modify the activity of ionizing irradiation on non-proliferating Escherichia coli. The procedures used to determine irradiation-modifying activity have been described2. In essence, the procedure used for measuring effects on non-growing cells consists of exposing washed cells (grown on simple glucose-salts medium and resuspended in M/1.5 phosphate buffer) to irradiation from a cobalt-60 source (∼ 1,000 c., dose rate of 2.0 kr./min) with and without test compound. Experiments with growing cells were performed in which the test compound was added to the glucose-salts medium at the time of inoculation and aliquots of cell suspensions irradiated at varying times during the growth cycle.
Characterization of micro-opto-electro-mechanical devices

This paper describes two examples, which include thermal and comb-drive actuators for optical sensor applications. In both examples, numerical simulation was used to provide an optimum design. A 2D finite element modeling (FEM) was used to predict the state of stress and deformation in the MEM cantilever beam and also to analyze the materials and designs so as to minimize the stress state in the structure. The initial processed device showed a small warpage of more than 300 micrometers , which was not acceptable for Rockwell system applications. Using FEM, these devices were optimized to drastically reduce the residual stresses, and resulted in actual fabricated warpage-free structures. Once practical structures were found, parametric 2- and 3-D models were developed to verify mechanical reliability and the final architecture of the MEM device. The second device example was a MEM comb-drive structure. The frequency response of these dynamic structures provide the designer with the minimum detectable signal which can be resolved as well as the deflection of the mass per given acceleration. Therefore, the knowledge of an accurate frequency response is critical for successful design. Accurate FEM modeling provides the coefficients of the second order differential equation which describes mechanical behavior of the accelerometer. These coefficients can be used to create an equivalent circuit model. The model can be simulated in SPICE together with its interface electronics to evaluate the complete sensor performance.
CD34, CD117, and Ki-67 Expression in Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast: An Immunohistochemical Study of 33 Cases:

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast are biphasic lesions, comprising an epithelial component set within a neoplastic spindle-celled stroma. These tumors have been classified as benign, borderline, and malignant based on a combination of histological criteria, including stromal cellularity, nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic rate, stromal overgrowth, and margin appearance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD34, CD117 (c-kit), and Ki-67 in PT of the breast and attempt to correlate the staining pattern with tumor grade by morphology. Immunohistochemical expression of CD117, CD34, and Ki-67 was studied on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissue material from 33 cases of PT. Histologically, there were 21 benign, 6 borderline, and 6 malignant (high-grade) tumors. All 6 histologically malignant PTs were positive for CD117 (100%), but only 1 marked with CD34 (16.7%). Borderline PTs frequently coexpressed CD34 and CD117 (66.7%). The benign PTs, on the other hand, most commonly (52.4%) showed a CD34(+)/CD117(-) immunoprofile with 33.3% cases coexpressing the markers: that is, CD34(+)/CD117(+). Although most benign PTs (80.6%) showed a Ki-67 of <2%, a few cases showed slightly higher proliferation indices. This study indicates that CD34 and CD117 are differentially expressed in benign and malignant PTs. These markers, therefore, in combination, may be used as an adjunct to morphology in the subclassification of PTs.
Comparative observations on Macaca speciosa and Macaca mulatta as laboratory subjects

The stump-tailed monkey(Macaca speciosa) is found to be equal to the familiar rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) in discrimination learning and superior in acquisition of simple responses and general investigative behavior. These characteristics coupled with the docility of young stump-tailed monkeys make them the subject of choice for some behavioral research.
Multiresolution filtering with application to image segmentation

In this paper, the problem of segmentation of a smooth image has been studied using multiresolution analysis. The analysis has been carried out with the aid of a new orthonormal wavelet basis introduced in this paper. A procedure has been developed to approximate an image at a coarse resolution by dropping its components at finer resolutions. The proposed wavelet basis has been used to represent the fine resolution components of the image. An algorithm is proposed which performs an initial segmentation on the coarse approximation of the image, and a region information table is formed. The table is used and updated repeatedly via a 'region refinement procedure' with the introduction of the image information at finer resolution. The procedure progresses until all the information has been taken into account. The proposed algorithm has been tested on a variety of real images such as human faces, natural scenes, and medical images.
Selection of chemotherapy for metastatic mammary cancer by effect on cesium‐131 uptake

Cesium-131 was administered intravenously to 39 patients with superficial metastases of mammary carcinoma and the concentration in tumor was compared with that in normal tissue by application of a detector in vivo, before and after 1 to 5 days of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (CP), 5-fluorouracil (FU), or diethylstilbestrol. A change of the cesium concentration ratio (tumor/normal tissue) greater than 15% after brief treatment correctly predicted the therapeutic effect after 1 to 39 months on the tumors that were tested in 30 of 33 tests. No reliable correlation could be made in the remaining 21 tests in which the change of ratio was less than 15%. The concentration of cesium-131 in the skin, fat, and skeletal muscle of mice was not appreciably altered by treatment for 5 days with CP or FU.
Overview of Elbow Injuries, Pathologies, and Disorders

Another area of the upper extremity that has received a lot of attention regarding sports, recreational, and industrial injuries and is becoming more common as more people participate in throwing and racquet sports is the elbow complex (Scuderi, McCann, & Bruno, 1997). In following with the basic musculoskeletal assessment outline given in previous columns, this article will allow health care practitioners to recognize musculoskeletal injuries, disorders, and pathologies of the elbow complex. Given that the joint responds very poorly to incorrect treatment, the intervention must be geared to the pathology of the condition (Magee, 2006). The use of special orthopedic tests to facilitate differential diagnosis will appear in the next column. What follows is an overview of overuse-acquired problems and traumatic injuries of the elbow that may be seen in hospital or outpatient clinical settings. A brief discussion of the anatomy, biomechanics, muscles, and innervation will be given initially.
Petrogenesis of the Colville Igneous Complex, northeast Washington: Implications for Eocene tectonics in the northern U.S. Cordillera

Eocene igneous complexes of the U.S. and Canadian Cordillera have long been thought to represent a broad and somewhat discontinuous subduction-related magmatic arc, extending from northern British Columbia to Wyoming. This model has become increasingly untenable as knowledge of the structural and tectonic settings of these rocks has expanded. New major, trace, and rare earth element and isotope data, presented here, virtually preclude the interpretation of a contemporaneous subduction-related source for mantle-derived magmas in the Colville Igneous Complex of northeast Washington State. We suggest an alternative model whereby post-Laramide orogenic collapse resulted in partial melting of a mid-crustal source, followed by partial melting of a distinctly different lower crustal source, the magma from which mixed with magma derived from a lithospheric mantle source. The subduction signature, and the calc-alkalic nature of the magmas, was inherited from previous Proterozoic subduction events.
Improved decision procedures for Lewis's calculus S4 and von Wright's calculus M

The decision procedures to be described in this paper constitute simplifications of methods previously developed by G. H. von Wright. The decision problems for both the systems under consideration have already been solved, but the known solutions are hopelessly impractical. Our methods for S4 and M , while not “practical” in the sense that they can be applied quickly and easily to any formula, do constitute a vast improvement over any other known methods. It appears, for example, that our methods (with the aid of very little ingenuity) will yield decisions readily when applied to modal functions of degree two (or less) with three (or fewer) distinct propositional variables.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modulation of human monocyte accessory cell function in promoting T-cell colonies: Inability of LPS and IL-1 to abrogate the need for monocytes with high HLA-DR expression

The abilities of human monocytes differentially expressing HLA-DR and of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to influence T-cell colony responses were investigated. Optimal T-cell colony responses stimulated by soluble Staph protein A were crucially dependent on monocytes. Also, monocyte facilitation of colony responses was markedly inhibited by 10 micrograms/ml LPS and the addition of indomethacin reversed this inhibition. In contrast the inhibition of T-cell colony responses with 100 micrograms/ml LPS was not reversed with indomethacin and preincubation experiments with high concentrations of LPS showed the inhibition could be mediated through T cells by mechanisms other than prostaglandins. The treatment of monocytes with a monoclonal anti-HLA-DR reagent + C reduced the frequencies of monocytes expressing high levels of HLA-DR approximately fivefold and the resulting monocytes which expressed low levels of HLA-DR also poorly functioned in the promotion of colony responses compared to controls. LPS in the presence of indomethacin improved the ability of monocytes expressing low levels of HLA-DR to promote colony responses. However, these monocytes consistently failed to augment colony responses to those levels observed with untreated monocytes and their failure was not secondary to deficient interleukin 1 release. These results indicate that although LPS can somewhat potentiate the accessory cell function of certain human monocytes, it cannot abrogate an additional requirement for those monocytes expressing high levels of HLA-DR.
Visualization of protein kinases in lymphocytes stimulated to proliferate with concanavalin A or inhibited with A phorbol ester

Abstract Stimulation of lymphocytes with a mitogenic lectin such as concanavalin A (ConA) results in differentiation and cell division. Among the changes which occur after stimulation are increases in phosphorylation of proteins and in protein kinase activity. We used a high-resolution, nondenaturing gel system to separate and visualize protein kinases in situ . We have clearly identified both autophosphorylating and substrate-dependent kinases. One band of cyclic AMP-dependent kinase activity was significantly enhanced in lectin-stimulated cells. In contrast, treatment of the cells with phorbol ester under conditions which depress stimulation caused a decrease in the activity of one kinase.
A 15-bit Linear 20-MS/s Pipelined ADC Digitally Calibrated With Signal-Dependent Dithering

Pseudo-random dithers have been used to measure capacitor mismatch and opamp gain errors of the pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in background and to calibrate them digitally. However, this error measurement suffers from signal range reduction and long signal decorrelation time. A signal-dependent dithering scheme allows the injection of a large dither without sacrificing the signal range and shortens the signal decorrelation time. A 1.5-bit multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) stage is modified for signal-dependent dithering with two additional comparators, and its capacitor mismatch and gain errors are measured and calibrated as one error. When sampled at 20 MS/s, a 15-bit prototype ADC achieves a spurious-free dynamic range of 98 dB with 14.5-MHz input and a peak signal-to-noise plus distortion ratio of 73 dB with 1-MHz input. Integral nonlinearity is improved from 25 to 1.3 least significant bits (LSBs) after calibrating the first six stages. The chip is fabricated in 0.18-mu CMOS process, occupies an active area of 2.3 x 1.7 mm2 , and consumes 285 mW at 1.8 V.
Conformational Disorder Binds n-Alkanes into Surface Monolayers above the Normal Freezing Point

The monolayer arrays formed on liquid n-alkanes within ΔT ≈ 3 K of the normal freezing point T_F are but the two-dimensional termini of a series of disordered solid phases. An enthalpy/entropy of fusion correlation shows that the arrays approach the melting behavior of molecules lacking internal rotors; i.e., liquid n-alkanes bind into monolayers with slight conformational entropy losses. Therefore, organized surface phases persist above T_F because their end-chain torsional barriers are lowered from solid-phase values at such modest energy cost that net stabilization accrues from extra conformational disorder. The reported ΔT vs n diagram is consistent with about n/2 end-chain monolayer internal rotors gaining the ΔS = 5.3 J K^(-1) mol^(-1) entropy increase associated with a reduction of the gauche/trans energy barrier from V_o = 17 kJ mol^(-1) (as in packed, infinite polyethylene chains) to V_o < 6 kJ mol^(-1) (cf. with V_o = 3.4 kJ mol^(-1) in liquid n-alkanes) at a cost of about 1.6 kJ mol^(-1).
Real-time ultrasound measurements of changes in suboccipital vertebral artery diameter and blood flow velocity associated with cervical spine rotation.

Background and Purpose. The vulnerability of the vertebral artery (VA) to distortion with sustained, full-range cervical spine rotation, resulting in compromised blood flow and possible vertebrobasilar ischaemia, is well recognized. However, few studies have measured such blood flow changes in the parts of the VA downstream from the region of maximum cervical spine rotation: the suboccipital (VA3) and intracranial vertebral arteries. The purpose of this experimental study was to visualize the VA3 and record the changes in its blood flow associated with cervical spine rotation. Method. VA3 diameters and blood flow velocities were measured in the neutral cervical spine position and with active full-range rotation to the left and right, in 35 healthy female subjects, using colour-coded real-time ultrasound. Results. Both left and right VA3 diameters and blood flow velocities decreased significantly on ipsilateral rotation. These values increased non-significantly in the left VA3 and decreased non-significantly in the right VA3 on contralateral rotation. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that the distortion or compression of VA3 demonstrated by the reduction in diameter on ipsilateral cervical spine rotation, particularly, was sufficient to result in compromised blood flow. A significant stretching effect of VA3, on contralateral rotation, was not demonstrated in these subjects. Nevertheless, these findings add evidence to support the recommendation that sustained, full-range cervical spine rotation should be avoided in professional practice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating an adaptive One-Factor-At-a-Time search procedure within the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System

This paper proposes and evaluates an alternative search procedure to be used within the framework of the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System (MTS). An adaptive One-Factor-At-a-Time (aOFAT) search is employed wherein features are individually removed or added to a classification system. Features are retained only if they contribute positively to the signal to noise ratio. This alternative search procedure is compared with orthogonal arrays and forward selection by means of two case studies. aOFAT experimentation provided greater improvements on the median with the same or fewer design alternatives being explored and also exhibited good ability to generalise to new instances after training. Two mechanisms related to interaction size and synergy help to explain the large benefits of aOFAT search observed in these case studies.
Pre-mRNA splicing in disease and therapeutics

In metazoans, alternative splicing of genes is essential for regulating gene expression and contributing to functional complexity. Computational predictions, comparative genomics, and transcriptome profiling of normal and diseased tissues indicate that an unexpectedly high fraction of diseases are caused by mutations that alter splicing. Mutations in cis elements cause missplicing of genes that alter gene function and contribute to disease pathology. Mutations of core spliceosomal factors are associated with hematolymphoid neoplasias, retinitis pigmentosa, and microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type 1 (MOPD1). Mutations in the trans regulatory factors that control alternative splicing are associated with autism spectrum disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and various cancers. In addition to discussing the disorders caused by these mutations, this review summarizes therapeutic approaches that have emerged to correct splicing of individual genes or target the splicing machinery.
3.3.3 Separating Product and Process Requirements

When engineers design a system, they must design both the product and the process that will develop it. Accordingly, systems engineers must separately write requirements for the product and the process. Stating these requirements in separate documents should make it easier to get the requirements right and manage the requirements when either the product or the process requirements change.
Comparison of Copper CVD Using Cu(FOD) 2 and Cu(HFAC) 2 Reduction

We have measured the growth rate and film properties for the chemical vapor deposition of copper thin films using H2 reduction of Cu(fod)2 [H(fod) = 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2- dimethyl-3,5-octanedione]. The results are directly compared to deposition using Cu(hfac)2 [H(hfac) = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione]. Higher growth rates are obtained using Cu(fod)2, in part because of differences in reaction order between the two compounds. However, both compounds exhibit significant cluster formation during film nucleation, which leads to residual porosity and film resistivities above 2 µΩ-cm.
A Comparison of High-Ability and Low-Ability Pupil Scores on Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices at the Primary School Attached to South China Normal University and the Guangzhou School for the Deaf! Mute, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China:

During the Spring term of 1982, the author and the faculty of the Psychology Teaching Group of South China Normal University, Guangzhou (Canton), People's Republic of China, administered Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices to a population of students at the Primary School attached to South China Normal University and a population of students at the Guangzhou School for the Deaf/Mute.