cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthetic Image Generation For Automatic Target Recognizer Evaluation

The advantages of using a synthetic data base for developing Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) algorithms are well recognized. Primarily, a synthetic data base allows the economical generation of images that represent scenarios from which it is difficult or impossible to obtain real data. Furthermore, synthetic imagery allows direct control of image parameters, such as target signal-to-noise ratio, which aids ATR algorithm evaluation. This paper describes Texas Instruments' (TI's) Synthetic Image Generation for Automatic Target Recognizer Evaluation (SIGNATRE) system.
Velocity fields in binary protostellar clouds: an alternative to retrograde rotation

Observations of the emission from optically thin molecular species in several dense interstellar clouds have been interpreted as indicating rotating of cloud envelopes in one direction and of cloud cores in the opposite direction (retrograde rotation). This has been taken as evidence for the presence of magnetic fields sufficiently strong to have caused the retrograde rotation. However, it is shown that the velocity fields that are produced when a nonmagnetic interstellar cloud collapses to form a binary protostellar system yield spatial velocity maps that appear to be at least qualitatively consistent with the (C-13)O observations. An embedded star has been detected recently in one of these clouds (Barnard 5). If the binary protostar model is correct, then another protostar, as yet undetected, should also be present in Barnard 5.
Rolled erosion control systems for hillslope surface protection: a critical review, synthesis and analysis of available data. II. The post‐1990 period

The application of rolled erosion control systems (RECSs) to disturbed hillslopes has significantly increased during the 1990s. Erosion-related research conducted on RECSs during the post-1990 period was dominated by black-box output studies with minimal attention to erosion process relationships. Additionally, many studies failed to incorporate suitable treatment replication, and in others influential variables were not controlled between experiments making results difficult to interpret. However, there were some important advances made in laboratory rainfall simulation studies, controlled greenhouse studies, and rainfall simulation studies. The first detailed studies attempting to link material properties of RECSs and their erosion control effectiveness were initiated; links between salient material properties of RECSs and erosion process dynamics (interrill and rill) were formally explored; detailed studies of the influence of RECSs on hydrological and microclimatological variables were examined in both greenhouse and field experiments; and an examination of temporal variations in runoff and erosion were introduced into the RECS literature. Despite recent advances there are still a number of significant gaps in our understanding. These gaps are exacerbated by lack of standard field or laboratory testing protocols. Two of the outstanding questions which need further study include: What are the most critical properties of RECSs that decrease soil erosion and runoff, but enhance growth of vegetation? What are the most effective organic or synthetic RECSs in controlling erosion on a variety of slopes and soil textures? It is argued that standardized protocols are needed, but these must include adequate replication and randomization. Additionally, there must be an emphasis on understanding the basic surface or near-surface processes influenced by RECSs (i.e. erosional, hydrological, biological, and climatological). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probing the electronic properties and structural evolution of anionic gold clusters in the gas phase

Gold nanoparticles have been discovered to exhibit remarkable catalytic properties in contrast to the chemical inertness of bulk gold. A prerequisite to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the catalytic effect of nanogold is a detailed understanding of the structural and electronic properties of gold clusters as a function of size. In this review, we describe joint experimental studies (mainly photoelectron spectroscopy) and theoretical calculations to probe the structural properties of anionic gold clusters. Electronic properties and structural evolutions of all known Aun− clusters as experimentally confirmed to date are summarized, covering the size ranges of n = 3–35 and 55–64. Recent experimental efforts in resolving the isomeric issues of small gold clusters using Ar-tagging, O2-titration and isoelectronic substitution are also discussed.
The Effects of Gender-Bending on Candidate Evaluations

A candidate's gender affects vote choice, but the manner in which candidates can influence the effects of their gender is not well understood. I address candidates’ strategies based on gender stereotypes, that is, how voters are influenced by rhetoric that is either consistent (gender-reinforcing) or inconsistent (gender-bending) with gender stereotypes. These strategic choices are particularly important because of women's underrepresentation in American politics. Employing an experimental design, I found that male and female candidates who used gender-bending rhetoric were able to overturn stereotypes by persuading and priming voters. Male candidates were particularly successful. This was contrary to prior findings that consistency—at least in terms of party—is a superior strategy. These results have important implications for understanding how gender stereotypes evolve throughout a campaign to influence voters.
Russo-German Military Collaboration During the Weimar Republic

BEW chapters in the history of the Weimar Republic have aroused as much linterest among publicists and historians as the secret relations between the Reichswehr and the Red Army.' Yet until recently, very little reliable information has been available on this important subject. Only since World War II has sufficient material become available to establish, beyond mere conjecture, the main facts of these Russo-German activities. The most important of these new sources are the papers of General Hans von Seeckt2 and the reminiscences of some of the German officers who participated in these deal-
Radical cystectomy is safe in elderly patients at high risk.

Purpose: Radical cystectomy is standard treatment for bladder cancer in healthy individuals. We determined the safety of radical cystectomy in elderly patients at high risk.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients who underwent radical cystectomy at our institution between January 1994 and June 2000. Of these 382 patients we identified 44 who were elderly and at high risk, as defined by age 75 years or greater and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification 3 or greater. We examined postoperative care, perioperative minor/major complications, the mortality rate and the need for rehospitalization.Results: Median age of the 44 patients was 77.5 years (range 75 to 87). American Society of Anesthesiologists class was 3 in 40 patients and 4 in 4. Median hospitalization was 7 days (range 4 to 20). Postoperatively 31 of the 44 patients (70%) were transferred directly to the general urology floor, while cardiac monitoring was required postoperatively in 30%. Nine of these patients w...
Demarcation and the Scientistic Fallacy

. For many theologians and philosophers, scientism is among the greatest of intellectual sins. In its most commonly cited form, scientism consists in claiming that science is the only source of real knowledge and, therefore, that what science does not discover does not exist. Because the charge of scientism is frequently levied, it is important to be clear about what exactly is being claimed in its name. I argue that scientism can best be understood as a fallacy, specifically as a kind of category mistake. Being clear about this requires an examination of the relationship of scientism to the question of demarcation between science and nonscience, a question that has potential implications for theology.
Analyzing the Sustainability of India's Current Account Position Following the Reforms of the Early 1990s

Following the 1991 crisis, India undertook reforms that liberalized trade and investment. India faced current account deficits for most of the period following these reforms. This paper analyzes sustainability of India's current account position over the last decade using the intertemporal solvency model of Hakkio and Rush and Husted. In this theoretical framework, the intertemporal solvency constraint is satisfied if there is cointegration between inflows and outflows of the current account. This paper finds cointegration between the series when allowing for a structural break using the Gregory and Hansen procedure. Dynamic generalized least squares (GLS) estimation shows a strong relation between India's current account inflows and outflows. On the basis of the empirical results, this paper concludes that there has been an improvement in trade patterns and despite experiencing deficits, India's current account position is sustainable.
The Self-Efficacy Scale: Construction and Validation:

Self-efficacy theory asserts that personal mastery expectations are the primary determinants of behavioral change. Further, it is suggested that individual differences in past experiences and attri...
Cartilage collagen: inability to serve as a substrate for collagenases active against skin and bone collagen.

Abstract Human gingival and rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte collagenases previously shown to be active against native monomeric skin and bone collagen, with the chain composition [α1(I)] 2 α2, do not cleave native monomeric cartilage collagen, with the chain composition [α 1(II)] 3 , as measured by a decrease in relative viscosity. Both types of collagen, however, are actively degraded by collagenase (EC 3.4.4.19) obtained from Clostridium histolyticum . The results strongly support the suggestion that collagen in cartilaginous structures is resorbed by a mechanism independent of that utilized in other tissues.
Public School Finance in the United States: Historical Trends and Contending Interpretations

This paper begins by describing the dramatic changes in both the scale and mode of financing of public education in the United States during the past century. It then sketches and critiques the theoretical interpretation of those trends provided by neoclassical economics, a line of interpretation which hinges on such concepts as "human capital" and "external benefits." Marxian political economy is then offered as an alternative, and superior, theoretical framework with which to analyze the evolution of public school finance. The paper concludes with a Marxian interpretation of school finance reform in the United States during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Pretreatment, preoperative swallowing exercises may improve dysphagia quality of life.

Objectives: Dysphagia is commonly associated with head and neck cancer treatment. Traditional dysphagia management strategies focus on post-treatment therapy. This study evaluated the utility of pretreatment swallowing exercises in improving post-treatment swallowing quality of life (QOL). Study Design: Prospective cohort study and cross-sectional QOL analysis. Methods: This study includes 37 patients who underwent primary radiation or combined chemoradiation treatment for newly diagnosed hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, or oropharyngeal primary tumors at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Of the 37, 25 patients underwent swallowing exercises beginning 2 weeks prior to the start of radiation. The M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) was administered an average of 14 months after treatment to assess the success of the protocol. Analysis of QOL scores related to gender, primary site, stage, and race were obtained. Results: Patients who performed pretreatment swallowing exercises (n = 25) showed improvement in the overall MDADI score (P = .0002) compared to the control population (n = 12) who underwent post-treatment therapy. Furthermore, a separate analysis of individual domains of the MDADI (global, emotional, functional, and physical) demonstrated improved quality of life. Conclusions: Implementation of pretreatment swallowing education and exercise may improve dysphagia-specific QOL in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation and/or chemoradiation therapy.
New Antiepileptic Drugs Already Registered

Summary: Vigabatrin, lamotrigine, and oxcarbazepine are three of the many new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) already registered in several countries that highlight some of the typical problems and prejudices of new AEDs. Both the therapeutic action and the side-effect profiles of new AEDs are only basically known with marketing. For all three of these new AEDs, antiepileptic effects have been demonstrated beyond doubt, but they still must withstand the test of clinical usefulness in substantial patient numbers. All three have some effect on focal seizures, but their clinical spectrum probably will turn out to be by no means uniform. These three AEDs are, in general, well tolerated, but it would be premature to compare their safety with traditional AEDs as one must be prepared for rare or delayed untoward effects that may be discovered later, as occurred with some older AEDs.
Conflicting Loyalties: Law and Politics in the Attorney General's Office, 1789-1990

The US Attorney General is forever caught between competing demands: on one side, his political duties as cabinet appointee and adviser to the president; on the other, his quasi-judicial responsibilities as chief law officer of the nation. In theory, the two sets of responsibilities coexist peacefully. In reality they often clash. In "Conflicting Loyalties", political scientist Nancy Baker provides a comprehensive analysis of the history and structure of the office of the US Attorney General, an office that legal scholars have described as "schizophrenic". Her study documents how attorneys general have differed in their responses, seeing themselves either as advocates of the president or as neutral expounders of the law. Combining historical analysis with legal and political history, Baker shows how this implicit conflict has evolved from the earliest days of the Republic, when the attorney general was primarily an adviser, to the present day, when he administers the huge bureaucracy of the Department of Justice. Using both archival materials and personal interviews, Baker analyzes how the 75 men who have held the post of attorney general have managed the conflict of loyalties. In particular she focuses on Robert Kennedy, Edwin Messe, Elliot Richardson, Griffin Bell, Robert Jackson, Edward Levi, A. Mitchell Palmer, and Roger Taney. She also examines how the office has been affected by scandals in various administrations, including the Red Scare of 1919-20, Teapot Dome, Watergate, and Iran-Contra. The book concludes with an exploration of arguments for reforming the office.
The continuity of moral reform: Community mental health centers

Contemporary involvement of citizens in the formation of mental health policies continues a long history of influential lay advocates achieving desired reforms. The Community Mental Health Centers Program arose from, and also recognized, the citizens' movement for community care. This legislation mandated and encouraged citizen membership on the governing boards of local centers. The influence of these citizen bodies is seen in the diversity and continuing evolution of the local centers structurally, in orientation and in services provided. Three examples from original field research are provided to illustrate.
Electronic structure of metallic alloys using charge-neutral atomic spheres.

Based on the idea of charge-neutral atoimc spheres we have calculated the electronic structure of ordered and disordered Cu-Zn, Ni-Pt, and Al-Li alloys using the linear-muffin-tin-orbital (LMTO) method and the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent potential approximation (KKR CPA) method in the atomic-sphere approximation (ASA), respectively. The equilibrium lattice constants and the formation energies of ordered alloys obtained with the LMTO-ASA method show that the calculations done with charge-neutral atomic spheres are closer to the experimental results than the conventional equivolume atomic-sphere-type calculations. In the case of disordered alloys, we find that charge-neutral atomic spheres are essential for the stability of these alloys within the KKR-ASA CPA method where the Madelung-type contribution is neglected. Our results clearly indicate that for disordered alloys any future implementation of a full-potential method within the single-site CPA should be carried out with charge-neutral cells rather than the Wigner-Seitz cells.
On the expansion of ionospheric plasma into the near‐wake of the space shuttle orbiter

During the Spacelab 2 mission, while the Plasma Diagnostics Package was attached to the Remote Manipulator System, differential ion vector measurements were obtained in the near wake at a distance of 4-5 Shuttle radii. The Orbiter's wake was found to fill in at a much faster rate than can be explained by simple thermal motion. The measurements strongly suggest that filling of the Orbiter's wake is produced by the process of 'collisionless plasma expansion into a vacuum' and that, for oblique angles of the magnetic field and velocity vectors, the near wake plasma depletion a few radii downstream is not sensitive to the body scale size.
A gossip-based approach for Internet-scale cardinality estimation of XPath queries over distributed semistructured data

In this paper, we address the problem of cardinality estimation of XPath queries over XML data stored in a distributed, Internet-scale environment such as a large-scale, data sharing system designed to foster innovations in biomedical and health informatics. The cardinality estimate of XPath expressions is useful in XQuery optimization, designing IR-style relevance ranking schemes, and statistical hypothesis testing. We present a novel gossip algorithm called XGossip, which given an XPath query estimates the number of XML documents in the network that contain a match for the query. XGossip is designed to be scalable, decentralized, and robust to failures--properties that are desirable in a large-scale distributed system. XGossip employs a novel divide-and-conquer strategy for load balancing and reducing the bandwidth consumption. We conduct theoretical analysis of XGossip in terms of accuracy of cardinality estimation, message complexity, and bandwidth consumption. We present a comprehensive performance evaluation of XGossip on Amazon EC2 using a heterogeneous collection of XML documents.
MWD determination of ultra high MFR polypropylene by melt rheology

A rheological technique of determining molecular weight distribution (MWD) of ultra high MFR polypropylene (PP) is presented. The development of this new technique was needed for two reasons. First, the advent of high activity catalyst made possible the direct polymerization and thus the commercialization of very high MFR PP. Secondly, the polydispersity index (PI) measurement based on crossover modulus from G′ and G″ curves, which was developed by Zeichner and Patel in 1981, was proven to be inapplicable to resins with MFR higher than about 40, due to instrument limitations. This new technique utilizes G′ and G″ data at low frequencies which are obtained from a dynamic frequency sweep test at 200°C. PI values, a measure of MWD, determined by this method are proven to have an excellent correlation with those obtained by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). This method has been very useful in determining MWD of melt brown fiber resins whose MFR is normally between 30 and 1000. It has also been used as a quality control tool during the resin production in a commercial plant. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of prey size on the energy budget of a predatory gastropod,Thais haemastoma canaliculata(Gray)

Abstract Energy budgets of the southern oyster drill, Thais haemastoma canaliculata (Gray), fed diets restricted to either (1) hatchery-reared oyster spat 1–2 cm in length, or (2) wild-caught juvenile oysters 4–5 cm in length, were determined at constant temperature (21°C) and salinity (7.5%.). Mean scope for growth (total energy available for growth and reproduction) was positive in both diet groups; however, oyster drills fed small oysters had a significantly greater mean scope for growth than oyster drills fed large oysters. There was an interaction between predator and prey size. Small oyster drills ( 750 mg dry wt) was identical in both oyster diet groups. Metabolic energy losses were slightly greater for both large and small oyster drills fed small oysters than oyster drills fed large oysters, but this difference did not affect scope for growth differences between the two diet groups. Especially for small individuals of T. haemastoma , considerable energetic benefits exist for selecting optimum-sized bivalve prey, simply because prey size can limit ingestion rates, and hence scope for growth.
Preparation and characterization of nanostructured ZrO2 coatings on dense and porous substrates

Abstract Nanostructured ZrO2 coatings are prepared on both dense and porous substrates by wet-chemical deposition of non-agglomerated 5 nm precursor particle dispersions, followed by thermal processing. The precursor particle dispersions are made by modified emulsion precipitation and a purification treatment to remove reaction products and additives. The coatings are formed by depositing the precursor nanoparticle dispersion directly onto the substrate, followed by drying and heating at 600 °C. Scanning electron microscopy and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy observations of the heat-treated coatings indicate that the ZrO2 coating on dense Si wafer substrate has a homogeneous, dense particle packing structure with shallow meniscus-shaped depressions in the surface, and microcracks below the meniscus surface. On the other hand, coatings formed on a meso-porous γ-alumina membrane substrate are free of defects, but with a lower packing density. The mechanism of the substrate effect on the particle packing behavior and defect formation during coating deposition is discussed. It is expected that by using a thin porous substrate with reduced capillary force, a defect-free, homogenously dense-packed coating structure can be achieved.
Analysis of Thermal Response of a Portable Blood Cooling Device

This paper presents the three-dimensional (3D) modeling and simulation of heat transfer within a portable blood cooling system with respect to space and time. The cooling system under study includes a cooler box with two cooling cylinders and eight blood bags. The cooler has the shape of a rectangular box with walls made of thermal-insulation material. The cooling cylinders protrude into the inner space through the bottom of the cooler box. Eight blood bags are arranged around these two cooling cylinders. The cooling cylinders use desiccant absorbing agents in combination with evaporative processes under vacuum pressure to achieve the cooling effect. Transient thermal response of the system is simulated by employing a computational approach. The computational domain includes the air inside the cooler box and the blood inside the blood bags. Heat from the surroundings penetrating the system through the insulation walls of the cooler box is included in the model. It is assumed that initially the blood is at the uniform ambient temperature. Once the cooling cylinders are activated, they draw heat from the air and the blood inside the cooler box. A lumped-parameter model is used to model the heat drawn by the cooling cylinder. The resulting solution of temperature distribution within the blood bags and the air in the cooler box is presented in the form of graphical visualization. Representative temperatures within the blood bags are presented as functions of time during a period of 12 hours. The computational model and results will be useful for the development and optimization of the design of portable cooling devices for the transportation of blood and similar biological tissues such as an organ for transplant.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Modulation of myocardial SOD and iNOS during ischemia-reperfusion by antisense directed at ACE mRNA.

Abstract Renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in the regulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) equilibrium, and its modulation protects hearts from ischemic dysfunction. We examined the effect of a new antisense-oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODNs) directed at ACE mRNA on SOD and iNOS expression during myocardial ischemia. Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with saline, AS-ODNs, or inverted-ODNs (IN-ODNs), given with liposome DOTAP/DOPE. Hearts were excised and subjected to 25 min of ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Ischemia–reperfusion in saline-treated hearts resulted in a decrease in the expression of SOD and an increase in the expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) genes concurrently with myocardial dysfunction. AS-ODNs, but not IN-ODNs, protected hearts against functional deterioration, and upregulated SOD expression and inhibited the expression of iNOS. ACE protein expression was decreased in the rat hearts of the AS-ODNs-treated group, but not in the IN-ODNs group. Thus manipulation of RAS with AS-ODNs directed at ACE mRNA can ameliorate cardiac dysfunction and modulate expression of SOD and iNOS at genomic level.
Regional changes in adrenergic receptor status during hypocaloric intake do not predict changes in adipocyte size or body shape

Abstract The anatomic distribution of fat is related to the risk for obesity-associated morbidity. Among individuals with equal degrees of relative adiposity, those with an upper-body preponderance of fat distribution (android) have higher rates of diabetes, stroke, ischemic heart disease, and early death than those with preferential deposition of adipose tissue in lower portions of the body (hips, thighs, buttocks; gynecoid. There are well-documented anatomic site-related differences in the relative activities of the adrenergic receptors ( β 1 → lipolysis; α 2 → antilipolysis) that control lipolysis. We assessed modifications of the status of α 2 - and β 1 -adrenergic receptor and subreceptor function in small fragments of adipose tissue obtained by needle biopsy from the gluteal and abdominal subcutaneous regions of five android, seven gynecoid, and six uniformly obese women during a period of weight maintenance (4 weeks) (T1), and after 15% weight loss on an 840 kcal/d diet (T2). Measurements of body shape and adipocyte size were made and related to changes in the metabolism of these adipocytes. The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was used to define these three types of regional distribution of fat in these obese subjects: android = WHR >0.86; gynecoid = WHR ≤ 0.76; uniform = WHR > 0.76 ≤ 0.86. WHR was not significantly altered by weight loss in any of the three groups. Although significant effects of time and/or anatomic site on in vitro responses to isoproterenol, norepinephrine, clonidine, forskolin, and dibutyryl cAMP were found, these did not correlate with intra-individual changes in anthropometry or adipocyte size. Thus, the mobilization of lipid from specific subcutaneous anatomic sites during long-term restriction of caloric intake does not appear to be related to alterations in the functional status of the adrenergic receptor or subreceptor mechanisms studied. The precise mechanisms by which the body regulates fat mobilization under these circumstances remain unknown.
Kinetics of aspirin hydrolysis in aqueous solutions and gels of poloxamines (Tetronic 1508)—Influence of microenvironment

Abstract An aqueous solution of Tetronic 1508 (20–25% w/w) undergoes sol-gel transition at about 25–27°C causing a dramatic increase in bulk viscosity (4 orders of magnitude). A significant increase in viscosity would be expected to reduce the collision frequency of two reacting species in such a gel medium due to a decrease in their aqueous diffusion coefficients. As a result a dramatic increase in the hydrolytic stability of a model ester compound, aspirin by Tetronic 1508 gel was hypothesized. While theoretical calculations predicted almost 7–8 orders of magnitude decrease in the apparent first-order rate constants for aspirin hydrolysis at any given pH, only 2–3-fold reduction was noted in the pH range of 1–10. Moreover, within the pH range of 5–8 there was no apparent reduction in the aspirin hydrolytic rate constant because, within that pH range, the predominant mechanism of aspirin hydrolysis is the intramolecular nucleophilic attack by the neighboring carboxylate anion. The result of only 2–3-fold reduction in the rate constant refutes the original hypothesis and suggests the presence of a low viscosity ‘micro’ environment within the rigid gel structure. The presence of such a fluid microenvironment within the Tetronic 1508 gel structure was confirmed utilizing an ESR probe technique. While the macroscopic viscosity of the gel may be as high as 106 mPa s (cps) the viscosity within the microenvironment was found to be only 1–10 mPa s. Such a low viscosity within the microenvironment indicates that there is probably an abundance of ‘free’ water in the system. It also helps to explain why the rate of aspirin hydrolysis was not reduced as hypothesized. It is apparent that a complete evaluation of the thermorheologic properties of the Tetronic polymer requires an understanding of both the macroscopic and microscopic viscosities.
Photochemical and spectroscopic studies of small model polyenes related to vision

The photochemistry of vision involves the ultrafast cis-trans photoisomerization and efficient excited-state deactivation of a polyene aldehyde chromophore. We have been studying the photophysics of smaller model systems that also exhibit some of these properties. Resonance Raman and preliminary picosecond time-resolved absorption experiments on butadiene and cis- and trans-1,3,5-hexatriene in vapor and solution phases have been analyzed to characterize the structure and dynamics of both the optically allowed B state and the lowest singlet excited A state. Solvent polarizability is found to have a large effect on the B-state torsional potentials, particularly in trans-hexatriene. Related studies including picosecond two-color pump-probe Raman measurements on the ultrafast photoreactions of cis-stilbene are also described. These experiments probe the initial vibrational energy distribution and subsequent relaxation of the initially formed trans-stilbene, as well as the partitioning between the cis-trans isomerized and ring-closed products. Significant solvent polarity effects are observed on both the excited-state photochemistry and the ground-state vibrational relaxation.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Conjugated Versus “Free” Acidic Metabolites of Catecholamines in Random Urine Samples: Significance for the Diagnosis of Neuroblastoma

ABSTRACT: Random urine samples were obtained from 31 patients with neuroblastoma (newborn to 8 yr of age) and from 100 children without this tumor (newborn to 10 yr). The urine samples were studied for the presence of sulfate and glucuronide conjugates of homovanillic (HVA), dihydroxyphenylacetic, vanilmandelic, and vanillactic acids. The urinary concentrations of these acids were determined by capillary gas-chromatography before and after enzymatic treatment with glucuronidase and sulfatase. Concentrations of the “free” fraction and “total” urinary content of these acids were determined using the results from untreated and treated urines respectively. Age-related reference values were established for children without neuroblastoma. Fractions of the total content of urinary HVA (18–39%) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (36–66%) were excreted as glucuronides and/or sulfates by the control group, with the highest conjugated fractions found in the urine of young infants (0–3 months). Vanilmandelic was excreted mainly as “free” acid (unconjugated), whereas vanillactic acid was undetectable in almost all control samples. Patients with neuroblastoma also excreted a fraction of these acids as glucuronide and/or sulfate conjugates, (25% of urinary HVA, 39% of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 45% of vanillactic acid) whereas vanilmandelic acid was excreted only as “free” in controls. Determination of “total” rather than “free” urinary HVA was diagnostic in one neuroblastoma patient with borderline “free” HVA levels, whereas determination of “free” or “total” dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and vanillactic acid did not improve the diagnostic sensitivity in the cases examined. We conclude that it may be clinically useful to determine “total” urinary HVA in patients with borderline “free” HVA levels who are suspected of having neuroblastoma.
Glutamate effects in the developing chicken.

Abstract Intravenously administered glutamate caused a transient arrest of the electrogram of the corpus striatum in chickens from 16 days of incubation to the time of hatching. In animals examined 5 days after hatching glutamate injection had no noticeable effect on the EEG. The glutamate administration also caused in chickens up to the time of hatching a drop in the tissue conductivity of the corpus striatum. This either developed rather rapidly and was then often accompanied by a slow potential change resembling the potential change accompanying spreading depression, or the impedance drop developed more slowly and was then usually accompanied by uncharacteristic and very slow changes in potential. These phenomena were absent in 5-day-old chickens. Spreading depression was elicited by local application of 25% KCl solution in chickens incubated for 18 days or longer. The effects of intravenous glutamate administration resemble some of the concomitants of spreading depression and asphyxiation, supporting the postulate that the latter are caused by a glutamate release from the intracellular compartment of the brain. It also suggests that the blood-brain barrier is quite permeable for glutamate before the time of hatching.
Media access protocols for WDM networks with on-line scheduling

This paper studies media access protocols that support collision-free broadcast/multicast communication for optically connected star-coupled systems with wavelength division multiple access channels. A previous hybrid access protocol, consisting of reservation and receiver channels preallocation, allows reservation for exactly one channel per node during the reservation phase. We extend this protocol by allowing reservations on multiple channels and applying scheduling algorithms to improve network performance. Existing scheduling algorithms for similar reservation problems, although providing optimal scheduling for network utilization, have unacceptable computational cost and high implementation complexity. We propose two on-line scheduling algorithms which run in linear time and are simple, making them amenable for hardware implementation. Performance of the protocol using scheduling with varying system parameters is evaluated through discrete-event simulation under both uniform and nonuniform traffic patterns. Our simulation results show that our approach achieves lower average packet latency and higher network utilization compared to the early hybrid access protocol, especially in the client-server environment.
A Hybrid Background Error Covariance Model for Assimilating Glider Data into a Coastal Ocean Model

AbstractA hybrid background error covariance (BEC) model for three-dimensional variational data assimilation of glider data into the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) is introduced. Similar to existing atmospheric hybrid BEC models, the proposed model combines low-rank ensemble covariances with the heuristic Gaussian-shaped covariances to estimate forecast error statistics. The distinctive features of the proposed BEC model are the following: (i) formulation in terms of inverse error covariances, (ii) adaptive determination of the rank m of with information criterion based on the innovation error statistics, (iii) restriction of the heuristic covariance operator to the null space of , and (iv) definition of the BEC magnitudes through separate analyses of the innovation error statistics in the state space and the null space of .The BEC model is validated by assimilation experiments with simulated and real data obtained during a glider survey of the Monterey Bay in August 2003. It is shown that the proposed h...
The Contribution of Emotionality and Self-Regulation to the Understanding of Children's Response to Multiple Risk.

This study investigated the additive and interactive effects of multiple risk, emotionality, and self-regulation in predicting children's adjustment problems and positive adjustment using a community sample (N = 101) of children in third through fifth grades. Multiple measures of emotionality and self-regulation were used, including observational measures and mother and child report on questionnaires. Results indicated that questionnaire measures of emotionality and self-regulation predicted children's positive and negative adjustment over and above the effects of multiple risk, as well as resilience and vulnerability. Negative emotionality predicted adjustment problems, positive emotionality predicted positive adjustment, and self-regulation predicted both. In addition, observational measures of self-regulation moderated the association between multiple risk and adjustment such that children low in self-regulation were more vulnerable to multiple risk. The results suggest that emotionality and self-regulation operate as additional risk and protective factors in multiple-risk models.
A control and communications architecture for a secure and reconfigurable power distribution system: An analysis and case study

Abstract The transformation of the end-to-end power grid to a digitalized, intelligent, self-healing system presents many new modeling, sensing, communications, and control challenges that must be addressed before extensive deployment can begin. Increasing the security, robustness, and efficiency of electric power infrastructure requires utilizing these automation technologies in order to continually assess and optimize system performance. In this paper, an intelligent distributed secure control architecture is presented for distribution systems to provide greater adaptive protection, with the ability to proactively reconfigure, and rapidly respond to disturbances. Detailed descriptions of functionalities at each layer of the architecture as well as the whole system are provided. Applying this comprehensive systems’ approach, performance results for the IEEE 123 node test feeder are simulated and analyzed. The results show the trade-offs between system reliability, operational constraints, and costs involved. This work represents a novel strategy toward developing an analytical and multi-domain methodology to assess the effects of smart grid technologies on distribution system operations and performance.
Thin-oil-film interferometric skin-friction measurements in short-duration supersonic flow

A direct experimental comparison was performed on two thin-oil-film skin-friction measurement techniques applied in short-duration, supersonic flow facilities. While both techniques use laser interferometry to measure the time rate of thinning of a thin-oil-film, one technique acquires data with a dual-laser-beam (DLB) configuration and the other gathers information with an expanded-laser-beam (ELB) configuration. The experimental investigation, as well as a theoretical uncertainty analysis, showed that when the data is limited due to short run-times, larger uncertainties or insufficient data for the determination of the skin-friction occurred with the DLB technique. Unlike the DLB method, the ELB technique can resolve the oil-film profile at a given instant, with two such measurements separated by a short time interval giving sufficient data to determine skin-friction. Thus the ELB technique is more suitable for short-duration facilities.
Control of Alternative Splicing of Potassium Channels by Stress Hormones

Many molecular mechanisms for neural adaptation to stress remain unknown. Expression of alternative splice variants of Slo, a gene encoding calcium- and voltage-activated potassium channels, was measured in rat adrenal chromaffin tissue from normal and hypophysectomized animals. Hypophysectomy triggered an abrupt decrease in the proportion of Slo transcripts containing a "STREX" exon. The decrease was prevented by adrenocorticotropic hormone injections. In Xenopus oocytes, STREX variants produced channels with functional properties associated with enhanced repetitive firing. Thus, the hormonal stress axis is likely to control the excitable properties of epinephrine-secreting cells by regulating alternative splicing of Slo messenger RNA.
Long-term prognosis and significance of the sentinel lymph node in head and neck melanoma.

ObjectiveTo report the long-term significance of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy on prognosis, determine false-negative SLN occurrences, and determine risk factors for death and recurrence in a la...
On shortened finite geometry codes

A general method of shortening a linear block code is introduced. Application of this shortening method to finite geometry codes produces a new class of majority-logic decodable codes.
Central neurogenic hyperventilation A sign of CNS lymphoma

A 69-year-old man complained of “breathing too fast” for 6 weeks. He was a recovered alcoholic with essential tremor, hypertension, depression, and history of stage IE diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the left femur diagnosed 3.5 years earlier and treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone. Six weeks prior to presentation, the patient noted an increased respiratory rate and shortness of breath, and was found to have new atrial fibrillation; he underwent unsuccessful atrial ablation. He had a 3-month history of malaise, cold intolerance, and a 10-pound weight loss. He also complained of occasional floaters in his right eye, and had become more agitated with increasing forgetfulness.
Gangliosides That Associate with Lipid Rafts Mediate Transport of Cholera and Related Toxins from the Plasma Membrane to Endoplasmic Reticulm

Cholera toxin (CT) travels from the plasma membrane of intestinal cells to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where a portion of the A-subunit, the A1 chain, crosses the membrane into the cytosol to cause disease. A related toxin, LTIIb, binds to intestinal cells but does not cause toxicity. Here, we show that the B-subunit of CT serves as a carrier for the A-subunit to the ER where disassembly occurs. The B-subunit binds to gangliosides in lipid rafts and travels with the ganglioside to the ER. In many cells, LTIIb follows a similar pathway, but in human intestinal cells it binds to a ganglioside that fails to associate with lipid rafts and it is sorted away from the retrograde pathway to the ER. Our results explain why LTIIb does not cause disease in humans and suggest that gangliosides with high affinity for lipid rafts may provide a general vehicle for the transport of toxins to the ER.
Stimulated Rayleigh-Bragg scattering enhanced by two-photon excitation

A frequency-unshifted and backward stimulated Rayleigh scattering can be produced in a linearly transparent but two-photon absorbing medium. Using a novel two-photon active dye solution as the nonlinear medium pumped by 532-nm and ~10-ns laser pulses, a highly directional backward stimulated scattering at the pump wavelength can be readily observed. The experimental results on spectral structure, spatial and temporal behaviors, and output/input relationship of this new type of stimulated scattering are presented. To explain the observed phenomenon and its experimental behaviors, a physical model of feedback mechanism provided by a two-photon-excitation enhanced Bragg grating inside the scattering medium is proposed. Comparing to other types of stimulated scattering, the stimulated Rayleigh-Bragg scattering exhibits the advantages of no-frequency shift, low threshold, and low requirement for pump spectral line-width.
Conductance and block of hair-cell mechanotransducer channels in transmembrane channel-like protein mutants.

Transmembrane channel–like (TMC) proteins TMC1 and TMC2 are crucial to the function of the mechanotransducer (MT) channel of inner ear hair cells, but their precise function has been controversial. To provide more insight, we characterized single MT channels in cochlear hair cells from wild-type mice and mice with mutations in Tmc1, Tmc2, or both. Channels were recorded in whole-cell mode after tip link destruction with BAPTA or after attenuating the MT current with GsMTx-4, a peptide toxin we found to block the channels with high affinity. In both cases, the MT channels in outer hair cells (OHCs) of wild-type mice displayed a tonotopic gradient in conductance, with channels from the cochlear base having a conductance (110 pS) nearly twice that of those at the apex (62 pS). This gradient was absent, with channels at both cochlear locations having similar small conductances, with two different Tmc1 mutations. The conductance of MT channels in inner hair cells was invariant with cochlear location but, as in OHCs, was reduced in either Tmc1 mutant. The gradient of OHC conductance also disappeared in Tmc1/Tmc2 double mutants, in which a mechanically sensitive current could be activated by anomalous negative displacements of the hair bundle. This “reversed stimulus–polarity” current was seen with two different Tmc1/Tmc2 double mutants, and with Tmc1/Tmc2/Tmc3 triple mutants, and had a pharmacological sensitivity comparable to that of native MT currents for most antagonists, except dihydrostreptomycin, for which the affinity was less, and for curare, which exhibited incomplete block. The existence in the Tmc1/Tmc2 double mutants of MT channels with most properties resembling those of wild-type channels indicates that proteins other than TMCs must be part of the channel pore. We suggest that an external vestibule of the MT channel may partly account for the channel’s large unitary conductance, high Ca2+ permeability, and pharmacological profile, and that this vestibule is disrupted in Tmc mutants.
Pelvic Examination of the Adolescent Patient

Providing health care to adolescent girls in the 1980s involves knowledge of many topics. A thorough understanding of the gynecologic problems that may occur during adolescence as well as comfort with the normal pelvic examination allows the pediatrician to provide this aspect of primary care. Not only does the physician need the technical skills which include speculum examination of the vagina and bimanual rectovaginal-abdominal palpation, but the practitioner seeing adolescents also needs the interpersonal skills, sensitivity, and time to establish a primary relationship with the adolescent herself. Principles of caring for adolescents and their families are not discussed here but are of obvious importance in dealing with a pelvic examination. Pamphlets on a variety of gynecologic and nongynecologic subjects should be readily available in the office. Education for the young teenager should discuss leukorrhea, normal development, menses and menstrual cramps, and the use of tampons. The intermittent use of conventional tampons changed frequently allows the adolescent girl more freedom in activities and athletics, makes her more comfortable with her body, and makes the routine pelvic examination simpler and less anxiety provoking. The use of tampons is especially helpful in preparing the young adloescent exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol for speculum examination. The adolescent should be encouraged to discuss boyfriends and peer relations.