cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lp-testing

We initiate a systematic study of sublinear algorithms for approximately testing properties of real-valued data with respect to Lp distances for p = 1, 2. Such algorithms distinguish datasets which either have (or are close to having) a certain property from datasets which are far from having it with respect to Lp distance. For applications involving noisy real-valued data, using Lp distances allows algorithms to withstand noise of bounded Lp norm. While the classical property testing framework developed with respect to Hamming distance has been studied extensively, testing with respect to Lp distances has received little attention. We use our framework to design simple and fast algorithms for classic problems, such as testing monotonicity, convexity and the Lipschitz property, and also distance approximation to monotonicity. In particular, for functions over the hypergrid domains [n]d, the complexity of our algorithms for all these properties does not depend on the linear dimension n. This is impossible in the standard model. Most of our algorithms require minimal assumptions on the choice of sampled data: either uniform or easily samplable random queries suffice. We also show connections between the Lp-testing model and the standard framework of property testing with respect to Hamming distance. Some of our results improve existing bounds for Hamming distance.
Brachytherapy seed dose distribution calculation employing the fast Fourier transform

A mathematical procedure is described by which the dose distribution of a seed implant can be calculated employing a Fourier transform. The procedure is described in one-, two-, and three-dimensional representations. Dose distributions calculated using this technique are demonstrated. Mathematical constraints of the procedure are discussed.
Automobile body reinforcement by finite element optimization

This paper is concerned with design optimization of material reinforcement of automobile body for rigidity improvement. Two finite element optimization techniques, topology optimization and sizing optimization, are explored to find out an optimal manufacturing feasible design from multiple optimized designs. The application of these methods demonstrates that through innovative utilization of the topology optimization technique, an optimal manufacturing feasible design can be obtained. The relationship between the rigidity improvement and different configuration of material reinforcement is also investigated. It is concluded that through appropriate application of finite element optimization methods, the overall rigidity of the automobile body can be improved substantially in a cost effective manner.
Cognitive desensitization as a model of systematic desensitization

Abstract The present study attempted a conceptual replication of Valins and Ray (1967), altering certain aspects of their “cognitive desensitization” procedure in order to more closely approximate the systematic desensitization situation. The results failed to replicate Valins and Ray's findings, suggesting that cognitive desensitization may not be a useful model of systematic desensitization.
Thermally activated rejuvenation of ferroelectric properties in electrically fatigued lead zirconate titanate ceramics

Thermally activated rejuvenation of ferroelectric properties is investigated for modified lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramics that have been electrically fatigued. The extent of rejuvenation for the ferroelectric polarization increases with both increasing temperature and increasing time of the post-fatigue thermal anneal. For an insufficient post-fatigue thermal anneal, the ferroelectric ceramic sample exhibits incomplete restoration of ferroelectric properties and an increased fatigue rate compared to the virgin sample. Complete rejuvenation of ferroelectric properties occurs when the fatigued ferroelectric ceramic is thermally annealed well above the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition temperature for many hours. The thermal rejuvenation of fatigue is explained by the thermally stimulated decoupling between the spontaneous polarization and either defects or space charge.
24.1: Measuring the Perceived Contrast of Natural Images

how perceived contrast of natural images, as a function of spatial frequency, is measurable using a novel form of the psychophysical 'classification image' paradigm. Contrast spatial frequency weighting functions peak at mid-high frequencies, and are more stable than predicted by common definitions of image contrast or contrast sensitivity.
A technique for fabrication of interim midfacial prostheses

Abstract A technique for fabrication of interim midfacial prostheses using maxillofacial silicone elastomer supported by cellulose acetate matrix is described.
Creeping eruption (Ankylostoma braziliense infestation) with spontaneous remissions and recurrences

Summary Two cases of skin infestation with the larvae of Ankylostoma braziliense are reported. The cases are interesting because of the remissions which occurred over a period of ten months and because of the observation of a lesion occurring in a portion of the body distal to the primary site six months following the original infestation.
Development of dapsone toxicity in patients with inflammatory dermatoses: Activity of acetylation and hydroxylation of dapsone as risk factors

Background Alternative independent routes of dapsone metabolism include N-hydroxylation to the hydroxylamine, a potentially toxic metabolite, by cytochrome P450 enzymes and acetylation to a nontoxic metabolite by N-acetyltransferase. Potentially, therefore, the relative extents of these two routes in an individual could determine the occurrence of adverse reaction with dapsone therapy. Methods Phenotypic activity of these two routes of metabolism was assessed in 18 patients receiving long-term dapsone therapy for inflammatory dermatoses and was related to the development of dapsone toxicity. N-Hydroxylation was assessed by the dapsone recovery ratio, a ratio of dapsone hydroxylamine to the sum of hydroxylamine and dapsone in 8-hour urine, whereas N-acetylation was assessed by the acetylation ratio, a ratio of monoacetyldapsone to dapsone in 8-hour plasma sample after an oral dose of dapsone. Results There was wide intersubject variation in both the acetylation ratio and the dapsone recovery ratio, but both phenotypic measures remained stable within individuals. The dapsone recovery ratio showed a tendency toward being lower in fast than in slow acetylators, but this was not statistically significant. There was an inverse relationship between acetylation and hydroxylation (r = −0.69; P < .005) at steady state that was not apparent after the first dose. Neurotoxicity developed in two subjects and hemolytic anemia developed in two subjects. Plasma levels of dapsone in these four subjects were similar to those in subjects who showed no toxicity. All four were slow acetylators and three were rapid hydroxylators, consistent with the toxic nature of dapsone hydroxylamine. Conclusions These observations are consistent with what is known about the toxicity profile of dapsone metabolites and suggest that assessing N-acetylation and N-hydroxylation capacities can help to identify subjects at increased risk of a toxic response. This approach of assessing the phenotypic measures of drug-metabolizing activity to predict adverse reaction may also apply to other drugs with metabolic-based adverse effects. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1999) 65, 598–605; doi: 10.1016/S0009-9236(99)90081-4
Planning for hospitals: No focus, no strategy

Abstract This is a study of the role of long-range planning and strategic management in 400 hospitals in the United States. It examines not only the structural aspects of planning but also investigates how the data base generated through the planning process is actually used in making operating decisions. In addition to a questionnaire survey of 400 hospitals on the structural aspects of planning, 78 personal interviews with functional heads and hospital administrators were conducted to analyse the operational part of the study. The major findings are that the possibilities and constraints of planning are remarkably similar to those of industrial corporations. The linkage of planning with operational decisions was found to be lacking. There were wide divergences in views between the functional heads and the hospital administrators in terms of internal and external activities, and also in performance reward relationship. These divergences are thought to be counter- productive in realizing the strategic focus of cost containment. Implications of the findings are also discussed.
Non-viable Borrelia burgdorferi induce inflammatory mediators and apoptosis in human oligodendrocytes

In previous studies, exposure to live Borrelia burgdorferi was shown to induce inflammation and apoptosis of human oligodendrocytes. In this study we assessed the ability of non-viable bacteria (heat killed or sonicated) to induce inflammatory mediators and cell death. Both heat-killed and sonicated bacteria induced release of CCL2, IL-6, and CXCL8 from oligodendrocytes in a dose dependent manner. In addition, non-viable B. burgdorferi also induced cell death as evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and another cell viability assay. These results suggest that spirochetal residues left after bacterial demise, due to treatment or otherwise, may continue to be pathogenic to the central nervous system.
Swelling of carboxyl‐containing copolymer latexes

Methacrylic acid copolymers (5–50%) with methyl methacrylate, styrene, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate were prepared at 60°C by batch and semicontinuous emulsion polymerization, and the latexes were neutralized with sodium hydroxide. In some cases, ethyl acrylate or crosslinking monomers such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, divinylbenzene, or trimethylolpropane triacrylate were added to the recipe. The parameters varied included the Tg of the copolymer, the hydrophobicity of the base monomer, the carboxyl group distribution within the particle, and the degree of crosslinking. The variation of particle size with pH was determined using dissymmetry of light scattering, the variation of viscosity with pH using the Weissenberg Rheogoniometer in the cone-plate mode, and the loci of the carboxyl groups by a modified conductometric titration method. The serum was separated from the latex particles by serum replacement, an excess of sodium hydroxide was added to the cleaned latex, and the conductance and unreacted sodium hydroxide were measured as a function of time. The carboxyl groups were arbitrarily divided into: (i) the particle surface neutralized instantaneously; (ii) the first subsurface layer neutralized within 10 minutes; (iii) the second subsurface layer neutralized within 24 hours; (iv) the unneutralized particle core; (v) the latex serum. The three characterization techniques gave a detailed analysis of the swelling behavior of the carboxyl-containing copolymers. The swelling upon neutralization of the relatively hydrophilic methyl methacrylate copolymers was higher than that of the relatively hydrophobic styrene and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymers. Batch polymerization of the methyl methacrylate copolymers gave a higher concentration of carboxyl groups at or near the particle surface; semicontinuous polymerization gave a more uniform distribution throughout the particle. Decreasing the Tg of the copolymer increased the concentration of carboxyl groups at or near the particle surface. Crosslinking of the particle had little effect on the carboxyl group distribution.
Applications of systems science in projecting alternative food and agriculture futures

Public and private policy decisions, program planning and management, and expenditures of limited federal and state funds affect food production capacity, commodity supply-demand, resource development and use, the environment, economic development and the world food situation. Providing a reasonable balance between production capacity and the need for food and fiber is the implied national goal. In dealing with the long-run aspects of these problems, public decisionmakers are increasingly turning to projections and analyses of alternative futures. Whereas we have traditionally studied the past to understand the present, we need to study the future to better manage the present and to better plan the future. Confronted with a multitude of unprecedented and inter-related global problems in population, the environment, food, and energy, decisionmakers need more and better information about alternatives, trade-offs, and impacts on social value functions.
Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiographic Assessment of Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm Involving the Descending Thoracic Aorta

We describe a patient in whom a mycotic aneurysm involving the distal descending thoracic aorta could be definitively diagnosed by live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.
Developmental biology: a ten per cent solution.

In early embryos, a concentration gradient of the Bicoid protein affects pattern formation. Studies of living embryos reveal a surprising level of accuracy in the Bicoid gradient. But is it accurate enough?
A New Method for the Study of Voltage-Intensity Relations and its Application to the Mercury 2537A Line

Method for eliminating secondary electrons in the study of the voltage-intensity relations in spectra---All previous measurements of the relation between the intensity of spectrum lines and the velocity of the exciting electrons have been subject to uncertainties due to the presence of secondary electrons. To eliminate these effects a beam of electrons is so concentrated by a magnetic field as to prevent their striking any metal surfaces until they reach a collector which traps all secondaries. This arrangement insures that the light emitted from the path of such a beam is produced solely by electrons which have a specified velocity (to within the Maxwellian distribution).Voltage-intensity characteristics for Hg 2537 up to 7.4 volts---The above method was applied to a study of the variation with electron velocity of the intensity of $\ensuremath{\lambda}2537$ in the Hg spectrum. The results obtained agree in a general way with those of others. A maximum intensity is found at about 6.0 volts which agrees within 0.2 volts of the values given by White and by Hanle. The rate at which the intensity drops off beyond the maximum is, however, considerably greater than that given by previous workers. This may be attributed to the elimination, in the present work, of secondary electrons.
Error concealment algorithm for wavelet-coded images over packet-switched networks

In recent years, wavelet transforms have been successfully applied to image and video compression. In a distributed, multimedia computing environment, compressed video and image files need to be transmitted to users for real-time replay. Because the network is subject to packet losses, the image packetization scheme should take packet losses into account in their design. In this paper, we present an error concealment algorithm for wavelet-based compressed images over packet-switched networks. Two different packetization schemes, called the intrablock-oriented and interblock-oriented schemes, in conjunction with wavelet coding, are presented. In our approach, adjacent wavelet coefficients are scattered into different packets, so that any packet contains encoded wavelet coefficients at different resolution layers. When a packet is lost due to network congestion or transmission errors, a lost wavelet coefficient is estimated by the receiver through a linear interpolation of its adjacent ones. Our approach is evaluated under two different packet loss models with various packet loss probabilities through simulations driven by actual video sequences.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Health literacy and asthma management among African-American adults: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

AbstractObjective: African-Americans share a disproportionate burden of asthma and low health literacy and have higher asthma morbidity and mortality. Factors that link the relationship between health literacy and health outcomes are unclear. This study aimed to use patients’ experiences of managing asthma to better understand the relationship between health literacy and health outcomes. Methods: This study was the qualitative component of a mixed methods study. Following quantitative data collection, four participants, two with low print-related health literacy and two with adequate print-related health literacy, completed semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Three themes emerged from the analysis: information desired versus information received, trial and error, and expectations of the patient–provider relationship. Individuals with adequate print-related health literacy had different strategies for overcoming barriers related ...
Associations between childhood abuse and personality disorder symptoms in college males.

This study investigated the relationship between childhood abuse and personality disorder symptoms in a nonclinical sample of college males (N = 584, mean age = 28.8 years). Childhood sexual and physical abuse and personality disorder (PD) symptoms, among other variables, were assessed using self-report measures. Abuse histories were categorized into no abuse, sexual abuse only, physical abuse only, and both types of abuse. Also, a dimension of severity was measured by tallying, for sexual and physical abuse scales separately, the number of items meeting abuse criteria. Multivariate analyses indicate that even when statistically controlling for possible confounding variables, childhood abuse histories are associated with greater levels of adult symptomatology. The severity dimension predicted statistically significant, although clinically negligible, portions of the variance for three PD scales.
Effects of an introduced piscivorous fish on native benthic fishes in a coastal river

SUMMARY 1. We used field surveys to compare the density and mesohabitat-scale distribution of the native coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) and the prickly sculpin (C. asper) in coastal rivers in north-western California, U.S.A., with and without an introduced piscivorous fish, the Sacramento pikeminnow, Ptychocheilus grandis. We also measured mortality of tethered prickly sculpin in a field experiment including river, habitat type (pools versus riffles) and cover as factors. 2. Average sculpin density (C. aleuticus and C. asper combined) in two rivers without pikeminnow was 21 times higher than the average density in two rivers in a drainage with introduced pikeminnow. In riffles, differences in the density of sculpins among rivers could be linked to differences in cover. However, riffles in rivers without pikeminnow had an average sculpin density 77 times higher than rivers with pikeminnow, yet only nine times more cover. In pools, cover availability did not differ among rivers, but the density of sculpins in rivers without pikeminnow was 11 times higher than rivers with pikeminnow. 3. In the field experiment, mortality of tethered sculpin varied substantially among treatments and ANOVA indicated a significant River · Habitat · Cover interaction (P < 0.001). Overall, tethered prickly sculpin suffered 40% mortality over 24 h in rivers with pikeminnow and 2% mortality in rivers without pikeminnow, suggesting that predation is the mechanism by which the pikeminnow affects sculpins. 4. The apparent reduction in sculpin abundance by introduced pikeminnow has probably significantly altered food webs and nutrient transport processes, and increased the probability of extinction of coastrange and prickly sculpins in the Eel River drainage.
Ligand hyperfine spectra of Cu 2+ in AgCl

Electron-paramagnetic-resonance studies of crystals of AgCl doped with ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{2+}$ show a rich hyperfine structure. The hyperfine structure is a sum of the hyperfine interaction from the Cu nucleus and the superhyperfine interaction with the four Cl ligand nuclei in the plane perpendicular to the z axis of the crystal. The superhyperfine constants arising from the wave function transferred to the ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{2+}$(3${d}^{9}$) hole, through the bonding with the Cl ions in the lattice, are found to be A=20 gauss, and B=3 gauss.
Quantum-mechanical approach to surface-enhanced Raman scattering

We present a microscopic model for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from molecules adsorbed on small noble-metal nanoparticles. We demonstrate that, in nanometer-sized particles, SERS is determined by a competition between two distinct quantum-size effects: Landau damping of surface plasmon resonance and reduced screening near nanoparticle surface. The first mechanism comes from the discreteness of energy spectrum in a nanoparticle and leads to a general decrease in SERS. The second mechanism originates from the different effect of confining potential on sp-band and d-band electron states and leads to a relative increase in SERS. We calculate numerically the spatial distribution of local field near the surface and the enhancement factor for different nanoparticles sizes.
Gender and age effects on the ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate responses to antihypertensive therapy.

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to assess potential differences in the 24-h antihypertensive response to treatment with the controlled-onset, extended-release (COER) calcium antagonist, verapamil in men versus women and older versus younger patients with hypertension. Methods: Meta-analyses were performed of three prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with COER-verapamil in patients with mid–stage I to stage III essential hypertension. The trials were conducted at medical clinics in the US and Canada in patients with a mean office diastolic blood pressure (BP) of 95 to 115 mm Hg on 2 consecutive weeks and a mean daytime diastolic BP >90 mm Hg. Patients were randomized to treatment with 180 to 540 mg/day of COER-verapamil (N = 273) or placebo (N = 125). Changes from baseline in ambulatory BP and heart rate after COER-verapamil were compared in men versus women and in older versus younger patients. Results: Treatment with COER-verapamil caused significant reductions in 24-h and early-morning systolic and diastolic BP in all of the subpopulations as compared with placebo (P Conclusions Both gender and age were significant determinants of the response to COER-verapamil. The antihypertensive effect of verapamil is greater in women than in men and in older patients compared with younger patients.
The Use of Metagenomic Approaches to Analyze Changes in Microbial Communities

Microbes are the most abundant biological entities found in the biosphere. Identification and measurement of microorganisms (including viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists) in the biosphere cannot be readily achieved due to limitations in culturing methods. A non-culture based approach, called “metagenomics”, was developed that enabled researchers to comprehensively analyse microbial communities in different ecosystems. In this study, we highlight recent advances in the field of metagenomics for analyzing microbial communities in different ecosystems ranging from oceans to the human microbiome. Developments in several bioinformatics approaches are also discussed in context of microbial metagenomics that include taxonomic systems, sequence databases, and sequence-alignment tools. In summary, we provide a snapshot for the recent advances in metagenomics approach for analyzing changes in the microbial communities in different ecosystems.
X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Chicken Sulfite Oxidase Crystals

We have investigated the active site of crystalline sulfite oxidase using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Our results indicate that the crystalline preparation contains molybdenum in the fully oxidized MoVI form, with a local structure that is identical to that in solution, with two MoO ligands at 1.71 A and three Mo−S at 2.41 A.
An investigation of tin oxide plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using optical emission spectroscopy

Abstract Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) has been used to deposit transparent, conducting tin oxide from mixtures of SnCl 4 and O 2 . The chemistry of this system was investigated using statistically designed experiments, in-situ optical emission spectroscopy (OES), and ex-situ measurements of film properties. Experiments revealed that plasma power and substrate temperature were strongly coupled. The combination of higher power and temperature was synergetic, yielding improvements in both deposition rate and electrical conductivity at low SnCl 4 flow rates. A number of unique OES signals were identified in this system. Emission signals attributed to tin-containing intermediates and atomic Cl were correlated with electrical performance and growth rate, respectively. Based on these measurements a mechanism is proposed to explain the non-linear growth behavior observed in this system.
Intrinsically parallel multiscale algorithms for hypercubes

Most algorithms implemented on parallel computers have been optimal serial algorithms, slightly modified or parallelized. An exciting possibility is the search for intrinsically parallel algorithms. These are algorithms which do not have a sensible serial equivalent — any serial equivalent is so inefficient as to be of little use.We describe a multiscale algorithm for the solution of PDE systems that is designed specifically for massively parallel supercomputers. Unlike conventional multigrid algorithms, the new algorithm utilizes the same number of processors at all times. Convergence rates are much faster than for standard multigrid methods — the solution error decreases by up to three digits per iteration. The basic idea is to solve many coarse scale problems simultaneously, combining the results in an optimal way to provide an improved fine scale solution.On massively parallel machines the improved convergence rate is attained at no extra computational cost since processors that would otherwise be sitting idle are utilized to provide the better convergence. Furthermore the algorithm is ideally suited to SIMD computers as well as MIMD computers. On serial machines the algorithm is much slower than standard multigrid because of the extra time spent on multiple coarse scales, though in certain cases the improved convergence rate may justify this — primarily in cases where other methods do not converge. The algorithm provides an extremely fast solution of various standard elliptic equations on machines such as the 65,536 processor Connection Machine, and uses only O (log(N)) parallel machine instructions to solve such equations. The discovery of this algorithm was motivated entirely by new hardware. It was a surprise to the authors to find that developments in computer architecture might lead to new mathematics. Undoubtedly further intrinsically parallel algorithms await discovery.
Effects of temperature on glycosyltransferase activity in the plasma membrane of L cells.

Abstract Derivatives of mouse L cells, cl-ld and LM, are capable of self- or cis-glycosylation. This reaction appears to require interaction of transferase and acceptor by collision in the course of diffusion in the plane of the membrane. The effect of temperature on glycosylation indicates this may well be the case since anomalies in the rate of the reaction, unexpectedly high rates, are found at temperatures below 20 °C. The anomalies are similar to those previously found for lateral diffusion of surface antigens in these cells. Such anomalies are not found for the transfer of galactose by the cells' enzymes to a water-soluble acceptor.
Evaluation of passenger train car materials in the cone calorimeter

Recent advances in fire test methods and hazard analysis techniques make it useful to re-examine passenger train fire safety requirements. The use of test methods based on heat release rate (HRR), incorporated with fire modelling and hazard analysis, could permit the assessment of potential hazards under realistic fire conditions. The results of research directed at the evaluation of passenger train car interior materials in the cone calorimeter are presented. These measurements provide data necessary for fire modelling as well as quantitative data that can be used to evaluate the performance of component materials and assemblies. The cone calorimeter test data were also compared with test data resulting from individual bench-test methods specified in the FRA fire safety guidelines, The majority of the tested materials which meet the current FRA guidelines show comparable performance in the cone calorimeter.
Epidermal growth factor receptor plays an anabolic role in bone metabolism in vivo

While the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–mediated signaling pathway has been shown to have vital roles in many developmental and pathologic processes, its functions in the development and homeostasis of the skeletal system has been poorly defined. To address its in vivo role, we constructed transgenic and pharmacologic mouse models and used peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), micro–computed tomography (µCT) and histomorphometry to analyze their trabecular and cortical bone phenotypes. We initially deleted the EGFR in preosteoblasts/osteoblasts using a Cre/loxP system (Col-Cre Egfrf/f), but no bone phenotype was observed because of incomplete deletion of the Egfr genomic locus. To further reduce the remaining osteoblastic EGFR activity, we introduced an EGFR dominant-negative allele, Wa5, and generated Col-Cre EgfrWa5/f mice. At 3 and 7 months of age, both male and female mice exhibited a remarkable decrease in tibial trabecular bone mass with abnormalities in trabecular number and thickness. Histologic analyses revealed decreases in osteoblast number and mineralization activity and an increase in osteoclast number. Significant increases in trabecular pattern factor and structural model index indicate that trabecular microarchitecture was altered. The femurs of these mice were shorter and smaller with reduced cortical area and periosteal perimeter. Moreover, colony-forming unit–fibroblast (CFU-F) assay indicates that these mice had fewer bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and committed progenitors. Similarly, administration of an EGFR inhibitor into wild-type mice caused a significant reduction in trabecular bone volume. In contrast, EgfrDsk5/+ mice with a constitutively active EGFR allele displayed increases in trabecular and cortical bone content. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the EGFR signaling pathway is an important bone regulator and that it primarily plays an anabolic role in bone metabolism. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Design and Validation of a Motion Stage for In Vitro MR Experiments

A computer-controlled motion stage was designed to facilitate motion studies and simulations of cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) experiments. The stage was constructed to move a phantom of up to 6 kg at velocities up to 15 cm/sec along a two-dimensional trajectory within an MR scanner. The operation of the motion stage was validated and found to be accurate to within 0.08 cm in displacement and 1.5 cm/sec in velocity (root-mean-square error). No image degradation was observed.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;10:972-977.
Determining design and scale-up parameters for degradation of atrazine with suspended Pseudomonas sp. ADP in aqueous bioreactors.

This work investigated the kinetic parameters of atrazine mineralization by suspended cells of Pseudomonas sp. ADP in both shake flasks and spherical stirred tank batch reactors (SSTR). The degradation of atrazine and growth of Pseudomonas sp. ADP were studied. Experiments were performed at different temperatures and stirring speeds in both reactors at varying initial concentrations of atrazine. Cell growth and atrazine concentration were monitored over time, and a Monod model with one limiting substrate was used to characterize the kinetic behavior. Temperature, stirring speed, and reactor type were all found to significantly affect the regressed Monod parameters. At 27 °C and 200 rpm, for the shaker flask experiments, μ max and K s were determined to be 0.14 (±0.01) h -1 and 1.88 (±1.80) mg/L, respectively. At 37 °C, μ max and K s increased to 0.25 (±0.05) h -1 and 9.59 (±6.55) mg/L, respectively. As expected, stirrer speed was also found to significantly alter the kinetic parameters. At 27 °C and 125 rpm, μ max and K s were 0.04 (±0.002) h -1 and 3.72 (±1.05) mg/L, respectively, whereas at 37 °C and 125 rpm, μ max and K s were 0.07 (±0.008) h -1 and 1.65 (±2.06) mg/L. In the SSTR the kinetic parameters μ max and K s at room temperature were determined to be 0.12 (±0.009) h -1 and 2.18 (±0.47) mg/L, respectively. Although the μ max values for both types of reactors were similar, the shaker flask experiments resulted in considerable error. Error analysis on calculated values of K s were found to impact estimates in atrazine concentration by as much as two orders of magnitude, depending on the reactor design, illustrating the importance of these factors in reactor scale-up.
Utility of microstructure modeling for simulation of micro-mechanical response of composites containing non-uniformly distributed fibers

Abstract Composite microstructures often contain non-uniformly distributed fibers having different sizes. Therefore, in finite-element (FE)-based simulations of the mechanical response of composites, the non-uniform spatial arrangement of fiber centers and distribution of fiber sizes need to be incorporated. In this contribution, a unique combination of digital image processing, microstructure modeling, and FE-based simulations is used to develop a methodology for modeling the micro-mechanical response of composites having non-uniform spatial arrangement of fibers. The methodology is developed via modeling of the micro-mechanical response of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) containing unidirectional aligned Nicalon (SiC) fibers that are non-uniformly distributed in a glass ceramic matrix. For comparison, the micro-mechanical response of typical digital images of the composite microstructure and a simple microstructure model having periodic arrangement of fibers are also simulated. It is shown that the computer simulated microstructure model that accounts for non-uniform spatial arrangement of fibers having a range of sizes can be used for realistic parametric studies on the micro-mechanical response of the composite.
The who and the what of usage of two cancer online communities

The explosion of use of Internet-based communication for health requires attention to the ways survivors of specific diseases and those close to them participate in using resources. This research focuses on two cancer groups - breast and prostate - and how they use WebMD asynchronous bulletin boards. Four hundred and eighty two messages were coded for communicator (survivors, spouses, others) and content of messages. Most common communicators were survivors, but the two groups differed in percentages of communicator. Of four main categories of content - medical/treatment, intimacy/sexuality, emotional expression, and support - most common were support and medical/treatment. The groups differed significantly on those four categories, with breast cancer more support-dominated and prostate more medical/treatment-dominated and more intimacy/sexuality messages. There were no group differences in emotional-toned vs. social support seeking vs. providing support, or positive vs. negative emotions expressed. Generally, there was considerable commonality, and the differences found primarily supported gender-specific notions of communication and need.
Transforming growth factor β1-induced delay of cell cycle progression and its association with growth-related gene expression in mouse fibroblasts

Abstract TGFβ-induced cell cycle progression is relatively slower than that induced by EGF or PDGF-BB. Further, TGFβ delays EGF or PDGF-induced 5-phase entry in C3H 10T 1 2 mouse fibroblasts. In accordance with this delay, the induction of mRNA level of ‘immediate early genes’ such as c-myc, c-fos, c-jun and junB by TGFβ has slower kinetics compared with those of EGF. TGFβ induces c-sis gene, suggesting possible involvement of secondary growth stimulation by PDGF-like proteins. However, anti-PDGF-AB antibody, which was inhibitory to FDGF-BB-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation, did not block TGFβ-induced DNA synthesis. These results first demonstrate that the delay of cell cycle progression by TGFβ is closely associated with the altered regulation of growth-related gene expression in fibroblasts.
The bond-based peridynamic system with Dirichlet-type volume constraint

In this paper, the bond-based peridynamic system is analysed as a non-local boundary-value problem with volume constraint. The study extends earlier works in the literature on non-local diffusion and non-local peridynamic models, to include non-positive definite kernels. We prove the well-posedness of both linear and nonlinear variational problems with volume constraints. The analysis is based on some non-local Poincare-type inequalities and the compactness of the associated non-local operators. It also offers careful characterizations of the associated solution spaces, such as compact embedding, separability and completeness. In the limit of vanishing non-locality, the convergence of the peridynamic system to the classical Navier equations of elasticity with Poisson ratio ¼ is demonstrated.
Radio and X-ray observations of G11.2 - 0.3 and G41.1 - 0.3

The supernova remnants G11.2 - 0.3 and G41.1 - 0.3 have been observed in radio and X-ray utilizing the VLA and Einstein Observatory, respectively. The acquired images reveal that both sources have shell morphologies and do not exhibit any clear indication of a central stellar remnant. In addition, both objects are relatively bright X-ray sources.
Neovascularity related to a mural thrombus

This is a case report on an unusual angiographic finding related to a left ventricular mural thrombus. An abnormal vascular blush of contrast was noted on performing coronary arteriography. This was attributed to neovascularity in a left ventricular mural thrombus. This abnormality must be distinguished from vascular fistulas, intracardiac communications, and tumors in making appropriate therapeutic decisions.
An Analysis (Time Study) of Service and Education in a Neurosurgery Residency Program

A time study analysis of the activities of neurosurgery residents, allocating their time to one of four categories (service, education, questionable, personal), indicates that the service-education percentage ratio is 44.65:37.34 during the week and 61.50:28.11 for the weekend. The distribution of activities within service and education categories identifies the extent to which a neurosurgery resident in this program is a student, although most of the "service" activities are those that a neurosurgeon must learn to perform efficiently in order to practice his specialty.
Intraspecific variation in nuclear DNA content in Collinsia verna nutt. (Scrophulariaceae)

Intraspecific variation in nuclear DNA content in Collinsia verna nutt. (Scrophulariaceae)
The LOV domain: a chromophore module servicing multiple photoreceptors

Three different families of blue-light receptors have been characterized from higher plants: three cryptochromes, two phototropins, and the three members of the ZTL/ADO family. Phototropins and the ZTL/ADO proteins have chromophore modules, designated LOV domains, that bind flavin mononucleotide and undergo formation of a C(4a) flavin-cysteinyl adduct. All contain the highly conserved amino acid motif GXNCRFLQ. Over 90 prokaryote proteins also contain LOV domains with this motif upstream from one of several different functional groups. All of these that have been investigated to date act as photoreceptors in vitro and form the adduct upon irradiation. Four members of the class LOV-histidine kinase, one from a plant pathogen (Pseudomonas syringae), one from an animal pathogen Brucella melitensis), and two from a marine bacterium (Erythrobacter litoralis) respectively, mediate light-activated histidine phosphorylation. Decay of the adduct in darkness after a blue light pulse coincides with loss of the capacity for phosphorylation upon addition of ATP. At present, the biological role(s) of these light-sensitive proteins is under investigation.
Spin-label assay for lysozyme.

Abstract A spin-label assay for lysozyme, which is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of spin-labeled peptidoglycan, is described. Hydrolysis of this polymer by lysozyme results in sharpening of the esr spectrum. The rate of spectral sharpening is a function of enzyme concentration. When the activities of hen egg-white and human lysozymes are compared by this method, human lysozyme is 3.5 times as active as the hen enzyme. The pH optima for both enzymes are pH 5.0. At this pH, the maximal activity for the hen egg-white lysozyme is observed at an ionic strength of 0.09. This assay is suitable for measuring lysozyme levels in biological fluids. It is a sensitive, continuous assay that measures muramidase activity on a defined substrate.
The effect of supramaximal exercise on equine platelet function.

Summary When blood is collected into sodium citrate in the proportion of 9 parts blood:1 part sodium citrate, the concentration of plasma sodium citrate in the sample will depend on the packed cell volume (PCV) of the blood sample. This difference in plasma sodium citrate concentration secondary to alterations in PCV significantly affects human platelet aggregation responses. Since horses attain a high PCV in response to high-intensity exercise we investigated the effect of differences in sample plasma sodium citrate concentration on equine platelet aggregability. In addition, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was evaluated as an alternative anticoagulant for assessment of platelet aggregability during strenuous exercise in horses. Blood samples were collected pre-exercise and at fatigue after supramaximal treadmill exercise into either 3.8% sodium citrate (9 parts blood:1 part sodium citrate) or 20 u LMWH/ ml of blood. Platelet aggregation responses to 1.25 μmol/l adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were measured via optical aggregometry. For samples collected into sodium citrate, aggregability was significantly less than pre-exercise values in samples collected at fatigue and in pre-exercise samples in which sodium citrate concentrations were adjusted to equal those in fatigue samples. However, samples collected into LMWH showed significantly increased platelet aggregability in samples collected at fatigue when compared to pre-exercise samples. In conclusion, higher plasma sodium citrate concentration had a marked inhibitory effect on equine platelet aggregation responses. Low molecular weight heparin was a good alternative anticoagulant for assessment of equine platelet function and results indicate that equine platelet aggregability was enhanced in response to supramaximal exercise.
Developing DNP Students as Adaptive Leaders: A Key Strategy in Transforming Health Care

The success of graduates with a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in transforming health care will depend significantly on their leadership ability to think strategically, innovate, and engage stakeholders in meaningful system improvement. Known as adaptive work, these graduates will need a portfolio of adaptive leadership skills that prepare them to move health care from a volume-driven to value-based system. This article describes development of a core DNP leadership course in a postmaster's point of entry DNP program at an academic health science center school of nursing. The course, designed as DNP students' initial step on their professional development journey to becoming adaptive leaders capable of driving transformative change, created an alternative lens for students to undertake strategic adaptive change initiatives within themselves and their organizations.
High-resolution computed tomography of the temporal bone of the Macaca mulatta monkey

High-resolution computed tomography (CT) slices of the temporal bone of the Macaca mulatta monkey were performed and key anatomical landmarks were identified and labelled. The scans provided detailed anatomical definition of the monkey temporal bone and were considered a useful basis for studying the anatomy of a primate model.
Recurrent subepithelial corneal opacities after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To report the recurrence of presumed post-viral conjunctivitis subepithelial corneal opacities after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: A 33-year-old ophthalmic technician developed recurrence of opacities after treatment of presumed post-viral keratitis subepithelial corneal opacities with the excimer laser. CONCLUSIONS: Post-viral keratitis subepithelial corneal opacities may recur after removal by excimer laser PTK. Recurrence of these opacities in anterior corneal stroma previously unaffected by opacities before laser treatment suggests the presence of viral antigen in deeper corneal tissue than that occupied by the original subepithelial opacities. The recurrence also suggests likely routes of corneal antibody penetration in the formation of these opacities. Intensive topical steroid treatment may play a role by increasing the depth of viral particle penetration into corneal stroma.
Five deep questions in computing

Even if they seem unanswerable, just trying to answer them will advance the field's scientific foundations and help engineer the systems we can only imagine.
Characterizing and predicting program behavior and its variability

To reach the next level of performance and energy efficiency, optimizations are increasingly applied in a dynamic and adaptive manner. Current adaptive systems are typicallyreactive and optimize hardware or software in response to detecting a shift in program behavior. We argue that program behavior variability requires adaptive systems to be predictive rather than reactive. In order to be effective, systems need to adapt according to future rather than most recent past behavior.In this paper we explore the potential of incorporating prediction into adaptive systems. We study the time-varying behavior of programs using metrics derived from hardware counters on two different micro-architectures. Our evaluation shows that programs do indeed exhibit significant behavior variation even at a granularity of millions of instructions. In addition, while the actual behavior across metrics may be different, periodicity in the behavior is shared across metrics. We exploit these characteristics in the design of on-line statistical and table-based predictors. We introduce a new class of predictors, cross-metric predictors, that use one metric to predict another, thus making possible an ef.cient coupling of multiple predictors. We evaluate these predictors on the SPECcpu2000 benchmark suite and show that table-based predictors outperform statistical predictors by as much as 69% on benchmarks with high variability.