cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Topical tacrolimus (FK506) in the treatment of recalcitrant parastomal pyoderma gangrenosum associated with Crohn's disease: report of two cases

Introduction Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare idiopathic skin disorder associated with other diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. The commonest site is the skin, but sometimes it can occur in the parastomal region. Most of these cases respond to treatment with systemic corticosteroids and cyclosporin or local Kenalog injections. Methods The following are two cases of parastomal pyoderma in patients not responding to the standard measures. These patients were treated with topical tacrolimus. Results These patients showed dramatic improvement in one week with complete resolution and re-epithelialization of skin within two weeks. Conclusion Pyoderma gangrenosum is a difficult problem to manage and its early resolution is important. In these two reported cases, the improvement was dramatic, therefore topical tacrolimus should be considered early in the management.
Crystallization Kinetics of Lithia‐Silica Glasses: Effect of Composition and Nucleating Agent

The kinetics of crystallization of a 25Li2O · 75SiO2 (wt%) glass doped with Pt, Cu, Au, TiO2, and P2O5 were studied using nonisothermal techniques. The activation energy, E, and the frequency factor, v, for the overall crystallization process depended directly on the critical cooling rate for the glass formation, Rc, of these glasses. The crystallization kinetics of several other glasses in the lithia-silica system were also studied as a function of composition, critical cooling rate, and liquidus temperature, Tm. E and v for these glasses were more dependent on the liquidus temperature than on Rc.
A methodical approach to product line adoption

The evolution of the U.S. Army's Live Training Transformation (LT2) product line of combat training systems, including the move by the Army to consolidate management of the product line under a single contracting team, has provided a natural experiment that validates the hypothesis that product line engineering practices are more effective than traditional software engineering practices, and has demonstrated which product line adoption approaches are more successful than others. By analyzing this natural experiment, the product line team has been able to apply a methodical approach to product line adoption across the development organization and successfully adopt second generation product line processes. This paper explores that methodical approach. It will enumerate the steps that led to successes and explore the contributing factors and unintended consequences of failures along the way. Additionally this paper will explore how this approach is being employed to extend the LT2 product line beyond software.
Early Stages of Oxidative Stress-Induced Membrane Permeabilization: A Neutron Reflectometry Study

Neutron reflectometry was used to probe in situ the structure of supported lipid bilayers at the solid-liquid interface during the early stages of UV-induced oxidative degradation. Single-component supported lipid bilayers composed of gel phase, dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), and fluid phase, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), phospholipids were exposed to low-dose oxidative stress generated by UV light and their structures were examined by neutron reflectometry. An interrupted illumination mode, involving exposures in 15 min increments with 2 h intervals between subsequent exposures, and a continuous mode involving a single 60 (or 90) min exposure period were employed. In both cases, pronounced differences in the structure of the lipid bilayer after exposure were observed. Interrupted exposure led to a substantial decrease in membrane coverage but preserved its total thickness at reduced scattering length densities. These results indicate that the initial phase during UV-induced membrane degradation involves the formation of hydrophilic channels within the membrane. This is consistent with the loss of some lipid molecules we observe and attendant reorganization of residual lipids forming hemimicellar edges of the hydrophilic channels. In contrast, continuous illumination produced a graded interface of continuously varied scattering length density (and hence hydrocarbon density) extending 100-150 A into the liquid phase. Exposure of a DPPC bilayer to UV light in the presence of a reservoir of unfused vesicles showed low net membrane disintegration during oxidative stress, presumably because of surface back-filling from the bulk reservoir. Chemical evidence for membrane degradation was obtained by mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Further evidence for the formation of hydrophilic channels was furnished by fluorescence microscopy and imaging ellipsometry data.
Using eye movements to evaluate a PC-based risk awareness and perception training program on a driving simulator.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the effects of a PC-based training program on risk perception in a driving simulator. BACKGROUND: Novice drivers have a fatality rate some eight times higher than that of the most experienced group of drivers, primarily because of the novice driver's inability to predict ahead of time the risks that will appear in the roadway. Current driver education programs, at least those in the United States, do not emphasize the teaching of risk awareness skills to novice drivers. METHOD: A PC-based risk awareness and perception training program was developed and evaluated. The training involved using plan (top-down) views of 10 risky scenarios that helped novice drivers identify where potential risks were located and what information should be attended. Both the 24 trained novice drivers and 24 untrained novice drivers were evaluated on an advanced driving simulator. The eye movements of both groups of drivers were measured. The evaluation on the driving simulator included both scenarios used in the training and others not used in training. RESULTS: The set of trained novice drivers were almost twice as likely as untrained drivers to fixate appropriately either on the regions where potential risks might appear or on signs that warned of potentially risky situations ahead, both for the scenarios they had encountered in training and for novel scenarios. APPLICATION: The PC training program developed, which is portable and can be widely used, has great promise in improving risk perception for novice drivers on the road. Language: en
Spatially-resolved measurements of soot size and population in a swirl-stabilized combustor

Isooctane, and mixtures of isooctane with various ring and aromatic compounds blended to yield the same smoke point were separately injected through a twin-fluid atomizer into a turbulent, swirl-stabilized model combustor. A nonintrusive optical probe based on larege angle (60°, 20°) intensity ratio scattering was used to yield a point measurement of soot particulate in the size range of 0.08 to 0.38 μm. The velocity and temperature fields were characterized by a two-color laser anemometer and thermocouple, respectively. Sooting was low or nonexistent in regions of high temperature and relatively high in regions of depressed temperature. The addition of ring compounds to isooctane increased the amount of soot produced and changed the location of peak soot production. The total amount of soot produced depended on fuel type for those fuels of equivalent smoke point, with the double ring compounds yielding significantly more soot than the single ring blend. The amount of soot produced was reduced by a reduction in fuel loading. Scanning electron micrographs of extracted samples established that the optical technique resolved the large particle wing of the soot size distribution. The results point to the complexity of soot production in flows dominated by strong aerodynamics, and the importance of nonintrusive optical measurements to both unravel the processes of formation and burnout and provide the information necessary to guide combustor and nozzle design.
Happiness and Unhappiness in the Developing World: Life Satisfaction Among Sex Workers, Dump-Dwellers, Urban Poor, and Rural Peasants in Nicaragua

Little in-depth research exists on subjective well-being (SWB) in the developing world, especially among the poor and extremely poor. Biswas-Diener and Diener (Soc Indic Res 55:329–352, 2001) employed a study design in the slums of Calcutta, India to address this gap in SWB research. They found slightly negative global SWB but slightly positive domain specific satisfaction in their sample. The current study employs the same paradigm and investigates the SWB of female sex workers, city dump dwellers, and urban and rural poor in Nicaragua, Central America. The current study was able to replicate the Biswas-Diener and Diener (Soc Indic Res 55:329–352, 2001) finding of slightly negative SWB for marginalized urban groups. In addition, an overall model for predicting SWB was constructed using personality dispositions, objective income, social support, and social rootedness as predictors. Social support and objective income were the only significant predictors in the model but more zero order relations existed. Additionally, this study contrasted urban poor versus rural poor and found no significant SWB differences.
Epicompletion in Frames with Skeletal Maps, IV: *-Regular Frames

Earlier work has shown that there is a monoreflection ψ of the category of compact normal, joinfit frames with skeletal frame maps in the subcategory consisting of strongly projectable frames. This article extends the domain of ψ to the *-regular frames. The saturation nucleus s is a reflection with respect to weakly closed frame maps, in the subcategory of subfit frames. Moreover, s·ψ = ψ·s, on compact normal, joinfit frames with skeletal, weakly closed frame maps, and s·ψ is an epireflection, but not a monoreflection, in the subcategory of strongly projectable, regular frames, all of which are epicomplete.
Porous hierarchical TiO2 nanostructures: Processing and microstructure relationships

Abstract A dual porous hierarchical coating of TiO2 nanotubes (∼50 nm diameter) on the nanoscale and large (∼1 to 20 μm) pores on the micro-scale can be fabricated on the surface of Ti by anodic oxidation. This unique coating may have potential applications as bioactive coatings for Ti bone implants. This paper details several important aspects of the coating microstructure. TiO2 coatings were fabricated by anodic oxidation in 1 M H2SO4 + 0.1 M NaF solution. Microstructure characterization was carried out using scanning electron microscopy. We also report on the observation of precipitates which form as both a continuous surface layer and of a conical geometry. The mechanism for nanotube formation, precipitate layer formation, and microscopic pitting was discussed. The effect of processing variables (i.e. time, temperature, pH) on the TiO2 microstructure was studied. Anodization time was found to affect nanotube length and also pit size and density. Lowering the electrolyte pH decreased the nanotube length and microscopic pit density. Increasing electrolyte temperature decreased nanotube length and increased pit/pore and precipitate density. Microscopic pitting, in the nanotube coating was found to occur above grain boundaries in the Ti substrate and above Ti grains with (0 0 0 1) orientation.
The Effect of Mass Transfer on Free Convection

Consideration is given to the constant property laminar boundary layer equations with free convection and mass transfer. Similar solutions are possible for blowing rate distributions varying as the distance from the leading edge raised to the power (n -- 1)/4 where n is the exponent in a power law surface temperature distribution. Solutions to the equations in the form of skin fi- iction and heat-transfer parameters, and velocity and temperature profiles are presented for the constant wall temperature case for a fluid with Pr = 0.73. The cases considered range from strong suction to strong blowing. Mass transfer has a pronounced effect on the heat transfer but only a slight effect on the skin friction. In light of the solutions presented, these effects are shown to be physically rational. (auth)
Multimedia and Reality

The author considers possibilities for combining natural processes and multimedia technologies. An example includes engineering sensors and actuators together toward forming an intelligent habitat.
Mesh generation for domains with small angles

Nonmanifold geometric domains having small angles present special problems for triangular and tetrahedral mesh generators. Although small angles inherent in the input geometry cannot be removed, one would like to find a way to triangulate a domain without creating any new small angles. Unfortunately, this problem is not always soluble. I discuss how mesh generation algorithms based on Delaunay refinement can be modified to ensure that they always produce a mesh. A two-dimensional algorithm presented here creates a mesh with no new angle smaller than arcsin[sin( =2)=p2], where 60 is the smallest angle separating two segments of the input domain. Furthermore, new angles smaller than 20:7 appear only near input angles smaller than 60 . In practice, the algorithm’s performance is better than these bounds suggest. A threedimensional algorithm presented here creates a mesh in which all tetrahedra have circumradius-to-shortest edge ratios no greater than two, except near acute input angles (angles separating segments and/or facets of the input domain).
Development of Agglomerated Talc II: Optimization of the Processing Parameters for the Preparation of Granulated Talc

AbstractAgglomerated talc was prepared by the wet granulation method using a planetary mixer and a high speed mixer. The effect of the amount of water added and granulation time for the planetary mixer on the physical properties of the agglomerated talc were investigated by a response surface design. The speed of the agitator and granulation time for the high speed mixer were selected as the two independent variables to study the granulation processing using the same statistical design. Several characteristics of the product prepared by a planetary mixer or high speed mixer were well expressed as a quadratic function of the two independent variables studied in coded level. By superimposing contour plots of granule friability and percent fine of granule, a region was obtained where the requirements of friability and percent fines could be satisfied by controlling the processing variables. The optimal granulation condition was chosen from that region. The values of the measured responses of the agglomerated...
Ventral tegmental glutamate: a role in stress-, cue-, and cocaine-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking.

Ventral tegmental dopamine neurons are activated by primary rewards and, when such rewards are predictable' by reward-predicting stimuli. Glutamatergic input to the ventral tegmental area contributes to this activation: in animals trained to self-administer cocaine, cocaine-predictive cues trigger ventral tegmental glutamate release and dopaminergic activation. Mild footshock stress similarly causes glutamate release and dopaminergic activation in cocaine-trained but not cocaine-naive animals. The ability of cocaine-predictive and stress-associated cues to activate the dopamine system and to trigger cocaine craving appears to be related to changes in the ability of glutamate to activate dopaminergic neurons, changes known to be caused by experience with stress or with drugs of abuse.
Review of battery safety for emergency communication and tracking systems for underground mining operations

The passage of the MINER Act of 2006 has placed stronger requirements on communication and tracking equipment used in underground mines for emergency operations. This review details the safety concerns of battery chemistries that are expected to see use in emergency communication and tracking equipment. The performance and safety requirements for portable and stationary equipment are summarised. Descriptions are provided for domestic and international standards regarding intrinsic safety. Common concerns for battery charging systems for underground mines are also addressed.
Essays of a Peripheral Mind: Invasions of the Landscape Snatchers

Essays of a Peripheral Mind: Invasions of the Landscape Snatchers DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v32i1_havstad
Cytological Investigations on some Indian Diplopoda (Myriapoda)

THE class Myriapoda has received scant attention from cytologists, the order Diplopoda even less. Among the earlier contributions to this field of study, mention may be made of Oettinger1, Sokoloff2 and Bessiere3. Barring a recent contribution to the cytology of three South Indian species of Diplopoda by Natarajan4, no attention has been devoted to chromosome studies in this group.
Breakdown of cyclic dithiohemiorthoamide tetrahedral intermediates - RC(SR′)(NR″2)SH - at sub-zero temperatures 1,2

Abstract The uslfhydrolyses of thioimidate salts 2a – 2d , in the presence of anh. NASH in dry 2-butanone at −82°C, proceed by the preferential cleavage of the CN bond rather than the CS bond.
Observations of endotoxin-like activity associated with the Legionnaires' disease bacterium

Suspensions of Legionnaires' disease bacterium stored in sterilized tap water 279–287 days produced gelation ofLimulus amebocyte lysate. A 1-ml suspension of washed cells containing 109 viable organisms had aLimulus amebocyte lysate activity equivalent to 4 mg of endotoxin. This activity remained stable in samples that had been autoclaved at 121°C for 15 min. Both the autoclaved cells and filtrate of autoclaved cells were pyrogenic in inoculated rabbits. The Legionnaires' disease bacterium produces a substance or substances that have biological properties associated with endotoxin of more typical Gram-negative bacteria.
One Approach to Formulating and Evaluating Student Work Groups in Legal Environment of Business Courses

The principal focus of this study is an investigation of whether students' grade point average (GPA) is a viable criterion for forming student work groups in the undergraduate Legal Environment of Business course. More specifically, the research focuses on the impact of: (1) GPA-homogeneous (HO) and GPA-heterogeneous (HE) groups upon student satisfaction with group processes and (2) the impact on individual student performance in both group and nongroup assignments. Data obtained from fourteen HE and fourteen HO student groups, in four separate Legal Environment of Business classes consisting of a mix of Management, Marketing, Computer Information Systems, International Business, Financial Services, and Accounting majors, generated a number of significant results. The most surprising observations dealt with the behavior of low achievers whose individual grades showed substantial improvement after working in HO groups. Researchers who are assessing pedagogical methods which serve to engage a student's active learning and motivation should find these results to be of interest. In addition, the beneficial impact on task and relationship behaviors observed in this study should provide solace or a sense of reward to the larger set of academicians, across disciplines, who attempt to impart realistic organizational skills to their classes.
Current understanding of SPEM and its standing in the preneoplastic process

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, but the details of gastric carcinogenesis remain unclear. In humans, two preneoplastic metaplasias are associated with the precancerous stomach: intestinal metaplasia and spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM). While mouse models of Helicobacter sp. infection have not shown intestinal metaplasia, a number of mouse models lead to the evolution of SPEM. In this review, we summarize increasing data that indicates that SPEM arises in the setting of parietal cell loss, either following acute druginduced oxyntic atrophy or in chronic oxyntic atrophy associated with H. felis infection. Importantly, recent investigations support the origin of SPEM through transdifferentiation from mature chief cells following parietal cell loss. Novel biomarkers of SPEM, such as HE4, hold promise as specific markers of the metaplastic process distinct from normal gastric lineages. Staining with HE4 in humans and other studies in gerbils suggest that SPEM arises initially in the human stomach following parietal cell loss and then further evolves into intestinal metaplasia, likely in association with chronic inflammation. Further studies are needed to broaden our knowledge of metaplasia and early cancer-specific biomarkers that could give insights into both lineage derivation and preneoplasia detection.
Infant functional regulatory problems and gender moderate bidirectional effects between externalizing behavior and maternal depressive symptoms

This longitudinal study of 251 families examined bidirectional associations between maternal depressive symptoms and toddler behavioral problems. Functional regulatory problems in infancy and gender were examined as moderators. Mothers rated children's regulatory problems of crying, feeding, and sleeping in infancy, toddler-age externalizing behavior, and their own depressive symptoms when children were ages 7, 15, and 33 months. Using a structural equation model we found that exposure to maternal depressive symptoms at 7 months predicted high levels of child externalizing behavior at 15 and 33 months. Gender moderated the effect, such that maternal depressive symptoms only predicted boys' externalizing behavior at 33 months. Toddler-age externalizing behavior predicted high levels of maternal depressive symptoms at 33 months, only among those who had relatively few regulatory problems as infants. Infancy seems to be a period of heightened vulnerability to effects of maternal depression and boys are more likely than girls to develop resulting externalizing problems. Mothers of infants with few regulatory problems may develop worse depressive symptoms in response to their children's preschool-age behavioral problems.
Amyloid. I. Use of Freund's adjuvant in experimental amyloidosis.

SummaryAmyloidosis was produced in C3H mice with two, spaced intraperitoneal injections of any of several antigens incorporated in complete Freund's adjuvant. The same regimen but omitting the antigens resulted in amyloidosis of lower degree. The subcutaneous route in otherwise identical studies, proved ineffective. Freund's incomplete adjuvant alone, given intraperitoneally produced no amyloidosis. Addition of casein to the incomplete adjuvant produced amyloidosis in some animals. For rapid and reproducible production of amyloidosis in mice, a procedure involving two intraperitoneal injections, given 2 weeks apart, of 0.25 ml of an emulsion made up of 25 mg of casein, 1.5 ml of complete Freund's adjuvant and 1.5 ml of phosphate buffered saline, is suggested.
Improved Preparation of Macroporous, Chlorosulfonated Poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) and Conversion to Sulfonamides and Sulfonylhydrazines

Sulfochlorinated, macroporous poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene), 1, is a useful intermediate for synthesis of polymers with functional groups such as primary and secondary sulfonamides, sulfonylhydrazine, sulfinic acid, and thiol, all of which can be prepared by reaction of 1 with aqueous reagents. An improved method for preparing 1 consists of using dried, commercially available sulfonic acid cation exchange resins in the hydrogen ion or sodium ion form to react with PCl5 in a suspending medium of POCl3, separating the resin by filtration, and washing the resin with ice−water. The byproducts are POCl3, partially recoverable by atmospheric pressure distillation, small amounts of HCl or NaCl, and H3PO4. No organic solvents are required. Prompt conversion of 1 to the desired final product minimizes hydrolysis of 1.
Determinants of the stimulation of fat cell adenylate cyclase by high concentrations of sodium and magnesium salts. Implications for the role of magnesium in regulation of enzyme activity

Abstract Stimulation of adenylate cyclase by high concentrations of Mg 2+ has been attributed to either occupation of a divalent cation site on the enzyme or Mg 2+ binding of inhibitory species of uncomplexed ATP. However, the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by other salts led us to reexamine the alleged specificity of Mg 2+ . The stimulatory effects of high concentrations of magnesium and sodium salts on adenylate cyclase were compared in rat fat cell membranes (‘ghosts’). Under standard assay conditions of 5 mM MgCl 2 and 1 mM ATP, added MgCl 2 (45 mM), NaCl (90 mM), MgSO 4 (45 mM), and Na 2 SO 4 (45 mM) stimulated basal activity in a temperature-dependent manner. At 30°C all four salts produced 2–3-fold stimulation with linear time course to 10 min. At 37°C time courses were nonlinear, and although MgCl 2 and NaCl were stimulatory over 10 min, sulfate salts of both cations had little or no effect. When 10 −4 M GTP was added, however, all four salts became stimulatory at 37°C with linear time courses. In the presence of GTP, MgCl 2 and NaCl were equally effective at equimolar concentrations (100 mM) of Cl − . MgCl 2 and NaCl were stimulatory (in the absence or presence of GTP) over the same range of Cl − concentrations up to 200 mM. In contrast to the results with GTP, magnesium salts enhanced stimulation by the GTP analog 5′-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate (GMP-P(NH)P) much more than did sodium salts. MgCl 2 and MgSO 4 each approximately tripled GMP-P(NH)P stimulation, while NaCl and Na 2 SO 4 had only minimal stimulatory effect. None of the salts increased 10 −4 M epinephrine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the absence or presence of GTP. Our results show that the effects of ‘high Mg’ are, under certain conditions, approximated by high concentrations of another cation (Na) and are in part determined by the accompanying anion. Stimulation by high MgCl 2 , therefore, appears to be a generalized salt effect rather than a specific effect of Mg 2+ . In addition, the degree of stimulation of adenylate cyclase of fat cell ghosts by salts, including those of Mg 2+ , is dependent on temperature and the presence or absence of guanine nucleotide and hormone.
Resonant amplification of gravity waves over a circular sill

Le piegeage des ondes de gravite au-dessus d'un seuil circulaire (surelevation ronde du fond), naguere examine par Longuet-Higgins (1967), est reexamine ici dans la limite δ≡d 1 /d tendant vers zero, avec λ≡σ 2 d/g=O(1), ou d 1 : profondeur au-dessus du seuil, d, profondeur a l'extension du seuil, σ frequence angulaire de l'onde incidente. Resultats explicites obtenus pour les courbres de resonance. Accord qualitatif avec les approximations correspondantes en eau peu profonde (λ<<1) de Longuet-Higgins. Un resultat remarquablement simple est obtenu pour la reponse quadratique moyenne a une onde incidente, a large bande et a phase aleatoire
Gonadal steroid hormones and hypothalamic opioid circuitry

Abstract Endogenous opioid peptides derived from several gene families are localized within hypothalamic regions known to be involved in the regulation of reproduction. For example, the proenkephalin gene products, met- and leu-enkephalin, and the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene product, β-endorphin, are found in the rat medial preoptic area (MPOA). Moreover, the expression of these peptides and their receptors varies across the estrous cycle in the female rat. We have examined the gonadal steroid regulation of μ-opiate receptors and opioid peptides in the MPOA, and POMC mRNA expression in neurons that innervate the MPOA. μ-Opiate receptors in the MPOA are sexually dimorphic and gonadal steroid hormone-dependent. Hormonal priming of ovariectomized rats with estrogen and progesterone (P) upregulates MPOA μ-receptors 27, but not 3, hr after P treatment. Inhibition of protein synthesis during the first 6 hr after P prevents receptor upregulation, The density of β-endorphin fibers in the MPOA also increases following hormone treatment, and POMC mRNA expression in neurons that innervate the MPOA is induced by hormone treatment beginning 13 hr after P treatment. This delayed response might be ubiquitous among POMC neurons, as those innervating the median eminence also exhibit increased POMC mRNA expression along a similar time course. The results suggest that hormonal feedback regulates opioid peptides which act at μ-receptors in the MPOA to influence reproductive behavior and cyclicity. These opioid functions represent an important component in the complex regulatory processes which control reproduction.
Computer Technology Of Production 3-D Images Of The Heart From Echocardiographic Pictures

The main steps of the method used were: graphic tablet input and storing of heart contour's data. Construction of 3-D polyhedra. Volume calculations, color imaging, setting any visual angle of obtained perspective hidden graphics. Accuracy was checked on phantom model and a ± 13 % interobserver error was found.
Molecular Pathways: CDK4 Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy

Unrestrained growth is the hallmark of cancer, and disrupted cell-cycle regulation is, therefore, common. CDK4 is the key regulator of the G1-S transition. In complex with cyclin D, CDK4 phosphorylates retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and drives cell-cycle progression, a process inhibited by p16. The p16-CDK4-cyclin D-Rb is aberrant in the majority of cancers and is, thus, a logical target for anticancer therapy. Previous attempts to block CDK4 with nonselective cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors led to toxicity and little efficacy. However, the recent development of selective CDK4 inhibitors launched the first successful efforts to target the pathway for cancer therapy. Three oral selective CDK4 inhibitors have entered clinical trials: palbociclib (PD0332991), LEE011, and LY2835219. CDK4 inhibitors have in vitro activity against a broad range of cancers and in patients have shown antitumor activity in breast cancer, lymphoma, sarcoma, and other tumors. Major efforts are under way to develop biomarkers of response, understand potential mechanisms of resistance, and develop rational combinations of CDK4 inhibitors with chemotherapy and other targeted drugs.
Dry bulk density and CaCO3 relationships in upper Quaternary sediments of the eastern equatorial Pacific

Abstract Results from 1110 paired CaCO3 and bulk density measurements from cores raised from the eastern equatorial Pacific permit formulation of well constrained CaCO3-DBD relationships for that region. The cores lie along a N-S transect at 110°W from 10°N to 3°S underneath the different currents of the equatorial current system and along an E-W transect from 110° to 90°W, at approximately 3°S. Two distinct, crescent-shaped dry bulk density-CaCO3 relationships are observed. For equal CaCO3 percentages, sediments from those sites at 110°W, which are situated in the high productivity zone, have lower dry bulk density. Cores raised from closer to shore have relatively greater DBD.
Conditions for the Effectiveness of a Preliminary Test of Variance

Abstract We evaluate the performance of the F test for the equality of two variances as a preliminary test to determine the appropriateness of the two-sample t test. When sampling is from a normal distribution, our results indicate that, for equal sample sizes, the t test is insensitive to variance heterogeneity and hence no preliminary test is necessary. For unequal sample sizes, the F test has small probability of detecting many alternatives for which the t test performs poorly, and so the F test is not an effective preliminary test. When sampling is from other distributions, our results confirm the sensitivity of the F test to the normality assumption.
Parameter Expanded Variational Bayesian Methods

Bayesian inference has become increasingly important in statistical machine learning. Exact Bayesian calculations are often not feasible in practice, however. A number of approximate Bayesian methods have been proposed to make such calculations practical, among them the variational Bayesian (VB) approach. The VB approach, while useful, can nevertheless suffer from slow convergence to the approximate solution. To address this problem, we propose Parameter-eXpanded Variational Bayesian (PX-VB) methods to speed up VB. The new algorithm is inspired by parameter-expanded expectation maximization (PX-EM) and parameter-expanded data augmentation (PX-DA). Similar to PX-EM and -DA, PX-VB expands a model with auxiliary variables to reduce the coupling between variables in the original model. We analyze the convergence rates of VB and PX-VB and demonstrate the superior convergence rates of PX-VB in variational probit regression and automatic relevance determination.
High-Performance Electric Drives for Aerospace More Electric Architectures Part I -- Electric Machines

This paper discusses the problem of obtaining electric machines (EM) for high performance electric drives (HPED) used in more electric architecture (MEA) applicable to aircraft, spacecraft, and military ground vehicles. The HPED are analyzed by those aspects of six sigma theory that relate to critical-to-quality (CTQ) subjects. Using this approach, weight, volume, reliability, efficiency, and cost CTQ are addressed to develop a balance among them, resulting in an optimized system. The influence of machine controllers and system considerations is discussed. As a part of the machine evaluation process, speeds, bearings, complexity, rotor mechanical and thermal limitations, torque pulsation, current, and power densities, are considered. A methodology for electric machine selection is demonstrated. An example of high-speed, high-performance machine application is shown. A system approach is used for overall electric machine selection and optimization. The presented material is a synopsis of the extensive engineering experience accumulated in Honeywell International.
Communal Conscience in William Tyndale's Obedience of a Christian Man

AbstractConscience is foundational for the political morality set forth in The Obedience of a Christian Man (1528), but Tyndale never defines this central term. While Tyndale sees personal spiritual cultivation — achieved almost exclusively through the reading of scripture — as a defense against the “Antichrist’s” tricks, his development of conscience is more communal than individual, and more affective than objective. Tyndale defines conscience in the same way he builds community: through an accumulative process of shared spiritual feeling. Communal conscience, despite its affective foundation, becomes the bedrock for political morality within a reformist congregation. By basing conscience on communal experience, The Obedience gives feelings the force of ideas. Rather than an expressivist articulation of personal conviction, communal conscience becomes a rigorous foundation for the political actions of moral man. Tyndale’s conscience may remain undefined, but that allows it to be felt, shared, and enacte...
Multimode interference-based photonic crystal waveguide power splitter

A compact power splitter based on the multimode interference (MMI) effect in photonic crystal waveguides is designed and analyzed. The device size reduction compared with the conventional MMI power splitter can be attributed to the large dispersion of the photonic crystal waveguides. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Photonic-Bands code is used to calculate the band structures of photonic crystal waveguides. The finite-difference time-domain method is adopted to simulate the relevant structures.
The Impact of Sports Marketing Relationships and Antitrust Issues in the United States

Abstract Sports are conducted within a multilevel and competitive business structure, making the application of antitrust laws difficult. A consistent and analytical approach that can be applied to the myriad antitrust issues is needed. Exchange relationships provide a unit of analysis to transcend various sporting interests that are involved in antitrust questions.
Solvability of linear matrix equations in a symmetric matrix variable

We study the solvability of generalized linear matrix equations of the Lyapunov type in which the number of terms involving products of the problem data with the matrix variable can be arbitrary. We show that contrary to what happens with standard Lyapunov equations, which have only two terms, these generalized matrix equations can have unique solutions but the associated matrix representation in terms of Kronecker products can be singular. We show how a simple modification to the equation can lead to a matrix representation that does not suffer from this deficiency.
Neonatal Herpes Simplex Infection

Tremendous advances have occurred over the past 30 years in the diagnosis and management of neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) disease. Mortality in patients with disseminated disease has decreased from 85 to 29%, and that in patients with central nervous system (CNS) disease has decreased from 50 to 4%. Morbidity has been improved more modestly: the proportion of patients with disseminated disease who are developing normally at 1 year has increased from 50 to 83%. While the proportion of patients with neurologic morbidity following CNS disease has remained essentially unchanged over the past three decades, the total number of patients who are developing normally following HSV CNS disease has increased due to the improved survival. Although additional therapeutic advances in the future are possible, more immediate methods for further improvements in outcome for patients with this potentially devastating disease lie in an enhanced awareness of neonatal HSV infection and disease. A thorough understanding of the biology and natural history of HSV in the gravid woman and the neonate provides the basis for such an index of suspicion and is provided in this article.
The Interaction of Waves and Convection in the Tropics

Interest in tropical waves and their interaction with convection has been rekindled in recent years by the discovery, using satellite infrared data to track high clouds, that such waves closely display the dispersive properties of linear, inviscid wave theory for an atmosphere with a resting basic state and equivalent depths between 12 and 60 m. While several current approaches focus on internal modes in the atmosphere, this is inconsistent with the absence of internal modes in the atmosphere, which is characterized by a single isolated eigenmode and a continuous spectrum. It will be shown, using an extremely simple approach to convection, that the observed properties of waves are consistent with a continuous spectrum. The approach assumes that the total convection is determined by mean evaporation, but that the convection is patterned by zero-averaged perturbations to triggering energy following the recent approach of Mapes. This is, perhaps, the simplest hypothesis that can be applied. The observed convection associated with the migrating semidiurnal tide is used to calibrate the time scale for the convective response to patterning, which is the only adjustable parameter in this formulation. It is shown that this time scale leads to not only the observed phase of the semidiurnal heating but also the observed phase lead of low-level convergence in tropical waves vis-a`-vis the convective heating. Finally, it is shown that this phase is sensitive to the equivalent depth, which it is suggested is the basis for the selection of equivalent depth. Reasonable simulations of observed waves are readily obtained.
Sem-Based Characterization Techniques

The scanning electron microscope is now a common instrument in materials characterization laboratories. The basic role of the SEM as a topographic imaging system has steadily been expanding to include a wide variety of SEM-based analytical techniques. These techniques cover the range of basic semiconductor materials characterization to live-time device characterization of operating LSI or VLSI devices. This paper will introduce many of the more commonly used techniques, describe the modifications or additions to a conventional SEM required to utilize the techniques, and give examples of the use of such techniques. First, the types of signals available from a sample being irradiated by an electron beam will be reviewed. Then, where applicable, the type of spectroscopy or microscopy which has evolved to utilize the various signal types will be described. This will be followed by specific examples of the use of such techniques to solve problems related to semiconductor technology. Techniques to be emphasized will include: x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, electron beam induced current (EBIC), stroboscopic voltage analysis, cathodoluminescence and electron beam IC metrology. Current and future trends of some of these techniques, as related to the semiconductor industry, will be discussed.
Human platelets have cholesteryl ester hydrolytic activity toward plasma high density lipoproteins.

Human platelet cholesteryl ester hydrolytic (CEH) activity was determined toward high density lipoprotein (HDL) labelled with cholesteryl [1-14C] oleate resulting in esterilkation of [l-14C] oleate to platelet phospholipid. The observed CEH activity was enhanced by 100 nM prostacyclin (PGI2), inhibited by 500 μM 2′, 3′ dideoxyadenosine (DDA), but unaffected by 100 mM chloroquine diphosphate. The CEH activity may represent a mechanism for delivery of other unsaturated fatty acids from HDL to platelets with subsequent modification of the fatty acid composition of platelet phospholipids and potential modification of platelet reactivity.
Sweetness of Sucrose in Unflavored Yogurt by Magnitude Estimation

Abstract Magnitude estimation was used to evaluate the sweetness of sucrose in unflavored yogurt. Yogurt that contained 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5% sucrose was evaluated by 10 panelists. The slope (n) of the equation Log S=n log C + log k was 1.25, and k, the intercept was 1.37. A slope greater than 1.0 indicates that perceived sweetness of sucrose in yogurt increases exponentially with increased sucrose concentration.
GABA Enhances Transmission at an Excitatory Glutamatergic Synapse

GABA mediates both presynaptic and postsynaptic inhibition at many synapses. In contrast, we show that GABA enhances transmission at excitatory synapses between the lateral gastric and medial gastric motor neurons and the gastric mill 6a and 9 (gm6a, gm9) muscles and between the lateral pyloric motor neuron and pyloric 1 (p1) muscles in the stomach of the lobster Homarus americanus. Two-electrode current-clamp or voltage-clamp techniques were used to record from muscle fibers. The innervating nerves were stimulated to evoke excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) or excitatory junctional currents. Bath application of GABA first decreased the amplitude of evoked EJPs in gm6a and gm9 muscles, but not the p1 muscle, by activating a postjunctional conductance increase that was blocked by picrotoxin. After longer GABA applications (5-15 min), the amplitudes of evoked EJPs increased in all three muscles. This increase persisted in the presence of picrotoxin. beta-(Aminomethyl)-4-chlorobenzenepropanoic acid (baclofen) was an effective agonist for the GABA-evoked enhancement but did not increase the postjunctional conductance. Muscimol activated a rapid postsynaptic conductance but did not enhance the amplitude of the nerve-evoked EJPs. GABA had no effect on iontophoretic responses to glutamate and decreased the coefficient of variation of nerve-evoked EJPs. In the presence or absence of tetrodotoxin, GABA increased the frequency but not the amplitude of miniature endplate potentials. These data suggest that GABA acts presynaptically via a GABA(B)-like receptor to increase the release of neurotransmitter.
Experimental measurement of the effect of copper through-silicon via diameter on stress buildup using synchrotron-based X-ray source

In this work, the effect of copper through-silicon via (TSV) interconnect diameter on stress buildup in Cu TSVs was experimentally determined using a synchrotron-based X-ray microdiffraction technique. A single chip with different Cu TSV diameters (3, 5, and 8 µm), all having the same depth and processing conditions was studied. Prior to the measurements, the chip was annealed at 420 °C (30 min), leading to microstructurally stable Cu TSVs. The mean measured hydrostatic stresses were (190 ± 25) MPa (3 µm diameter), (138 ± 19) MPa (5 µm diameter), and (209 ± 26) MPa (8 µm diameter), respectively. No clear relationship between the measured stress and Cu TSV diameter was observed. This trend is attributed to the operation of stress relaxation mechanisms in the polycrystalline Cu TSVs, which includes plastic deformation, grain boundary sliding, void formation/growth, and rate-controlled dislocation motion, which are often neglected in reported finite element analysis studies. Additionally, this study highlights that the thermo-mechanical behavior of Cu TSVs is significantly influenced by their thermal history.
Hierarchical decomposition of dynamically evolving regulatory networks

Gene regulatory networks describe the interplay between genes and their products. These networks control almost every biological activity in the cell through interactions. The hierarchy of genes in these networks as defined by their interactions gives important insights into how these functions are governed. Accurately determining the hierarchy of genes is however a computationally difficult problem. This problem is further complicated by the fact that an intrinsic characteristic of regulatory networks is that the wiring of interactions can change over time. Determining how the hierarchy in the gene regulatory networks changes with dynamically evolving network topology remains to be an unsolved challenge. In this study, we develop a new method, named D-HIDEN (Dynamic-HIerarchical DEcomposition of Networks) to find the hierarchy of the genes in dynamically evolving gene regulatory network topologies. Unlike earlier methods, which recompute the hierarchy from scratch when the network topology changes, our method adapts the hierarchy based on the wiring of the interactions only for the nodes which have the potential to move in the hierarchy. We compare D-HIDEN to five currently available hierarchical decomposition methods on synthetic and real gene regulatory networks. Our experiments demonstrate that D-HIDEN significantly outperforms existing methods in running time, accuracy, or both. Furthermore, our method is robust against dynamic changes in hierarchy. Our experiments on human gene regulatory networks suggest that our method may be used to reconstruct hierarchy in gene regulatory networks.
A comparison of ventilation strategies for the use of high‐frequency oscillatory ventilation in the treatment of hyaline membrane disease

To assess the efficacy of high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in the management of infants with hyaline membrane disease (HMD), we compared two HFOV strategies with conventional positive pressure ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure (PPV) for 24 h in premature baboons (140 d gestation). Three out of 14 PPV, five out of five HFOV-E (begun at birth; 15 Hz; I:E 1:2), and none of 10 HFOV-L (begun after 3 h PPV; 10 Hz; I:E 1:2) were killed at 24 h for morphologic examination. Physiologic (Paw, Pa/AO2, IO2, B.P., pulse, blood gases) data on all animals in each group were assessed at each 3 h interval and over time. Intergroup differences in radiographs at 0 and 24 h and in morphology were quantitatively assessed by comparison with a panel of standards. All animals had radiographic HMD. Initial Paw was set higher with HFOV-E (16.8) than PPV or HFOV-L (14.1, 14.1). PPV baboons required increasing Paw to maintain constant Pa/AO2. Six out of 14 PPV animals developed airleak and three out of three had morphologic HMD. In contrast Pa/AO2 was higher in both HFOV groups at lower Paw by 24 h. None of 15 HFOV animals developed airleak. HFOV-E lungs had dramatic differences in morphology with uniform saccular opening and decreased edema and hyaline membranes compared to PPV. HFOV-L had less dramatic effects because of lower Paw and delayed application. Early use of HFOV at a high Paw favorably alters the course of HMD. Unless closely monitored, this strategy results in lung overinflation which may adversely affect venous return and cardiac output.