cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Soy Flour-Based Adhesive for Making Interior Type II Plywood

In this study, we developed a formaldehyde-free adhesive from abundant, renewable, and inexpensive soy flour (SF). The main ingredients of this adhesive included SF, polyethylenimine (PEI), and maleic anhydride (MA). The optimum formulation of this adhesive and the optimum hot-press conditions for making plywood were investigated. A three-cycle soak test and a boiling water test (BWT) were employed for evaluating the strength and water-resistance of plywood bonded with this adhesive. Results showed that SF, PEI, MA and sodium hydroxide were all essential components for the adhesive and the SF/PEI/MA weight ratio of 7/1.0/0.32 resulted in the highest water-resistance. When the hot-press temperature was in the range of 140–170 °C, both water-resistance and shear strength of plywood bonded with the adhesive remained statistically the same, except that the dry shear strength of plywood at 170 °C was statistically lower than that at 160 °C. When the hot-press time ranged from 2 to 6 min, the plywood panels at 5 min had the highest boiling water test/wet (BWT/w) shear strength. The plywood panels made at 5 min had a higher dry shear strength than those made at 3 min. Plywood panels bonded with this SF/PEI/MA adhesive exceeded the requirements for interior applications.
An approach to taxodione involving biomimetic polyene cyclization methodology

Abstract A novel synthesis of 11,12-dimethoxyabieta-8,11,13-triene ( 4 ), involving the biomimetic cyclization of allylic alcohol 5 is described. This represents a formal total synthesis of taxodione ( 1 ), a tumor-inhibitory diterpenoid quinone methide. Treatment of the sodium salt of 8 with allyl bromide gave a 91% yield of allyl ether 19 which readily underwent a Claisen rearrangement to give (after methylation with dimethyl sulfate) the dimethoxy olefin 21 in 90% yield. Hydroboration with disiamylborane, followed by oxidative work-up gave alcohol 17 in 98% yield. Oxidation with Collins' reagent afforded 22 in 83% yield. which, upon treatment with isopropenylmagnesium bromide, gave allylic alcohol 23 in 91% yield. Conversion of 23 into chloro ketone 25 was readily effected in 80% yield via a chloro ketal Claisen rearrangement. This substance afforded epoxide 26 in 94% yield when treated with isopropenyllithium. Reduction of 26 with lithium in liquid ammonia gave the desired substrate 5 in 93% yield. When 5 was treated with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride at ca −45° for 45 min, a 90% yield of the desired tricyclic material 6 was obtained. Conversion of 6 to dl -11,12-dimethoxy-abieta-8,11,13-triene ( 4 ) was effected in 59% yield by ruthenium tetroxide oxidation (to give 30 ) followed by sodium cyanoborohydride reduction of the corresponding tosylhydrazone of 30 . Resolution of 30 involved the separation of the diastereomeric ketals 31 . Conversion of d - 30 into d -11,12-dimethoxyabieta-8,11,13-triene ( 4 ) was effected in the aforementioned manner used in the dl -series.
Direct His Bundle Pacing Post AVN Ablation

Atrioventricular nodal (AVN) ablation with concomitant pacemaker implantation is one of the strategies that reduce symptoms in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the long-term adverse effects of right ventricular (RV) apical pacing have led to the search for alternating sites of pacing. Biventricular pacing produces a significant improvement in functional capacity over RV pacing in patients undergoing AVN ablation. Another alternative site for pacing is direct His bundle to reduce the adverse outcome of RV pacing. Here, we present a case of direct His bundle pacing using steerable lead delivery system in a patient with symptomatic paroxysmal AF with concurrent AVN ablation.
Multiconfiguration relativistic random-phase approximation. Theory

The relativistic random-phase approximation is generalized to describe excitations of an atomic system having a multiconfiguration ground state. The response of such an atom to an imposed harmonic perturbation is determined by applying the time-dependent variational principle to a multiconfiguration wave function constructed from Dirac orbitals. Terms in the wave function independent of the external field lead to the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock description of the ground state. Terms proportional to the external field lead to a multiconfiguration generalization of the relativistic random-phase approximation. For the special case of an atom having a ground state with two electrons coupled to $J=0$ outside of closed shells, we write out in detail equations for the configuration weights and for the electronic orbitals. These equations are expanded in a suitable basis to give expressions for the excitation probabilities. An angular momentum analysis is carried out leading to a set of coupled algebraic equations for the configuration weights and a set of radial differential equations for the electronic orbitals.
Parasympathetic varicosity proliferation and synaptogenesis in rat eyelid smooth muscle after sympathectomy

Parasympathetic innervation to eyelid smooth muscle inhibits sympathetic neurotransmission pre-junctionally without appreciable direct post-junctional effects. However, 5 weeks after sympathectomy, parasympathetic stimulation elicits substantial cholinergically mediated contractions. This study examined ultrastructural changes accompanying the conversion to parasympathetic excitation. In intact muscles, 64±9 nerve varicosities were encountered per 104μm2. Most were close to muscle cells and not fully enclosed by supporting cells. Axo–axonal synapses were observed occasionally. Two days following sympathectomy, varicosity numbers were reduced by 97% and, relative to controls, remaining varicosities were farther from muscle cells and more frequently fully enclosed by supporting cells, but contained greater numbers of small spherical and large dense vesicles. By 6 weeks post-sympathectomy, numbers of varicosities per unit muscle volume increased to 14% of controls. These varicosities differed from those at 2 days in being closer to smooth muscle cells, less frequently enclosed, and having fewer small vesicles. These findings indicate that intact eyelid smooth muscle varicosities are predominantly sympathetic, but a small number of parasympathetic varicosities are present, some of which may form pre-junctional synapses with sympathetic nerves. Between 2 days and 6 weeks post-sympathectomy, varicosities increased in number and established appositions with smooth muscle cells. This suggests that parasympathetic nerves are capable of re-innervating an atypical smooth muscle target after sympathectomy, and that parasympathetic synaptogenesis is likely to contribute to conversion from pre-junctional inhibition to post-junctional excitation after sympathectomy.
Remote location interstitial brachytherapy with patient stabilization and subsequent transport to an outpatient center for treatment is safe and effective for the treatment of gynecologic malignancies.

Abstract Purpose Interstitial brachytherapy is an essential component of definitive treatment for locally advanced gynecological malignancies. Although many outpatient centers are capable of delivering the radiation component of brachytherapy, they are not associated with an operative center for implant placement, limiting the ability to deliver appropriate care. In this study, we report on our experience with noncolocated implant placement and radiation delivery, and the impact of patient stabilization improvements on patient safety. Methods and Materials Between 9/2010 and 11/2014, 25 patients with gynecologic malignancy underwent interstitial implantation and subsequent transport for high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatment. From 9/2010 to 10/2012, patients were transported using a standard ambulance stretcher; from 11/2012 to 11/2014, patients were placed on a patient positioning board or a WAFFLE support. Potential transport-associated toxicity was assessed, and the association between standard and augmented transport types and toxicity was analyzed. Results A total of 234 transports were performed. Median cost of transport was $150 per transport. There were 14 (10 patients) potential transportation-associated toxicities, including two lacerations/local trauma, three infections, and nine ulcers. There were 6 Grade 3 toxicities, all in the standard group. There was no association between stretcher type and laceration or ulcers, but enhanced support was associated with fewer overall toxicities, Grade 3 toxicities, and infections. Conclusions Noncolocated implantation and treatment is safe and facilitates optimal therapy. Toxicities potentially associated with transport are minimal and seem to be reduced by augmented stabilization. Understanding that this is a reasonable way to deliver brachytherapy may allow more stand-alone centers to deliver high-quality care for patients and improve gynecologic cancer outcomes in the United States.
A Radioimmunoassay for the Direct Measurement of Renin in Mice and Its Application to Submaxillary Gland and Kidney Studies

A radioimmunoassay for the direct measurement of renin has been developed using antibodies raised against purified mouse submaxillary renin. This method was employed to measure renin in mouse plasma, submaxillary glands and saliva under various experimental conditions. Renin values obtained by this immunoassay procedure correlate closely to those observed by bioassay. The concentration of radioimmunoassayable submaxillary gland renin in mice is androgen dependent. This method provides a direct, rapid and highly sensitive measurement of renin and thus could be used in further physiologic studies on the kidneys and submaxillary glands. (Endocrinology 94: 1101, 1974)
The effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on coronary perfusion and regional blood flow distribution.

ABSTRACT: We studied the distribution of systemic blood flow during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in newborn lambs. We used a three-compartment model that defined partitioning of blood flow to the heart, upper body (brachiocephalic trunk), and lower body (descending aorta) The method used concurrent left ventricular and arterial cannular injections of radiolabeled microspheres to calculate compartment flows and solve the system of equations that defined the partition model. Seven new born Jambs (1–8 d) were studied. A baseline microsphere injection (left ventricle) was performed and the animals were then placed on venoarterial ECMO using right carotid and jugular vein cannulation. The arterial cannula was placed 2–3.5 cm above the aortic valve. After stabilization on ECMO flow rates of 50 and 100 mL/min/ kg, differently labeled microspheres were injected simultaneously into the left ventricle and arterial limb of the ECMO circuit From the flow partition model, distribution of blood flow was calculated. We found that ECMO did not change the overall distribution of blood flow to the three compartments studied. However, blood flow from the ECMO circuit was preferentially directed to the upper body. Coronary arterial and abdominal organ blood flow was predominantly derived from the left ventricle at both ECMO flow rates. Coronary arterial blood flow did not significantly change on ECMO (253 ± 45 mL/min/100 g at 50 mL/min/kg ECMO flow; 246 ± 50 mL/min/100 g at 100 mL/min/kg ECMO flow) compared to baseline (186 ± 31 mL/min/100 g). We conclude that coronary arterial blood flow is not compromised at the ECMO flow rates studied; however, the predominate source of coronary flow is from the left ventricle despite proximate placement of the arterial cannula.
Stereological Analysis of Amygdala Neuron Number in Autism

The amygdala is one of several brain regions suspected to be pathological in autism. Previously, we found that young children with autism have a larger amygdala than typically developing children. Past qualitative observations of the autistic brain suggest increased cell density in some nuclei of the postmortem autistic amygdala. In this first, quantitative stereological study of the autistic brain, we counted and measured neurons in several amygdala subdivisions of 9 autism male brains and 10 age-matched male control brains. Cases with comorbid seizure disorder were excluded from the study. The amygdaloid complex was outlined on coronal sections then partitioned into five reliably defined subdivisions: (1) lateral nucleus, (2) basal nucleus, (3) accessory basal nucleus, (4) central nucleus, and (5) remaining nuclei. There is no difference in overall volume of the amygdala or in individual subdivisions. There are also no changes in cell size. However, there are significantly fewer neurons in the autistic amygdala overall and in its lateral nucleus. In conjunction with the findings from previous magnetic resonance imaging studies, the autistic amygdala appears to undergo an abnormal pattern of postnatal development that includes early enlargement and ultimately a reduced number of neurons. It will be important to determine in future studies whether neuron loss in the amygdala is a consistent characteristic of autism and whether cell loss occurs in other brain regions as well.
Comparing climate impact of different geoengineering methods

If efforts to control greenhouse gas emissions do not succeed in combating global warming, some scientists and policy makers may consider geoengineering the climate, even though this could be a risky strategy with potential drawbacks. One geoengineering option is solar radiation management, which involves adjusting the amount of sunlight reaching the planet through one of several possible methods, including injecting sulfur into the stratosphere to block incoming sunlight, putting mirrors in space to reflect sunlight, or injecting sea salt into the air above the oceans to increase the reflectivity of clouds. All of these methods could potentially have a cooling effect, but the regional climate effects and effects on precipitation patterns could differ.
Flight-Determined Subsonic Lift and Drag Characteristics of Seven Lifting-Body and Wing-Body Reentry Vehicle Configurations With Truncated Bases

This paper examines flight-measured subsonic lift and drag characteristics of seven lifting-body and wing-body reentry vehicle configurations with truncated bases. The seven vehicles are the full-scale M2-F1, M2-F2, HL-10, X-24A, X-24B, and X-15 vehicles and the Space Shuttle prototype. Lift and drag data of the various vehicles are assembled under aerodynamic performance parameters and presented in several analytical and graphical formats. These formats unify the data and allow a greater understanding than studying the vehicles individually allows. Lift-curve slope data are studied with respect to aspect ratio and related to generic wind-tunnel model data and to theory for low-aspect-ratio planforms. The proper definition of reference area was critical for understanding and comparing the lift data. The drag components studied include minimum drag coefficient, lift-related drag, maximum lift-to-drag ratio, and, where available, base pressure coefficients. The effects of fineness ratio on forebody drag were also considered. The influence of forebody drag on afterbody (base) drag at low lift is shown to be related to Hoerner's compilation for body, airfoil, nacelle, and canopy drag. These analyses are intended to provide a useful analytical framework with which to compare and evaluate new vehicle configurations of the same generic family.
High-pressure study of a reentrant isotropic phase.

The boundary between the isotropic phase and the ${N}_{L}$ lyotropic nematic phase in a mixture of potassium laurate, ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$O, and decanol has been mapped as a function of pressure and temperature. The nematic region is found to be surrounded by an isotropic region in the P-T plane, demonstrating conclusively that the isotropic phase seen at lower temperatures in this system is indeed a reentrant phase. At the phase transition the density of the nematic phase is found to be always less than that of the isotropic liquid.
Videoconferencing for Instructional and Administrative Purposes: The Audience Reacts

Reduced funds for medical student and resident training have prompted the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University to explore innovative instructional delivery and administrative support systems. The Office of Medical Education Research and Development conducted a demonstration project in the use videoconferencing technology to connect the main campus to three outstate sites. The objectives of the project were to provide instructional experiences for students, residents, and faculty using videoconferencing; to conduct administrative meetings; and to evaluate the use of videoconferencing in these contexts. The results of the demonstration project lend strong support to the use of videoconferencing technology for instruction and administrative support, even in light of technical constraints. Lessons were learned in the areas of working with vendors effectively, preparing presenters to use the system, and the need to test system peripherals and connections before the actual videoconference.
Objective based instruction for learning outcomes of engineering/technical design graphics and computer aided design

The purpose of this paper is to determine, in engineering design graphics or computer aided design, what effects the type and knowledge of objectives of instruction have on learning outcomes. Two experimental variables which are type and knowledge of objectives are combined in a 2/spl times/3 factorial arrangement of treatments in teaching 'design process'. Student-subjects are randomly assigned to one of six experimental conditions or a learning control condition. The objectives used are either general design objectives or specific design objective (type), and are explicitly used either by teachers only, by teachers and students, or students only (knowledge). Hypothesis to be tested: although significant learning in ETDG/CAD 'design process' occurs for all above instructed conditions compared to test-only control, neither knowledge of the objectives nor type of objectives differentially influences performance on a criterion test.
Epigenetic changes in cancer and preneoplasia

Recent studies have identified an increasing number of genes that are inactivated by promoter region methylation in cancer. Some of these genes were initially identified as altered genetically in cancer, but in other tumors they are silenced in association with promoter region CpG island methylation. New approaches for screening the genome add to this list of candidate tumor suppressor genes, and many genes regulated key pathways in cancer, including cell cycle control, DNA repair, and apoptosis. Transcription factors may also be silenced by promoter region methylation, affecting the expression of many downstream target genes and globally altering the cancer phenotype. Determining loss of expression is important in assigning functional importance to promoter region methylation for any gene. Individual cancers have alterations in many different genes, affecting many of these important pathways and contributing to the cancer phenotype. The number of genes targeted for promoter region methylation increases during neoplastic progression. These studies suggest that the epigenetic change of promoter region methylation plays a critical role in neoplastic transformation and progression. 329-334_37_Herman_Symp70.p 5/12/06 10:17 AM Page 329
Control of germ-band retraction in Drosophila by the zinc-finger protein HINDSIGHT

Drosophila embryos lacking hindsight gene function have a normal body plan and undergo normal germ-band extension. However, they fail to retract their germ bands. hindsight encodes a large nuclear protein of 1920 amino acids that contains fourteen C2H2-type zinc fingers, and glutamine-rich and proline-rich domains, suggesting that it functions as a transcription factor. Initial embryonic expression of hindsight RNA and protein occurs in the endoderm (midgut) and extraembryonic membrane (amnioserosa) prior to germ-band extension and continues in these tissues beyond the completion of germ-band retraction. Expression also occurs in the developing tracheal system, central and peripheral nervous systems, and the ureter of the Malpighian tubules. Strikingly, hindsight is not expressed in the epidermal ectoderm which is the tissue that undergoes the cell shape changes and movements during germ-band retraction. The embryonic midgut can be eliminated without affecting germ-band retraction. However, elimination of the amnioserosa results in the failure of germ-band retraction, implicating amnioserosal expression of hindsight as crucial for this process. Ubiquitous expression of hindsight in the early embryo rescues germ-band retraction without producing dominant gainof-function defects, suggesting that hindsight’s role in germ-band retraction is permissive rather than instructive. Previous analyses have shown that hindsight is required for maintenance of the differentiated amnioserosa (Frank, L. C. and Rushlow, C. (1996) Development 122, 1343-1352). Two classes of models are consistent with the present data. First, hindsight’s function in germ-band retraction may be limited to maintenance of the amnioserosa which then plays a physical role in the retraction process through contact with cells of the epidermal ectoderm. Second, hindsight might function both to maintain the amnioserosa and to regulate chemical signaling from the amnioserosa to the epidermal ectoderm, thus coordinating the cell shape changes and movements that drive germ-band retraction.
Flavonoid apigenin modified gene expression associated with inflammation and cancer and induced apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells through inhibition of GSK-3β/NF-κB signaling cascade

cope The objective was to examine the inhibitory effects of citrus fruit bioactive compounds on BxPC-3 and PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells, focusing on the antiproliferative mechanism of action of the flavonoid apigenin related to the glycogen synthase kinase-3β/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway. Methods and results Flavonoids, limonoids, phenolic acids, and ascorbic acid were tested for cytotoxic effects on BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells; apigenin was the most potent (IC50 = 23 and 12 μM for 24 and 48 h for BxPC-3 and IC50 = 71 and 41 μM for 24 and 48 h for PANC-1). Apigenin induced pancreatic cell death through inhibition of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway. Apigenin arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase (36 and 32% at 50 μM for BxPC-3 and PANC-1, respectively) with concomitant decrease in the expression of cyclin B1. Apigenin activated the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis (44 and 14% at 50 μM for BxPC-3 and PANC-1, respectively) and modified the expression of apoptotic proteins. Apigenin highly upregulated the expression of cytokine genes IL17F (114.2-fold), LTA (33.1-fold), IL17C (23.2-fold), IL17A (11.3-fold), and IFNB1 (8.9-fold) in BxPC-3 cells, which potentially contributed to the anticancer properties. Conclusion Flavonoids have a protective role in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis.
Mobility measurement and degradation mechanisms of MOSFETs made with ultrathin high-k dielectrics

Accurate measurements and degradation mechanisms of the channel mobility for MOSFETs with HfO/sub 2/ as the gate dielectric have been systematically studied in this paper. The error in mobility extraction caused by a high density of interface traps for a MOSFET with high-k gate dielectric has been analyzed, and a new method to correct this error has been proposed. Other sources of error in mobility extraction, including channel resistance, gate leakage current, and contact resistance for a MOSFET with ultrathin high-k dielectric have also been investigated and reported in this paper. Based on the accurately measured channel mobility, we have analyzed the degradation mechanisms of channel mobility for a MOSFET with HfO/sub 2/ as the gate dielectric. The mobility degradation due to Coulomb scattering arising from interface trapped charges, and that due to remote soft optical phonon scattering are discussed.
End Group Modification of Regioregular Polythiophene through Postpolymerization Functionalization

HT-poly(3-hexylthiophenes) (HT-PHT) with H/Br end group composition were prepared via a modified McCullough method using anhydrous ZnCl2 for the transmetalation step. These bromine-terminated HT-PHT can be end group modified at the ω end through a cross-coupling reaction with thienylzinc compounds bearing a THP-protected hydroxy or STABASE-protected amino groups. After deprotection, HT-PHTs with −OH or −NH2 functional groups at the ω end were obtained. In addition, HT-PHT with pure H/H end group composition were also modified by treatment with Vilsmeier reagent and functionalized with formaldehyde groups at both the α and ω chain ends. Reduction of the formaldehyde groups produced the HT-PHT diol. MALDI−TOF is a powerful tool to monitor each step of these end group functionalizations.
Phage display of adenoviral HI loop for "context-specific" ligand selection

Adenoviruses are used as delivery vectors in gene therapy mainly due to their ability to efficiently infect dividing and non-dividing cells. However, their success is hindered due to its tropism for non-targeted cell types. Adenoviruses can be genetically retargeted by ligand addition to confer specificity. Phage-presenting random peptide libraries have been used to select potential ligands. This approach does not require knowledge of the cell biology. However, selected peptides engineered into the adenovirus can reduce viral capsid function, and the adenovirus can impair targeting ability of the selected peptide. Our research focuses on the development of "context-specific" random libraries for ligand selection. By introducing a viral context, we hope to select a peptide that can be introduced into the virus without affecting function. In this paper, we report the phage display of biotin acceptor peptide within the adenoviral HI loop (denoted HI-BAP). HI-BAP is expressed and enzymatically biotinylated on the pIII minor coat protein of filamentous phage. This approach can improve targeting of viral vectors.
Cellular automata for weighted random pattern generation

Fault testing random-pattern-resistant circuits requires that BIST (built-in self-test) techniques generate large numbers of pseudorandom patterns. To shorten these long test lengths, this study describes a cellular automata-based method that efficiently generates weighted pseudorandom BIST patterns. This structure, called a weighted cellular automaton (WCA), uses no external weighting logic. The design algorithm MWCARGO combines generation of the necessary weight sets and design of the WCA. In this study, WCA pattern generators designed by MWCARGO achieved 100 percent coverage of testable stuck-at faults for benchmark circuits with random-pattern-resistant faults. The WCA applies complete tests much faster than existing test-per-scan techniques. At the same time, the hardware overhead of WCA proves to be competitive with that of current test-per-clock schemes.
Soluble guanylate cyclase is required for systemic vasodilation but not positive inotropy induced by nitroxyl in the mouse

Nitroxyl (HNO), the reduced and protonated form of nitric oxide (NO·), confers unique physiological effects including vasorelaxation and enhanced cardiac contractility. These features have spawned current pharmaceutical development of HNO donors as heart failure therapeutics. HNO interacts with selective redox sensitive cysteines to effect signaling but is also proposed to activate soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in vitro to induce vasodilation and potentially enhance contractility. Here, we tested whether sGC stimulation is required for these HNO effects in vivo and if HNO also modifies a redox-sensitive cysteine (C42) in protein kinase G-1α to control vasorelaxation. Intact mice and isolated arteries lacking the sGC-β subunit (sGCKO, results in full sGC deficiency) or expressing solely a redox-dead C42S mutant protein kinase G-1α were exposed to the pure HNO donor, CXL-1020. CXL-1020 induced dose-dependent systemic vasodilation while increasing contractility in controls; however, vasodilator effects were absent in sGCKO mice whereas contractility response remained. The CXL-1020 dose reversing 50% of preconstricted force in aortic rings was ≈400-fold greater in sGCKO than controls. Cyclic-GMP and cAMP levels were unaltered in myocardium exposed to CXL-1020, despite its inotropic-vasodilator activity. In protein kinase G-1α(C42S) mice, CXL-1020 induced identical vasorelaxation in vivo and in isolated aortic and mesenteric vessels as in littermate controls. In both groups, dilation was near fully blocked by pharmacologically inhibiting sGC. Thus, sGC and cGMP-dependent signaling are necessary and sufficient for HNO-induced vasodilation in vivo but are not required for positive inotropic action. Redox modulation of protein kinase G-1α is not a mechanism for HNO-mediated vasodilation.
Marcello malpighi—A tribute

Marcello Malpighi was probably the best known member of the faculty at the Medical School of Bologna. He was an anatomist, physiologist, botanist , and an entomologist . It was not until his appearance that the real value of the microscope was appreciated. He studied the embryologic form of the kidney and depicted in drawings how it was modified into the adult. He demonstrated the capillary anastomosis between the arteries and veins which was implicit in William Harvey's writings. He was a physician to Pope Innocent XII. Most historians call him one of the most charming personalities in the history of medicine.
Metamodeling with Radial Basis Functions

In this paper, we study the accuracy of global metamodels created with radial basis functions (RBF) for both low- and high -order nonlinear responses. The commonly used response surface methodology (RSM), which typically uses linear or quadratic polynomials, is inappropriate for creating global models for highly nonlinear responses. The RBF, on the other hand, has been shown to be fairly accurate for highly nonlinear responses with large sample size typically in the order of tens of thousand or even millions of design points. However, for most complex engineering applications only a limited number of samples can be afford ed. Since the RBF is less accurate for linear and/or quadratic responses, the augmented RBF has to be adopted with an imposed orthogonality constraint, which may affect the accuracy of RBF models for small sample sizes. Because the types of true responses are usually unknown, it is essential to determine which RBF or RBFs are generally appropriate for various responses including linear, quadratic, and higher-order nonlinear responses. We show in this paper that the augmented RBF models created with Wu’s compactly supported functions are the most accurate for the various test functions used in this study.
Coordination of Actuated Arterial Traffic Signal Systems

Coordinated timing plans may be developed for actuated signal systems but all existing optimization methods require that each actuated signal be converted to its nearest equivalent pretimed unit. Using bandwidth maximization as a starting point, a new procedure is developed that specifically accounts for actuated timing flexibility. Yield points and force offs at non-critical signals are adjusted so they just touch the edges of the through-band while critical signals are unmodified. This method is applied to a data set describing midday traffic conditions on an urban arterial system of six signals in central Illinois. Simulation is used to evaluate these timing plans and compare them with corresponding pretimed alternatives.
Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia one month after LASIK surgery.

Background To describe a case of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia following laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
Meningioma presenting as an intraoral mass in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Abstract A 77-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with ill-fitting dentures due to intraoral extension of a right temporal fossa mass. Computed tomographic scanning demonstrated that the masticator space mass bowed the zygomatic arch and remodeled the lateral orbit and maxillary sinus walls, findings that were consistent with the clinical diagnosis of a neurofibroma with possible malignant transformation. However, light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural examination of tissue from an incisional biopsy specimen were diagnostic of meningioma. This case illustrates that the clinicopathologic differential diagnosis of an enlarging mass in patient with neurofibromatosis should include sporadic, unrelated neoplasms as well as tumors known to be associated with the syndrome.
Rapid sequence divergence rates in the 5 prime regulatory regions of young Drosophila melanogaster duplicate gene pairs

While it remains a matter of some debate, rapid sequence evolution of the coding sequences of duplicate genes is characteristic for early phases past duplication, but long established duplicates generally evolve under constraint, much like the rest of the coding genome. As for coding sequences, it may be possible to infer evolutionary rate, selection, and constraint via contrasts between duplicate gene divergence in the 5 prime regions and in the corresponding synonymous site divergence in the coding regions. Finding elevated rates for the 5 prime regions of duplicated genes, in addition to the coding regions, would enable statements regarding the early processes of duplicate gene evolution. Here, 1 kb of each of the 5 prime regulatory regions of Drosophila melanogaster duplicate gene pairs were mapped onto one another to isolate shared sequence blocks. Genetic distances within shared sequence blocks (d5’) were found to increase as a function of synonymous (dS), and to a lesser extend, amino-acid (dA) site divergence between duplicates. The rate d 5’ /d S was found to rapidly decay from values > 1 in young duplicate pairs (d S 0.8). Such rapid rates of 5 prime evolution exceeding 1 (~neutral) predominantly were found to occur in duplicate pairs with low amino-acid site divergence and that tended to be co-regulated when assayed on microarrays. Conceivably, functional redundancy and relaxation of selective constraint facilitates subsequent positive selection on the 5 prime regions of young duplicate genes. This might promote the evolution of new functions (neofunctionalization) or division of labor among duplicate genes (subfunctionalization). In contrast, similar to the vast portion of the non-coding genome, the 5 prime regions of long-established gene duplicates appear to evolve under selective constraint, indicating that these long-established gene duplicates have assumed critical functions.
A novel cubic-order algorithm for approximating principal direction vectors

There are a number of applications in computer graphics that require as a first step the accurate estimation of principal direction vectors at arbitrary vertices on a triangulated surface. Although several methods for calculating principal directions over such models have been previously proposed, we have found in practice that all exhibit unexplained large errors in some cases. In this article, we describe our theoretical and experimental investigations into possible sources of errors in the approximation of principal direction vectors from triangular meshes, and suggest a new method for estimating principal directions that can yield better results under some circumstances.
Pertussis: the disease and new diagnostic methods

Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, produces an acute and chronic respiratory infection in infants and young children. B. pertussis is still a major health problem of young children throughout the world even though effective immunization against whooping cough is available. While predominantly a childhood disease, it has been reported also to be a cause of persistent cough in adults. This review discusses the numerous bacterial virulence factors that may play roles in the pathogenesis of pertussis and in immunity to infection. The present problems with pertussis diagnosis, recent advances, and future prospects for new and improved rapid diagnostics tests also are explored.
Empires of panic: Epidemics and colonial anxieties

The word ‘panic', is derived from the God Pan, whose appearance was supposed to inspire what Webster's International Dictionary describes as ‘contagious emotion’; more generally, ‘a sudden overpowe...
Phospholipid studies of different serum lipoproteins employing P32.

Summary1. Administration of P32 to humans by mouth resulted in labelling of the α1 α2 and β lipoproteins separated by zone electrophoresis in a starch supporting medium. 2. Both phospholipid phosphorus and radioactivity of α2 lipoprotein fraction increased after ordinary meals. 3. Specific activities of the different lipoproteins were very similar even at various time intervals following the oral radioactive phosphate. The only exception was a slightly higher specific activity for the α1 lipoprotein in certain sera taken at early times. 4. In vitro experiments demonstrated transfer of phospholipid radioactivity from labelled β lipoproteins to unlabelled α1 lipoproteins; also from labelled α1 lipoproteins to unlabelled β lipoproteins.
A theory of concentric, kink, and sinusoidal folding and of monoclinal flexuring of compressible, elastic multilayers: I. Introduction

Abstract Most folds in stratified rock are similar in form to ideal kink, concentric or chevron folds, in which there are discontinuities in slope or curvature of bedding planes. In this respect most folds appear to be closely related to faults, traces of which can be considered to be lines across which there are discontinuities of displacement of layers. Further, the close association of reverse faults and folds or monoclinal flexures seems to indicate that theories of faulting and folding should be closely related. The theory of characteristics is a mathematical tool with which we can obtain insights into processes involving discontinuities. Theoretical characteristic lines are directions across which certain variables might be discontinuous and they are directions along which discontinuities propagate. The theory has been widely applied in plasticity theory and in fluid mechanics and theoretical studies of faulting have suggested that faults are analogous to the lines of discontinuity predicted by plasticity theory. Elasticity and viscosity theories, on which theories of folding have been founded, exclude the existence of characteristic lines in the materials unless the equilibrium equations, rheological properties or strains are nonlinear. However, all folding theories are nonlinear to some extent and the theories can be modified so that they predict lines of discontinuity for some conditions of loading and deformation. Theories of folding will be developed in subsequent papers of this series in order to predict conditions under which characteristic lines can exist in multilayered materials and in order to determine the conditions that must be satisfied across and along the characteristic lines. The theory should help us to recognize lines of apparent discontinuity in natural and experimental folds and study of these lines should provide further understanding of mechanisms of folding. Experimental studies of folding of a wide variety of materials, including alternating layers of rubber and gelatin, modeling clay and grease or graphite, and potter's clay and rubber or cardboard, suggest that the patterns of folding in these materials begin with sinusoidal forms, transform into concentric or kink forms and then into chevron forms as the multilayers are shortened axially. A suitable theory of folding of multilayers should account for these observations.
Vigabatrin Retinal Toxicity First Detected with Electroretinographic Changes: A Case Report.

Vigabatrin is an effective antiepileptic drug (AED) typically used in the treatment of refractory partial seizures and infantile spasms. Its use, however, is limited due to the concern of retinal toxicity and subsequent visual field defects. Herewith in we describe a case of vigabatrin toxicity that illustrates electroretinographic (ERG) changes occur before imaging and visual field deterioration. Decrease in maximal ERG b:a ratio was observed before thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) on optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Dye-coupled magnocellular peptidergic neurons of the rat para ventricular nucleus show homotypic immunoreactivity

Abstract Magnocellular neurons in rat hypothalamic slices are known to exhibit dye coupling: the transfer of the fluorescent dye, Lucifer Yellow, from an intracellularly-injected neuron to one or more nearby neurons. The question of the hormonal identity of coupled cells and the possibility of dye coupling as an artefact led us to determine the immunoreactivity of dye-coupled magnocellular neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the rat hypothalamus using antisera to oxytocin- and vasopressin- associated neurophysins. In 23 pairs, one triplet, and one quadruplet, immunoreactivity to one or the other antiserum was always exclusive, and dye coupling was always homotypic, that is, coupled neurons in each instance were reactive to the same antiserum. The quadruplet, triplet and 17 pairs were immunoreactive to vasopressin-associated neurophysin, and oxytoxin-associated neurophysin immunoreactivity was observed in the remaining pairs. Immunoreactivity to each antiserum was found for somasomatic and non somasomatic modes of coupling and for coupled neurons in the three magnocellular areas of the nucleus. A relationship between mode of coupling and hormone content was not detected. The data support the hypothesis that coupling is a real, functionally significant mechanism for coordinating neuronal activity in this nucleus, particularly under conditions of high hormone demand. They do not support the idea that coupling is artefact. The possibility of a relationship between hormone content and mode of coupling, and the projection pathway(s) of the coupled neurons of each type require further study.
Smart Power Distribution Network State Estimation Based on Extra-short Term Load Forecast

As the core module of "data export" and "situation awareness tools" in smart power distribution network self-healing control, one state estimation calculation should be carried out in a data gathering period, however, the conventional state estimation calculation can't meet the above demands. Therefore, an efficient state estimation algorithm of smart power distribution network should be studied. Aimed to these problems, this paper presents a state estimation method for smart distribution network based on extra-short term load forecast, which could provide data to the self-healing control evaluation module and power flow calculation module. The extra-short term load forecast with fast prediction speed and high prediction accuracy is introduced to the state estimation of smart power distribution network in the algorithm, to realize the real-time prediction and track the nodal load in power distribution system. The index function is adopted to inhibit the impact of bad data, which could improve the accuracy of state estimation. In order to improve the convergence of the algorithm, forward-backward sweep method is used in the distribution network power flow calculation to calculate the initial amplitude and phase angle of state variables. The distributed power sources are permitted to access power distribution network in this algorithm, which shows the transparent and open characteristics of smart grid. Finally, the calculation and analysis based on IEEE 36 standard test example have verified the validity of the algorithm.
A Parallel Direct SCF Method for Large Molecular Systems

It is widely recognized that a significant further increase in the speed of modern supercomputers is more likely to come from increasing the number of processors than from increasing processor speeds. Even the remarkable advances of the past decade in the development of new computer hardware have not resulted in an order of magnitude improvement in CPU speed over that of the early CRAY with its 12 nsec clock. In fact, present technology is already close to fundamental limits. On the other hand, it is entirely feasible and cost effective to build machines with hundreds and even thousands of inexpensive, air cooled, scalar or vector processors, each with its own (local) memory, connected together in a grid or other architecture and functioning autonomously and asynchronously. These distributed memory computers hold great promise for large scale scientific computing. Indeed, the availability of commercial parallel computers in the late 1980’s signaled the beginning of the long awaited revolution in scientific computing and spurred code development efforts in many scientific fields, including computational chemistry [1].
Changing the Face of Arithmetic: Teaching Children Algebra

• intuitively understand basic algebraic properties relevant to solving equations such as the addition property of equality (i.e., identical units added to both sides of the equation do not affect the resulting equality); • develop situated and consistent forms of algebraic notation and rules; • solve simple equations using a variety of empirical strategies such as trial and error; • generalize simple linear patterns from a table of values; • make sense of the graph of a linear function; and
Transaction Costs and the Perceived Effectiveness of Complex Institutional Systems

This article studies factors affecting how policy actors perceive the effectiveness of political institutions involved in complex water governance systems. The ecology of games framework argues that participants are more likely to perceive institutions as effective when the benefits of solving collective action problems outweigh the transaction costs of developing political contracts within these institutions. The authors hypothesize that transaction costs are a function of conflict, type of participation, political knowledge, scientific knowledge, and actor resources. Survey results suggest that the importance of these different sources of transaction costs varies across study sites in the Tampa Bay watershed in Florida, the Sacramento–San Joaquin River delta in California, and the Parana River delta in Argentina. Based on the observed differences, some initial ideas are sketched about the evolution of complex governance systems from fairly simple and informal rules and networks to well-established tapestries of many formal institutions.
Molecular Genetic Approach to Polygenic Disease: Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM)

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism which is secondary to insulin deficiency. The insulin deficiency varies in degree, being complete in insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM), and relative in non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM). The strong association of certain HLA immune-response genes on chromosome 6 with IDDM provides a prominent genetic marker to distinguish these two types of diabetes (Trucco and Dormon, 1989). This genetic marker serves to aid in genetic counseling and provides insight into the etiology of IDDM.
A network based blind approach to optimizing multi-receiver system performance

In cellular networks, signals from a single transmitter are generally observed by multiple distributed receivers. For such a network, we propose a training-free network based processor or "quality of service manager" (QM) which operates autonomously to optimize network performance by guaranteeing a pre-specified level of bit error rate (BER) performance while simultaneously maximizing throughput. This goal is achieved by dynamically adapting the channel code used by the transmitter based solely on the bit decisions of networked receivers. The scheme requires no change to the existing setup and requires the addition of only a limited capability processor, the QM, to optimize network performance. We show, via simulations, that in situations where the existing approaches fail to guarantee quality of service (QoS), the QM not only guarantees QoS but also results in multiple times throughput.