cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Knowledge of Sexuality and Aging

Findings from recent national large scale surveys including National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Survey of Midlife and Older Adults indicate that older adults report being sexually active well into their 80s and 90s, and that middle-aged and older adults engage in a wider variety of sexual behaviors including masturbation, anal sex, and sex with multiple partners than previously believed. Predictors of sexual activity for middle-aged and older adults include their prior levels of activity and satisfaction, the availability of a partner, particularly for women, and physical health including the presence of ED among men. Approximately 10% of older men and women report a sexual orientation other than heterosexual. Six percent of men and one percent of women indicate that they have multiple sex partners, with less than five percent of these individuals usually or always using condoms. Ethnic differences also appear in which Hispanic men report more frequent participation in vaginal sex than non-Hispanic men. Many middle aged and older adults are uninformed about the typical physiological changes associated with sexuality and aging; many do not know that ED is typically treatable, that masturbation can promote improved sexual lubrication and satisfaction in women, or that many commonly prescribed medications cause significant sexual side effects. Nearly half of middle-aged and older women and men fail to seek help for sexual problems, often due to fears of embarrassment and concerns about financial cost. However, more than half of those who do seek help from a professional report improvement in sexual function. A self-test for knowledge of sexuality and aging is included, as well as clear and specific recommendations for taking an appropriate sexual history among middle-aged and older clients.
Immunochemical analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. Analysis of the His426 determinant.

This study describes a combined immunochemical and genetic approach defining a site on Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA) which is critical to the ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) activity of the toxin. The sequential epitope of a monoclonal antibody (TO-1) which binds to domain III (residues 405-613), containing the ADPRT activity of ETA, has been defined using a series of synthetic peptides. This epitope spans residues 422-432 which composes the major alpha-helical segment of domain III and includes His426 which has previously been shown to be essential for ADPRT activity (Wozniak, D.J., Hsu, L.-Y., and Galloway, D. R. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 8880-8884). The critical His426 residue which projects into a major cleft becomes exposed when the ETA protein is in an ADPRT-active configuration. Since the TC-1 mAb does not block the binding of NAD+, it is possible that the alpha-helix site containing the TC-1 epitope and the His426 residue is associated with the interaction between ETA and its elongation factor 2 substrate.
Verbesserung der Hämostase bei laparoskopischen und offenen Teilnephrektomien durch Gelatine-Thrombin-Matrix (FloSeal)

Long-term follow-up studies have demonstrated that effective local tumor control and long-term tumor-free progression rates can be achieved by nephron-sparing surgery. However, hemostasis is a major issue and the lack of effective means of hemostasis has limited a wider use of the laparoscopic approach to nephron-sparing surgery. Between January 2001 and August 2002, a total of 36 patients with renal cell carcinomas were treated by partial nephrectomies using a two-component tissue sealant (FloSeal). The median age was 55.2 years (range: 34-71 years). Follow-up time was 1-18 months (median: 5.5 months). The tumor diameter ranged from 2 to 5 cm (median: 2.9 cm). Open retroperitoneal surgery was performed in 17 cases and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in 19 cases. The two-component tissue sealant (consisting of a gelatin matrix with granular and thrombin components) was applied after resection of the tumor and before perfusion of the kidney. The following parameters were recorded: (1) time until complete hemostasis was achieved, (2) decrease in postoperative hemoglobin level, (3) postoperative bleeding, and (4) presence or absence of a perirenal hematoma 24 h and 10 days postoperatively by ultrasound. After application of the tissue sealant for 1-2 min to the moist resection site, hemostasis was immediate in all cases. During the laparoscopic partial nephrectomies, a laparoscopic applicator was used that avoided wasting the tissue sealant within the dead space of the instrument. When reperfusion of the kidney was established, hemostasis was maintained. The decrease in postoperative hemoglobin level ranged from 0.3 to 1.2 points (median: 0.8 points). None of the patients required blood transfusions. There were no cases of postoperative bleeding. An ultrasound examination 24 h and 10 days postoperatively demonstrated the absence of a significant perirenal hematoma. The two-component tissue sealant FloSeal provided immediate and durable hemostasis in open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomies. The tissue sealant may provide a tool to expand the possibilities of laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery.
Fiber Debonding and Pullout Processes in Ceramic Composites

The fiber debonding and pullout behavior in a model ceramic composite system has been investigated using a novel single-fiber pullout technique. Stable, progressive debonding was observed prior to fiber fracture and frictional fiber pullout. Interfacial parameters were calculated from single load-displacement curves using a recent analysis of the fiber debonding and pullout process. The interfacial parameters extracted from these experiments are consistent with independent measurements reported in the literature. The morphology of the fiber surface appears to play a significant role in determining the fiber debonding and sliding behavior.
Entropy and Material Instability in the Quasi-Static Mechanics of Granular Media

Starting from a maximum-entropy model of granular statics, this brief note explores a possible material instability in the form of a “stress localization” anticipated in previous work (Goddard, 2002). After a brief review of the maximum-entropy model, it is shown that a special case allows for nonconvex pressure-volume response of a kind that could lead to heterogeneous stress states in an isotropically compressed granular packing.
Settlement of Dry Sands during Earthquakes

A method of analysis is presented for evaluating the settlement of dry sand deposits during earthquakes, taking into account the initial density of the deposit, the initial stress conditions and the intensity and duration of the earthquake motions. It is based on a determination of the shear strains induced in the deposit during an earthquake by means of ground response analyses and an evaluation of the resulting settlements of the deposit determined by simple shear tests conducted under cyclic loading. It is shown that although the range of settlements for the various soil layers varied between 2% and 0.025% of the layer thickness, the overall degree of agreement was reasonably good in all cases. It is concluded that the proposed procedure might be used as a first approximation for evaluating the volume change tendencies and the ground surface settlements induced in dry or moist cohesionless soils due to earthquake shaking.
The Impact of a Waiver

A fitness-club member who fell and injured her wrist during a personal training session brought action against the club and trainer, alleging that the trainer negligently provided inadequate instruction and used equipment in an unsafe manner.
Perspectives on Human Microbiome Research Ethics

Study of ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of human microbiome research has been integral to the Human Microbiome Project (HMP). This study explores core ELSI issues that arose during the first phase of the HMP from the perspective of individuals involved in the research. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with investigators and NIH employees (“investigators”) involved in the HMP, and with individuals recruited to participate in the HMP Healthy Cohort Study at Baylor College of Medicine (“recruits”). We report findings related to three major ELSI issues: informed consent, data sharing, and return of results. Our findings demonstrate that investigators and recruits were similarly sensitive to these issues yet generally comfortable with study design in light of current knowledge about the microbiome.
Shortness of Breath and Abdominal Pain Within Minutes of Starting Hemodialysis

A 45-year-old woman on hemodialysis without significant problems for 6 years developed acute onset of anxiety, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain within minutes of initiating her hemodialysis treatment. Her blood pressure was stable throughout the episode. The treatment was discontinued and she was admitted to the hospital. Routine blood chemistries were unremarkable except for mild eosinophilia (5%). An ethylene oxide reaction was suspected. She was dialyzed the following day after rinsing the dialyzer with 2 L of saline. A similar reaction occurred. The following day she was dialyzed on an ethylene oxide-free dialyzer and the hemodialysis treatment was uneventful.
A Role for the Clathrin Assembly Domain of AP180 in Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis

We have used the squid giant synapse to determine whether clathrin assembly by AP180 is important for synaptic vesicle endocytosis. The squid homolog of AP180 encodes a 751 amino acid protein with 40% sequence identity to mouse AP180. Alignment of squid AP180 with other AP180 homologs shows that amino acid identity was highest in the N-terminal inositide-binding domain of the protein and weakest in the C-terminal clathrin assembly domain. Recombinant squid AP180 was able to assemble clathrin in vitro, suggesting a conserved three-dimensional structure that mediates clathrin assembly despite the divergent primary sequence of the C-terminal domain. Microinjection of the C-terminal domains of either mouse or squid AP180 into the giant presynaptic terminal of squid enhanced synaptic transmission. Conversely, a peptide from the C-terminal domain of squid AP180 that inhibited clathrin assembly in vitro completely blocked synaptic transmission when it was injected into the giant presynaptic terminal. This inhibitory effect occurred over a time scale of minutes when the synapse was stimulated at low (0.03 Hz), physiological rates. Electron microscopic analysis revealed several structural changes consistent with the inhibition of synaptic vesicle endocytosis; peptide-injected terminals had far fewer synaptic vesicles, were depleted of coated vesicles, and had a larger plasma membrane perimeter than terminals injected with control solutions. In addition, the remaining synaptic vesicles were significantly larger in diameter. We conclude that the clathrin assembly domain of AP180 is important for synaptic vesicle recycling at physiological rates of activity and that assembly of clathrin by AP180 is necessary for maintaining a pool of releasable synaptic vesicles.
The impact of information security events on the stock value of firms: the effect of contingency factors

The stock market reactions to information technology (IT)-related events have often been used as proxies to the value or cost of these events in the information systems literature. In this paper, we study the stock market reactions to information-security-related events using the event analysis methodology with consideration of the effects of a number of contingency factors, including business type, industry, type of breach, event year, and length of event window. We found that pure e-commerce firms experienced higher negative market reactions than traditional bricks-and-mortar firms in the event of security breach. We also found that denial of service attacks had higher negative impact than other types of security breaches. Finally, security events occurred in recent years were found to have less significant impact than those occurred earlier, suggesting that investors may have become less sensitive to the security events. Most interestingly, our analyses showed that the magnitude and longevity of security breaches vary with time across sub-samples. This raises some serious questions regarding the validity of analyzing only short-term stock market reactions as an indicator of the cost of security breaches, and in general, an indicator of the value of IT-related events. The implications of these results are discussed and potential future research directions are proposed.
De novo 16p deletion: ATR‐16 syndrome

We describe a child with alpha-thalassemia ascertained by newborn screening. Evaluation at 9 months of age showed minor anomalies and developmental delay. Chromosomal analysis demonstrated a de novo deletion of the most distal portion of the short arm of chromosome 16, which contains the alpha-globin genes. Analysis of the alpha-globin locus by Southern blot analysis did not demonstrate altered band sizes at this locus; however, analysis of the films using densitometry confirmed hemizygosity. This is the fifth reported case of the ATR-16 syndrome (alpha-thalassemia retardation-16) not complicated by duplication or deletion of other chromosomes.
Altered hemostasis in pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation and, in some cases, inflammation. Significant vascular remodeling occurs in response to these stresses and histopathology demonstrates in-situ thrombosis in a significant number of cases. Elevated shear stresses and inflammation, based on in-vitro data, would be expected to enhance platelet activation and aggregation/adhesion, increase release of von Willebrand factor, increase tissue factor expression, downregulate surface thrombomodulin with diminished thrombin inactivation and decreased protein C activation, and alter fibrinolytic factors with a net loss of fibrinolysis. Data from animal and human studies of pulmonary hypertension provide evidence for increased platelet activation, decreased platelet survival, increased release of von Willebrand factor antigen without an increase in activity, decreased soluble thrombomodulin and a net loss of fibrinolytic activity with excessive release of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. These changes may result in in-situ thrombosis, which may occur as an inciting event of pulmonary hypertension, or as a consequence of other initiating factors. Chronic anticoagulation has been used in pulmonary hypertension based on observations of increased survival. However, the direct link between altered coagulation and the development or persistence of pulmonary hypertension awaits confirmation.
A field experiment testing the utility of regulatory fit messages for promoting physical activity

Guided by regulatory focus theory, we examined whether messages tailored to individuals' promotion- or prevention-goal orientation (regulatory focus) elicit positive thoughts and feelings about physical activity and increase participation in physical activity. Inactive participants (N = 206) were assigned randomly to receive either promotion-focused or prevention-focused messages encouraging physical activity. Two weeks after message exposure, we assessed participants' thoughts and feelings about physical activity and physical activity behavior. Tailored messages that fit individuals' regulatory focus led to greater physical activity participation and more positive feelings than non-fit messages, particularly in the promotion-focused condition. Furthermore, positive retrospective feelings about physical activity mediated the effects of the tailored messages on behavior. These findings provide support for regulatory focus theory and direction for enhancing the effectiveness of messages encouraging physical activity and other health behaviors.
Estimability of thrusting trajectories in 3D from a single passive sensor

The problem of estimating the state of thrusting/ballistic endoatmospheric projectiles moving in 3-dimensional (3-D) space using 2-dimensional (2-D) measurements from a single passive sensor (stationary or moving with constant velocity) is investigated. The estimability is analyzed based on the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM) of the target parameter vector, comprising the initial launch (azimuth and elevation) angles, drag coefficient and thrust, which determine its trajectory according to a nonlinear motion equation. The initial position is assumed to be obtained from the first line of sight (LoS) measurements intersected with a known-altitude plane. The full-rank FIM ensures that this is an estimable system. The corresponding Cram´er-Rao lower bound (CRLB) quantifies the estimation performance of the estimator that is statistically efficient and can be used for impact point prediction (IPP). Due to the inherent nonlinearity of the problem, the maximum likelihood estimate of the target parameter vector is found by using iterated least squares (ILS) numerical approach. A combined grid and ILS approach searches over the launch angles space is proposed. The drag coefficient-thrust grid-based ILS approach is shown to converge to the global maximum and has reliable estimation performance. This is then used for IPP.
Region, Race, and Support for the South Carolina Confederate Flag*

Objective. Existing research suggests that conservative racial attitudes are one of the strongest factors explaining support for the Confederate flag, but this conclusion has been reached by examining the attitudes of only white southerners. We provide a more complete understanding of this issue, focusing on both white and black opinion from across the country. Methods. We use a rolling cross-sectional survey with a large sample size to model support for the South Carolina Confederate flag nationally and then among two groups: southerners and nonsoutherners. Results. Although racial attitudes are important among both southerners and nonsoutherners, region and race also influence support for the Confederate flag. Southern whites have the greatest support for the flag followed by nonsouthern whites, nonsouthern blacks, and southern blacks. Conclusions. Support for the Confederate flag is not simply about racial attitudes, but a more complex phenomenon where region and race exert important influences. Symbols frame many of the debates in American politics, evoking strong affective reactions among those who support and denounce them (Edelman, 1964; Marcus, Neuman, and MacKuen, 2000:36). Symbols take on an even greater importance as successive generations express their ethnic identity through symbolic means (Gans, 1979). As southerners have become more assimilated in American culture, the Confederate flag has become a polarizing symbol in both state and national politics (Martinez, Richardson, and McNich-Su, 2000). Flag controversies have erupted in Georgia and Mississippi, and in 2000, the South Carolina flag controversy became national news. Republican presidential candidates debated the issue during the South Carolina primary and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) began an economic boycott of the state. The debate over the Confederate flag was also part of the 2004 presidential campaign when Vermont Governor Howard proclaimed that ‘‘white folks in
Congenital bronchobiliary fistula: Diagnosis and postoperative surveillance with HIDA scan

Congenital bronchobiliary fistula (CBBF) is an extremely rare anomaly with myriad presentations that often include common bile duct abnormalities. Traditionally, bronchoscopy and bronchography have been used to establish the diagnosis. A full-term neonate with pneumonia and bilious secretions was diagnosed as having CBBF by means of a HIDA scan. Successful repair consisted of a right thoracotomy, high ligation of the fistula via an extrapleural approach, and cholecystography to confirm biliary drainage into the duodenum. The HIDA scan is a safe and efficient means to diagnose CBBF. When used in combination with surgical contrast studies, it provides clear delineation of all variations of this abnormality, enabling one-stage correction.
6-Month Androgen Suppression Plus Radiation Therapy vs Radiation Therapy Alone for Patients With Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PROSTATE CANCER–SPECIFIC MORtality (PCSM) following external beam radiation therapy (RT) for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer has been shown to be associated with the Gleason score, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and 1992 American Joint Commission on Cancer clinical tumor category at diagnosis. Low-risk patients who have a PSA of 10 ng/mL or less, a Gleason score of 6 or less, and clinical category T1c or T2a disease have been reported to have PCSM estimates of less than 2% a decade following RT, whereas these estimates range from 12% to 30% for patients with higher PSA levels or Gleason scores at diagnosis. Attempts at decreasing PCSM have included RT dose escalation or the addition of androgen suppression therapy (AST) to 70 Gy RT. Although a single randomized trial has shown a decrease in PSA progression for patients receiving RT dose escalation, survival data are not yet available. Given that PSA progression does not translate into PCSM for the vast majority of patients, 70 Gy RT remains the standard of practice. Combining 3 years of AST with 70 Gy RT has been shown to improve survival for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. However, the toxicity of long-term AST can be significant, particularly in elderly patients. This prospective randomized controlled trial was performed to determine whether a survival benefit exists when adding 6 months of AST to 70 Gy 3-dimensional conformal RT (3DCRT) in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. METHODS Eligibility Criteria Between December 1, 1995, and April 15, 2001, 206 patients from the Harvard outreach (Saint Anne’s Hospital, Fall River, Mass; Metro West Medical
Do high-risk urban youth also have older friends?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore how behavioral, intrapersonal, and socio-environmental factors were associated with the likelihood of having at least one older friend. METHODS: Participants included 3,709 ethnically diverse eighth grade students in the Project Northland Chicago intervention trial. Socio-demographic characteristics included gender, family composition, language spoken at home, race/ethnicity, and age. Behavioral factors included cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use, depressed feelings, willingness to wear alcohol-branded merchandise, and violent and delinquent behavior. Intrapersonal factors included low refusal self-efficacy, and outcome expectations and expectancies. Socio-environmental factors included alcohol offers and access, normative estimates and expectations, and peer alcohol use. Having an older friend was defined as having at least one friend aged 16 years or older (students' mean age = 14.2). Logistic mixed-effects regression models were used and controlled for gender, race/ethnicity, treatment status, and age. RESULTS: Adolescent girls and older eighth graders were significantly more likely to have at least one older friend. Students who scored higher on all the behavioral, intrapersonal, and socio-environmental risk factors were significantly more likely to have at least one older friend. Significant gender interactions were found for several of the relationships. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study showed that multiple risk-related factors are associated with having older friends in eighth grade. Particularly important factors appear to be cigarette, marijuana and alcohol use, having friends who use alcohol, having increased alcohol offers, and being willing to wear or use alcohol-branded merchandise. Language: en
RETR_PWR: an SAS macro for retrospective statistical power analysis.

In contrast to prospective power analysis, retrospective power analysis provides an estimate of the statistical power of a hypothesis test after an investigation has been conducted rather than before. In this article, three approaches to obtaining point estimates of power and an interval estimation algorithm are delineated. Previous research on the bias and sampling error of these estimates is briefly reviewed. Finally, an SAS macro that calculates the point and interval estimates is described. The macro was developed to estimate the power of anF test (obtained from analysis of variance, multiple regression analysis, or any of several multivariate analyses), but it may be easily adapted for use with other statistics, such as chi-square tests ort tests.
Are the Thisted-Efron authorship tests valid?

We assess the validity of the Thisted-Efron author-ship tests in two stages. First, we construct simulated texts in accordance with the assumptions implicit in the underlying model and use these to validate the basic computations, to determine their range of applicability, and to evaluate their sensitivity to basic lexical parameters. Second, we experiment with actual texts from the Shakespearean canon and the plays of Christopher Marlowe. The results of the tests are mixed, showing good consistency for the Shakespeare plays (with some discrimination among early, middle and late works) but poor consistency between Shakespeare's poems and plays, or among Marlowe's plays.
AHP reductions in rabbit hippocampal neurons during conditioning correlate with acquisition of the learned response

Young adult male albino rabbits were conditioned using a free field auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) and periorbital shock unconditioned stimulus (US) in a short delay eye blink paradigm. All rabbits received two80-trial training sessions. Intracellular recordings were made from hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons within brain slices prepared 24 h following the second training session. All 46 CA1 neurons included in the analysis had stable penetration, at least 70 mV impulse amplitudes and at least 40 MΩ input resistance. Recording and initial data analysis were done ‘blind’ regarding behavioral training performance of the rabbit from which the slices were prepared. The animals were separated into aHigh(86 ± 6%CRs, n = 12) andLow(12 ± 4%CRs, n = 10) Acquisiton group based on the number of blink CRs shown on the second training day(P < 0.001). CA1 pyramidal neurons from the High Acquisition group(n = 20) showed a significant reduction in the afterhypolarization (AHP) response following 4 impulses elicited by intracellular current injection as compared to neurons from the Low Acquisition group(n = 4). The mean maximal AHP amplitudes after 4 spikes were−2.9 ± 0.34mV and−0.4.0 ± 0.31mV, respectively, in the High and Low Acquisition groups(P < 0.01). The size of the AHP examined at 100 ms intervals during the first 1.7 s after the current pulse proved to be reduced in the High group both when evaluated for all points(F = 5.88,df= 1.44, P < 0.02) and for each of the individual time points (at leastP < 0.05). The mean AHP areas were1.6 ± 0.26 and2.6 ± 0.32mV·s, respectively(P < 0.02). These AHP differences were present in the absence of differences in mean resting potential(−69 ± 2.2mV and−70 ± 2.0mV), spike height(87 ± 1.9mV and87 ± 1.6mV), input assistance72 ± 4.8MΩ,and68 ± 3.5MΩ), and current required to elicit 4 action potentials(0.45 ± 0.05nA and0.43 ± 0.04nA), respectively, between the High and Low Acquisition groups. We have previously demonstrated conditioning-specific reductions in the AHP of CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices taken from well-trained rabbits11. In the present experiments, all rabbits received the same number of CS-US pairings. But those which learned had CA1 pyramidal cells with significantly reduced AHPs. These data link the AHP reduction observed in vitro to conditioned response acquisition observed behaviorally. They also provide evidence that the AHP is not reduced merely as a non-specific consequences of training trial presentation. This ionic alteration, intrinsic to hippocampus for its expression, indeed intrinsic to the CA1 cells themselves, is stored in CA1 pyramidal cells after a symptotic learning occurs.
The investigation of land-use/transportation interrelationships: A CAD approach

Utilisation des techniques de la conception assistee par ordinateur pour l'etude des interactions entre transports et occupation des sols. Presentation du logiciel UFOS (Urban form optimization system)
Increased interleukin-6 expression by microglia from brain of aged mice.

Over expression of inflammatory cytokines in the brain may establish a state that is permissive to the onset of neurodegenerative disease. Because the occurrence of certain neurodegenerative diseases increases with age, in the present study we examined the expression of the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), in the brain of aged mice. In an initial experiment, IL-6 was measured in crude protein extracts from brains of juvenile (1-month-old), adult (3-month-old), and aged (24-month-old) male BALB/c mice. The concentration of IL-6 in crude protein extracts from the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus increased with age. The increase in IL-6 was discrete, as levels in the hypothalamus were not age-dependent. To begin evaluating spontaneous IL-6 production in aging, glial cells were cultured from brains of neonate, adult, and aged mice. An age-associated increase in IL-6 mRNA and supernatant IL-6 concentration was evident, indicating glia from aged mice spontaneously express high levels of IL-6 relative to glia from adult and neonate mice. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that cultures established from aged brain compared to either adult or neonate brain comprised more microglia (i.e., MAC-1-positive cells). Furthermore, the proportion of microglia that was positive for IL-6 increased with age, whereas the proportion of astrocytes that were positive for IL-6 was not age-dependent. The present results suggest that IL-6 increases in the mouse brain with age, and that microglia cultured from aged mice spontaneously produce more IL-6 than those from neonate or adult mice. Therefore, microglia may contribute to the increased level of IL-6 present in aged brain.
Cooperative spin decoherence and population transfer

An ensemble of multilevel atoms is a good candidate for a quantum information storage device. The information is encrypted in the collective ground state atomic coherence, which, in the absence of external excitation, is decoupled from the vacuum and therefore decoherence free. However, in the process of manipulation of atoms with light pulses (writing, reading), one inadvertently introduces a coupling to the environment, i.e., a source of decoherence. The dissipation process is often treated as an independent process for each atom in the ensemble, an approach which fails at large atomic optical depths where cooperative effects must be taken into account. In this paper, the cooperative behavior of spin decoherence and population transfer for a system of two, driven multilevel atoms is studied. Not surprisingly, an enhancement in the decoherence rate is found, when the atoms are separated by a distance that is small compared to an optical wavelength; however, it is found that this rate increases even further for somewhat larger separations for atoms aligned along the direction of the driving field's propagation vector. A treatment of the cooperative modification of optical pumping rates and an effect of polarization swapping between atoms is also discussed, lending additional insight into the origin of the collective decay.
Effects of fundamental frequency on medial and final [voice] judgments

Abstract Experiment 1 evaluated the effects of f0variation on [voice] judgments in utterance-final position. Analogous to the effects of varying F1reported in earlier studies, a lower steady-state f0during the preceding vowel and a lower offset f0proximal to consonant closure contributed additively to more [+voice] identification responses. The similarity between the effects of f0and F1variation extends the parallel between the effects of these variables observed in other utterance positions, and suggests that a low f0and a low F1contribute to a single integrated perceptual correlate of [+voice] consonants. Experiment 2 investigated the effective domain in which f0variation influences utterance-medial [voice] judgments for VCV stimuli whose primary [voice] cues are consistent with a stressed-unstressed disyllabic pattern. There was an increase in [+voice] identification responses as a function of a lower steady-state and offset f0in the first syllable and as a function of a lower onset f0in the second syllable. A comparison of the results with earlier findings suggests that the domain of f0influence on [voice] judgments may be determined by the syllable-affiliation of the target consonant.
Development of radiology prediction models using feature analysis.

Rationale and objectives This article provides an introduction to prediction models and their application in diagnostic imaging research. Prediction models capitalize on the different degrees of association among variables to make a prediction of a health state, formulate a rule, or quantify individual contributions of various predictor variables. The purpose of this article is to elucidate the rationale, implication, and interpretation of prediction models using imaging features. Materials and methods The techniques and challenges of developing, testing, and implementing prediction models are described. Prediction model development methods are similar to data-mining techniques. Results Learning objectives are to review prediction rule (model) methods, learn how prediction models may be applied to feature analysis, and understand the challenges of developing, testing, and implementing prediction models.
J.H. King and a Pentecostal Theology of Religions and Interreligious Ecumenism: Lessons Learned and Suggestions for Future Research

The 2007-2010 Journal of Pentecostal Theology debate between Tony Richie and me about J.H. King’s theology of religions focused on both historical theology and constructive-theological method relative to the use of King’s writings as a resource for developing a twenty-first century Pentecostal theology of religions. For me, two major lessons emerged which suggest that future study of King’s and perhaps other early Pentecostal thinkers’ theology of religions will need to be especially attentive to at least two broad tasks: careful historical research and pursuit of a common and precise inclusivist terminology by collaborating scholars. This work is necessary because it relates directly to the issue of the extent of King’s pertinence for the construction of both a Pentecostal theology of religions and a Pentecostal theology and praxis of interreligious ecumenism. If King was merely an accessibilist-inclusivist, and I firmly believe that was the case, then his relevance is greatly diminished.
Cyanidin-3-rutinoside, a Natural Polyphenol Antioxidant, Selectively Kills Leukemic Cells by Induction of Oxidative Stress

Anthocyanins are a group of naturally occurring phenolic compounds widely available in fruits and vegetables in human diets. They have broad biological activities including anti-mutagenesis and anticarcinogenesis, which are generally attributed to their antioxidant activities. We studied the effects and the mechanisms of the most common type of anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, in several leukemia and lymphoma cell lines. We found that cyanidin-3-rutinoside extracted and purified from the black raspberry cultivar Jewel induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Paradoxically, this compound induced the accumulation of peroxides, which are involved in the induction of apoptosis in HL-60 cells. In addition, cyanidin-3-rutinoside treatment resulted in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent activation of p38 MAPK and JNK, which contributed to cell death by activating the mitochondrial pathway mediated by Bim. Down-regulation of Bim or overexpression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL considerably blocked apoptosis. Notably, cyanidin-3-rutinoside treatment did not lead to increased ROS accumulation in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and had no cytotoxic effects on these cells. These results indicate that cyanidin-3-rutinoside has the potential to be used in leukemia therapy with the advantages of being widely available and selective against tumors.
Detection and localization of prolonged epicardial electrograms with 64-lead body surface signal-averaged electrocardiography.

BACKGROUNDProlonged, fractionated ventricular electrograms often are detectable after myocardial infarction and are a marker for an arrhythmia-prone state. QRS late potentials detected on the body surface with signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) are thought to arise from the diseased tissue that generates prolonged ventricular electrograms and as such are also a marker for arrhythmias. A limitation of the current SAECG technique is that recordings are obtained from only three bipolar lead pairs. Because late potentials probably arise from multiple small sources in the heart, more extensive sampling of the body surface may contribute additional information to the SAECG: The present study investigates the additional sensitivity of SAECG using 64 body surface leads in detecting prolonged epicardial electrograms and examines its use in determining the epicardial location of prolonged electrograms.METHODS AND RESULTSDogs were studied before and 5-10 days after either lateral left ventricular (n = 13) o...
High Resolution Force Distribution of Migrating and Spreading Cells

Cell motility is crucial for the immune system and its misregulation is associated with cancer and other diseases. Migration is a complex cellular activity with many proteins coordinating within a subcellular motility machine. The machine's parts conspire to propel the cell forward by exerting forces on the environment with spatial variations down to the nanoscale. In this work we measured and statistically characterized the force distributions with the aim of illuminating underlying mechanisms. We cultured mouse embryonic fibroblast cells expressing GFP-actin on dense arrays of flexible nanoengineered pillars. During cell spreading pillar deflections quantitatively revealed cell traction patterns on the substrate. Simultaneous actin imaging enabled the cellular force map to be visualized within the evolving cell contour. The greatest forces were exerted in a ∼10-20 micron strip behind the leading edge and are directed inward. We analyzed time profiles of forces exerted on single pillars as the cell passed over the pillar location. Forces were relatively short lived and showed more fluctuation for pillars with smaller diameter than for larger ones. When the protruding cell edge reaches a pillar a period of large traction force begins, typically lasting several minutes, with maximum stress on the order of several nN/μm2. Stiffer substrates provoked larger tractions than more compliant substrates. Once the front of the cell has passed by, a drastic reduction in traction occurs. Spatial force distribution and its evolution were characterized by correlation functions relative to the leading edge. By varying the geometric parameters of the pillars, we probed a range of effective substrate rigidities. In summary, we combined high resolution measurements, statistical analysis and quantitative modeling to characterize and interpret signature features of migrating and spreading cell force maps.
Spongelike Nanosized Mn3O4 as a High-Capacity Anode Material for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Mn3O4 has been investigated as a high-capacity anode material for rechargeable lithium ion batteries. Spongelike nanosized Mn3O4 was synthesized by a simple precipitation method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Its electrochemical performance, as an anode material, was evaluated by galvanostatic discharge–charge tests. The results indicate that this novel type of nanosized Mn3O4 exhibits a high initial reversible capacity (869 mA h/g) and significantly enhanced first Coulomb efficiency with a stabilized reversible capacity of around 800 mA h/g after over 40 charge/discharge cycles.
Model inversion tracking control for UltraLITE using neural networks

This paper presents the analytical methodology and initial numerical simulation results for autonomous neural control of the Ultra-Lightweight Imaging Technology Experiment (UltraLITE) Phase I test article. The UltraLITE Phase I test article is a precision deployable structure currently under development at the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Its purpose is to examine control and hardware integration issues related to large deployable sparse optical array spacecraft systems. In this paper, a multi-stage control architecture is examined which incorporates artificial neural networks for model inversion tracking control. The emphasis in the control design approach is to exploit the known nonlinear dynamics of the system in the synthesis of a model inversion tracking controller and to augment the nonlinear controller with an adaptive neuro-controller to accommodate for changing dynamics, failures, and model uncertainties.
Microcomputer-based robot arm control

This paper describes the equipment and procedures used to modify a toy robot arm such that it can be interfaced with a computer (IBM PC or compatible). This particular mechanical arm has six degrees of freedom, but only two of the six degrees are controlled in this experiment. The motion of the arm is transmitted by plastic gears which are attached to stepper motors. These motors are interfaced with the computer where the movement of the robot arm is controlled by using the computer keyboard to input the angle and direction of motion.
Calcium signaling: septins organize the SOC channel.

Summary Store-operated Ca 2+ entry is a widely encountered mechanism for generating cytoplasmic Ca 2+ signals. From a whole-genome screen in HeLa cells, a new study reveals that cytoskeletal septins play a critical role in this process, by organizing signaling structures in the plasma membrane.
Chemisorption of CO on Ni(100) by SIMS and XPS

Abstract Adsorption of CO on a Ni(100) surface has been investigated using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At room temperature the positive ion spectra show Ni+, Ni+2, Ni+3, NiCO+ and Ni2CO+. At saturation coverage, small amounts of Ni3CO+ and Ni+4 appear. All ions show a smooth increase in intensity with CO adsorption and reach saturation after 2 L CO or half monolayer coverage as measured by XPS. The NiCO+/Ni+ ratio shows a plateau at 2 L and a rise at 4–6 L that reflects the change from the c(2 × 2) to a hexagonal LEED structure observed by Tracy. The measured Ni2CO+ ratio is higher at very low coverages than at saturation. Based on ejection-yield calculations this observation suggests that a high percentage of bridged bonded CO may be present in the early stages of adsorption. Ni(2p 3 2 ) , O(1s) and C(1s) XPS spectra from the clean and CO saturated surface are presented. CO adsorption on a partly C covered Ni(100) surface caused a strong increase in the C(1s) intensity but no increase in the O(1s) intensity and is taken to indicate the presence of a disproportionation reaction. Exposure to CO at 523 K showed no NiCO+ or Ni2CO+, but appearance of ions like C+, C+2, NiC+ Ni2C+, and Ni2O+ indicated dissociative adsorption. A sputtered Ni(100) surface had a much larger capacity for CO uptake as indicated by increased ion yields.
Clinical and radiological instability following standard fenestration discectomy.

Background Post-surgical lumbar instability is an established complication but there is limited evidence in the literature regarding the incidence of lumbar instability following fenestration and discectomy. We analyzed our results following fenestration discectomy with a special focus on instability. Materials and methods Eighty-three patients between the age of 17 and 52 years who had undergone fenestration discectomy for a single-level lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse were followed-up for a period of 1-5 years. The criteria for instability included "instability catch,", "painful catch," and "apprehension." The working capacity of the patient and the outcome score of the surgery were assessed by means of the Oswestry disability score and the Prolo economic and functional outcome score. Flexion-extension lateral radiographs were taken and analyzed for abnormal tilt and translation. Results Of the 83 patients included, 70 were men and 13 were women, with an average age of 37.35 years (17-52 years) at 5 years follow-up. Clinical instability was seen in 10 (12.04%) patients. Radiological instability was noted in 29 (34.9%) patients. Only six (60%) of the 10 patients who demonstrated clinical instability had radiological evidence of instability. Twenty (68.96%) patients with radiological instability were asymptomatic. Three (10.34%) patients with only radiological instability had unsatisfactory outcome. The Oswestry scoring showed an average score of 19.8%. Mild disability was noted in 59 (71.08%) patients and moderate disability was seen in 24 (28.91%) patients. None of the patients had severe disability. These outcomes were compared with the outcomes in other studies in the literature for microdiscectomy and the results were found to be comparable. Conclusion The favorable outcome of this study is in good agreement with other studies on microdiscectomy. Clinical instability in 12.04% of the patients is in agreement with other studies. Radiological signs of instability are seen even in asymptomatic patients and so are not as reliable as clinical signs of instability. Standard fenestration discectomy does not destabilize the spine more than microdiscectomy.
Algorithms for modeling anatomic and target volumes in image-guided neurosurgery and radiotherapy

The use of image-guidance in surgery and radiotherapy has significantly improved patient outcome in neurosurgery and radiotherapytreatments. This work developed volume definition and verification techniques for image-guided applications, using a number of algorithms ranging from image processing to visualization. Stereoscopic visualization, volumetric tumor model overlaid on an ultrasoundimage, and visualization of the treatment geometry were experimented with on a neurosurgical workstation. Visualization and volume definition tools were developed for radiotherapytreatment planning system. The magnetic resonance inhomogeneity correction developed in this work, possibly the first published data-driven method with wide applicability, automatically mitigates the radio-frequency (RF) field inhomogeneity artifact present in magnetic resonanceimages. Correcting the RF inhomogeneity improves the accuracy of the generated volumetric models. Various techniques to improve region growing are also presented. The simplex search method and combinatory similarity terms were used to improve the similarity function with a low additional computational cost and high yield in region correctness. Moreover, the effects of different priority queue implementations were studied. A fast algorithm for calculating high-quality digitally reconstructed radiographs has been developed and shown to better meet typical radiotherapy needs than the two alternative algorithms. A novel visualization method, beam’s light view, is presented. It uses texture mapping for projecting the fluence of a radiation field on an arbitrary surface. This work describes several improved algorithms for image processing, segmentation, and visualization used in image-guidedtreatment systems. These algorithms increase the accuracy of image-guidance, which can further improve the applicability and efficiency of image-guidedtreatments.
Design of a self-diagnostic beam-mode piezoelectric accelerometer

A technique was developed for detecting in situ real-time soft failures in a beam-mode piezoelectric accelerometer. The new technique can be used to detect changes in the piezoelectric capacitance, the equivalent mechanical stiffness of the piezoelectric element and the surface mounting impedance, and the piezoelectric efficiency.