cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation of Pentamethylcyclopentadiene by Bk+, Cf+, and Es+ Ions in the Gas Phase: Probing Electronic Structures of Transcurium Actinides

Reactions of monopositive actinide ions, An+, and lanthanide ions, Ln+, with 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene, HCp*, were studied by mass spectrometry. This was the first study of the M+/HCp* reaction for M+ = Cm+, Cf+, and Es+; results for M+ = Am+, Bk+, Pr+, Eu+, and Tm+ are compared with those from previous studies. Different product distributions for the present experiments versus previous results for the same reactions are traced to a pressure effect whereby higher reactant pressures favor certain reaction channels. Each of the eight metal ions, M+, reacted with HCp* to produce [MCp*]+ (+ H), as well as additional products. Both Cf+ and Es+ have previously been found to be inert toward most alkenes, but efficiently reacted with HCp* to induce (1) H-loss and [AnCp*]+; (2) H2-loss and [AnC5(CH3)4(CH2)]+; and (3) CH3-loss and [AnC5(CH3)4H]+ (An = Cf, Es). These are the first organoeinsteinium complexes derived from activation of an organic substrate. The exhibited types of reactivity, i.e., product ...
Determining overtime policies for a repair shop

Abstract Problems arise when a repair shop with a fixed capacity has to cope with fluctuations in the arrivals of failed assemblies. The effective use of priority scheduling rules and labor assignment rules will enable the repair shop to work efficiently but only to the extent of the repair capacity of the shop. Increasing the number of spares in stock to accommodate these short-term fluctuations would be costly in the long run. In order to maintain a certain level of service, the repair shop often needs to resort to overtime. This paper examines various overtime policies, namely, proactive and reactive overtime policies, under various failure distributions and budget constraints for spares. The findings show that reactive overtime policies generally perform better than proactive overtime policies under the conditions tested. Benefit-cost ratio curves are developed for these overtime policies which illustrate the stochastic interaction effects of the priority scheduling rule, spares budget, and failure arrival distribution.
When should patients seek care for sore throat

In this issue, Fine and colleagues add to the debate on whether to treat or test patients with sore throat. The editorialist discusses the factors that should be considered before examining, testin...
A comparison of the effects of glucose, glucose 6-phosphate and inorganic orthophosphate on the fluorescence and quenchability of hexokinase

Abstract The relative abilities of glucose, glucose 6-phosphate and inorganic orthophosphate to alter tbe structure of yeasthexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) was studied at pH 8.3, 6.5 and 5.5 at 20°C by titrating rite tryptophan fluorescence of the P-I(A) and P-II(B) isozymes using each of these three ligands as a quenching titrant and by titrating the fluorescence of the P-I(A) isozyme with acrylamide, a nonionic queneber, in the presence of each ligand. The effective acrylamide-quenching constants and fractional fluorescences of combinations of tryptophan residues were calculated by non-linear least-squares computer analysis. A completely different set of results was obtained with each of the three ligands, which demonstrates that the three hexokinase complexes have different conformations. Comparison of the acrylamide-quenching constants of tbe P-I and P-II isozymes shows that the cleft and interior of P-I are less penetrable by the nonionic probe than P-II is.
Hypolipidemic Effect of Polyvinylpyrrolidone in Man

Intravenous infusion of 500 ml of 6% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, average molecular weight 40,000) in isotonic saline solution daily for 2 days induced prompt and significant reductions in serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in eight hyperlipidemic patients. Mean maximal decrements in serum cholesterol and triglyceride were 29% and 28% below control values, respectively, occurring 5 days after infusion of PVP. Mean values for hematocrit and total serum protein concentration were slightly decreased following PVP infusion, but there were no changes in percentage composition of serum proteins, blood sugar, serum sodium and potassium, body weight, and blood pressure. The hypolipidemic effect of PVP persisted beyond the period of plasma volume expansion, as demonstrated by measurement of the plasma volume isotopically and by long-term follow-up in five of the patients.
Development of a Virtual Reality Simulation Testbed for Collaborative UGV and UAV Research Using MATLAB

This paper presents a virtual reality simulation testbed for evaluation of collaborative control efforts using unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The UGVs are governed by differential drive vehicle kinematics, while the nonlinear dynamics of a quadrotor UAV are implemented. In addition, the system is built with modularity in mind so as to allow for easy expansion of multiple UGVs and UAVs working in collaboration. Such a simulation system allows for research in vehicle control, path planning, formation structures, and centralized/distributed control topologies to be easily and cost effectively explored. As a bonus, virtual cameras are mounted on each vehicle allowing exploration into control using visual feedback mechanisms. This paper describes the simulation testbed architecture, implementation of the dynamics and extended Kalman filter observers, and base-line control laws developed for stabilization and tracking.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The Japanese and US stock prices: A comparative fundamental analysis

Abstract The Japanese stock market is noted for its high valuation level compared to other advanced stock markets. Previous work attributes this valuation disparity to institutional factors. This paper examines the fundamental determinants of the relative valuation of Japanese and US stocks within a simple comparative valuation model. It estimates the impact of fundamental economic variables on relative stock price indices. Among the notable findings is the role of exchange rates, retained earnings, and the effect of regulatory changes as determinants of relative stock valuation between the two countries. The cost of capital is seen to exert only a minor influence.
Alternative Methods of Estimating the Likelihood Ratio in Classification of Multivariate Normal Observations

Abstract An observation is to be classified into one of two multivariate normal distributions with equal covariance matrices. When the parameters are unknown, four methods of estimating the likelihood ratio, that is, the plug-in method, the test procedure, the Bayesian approach, and the best invariant estimate method, are reviewed. The assumptions, interpretations, and consequences of the four approaches are given. It is shown that the last three methods yield the same classification procedure.
Fluorescence microscopy imaging of electroperturbation in mammalian cells

We report the design, integration, and validation of a fluorescence microscopy system for imaging of electroperturbation—the effects of nanosecond, megavolt-per-meter pulsed electric fields on biological cells and tissues. Such effects have potential applications in cancer therapy, gene regulation, and biophysical research by noninvasively disrupting intracellular compartments and inducing apoptosis in malignant cells. As the primary observing platform, an epifluorescence microscope integrating a nanosecond high-voltage pulser and a micrometer electrode chamber enable in situ imaging of the intracellular processes triggered by high electric fields. Using specific fluorescence molecular probes, the dynamic biological responses of Jurkat T lymphocytes to nanosecond electric pulses (nanoelectropulses) are studied with this system, including calcium bursts, the polarized translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS), and nuclear enlargement and chromatin/DNA structural changes.
Bench-Scale Investigation of Permanganate Natural Oxidant Demand Kinetics

A vital design parameter for any in situ chemical oxidation system using permanganate (MnO4-) is the natural oxidant demand (NOD), a concept that represents the consumption of MnO4- by the naturally present reduced species in the aquifer solids. The data suggest that the NOD of the aquifer material from Canadian Forces Base Borden used in our study is controlled by a fast or instantaneous reaction captured by the column experiments, and a slower reaction as demonstrated by both column and batch test data. These two reaction rates may be the result of the reaction of MnO4- with at least two different reduced species exhibiting widely different rates of permanganate consumption (fast rate >7 g of MnO4- as KMnO4/kg/day and slow rate of approximately 0.005 g/kg/day), or a physically/chemically rate-limited single species. The slow NOD reaction prevented fulfillment of the ultimate NOD during the days- to months-long batch experiments and allowed significant early MnO4- breakthrough (>98%) during transport in the column experiments. A large fraction of the organic carbon resisted oxidation over the 21-week duration of the batch experiments. This result demonstrates that NOD estimated from total organic carbon measurements can significantly overpredict the NOD value required in the design of an in situ chemical oxidation application.
Interlayer magnetoresistance in the organic superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Br near the superconducting transition

In this paper, we report transport measurements of interlayer magnetoresistance with field parallel and perpendicular to the current direction in the organic superconductor {kappa}-(BEDT-TTF){sub 2}Cu[N(CN){sub 2}]Br. For H{parallel}J, the isothermal magnetoresistance R(H) displays a peak effect as a function of field. While the magnetoresistance at small field can be fitted to stacked Josephson junction model, the negative magnetoresistance is not consistent with quasiparticle tunneling model with a simple mean field gap. The origin for the peak effect remains unresolved. For H{perpendicular}J, R(H) increases monotonically with increasing field. Large magnetoresistance for H{perpendicular}J is consistent with the layered structure of the organic compounds. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
GPU-based real-time detection and analysis of biological targets using solid-state nanopores

The emergence of nanoscale devices has provided robust interfaces to biomolecules that faithfully transduce and define fundamental interactions of living systems. Measuring single-event behavior of important targets like DNA, and diseased cells has been achieved with a number of devices and systems. An important dimension to these systems, often discounted, is real-time computational decision-making from measured data. This paper describes an adaptive approach that can record single-molecule or single-cell events in real-time and automatically analyze patterns from the measured data. The automated analysis of measured data is done using a static threshold technique and two variations of a dynamic threshold technique: baseline-tracker and moving average filtering. Dynamic techniques for threshold detection enable noise suppression in the measured data and precise detection of patterns, but at the cost of more complex software as compared to static technique. To mitigate the computational overhead, a real-time system is implemented that uses advanced I/O techniques to minimize the execution stalls, thus enabling the system to process data significantly faster than the electrical measurement setup. Furthermore, the algorithms are implemented on programmable graphics processing units for parallel pattern detection. Our implementation provides five times faster data acquisition and pattern detection than the maximum sampling rate of the electrical measurement setup.
A monte carlo study of variable selection and inferences in a two stage random coefficient linear regression model with unbalanced data

A growth curve analysis is often applied to estimate patterns of changes in a given characteristic of different individuals. It is also used to find out if the variations in the growth rates among individuals are due to effects of certain covariates. In this paper, a random coefficient linear regression model, as a special case of the growth curve analysis, is generalized to accommodate the situation where the set of influential covariates is not known a priori. Two different approaches for seleaing influential covariates (a weighted stepwise selection procedure and a modified version of Rao and Wu’s selection criterion) for the random slope coefficient of a linear regression model with unbalanced data are proposed. Performances of these methods are evaluated by means of Monte-Carlo simulation. In addition, several methods (Maximum Likelihood, Restricted Maximum Likelihood, Pseudo Maximum Likelihood and Method of Moments) for estimating the parameters of the selected model are compared Proposed variable s...
Glycogenesis in the amphibian retina: in vitro conversion of [2-3H]mannose to [3H]glucose and subsequent incorporation into glycogen.

Abstract We previously demonstrated by light and electron microscopic autoradiography that Xenopus retinas incubated with [3H]mannose exhibit tunicamycin-insensitive radiolabeling of glycogen storage compartments, especially cone parabaloids. In the present study, we utilized biochemical methods to evaluate the identity of the material presumed to be [3H]glycogen in Xenopus retinas obtained from eyecups incubated under similar conditions. A crude glycogen-containing fraction was isolated, solubilized with 8 m urea, and purified by Sepharose CL-4B column chromatography. The retinal glycogen was hydrolyzed either chemically or with specific amylolytic enzymes, followed by Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography and HPLC of the hydrolysis products. Under the conditions employed, [3H]glycogen represented at least 10% of the total radiolabeled macromolecules. Hydrolysis of the [3H]glycogen released all of the radiolabel in the form of [3H]glucose, not [3H]mannose, which indicated that direct incorporation of [3H]mannose into glycogen had not occurred. [3H]Glucose was distributed throughout the glycogen molecule, not just in the outer tiers, which indicated that de novo glycogenesis had occurred. Furthermore, enzymatic isomerization of the glycogen-derived [3H]glucose with glucose isomerase yielded fructose with retention of tritium. This demonstrated that positions other than the C-2 carbon of glucose were radiolabeled. Analysis of the medium after several hours of incubation revealed the presence of 3H2O as the major radiolabeled compound. These results support the conclusion that the in vitro incorporation of [2-3H]mannose into retinal glycogen involves initial catabolism of the radiolabeled substrate and subsequent reincorporation of the label via gluconeogenesis into precursors utilized for de novo glycogenesis.
Radial Symmetry of Positive Solutions of Nonlinear Elliptic Equations in Rn

(1993). Radial symmetry of positive solutions of nonlinear elliptic equations in Rn. Communications in Partial Differential Equations: Vol. 18, No. 5-6, pp. 1043-1054.
An investigation of the theory of rubber elasticity using irradiated polydimethylsiloxanes

High-energy electrons were used to crosslink a series of polydimethylsiloxanes. Equilibrium tension measurements at low elongations were used to determine the number of chains between crosslinks as given by the kinetic theory of elasticity. After a rapid increase at low radiation doses the number of chains was found to be proportional to the dose. The linear relationship between number of chains and dose, found at higher doses, extrapolated to zero dose, has a positive intercept. This intercept was independent of the initial molecular weight of the polymer and was taken to be a measure of the effect of the maximum number of permanent entanglements in this polymer. The dependence of the number-average molecular weight of irradiated polydimethylsiloxane fluids on radiation dose was determined. The data were analyzed to find the efficiency of crosslink formation in this polymer. The number of chains between crosslinks produced by a given dose and determined by the kinetic theory was found to be only one-half the number to be expected from the measurement of the molecular weights of the irradiated fluids.
Biodegradation of the chelator 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDA) used for soil metal extraction

Abstract In this research the biodegradability of 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDA) was evaluated. This compound has been used as a chelating agent for extraction of metal ions from contaminated soils. Initial experiments indicated that PDA was not biodegraded by unacclimated mixed cultures to any degree. However, acclimated mixed cultures degraded more than 80% of this compound within 12 h under different conditions without showing any sign of inhibition even at high concentrations up to 6 mM (1000 mg/l). The results of PDA biodegradation at all concentrations tested in aqueous solution were very similar to those observed in presence of soil slurry, except that a slight lag of microbial growth occurred at all PDA concentrations in the latter case. No toxicity was evident to the microorganisms during the biodegradation of lead complexed PDA after an initial lag. The PDA complexed with lead was easily available for metabolism by the acclimated mixed culture. ©
Measurements and analysis of angular distribution interference effects in the Li7(p, γ)Be8 reaction

Abstract Measurements have been made which extend angular distribution information to E p = 1700 keV in the Li 7 (p, γ)Be 8 reaction. An excitation curve at 0 0 does not confirm the presence of new resonances recently proposed at E p = 720 keV and 870 keV. Yield curves for the γ rays corresponding to transitions to the ground state and first-excited state are resonant at both the 441 and 1030 keV resonances. The analysis of the angular distributions show that a satisfactory fit can be made for the a 1 ( E ) coefficient in the expression W ( θ , E ) = 1+ a 1 ( E ) P 1 +… by assuming that the interference results from overlapping compound states of opposite parity. The best fits are obtained for four cases for which the spins and parities of the 441, 1030, 2100 and 5800 keV resonances are given respectively by the values (1 + , 1 + , 1 − , 1 − ), (1 + , 1 + , 1 − , 2 − ), (1 + , 1 + , 2 − , 1 − ) and (1 + , 1 + , 2 − , 2 − ).
The development of structure in the expanding universe

A model for clustering in an expanding universe is developed based on an application of the coagulation equation to the collision and aggregation of bound condensations. While the growth rate of clustering is determined by the rate at which density fluctuations reach the nonlinear regime and therefore depends on the initial fluctuation spectrum, the mass spectrum rapidly approaches a self-similar limiting form. This form is determined by the tidal processes which lead to the merging of condensations, and is not dependent on initial conditions.
A review of the biological bases of ADHD: what have we learned from imaging studies?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common and impairing neuropsychiatric disorder with onset at preschool age. Although a significant amount of progress has been made investigating the neurobiology of this disorder, its precise etiology still remains unclear. Converging evidence from studies of the neuropharmacology, genetics, neuropsychology, and neuroimaging of ADHD imply the involvement of fronto-striatal circuitry in ADHD. However, while it does appear that poor inhibitory control and the deficits in fronto-striatal circuitry associated with it are central, there is evidence to suggest that more posterior cerebral areas are also implicated in this disorder. Anatomical studies suggest widespread reductions in volume throughout the cerebrum and cerebellum, while functional imaging studies suggest that affected individuals activate more diffuse areas than controls during the performance of cognitive tasks. The future impact of new MR imaging methodologies on the field is discussed.
Tectonic Framework of Southern Appalachians--Evidence from Gravity and Magnetic Data: ABSTRACT

A plate tectonics model comprised of three major subduction zones explains many major geophysical anomalies and geologic structures observed in the southern Appalachians. The Brevard zone is thought to mark the southeastern boundary of a major Caledonian subduction zone. Many thrust faults of the Blue Ridge and eastern Smoky Mountains are thought to root in this zone. A subduction zone extending along the western margin of the Blue Ridge in Virginia and Smoky Mountains in Tennessee is thought to be an en echelon extension of the Brevard zone. A minimum of 55 km crustal shortening has been calculated for the Brevard zone in western North Carolina. Minor subduction occurred along the Blue Ridge-Smoky Mountain zone during the Hercynian orogeny. The main locus of the Hercynia subduction is thought to have been the Knoxville zone, so named because the basement subcrop of the zone passes beneath Knoxville, Tennessee. Most thrust faults along the Cumberland Plateau-Valley and Ridge boundary are thought to root in this zone. The amount of subduction seems to have been less than that of the Caledonian orogeny. Each inferred subduction zone coincides with northeast-southwest linear gravity lows and parallel discontinuities in the magnetic field. Basement anticlines occur northwest of the Brevard and Knoxville zones. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2110------------
Ethnic minority clients' perceptions of the significance of race in cross-racial therapy relationships

In this consensual qualitative research study, 23 ethnic minority clients were interviewed to assess perceptions of race in their recent therapy with a White therapist. Participants' responses were coded into an average of seven (out of 22) categories. The majority believed that White therapists could not understand key aspects of their experiences and subsequently avoided broaching racial/cultural issues in therapy. However, many felt that racial differences were minimized if the therapist was compassionate, accepting, and comfortable discussing racial, ethnic and/or cultural (REC) issues. A subgroup expressed positive expectancies of racial mismatch, and perceived disadvantages associated with racial matching. Results suggest that participants' constructions of race are multidimensional and support recommendations that therapists acquire skills for addressing racial perceptions that may impact the therapy relationship.
Investigations of the Bonding Changes Associated with Grain Boundary Embrittlement

The embrittlement of materials through the segregation of impurities to the grain boundaries is a common and industrially important problem. Despite considerable investigation, the mechanism by which the impurity elements cause embrittlement is not well understood. A change in the electron energy loss near edge structure (ELNES) has been observed at Cu grain boundaries containing Bi. This result provides experimental evidence that a change in the electronic structure at the grain boundary is responsible for embritdement.
State-of-charge estimation and uncertainty for lithium-ion battery strings

Abstract The state-of-charge (SOC) estimation is of extreme importance for the reliability and safety of battery operation. How to estimate SOC and, to some degree, the SOC convention itself, is still a subject of great interest. Here a viable SOC convention valid for single cells and multi-cell strings is proposed and validated. Using a 3S1P string as an illustration in this work, the direct inference from a correct open circuit voltage versus SOC (OCV = f (SOC)) correspondence based on the proposed SOC convention is the best method for accurate SOC estimation among several possible approaches for strings. The thermodynamic aspect on this SOC convention is explained. Uncertainties in actual applications are also discussed. The understanding on this accurate SOC estimation approach shall facilitate reliable battery control and management.
Is Berkeley's World a Divine Language?

George Berkeley (1685–1753) believed that the visible world was a series of signs that constituted a divine language through which God was speaking to us. Given the nature of language and the nature of the visual world, this paper examines to what extent the visual world could be a divine language and to what extent God could speak to us through it.
Regulation of growth in vitro. I. Control of ornithine decarboxylase levels in untransformed and transformed mouse fibroblasts by serum

Abstract The level of ornithine decarboxylase ( L -ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) activity has been compared in untransformed and transformed mouse fibroblasts cultured in vitro under various conditions. It was found that a rapid and marked increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity is induced by the addition of serum to cultures limited in their proliferation by prior incubation in media containing low concentrations of serum. This increase in enzyme activity was prevented by inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. The enzyme was found to exhibit a high turnover rate that was not substantially altered under varying growth conditions. It was also shown that the steady-state and induced levels of ornithine decarboxylase varied with the extracellular concentration of serum in a characteristic manner for untrasformed as compared with transformed cells. A close correlation between the level of this enzyme and cell proliferation was observed in each cell type.
Bound orbits of solar sails and general relativity

Abstract We study general relativistic effects on the bound orbits of solar sails. The combined effects of spacetime curvature and solar radiation pressure (SRP) lead to deviations from Kepler’s third law. Such kind of deviations also arise from frame dragging, the gravitational multipole moments of the sun, a net electric charge on the sun, and a positive cosmological constant. The SRP increases these deviations by several orders of magnitude, possibly rendering some of them detectable. We consider how the SRP modifies the perihelion shift of non-circular orbits, as well as the Lense-Thirring effect involving the precession of polar orbits. We investigate how the pitch angle for non-Keplerian orbits changes due to the partial absorption of light, general relativistic effects, and the oblateness of the sun. It is predicted that there is an analog of the Lense-Thirring effect for non-Keplerian orbits, in that the orbital plane precesses around the sun. We also consider the Poynting–Robertson effect and show that this effect can, in principle, be compensated for by an extremely small tilt of the solar sail.
Roles of the vomeronasal and olfactory systems in prey attack and feeding in adult garter snakes

Abstract Adult garter snakes preoperatively responded with more attacks and higher tongue-flick rates to earthworm extract soaked cotton swabs than to distilled water soaked swabs. Snakes with vomeronasal nerve lesions (N=6) failed to differentially respond to earthworm extract or to eat earthworm bits following surgery. Olfactory (N=6) and sham (N=6) nerve surgeries did not disrupt responding to swabs or earthworms.
Elliptically Harmonic Quantum Dots with Impurity in Circularly Polarized Electromagnetic and the Magnetic Fields

We predict the Langmuir-Trojan states in elliptically harmonic quantum dots with the Coulomb impurity in Circularly Polarized electromagnetic and the magnetic fields. The slow part of the potential in the rotating frame can be separated.
The EU’s China problem: A battle over norms

This article contends that China’s rise is negatively affecting the European Union (EU)’s ability to act as a ‘normative’ and ‘civilian’ power in international relations. Specifically, China’s rise, and the European reactions to this rise, are interfering with the EU’s ability to spread ‘new sovereignty’, which holds that sovereignty is violable and interference in other states’ internal affairs is valid, particularly when human rights issues are concerned. New sovereignty not only defines the EU as a political entity, but also the EU has actively pursued it in its external relations. In contrast to the EU, China has been defending ‘traditional sovereignty’, which sees human rights as a domestic matter. These competing notions of sovereignty also lead to contrasting models of economic development by the two powers. In discussions of new versus traditional sovereignty, the article focuses on two crucial areas – the role of human rights in the EU-China relationship as well as the two parties’ interactions with countries in Africa. These discussions offer insights into both the projection of the EU’s power and the impact of China’s rise on the international system.
A variational construction of the Teichmüller map

Gerstenhaber and Rauch proposed the problem of constructing the Teichmuller map by a maximum-minimum approach involving harmonic maps. In this paper, we show that the Teichmuller map can be constructed by this variational characterization. The key idea is to consider a class of metrics on the target which include singular metrics and use the harmonic map theory in this setting.
Malicious Data Attacks on Smart Grid State Estimation: Attack Strategies and Countermeasures

The problem of constructing malicious data attack of smart grid state estimation is considered together with countermeasures that detect the presence of such attacks. For the adversary, using a graph theoretic approach, an efficient algorithm with polynomial-time complexity is obtained to find the minimum size unobservable malicious data attacks. When the unobservable attack does not exist due to restrictions of meter access, attacks are constructed to minimize the residue energy of attack while guaranteeing a certain level of increase of mean square error. For the control center, a computationally efficient algorithm is derived to detect and localize attacks using the generalized likelihood ratio test regularized by an L_1 norm penalty on the strength of attack.
Risk-Reducing Mastectomy for BRCA Gene Mutation Carriers

A family history of early-onset breast cancer in multiple relatives is an important breast cancer risk factor that should prompt efforts to define and manage cancer risk. Genetic testing is the most powerful tool we have for precisely determining who in these families is at increased risk and who is not. With the advent of massive parallel sequencing or next-generation sequencing and the commercialization of multigene panels, we have incrementally expanded the proportion of families that can be understood and managed from a genetic perspective. Nevertheless, BRCA1 and BRCA2 remain the most commonly identified genes affected by deleterious mutations. The next largest fraction includes PALB2, CHEK2, and ATM, but it is estimated that even with whole-genome sequencing, we are explaining only about 35 % of apparent inherited breast cancer predisposition. 1 The first task after receiving a ‘‘deleterious’’ or ‘‘likely deleterious’’ genetic test result is to estimate cancer risks. This requires knowledge about the mutated gene, about the specific mutation, and about the extended cancer family history. It is common, but not accurate, to see a BRCA1 mutation and immediately assume that the lifetime breast cancer risk is 80 %. Slight differences in the way we code for other genes (polymorphisms) can influence the cancer probabilities associated with mutations in major predisposition genes. Different families have different risk profiles, even with the same mutation. This has been observed for BRCA1 for which lifetime breast cancer risk has been estimated at 26–87 % depending on the associated family history. It also is true for the newer ‘‘modest penetrance’’ genes such as ATM, for which the lifetime risk appears to be as high as 60 % in some families. 2 Attention to the three-generation cancer family history during post-test counseling cannot be emphasized enough. Once cancer risks have been estimated, the focus shifts to developing a risk management strategy that considers the magnitude of the risk, the risks and effectiveness of possible interventions, and individual risk tolerance and preferences. The options to consider include lifestyle interventions, enhanced surveillance, chemoprevention, and risk-reducing surgery.
Neonatal choristoma of the tongue containing glial tissue: diagnosis and surgical considerations

There are only six case reports documenting the presence of glial tissue in the tongue. Because of the small number of cases, the presentation and biologic behavior of these lesions is poorly characterized. We present the case of a 10-day-old male infant who arrived at the University of Michigan Medical Center with a history of positional dyspnea, with resultant cyanosis and bradycardia, dysphagia, and a mass at the base of the tongue. Histopathologically, this lesion was initially labeled as a hamartoma, but was ultimately defined as a choristoma based on the exclusive presentation of glial tissue in the specimen. This paper will discuss the presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and therapeutic management of this case. In addition, the role of intraoperative electrodiagnostic monitoring to preserve neuromuscular function will be addressed.
Blind estimation of general tip shape in AFM imaging

The use of flared tip and bi-directional servo control in some recent atomic force microscopes (AFM) has made it possible for these advanced AFMs to image structures of general shapes with undercut surfaces. AFM images are distorted representations of sample surfaces due to the dilation produced by the finite size of the tip. It is necessary to obtain the tip shape in order to correct such tip distortion. This paper presents a noise-tolerant approach that can for the first time estimate a general 3-dimensional (3D) tip shape from its scanned image in such AFMs. It extends an existing blind tip estimation method. With the samples, images, and tips described by dexels, a representation that can describe general 3D shapes, the new approach can estimate general tip shapes, including reentrant features such as undercut lines.
Does Statin Therapy Affect the Progression of Atherosclerosis Measured by a Coronary Calcium Score

Coronary atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide, accounting for close to 1 million deaths annually in the United States alone. The evaluation of coronary disease by CT-derived calcium scores is a rapidly evolving field of medical imaging. Furthermore, until recently, whether or not regression or progression of coronary disease could accurately be assessed by coronary calcium scores had been a question of considerable debate among experts in this field. If the medical treatment of coronary artery disease by statin pharmacotherapy could be accurately assessed by coronary calcium scoring, this would take much of the current guess work out of statin pharmacotherapy. Initial retrospective studies and observational data suggested that statin treatment resulted in reduction of coronary calcium. More recently, five randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that not only does statin treatment not reduce coronary calcium, but in fact, the progression of coronary calcium by CT scanning is indistinguishable from placebo treatment.
Source theory and unitarity: a causal viewpoint

A source-theoretical formulation of multiparticle-exchange processes which lead to singles-spectral forms for vertex functions is provided. Based upon the principles of causality and space-time uniformity, generalized unitarity relations are derived using the time-cycle'' transformation through Euclidean space. This provides a general solution to the so-called overlap'' problem. The connection between the action principle and single-particle exchange is discussed. (auth)
Detection of hepatitis B surface antigen by a monoclonal radioimmunoassay in the serum of alcoholic patients

The presence of HBV infection has been retrospectively assessed using monoclonal radioimmunoassay (M-RIA) in the sera of 269 alcoholics. There were three subjects with normal liver, 92 had steatosis, 32 had fibrosis, 15 had acute alcoholic steatosis and 127 had cirrhosis. The HBsAg M-RIA was performed by the sandwich method using high affinity IgG and IgM monoclonal antibodies. The M-RIA was more sensitive for detection of HBV when compared with conventional RIA, the former detecting 15 out of 269, the latter detecting five out of 269 (5.6% and 1.9% respectively; P= 0.02). Among the 264 patients negative for conventional RIA, the prevalence of a positive M-RIA test was no different between patients who lacked HBV related antibodies (seven out of 196; 3.6%) compared with patients with at least one antibody (three out of 68; 4.4%). The prevalence of HBsAg detected by M-RIA was higher in alcoholic patients with cirrhosis (9.4%) compared with patients without cirrhosis (2.1%; P < 0.01). These results suggest that all alcoholic patients could have a low production, or an abnormal expression, of HBV or could be infected by an hepatitis B variant virus. HBV or an hepatitis B variant virus could have in some cases a causative role in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis.
Insulin inhibition of endothelial prostacyclin production.

Abstract Graft thrombosis is a common cause of early graft failure in pancreatic transplantation, even in the absence of rejection. Altered endothelial cell (EC) production of thromboactive substances may play a primary role in this and other settings of thrombosis where intraluminal insulin concentrations are high. We therefore investigated the effect of insulin on EC production of prostacyclin (PGI2), a potent endogenous antagonist of platelet aggregation and vasodilator. Confluent monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were incubated for 15 min in Hanks'/Hepes buffer containing 0, 50, 250, or 500 μU/ml of human insulin or 0, 500, 1000, or 2000 μU/ml of porcine insulin. PGI2 production was assessed by exposing the monolayers to either 20 μM arachidonic acid (stimulated) or arachidonic acid vehicle (basal) for an additional 15 min. Test buffers were then assayed by RIA for 6-keto-PGF1α, the stable metabolite of PGI2. The results of these experiments indicate that human insulin inhibits both basal and arachidonic acid-stimulated production of PGI2 from HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of stimulated production was significant at concentrations of 250–500 μU/ml. Porcine insulin also inhibited arachidonic acid-stimulated production of PGI2 from HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. However, HUVEC were less sensitive to porcine insulin than to human insulin and a concentration of 2000 μU/ml was required for significant inhibition. We therefore conclude that insulin, in locally high concentrations, inhibits endothelial PGI2 production in vitro. The ability of insulin to alter the production of thromboresistant substances from endothelium may facilitate thrombosis in circumstances where counterregulatory mechanisms are disturbed by injury or transplantation.
Fast scheduling and placement methods for C to hardware/software compilation

Advances in the FPGA technology, both in terms of device capacity and architecture, have resulted in introduction of reconfigurable computing machines, where the hardware adapts itself to the running application to gain speedup. To keep up with the ever-growing performance expectations of such systems, designers need new methodologies and tools for developing reconfigurable computing systems (RCS). This paper addresses the need for fast compilation and physical design phase to be used in application development/debugging/testing cycle for RCS. We present a high-level synthesis approach that is integrated with placement, hence making the compilation cycle much faster. On the average, our tool generates the VHDL code (and the corresponding placment information) from the data flow graph of a program in less than a minute. By losing 1.3 times in the quality of the design, we can achieve, 10.7 times speedup in the Xilinx placement phase, and 2.5 times overall speedup in the Xilinx place-and-route phase.
Neural geometry: the need of researching association of covariant and contravariant coordinates that organizes a cognitive space by relating multisensory-multimotor representations

The research program whose initiation is reported starts with a subtle yet significant deviation from Euclidean geometries (spun by Cartesian coordinates) by exploiting the use of generalized coordinates. The first step is to investigate how covariant and contravariant expressions can be connected by association. Mathematically, it is evident that setting up relationships of such generalized vectors defines a metric, which establishes the non-Euclidean geometry of the cognitive space that connects (multi)sensory and (multi)motor systems. This line of research relies on complementing the proposed theoretical concepts and formalisms by quantitatively elaborated models of specific cases of sensorimotor transformations. Particular attention is on vestibulo-colic, oculomotor, and other gaze reflexes that are the basic mechanisms of sensorimotor mapping of the external world into an internal representation in a cognitive space. >
Ultrafast formation of I2 following 350-nm photodissociation of CF2I2 in n-hexane

Abstract This study presents the photodissociation dynamics of difluorodiiodomethane (CF 2 I 2 ) in n -hexane by femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. Following 350-nm excitation of CF 2 I 2 into the lowest-lying excited electronic state, the transient absorption spectra are measured between 355 and 785 nm up to a time delay of 1200 ps. The results suggest that electronically excited CF 2 I 2 ∗ molecules undergo a step-wise decay giving rise to two iodine fragments. The majority of the nascent iodine fragments combine on a 2-ps timescale to form molecular iodine. The spectral evolution is complete within 500 ps where the quantum yield of I 2 formation is measured to be 32%.
Wells' syndrome triggered by centipede bite.

A 68-year-old African–American woman was awoken from her sleep by a centipede bite on the dorsum of her left hand. Several days later, the patient presented to the emergency room complaining of fevers, severe itching, swelling, and blistering (Fig. 1) of both hands. The past history was unremarkable. There was no history of asthma or use of medications. Physical examination at that time was consistent with a bullous cellulitis of the hands. Laboratory investigations revealed: white blood cell count (WBC), 10.3 (normal, 4–10.5); differential: 54 neutrophils, 15 lymphocytes, and 31 eosinophils. The platelet count was 225,000/mm3. A blood chemistry profile was within normal limits. Blood cultures and stool examination for ova and parasites were negative. The patient was treated with oral cephalexin and diphenhydramine. Figure 1. Left hand reveals a bulla and several vesicles at the site of the centipede bite Two weeks later the patient was seen in the dermatology clinic. She complained of unabated pruritus and extensive new lesions. Physical examination revealed a moderately obese woman with normal vital signs. Firm gray plaques with an irregular contour were present on the left hand. The buttocks (Fig. 2) and extensor aspects of her upper arms were strikingly indurated and had a blue–gray discoloration. Violaceous, indurated oval patches were noted on the medial aspect of both knees. Finally, a slate-colored, irregularly outlined plaque on the heel of the right foot was present. Complete blood count revealed: WBC, 16.5; differential, 8 neutrophils, 9 lymphocytes, 81 eosinophils, and 2 monocytes. The differential was repeated and confirmed. The platelet count was 568,000/mm3. Figure 2. Blue–gray discoloration and induration of the buttocks as well as the proximal thighs is seen. These changes became apparent several weeks after the initial blistering reaction of the hands A skin biopsy from the patient's left upper arm revealed a superficial and deep perivascular dermatitis. In addition, the dermis had a dense inflammatory infiltrate consisting of numerous interstitial eosinophils, many of which were degranulated. Collagen bundles coated with eosinophilic granules characteristic of flame figures were abundant (Fig. 3). The changes were consistent with eosinophilic cellulitis. Chest X-ray revealed no evidence of infiltrates. Figure 3. There is a dense infiltration of eosinophils in the dermis, many of which have degranulated. Several collagen bundles coated by an extracellular amorphous material (flame figures, arrow) are evident in the center (hematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification, ×100) A course of oral corticosteroids was prescribed. One week later, the lesions were substantially less indurated, but otherwise similar in appearance. Complete blood count revealed: WBC, 9.9; differential: 21 neutrophils, 19 lymphocytes, 1 basophil, 51 eosinophils, and 8 monocytes. The platelet count was 408,000/mm3. Hematologic consultation was arranged for bone marrow biopsy and examination. Unfortunately, the patient did not return for subsequent appointments.
Infrared and Raman spectra of 1,5-diazanaphthalene

Abstract Infrared spectra of a mineral oil mull, KBr disc and vapor and Raman spectra of liquid and solid have been measured for 1,5-diazanaphthalene. Vibrational assignments based upon comparison with naphthalene, band contours for the infrared vapor spectrum, and Raman polarizations are discussed.
Design of an autonomous navigation system

The structural design of a system called ODYSSEUS is discussed. The system consists of a triangle base with three programmable wheels, a special digital compass based on the Grey code, a sonar system in a hexagonal configuration, a slope meter, and a microprocessor controller that selects information from the above components and determines the navigation paths. The system possesses learning capabilities, which are not treated here. >
Optical-model analysis of N+C and C+C elastic scattering

Additional data and optical-model calculations for $^{14}\mathrm{N}$+$^{12}\mathrm{C}$ elastic scattering which expand and fortify the recently published optical-model analysis of N + C and C + C elastic scattering by Delic are discussed.
Comment on IEEE publication plans

Reading in the August issue that the recommendations of the IEEE Publication Committee are to publish three kinds of IEEE magazines, a monthly of essentially the Electrical engineering type, various professional technical group Transactions and, in addition, a Proceedings of the IEEE, makes the author wonder how the Institute membership may approve of such a plan. He feels it is well to have a high quality monthly, mailed to every member of the Institute, which is on such a level that it can be understood by, and is of interest to, the great majority of the membership. However, there is no need to continue with a Proceedings type of magazine. He argues that accordingly, it would be to the advantage of the member interests, aws ell as of the Institute budget, to modify this early Committee recummendation by dropping a Proceedings-type of publication in favor of an expanded monthly of the Electrical engineering type (as suggested by the Committee) and of the many PTG Transactions which in their entirety will cover all fields of electrical engineering, and which should include all Proceedings-type technical papers. No harm will be done, but a lot of money will be saved.