cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Evaluation of Kidney Function in Living Kidney Donor Candidates

Living kidney donors incur a small increased risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), of which pre-donation glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an important determinant. As a result, kidney function assessment is central to the donor candidate evaluation and selection process. This article reviews the different methods of GFR assessment including estimated GFR, creatinine clearance and measured GFR, and the current guidelines on GFR thresholds for donor acceptance. Estimated GFR obtained using the 2009 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation, while the best of estimating estimations, tends to underestimate and has limited accuracy, especially near normal GFR values. In the United States, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network policy on living donation mandates either measured GFR or creatinine clearance as part of evaluation. Measured GFR is considered the gold standard, although there is some variation in performance characteristics depending on the marker and technique used. Major limitations of creatinine clearance are dependency on accuracy of timed collection, and overestimation as a result of distal tubular creatinine secretion. GFR declines with healthy aging, and most international guidelines recommend use of age-adapted selection criteria. The 2017 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes Guideline for the Evaluation and Care of Living Kidney Donors diverges from other guidelines and recommends using absolute cut-off of
Recent advances in the thermal barrier coatings for extreme environments

Abstract Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are gaining tremendous research interest for protecting aircraft turbine blades, power plants, and other applications from high-temperature exposure. This opinion spotlights on those recent progresses that have directed to the use of TBCs for component life addition and, lately, as an essential part of advanced components design for high temperatures and related harsh environments, such as applications in the nuclear industries. Development of this coatings has been driven by results obtained from laboratory and industrial testing, corroborated by engine and gas-turbine testing and related high-temperature application experience. Factors that have led to the choice of current high-tech advanced coating fabrication methods–such as plasma spray deposition (PSP), electron-beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD), and electrophoretically fabricated thermal barrier coatings, have also been highlighted in current coating research and development. Here, we provide a short review on the present status of TBCs, their latest advances in fabrication and performance, drawbacks associated with them, as well as recommendations for their futuristic use in harsh high-temperature environments.
Bulk Ferroelectric Metamaterial with Enhanced Piezoelectric and Biomimetic Mechanical Properties from Additive Manufacturing

Three-dimensional (3D) ferroelectric materials are electromechanical building blocks for achieving human-machine interfacing, energy sustainability, and enhanced therapeutics. However, current natural or synthetic materials cannot offer both a high piezoelectric response and desired mechanical toughness at the same time to meet the practicality. Here, a lamellar ferroelectric metamaterial was created with a ceramic-like piezoelectric property and a bone-like fracture toughness through a low-voltage-assisted 3D printing technology. The one-step printed bulk structure, consisting of periodically intercalated soft ferroelectric and hard electrode layers, exhibited a significantly enhanced longitudinal piezoelectric charge coefficient (d33) of over 150 pC N-1, as well as a superior fracture resistance of ∼5.5 MPa·m1/2, more than three times higher than conventional piezo-ceramics. The excellent printability together with the combination of both high piezoelectric and mechanical behaviors allowed us to create a bone-like structure with tunable anisotropic piezoelectricity and bone-comparable mechanical properties, showing a potential of manufacturing practical, high-performance, and smart biological systems.
Association Between SARS-CoV-2 Cycle Threshold Values and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Cycle threshold (CT) values are correlated with the amount of viral nucleic acid in a sample and may be obtained from some qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction tests used for diagnosis of most patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, CT values cannot be directly compared across assays, and they must be interpreted with caution as they are influenced by sample type, timing of sample collection, and assay design. Presently, the correlation between CT values and clinical outcomes is not well understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies through April 19, 2021, that reported an association between CT values and hospitalization, disease severity, and mortality in patientsâ ≥18 years old with SARS-CoV-2. A meta-analysis of 7 studies showed no significant difference in mean CT values between hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients. Among hospitalized patients, those with CT values 30 (odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% CI, 1.70 to 3.13; and OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 2.19 to 3.96; respectively). The odds of increased disease severity and mortality were less pronounced in patients with CT values of 25-30 compared withâ >30.
From a Farm on Till—Charles Kellogg

Charles Kellogg was born in 1902 at a farm in Palo, Michigan. He worked at the farm and at the age of 17 enrolled at a short course at Michigan Agricultural College in East Lansing. During the summer months he had a job with the Michigan soil survey under the supervision of Lee Schoenmann that sparked his interest in soils. He received his BS degree in 1925 and continued his Ph.D. research on Spodosols in Northern Wisconsin. With the help of Emil Truog, he obtained a teaching and research position at North Dakota Agricultural College in January 1930. He initially studied magnesium deficiency in barley, and conducted soil surveys in the western part of the state. Pedology and soil mapping became his main interests, and he trained a cohort of students to which he stayed connected for the rest of his life. Unhappy with the situation at the college, he was always looking for positions elsewhere. His soil survey work was noticed and in February 1934, Charles Kellogg he was hired by the Division of Soil Survey and moved to Washington.
Caregiver Attitudes About Patients Told They Have Alzheimer's Disease After Truth Disclosure

We wished to determine caregiver attitudes about telling patients they have Alzheimer's disease (AD). At a clinic visit, the patient, caregiver, and other family members were informed of the diagnosis of AD in a frank discussion. Caregivers accompanying patients to the Memory Disorders Clinic (MDC) were interviewed in a postvisit telephone survey 3–12 months after the truth disclosure visit. Of the 37 caregivers of a consecutive series of AD clinic patients we contacted, 35 agreed to the interview. Of those caregivers interviewed, 68.6% agreed that it had been a good idea to tell the patient the diagnosis, although 11.4% disagreed. 74.3% thought that the truth disclosure had not been too upsetting; 20% disagreed. Caregivers with more education were more likely to agree that patients should be informed. Neither the relationship of the caregiver to the patient, the patient's age, sex, education level, nor degree of dementia were predictive of the caregiver's attitude about informing the patient. Most Caregivers agreed with disclosing the diagnosis. Only a small group of patients were judged “very upset” after hearing the diagnosis. Even for those patients, caregivers generally felt that an honest discussion of the diagnosis had been helpful.
QTM and PPP Effect on Long-run Price Behavior: The Importance of Openness

We study the effect of economic openness on domestic prices by linking the quantity theory of money (QTM) with purchasing power parity (PPP). Our model pertains to long run domestic price movements, and shows that economic openness has a negative relation with QTM and a positive relation with PPP. Cointegration estimations show that the deviation from QTM rises and that from PPP falls as the economy becomes more open. We also find that QTM and PPP have a strongly negative one-to-one relation. The policy implications center on the use of exchange rate targets in monetary policy.
The content and role of the computer graphics course in small, liberal arts colleges: panel discussion

In liberal arts institutions and in other small colleges, the traditional computer graphics course is commonly offered as an upper division elective. Often, these schools do not have the resources to offer additional follow up courses within the field of CG. As a result, the computer graphics course is the first and only exposure to the field that the student will obtain. Most textbooks include far too much material to be covered within a single semester or quarter, so the instructor must then decide how to provide a solid introduction to the field, while providing enough material for students who may be interested in a career or graduate education in computer graphics. This panel will provide examples of a number of approaches to the course and discuss the role of the course within the liberal arts and at other small colleges.
Molecular nanomagnet in periodic magnetic field

The behavior of molecular nanomagnets in periodic magnetic field transverse to the easy axis direction is investigated. It is shown that at sufficiently strong field the tunneling time can be considerably reduced.
Integrating CDX into the graduate program

The Air Force Institute of Technology competed for the first time in the all-service cyber defense exercise this year. To do so required a restructuring of the existing specialty track in information systems security/assurance, in order to align with the exercise schedule and maintain an appropriate graduate level emphasis. In addition, the school was able to enroll, for the first time ever, senior enlisted members of the Air Force and Marine Corps who contributed a wealth of tactical, practical, knowledge and experience in deploying information systems under less than ideal conditions. The merits of these factors were borne out by the school's success on its maiden effort.
Angel Investors and Their Investments

Angel investors go by many definitions. By all definitions, though, angel investors collectively invest at least billions of dollars in thousands of fledgling companies and entrepreneurial projects annually. This paper describes angel investors and their investments, with special attention to angel groups. I discuss angel groups, the investment process, expected returns and the problems with measuring them.
Reactive scheduling of a semiconductor testing facility

The authors describe an approach to scheduling complex job shops such as semiconductor testing operations which uses the global shop-floor information available from computerized Factory Control Systems. The approach combines a decomposition approach for the static problem with an EDR approach to handling the dynamic events in the system. Preliminary experiments show that these rescheduling policies have performance comparable to myopic dispatching rules, and the implementation of better subproblem solution methods in the decomposition should lead to substantial further improvements. >
Development of the Interactive Broiler Income Spreadsheet

The poultry industry has experienced unprecedented efficiencies since 1960 in large part due to vertical integration facilitated by production contracts between growers and integrators. As growers seek information about contract production they need to be well informed about all aspects of the process, especially potential income. Recent poultry grower complaints have surfaced as a result of incorrect expense and revenue expectations. The Interactive Broiler Income Spreadsheet (IBIS) is developed to enable current and prospective poultry producers to better estimate income. IBIS, an unbiased Excel spreadsheet tool to assist in decision-making regarding broiler production profitability, uses actual grower expense and revenue information or, alternatively, grower-panel default data to assess income under various grower-specified production, expense, and price scenarios.Poultry integrator grower service personnel, lenders, and Cooperative Extension professionals will utilize IBIS to assist growers in operational planning and risk tolerance identification in varying economic situations. Growers may also gauge effects of capital improvements, equipment upgrades, chick placements, and time between flocks on income.
ANOVA-based RF DNA analysis: Identifying significant parameters for device classification

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is applied to RF DNA fingerprinting techniques to ascertain the most significant signal characteristics that can be used to form robust statistical fingerprint features. The goal is to find features that enable reliable identification of like-model communication devices having different serial numbers. Once achieved, these unique physical layer identities can be used to augment existing bit-level protection mechanisms and overall network security is improved. ANOVA experimentation is generated using a subset of collected signal characteristics (amplitude, phase, frequency, signal-to-noise ratio, etc.) and post-collection processing parameters (bandwidth, fingerprint regions, statistical features, etc.). The ANOVA input is percent correct device classification as obtained from MDA/ML discrimination using three like-model devices from a given manufacturer. Full factorial design experiments and ANOVA are used to determine the significance of individual parameters, and interactions thereof, in achieving higher percentages of correct classification. ANOVA is shown to be well-suited for the task and reveals parametric interactions that are otherwise unobservable using conventional graphical and tabular data representations.
Development of a doppler global velocimeter for a highly-overexpanded supersonic jet.

A Doppler global velocimetry (DGV) system has been designed, assembled, and tested for use in a Mach 3.7 overexpanded jet prior to future implementation in a hypersonic wind tunnel. Measurements were made using an iodine cell pressure-broadened with nitrogen buffer gas to selectively absorb light from a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser scattering from condensed ethanol particles in the jet flow. Details of the present implementation of the measurement technique and data reduction are presented herein. Calibrations of a pressure-broadened iodine cell have shown that the induced absorption line shift can create velocity biases unless a second iodine cell is scanned simultaneously to provide an independent frequency reference. Exploratory velocity data in the jet have been acquired that are experimentally repeatable and consistent with physical expectations, which lends confidence towards the performance of the assembled system.
HCV+ Hepatocytes Induce Human Regulatory CD4+ T Cells through the Production of TGF-β

Background Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is remarkably efficient at establishing persistent infection and is associated with the development of chronic liver disease. Impaired T cell responses facilitate and maintain persistent HCV infection. Importantly, CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) act by dampening antiviral T cell responses in HCV infection. The mechanism for induction and/or expansion of Tregs in HCV is unknown. Methodology/principal findings HCV-expressing hepatocytes were used to determine if hepatocytes are able to induce Tregs. The infected liver environment was modeled by establishing the co-culture of the human hepatoma cell line, Huh7.5, containing the full-length genome of HCV genotype 1a (Huh7.5-FL) with activated CD4(+) T cells. The production of IFN-gamma was diminished following co-culture with Huh7.5-FL as compared to controls. Notably, CD4(+) T cells in contact with Huh7.5-FL expressed an increased level of the Treg markers, CD25, Foxp3, CTLA-4 and LAP, and were able to suppress the proliferation of effector T cells. Importantly, HCV(+) hepatocytes upregulated the production of TGF-beta and blockade of TGF-beta abrogated Treg phenotype and function. Conclusions/significance These results demonstrate that HCV infected hepatocytes are capable of directly inducing Tregs development and may contribute to impaired host T cell responses.
Nonlinear feedback control of robot manipulator and compliant wrist

Many robotic applications require the direct contact of the end-effector with the environment. Passive compliance attached to the robot wrist, hand, or finger is desirable to produce smooth transitions between the free motion and contact, as well as to allow self-correction in order to accommodate geometric uncertainties in assembly and manufacturing. However, the use of passive compliance degenerates the positioning capability of the manipulator when the robot moves in free space. When the robot makes contact on workpiece, active adjustment of stiffness for various tasks in different directions is needed. We proposed to use passive compliance that is instrumented so that the system provides the necessary flexibility and also sensing to actively control the contact forces or to compensate the positioning error during motion and contact. In this article, the dynamic control of the manipulator with a compliant wrist is addressed. The measured deformation information of the instrumented compliant wrist is utilized in the feedback loop to increase the stiffness of the overall system in position control and to decrease the stiffness in force control. The dynamics model for both unconstrained and constrained cases is established. Applying nonlinear feedback control techniques, the dynamics of the manipulator-wrist system is linearized and decoupled, which allows the controller design to be carried out by using the linear system theory.
Eculizumab induces long-term remission in recurrent post-transplant HUS associated with C3 gene mutation.

A 15-year-old male patient developed atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) at 16 months of age leading to end-stage renal disease. The family history was suggestive of autosomal dominant aHUS, and he was more recently found to have a C3 heterozygous gene mutation (1835C>T mutation in exon 14, which determines the amino-acidic substitution R570W) with no other complement abnormalities. He had two renal transplants, the first at 2.5 years, and the second at 8 years of age, but allograft dysfunction developed in both transplants leading to graft failure due to recurrent HUS at 5 years and 18 months post-transplantation respectively. At 15 years of age he received a third transplant from a deceased donor with pre-emptive plasmapheresis. He had immediate graft function and nadir serum creatinine was 1.3–1.4 mg/dl. Severe allograft dysfunction and hypertension developed 2 months after transplantation following influenza infection. Renal allograft biopsy showed thrombotic microangiopathy. He received plasmapheresis followed by eculizumab therapy. Allograft function returned to baseline 3 weeks after starting therapy, and post-treatment allograft biopsies showed improvement in thrombotic microangiopathy. He continues to receive eculizumab every 2 weeks with stable graft function 13 months after transplantation.
Electron transfer from α‐aminoalkyl radicals to methyl viologen

The reactions of tert-butoxyl radicals with amines, leading to the formation of α-aminoalkyl radicals, and the reactions of these with the electron acceptor methyl viologen have been examined using laser flash photolysis techniques. For example, the radicals CH3ĊHNEt2 and HOCH2ĊH N(CH2CH2OH)2 react with methyl viologen with rate constants equal to (1.3 ± 0.1) × 109 and (2.1 ± 0.4) × 109M−1 · s−1, respectively, in wet acetonitrile at 300 K.
Achieving regular slow rhythm during atrial fibrillation without atrioventricular nodal ablation: Selective vagal stimulation plus ventricular pacing

Objectives The aim of this study was to achieve regular slow ventricular rhythm during atrial fibrillation (AF) without destroying the AV node (AVN). Background Recent experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that selective AVN vagal stimulation (AVN-VS) can be used to slow ventricular rate during AF; however, an irregular rhythm remains. Alternatively, ventricular on-demand (VVI) pacing achieves rate regularization but at rates faster than the already fast intrinsic rate during AF. We hypothesized that AVN-VS combined with VVI pacing would achieve slow, regular rhythm during AF without requiring AVN ablation. Methods AF was induced in eight dogs. AVN-VS was applied to the epicardial fat pad that projects vagal nerve fibers to the AVN. A computer-controlled algorithm adjusted AVN-VS intensity to achieve three levels of mean ventricular RR interval: 75%, 100%, or 125% of the spontaneous sinus cycle length. At each of the three levels, concomitant VVI pacing was delivered at a constant cycle length equal to the corresponding target. Hemodynamic measurements were performed during the study to elucidate the advantages of the proposed method. Results AF resulted in rapid, irregular ventricular rates (RR = 287 ± 36 ms, or 56% of sinus cycle length). AVN-VS achieved average ventricular rate slowing to the three target levels in all dogs (RR increased to 381 ± 41, 508 ± 54, and 632 ± 68 ms, respectively). At each of the three target rate levels, AVN-VS combined with VVI pacing fully eliminated rate irregularities. The regular slow ventricular rhythms during AF were associated with significant hemodynamic improvement. Conclusions A novel approach combining AVN-VS with VVI pacing results in a regular, slow ventricular rhythm during AF that does not necessitate AVN ablation. Rate regularization achieved by this approach was associated with pronounced hemodynamic benefits during AF.
Teaching acquisition and application of legal concepts by self-instructional devices.

51 regularly enrolled law students in 3 matched groups were taught a portion of criminal law after pretesting. The analysis of covariance on the posttests showed that a program designed to teach content and application was superior (p < .01) to both the traditional teaching method and a program designed to teach content alone. Both programs were superior (p < .01) to the traditional method in teaching either content or ability to apply content. It was concluded that the acquisition and application of complex abstract material can be taught efficiently with programmed material.
Discussion on Equivalence Methods for Inhomogeneous Paths

Abstract Weinreb and Neuendorffer have demonstrated a new method for applying infrared homogeneous band models to slant path atmospheric attenuation calculations. The relation between this and the Curtis-Godson equivalence method is examined, and it shown that they are identical in the limits of weak- and strong-line absorption.
On-line membrane extraction liquid chromatography for monitoring semi-volatile organics in aqueous matrices

Membrane extraction is an attractive alternative to conventional extraction methods, such as liquid-liquid extraction and solid phase extraction, because the analytes can be isolated in a continuous fashion. On-line detection can be carried out using a suitable analytical instrument. The objective of this study is to study the enrichment of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from an aqueous matrix by on-line membrane extraction, to be followed by liquid chromatographic (ME-LC) analysis for continuous monitoring. The membrane serves as an interface across which liquid-liquid extraction takes place. The SVOCs transfer from the aqueous phase and are concentrated in an organic extractant. The enriched solvent is intermittently injected into an HPLC for analysis. In this paper, the enrichment into the organic phase under different operating conditions and the performance characteristics of the instrumentation are presented.
High resolution and fast throughput-time X-ray computed tomography for semiconductor packaging applications

The recent applications of 3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) in microelectronic packages, including nondestructive failure analysis, defect monitoring in solder joints and Cu vias, and progressive reliability study of solder voids, electron migration induced void nucleation in solder joints, and void evolution in Cu vias are reviewed. The high resolution and non-destructive 3D X-ray CT data has proven to be highly valuable in package assembly process development, quality control and reliability risk assessment; however, the field of view of current lab-scale 3D X-ray CT technology is limited to about 1-2mm 2 localized area at micron level resolution, due to its low brightness and nonparallel X-ray beam resulting in long data acquisition time. Synchrotron X-ray sources, on the other hand, can provide large area collimated beams with high brightness, which allows imaging within 3-20 minutes an entire 3D package, including Si, underfill, multiple levels of solder joints, and dielectric layers, Cu vias as well as through holes in multiple substrates. The limitation of current 3D X-ray CT techniques as well as directions for next generation 3D X-ray CT techniques provided by the synchrotron X-ray study of 3D packages are discussed in this paper.
Tender males: Jewish figures as affective archive in East German DEFA film

ABSTRACTIn recent years, scholars have shown that the Holocaust was not absent in East German post-war film. Despite these efforts, the argument appears to persist that Jewish victims (and thus modes of empathy and grief) did not exist within DEFA's historical imaginary. In this article, I take the concept of the emotionalized Jewish male as a new lens through which to reexamine the relationship between the Holocaust and anti-fascist memory politics in East German film. Tracing representations of Jews from the 1940s to the 1970s, I demonstrate how DEFA films produced the ‘face’ of Jewish protagonists as an affective and ethical site where the spectator engages with the past in an anti-fascist post-Holocaust public sphere.
Measurement of Defenses in Special Populations: Revision of the Defense Mechanisms Inventory

Abstract The Defense Mechanisms Inventory (DMI) has been standardized for the general and minority populations and used in counseling settings and in scores of interpersonal psychology studies. Guidance and research experience with the DMI has indicated that the requirement of choosing most representative and least representative item options can introduce inaccuracies and promote peculiar response sets, particularly among certain respondents with learning disabilities and those with lower reading skills or poor educational backgrounds. The DMI protocols of 504 undergraduate college students and 229 minority youngsters were rescored, utilizing only the most representative responses. In addition, data were collected from 32 graduate students using modified instructions (asking for most representative choices only), as well as standard instructions. Data were also analyzed from 127 male drug detoxification patients who completed the DMI with modified instructions. The reliability and factor structure of the defensive and object-relations scores were compared to standardization data for the traditional scoring method. Results point to the merits of using only the most representative instruction with special populations.
Hospital costs for endovascular and open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract Background To evaluate hospital costs and reimbursement for open (OAAA) and endovascular (EVAAA) repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Study design Review of all patients who underwent OAAA or EVAAA in two teaching hospitals during the period January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000, was completed for the following: demographics, Diagnosis Related Group (DRG), resource use, length of stay, hospital costs, and reimbursement data. Results There were 130 abdominal aortic aneurysm procedures performed. Fifty-seven (44%) OAAA were completed; EVAAA was attempted in 73 (56%). Seventy EVAAA patients (96%) had endografts placed, and three (4%) required conversion to open repair. Significant differences were noted between OAAA and EVAAA in operative time (311.7 ± 107.5 minutes versus 263.4 ± 110.8 minutes, respectively, p=0.02), ICU admission and length of stay (100%, 5.0 ± 6.1 days versus 29%, 1.4 ± 7.1 days, respectively, p=0.003), and hospital length of stay (12.6 ± 14.8 days versus 4.9 ± 13.4 days, respectively, p=0.002). Total costs were $17,539.00 for EVAAA and $9,042.00 for OAAA. EVAAA was profitable ($3,072.00) for Medicare DRG 110 classification, but significant loss occurred with DRG 111 ($5,065.00). Contract renegotiation with private payers (to cover graft costs) was necessary to avoid substantial per- patient loss ($12,108.00). Overall net per-patient profit for EVAAA was $737.00. Conclusions Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is significantly more expensive than open repair, with the major portion attributed to graft cost. Although ICU use and total length of stay decreased with EVAAA, overall costs were not substantially reduced. Hospitals must develop new financial strategies and improve the efficiency of their infrastructures in order to offer EVAAA.
Spinal cord compression due to intradural extramedullary aspergilloma and cyst: A case report

A case of thoracic spinal cord compression caused by intradural extramedullary cyst associated with aspergilloma is presented. The specific diagnosis was extremely difficult and required specialized tissue studies. Clinical suspicion of fungal infection, surgical intervention for spinal cord decompression, and tissue biopsy and relentless diagnostic laboratory studies are particular features of this case.
Alzheimer's Disease β-Amyloid Peptide Is Increased in Mice Deficient in Endothelin-converting Enzyme

The abnormal accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain is an early and invariant feature in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is believed to play a pivotal role in the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease. As such, a major focus of AD research has been the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the generation of Aβ. As with any peptide, however, the degree of Aβ accumulation is dependent not only on its production but also on its removal. In cell-based and in vitro models we have previously characterized endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) as an Aβ-degrading enzyme that appears to act intracellularly, thus limiting the amount of Aβ available for secretion. To determine the physiological significance of this activity, we analyzed Aβ levels in the brains of mice deficient for ECE-1 and a closely related enzyme, ECE-2. Significant increases in the levels of both Aβ40 and Aβ42 were found in the brains of these animals when compared with age-matched littermate controls. The increase in Aβ levels in the ECE-deficient mice provides the first direct evidence for a physiological role for both ECE-1 and ECE-2 in limiting Aβ accumulation in the brain and also provides further insight into the factors involved in Aβ clearance in vivo.
Comparison of ECG-gated versus non-gated CT ventricular measurements in thirty patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Objective To prospectively compare cardiac ventricular measurements from non-gated CT and end-diastolic ECG-gated CT in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Materials and methods With institutional review board approval, 30 adult patients (16 female, mean age = 56 years, range = 26–77 years) underwent ECG-gated cardiac CT within 36 h of their CT diagnosis of acute PE to assess the right ventricle (RV). The axial and reformatted four-chamber ventricular diameters, areas and volumes were measured for both the non-gated CT and the ECG-gated CT in end-diastole and end-systole. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (RCC) was calculated to compare measurements from the non-gated CT to the gated end-diastolic measurements. The median absolute differences between the gated and non-gated measurements relative to the gated measurements were provided to summarize the degree to which the two measurements differ. A statistical model was constructed to test for potential improvement in specificity for the prediction of 30-day mortality after acute PE using right ventricular measurements from ECG-gated CT versus non-gated CT. Results The RCC (0.90 confidence interval) for non-gated and ECG-gated end-diastolic four-chamber and axial RV/LV diameter ratios were 0.83 (0.68–0.90) and 0.88 (0.74–0.95). The median absolute percent differences suggested a high degree of concordance between gated and non-gated measurements. The statistical model predicted that measuring the RV/LV diameter ratio from end-diastole using ECG-gated CT rather than non-gated CT would yield a potential improvement in specificity for death after PE of 0.035 (0.020–0.060) for axial diameter ratios and 0.035 (0.020–0.055) for four-chamber diameter ratios. Conclusion The benefit from a separate ECG-gated CT scan for the evaluation of RV ventricular diameter, area, and volume measurements is minimal and does not justify its routine clinical use.
Magnetoacoustic Imaging of Electrical Conductivity of Biological Tissues at a Spatial Resolution Better than 2 mm

Magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI) is an emerging approach for noninvasively imaging electrical impedance properties of biological tissues. The MAT-MI imaging system measures ultrasound waves generated by the Lorentz force, having been induced by magnetic stimulation, which is related to the electrical conductivity distribution in tissue samples. MAT-MI promises to provide fine spatial resolution for biological tissue imaging as compared to ultrasound resolution. In the present study, we first estimated the imaging spatial resolution by calculating the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the system point spread function (PSF). The actual spatial resolution of our MAT-MI system was experimentally determined to be 1.51 mm by a parallel-line-source phantom with Rayleigh criterion. Reconstructed images made from tissue-mimicking gel phantoms, as well as animal tissue samples, were consistent with the morphological structures of the samples. The electrical conductivity value of the samples was determined directly by a calibrated four-electrode system. It has been demonstrated that MAT-MI is able to image the electrical impedance properties of biological tissues with better than 2 mm spatial resolution. These results suggest the potential of MAT-MI for application to early detection of small-size diseased tissues (e.g. small breast cancer).
Income, Wealth Base and Rate of Return Implications of Alternative Project Evaluation Criteria

ABSTRACT Though net present value and sets of internal rates of return are completely equivalent criteria for project acceptability decisions, they collectively offer an infinite number of differing implications with regard to levels of project incomes, wealth bases and rates of return. If reinvestment is assumed, there are also sets of average rates of return, equivalent for project acceptability decisions and corresponding, one-to-one, with sets of internal rates and their implications. But the popular constant average and internal rates do not correspond in this way; thus, in general, they differ with regard to project income, wealth base and rate of return implications.
A new triterpene lactone from Gymnocladus dioica

Abstract 2β,23-Dihydroxyacacic acid lactone was isolated from Gymnocladus dioica as an artifact from 2β, 3β 16β, 21β, 23-pentahydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid.
Experimental petrology of the Apollo 15 group A green glasses: Melting primordial lunar mantle and magma ocean cumulate assimilation

Abstract Phase equilibrium experiments have been performed to place constraints on the melting processes in the lunar interior using the Apollo 15 group A ultramafic green glass, the most abundant pyroclastic glass composition found in the polymict regolith breccia (15426) near Hadley Rille at station 7. Experiments on two compositional end members of the 15A green glass trend yield experiments saturated with olivine and orthopyroxene on the liquidus at 1520 °C and 2.1 GPa. Experiments were also performed on high-Al and -Ca analog compositions and on mixtures of the green glass compositions and natural minerals (olivine, orthopyroxene and garnet) in order to obtain experimental liquids multiply saturated with olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and garnet. Three liquid compositions in equilibrium with a garnet-lherzolite residual phase assemblage were produced at 2.35 GPa, 1440 and 1420 °C and at 2.6 GPa, 1460 °C. Observed compositional variations in the 15A glasses rule out any simple partial melting process that would involve a olivine + orthopyroxene bearing source region. The results of these experiments are used to test petrogenetic models for the origin of the 15A green glasses. Synergistic evidence from major and trace element geochemistry, geophysical data on the lunar interior structure and results from models of lunar magma ocean differentiation is used to develop a model for the origin of the 15A ultramafic glasses. We propose that a mixing process involving a primary magma, derived by melting primordial lunar mantle, and remelted late-stage magma ocean cumulates led to the origin of the 15A glass. The model uses the 15A green glass multiple saturation point at 1520 °C and 2.1 GPa to constrain the depth of a cumulate remelting process. Decompression partial melting of undifferentiated lunar mantle, produced by adiabatic upwelling of the deep, hot interior of the moon, produced melts that infiltrated and selectively melted late stage magma ocean cumulates that had sunk to the base of a lunar magma ocean. The compositional variations observed in the 15A glasses are consistent with this model.
Amine-Functionalized Ordered Mesoporous Silica Transesterification Catalysts

The synthesis, characterization, and catalytic behavior of several amine-functionalized ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) materials are reported. All samples show catalytic activity for the conversio...
Assessing Teachers' Attitude toward the Handicapped: A Methodological Investigation.

The attitude of 48 pre- and in-service regular and special educators toward teaching the special needs pupil was assessed physiologically via changes in pulse and skin temperature and with self-report. The self-report data were contradicted by the physiological evidence. Statistically significant differences were not observed among the four groups on the self-report measure; however, the physiological index of change in mean pulse rate indicated that preservice regular and special educators, in comparison to experienced teachers, perceived teaching the handicapped child to be significantly more stressful. The lack of agreement between the two assessment procedures was interpreted as suggesting that one should consider cautiously the results of investigations that assess attitude toward the handicapped only by means of self-report.
Laparoendoscopic Single Site Live Donor Nephrectomy: Single Institution Report of Initial 100 Cases

Purpose: Laparoendoscopic single site surgery is a recent advance in minimally invasive urology. We report outcomes from our initial 100 consecutive laparoendoscopic single site live donor nephrectomies done by a single surgeon and provide a matched comparison of conventional laparoscopic live donor nephrectomies done by the same surgeon.Materials and Methods: From 2009 to 2010 at a tertiary referral center 100 consecutive laparoendoscopic single site live donor nephrectomies were performed by a single surgeon through a periumbilical incision using the GelPoint® system. No extraumbilical incisions or punctures were made. A retrospective review was performed using a prospectively managed database of standard perioperative and convalescent parameters. Comparison was made using a matched cohort of conventional live donor nephrectomies done by the same surgeon.Results: Mean operative time was longer in the laparoendoscopic single site group (156 vs 130 minutes) but there was no difference in estimated blood l...
Equivalency of reaction times for simple and primed tasks

Both simple and choice reaction-time tasks have been used to examine the processes involved in response preparation. With a response priming task, complete information prior to the presentation of the imperative stimulus is given as to which response among several will be required. It is assumed that with the priming procedure, the advanced information allows for the complete preparation of the response to be made prior to the presentation of the imperative stimulus [Klapp, S. T. (1996). Reaction time analysis of central motor control. In H. N. Zelaznik (Ed.), Advances in motor learning and control (pp. 13-36). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics]. This study used two experiments to test the underlying assumption that the processes occurring within the reaction time interval are equivalent for simple and primed tasks, and to determine if the validity of the prime influences performance. In both experiments, participants completed three reaction-time tasks: simple, primed (100%), and choice. The second experiment added a fourth task in which the prime was valid only 80% of the time. In both experiments, the reaction times were significantly slower for the choice task than for either the simple or 100%-primed tasks. Most important, the simple and primed (100%) reaction times were not significantly different. For the second experiment, the reaction times were not significantly different for the choice and 80%-valid prime tasks. The results of these experiments demonstrate that equivalent response preparation processes occur for simple and primed tasks, but that the validity of the prime does influence the response preparation processes for the primed task. Thus, equivalency is not achieved when invalid primes are used.
Abnormal Abdominal Aorta Hemodynamics Are Associated With Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Infants With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

The risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in association with congenital heart disease is highest in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Within the HLHS population, however, risk factors for NEC remain debated. We hypothesized that some infants with HLHS have vascular changes that contribute to gut hypoperfusion independent of diastolic runoff and low cardiac output. We analyzed the abdominal aorta pulsatility index and right-ventricular function on routine preoperative and postoperative echocardiograms for all infants who underwent stage I palliation for HLHS from January 2007 to January 2012. The echocardiography findings and clinical course were compared between those with and those without an episode of NEC. Of the 61 cases reviewed, 11 (18 %) developed NEC during a mean follow-up of 3.8 ± 1.3 years. Those with NEC had a lower abdominal aorta pulsatility index compared with those without NEC both on stage I preoperative (3.38 ± 0.15 vs. 3.89 ± 0.09, p < 0.05) and postoperative echocardiograms (2.21 ± 0.28 vs. 3.05 ± 0.78, p = 0.01) despite similar ventricular function and operative risk. Abdominal aorta Doppler pulsations are lower in patients with HLHS whose clinical course is complicated by NEC. This finding suggests that the systemic vasculature in a subset of neonates with HLHS may be inherently abnormal. Further investigation is warranted to determine if this is secondary to structural changes in the mesenteric and/or systemic vasculature.
A Hybrid Clustering Method for Identifying High-Density Clusters

Abstract A hybrid method for clustering multivariate observations is proposed, which combines elements of the k-means and the single-linkage clustering techniques. One purpose of the proposed method is to discover the high-density clusters given a random sample of size N from some underlying population; a high-density cluster at level c in a population with density f is defined as a maximal connected set of points x with f(x) ≥ c. This clustering procedure is practicable for very large numbers of observations and is shown to be consistent, under certain regularity conditions, in one dimension.
The method of caustics in environmental cracking

Abstract A simple and powerful crack growth criterion under combined environmental conditions and applied loads is formulated for mixed-mode situations based on the method of caustics. It is established that the axis of symmetry of the caustic represents the crack growth direction, while the crack growth condition is expressed in terms of the diameter of the caustic. Caustics can easily be obtained by illuminating the specimen in the vicinity of the crack tip by a laser light beam and recording the optical pattern on a viewing screen at some distance from the specimen. An elegant procedure for the experimental study of environmental cracking is thus developed.
Multiply Scattered Light Imaging for Low Cost and Flexible Detection of Subretinal Pathology

A novel technique to easily and rapidly switch between direct and indirect-scattered imaging modes using a rolling electronic aperture is applied to inexpensively detect early signs of retinal layer degradation.
Generating interesting scenarios from system descriptions

A formal system specification is often written declaratively, in terms of the properties of the system components. This makes the system description modular and concise. However, this does not make the procedural aspects of the system easily understandable. Here arises the need for automatically generating interesting behavior patterns, specifically, scenarios.This paper is a preliminary report of our research in generating interesting scenarios. We define several types of scenarios of interest and discuss the algorithms for generating them. At the center of the algorithms is a data structure, called “influence graphs,” that reflects how the objects in a system affect one another.
A kinetic-allometric approach to predicting tissue radionuclide concentrations for biota.

Allometry, or the biology of scaling, is the study of size and its consequences. It has become a useful tool for comparative physiology. There are several allometric equations that relate body size to many parameters, including ingestion rate, lifespan, inhalation rate, home range and more. While these equations were originally derived from empirical observations, there is a growing body of evidence that these relationships have their origins in the dynamics of energy transport mechanisms. As part of an ongoing effort by the Department of Energy in developing generic methods for evaluating radiation dose to biota, we have examined the utility of applying allometric techniques to predicting radionuclide tissue concentration across a large range of terrestrial and riparian species of animals. This particular study examined 23 radionuclides. Initial investigations suggest that the allometric approach can provide a useful tool to derive limiting values of uptake and elimination factors for animals.
Solid-state NMR study and assignments of the KcsA potassium ion channel of S. lividans.

Abstract The extraordinary efficiency and selectivity of potassium channels have made them ideal systems for biophysical and functional studies of ion conduction. We carried out solid-state NMR studies of the selectivity filter region of the protein. Partial site-specific assignments of the NMR signals were obtained based on high field multidimensional solid-state NMR spectra of uniformly 13C, 15N enriched KcsA potassium channel from Streptomyces lividans. Both backbone and sidechain atoms were assigned for residues V76-D80 and P83-L90, in and near the selectivity filter region of the protein; this region exhibits good dispersion and useful chemical shift fingerprints. This study will enable structure, dynamic and mechanistic studies of ion conduction by NMR.