cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk stratification after myocardial infarction. Clinical science versus practice behavior.

The survival of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) has improved considerably during the past 15 years with the advent of thrombolytic therapy, including better utilization of anticoagulants, aspirin, and cardioprotective drugs such as β-blockers and ACE inhibitors. Despite this improvement, mortality rates after MI continue to demonstrate an early rise during the first 3 months, with a slower but steady increase afterward.1 The principal cardiac factors influencing survival after MI are the size of the infarct and its impact on left ventricular (LV) function, the presence of residual ischemia, recurrent infarction, and ventricular arrhythmias. These factors can coexist in the same patient and exert a negative synergistic effect on survival. There is general consensus that reduction of the risk of recurrent ischemia improves long-term survival of post-MI patients. However, there is controversy regarding the best strategy for achieving this, particularly in low-risk patients with an uncomplicated MI. A conservative strategy uses noninvasive testing to identify important risk factors and modify therapy accordingly, including the selective use of coronary revascularization procedures, whereas a more aggressive strategy involves the routine use of coronary angiography followed by revascularization of areas supplied by significant stenotic lesions. Ejection fraction is without doubt a strong predictor of mortality in patients with acute MI. Mortality rates increase rapidly as ejection fraction falls below 40%.2 Currently, ejection fraction is determined primarily with noninvasive techniques. In 1979, Theroux and associates3 reported on the use of submaximal exercise testing early after MI and demonstrated the negative impact of exercise-induced ischemia on long-term outcome. Since their original report, multiple studies have shown that post-MI patients with demonstrable ischemia are at high risk for cardiac events regardless of the method used for inducing or detecting ischemia.4 5 6 7 However, methods with higher sensitivity for ischemia detection, …
Myocardial bridges in man: clinical correlations and angiographic accentuation with nitroglycerin.

Little is known of the clinical significance of myocardial bridges, which may be recognized angiographically as systolic coronary artery narrowing (SCAN). A retrospective review of a 1 year's experience (313 consecutive coronary arteriograms) revealed 5 patients with SCAN, an incidence of 1.6%. SCAN involved the proximal and/or middle segments of the left anterior descending coronary artery in all patients. It is of particular note that the administration of nitroglycerin noticeably accentuated the SCAN phenomenon in each of 3 patients to whom it was administered. Four of the 5 patients had left ventricular hypertrophy due to hypertrophic car-diomyopathy (2), aortic stenosis (1), and hypertension (1). All 5 patients with the SCAN phenomenon had anginal chest pains, and critical obstructive coronary atherosclerosis was observed in only 2 cases. The other 3 patients showed, otherwise, normal coronary arteriograms. Thus, myocardial bridges appear to be angiographically manifest predominantly in patients with cardiac hypertrophy. Nitroglycerin, which accentuates SCAN, might be useful as a provocative test to enhance the angiographic recognition of this phenomenon. The possible role of myocardial bridges in the production of myocardial ischemia warrants further investigation.
Long-latency responses of brain noradrenergic neurons to noxious stimuli are preferentially attenuated by intravenous morphine

The nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) has been strongly implicated in the processing of noxious stimuli. Consistent with this, previous studies have shown that spontaneous LC discharge is depressed by morphine. However, effects of morphine on evoked responses of LC neurons to noxious stimuli have not been systematically examined. We reported recently that responses to footshock stimuli in rat locus coeruleus neurons consist of an early (A-fiber mediated) component and a previously undescribed late (C-fiber mediated) component. In the present study, we administered analgesic doses of morphine (0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg, i.v.) to determine the effect on A- and C-fiber components of footshock responses in LC neurons. Doses of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg significantly attenuated the C-fiber mediated response of LC neurons without affecting the A-fiber response component. Spontaneous LC discharge was reduced by administration of all doses of morphine. Both depressive effects of morphine were abolished by intravenous administration of naloxone. In contrast, local microinfusion of naloxone into the LC abolished the morphine-induced decrease of spontaneous discharge but did not prevent the depression of the C-fiber mediated footshock response by morphine. This indicates that the site of action for morphine's attenuation of the late LC response to footshock stimulation is outside of the LC. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the late (C-fiber-mediated) footshock responses in locus coeruleus are involved in the processing of noxious stimuli and may contribute to anti-nociceptive mechanisms.
A novel photorearrangement of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-7,12-epidioxide into 6b,11b-dihydro-6b,11b-dimethyl-benzofuro[3,2-b]naphtho[1,2-d]furan

Bei der Photolyse des 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracens (II) erhalt man neben dem fruher beschriebenen Endoperoxid (I) ein weiteres Reaktionsprodukt der Struktur (III).
Atypical phenylketonuric heterozygote

A child with an elevated serum level of phenylalanine, a typical phenylketonuria phenylalanine tolerance test, an absence of increased urinary concentrations of phenylketones, ortho- and parahydroxyphenyl acids, and phenolic acids, as well as no abnormality in urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid or in indole-3-acetic acid is reported. It appears that this child has marked limitation in phenylalanine transaminase activity and, as a consequence, the characteristic associated biochemical abnormalities related to limited activity of this enzyme were not expressed and could not be evoked.
Ventilator associated pneumonia: perspectives on the burden of illness.

Objective: The objective of this narrative review is to summarize selected current concepts and clinical evidence regarding the burden of illness of VAP, including its epidemiology, diagnosis, attributable mortality and risk factors.¶Data Sources & Selection: Studies were identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE, bibliographies of primary and review articles and personal files.¶Results: While cross sectional studies inform us about VAP prevalence, longitudinal studies inform us of the cumulative risk and conditional risk of developing VAP. Reported VAP rates are modulated by factors related to case mix, causative micro-organisms, interventions that influence risk over time, and VAP definitions employed. Population-specific and organism-specific VAP rates are needed to avoid misleading benchmarking between different ICUs, and to minimize inappropriate between-study comparisons. Observational studies have shown that invasive sampling techniques versus non-invasive approaches to diagnose VAP facilitates more targeted antibiotic treatment; however, the influence of the diagnostic method on endpoints such as mortality is less clear. VAP is associated with approximately a 4 day increase in length of ICU stay and an attributable mortality of approximately 20–30 %. Fixed VAP risk factors include underlying cardiorespiratory disease, neurologic injury and trauma. Modifiable VAP risk factors include supine body position, witnessed aspiration, paralytic agents and antibiotic exposure. If modifiable risk factors tested in randomized trials lower VAP rates, such as semirecumbency versus supine positioning, these represent effective VAP prevention strategies.¶Conclusions: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a major morbid outcome among critically ill patients. Studies evaluating more effective prevention and treatment strategies are needed.
Improving students understanding of engineering concepts through project based learning

Traditional methods of teaching are falling short in engaging students at higher levels of learning. To adequately prepare students for engineering practice, innovative methods of teaching, learning and assessment are required. Particular emphasis should be placed on enabling students to make the connection between theory and practice. The authors discuss how the approach of “theory to practice” was implemented using project based learning and case studies in two courses at the United States Coast Guard Academy. Students' feedback and other assessment tools indicated that students were engaged in a higher level of learning and understanding of engineering principles.
Synthesis and characterization of novel polysiloxane based ABA-type triblock copolymers using ATRP

Novel polysiloxane based ABA-type triblock copolymers having a secondary amine at the junction point were synthesized using a combination of ring opening equilibration polymerization (ROEP), Michael addition and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Polysiloxane based bifunctional ATRP macroinitiators were synthesized and subsequently used for controlled radical polymerization of t-butyl acrylate (t-BA) and sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis of the triblocks based on t-BA showed high chain end functionality, due to the disappearance of peaks related to the macroinitiator. ROEP can be used to control the block length of the polysiloxane while ATRP can be used to control the chain length of the outer blocks, making the ABA- type triblock a unique material with secondary amine functionality which can be used for further reaction.
Behavioural ecology: The social side of wild yeast.

The workhorse of cell biology, yeast, is a surprisingly cooperative organism. It uses an unusual means of identifying partners — a 'green-beard gene', which encodes a tag that must match among cooperating cells.
Predicting severe winter coastal storm damage

Over the past 40 years residents of, and visitors to, the North Carolina coastal barrier islands have experienced the destructive forces of several 'named' extratropical storms. These storms have caused large-scale redistributions of sand and loss of coastal structures and infrastructure. While most of the population living on the islands are familiar with the wintertime storms, the damage and scars of the 'super northeasters'—such as the Ash Wednesday storm of 7 March 1962, and the Halloween storm of 1989—are slipping away from the public's memory. In this research we compared the damage zones of the 1962 Ash Wednesday storm, as depicted on aerial photographs taken after the storm, with photos taken of the same areas in 2003. With these high-resolution aerial photos we were able to estimate the extent of new development which has taken place along the Outer Banks of North Carolina since 1962. Three damage zones were defined that extend across the islands from the ocean landward on the 1962 aerial photos: (1) the zone of almost total destruction on the seaward edge of the islands where the storm waves break; (2) the zone immediately inland where moderate structural damage occurs during severe storms; and (3) the zone of flood damage at the landward margin of the storm surge and overwash. We considered the rate of coastal erosion, the rate of development, and increases in property values as factors which may contribute to changing the financial risk for coastal communities. In comparing the values of these four factors with the 1962 damage data, we produced a predicted dollar value for storm damage should another storm of the magnitude of the 1962 Ash Wednesday storm occur in the present decade. This model also provides an opportunity to estimate the rate of increase in the potential losses through time as shoreline erosion continues to progressively reduce the buffer between the development and the edge of the sea. Our data suggest that the losses along the North Carolina coast would rank amongst the all-time most costly natural disasters to have occurred in the United States, with up to $1 billion in losses in North Carolina alone.
Improved particle swarm optimization technique using hard boundary conditions

The terminology of hard and soft boundary conditions is suggested in this paper to describe the way in which particles are enforced to stay inside the desired domain of interest. Specifically, hard boundary conditions use position-clipping criterion, while soft boundary conditions do not use this criterion. All soft domains employed before in the PSO literature rely on velocity clipping rather than position clipping. Traditionally, a velocity-clipping technique is used to prevent particles from explosion. In this paper, we investigate the hard-wall boundary conditions together with other velocity-termination criteria. The application into linear-array synthesis shows that the choice of the way in which the velocity is treated at the boundary of the problem can dramatically improve the convergence of the PSO algorithm. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 46: 422–426, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21004
Equivalence estimates for a class of singular perturbation problems

Abstract We give some equivalence estimates on the solution of a singular perturbation problem that represents, among other models, the Koiter and Naghdi shell models. Two of the estimates apply to intermediate shell problems and the third is for membrane/shear dominated shells. From these equivalences, many known and some new sharp estimates on the solutions of the singular perturbation problems easily follow. To cite this article: S. Zhang, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 342 (2006).
Effect of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the morphologic and biochemical differentiation of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes grown in serum-free conditions

Abstract The effect of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1α,25-(OH) 2 -D 3 ] on the proliferation and morphologic and biochemical differentiation of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes grown under defined, serum-free conditions was studied. 1α,25-(OH) 2 -D 3 caused a dose-dependent decrease in proliferation and an increase in the morphologic differentiation of human cultured keratinocytes. The number of attached basal cells decreased when exposed to 1α,25-(OH) 2 -D 3 , whereas the number of attached squamous cells, terminally differentiated desquamated cells, and cornified cells increased concurrently. In addition, after incubation with 1α,25-(OH) 2 -D 3 , there was a shift to cells of lighter density. In conjunction with its effect on the basal cells, 1α,25-(OH) 2 -D 3 resulted in an inhibition of DNA synthesis. The activity of transglutaminase, the enzyme responsible for cross-linking the proteins of the cornified envelope, was stimulated by 156% with 1α,25-(OH) 2 -D 3 , but not with 1/3,25-(OH) 2 -D 3 , a biologically inert isomer. Therefore it appears that 1α,25-(OH) 2 -D 3 is a potent inhibitor of keratinocyte proliferation as well as a stimulator of epidermal terminal differentiation.
Thermal response and optical absorptance of metals under femtosecond laser irradiation

A detailed study on correlation between residual thermal response of a sample and its optical absorptance change due to laser-induced sur-face structural modifications in multi-shot fem-tosecond laser irradiation is performed. Ex-periments reveal an overall enhancement for residual thermal coupling and absorptance in air. Surprisingly, residual thermal coupling in air shows a non-monotonic dependence on pulse number and reaches a minimum value after a certain number of pulses, while these behaviors are not seen in absorptance. In vacuum, how-ever, both suppression and enhancement are seen in residual energy coupling although ab-sorptance is always enhanced. From these ob-servations, it appears that air plasma plays a dominant role in thermal coupling at a relatively low number of applied pulses, while the forma-tion of craters plays a dominant role at a high number of pulses.
Cytologic diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Community hospital experience.

Abstract Transrectal fine-needle aspiration and transrectal or perineal core biopsies were simultaneously performed on 31 patients with suspected prostatic cancer over an eighteen-month period. Of the 29 aspirations that were adequate for cytologic diagnosis, there was histologic correlation in 24 (83 %). The sensitivity of aspiration for the diagnosis of prostatic cancer was 92 per cent (11 of 12) compared with 85 per cent (11 of 13) for the core biopsy method. There were no apparent false negative or false positive diagnoses with the aspiration biopsy technique. Insufficient material was obtained by aspiration in 2 cases. A febrile urinary tract infection occurred in 1 patient after transrectal aspiration and core biopsy. Our results suggest that fine-needle aspiration may be utilized by the practicing urologist in conjunction with a pathologist trained in the interpretation of fine-needle aspirates as a safe, relatively inexpensive, and sensitive diagnostic procedure for suspected prostatic cancer.
Patient and physician perceptions of timely access to care

BACKGROUND: Timeliness of care is 1 of 6 dimensions of quality identified in Crossing the Quality Chasm. We compared patient and physician perceptions of appropriate timing of visits for common medical problems.
Neutron Diffraction Study of the Magnetic Properties of the Series of Perovskite-Type Compounds [ ( 1 − x ) La , x Ca ] Mn O 3

A study has been made of the magnetic properties of the series of perovskite-type compounds $[(1\ensuremath{-}x)\mathrm{La}, x\mathrm{Ca}]\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. The investigations have been made primarily by neutron diffraction methods, but x-ray diffraction measurements of lattice distortions and ferromagnetic saturation data are also included. This series of compounds exhibits ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic properties which depend upon the relative trivalent and tetravalent manganese ion content. The samples are purely ferromagnetic over a relatively narrow range of composition ($x\ensuremath{\sim}0.35$) and show simultaneous occurrence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases in the ranges ($0lxl0.25$) and ($0.40lxl0.5$). Several types of antiferromagnetic structures at $x=0$ and $xg0.5$ have also been determined. The growth and mixing of the various phases have been followed over the whole composition range, the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic moment contributions to the coherent reflections have been determined, and Curie and N\'eel temperatures have been measured. The results have been organized into a scheme of structures and structure transitions which is in remarkable accord with Goodenough's predictions based on a theory of semicovalent exchange.
The advantages and disadvantages of microcomputers in early childhood education

(1986). The advantages and disadvantages of microcomputers in early childhood education. Early Child Development and Care: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 263-281.
Insulin and Insulin-like Growth Factor I Prevent the Mitogenic Response of Chick Limb Bud Mesoderm Cells to Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-AA

Abstract Platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA) increases DNA synthesis by chicken limb bud mesoderm in culture. Preincubation of either mesoderm from whole limb buds (stage 24-25) or mesoderm from the distal tip of the bud (stage 25) in insulin or insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-I) resulted in increased DNA synthesis compared to control levels in two different types of medium. However, no further increase in DNA synthesis was then induced by PDGF-AA. This was found even when the level of DNA synthesis in IGF-I or insulin-containing medium was below that seen in cells treated only with PDGF. The response to PDGF was not dependent on the presence of serum in the medium. Insulin and IGF-I inhibited expression of the PDGF α receptor in mesoderm from whole limb buds. However, this was detected at times after the increase in DNA synthesis in response to PDGF was normally seen. IGF-I did not inhibit expression of the PDGF α receptor in mesoderm from distal limb bud tips. Thus, IGF-I and insulin modify the response of limb bud mesoderm to PDGF. The effects of IGF-I and insulin on receptor expression may be dependent on the cell populations present but do not appear to account for modulation of the PDGF-induced mitogenic response.
Altered fusion dynamics underlie unique morphological changes in mitochondria during hypoxia–reoxygenation stress

Functional states of mitochondria are often reflected in characteristic mitochondrial morphology. One of the most fundamental stress conditions, hypoxia–reoxygenation has been known to cause impaired mitochondrial function accompanied by structural abnormalities, but the underlying mechanisms need further investigation. Here, we monitored bioenergetics and mitochondrial fusion–fission in real time to determine how changes in mitochondrial dynamics contribute to structural abnormalities during hypoxia–reoxygenation. Hypoxia–reoxygenation resulted in the appearance of shorter mitochondria and a decrease in fusion activity. This fusion inhibition was a result of impaired ATP synthesis rather than Opa1 cleavage. A striking feature that appeared during hypoxia in glucose-free and during reoxygenation in glucose-containing medium was the formation of donut-shaped (toroidal) mitochondria. Donut formation was triggered by opening of the permeability transition pore or K+ channels, which in turn caused mitochondrial swelling and partial detachment from the cytoskeleton. This then favored anomalous fusion events (autofusion and fusion at several sites among 2–3 mitochondria) to produce the characteristic donuts. Donuts effectively tolerate matrix volume increases and give rise to offspring that can regain ΔΨm. Thus, the metabolic stress during hypoxia–reoxygenation alters mitochondrial morphology by inducing distinct patterns of mitochondrial dynamics, which includes processes that could aid mitochondrial adaptation and functional recovery.
Remote sensing with a triple correlation spectrometer for trace gas identification

We showed that the output of a cross-correlation with gas spectra could be triple-correlated to reduce the effects of Gaussian noise for improved discrimination. Such processing is directly applicable to a correlation spectrometer but could be applied to other designs. In spite of the added processing, triple-correlating the output of a spectrometer allowed us to generally increase the SNR by over a factor of ten. We were able to discriminate between two gases at low SNR values with the triple correlation technique.
Medical comorbidities predict the need for colectomy for complicated and recurrent diverticulitis

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for recurrent or complicated diverticulitis requiring colectomy. Methods A total of 112 patients were admitted to the West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center with the diagnosis of colonic diverticular disease from January 1998 to December 2006. Patients' records were assessed for demographics, past medical history, and physical and biochemical features of presentation. Student t tests, analysis of variance, and chi-square analysis were used to compare binary and categoric data. Results The medical records of 112 patients admitted to the West Haven Veterans Affairs hospital with the diagnosis of diverticulitis were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 97.3% were male (n = 109), with a mean age of 63.3 years, and a significant smoking history greater than 30 pack-years was present in 70.5% (n = 79) of patients. Eighty-four percent (n = 94) of patients presented with localized abdominal pain and 69.6% (n = 78) had abdominal tenderness without peritoneal signs. Computed tomography was performed in 85.7% (n = 96) of cases. A total of 23.2% (n = 26) of patients proceeded to laparotomy, with free perforation being the most common indication (38.4%, n = 12) followed by a history of 2 or more antecedent attacks of diverticulitis (23.1%, n = 6). Analysis of variance showed that serum albumin levels were significantly lower in the group undergoing colectomy compared with those who did not (3.4 vs 4.1 mg/dL; P = .016). The need for colectomy owing to complicated or recurrent attacks correlated with glucocorticoid use ( P P Conclusions The rules regarding the treatment of diverticulitis are evolving. Comorbid conditions such as hypoalbuminemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and glucocorticoid use may predispose patients to recurrent or complicated attacks of diverticulitis requiring colectomy. Stratification and reduction of risks may reduce the overall morbidity and mortality of diverticulitis.
Aberration correction results in the IBM STEM instrument

Results from the installation of aberration correction in the IBM 120 kV STEM argue that a sub-angstrom probe size has been achieved. Results and the experimental methods used to obtain them are described here. Some post-experiment processing is necessary to demonstrate the probe size of about 0.078 nm. While the promise of aberration correction is demonstrated, we remain at the very threshold of practicality, given the very stringent stability requirements.
Effects of Solute−Surfactant Interactions on Micelle Formation in Surfactant Solutions

The effect of dissolved solutes on micelle structure is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. A simple model developed previously for surfactants in aqueous solution is extended to include a simple solute to mimic the effect of dissolved oxide precursors in solution. The solute parameters are chosen so that a pure solute would be in the solid phase under the thermodynamic conditions at which the simulations are run. The interaction energy between the solute and the surfactant head group is systematically varied. The micelle structures are affected by both the magnitude and the orientation dependence of the solute interaction potentials. When the interaction is weak, the solute has little effect on the surfactant structure, but as the interaction is increased, the spherical micelle structures adopted by the surfactant system in the absence of solute are severely distorted. The implications of these results are discussed in terms of the structures formed in complex ceramic-surfactant systems. 19 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.
Ultrafast time-resolved EXAFS spectroscopy using an energy dispersive spectrometer

We describe the experimental system used for ultrafast time resolved EXAFS spectroscopy. It consists of a laser driven x- ray diode which generates the ultrashort hard x-ray pulses used in pump/probe experiments and a dispersive spectrometer which makes possible the simultaneous recording of a broad spectrum. The data presented, using this dispersive spectrometer, shows that we can record more than 500 eV simultaneously with a resolution of 8 eV, or 3 eV resolution for 250 eV energy spectrum.
In vivo vascular engineering: directed migration of smooth muscle cells to limit neointima.

Pathologic neointima formation requires directional smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration from media to intima. The very direction of SMC migration thus becomes a potential therapeutic target. Here, w...
The Effects of Contingent Caregiver Imitation of Infant Vocalizations: a Comparison of Multiple Caregivers

The present study replicated and extended the Pelaez et al. (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 44:33–40, 2011) study, which examined the reinforcing effects of mothers’ contingent imitation of their infants’ vocalizations. Three infants aged 7–12 months who could vocalize sounds but not words participated with two caregivers for each infant (i.e., triads). During the intervention phase, the caregivers were asked to immediately imitate all vocalizations emitted by the child for a 3-min period. During the yoked control phase, the caregivers listened to an audio recording from the preceding condition and provided vocalizations non-contingently on the infants’ responses. The procedures yielded different results across participants; one infant emitted a higher frequency of vocalizations during the contingent imitation phases over the control phases, and the other two infants showed higher rates of responding during the control phases. However, all infants emitted more imitative return vocalizations during contingent reinforcement conditions compared with the yoked control condition.
Measuring Representative Communication in Young Children With Developmental Delay

Generalizability and decision studies provide a mathematical framework for quantifying the stability of a given number of measurements. This approach is especially relevant to the task of obtaining a representative measure of communicative behavior in young children and supports an alternative to the debate regarding which type of assessment yields the most representative scores. The current paper provides a report of a generalizability and decision study on 63 toddlers with developmental delay who were treated for 6 months using an intervention that targeted communication and vocabulary goals. Two variables - rate of intentional communication acts and rate of different words - were measured across three assessment contexts at four communication sampling periods. Results verified that measurement stability increased with time and development for both variables, regardless of the type of assessment procedure used.
Temporal analysis of laser-induced plasma properties as related to laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract The evolution of a laser-induced plasma is characterized in terms of its temporally resolved spectral absorptivity, spectral emissivity, and free electron density via Stark broadening during the first few hundreds of nanoseconds. Transmission measurements using 532 and 1064 nm probe laser beams reveal near opacity of the laser-induced plasma at times corresponding with the tail end of the plasma creating laser pulse. This temporal region is coincident with the maximum free electron density greater than 1018 cm−3. At times approaching 500 ns following plasma initiation, the plasma absorptivity diminishes markedly, rendering the plasma essentially transparent to incident radiation. The fundamental change from an absorbing (i.e. optically thick) plasma to a non-absorbing plasma during this period is important with respect to the radiative transfer within and from the plasma. Overall, these phenomena play important roles in the evolution of the laser-induced plasma and the technique of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.
Coherent detection of random electromagnetic beams

We generalize the analysis of coherent detection system. The detection of quasi-monochromatic, partially polarized, partially coherent beams (random electromagnetic beams) has been studied. An expression for the signal to noise ratio (SNR) has been derived.
Pan-Tilt-Zoom Hybrid Camera System For Dynamic Tracking and Measurement

Noncontact measurements of lightweight flexible aerospace structures present several challenges. Objects are usually mounted on a test stand, because current noncontact measurement techniques require that the net motion of the object be zero.However, it is often desirable to takemeasurements of the object under operational conditions, and in the case of miniature aerial vehicles and deploying space structures, the test article will undergo significant translational motion. This paper describes a hybrid noncontact metrology system that will enable measurement of structural kinematics of anobject freelymovingabout a volume.Byusing a real-timevideogrammetry system, a set of pan–tilt–zoomcameras is coordinated to track large-scalenetmotionandproducehigh-speedhigh-quality images for photogrammetric surface reconstruction. The design of the system is presented in detail. Amethod of generating the calibration parameters for the pan–tilt–zoom cameras using curve fits is presented, and it is shown to produce results approximately half the precision of optimized calibration. It is shown how object size and speed determines tracking accuracy and object resolution. Finally, an example of surface reconstruction of a moving object is presented.
Structural and spectroscopic characteristics of bacteriorhodopsin in air-water interface films

A suspension of purple membrane fragments in a solution of soya phosphatidyl-choline in hexane is spread at an air-water interface. Surface pressure and surface potential measurements indicate that the membrane fragments and lipids organize at the interface as an insoluble film. Electron microscopy of shadow-cast replicas of the film reveal that in the bacteriorhodopsin to soya PC weight ratio range of 2∶1 to 10∶1, these films consist of nonoverlapping membrane fragments which occupy approximately 35% of the surface area and are separated by a lipid monolayer. Furthermore, the membrane fragments are oriented, with their intracellular surface towards the aqueous subphase. Nearly all the bacteriorhodopsin molecules at the interface are spectroscopically intact and exhibit visible spectral characteristics identical to those in aqueous suspensions of purple membrane and in intact bacteria. In addition, bacteriorhodopsin in air-dried interface films show spectral changes upon dark-adaptation and upon flash illumination similar to those observed in aqueous suspensions of purple membrane, but with slower kinetics. The kinetics of the spectral changes in interface films can be made nearly the same as in aqueous suspension by immersing the films in water.
SU‐FF‐T‐427: Monte Carlo Dose Distributions From Photon Beams Obtained with the Bethe‐Heitler and NIST Bremsstrahlung Cross‐Sections

Purpose: Reports on Monte Carlo‐based clinical dose calculations have identified a paucity of information on the influence of cross‐sections on such calculations. A recent investigation on BEAMnrc‐based linac phase space (PHSP) calculations showed systematic differences (up to 3%) between fluence distributions computed using the Bethe‐Heitler (BH) and NIST bremsstrahlung cross‐sections. To understand the impact of these differences, we performed a study involving dose calculations in simulated water and heterogeneous phantoms. Method and Materials: DOSXYZnrc was used to calculate the dose distributions from a 6 MV (Siemens, Primus) photon beam. BEAMnrc was used to generate PHSP files, using the BH and NIST bremsstrahlung cross‐sections, for field sizes ranging from 5×5 to 40×40 cm2. Dose was computed in phantoms composed of water and heterogeneous media, including air, lung, bone and aluminum slabs, following the ICCR benchmark. The voxel dimensions were set to 5×5×2 mm3 (x, y, depth dimensions). Results: MC‐calculated dose distributions using the NIST and BH bremsstrahlung cross‐sections agreed within 2% for all geometric configurations and field sizes considered, including at interfaces in the ICCR benchmark phantom. Larger differences (up to 4%) were noted for the 40×40 cm2field size, due to statistical fluctuations resulting primarily from the higher latent variance in the PHSP file for this large field size.Conclusions: Despite relatively large, systematic differences observed in the fluence distributions generated with the NIST and BH bremsstrahlung cross‐sections, calculated dose distributions in water and heterogeneous phantoms agreed within 1–2% on average. On the other hand, the insensitivity of dose distributions in phantom illustrates the importance of studying fluence distributions in MC‐based dose calculations, particularly when generating beam models from PHSP. Though we have shown that the differences in the fluence distributions have no impact in dose calculations, further investigation is needed on the cause of this discrepancy. Acknowledgement: NIH‐R01CA106770, NIH‐R01CA104777
Suppression of seizures in an epileptic following sensorimotor EEG feedback training

Abstract Previous studies of a 12–14 c/sec slow wave rhythm localized to sensorimotor cortex in the cat indicated its functional relationship to thalamo-cortical inhibitory discharge, suppression of phasic motor behavior and suppression of drug-induced convulsions. Investigations in man showed the presence of a similar rhythm in rolandic cortex. Biofeedback techniques for the operant conditioning of this rhythm developed in studies of the cat provided a basis for similar EEG feedback training in man. The functional characteristics mentioned above suggested that this training could be of some benefit in the treatment of epilepsy. This communication reports preliminary findings from such a study in a 23-year-old female subject with moderately controlled major motor seizures of frontoparietal origin. Biofeedback training of this sensorimotor rhythm resulted in a striking enhancement of the rhythm's occurrence, differentiation from simultaneously recorded alpha rhythm activity, and a marked suppression of seizures. Changes in sleep patterns and personality were noted also.
Spin polarized semiconductor lasers

We have derived analytical expressions for threshold current reduction, output polarization, the gain anisotropy parameter and the spin laser frequency response taking into account the diffusion of spin polarized carriers from the ferromagnetic contact to the active region and spin-coupled laser rate equations. The validity of the derivations is endorsed by excellent agreement of these parameters from measurements done on spin-VCSELs.
Multiple states and thermodynamic limits in short-ranged Ising spin-glass models.

We propose a test to distinguish, both numerically and theoretically, between the two competing pictures of short-ranged Ising spin glasses at low temperature: ``chaotic'' size dependence. Scaling theories in which at most two pure states (related by a global spin flip) occur require that finite-volume correlations (with, say, periodic boundary conditions) have a well-defined thermodynamic limit. We argue, however, that the picture based on the infinite-ranged Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model, with many noncongruent pure states, leads to a breakdown of the thermodynamic limit. The argument combines rigorous and heuristic elements; one of the fomer is a proof that in the infinite-ranged model itself, non-self-averaging implies chaotic size dependence. Numerical tests, based on chaotic size dependence, could provide a more sensitive measure than the usual overlap distribution P(q) in determining the number of pure states.
Colloidal dispersion and rheology study of nanoparticles

The effects of dispersant ammonium poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA-NH4) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) on nano-Al2O3 particle dispersion have been investigated. Under the same dispersion viscosity, Al2O3 of 38 nm size requires 20 times more PAA dispersant than Al2O3 of 0.2 μm size but with only 9 times specific surface area increase. For the same carboxylic acid group to Al2O3 mole ratio, the PAA dispersant adsorbs more readily onto nano-Al2O3 particles than the PMAA-NH4 dispersant and has better dispersion efficiency. Rheology measurements confirm the better dispersion and higher dispersion efficiency when PAA is used. Maximum solids loading has been predicted for each suspension based on the rheological data; this predication capability can serve as the important guidance for future dispersion designs.
Witnessing Whittaker Chambers: Communism, McCarthyism and the Confessional Self

On 9 July 1961, Whittaker Chambers was found collapsed on his bedroom floor, dead at the age of sixty, a surprising tragedy that led many to believe he had committed suicide. 1 Chambers of course h...
Training many-parameter shape-from-shading models using a surface database

Shape-from-shading (SFS) methods tend to rely on models with few parameters because these parameters need to be hand-tuned. This limits the number of different cues that the SFS problem can exploit. In this paper, we show how machine learning can be applied to an SFS model with a large number of parameters. Our system learns a set of weighting parameters that use the intensity of each pixel in the image to gauge the importance of that pixel in the shape reconstruction process. We show empirically that this leads to a significant increase in the accuracy of the recovered surfaces. Our learning approach is novel in that the parameters are optimized with respect to actual surface output by the system. In the first, offline phase, a hemisphere is rendered using a known illumination direction. The isophotes in the resulting reflectance map are then modelled using Gaussian mixtures to obtain a parametric representation of the isophotes. This Gaussian parameterization is then used in the second phase to learn intensity-based weights using a database of 3D shapes. The weights can also be optimized for a particular input image.
A pilot study of soluble adhesion molecules as surrogate markers for acute liver allograft rejection.

Background Tissue endothelial adhesion molecule expression is increased during acute liver allograft rejection. Soluble forms exist, but their correlation to rejection and their clinical value have not been determined. Methods. We studied endothelial adhesion molecule tissue expression and soluble levels in blood and bile and correlated these to the clinical course of 11 adult patients followed for 30 consecutive days after liver transplantation. Results. Three biopsies showing acute rejection demonstrated increased intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 but not endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 expression on hepatic endothelial cells during rejection. Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 staining was focally increased in two of three specimens. Levels of soluble ICAM-1 or soluble VCAM-1 by ELISA did not distinguish acute rejection from nonrejection conditions. Conclusion. We confirmed that endothelial ICAM-1 expression is more intense in rejecting allografts and is more sensitive than changes in VCAM-1 or endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1. However, soluble adhesion molecule determination was not useful in the accurate detection of acute rejection.
NTP carcinogens--interpretational problems.

Abstract The National Toxicology Program (NTP) was established in 1978 with the broad goal of strengthening the science base of chemical toxicology, thus providing better information to regulatory and research agencies. Since that time the NTP has conducted in-depth toxicity/carcinogenesis studies on over 200 chemicals of importance to inductry, the public at large and the general environment; clearly the largest such database in the word. This database is unique in that it represents an objective fairly standard accumulation of peer-reviewed information on a myrid of chemicals composed of various chemical classes, non-carcinogens as well as carcinogens. The results of these studies are reported as “no evidence, equivocal evidence, some evidence or clear evidence of carcinogenic activity” in a single sex/species. There is also an “inadequate” category for studies that have major limitations. Although noted, no attempt is made to give added weight to chemicals which cause neoplasms at multiple sites, at rare versus common sites, in both species/sexes, which occur early in the study, at low as well as high doses, or those observed in the presence or absence of toxicity (necrosis, degeneration, etc.) in the same organ. Such observational data may serve as “markers” or “alerts” for whether a chemical's in vivo carcinogenic activity is the results of mutagenic or non-mutagenic activity.
Evolution of the atmosphere and oceans

The residence times of most constituents of the atmosphere and oceans are small fractions of the age of the Earth and, in general, their rate of output has been nearly equal to their rate of input. We are disturbing a number of these dynamic equilibria quite severely. The mineralogy of marine evaporites rules out drastic changes in the composition of sea water during the last 900 Myr. The chemistry of soils formed more than 1,000 Myr ago suggests that the atmosphere then contained significantly more CO2 and less O2 than at present. Hydrogen peroxide may well have been the principal oxidant and formaldehyde the main reductant in rain water between 3,000 and 1,000 Myr ago. Major changes in atmospheric chemistry since that time are almost certainly related to the evolution of the biosphere.
Sampling Memories: Using Hip-Hop Aesthetics to Learn from Urban Schooling Experiences.

This article theorizes and charts the implementation of a learning activity designed from the hip-hop aesthetic of sampling. The purpose of this learning activity was to enable recent urban school graduates to reflect upon their previous schooling experiences as a platform for future learning in higher education. This article illustrates what these learning activities helped students learn from their urban schooling experiences, the epistemologies made available to students through sampling, and the concurrent barriers to learning that these activities also produced. These results contribute to the newest area of scholarship in hip-hop-based education with a focus on urban education.
Regeneration and repair of peripheral nerves with different biomaterials: Review

Peripheral nerve injury may cause gaps between the nerve stumps. Axonal proliferation in nerve conduits is limited to 10-15 mm. Most of the supportive research has been done on rat or mouse models which are different from humans. Herein we review autografts and biomaterials which are commonly used for nerve gap repair and their respective outcomes. Nerve autografting has been the first choice for repairing peripheral nerve gaps. However, it has been demonstrated experimentally that tissue engineered tubes can also permit lead to effective nerve repair over gaps longer than 4 cm repair that was previously thought to be restorable by means of nerve graft only. All of the discoveries in the nerve armamentarium are making their way into the clinic, where they are, showing great potential for improving both the extent and rate of functional recovery compared with alternative nerve guides.
Activity of a Py–Im Polyamide Targeted to the Estrogen Response Element

Pyrrole-imidazole (Py–Im) polyamides are a class of programmable DNA minor groove binders capable of modulating the activity of DNA-binding proteins and affecting changes in gene expression. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a ligand-activated hormone receptor that binds as a homodimer to estrogen response elements (ERE) and is a driving oncogene in a majority of breast cancers. We tested a selection of structurally similar Py–Im polyamides with differing DNA sequence specificity for activity against 17β-estadiol (E2)–induced transcription and cytotoxicity in ERα positive, E2-stimulated T47DKBluc cells, which express luciferase under ERα control. The most active polyamide targeted the sequence 5′-WGGWCW-3′ (W = A or T), which is the canonical ERE half site. Whole transcriptome analysis using RNA-Seq revealed that treatment of E2-stimulated breast cancer cells with this polyamide reduced the effects of E2 on the majority of those most strongly affected by E2 but had much less effect on the majority of E2-induced transcripts. In vivo, this polyamide circulated at detectable levels following subcutaneous injection and reduced levels of ER-driven luciferase expression in xenografted tumors in mice after subcutaneous compound administration without significant host toxicity.