cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Care of Geriatric Patients with Advanced Illnesses and End-of-Life Needs in the Emergency Department

Older patients with advanced illness are presenting more frequently to emergency departments (EDs). These patients have complex needs, which challenge busy EDs tuned to provide emergent, life-sustaining interventions, and rapid dispositions. This article outlines communication skills to assess patient goals so that the ED provider can create a care plan that matches level of medical intervention with patient wishes. Furthermore, this article outlines symptom-based care for the actively dying geriatric patient in the ED, specifically, acute pain, dyspnea, terminal delirium, secretions, dry mouth, fever, and bereavement.
Older Age Predicts Biopsy and Radical Prostatectomy Grade Reclassification to Aggressive Prostate Cancer in Men on Active Surveillance.

Purpose:Age at prostate cancer diagnosis has been positively associated with prostate cancer specific mortality and in men on active surveillance with a higher risk of biopsy grade reclassification...
RHEGAL: Resistive heating gas enclosure loadframe for in situ neutron scattering

In situ neutron scattering is a powerful tool to reveal materials atomic structural response such as phase transformation, lattice straining, and texture under external stimuli. The advent of a high flux neutron source such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) allows fast measurement in even non-equilibrium conditions, i.e., phase transformation in steels. However, the commercial fast heating apparatus such as commercial physical simulation equipment is not designed for in situ neutron scattering, which limits its application to in situ materials research by using neutrons. Here we present a resistive heating gas enclosure loadframe (RHEGAL) for non-equilibrium phase transformation studies by using in situ neutron scattering, which takes the advantage of high flux neutron sources like SNS. RHEGAL enables fast resistive heating of metal samples to 1200 °C at a rate up to 60 °C/s in an inert atmosphere. It provides both horizontal and vertical positions for scattering optimization. The mechanical loading capability also allows in situ high temperature tension above the oxidation temperature limit. The optimized translucent neutron scattering window by silicon allows both reflection and transmission measurements, making this equipment applicable for neutron diffraction, small angle scattering, and imaging. To demonstrate the fast heating capability, the phase transformations of an example of advanced high strength steel heated at 3 °C/s and 30 °C/s were measured with the VULCAN engineering diffractometer, and the different phase transformation kinetics by neutron diffraction were presented.In situ neutron scattering is a powerful tool to reveal materials atomic structural response such as phase transformation, lattice straining, and texture under external stimuli. The advent of a high flux neutron source such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) allows fast measurement in even non-equilibrium conditions, i.e., phase transformation in steels. However, the commercial fast heating apparatus such as commercial physical simulation equipment is not designed for in situ neutron scattering, which limits its application to in situ materials research by using neutrons. Here we present a resistive heating gas enclosure loadframe (RHEGAL) for non-equilibrium phase transformation studies by using in situ neutron scattering, which takes the advantage of high flux neutron sources like SNS. RHEGAL enables fast resistive heating of metal samples to 1200 °C at a rate up to 60 °C/s in an inert atmosphere. It provides both horizontal and vertical positions for scattering optimization. The mechanical loading ...
Using deep learning algorithms on histopathology images for the prediction of BRAF and NRAS mutations in invasive melanoma.

e21561Background: Precision treatments for melanomas require mutational profiling for BRAF and NRAS oncogenes. Therefore, rapid and accurate screening assays are a critical adjunct to diagnostic mo...
Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and CD11b+Gr1+ Cells Impair Lymphatic Contraction of Tumor-Draining Lymphatic Vessels

Background: Metastatic tumor cells spread through lymphatic vessels and colonize draining lymph nodes (LNs). It is known that tumors induce lymphangiogenesis to enhance lymphatic metastasis and that metastatic cancer cells are carried by lymph flow to LNs. Methods and Results: Here, we investigated the molecular and cellular regulation of collecting lymphatic vessel contraction in vessels draining a metastatic tumor using intravital microscopy. In tumor-draining collecting lymphatic vessels, we found vessel contraction was suppressed. The infiltration of peritumor tissue by inducible nitric oxide synthase positive and CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cells played a critical role in the suppression of lymphatic contraction. Depletion of Gr1+ cells with an anti-Gr1 antibody improved contraction of tumor-draining lymphatic vessels. In addition, inducing tumor cell death restored lymphatic contraction in nude mice. Conclusions: These findings indicate that tumors contribute to regulation of lymphatic transport in a reversible manner, warranting further investigation into the role of impaired lymphatic transport in cancer progression.
Investigation into the radar anomaly on Venus: The effect of Venus conditions on bismuth, tellurium, and sulfur mixtures

Abstract The source of the unusually high radar reflectivity signal found on the highlands of Venus is hypothesized to be caused by a mineral with a high dielectric constant. We propose that this source could be a combination of tellurium, sulfur, and bismuth. All three elements are commonly outgassed in terrestrial eruption plumes and thus are likely to be found on Venus. To test our hypothesis, we used a Venus simulation chamber and studied the stability of various tellurium, bismuth, and sulfur mixtures at Venus temperatures and pressures and in atmospheres of CO2, 100 ppm SO2 in CO2, or 100 ppm COS in CO2. When mixed together bismuth, tellurium, and sulfur phases preferentially formed tetradymite (Bi2Te2S). The remaining minerals that formed in each experiment strongly depended on the initial mixture. For instance the Bi2S3/Bi2Te3 mixture experiments resulted in the original minerals as well as BiTe at hotter temperatures, meanwhile the Bi/Te/S mixture produced Bi2S3 and occasionally Bi2Te3, Bi(S,Te), and Bi4(S,Te)3 depending on the temperature/pressure. There is evidence that COS, but not SO2, affected the stability of some minerals. Due to the presence of these elements in volcanic gases we propose that they can be present in the highlands and can, at least in part, account for the high radar reflectivity signal on the highlands.
Assessing the Systemic Effects of Two Different Doses of Intra-Articular Triamcinolone Acetonide in Healthy Dogs

Objective Osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain and dysfunction in dogs. Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroids have been used to treat human and animal osteoarthritis; however, their systemic effects have not been well documented in dogs. Therefore, our objective is to determine if a single IA triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection, at two different doses, suppresses the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, induces alkaline phosphatase (ALP), or causes other clinicopathological abnormalities in dogs. Study Design Six healthy female intact adult mongrel dogs from a research colony. For phase one, dogs were randomly assigned to injection of 0.25 mg/kg TA into the right (n = 3) or left (n = 3) stifle. Haematology, liver-related biochemistry and adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests were conducted the day prior to injection and repeated on days 1, 3 and 7, and then weekly after injection until values normalized. Following a 2-week washout period, 0.5 mg/kg TA was injected into the contralateral stifle (phase two), and laboratory testing mimicked phase one. Results Mild, transient adrenocortical suppression occurred in both phases, beginning on day 1 and resolving by days 3 and 7 in phases one and two respectively. However, post-adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation cortisol levels were never outside the normal range for either phase. Alkaline phosphatase activity increased on day 3 in phase two but remained within normal limits. Mild stress leukograms occurred on day 1 in both phases. No clinical abnormalities were noted throughout the study. Conclusion Systemic adverse effects following IA TA stifle injections at 0.25 mg/kg and 0.5mg/kg are unlikely.
Readmission with venous thromboembolism after surgical treatment by primary cancer site.

Abstract Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common, high-mortality condition among surgical cancer patients. Comprehensive analyses of VTE among postoperative cancer patients are lacking. We sought to determine the association between readmission with VTE and primary cancer diagnosis in a nationwide database at 90- and 180-days after initial admission for cancer surgery. Methods Retrospective analyses of post-surgical cancer patients readmitted with VTE were conducted using data from the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) (2010–2014). Multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for patient and hospital factors were used to determine 90- and 180-day readmission rates for VTE by cancer type. Patient factors associated with readmission were also examined. Results Among a sample of 535,992 cancer patients undergoing tumor resection, readmission with VTE occurred in 1.7% within 90-days and 2.3% within 180-days. Patients readmitted for VTE experienced a 7% mortality rate. Highest rates of VTE readmission at 180 days occurred in brain (6.7%), pancreatic (5.6%), and respiratory and intrathoracic cancers (4.4%). Using pancreatic cancer as reference, brain cancer had the highest odds of readmission at 180-days (OR 2.23, 95% CI [1.95–2.55]). Conclusion Readmission with VTE among surgical cancer patients occurred in 2.3% of patients within 180 days. Among cancer types, primary brain cancer was independently associated with readmission with VTE.
Optimized collusion prevention for online exams during social distancing

Online education is important in the COVID-19 pandemic, but online exam at individual homes invites students to cheat in various ways, especially collusion. While physical proctoring is impossible during social distancing, online proctoring is costly, compromises privacy, and can lead to prevailing collusion. Here we develop an optimization-based anti-collusion approach for distanced online testing (DOT) by minimizing the collusion gain, which can be coupled with other techniques for cheating prevention. With prior knowledge of student competences, our DOT technology optimizes sequences of questions and assigns them to students in synchronized time slots, reducing the collusion gain by 2–3 orders of magnitude relative to the conventional exam in which students receive their common questions simultaneously. Our DOT theory allows control of the collusion gain to a sufficiently low level. Our recent final exam in the DOT format has been successful, as evidenced by statistical tests and a post-exam survey.
Trends in Geriatric Emergency Medicine.

Geriatric emergency medicine has emerged as a subspecialty of emergency medicine over the past 25 years. This emergence has seen the development of increases in training opportunities, care delivery strategies, collaborative best practice guidelines, and formal geriatric emergency department accreditation. This multidisciplinary field remains ripe for continued development in the coming decades as the aging US population parallels a call from patients, health care providers, and health systems to improve the delivery of high-value care. This article educates emergency medicine practitioners and highlights high-value care practice trends to inform and prioritize decision-making for this unique patient population.
Self, Audience, and Activism: Poetry of Witness

Poetic inquiry moves the researcher from the world of detached reporting to lived (and sometimes troubling) engagement. One of the goals of poetic inquiry, then, is to provide witness—historical, cultural, and political witness to what is being observed, engaged, and understood. Witness takes poetic inquiry into the realm of activism; it is an ethical stance on the part of the inquirer, a stance dedicated to self-examination, truth-telling, and change. In this chapter, Laura Apol uses her own work in Rwanda to demonstrate how she came to see poetic inquiry (i.e., the writing of poems) as a form of witness. Included in this chapter are a number of poems that explicitly position the poet as witness in the service of transformation and action.
Extreme climate increased crop nitrogen surplus in the United States

Abstract Increasing extreme climate conditions present significant threats to crop nitrogen (N) management and environmental conservation in the United States. Previous studies have examined the impacts of extreme climate on crop production but often overlooked its impacts on N loss from agricultural areas to the environment. Here we examined the relationship between county-level N surplus (the part of N that is not recovered by crops) and extreme climate conditions for corn in the U.S. during 1981–2016. We adopted multi-source long-term datasets of corn N budget and growing season (defined from May to August) maximum temperature and precipitation for each corn-planting county. Compared with the long-term N surplus trend, we found an increase of 51% and 47% in corn N surplus associated with extremely high temperature and extremely low precipitations, respectively. A moderate N surplus increase (20%) was associated with extremely high precipitations, while an N surplus decrease of 14% was shown to be related to extremely low temperatures. Across the U.S., the Midwest and the Northern Great Plains were identified as N surplus hotspots when extreme climate conditions occur. As the major corn-planting region, the Midwest accounted for 35% of the national extreme county-year samples but yielded 68% of the national total N surplus associated with extreme climate conditions. Our results highlighted the urgency of understanding the impacts of extreme climate conditions on crop nutrient losses and identifying the effective intervention practices to adapt to more frequent climate extremes in the future.
Binding characteristics and regulation of the 17,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20β-S) receptor on testicular and sperm plasma membranes of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)

The binding characteristics of 17,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20β-S) to plasma membranes prepared from the testes and sperm of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) were investigated using a filtration method to retain the bound 20β-S. A single class of high affinity (Kd = 17.9 nM), low capacity (Bmax = 0.072 nM g-1 testes) binding sites was identified by saturation and Scatchard analyses on testicular membranes of spermiating spotted seatrout. A corresponding receptor (Kd = 22.17 nM, Bmax = 0.00261 nM ml-1 milt) was also detected in spermatozoan membrane preparations. The rates of 20β-S association and dissociation were rapid, both had Thalfs of less than 1 min. Competition studies indicated that the receptor was highly specific for 20β-S. 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, which had the highest affinity of the other steroids tested, had a relative binding affinity (RBA) of 14.3%. Progesterone, 11-deoxycortisol and testosterone competed with an order of magnitude less affinity (RBA's of 7.4, 1.8 and 1.1%, respectively). Estradiol displayed low affinity for the receptor (RBA = 0.4%) and cortisol did not cause any displacement at 1000-fold excess concentration. Specific 20β-S receptor binding was detected in plasma membranes from testes of both spermiating and non-spermiating seatrout and on spermatozoa. Prolonged incubation of testicular fragments from a spermiating fish with gonadotropin (15 IU ml-1 human chorionic gonadotropin) or forskolin (10 µM) caused a 2–3 fold increase in membrane receptor binding. Previous studies have shown that gonadotropin-induced upregulation of the 20β-S plasma membrane receptor in seatrout ovaries is required for the oocytes to become responsive to 20β-S and undergo final maturation. The existence of a 20β-S membrane receptor on sperm and its upregulation in the testes by gonadotropin raises the possibility that final maturation of spermatozoa in male seatrout may be regulated by a similar mechanism.
Epilepsy and glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome

Glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT-1 DS) is a unique genetic syndrome representing a severe metabolic encephalopathy, as a result, of insufficient glucose transport into the brain. Infantile onset seizures, acquired microcephaly, spasticity, ataxia, dystonia and mental retardation are the cardinal features of the syndrome. Over the years, the clinical spectrum of GLUT-1 DS has been expanded beyond the original phenotype. Clinical features of seizures present with a wide spectrum, however generalized seizures are reported as the most common seizure types in the patients received diagnosis of GLUT-1 DS. In recent years, there are number of epilepsy syndromes described in association with GLUT-1 DS has been shown to be the underlying cause for 10% of early onset absence epilepsy, 5% of Myoclonic astatic epilepsy (MAE) and 1% of idiopathic generalized epilepsies. Seizures are often remained refractory despite the treatment with a number of antiepileptic medications. Valproate and benzodiazepines are relatively contraindicated for the treatment of seizures in this syndrome. Ethanol and caffeine also inhibits GLUT-1 transport activity and may exacerbate seizures. Ketogenic diet remains the most effective treatment in order to meet the energy demand of developing brain. GLUT-1 DS should be suspected in the individuals with family history of idiopathic generalized epilepsy and/or paroxysmal dyskinesia. Moreover, the families with absence epilepsy with a wide range of age of onset or seizure types should also be screened for GLUT-1 DS.
Instruction Scheduling and Global Register Allocation for SIMD Multiprocessors

Current trends in system design are pointing to using more and more processing units and storage units in a single system. In order to generate programs for these types of distributed memory machines, the challenge is to coordinate and schedule multiple functional units to perform computations efficiently.
Photorefractive Polymers with Non‐Destructive Readout

Photorefractive polymers are suitable for real-time holographic applications. Since the recording and readout of a hologram is carried out with laser beams with the same wavelength, the readout process partially erases the stored information, a problem common to all current photorefractive materials and referred to as destructive readout. In this paper we describe photorefractive polymers that are sensitized by two-photon absorption. Holographic recording is achieved with high-intensity writing beams and readout using low light intensity, but high power beams. Using this nonlinear recording scheme, non-destructive readout was demonstrated.
Development of NASA Technical Standards Program Relative to Enhancing Engineering Capabilities

The enhancement of engineering capabilities is an important aspect of any organization; especially those engaged in aerospace development activities. Technical Standards are one of the key elements of this endeavor. The NASA Technical Standards Program was formed in 1997 in response to the NASA Administrator s directive to develop an Agencywide Technical Standards Program. The Program s principal objective involved the converting Center-unique technical standards into Agency wide standards and the adoption/endorsement of non-Government technical standards in lieu of government standards. In the process of these actions, the potential for further enhancement of the Agency s engineering capabilities was noted relative to value of being able to access Agencywide the necessary full-text technical standards, standards update notifications, and integration of lessons learned with technical standards, all available to the user from one Website. This was accomplished and is now being enhanced based on feedbacks from the Agency's engineering staff and supporting contractors. This paper addresses the development experiences with the NASA Technical Standards Program and the enhancement of the Agency's engineering capabilities provided by the Program s products. Metrics are provided on significant aspects of the Program.
Polarized Proton-Proton Elastic Scattering at RHIC

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider provides colliding polarized proton beams of 25 to 250 GeV/c momentum. With silicon strip detectors installed in Roman Pots at about 58 m on either side of the interaction point (IP) of the STAR detector, elastic scattering will be studied at a center of mass (cms) energy of 200 GeV and four momentum transfer squared range of 0.003 GeV2/c2⩽|t|⩽0.03 GeV2/c2, with 100% acceptance and full φ coverage. Measurements of single and double spin asymmetries will be carried out with special beam optics. An upgrade with additional Roman pots closer to the IP will increase the kinematic range to |t|⩽1.5 GeV2/c2 at s = 500 GeV. Simulation studies of the detector acceptance for 200 GeV cms energy will be given.
Neutrophil-Releasing Activity in Plasma of Normal Human Subjects Injected with Etiocholanolone:

SummaryEtiocholanolone was administered to normal subjects and heparinized plasma was collected at varying time intervals from 1.5 to 17 hr afterwards. Control subjects received either no injection or endotoxin, an agent known to increase neu-trophil-releasing activity. Readministration of the autologous plasma to the control subjects who received no injection prior to the plasmaphoresis caused no neutrophilic leu-kocytosis. The plasma obtained after endotoxin and etiocholanolone administration showed neutrophil-releasing activity and the mean activity for pairs of subjects given etiocholanolone was progressively greater through 17 hr after the injection. This study, along with similar studies in human subjects and experimental animals, suggests that the release of neutrophils from the bone marrow is subject to humoral regulation.
DNA amplification fingerprinting: A strategy for genome analysis

A novel strategy to detect genetic differences among organisms, DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF), uses a thermostable DNA polymerase directed by usually one short (≥5 bp) oligonucleotide primer of arbitrary sequence to amplify short segments of genomic DNA and generate a range of DNA extension products. These products can be analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. DAF is rapid and sensitive and is independent of cloning and prior genetic characterization. Here we describe this new methodology, its application to plant genotyping, and its perspectives in DNA fingerprinting and genome mapping.
The Georgia Tech digital signal multiprocessor

Techniques for implementation of digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms on synchronous multiprocessors studied for the past ten years are discussed. This research is characterised as a theoretical investigation of optimality criteria for the implementation of DSP algorithms and the development of a unique approach that can achieve these optimality criteria. A result of this ongoing research program has been the development of a set of formal techniques for the automatic realization of optimal synchronous supercomputer implementations for a large class of iterative or recursive DSP algorithms. Three experimental laboratory digital signal microprocessor (DSMP) systems designed to provide experimental verification of the theoretical results are described. This has provided important feedback to drive the theoretical developments. Compilers that take flow graph specifications of algorithms and generate optimal multiprocessor code are also discussed. >
Friction compensation in the presence of flexibility

An adaptive state feedback control scheme is developed for noncanonical form systems with unknown parameters, by employing static state feedback for pole placement and dynamic output feedback for parameter adaptation. The developed control scheme does not need a restrictive state space model matching condition for an adaptive state feedback design. An extended model reference adaptive control scheme is then developed for control of the two-body system with nonlinear friction components in the presence of flexibility.
Supramolecular main-chain liquid crystalline polymers and networks with competitive hydrogen bonding: networks and linear polymers created from tris- and bis-functionalised pyridyl networking agents

A series of supramolecular polymers and networks with variable liquid crystalline characteristics have been created. These species are formed through the benzoic acid/pyridine hydrogen bonding of a flexible bis-acid and a mixture of a rigid bis-pyridyl and non-mesogenic tris- and bis-pyridyl molecules. The tris networked systems displayed liquid crystalline characteristics up to and including 31.0% netpoint inclusion. Above this concentration, only crystalline and melting behaviours were observed. The bis-containing polymer system displayed liquid crystalline characteristics up to and including 22.5% inclusion. The phenomenon observed in the tris system would seem to be linked to a statistical correlation of hydrogen bond acceptors and donors. The elimination of liquid crystallinity at lower concentrations of the bis-pyridyl dopant could be attributed to the lower melting nature of that species. Smectic phases were found in both series of complexes in loadings up to 10% of the non-liquid crystalline compo...
The Demonic Hegemonic: Exploitative Voices in Saul Bellow's More Die of Heartbreak

Abstract Saul Bellow's novel More Die of Heartbreak opens with the observation of its narrator Kenneth Trachtenberg that his maternal uncle Benn Crader is obsessed with a cartoon by Charles Addams, author of Monster Rally.
Down-modulation of cancer targets using locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based antisense oligonucleotides without transfection

Usually, small interfering RNAs and most antisense molecules need mechanical or chemical delivery methods to down-modulate the targeted mRNA. However, these delivery approaches complicate the interpretations of biological consequences. We show that locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based antisense oligonucleotides (LNA–ONs) readily down-modulate genes of interest in multiple cell lines without any delivery means. The down-modulation of genes was quick, robust, long-lasting and specific followed by potent down-modulation of protein. The efficiency of the effect varied among the 30 tumor cell lines investigated. The most robust effects were found in those cells where nuclear localization of the LNA–ON was clearly observed. Importantly, without using any delivery agent, we demonstrated that HER3 mRNA and protein could be efficiently down-modulated in cells and a tumor xenograft model. These data provide a simple and efficient approach to identify potential drug targets and animal models. Further elucidation of the mechanism of cellular uptake and trafficking of LNA–ONs may enhance not only the therapeutic values of this platform but also antisense molecules in general.
Pressure fields from aircraft and localized severe weather as building design parameters

Abstract We observe that aircraft produce pressure increases at the surface proportional to the aircraft weight. Measured values are in general agreement with predictions. The time scales are longer for aircraft weight transfer pressure changes (typically 2–4 s, than for acoustic shock waves related to supersonic flight (typically 0.1–0.3 s). However, the amplitudes (typically from 0.1–1 mbar) are comparable. Summaries of observed aircraft pressure transients together with pressure measurements for thunderstorm gust fronts, downflows, and tornadoes should serve as a resource for investigating structure designs under a variety of conditions of atmospheric loading.
A predictive analytics approach to reducing 30-day avoidable readmissions among patients with heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, or COPD

Hospital readmission has become a critical metric of quality and cost of healthcare. Medicare anticipates that nearly $17 billion is paid out on the 20 % of patients who are readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Although several interventions such as transition care management have been practiced in recent years, the effectiveness and sustainability depends on how well they can identify patients at high risk of rehospitalization. Based on the literature, most current risk prediction models fail to reach an acceptable accuracy level; none of them considers patient’s history of readmission and impacts of patient attribute changes over time; and they often do not discriminate between planned and unnecessary readmissions. Tackling such drawbacks, we develop a new readmission metric based on administrative data that can identify potentially avoidable readmissions from all other types of readmission. We further propose a tree-based classification method to estimate the predicted probability of readmission that can directly incorporate patient’s history of readmission and risk factors changes over time. The proposed methods are validated with 2011–12 Veterans Health Administration data from inpatients hospitalized for heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the State of Michigan. Results shows improved discrimination power compared to the literature (c-statistics >80 %) and good calibration.
Neural Networks for Readability Analysis

This article describes and reports on the performance of six related artificial neural networks that have been developed for the purpose of readability analysis. Two networks employ counts of linguistic variables that simulate a traditional regression-based approach to readability. The remaining networks determine readability from “visual snapshots” of text. Input text is transformed into a visual pattern representing activation levels for input level nodes and then “blurred” slightly in an effort to promote generalization. Each network included one hidden layer of nodes in addition to input and an output layers. Of the four snapshot readability systems, two are trained to produce grade equivalent output and two depict readability as a distribution of activation values across several grade levels. Results of preliminary trials indicate that the correlation between visual input systems and judgements by experts is low although, in at least one case, comparable to previous correlations reported between read...
Every implanted child a star (and some other failures): 1 Guilt and shame in the cochlear implant debates 2

In June 1990, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of cochlear implants for deaf children triggering a volatile debate between persons working within the field of communication disorders and the Deaf community. This essay explores the work of Kenneth Burke on guilt and Helen Merrell Lynd on shame in assessing the dramatically varying perspectives on cochlear implants and in attempting to reconstruct the paths along which each of these perspectives travel. The controversy over the cochlear implantation of children serves as a representative anecdote for the broader societal struggle over the role and the consequences of technology in modern human life.
Improvement of gate dielectric reliability for p+poly MOS devices using remote PECVD top nitride deposition on ultra-thin (2.4–6 nm) gate oxides

Abstract Dual layer dielectrics have been formed by remote PECVD deposition of ultra-thin (0.4–1.2 nm) nitrides onto thin thermal oxides grown on n -type Si(100) substrates. Activation of boron-implanted p + polycrystalline silicon gate electrodes was accomplished by a high temperature anneal, 1–4 min at 1000°C. Boron penetration through the dielectric film to the n -type substrate was investigated by performing a quasi-static C – V analysis and monitoring the flatband voltage shift. Boron penetration was effectively stopped by a 0.8 nm nitride film, and partially stopped by a 0.4 nm nitride film. In addition, the charge to breakdown as monitored by the Q bd value to 50% cumulative failure was highest for the device with the 0.8 nm top nitride, and decreased significantly in the thermal oxide. However there were essentially no differences in the mid-gap interface state densities, D it , between oxide and nitride/oxide gate dielectric structures with Al gate. It is concluded that the 0.8 nm of plasma nitride was sufficient to block boron atom out-diffusion from a heavily implanted p + poly-silicon gate electrode under the conditions of an aggressive implant activation anneal to improve the dielectric reliability.
UV light phototransduction activates transient receptor potential A1 ion channels in human melanocytes

Human skin is constantly exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), the most prevalent environmental carcinogen. Humans have the unique ability among mammals to respond to UVR by increasing their skin pigmentation, a protective process driven by melanin synthesis in epidermal melanocytes. The molecular mechanisms used by melanocytes to detect and respond to long-wavelength UVR (UVA) are not well understood. We recently identified a UVA phototransduction pathway in melanocytes that is mediated by G protein-coupled receptors and leads to rapid calcium mobilization. Here we report that in human epidermal melanocytes physiological doses of UVR activate a retinal-dependent current mediated by transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) ion channels. The TRPA1 photocurrent is UVA-specific and requires G protein and phospholipase C signaling, thus contributing to UVA-induced calcium responses to mediate downstream cellular effects and providing evidence for TRPA1 function in mammalian phototransduction. Remarkably, TRPA1 activation is required for the UVR-induced and retinal-dependent early increase in cellular melanin. Our results show that TRPA1 is essential for a unique extraocular phototransduction pathway in human melanocytes that is activated by physiological doses of UVR and results in early melanin synthesis.
Metallic hydrogen II high-temperature superconductivity

Abstract In this paper we discuss the possibility and the consequences of high-temperature superconductivity in the proposed metallic phase of hydrogen. Using the results of an earlier paper we also consider the pressure dependence and the connection of high-temperature superconductivity with metallic hydrogen properties.
Identification of the Orphan G Protein-coupled Receptor GPR31 as a Receptor for 12-(S)-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid

Hydroxy fatty acids are critical lipid mediators involved in various pathophysiologic functions. We cloned and identified GPR31, a plasma membrane orphan G protein-coupled receptor that displays high affinity for the human 12-lipoxygenase-derived product 12-(S)-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (HETE). Thus, GPR31 is named 12-(S)-HETE receptor (12-HETER) in this study. The cloned 12-HETER demonstrated high affinity binding for 12-(S)-[3H]HETE (Kd = 4.8 ± 0.12 nm). Also, 12-(S)-HETE efficiently and selectively stimulated GTPγS coupling in the membranes of 12-HETER-transfected cells (EC50 = 0.28 ± 1.26 nm). Activating GTPγS coupling with 12-(S)-HETE proved to be both regio- and stereospecific. Also, 12-(S)-HETE/12-HETER interactions lead to activation of ERK1/2, MEK, and NFκB. Moreover, knocking down 12-HRTER specifically inhibited 12-(S)-HETE-stimulated cell invasion. Thus, 12-HETER represents the first identified high affinity receptor for the 12-(S)-HETE hydroxyl fatty acids.
In vivo release of dopamine during perfusion of neurotensin in substantia nigra of the unrestrained rat.

The functional effect of neurotensin on the kinetics of dopamine (DA) release in the substantia nigra of the freely moving rat was investigated. After guide tubes for push-pull perfusion were implanted stereotaxically just above the substantia nigra, endogenous stores of DA in this structure were labelled by micro-injection of 0.02–0.05 μCi of [14C]-DA. Then an artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was perfused within the site at a rate of 20 μl/min at successive 5 min intervals. Neurotensin added to the CSF perfusate in concentrations of 0.05–0.1 μg/μl evoked an immediate, Ca++ dependent release of DA from sites directly within the substantia nigra or a delayed efflux when the peptide was perfused at the edge of this structure. Neurotensin failed to affect the pattern of release of this monoamine at sites which were not within the substantia nigra. Further, the body temperature of the rat also was not altered by neurotensin at any of the sites of perfusions. A relatively inactive analogue of the peptide, [D-Arg]9 neurotensin, was essentially without effect on DA activity. In double isotope experiments in which the substantia nigra of the rat was labelled with both [3H]-5-HT and [14C]-DA, the perfusion with neurotensin failed to affect 5-HT efflux while the release of DA was enhanced. Chromatographic analysis of the metabolites of DA in samples of push-pull perfusates revealed that neurotensin enhanced significantly the level of DOPAC and HVA. Overall, these results demonstrate that in the unrestrained rat neurotensin acts selectively within the substantia nigra to alter the presynaptic, Ca++ dependent release of DA. It is suggested that the mechanism by which the tri-decapeptide functions within this brainstem structure is through its modulation of nigral dopaminergic neurons.
Preformulation Studies with Melanotan-II: A Potential Skin Cancer Chemopreventive Peptide

Melanotan-II (1) is a cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) which tans the skin and is currently being evaluated for the prevention of sunlight-induced skin cancers. The dissociation constants of 1 were determined using potentiometric titration and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The pKa1 (histidine) and pKa2 (arginine) were estimated to be 6.54 and 11.72, respectively. The apparent partition coefficient (PC) was measured at three pH values using both n-octanol and isooctane as the nonpolar phase. The PC(octanol) and delta log PC at pH 7.35 were 2.82 and 1.05, respectively. These data, together with the observance of a bioavailability of 4.6% in the rat, indicate that 1 may be a suitable candidate for oral delivery. The data presented here are useful in developing an appropriate dosage form for 1.
Food additives and developmental disorders: the case of erythrosin (FD&C Red #3), or guilty until proven innocent?

Abstract The role of dietary constituents, particularly deliberate additives, in the etiology of developmental disorders has been a controversial issue. Numerous clinical trials, including both challenge and elimination studies, have attempted to address these issues. Varying results have been obtained with both controlled placebo or crossover studies. Moreover, by design, a variety of dietary components have been studied, ranging from a mixture of food colors to dietary manipulations that have changed the concentrations of dozens of compounds. Conversely, some reports do link a single food constituent to these behavioral problems, and this permits more directed mechanistic studies. This laboratory has been involved in studies related to the certified food color FDC erythrosin). This color has been reported to alter neurotransmitter uptake or oubain binding, either effect, if real, being sufficient to explain behavioral disturbances. Contrary to earlier reports, we found that the chemical nature of the compound caused biochemical artifacts which obfuscated interpretation of the previously cited biochemical data. Moreover, only extremely high doses of this color caused behavioral effects in rats. Since preliminary pharmacokinetic studies suggested that the color would not enter the central nervous system readily, then it is probably not sufficiently neurotoxic to pose a human hazard. These results exemplify the necessity of considering basic principles of pharmacology and physiology before assigning neurotoxicity to a specific agent.
Induction and Termination of Winter Diapause in a Californian Strain of the Cabbage Maggot (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Populations of the cabbage maggot, Delia radicum (L.), occur in the field during all seasons in coastal northern California because the climate is mild, hosts are available, and a percentage of the population does not enter diapause. Laboratory experiments on this population of the cabbage maggot showed the following 6 results: (1) criteria for diapause vary with the conditions that induce diapause, (2) the proportion of larvae entering diapause is highest at low temperatures across all photoperiods and at short photoperiods across all temperatures, (3) developmental times of larvae producing diapause pupae were longer than for those producing nondiapause pupae, (4) rearing larvae at high temperatures and short photoperiods increased the diapause period for the pupal stage, (5) average pupal weights of diapause pupae (20.20 ± 2.27 mg) (mean ± SD) were higher than for nondiapause pupae (18.01 ± 3.31), and (6) fresh pupae weighing <15.5 mg did not complete diapause. The results support previous findings that field populations of D. radicum are induced into winter diapause mainly by short photoperiods, whereas temperature has a lesser effect.
Optofluidic jet waveguide enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Abstract An optofluidic device based on a liquid jet waveguide has been successfully applied in Raman spectroscopy. The sample under analysis is used to produce a liquid stream by means of a capillary nozzle. The waveguiding nature of the stream is used to effectively collect the Raman signal arising from chemical compounds when opportunely excited. An aligned configuration allows a direct coupling between the liquid jet and a multimode optical fiber used to deliver Raman signal toward the detection system. This approach avoids any necessity to contain the solution by solid walls and removes any background signal coming from the substrate that commonly affects Raman measurements. Two different set-up configurations are proposed and compared in terms of excitation/collection efficiency. Experimental measurements performed on ethanol–water solutions show high sensitivity enhancement of our sensor with respect bulk measurements. Measurements performed on potassium nitrate solution show high potentiality of our optofluidic sensor in water quality analysis and monitoring.
Origin of copper precipitation strengthening in steel revisited

Abstract Evaluation of the various sources of strengthening of ferritic steels by body-centered cubic (bcc) Cu alloy precipitates using the usual models eliminated misfit and modulus mismatch as the sources. The strengthening was attributed to the details of forcing a dislocation through a bcc Cu precipitate.
Further Applications of Scintillation Scanning Technics to the Diagnosis and Management of Infants and Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Radionuclide angiography provides a reliable and extremely rapid technic for assessing the physiologic and pathologic features of cardiovascular malformations. Eighty-six infants and children and seven adults have been studied after intravenous infusion of 99m technetium with a scintillation camera coupled to a computer-tape storage system. Pulmonary vascular isotope-dilution curves detected the presence or absence of left-to-right intra- or extracardiac shunts with great sensitivity. Therefore, the method has especially widespread applicability in the distinction between organic and innocent heart murmurs, in the evaluation of postoperative patients, and in the assessment of the natural course of selected, specific malformations. Moreover, also without resorting to cardiac catheterization, scintillation scanning is capable of defining great artery orientation and position, cardiac chamber position, approximate chamber volumes, and the distribution of pulmonary arterial blood flow. The method described is technically simple, without known risk, is easily applicable to large numbers of patients, and provides clinically important information concerning many forms of congenital heart disease.
Akt2 Negatively Regulates Assembly of the POSH-MLK-JNK Signaling Complex

We demonstrate that POSH, a scaffold for the JNK signaling pathway, binds to Akt2. A POSH mutant that is unable to bind Akt2 (POSH W489A) exhibits enhanced-binding to MLK3, and this increase in binding is accompanied by increased activation of the JNK signaling pathway. In addition, we show that the association of MLK3 with POSH is increased upon inhibition of the endogenous phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, the assembly of an active JNK signaling complex by POSH is negatively regulated by Akt2. Further, the level of Akt-phosphorylated MLK3 is reduced in cells expressing the Akt2 binding domain of POSH, which acts as a dominant interfering protein. Taken together, our results support a model in which Akt2 binds to a POSH-MLK-MKK-JNK complex and phosphorylates MLK3; phosphorylation of MLK3 by Akt2 results in the disassembly of the JNK complex bound to POSH and down-regulation of the JNK signaling pathway.
A new synthesis of cis-(alkene)dichloro(phosphine)platinum(II) complexes

Abstract Propene complexes, cis -[PtCl 2 (PR 3 )(η 2 -C 3 H 6 )], are formed quickly and in good yield by the reaction of [Ptη 3 -C 3 H 5 )Cl(PR 3 )] with HCl. They are proposed as a preferred starting material in a general synthesis of alkene complexes, cis -[PtCl 2 (PR 3 )(η 2 alkene)].
Sharp-interface and phase-field theories of recrystallization in the plane

Abstract A continuum framework is presented for recrystallization. The driving force is the energy stored in dislocation substructures, here characterized with the aid of a scalar measure, the dislocation content. Grain boundary kinetics are derived from a configurational force balance, a mechanical version of the second law, and suitable constitutive assumptions. A relation is obtained characterizing the efficiency with which dislocation substructure is eliminated by moving grain boundaries. Using a system of microforce balances, the sharp interface theory is shown to have a phase-field regularization that obviates the need to track individual grain boundaries. The sharp interface theory is recovered, via formal asymptotics, as a limiting case.
Cell polarity triggered by cell-cell adhesion via E-cadherin.

Cell polarity is orchestrated by numerous extracellular cues, and guides events such as chemotaxis, mitosis and wound healing. In scrape-wound assays of cell monolayers, wound-edge cells orient their centrosomes towards the wound, a process that appears to depend on the formation of new cell–extracellular-matrix adhesions as cells spread into the wound. In direct contrast to scrape-wounded cells, isolated cells without cell-cell contacts failed to polarize, suggesting that asymmetry of cell-cell adhesions resulting from monolayer disruption might contribute to polarization. By using micropatterned substrates to engineer such asymmetries in kidney epithelial cells, we found that cell-cell contact induced displacement of the nucleus towards the contact, and also caused centrosomal reorientation and lamellipodial ruffling to the distal side of the nucleus. Upon release from micropatterned constraints, cells exhibited directed migration away from the cell-cell contact. Disrupting E-cadherin engagement randomized nuclear position and lamellipodial ruffling in patterned cultures, and abrogated scrape-wound-induced cell reorientation, but not migration rate. Polarity that was induced by cell-cell contact required an intact actin cytoskeleton and Cdc42 activity, but not RhoA or Rac signaling. Together, these findings demonstrate a novel role for cell-cell adhesion in polarization, and have implications for wound healing and developmental patterning.