cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses to PR1 Peptide in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Inversely Correlate with Proteinase 3 and Elastase Expression but Donor PR1 Responses Determine Survival after Stem Cell Transplantation.

The primary granule proteins (PGP) neutrophil elastase (ELA2) and proteinase 3 (PR3) both contain the nonapeptide PR1 which can induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The relative contribution of PR3 and ELA2 to PR1 expression is not known. We previously found that higher levels of PR3 and ELA2 gene expression in CD34+ progenitor cells were associated with longer survival in CML patients. Eradication of leukemia depends on the elimination of leukemic stem cells which are thought to reside within the CD34+ progenitor cell pool. We therefore studied PGP expression and T cell response to PR1 in 23 CML patients and their HLA-identical family donors prior to T-cell depleted allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) with T-cell add-back on day 45–100 post-SCT. CD8+ T cells and CD34+ progenitor cells were purified from mononuclear cells (MNC) of cryopreserved leukapheresis products from HLA-A*0201+ CML patients. Following reverse transcription of RNA from MNC and CD34+ cells, ELA2 and PR3 gene expression was measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR). To assess PR1-CTL responses, T2 cells were loaded with PR1 peptide (VLQELNVTV) at 0.1, 1, and 10μM for 2h, irradiated and subsequently co-cultured with CD8+ T cells for 3h. PR1-CTL response was measured as interferon-γ mRNA expression (relative to CD8) obtained by RQ-PCR. PR1-specific CTL responses were detected in 5/23 CML patients and 6/16 HLA-identical donors. In CML patients, pre-SCT expression of both PR3 and ELA2 in MNC was strongly correlated with the expression in CD34+ cells (p=0.009 and p=0.0006 respectively). There was an inverse relationship between PR1-CTL response in CML patients pre-SCT and PR3 or ELA2 expression (p=0.02 and p=0.01 respectively). This data suggest that both PR3 and ELA2 expression in CD34+ cells and their progeny are a potential source of PR1. However, high expression of these proteins may result in selective deletion of PR1 T cell clones. The presence of PR1-responses in HLA-identical donors was associated with an improved overall survival post-SCT. However, there was no impact of PR1-response in either CML patients pre-SCT or donors, on time to achieve molecular remission post-SCT but a greater proportion of patients whose donors did not have a PR1-response succumbed to fatal graft-versus-host disease. These findings support post-transplant vaccination strategies with PR1 peptide to eradicate minimal residual disease but in patients who are not eligible for SCT, the lower PR1 response in the presence of high PGP expression suggests that there is a risk that vaccines given to patients with minimal residual disease could induce tolerance.
High quality lips animation with speech and captured facial action unit as A/V input

Rendering realistic lips movements in avatar with camera captured human's facial features is desirable in many applications, e.g. telepresence, video gaming, social networking, etc. We have proposed to use Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) to generate lips trajectory and successfully tested in speech-to-lips conversion experiments, where only audio signal (speech) is used as input. In this paper real-time user's facial features called the Action Units (AUs) well tracked by Microsoft Kinect SDK with a consumer-grade RGB camera, are combined with speech to form joint A/V input for lips animation. We test the lips ani-mation performance and show that the new combined A/V input can improve the conversion error rate by 22% in a speaker de-pendent test, compared with a baseline system.
Desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma/ganglioglioma with rare BRAF V600D mutation

Background Desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma (DIA) and desmoplastic infantile gangliogliomas (DIGs) are rare, massive, cystic and solid tumors of infants usually found in superficial cerebral hemispheres. They manifest prominent desmoplastic stroma, admixed neoplastic astrocytes, primitive-appearing small cells, and additional neoplastic ganglion cells in the case of DIGs. While v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) mutation is found in up to 50% of pediatric gangliogliomas, two recent studies found that it was rare in DIA/DIGs; we sought to assess BRAF status in DIA/DIGs from our institution. Procedure Departmental files from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed to identify cases. Clinical, neuroimaging, histological, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) features were assessed; the latter included IHC for astrocytic and neuronal markers and BRAF VE1. BRAF mutational assessment by Sanger and next-generation sequencing was attempted in all cases. Results All six identified cases (four males–two females; three DIA–three DIG) occurred in children <1-year old, were large, cerebral-hemispheric, cystic and solid, and enhancing tumors. Only one case, a DIG with prominent aggregates of neoplastic ganglion cells, showed either BRAF VE1 IHC positivity or mutation by Sanger and next-generation sequencing (rare c. 1799_1800delinsAT; p. V600D). Four of six archival cases were BRAF VE1 IHC negative, but failed mutational sequencing. Conclusion Five of six classic DIA/DIGs were negative for BRAF mutation; previous series have identified BRAF mutation in two of 18 and one of 14 cases, although all were the more common BRAF V600E. We were unable to find other examples of glial tumors in public databases with this rare BRAF V600D mutation. Identification of BRAF mutational opens the possibility of BRAF-targeted therapies for the subset of DIA/DIG that clinically progress postresection.
Aetiology and management of earlier vs later biochemical recurrence after retropubic radical prostatectomy.

Objectives To examine the characteristics and management of earlier (within 5 years) vs later (after 5 years) biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP). Materials and Methods Between October 2000 and October 2009, 1597 men underwent open retropubic RP. BCRs were managed using salvage radiation therapy (SRT), androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or active surveillance (AS). BCR-free survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Factors predicting earlier or later BCR and BCR after SRT were assessed using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models, respectively. Results The probabilities of developing BCR within 5 years and 10 years were 12.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.7–13.9) and 18.4% (95% CI 16.2–20.6), respectively. On multivariate analysis, prostate-specific antigen doubling time, positive surgical margins and pathological Gleason score significantly differentiated earlier from later BCR. Overall, 74.5, 12.7 and 12.7% of men developing BCR underwent SRT, ADT or AS, respectively. A significantly greater proportion of men in the earlier BCR group underwent SRT (80.8 vs 59%) and ADT (14.6 vs 8.2%), and a significantly greater proportion of men in the later BCR group underwent AS (32.8 vs 4.6%; P<0.001). The response to SRT was independent of time to BCR. On multivariate analysis, clinical stage and pathological stage significantly predicted failure of SRT. Conclusions Approximately one third of BCRs occurred between 5 and 10 years after RP. The aetiology and management of BCR was dependent on time to BCR, whereas response to SRT was independent of time to recurrence. Long-term follow-up is mandatory beyond 5 years for all men after RP.
Weight management in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A randomized controlled trial of two dietary approaches.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of obesity among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is equal to or greater than the general population. METHODS Overweight/obese adults (BMI ≥25 kg/m2 ) with mild-to-moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities were randomized to an enhanced stop light diet (eSLD = SLD + portion-controlled meals, n = 78) or a conventional diet (CD, n = 72) for an 18 months trial (6 months weight loss, 12 months maintenance). Participants were asked to increase physical activity (150 min/week), self-monitor diet and physical activity and attend counselling/educational sessions during monthly home visits. RESULTS Weight loss (6 months) was significantly greater in the eSLD (-7.0% ± 5.0%) compared with the CD group (-3.8% ± 5.1%, p < .001). However, at 18 months, weight loss between groups did not differ significantly (eSLD = -6.7% ± 8.3%; CD = 6.4% ± 8.6%; p = .82). CONCLUSION The eSLD and CD provided clinically meaningful weight loss over 18 months in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
L’EFFICACITÉ DES INTERVENTIONS FAVORISANT LE BONHEUR : UNE SYNTHÈSE

L’objectif du present article est de passer en revue la litterature grandissante portant sur les interventions psychologiques destinees a accroitre le bonheur. On discute d’abord de la notion de bonheur et de l’importance de celui-ci pour les individus et les groupes sociaux. Ensuite, on presente une vue d’ensemble des interventions orientees vers le bonheur au moyen d’exercices specifiques variees en considerant leur efficacite. Une section est consacree aux implications cliniques des dites interventions pour la sante mentale et physique. Enfin, on fait la promotion de l’usage des technologies sophistiquees pour la diffusion des strategies favorisant le bonheur.
Expression patterns of flowering genes in leaves of ‘Pineapple’ sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] and pummelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck)

In citrus the transition from juvenility to mature phase is marked by the capability of a tree to flower and fruit consistently. The long period of juvenility in citrus severely impedes the use of genetic based strategies to improve fruit quality, disease resistance, and responses to abiotic environmental factors. One of the genes whose expression signals flower development in many plant species is FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT). In this study, gene expression levels of flowering genes CiFT1, CiFT2 and CiFT3 were determined using reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR in citrus trees over a 1 year period in Florida. Distinct genotypes of citrus trees of different ages were used. In mature trees of pummelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) and ‘Pineapple’ sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) the expression of all three CiFT genes was coordinated and significantly higher in April, after flowering was over, regardless of whether they were in the greenhouse or in the field. Interestingly, immature ‘Pineapple’ seedlings showed significantly high levels of CiFT3 expression in April and June, while CiFT1 and CiFT2 were highest in June, and hence their expression induction was not simultaneous as in mature plants. In mature citrus trees the induction of CiFTs expression in leaves occurs at the end of spring and after flowering has taken place suggesting it is not associated with dormancy interruption and further flower bud development but is probably involved with shoot apex differentiation and flower bud determination. CiFTs were also seasonally induced in immature seedlings, indicating that additional factors must be suppressing flowering induction and their expression has other functions.
Microbes REV up Host Metabolism around the Clock.

There is increasing evidence that the microbiome regulates host metabolism, but specific mechanisms underlying these interactions remain poorly understood. In a recent paper in Science, Wang et al. (2017) reveal that the gut microbiota regulates the expression of circadian-clock genes to impact host lipid metabolism and body composition.
Enantioselective Total Syntheses of Methanoquinolizidine-Containing Akuammiline Alkaloids and Related Studies.

The akuammiline alkaloids are a structurally diverse class of bioactive natural products isolated from plants found in various parts of the world. A particularly challenging subset of akuammiline alkaloids are those that contain a methanoquinolizidine core. We describe a synthetic approach to these compounds that has enabled the first total syntheses of (+)-strictamine, (−)-2(S)-cathafoline, (+)-akuammiline, and (−)-Ψ-akuammigine. Our strategy relies on the development of the reductive interrupted Fischer indolization reaction to construct a common pentacyclic intermediate bearing five contiguous stereocenters, in addition to late-stage formation of the methanoquinolizidine framework using a deprotection–cyclization cascade. The total syntheses of (−)-Ψ-akuammigine and (+)-akuammiline mark the first preparations of akuammiline alkaloids containing both a methanoquinolizidine core and vicinal quaternary centers. Lastly, we describe the bioinspired reductive rearrangements of (+)-strictamine and (+)-akuammi...
Backward π+p elastic scattering from a direct channel Δδ resonance model

Abstract The available experimental data on backward π+p elastic scattering in the angular region of cosθ=-0.94 to cosθ = -1 for laboratory momenta of 400 MeV/c to 4 GeV/c are adequately explained by direct channel contributions of knowm I = 3 2 resonances. Comparison with the data requires positive parities for the I = 3 2 resonances at 2450 and 2850 MeV in agreement with Δδ Regge recurrence assignments.
Reaction-Based Processing Methods for Ceramics and Composites

Elaboration de composites ceramiques par infiltration chimique en phase vapeur, reaction de liaison en phase gazeuse, oxydation directe, reactions solide-liquide, synthese auto-propageante, reactions d'echange
The Free Groups

In many applications of group theory, and specifically in our subsequent analysis of the fundamental groups of the complementary spaces of knots, the groups are described by “defining relations,” or, as we are going to say later, are “presented”. We have here another (and completely different) analogy with analytic geometry. In analytic geometry a coordinate system is selected, and the geometric configuration to be studied is defined by a set of one or more equations. In the theory of group presentations the role that is played in analytic geometry by a coordinate system is played by a free group. Therefore, the study of group presentations must begin with a careful description of the free groups.
The Implicit Function Theorem and the Elementary Closure Theorem

As in Section 2.15 let us consider briefly an abstract space S of elements x, and let us assume that a concept σ of convergence of sequences x k of elements of S has been defined, satisfying the two main axioms: (a) If [x k ] converges to x in S, then any subsequence \( \left[ {{{x}_{{{{k}_{s}}}}}} \right] \) also converges to x; (b) Any sequence of repetitions [x, x,…,x,…] must converge to x, where x is any element of S. Any such space is called a σ-limit space. In Section 2.15 we introduced the concepts of σ-lower and σ-upper semicontinuity of a functional F:S → reals. A functional which is both upper and lower semicontinuous is said to be continuous. Let us show here that, already at this level of generality, quite relevant theorems can be proved. To this effect, let us carry over the usual concepts. Thus, we say that a subset A of S is σ-closed if all elements of accumulation of A in S belong to A; that is, if x0 ∈ S is the σ-limit of elements x k of A, then x0 ∈ A. We say that a subset A of S is relatively sequentially σ-compact if every sequence [x k ] of elements of A possesses a subsequence \( \left[ {{{x}_{{{{k}_{s}}}}}} \right] \) which is σ-convergent to an element x of S.
Informatics Education in Healthcare : Lessons Learned

This book provides a comprehensive description of informatics education programs in healthcare. It includes analysis and lessons from almost a 40-year history in the developed countries as well as newer programs that are expanding in less well-resourced areas. From an initial focus on the development of informatics researchers who would apply their informatics and computer science knowledge and skills to the healthcare domain, we have seen more and more programs being developed for healthcare administrators, practitioners and scientists who recognize that they need informatics expertise to function within their own domain. This chapter synthesizes the lessons that have been described throughout the book
Familial Aggregation of Plastic Surgical Procedures

A growing number of patients seeking plastic surgical procedures in the authors' practice are first-degree relatives of previous surgical patients. Three possibilities for procedural coalescence within a family unit include (1) similar morphologic and anatomical patterns within relatives; (2) a captive "audience" (family members) appreciates firsthand the surgical result and positive difference, be it functional or aesthetic; or (3) the rapport established between surgeon and patient leads that patient to recommend his or her surgeon to others. The purpose of this study was to identify the authors' recent cohort of family members undergoing similar or related procedures performed by the same surgeon (D.M.S.), and understand the diagnoses, factors, and rationale for "passing the torch" to other family members to undergo surgery. Survey responses from 17 members of 10 families who sought elective procedures after an index family member indicated that both the result of the first operation and rapport with the surgeon were important factors in their decision to undergo surgery (mean Likert response ± SD, 4.94 ± 0.24). Ninety-four percent of family members (16 of 17) indicated that the result of the original procedure was the most important factor in their decision to undergo subsequent procedures performed by the same surgeon. Eighty-eight percent of family members (15 of 17) seeking subsequent procedures were not considering undergoing surgery before observing the result of the first index procedure. The data demonstrate the importance of achieving an excellent surgical result in earning the trust of patients and establishing strong family referral patterns.
The microbiome and HLA-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis

Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) and the spondyloarthritis (SpA) subtypes ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are among the inflammatory diseases affected by the biology of the intestinal microbiome. In this Review, the relationship between AAU, SpA and the microbiome is discussed, with a focus on the major SpA risk gene HLA-B*27 and how it is associated with both intestinal tolerance and the loss of ocular immune privilege that can accompany AAU. We provide four potential mechanisms to account for how dysbiosis, barrier function and immune response contribute to the development of ocular inflammation and the pathogenesis of AAU. Finally, potential therapeutic avenues to target the microbiota for the clinical management of AAU and SpA are outlined.
Fracture Dynamics of Wedge-Loaded Double Cantilever Beam Specimen

Dynamic photoelasticity was used to analyze the Battelle-type wedge-loaded double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen machined from Homalite-100 sheets of 3/8-in. (9.5 mm) thickness. Dynamic stress intensity factors, dynamic energy release rate, crack velocities of straight and curved cracks were determined. Corresponding static stress intensity factors were calculated by the method of finite element analysis. These results were compared against Kanninen's analytical results and experimental results by Hahn et al using steel specimen. While dynamic photoelasticity results show qualitative agreement with Kanninen's results, the two differ in detail.
Finite Sample Properties of FGLS Estimator for Random-Effects Model under Non-Normality

This paper considers the finite sample properties of the feasible generalized least square (FGLS) estimator for the random-effects model with non-normal errors. By using the asymptotic expansion, we study the effects of skewness and excess kurtosis on the bias and Mean Square Error (MSE) of the estimator. The numerical evaluation of our results is also presented.
APPENDIX 3J Production of Monoclonal Antibodies

This unit describes the production of monoclonal antibodies beginning with immunization and cell fusion and selection. Support protocols are provided for screening primary hybridoma supernatants for antibodies of desired specificity, establishment of stable hybridoma lines, cloning of these B cell lines by limiting dilution to obtain monoclonal lines, and preparation of cloning/expansion medium (thymocyte-conditioned medium).
Nominal Constructions in Modern Standard Arabic With Reference to English

The aim of this study is to investigate nominal constructions of modern standard Arabic in terms of their types, their patterns and selectional restrictions and compare them with their counterparts in English so as to arrive at points that will be productive for pedagogical and translation purposes. The analysis of the data focuses on morphsyntactic processes to see in order to show the constructions morphologically as one word nominal or syntactically as a group of nouns in nominal positions. The objective of this study is to provide an account on a specific syntactic structure with special reference to English, in efforts to promote the importance of modern standard Arabic studies as an appropriate mean to better understand the standard and formal form of a language. The study concludes with the investigation as well as the main conclusions reached and offers a suggestion for further studies.
Narrowband, infrared absorbing metasurface using polystyrene thin films

We present the results of an experimental investigation of polystyrene’s suitability as a dielectric material for designing narrowband, infrared metasurface-based absorbers. Our study included characterization of processing parameters of polystyrene films, such as surface roughness and film thickness, which are critical for device fabrication, and the dielectric properties, which we measured, using spectroscopic ellipsometry. Our results confirm that thin film polystyrene is a relatively low-loss dielectric material at long-wave infrared (LWIR) frequencies. Subsequently, this material was used as the dielectric substrate of a thin, narrowband, metasurface-based absorber at LWIR frequencies. The fabricated narrowband absorber demonstrates excellent performance in the LWIR band with absorptivity as high as 96% and a full-width-at-half-maximum bandwidth of 0.502 μ m or 4.87%.
Short-term residential mortgage contracts in American economic history

Abstract Short-term contracts were a staple of the American residential mortgage market until the Great Depression, after which policymakers pushed for longer terms in order to eliminate refinancing risk. Using a first-of-its-kind data set on mortgages outstanding in 1930, this paper suggests that short-term contracts had remained popular until the Depression because of their appeal to a class of well-off sophisticated borrowers who were undeterred by refinancing risk, and who valued flexible amortization. In contrast, typical wage earners preferred longer terms in order to eliminate refinancing risk, even as they took on the burden of regular amortization payments.
Charge Storage in Cation Incorporated α-MnO2

Electrochemical supercapacitors utilizing α-MnO2 offer the possibility of both high power density and high energy density. Unfortunately, the mechanism of electrochemical charge storage in α-MnO2 and the effect of operating conditions on the charge storage mechanism are generally not well-understood. Here, we present the first detailed charge storage mechanism of α-MnO2 and explain the capacity differences between α- and β-MnO2 using a combined theoretical electrochemical and band structure analysis. We identify the importance of the band gap, work function, the point of zero charge, and the tunnel sizes of the electrode material, as well as the pH and stability window of the electrolyte in determining the viability of a given electrode material. The high capacity of α-MnO2 results from cation induced charge-switching states in the band gap that overlap with the scanned potential allowed by the electrolyte. The charge-switching states originate from interstitial and substitutional cations (H+, Li+, Na+, a...
Assessment of a quality improvement intervention to improve the consistency of total body surface area burn estimates between referring facilities and a pediatric burn center

Burns are a significant source of pediatric morbidity and frequently result in transfer of care to a pediatric burn center. The estimated total body surface area (%TBSA) is a clinical measurement of burn severity that influences fluid management and mode of transport decisions. Data suggest that assessments by referring facilities often overestimate the %TBSA in comparison to the subsequent assessment at the pediatric burn center. Such discrepancies may trigger inappropriately aggressive interventions with potential for patient harm. Our baseline assessment of data from 164 patients transferred to our pediatric burn …
Examining crash injury severity and barrier-hit outcomes from cable barriers and strong-post guardrails on Alabama's interstate highways.

Abstract Introduction: This study investigates the impact of several risk factors (i.e., roadway, driver, vehicle, environmental, and barrier-specific characteristics) on the injury severity resulting from barrier-related crashes and also on barrier-hit outcomes (i.e., vehicle containment, vehicle redirection, and barrier penetration). A total of 1,685 barrier-related crashes, which occurred on three major interstate highways (I-65, I-85, and I-20) in the state of Alabama, were collected for a seven-year period (2010–2016), and all relevant information from the police reports was reviewed. Features that were rarely explored before (e.g., median width, barrier length, barrier offset or lateral position, left shoulder width, blockout type, and number of cables) were also collected and examined. Two types of longitudinal barriers were analyzed: high-tension cable barriers installed on medians and strong-post guardrails installed on medians and/or roadsides. Method: Two separate mixed logit (MXL) models were used to analyze crash injury severity in median and roadside barrier-related crashes. Two additional MXL models were separately adopted for median and roadside barrier-related crashes to estimate the probability of three barrier-hit outcomes (vehicle containment, vehicle redirection, and barrier penetration). Results: The results of crash injury severity MXL models showed that, for both median and roadside barrier crashes, barrier penetration, female drivers, and driver fatigue were associated with a higher probability of injury or fatal crashes. The results of barrier-hit MXL models showed that longer barrier length, Brifen cable barrier system, and barrier lateral position were significant predictors of median barrier-hit outcomes, whereas dark lighting condition, driving under the influence (DUI), presence of curved freeway sections, and right shoulder width significantly contributed to roadside barrier-hit outcomes. Conclusions: The MXL model succeeded in identifying several contributing factors of crash severity and barrier-hit outcomes along Alabama’s interstate highways. Practical applications: One study application is to design longer barrier run length (greater than 1230 feet or 0.2 miles) to reduce the barrier penetration likelihood.
Evaluation of Cardiac Malposition, Cardiac Segmental Approach, and Heterotaxy Syndrome

Cardiac CT is a powerful tool for diagnosis and management of patients with complex congenital heart disease. Utilizing a comprehensive, systematic descriptive scheme is essential to consistently describe features of a wide variety of defects, ensure consistent evaluation from patient to patient, and communicate these abnormalities in a succinct and complete way to multidisciplinary teams. Complete and thorough diagnosis of all cardiac defects and associated lesions allows for optimal interventional planning and counseling of the patient and caregivers. We present our method for describing the wide constellation of anatomic and cardiac defects typically found in complex patients, especially helpful in those with heterotaxy syndrome. The basic components that should be described, when possible, are cardiac position, pulmonary and abdominal (visceral) situs, systemic and pulmonary venous connections, atrial situs (or arrangement), ventricular situs and atrioventricular relationships, outflow tracts and ventriculoarterial alignments, and the great arteries.
Relations and Functions

This chapter discusses the concepts of relations and functions. Relations and functions have many applications in the real world. A relation is any set of ordered pairs. The set of all first coordinates is called the domain of the relation, and the set of all second coordinates is said to be the range of the relation. There are two ways to specify the ordered pairs in a relation. One method is to list them. The other method is to give the rule for obtaining them. If the ordered pairs of a relation are given in terms of an equation rather than a list, the graph of the relation can be used to determine if the relation is a function or not. Any two ordered pairs with the same first coordinates would lie along a vertical line parallel to the y -axis. Therefore, if a vertical line crosses the graph of a relation in more than one place, the relation cannot be a function. If no vertical line can be found that crosses the graph in more than one place, the relation must be a function. Testing to see if a relation is a function by observing if a vertical line crosses the graph of the relation in more than one place is called the vertical line test.
Two Geometric Algorithms for Layout Analysis

This paper presents geometric algorithms for solving two key problems in layout analysis: finding a cover of the background whitespace of a document in terms of maximal empty rectangles, and finding constrained maximum likelihood matches of geometric text line models in the presence of geometric obstacles. The algorithms are considerably easier to implement than prior methods, they return globally optimal solutions, and they require no heuristics. The paper also introduces an evaluation function that reliably identifies maximal empty rectangles corresponding to column boundaries. Combining this evaluation function with the two geometric algorithms results in an easy-to-implement layout analysis system. Reliability of the system is demonstrated on documents from the UW3 database.
Modeling implicit collaboration with normative agent architectures

Although there are many explicit collaboration mechanisms in which human teams commit to a joint project, a high level of implicit coordination can be achieved in human societies through the propagation of social norms. A norm can be defined as a “a behavioral rule that is considered valid by the majority of the population” [1]. Norms play a significant role in determining the behavior of people in human societies, and have been successfully used to achieve coordination within normative multi-agent systems.
Pulmonary Pseudallescheria boydii infection with cutaneous zygomycosis after near drowning.

Abstract:Pseudallescheria boydii is a ubiquitously occurring fungus. While rarely causing opportunistic infection in humans, it is the most common cause of fungal pneumonia in cases of near drowning, and is associated with high mortality. P boydii typically causes cutaneous mycetomas but may invade
Enzymology and subcellular localization of aldehyde oxidation in rat liver: Oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde derived from dopamine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid

Abstract In the presence of ethanol, the metabolism of dopamine in rat liver slices is altered such that the major product is 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol, not 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). It has been proposed that this metabolic alteration is due to the inhibition of the oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) by acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol. The oxidation of DOPAL in rat liver slices, however, is not inhibited dramatically by relatively high concentrations of acetaldehyde [A. W. Tank and H. Weiner, Biochem. Pharmac. 28 , 3139 (1979)]. Thus, it is possible that acetaldehyde and DOPAL are oxidized by different isozymes of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) present in different subcellular compartments. Acetaldehyde is oxidized by isozymes of ALDH that are found in the matrix space of the mitochondria of rat liver. The subcellular site of the oxidation of most other aldehydes is not known. Mitochondrial, microsomal and cytosol fractions of the rat liver were isolated by differential centrifugation, and the isozymes of ALDH present in the cytosol and mitochondrial fractions were separated by column isoelectric focusing. Five isozymes of ALDH were isolated from the cytosol, and three isozymes were isolated from the mitochondria. The K m values for acetaldehyde, p -nitrobenzaldehyde and DOPAL for each of the isolated isozymes were determined and were found to range from approximately 1 μM to 1 mM. Each subcellular fraction was incubated with [ethylamine-2- 14 C]dopamine to determine its ability to oxidize DOPAL. Partially purified monoamine oxidase was used to generate DOPAL for those incubations which did not contain mitochondria. Intact mitochondria were capable of oxidizing virtually all the DOPAL to DOPAC in the presence or absence of added pyridine nucleotide coenzymes. Cytosol and microsomal fractions were capable of oxidizing the aldehyde, but not to the same extent as the intact mitochondria. ALDH activity present in the mitochondrial matrix space was inhibited by the addition of rotenone. This treatment inhibited formation of DOPAC by 80 per cent in isolated intact mitochondria in the absence of added pyridine nucleotides. Inclusion of rotenone caused the inhibition of DOPAC formation by ca. 50 per cent when intact mitochondria, microsomes and cytosol were incubated together with dopamine. These results suggest that an isozyme of ALDH present in the mitochondrial matrix space is primarily responsible for the oxidation of DOPAL in rat liver, though nonmitochondrial enzymes can contribute to the oxidation.
Adapting Predictions and Workloads for Power Management

Power conservation in systems is critical for mobile, sensor network, and other power-constrained environments. While disk spin-down policies can contribute greatly to reducing the power consumption of the storage subsystem, the reshaping of the access workload can actively increase such energy savings. Traditionally reshaping of the access workload is a result of caches passively modifying the workload with the aim of increasing hit ratios and reducing access latency. In contrast, we present the a shifting predictive policy that actively reshapes the workload with the primary goal of conserving disk energy consumption. By reshaping the disk workload to explicitly lengthen idle periods, the disk can remain spun-down longer, saving more energy. We show that our approach can save up to 75% of disk energy compared to the common fixed-timeout spin-down policies. Our shifting algorithm dynamically shifts to the most energy efficient cache prefetching policy based on the current workload. This best shifting prefetching policy is shown to use 15% to 35% less energy than traditional disk spin-down strategies and 5% to 10% less energy than the use of a fixed (non-shifting) prefetching policy.
Syndiospecific propylene polymerization with C1 symmetric group 4 ansa-metallocene catalysts

C1 symmetric group 4 ansa-metallocenes [Me2C(Cp)(3-CH2X-2-R-Ind)MCl2 (M = Zr, R = H, X = Me (3); M = Zr, R = H, X = SiMe3 (4); M = Zr, R = Me, X = SiMe3 (5); M = Hf, R = H, X = SiMe3 (6); M = Hf, R = Me, X = SiMe3 (7); Cp = cyclopentadienyl, Ind = indenyl), upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), catalyze the polymerization of propylene to predominantly syndiotactic polypropylene. The preparations of complexes 3−7 and the molecular structures of 3 and 4 are reported. The polypropylenes produced have [rrrr] pentad contents ranging from 43 to 75% depending on the employed transition metal, ligand substitution pattern, and polymerization conditions. The 2-Me-substituted catalysts 5/MAO and 7/MAO exhibit higher activities and higher stereospecificities than their unsubstituted analogues 4/MAO and 6/MAO. Stereoselectivities of the zirconium catalysts 3−5/MAO are sensitive to the monomer concentration, showing decreasing syndiotacticities with decreasing propylene pressure due to increasing amount of skip...
Sputtered CdS/CdTe solar cells with MoO3−x/Au back contacts

Abstract The performance of sputtered CdS/CdTe solar cells with MoO 3− x /Au contacts was examined. The cells were fabricated on Pilkington SnO 2 :F-coated soda-lime glass with a high resistivity transparent SnO 2 buffer layer. The MoO 3- x /Au back contact layers were deposited by thermal evaporation. The incorporation of the MoO 3− x layer was found to improve the open circuit voltage ( V OC ) but reduce the fill factor (FF) of the sputtered CdS/CdTe cells. While V OC is not sensitive to the thickness of the MoO 3 layer, FF is very sensitive. The optimal thickness for the MoO 3 layer is found to be 2–5 nm, which yields nearly 12% efficiency. The performance of these CdS/CdTe solar cells was further evaluated under thermal stress at 200 °C in controlled environments. We found that the cells degraded significantly under thermal stress in air, due to the increase of series resistance or decrease of FF.
Switching loss of 600 V Gen-1 and Gen-2 P-MCTs in soft-switching circuits

This paper characterizes switching losses of 600 V generation-1 and generation-2 P-MCT (MOS controlled thyristors) devices. These devices, packaged in TO-218 and TO-247, are rated at 75 A for continuous current at 90/spl deg/C case temperature. By operating the MCTs in soft switching fashion, the turn-on and the turn-off losses can be greatly reduced or eliminated. In such circuits dissipation in the MCTs is dominated by conduction loss which is low and close to power diodes with the similar ratings. To assist practical circuit design, this paper presents test results for several possible soft switching operations of the MCTs. The surge current capability of the MCTs is also demonstrated. >
The effect of fluoride on 45Ca kinetics in Paget's disease.

ABSTRACT 45Ca kinetic studies performed on patients with Paget's Disease before and after treatment with sodium fluoride 60 mg/day, revealed reduction in the exchangeable calcium pool, bone accretion, and bone resorption rates. The decrease in bone accretion rates appear to be primarily a reflection of the decrease in the size of the exchangeable calcium pool. Bone biopsy studies showed wide, poorly calcined osteoid seams. Calcium balance became more positive in five of the six patients.
33 State of stress within the earth

Stress is the continuum equivalent of force. Any mechanical process in the solid or fluid parts of the Earth must involve stress. Plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, glacial rebound, landslides, tidal deformation, phase changes, fluid flow, rock folding, and crystallization are examples of some of the processes that generate, modify, and consume stress within the Earth. Essentially, stress makes geologic processes happen, and geologic processes make stress. This chapter discusses the basic definition of stress and provides a simplified view of rock strength. It emphasizes on some recent trends in stress studies. The stress state can be mainly divided into two parts: pressure and shear stress. The most important aspect of stress state is the difference between shear stress and failure stress levels. The support of gravitational loads on and within the Earth provides constraints on minimum shear stress levels. The stress state that emerges from these constraints is that plate interiors may have high levels of shear stress, but that plate boundaries and other major active faults have low shear stress.
Microwave spectrum and hydrogen bonding in 2-dimethylaminoethanol

Abstract The microwave spectrum of the normal species of 2-dimethylaminoethanol gives rotational constants (MHz) A = 5814.0(2), B = 2214.54(2), and C = 2037.96(2) and a dipole moment of 2.56 D, with a, b, and c components (D) of 2.27(2), 0.3(1), and 1.16(5), respectively, consistent with a gauche OCCN configuration, and an OH⋯N type hydrogen bond, facilitated by a central CN configuration distorted approximately 23° from “staggered.” The hydroxy d1 species rotational constants (MHz) A = 5688.95(38), B = 2190.17(4), and C = 2028.00(4) are consistent with either the hydroxyl group structure r OH = 1.235 A and COH = 100.5° or a structurally normal hydroxyl group with an approximate 0.01 ArO⋯N shrinkage upon deuteration.
ACTION RESEARCH ON REDLINING: METHODOLOGICAL WEAKNESSES, SOCIO‐POLITICAL STRENGTHS*

A chronological review and methodological critique of action research on redlining in 15 communities is presented. Redlining studies have been conducted or sponsored by three types of researchers: ...
Monolithic integrated Raman silicon lasers and amplifiers

In this paper, a chip-scale Raman silicon laser and amplifier based on a ring resonator architecture are presented. Lasing threshold and efficiency are significantly improved from the previous experiments. Much lower pump power and smaller foot print are needed for the ring resonator amplifier compared to Raman amplifier in linear configuration due to the resonance enhancement effect. The ring resonator based laser and amplifier architecture allows for on-chip integration with other silicon photonics components to provide a monolithic integrated photonic device.
Changes in the Adsorbate Dipole Layer with Changing d-Filling of the Metal (II) (Co, Ni, Cu) Phthalocyanines on Au(111)

In combined photoemission and inverse photoemission spectroscopy studies, we observe changes in the metal phthalocyanine molecular orbital offsets with respect to the conducting gold substrate Fermi level, with the changing d-electron filling of the metal (II) (Co, Ni, Cu) phthalocyanines. The implication is that the interfacial dipole layer depends upon the choice of metal (Co, Ni, Cu) centers within the metal (II) phthalocyanines adsorbed on Au(111).
Syntheses of Mixed-Ligand Tetranuclear Gold(I)−Nitrogen Clusters by Ligand Exchange Reactions with the Dinuclear Gold(I) Formamidinate Complex Au2(2,6-Me2Ph-form)2

The reaction of the sterically crowded dinuclear gold(I) amidinate complex Au2(2,6-Me2Ph-form)2, 1, with the less bulky bidentate nitrogen ligands results in the formation of tetranuclear gold(I) complexes. When the less bulky amidinate, K(4-MePh-form), A, was reacted with 1 in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio, crystals containing equal amounts of the tetranuclear and dinuclear gold(I) aryl formamidinates, Au4(4-MePh-form)4 and Au2(2,6-Me2Ph-form)2, where 2,6-Me2Ph-form = B, were found in the same unit cell, 2 x 2THF: space group P, a = 10.794(11) A, b = 14.392(15) A, c = 25.75(3) A, alpha = 82.564(17) degrees, beta = 85.443(18) degrees, gamma = 82.614(19) degrees. The reaction of K(4-MePh-form), A, and 1 in a 1:2 ratio (excess) produced the tetranuclear complex only, 3. The potassium salt of the exchanged bulky ligand, K(2,6-Me2Ph-form), formed as a byproduct. The reaction of the dinuclear gold(I) complex Au2(2,6-Me2Ph-form)2 with the 3,5-diphenylpyrazolate salt, K(3,5-Ph2pz), resulted in the formation of two tetranuclear mixed-ligand complexes, Au4(3,5-Ph2pz)2(2,6-Me2Ph-form)2 x 2THF, 4 x 2THF (space group P21/c, a = 11.5747(19) A, b = 25.497(4) A, c = 21.221(3) A, beta = 96.979(3) degrees) and Au4(3,5-Ph2pz)3(2,6-Me2Ph-form) x THF, 5 x THF (space group P21/c, a = 23.058(5) A, b = 14.314(3) A, c = 18.528(4) A, beta = 90.94(3) degrees. The block crystals from the tetranuclear complex, 4 x 2THF, contain mixed ligands with each pyrazolate ring facing an amidinate ring. The tetranuclear mixed ligand complex, 5 x THF, was isolated as needles with ligands alternating above and below the Au4 plane. The two tetranuclear mixed-ligand complexes emit at 490 and 530 nm, respectively, under UV excitation.
Interaction of cocaine with positive GABAA modulators on the repeated acquisition and performance of response sequences in rats.

Rationale Although positive GABAA modulators can attenuate several cocaine-induced behavioral effects, there is a paucity of data on their interaction with cocaine on transition behavior or learning.
The Effects of Processing on Some Characteristics, Including Fatty Acid Composition, of Chicken Fat

Abstract Chicken fatty tissues were dry rendered, wet rendered, and solvent extracted. Fat samples obtained from these operations and also fat samples from skimming of commercial poultry cooking were analyzed. Peroxide values, free fatty acid and moisture contents were determined by A.O.C.S. official methods. Organoleptic characteristics were comparatively observed and described. Lipids were fractionated on thin layer plates. Fatty acids were analyzed on a gas-liquid chromatograph as their methyl ester derivatives. Results obtained indicated that processing had little effect on all the variables considered. The small variations observed may be attributed to temperature differences during processing and from the use or non-use of added water during rendering. All of the procedures used resulted in chicken fats complying with existing recommended specifications for poultry fats.
The Apex Cardiogram in Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction

The use of the apex cardiogram offers a simple yet valuable aid in the diagnosis of obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. Characteristic changes in the ejection component of the apex cardiogram distinguish obstruction due to hypertrophic subaortic stenosis from obstruction due to valvular aortic stenosis. A second systolic wave is inscribed in the mid-ejection period of the apex cardiogram in hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. This wave reflects the development of the obstruction of the outflow tract of the left ventricle by the hypertrophied septum. This obstruction is not apparent in the apex cardiogram at the onset of ejection but becomes manifest as contraction progresses. Although the apex cardiogram in patients with subaortic stenosis may appear normal at rest, isoproterenol may act as a provocative agent inducing the characteristic changes of this condition. In valvular stenosis obstruction is reflected in the apex cardiogram from the very onset of ejection and is manifest throughout the...
Is space for ordinary people

A blue ribbon Advisory Council to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently reported the results of its 1-year study on whether to send private citizens on space shuttle missions. The answer from this panel, which was made up of an astronaut, a physician, several major space industry executives, and the author James A. Michener, was yes. If this result is acted upon, private citizens may fly on a shuttle mission in this decade. The NASA Advisory Council claimed at the outset that the concept is not to be misconstrued as a self-serving public relations program. The main objective, it would appear, is for laymen to provide real functions in space missions; they could add a valuable dimension to the missions, if only by communicating first-hand space experiences to the general public. But, in addition to the widespread public interest in space, ordinary citizens are needed now and in the future: Inspace technological manufacturing plants appear to be a good bet in a decade or so, and civilians can contribute to readiness programs as they work with highly specialized astronaut pilots.